Abstract: The present application relates to a tobacco bale splitting apparatus for splitting a bale of compressed tobacco having a plurality of generally parallel tobacco leaves having stems. The present application also relates to a method of splitting a tobacco bale.

Abstract: The present application relates to a tobacco bale splitting apparatus for splitting a bale of compressed tobacco having a plurality of generally parallel tobacco leaves having stems. The present application also relates to a method of splitting a tobacco bale.

Abstract: The present application relaxes to a tobacco bale splitting apparatus for splitting a bale of compressed tobacco having a plurality of generally parallel tobacco leaves having stems The present application also relates to a method of splitting a tobacco bale.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating lighter particles such as lamina containing little or no stem from tobacco particles contained in threshed leaf tobacco which comprises a plurality of tobacco particle separating units, each including a separation chamber each a fan system for establishing a generally upward air flow therein. A tobacco particle projecting mechanism is provided in each chamber for projecting tobacco particles across the generally upward air flow therein with each having structure for directing tobacco particles in cooperating relation therewith to be projected thereby. Mechanisms are provided for receiving the lighter particles carried upwardly by the air flow, the heavier particles moving downwardly within the air flow within each chamber and discharging the particles therefrom.

Abstract: A method is provided for separating lighter particles from heavier particles in a mixture thereof utilizing a separation chamber for continuous movement of particles therethrough. The chamber has a pair of opposite sides one of which is a projecting side and one of which is a receiving side, the projecting side of the chamber having an inlet opening for receiving the lighter and heavier particles of the mixture with the receiving side of the chamber having an outlet opening disposed generally across from the inlet opening.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating lighter particles from tobacco particles contained in threshed leaf tobacco includes a plurality of tobacco particle separating units, each including a separation chamber and having a fan system for establishing a generally upward air flow therein. A tobacco particle projecting mechanism is provided in each chamber for projecting, in cooperation with additional air flow provided at the projecting side of the separation chamber, tobacco particles across the upward air flow therein with each having structure for directing tobacco particles in cooperating relation therewith to be projected thereby. Mechanisms receive the lighter particles carried upwardly by the air flow, the heavier particles moving downwardly within each chamber and discharge the particles therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating lighter particles such as lamina containing little or no stem from tobacco particles contained in threshed leaf tobacco which comprises a plurality of tobacco particle separating units, each including a separation chamber each a fan system for establishing a generally upward air flow therein. A tobacco particle projecting mechanism is provided in each chamber for projecting tobacco particles across the generally upward air flow therein with each having structure for directing tobacco particles in cooperating relation therewith to be projected thereby. Mechanisms are provided for receiving the lighter particles carried upwardly by the air flow, the heavier particles moving downwardly within the air flow within each chamber and discharging the particles therefrom.

Abstract: A separation device for separating threshed leaf tobacco into (1) lighter particles such as lamina containing little or no stem and (2) heavier particles such as lamina with attached stems or naked stems. The device includes a housing defining a separation chamber. A fan circulation system having an improved variable flow plural flow path arrangement establishes a generally upward air flow through the separation chamber. A tobacco supply inlet is disposed at an inlet side of the separation chamber for receiving a supply of threshed leaf tobacco downwardly therethrough and a threshed leaf tobacco projecting winnower is disposed below the tobacco supply inlet for projecting the supply so that (1) the lighter particles are generally carried upwardly by the air flow within the separation chamber and (2) the heavier particles move generally downwardly through the air flow.

Abstract: A high efficiency tobacco separator for separating lighter particles such as leaf or lamina from heavier particles such as stem in a tobacco mixture have a primary and a secondary air separation chamber. Two winnowers are provided in the primary chamber for tossing tobacco mixture back and forth across the chamber. A generally upward air flow is established in both the primary chamber and the secondary chamber, and the air flow, combined with inertial and gravitational effects, functions to separate lighter particles from heavier particles by entraining the lighter particles in the upward air flow. A conveyor assembly is positioned across the bottom of a primary chamber and extending into and projecting into the secondary chamber. The conveyor arrangement accumulates heavier particles which fall to the bottom of the primary chamber and projects them into the secondary chamber where additional air flow separation occurs.