Abstract: An endless transport conveyor for sorting tobacco containers, specifically sheets and bales. The tobacco container sorting conveyor includes an endless foraminous belt with top and bottom runs, a slotted support located below the top run, a collecting pan located below the support and a motor for driving the endless belt. A supply conveyor is adjacent one end of the transport conveyor and loads the tobacco containers onto the belt. As the tobacco containers are conveyed, tobacco particles that fall through the belt and support are received on the collecting pan. Diverting assemblies mounted along one side of or above the belt selectively divert the tobacco containers, via the input from sensors, into station chutes mounted along one or both sides of the belt and opposite from each diverting assembly. An end chute and bin may extend from the end of the transport conveyor or opposite the supply conveyor for collecting tobacco waste too large to fall through the belt.

Abstract: An endless transport conveyor for sorting tobacco containers, specifically sheets and bales. The tobacco container sorting conveyor includes an endless foraminous belt with top and bottom runs, a slotted support located below the top run, a collecting device located below the support and a motor for driving the endless belt. A supply conveyor is adjacent one end of the transport conveyor and loads the tobacco containers onto the belt. As the tobacco containers are conveyed, tobacco particles that fall through the belt and support are received on the collecting device. Diverting assemblies mounted along one side of or above the belt selectively divert the tobacco containers into station chutes mounted along one or both sides of the belt and opposite from each diverting assembly. An end chute and bin may extend from the end of the transport conveyor or opposite the supply conveyor for collecting tobacco waste too large to fall through the belt.