Abstract: The invention provides an elevator for separating and distributing a plurality of whole freshly harvested tobacco leaves including clumps of agglomerated tobacco leaves. The elevator has an inclined frame longitudinally extending between a lower end and an upper end, an endless conveyor, and a declumper. The frame carries deck portions extending substantially between the lower end and the upper end. The conveyor is adapted to travel over the deck portions in an upward direction and under the deck portions in a downward direction. The conveyor is also adapted to carry the tobacco leaves to the upper end and discharge the tobacco leaves from the upper end. Also, the elevator includes a declumper adapted to buffet the clumps of tobacco leaves to separate the whole tobacco leaves in the clumps from each other.

Abstract: The invention provides an elevator for separating and distributing a plurality of whole freshly harvested tobacco leaves including clumps of agglomerated tobacco leaves. The elevator has an inclined frame longitudinally extending between a lower end and an upper end, an endless conveyor, and a declumper. The frame carries deck portions extending substantially between the lower end and the upper end. The conveyor is adapted to travel over the deck portions in an upward direction and under the deck portions in a downward direction. The conveyor is also adapted to carry the tobacco leaves to the upper end and discharge the tobacco leaves from the upper end. Also, the elevator includes a declumper adapted to buffet the clumps of tobacco leaves to separate the whole tobacco leaves in the clumps from each other.

Abstract: The invention provides a trailer box for receiving and discharging a load of freshly harvested tobacco leaves having an average minimum tobacco leaf dimension. The trailer box includes a frame carrying a deck having an upper surface. The trailer box also includes an endless conveyor adapted to travel over the upper surface on a rearward journey. The conveyor includes a conveying loop extending between axles mounted to the frame. The conveyor also includes support bars having upper support bar surfaces attached transversely to the conveying loop and spaced from each other a distance selected to be less than the average minimum tobacco leaf dimension to suspend the load. The conveying loop maintains a separation between the upper support bar surfaces and the upper surface of the deck during the rearward journey of the conveyor, selected to minimize friction between the suspended load and the upper surface of the deck.