MOBILE TOBACCO RECEIVING STATION
A system, method, computer program product, and mobile receiving station for receiving and processing leaf tobacco at a location of a tobacco farmer, including processing the tobacco leaf at the location, including means for weighing and grading of the received tobacco leaf and, optionally, determining moisture content and transmitting information relating to the optionally determined moisture content, the weight, and the grade of the received tobacco leaf to a tobacco product manufacturing facility over a communications link.
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This patent application claims priority to the following provisional patent application: Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/989,365, entitled “Mobile Receiving Tobacco Station System and Method,” filed on Nov. 20, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELDThe present invention generally relates to selling and purchasing of tobacco leaf, and more particularly to a method and system for tobacco leaf selling and purchasing using a mobile receiving station.
As shown in
Therefore, there is a need for a method and system that addresses the above and other problems. The above and other problems are addressed by the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which provide a standalone mobile platform and business model that provides flexibility in tobacco buying and receiving services to tobacco growers in traditional and new and expanding areas. In an exemplary embodiment, a mobile receiving station (MRS) is provided, which can condense a conventional receiving line to about 25 feet and provide the associated finance and information services for creating a fully mobile operation. Advantageously, the mobile receiving station and associated business model allows tobacco product manufacturers (e.g., such as cigarette manufacturers) the flexibility and efficiency to support tobacco farming in both traditional and new and expanding areas by eliminating the transport and consignment costs and by providing a secure market and delivery location for the tobacco farmer. The overall design of the mobile receiving station greatly reduces receiving line operations from about a 70 foot line to about a 25 foot line, thus requiring a reduced number of personnel for its operation. All the necessary tobacco services, for example, including receiving, grading, staging for shipping, issuance of checks, accounting, inventory update, and the like, can all take place at the mobile receiving station. In addition, the mobile receiving station has demonstrated significant increases in efficiency of tobacco purchasing, often outperforming traditional receiving stations, and thus providing a key advantage to future business.
Accordingly, in exemplary aspects of the present invention there is provided a system, method, computer program product, and mobile receiving station for receiving and processing leaf tobacco at a location of a tobacco farmer, including processing the tobacco leaf at the location, including means for weighing and grading of the received tobacco leaf and optionally determining moisture content; and transmitting information relating to the optionally determined moisture content, the weight, and the grade of the received tobacco leaf to a tobacco product manufacturing facility over a communications link.
Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, by illustrating a number of exemplary embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. The present invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to
In
In
Once the bale 1000 has been weighed and graded, and optionally analyzed for moisture content, the processed bale 1017 exits via ramps 1005 and 1010 with such information added to the buy coupon or the like, as shown in
Both the Mobile Receiving Station (MRS) and toter 706 home can include shore power capabilities as well as diesel generators. The shore power connection for the MRS may be provided on the driver's side, just aft of the gooseneck. The toter 706 home connection is on the passenger side near the aft end of the office.
The MRS can include a 20 kW diesel generator (DG) having a 45 gallon fuel tank (not shown). The 20 kW generator is capable supporting MRS operations including HVAC in the event that shore power is lost or unavailable. The DG can be mounted under the working deck with an external access on the driver side of the trailer 704 near the shore power connection. A remote start switch can be located in the MRS.
A jack stand actuator may be located under the gooseneck on the driver's side of the trailer 704. The actuator can allow some independent adjustment of the jacklegs.
The MRS includes slide-outs for loading and unloading and which remain in the “In” position during transit, and overnight after receiving operations have been secured. The MRS trailer 704 slide-out can be in the “Out” position in order for the line to receive tobacco. In
The toter home slide-out may be a 1-touch switch, which can automatically extend or retract the slide-out. The toter home work table can be removed and stowed before the slide-out can be retracted, as shown in
Referring again to
The ramps 1002 and 1010 are raised and lowered via electric winch. Hand held winch controllers are plugged into receptacles on the outside of the MRS trailer 704. Prior to reaching the appropriate heights, the support legs are installed, and the ramps are carefully lowered until firm contact with the ground is made. The support legs are installed via lynch and cotter pins, as shown in
A set of transition rollers 3402 forms a bridge between the 90° transfer 1005 and the off-load ramp 1010. The transition rollers 3402 stow in an upright position, as shown in
The MRS can operate in a similar manner as brick and mortar receiving stations, as shown in
Once power is established, the slide-out, transition, and the on-load/off-load ramps 1002 and 1010 are in place the line is ready to receive tobacco. Bales can be loaded onto the on-load gravity rollers at the rear of the trailer 704, as shown in
The 90° transfer 1005 can engage the bale and drive it off the line for 10 seconds. The bale can travel across the transition onto the off-load ramp 1010, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 27-29, and wait for pick-up.
A safety barrier should be placed outside the MRS. This barrier is to protect growers from forklift traffic and bales, as shown in
The heating and cooling controls on the MRS and toter can be similar to those used in a residential home. The toter home also has a furnace and a ventilation system. The furnace is deck mounted and controlled from the thermostat, as shown in
In
In view of the above, provided is a system for facilitating tobacco purchasing from a tobacco farmer. The system includes a mobile leaf tobacco receiving station for receiving tobacco leaf bales at a location of a tobacco farmer, means for determining bale weight and tobacco leaf grade and, optionally, moisture content for the received tobacco leaf bales and means for transmitting information relating to the optionally determined moisture content, bale weight, and tobacco leaf grade of the received tobacco leaf bales from the mobile receiving station to a tobacco product manufacturing facility over a communications link.
In another form, provided is a mobile receiving station for receiving and processing leaf tobacco at a location of a tobacco farmer. The mobile receiving station includes means for determining bale weight and tobacco leaf grade and, optionally, moisture content, for the received tobacco leaf bales at the location of the tobacco farmer and means for transmitting information relating to the optionally determined moisture content, bale weight, and tobacco leaf grade of the received tobacco leaf bales from the mobile receiving station to a tobacco product manufacturing facility over a communications link.
The systems and mobile receiving stations disclosed herein may be used in a method of facilitating tobacco purchasing from a tobacco farmer. In one form, the method includes the steps of providing a mobile leaf tobacco receiving station for receiving tobacco leaf bales at a location of the tobacco farmer, determining bale weight and tobacco leaf grade and, optionally, moisture content, for the received tobacco leaf bales at the location of the tobacco farmer and transmitting information relating to the optionally determined moisture content, bale weight, and tobacco leaf grade of the received tobacco leaf bales from the mobile receiving station to a tobacco product manufacturing facility over a communications link.
In another form, a method for reducing costs of tobacco selling and buying is provided. The method contemplated herein includes the steps of moving a tobacco receiving station to a location of a tobacco farmer for receiving tobacco leaf at the location of the tobacco farmer, determining weight, and grade of the received tobacco leaf and, optionally, moisture content, via the receiving station and paying the farmer for the received tobacco leaf based on the determined moisture content, weight, and grade of the received tobacco leaf. In one form, the step of determining grade of the received tobacco leaf is conducted in the presence of the tobacco farmer, enabling the tobacco farmer to receive direct feedback that may be used to improve a future tobacco crop.
Although the exemplary embodiments are described in terms of a mobile receiving station and system for processing leaf tobacco, in further exemplary embodiments the mobile receiving station and system can be applied to any other suitable products that require processing, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s).
Although the exemplary embodiments are described in terms of a mobile receiving station in the form of a truck vehicle, in further exemplary embodiments other vehicles, such as planes, boats, and the like, can be employed as mobile receiving stations, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s).
The above-described devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments can include, for example, any suitable servers, workstations, PCs, laptop computers, PDAs, Internet appliances, handheld devices, cellular telephones, wireless devices, other devices, and the like, capable of performing the processes of the exemplary embodiments. The devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments can communicate with each other using any suitable protocol and can be implemented using one or more programmed computer systems or devices.
One or more interface mechanisms can be used with the exemplary embodiments, including, for example, Internet access, telecommunications in any suitable form (e.g., voice, modem, and the like), wireless communications media, and the like. For example, employed communications networks or links can include one or more wireless communications networks, cellular communications networks, G3 communications networks, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTNs), Packet Data Networks (PDNs), the Internet, intranets, a combination thereof, and the like.
It is to be understood that the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments are for exemplary purposes, as many variations of the specific hardware used to implement the exemplary embodiments are possible, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s). For example, the functionality of one or more of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments can be implemented via one or more programmed computer systems or devices.
To implement such variations as well as other variations, a single computer system can be programmed to perform the special purpose functions of one or more of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, two or more programmed computer systems or devices can be substituted for any one of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments. Accordingly, principles and advantages of distributed processing, such as redundancy, replication, and the like, also can be implemented, as desired, to increase the robustness and performance of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments.
The devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments can store information relating to various processes described herein. This information can be stored in one or more memories, such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM, and the like, of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments. One or more databases of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments can store the information used to implement the exemplary embodiments of the present inventions. The databases can be organized using data structures (e.g., records, tables, arrays, fields, graphs, trees, lists, and the like) included in one or more memories or storage devices listed herein. The processes described with respect to the exemplary embodiments can include appropriate data structures for storing data collected and/or generated by the processes of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments in one or more databases thereof.
All or a portion of the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments can be conveniently implemented using one or more general purpose computer systems, microprocessors, digital signal processors, micro-controllers, and the like, programmed according to the teachings of the exemplary embodiments of the present inventions, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the computer and software arts.
In view thereof, in one form there is provided a computer program product for facilitating tobacco purchasing from a tobacco farmer via a mobile leaf tobacco receiving station for receiving tobacco leaf at a location of a tobacco farmer, including one or more computer readable instructions embedded on a tangible computer readable medium and configured to cause one or more computer processors to perform the steps of determining bale weight, tobacco leaf grade and, optionally, moisture content, for the received tobacco leaf bales at the location of the tobacco farmer and transmitting information relating to the optionally determined moisture content, bale weight, and tobacco leaf grade of the received tobacco leaf bales from the mobile receiving station to a tobacco product manufacturing facility over a communications link.
Appropriate software can be readily prepared by programmers of ordinary skill based on the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the software art. Further, the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments can be implemented on the World Wide Web. In addition, the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments can be implemented by the preparation of application-specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the electrical art(s). Thus, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and/or software.
Stored on any one or on a combination of computer readable media, the exemplary embodiments of the present inventions can include software for controlling the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments, for driving the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments, for enabling the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments to interact with a human user, and the like. Such software can include, but is not limited to, device drivers, firmware, operating systems, development tools, applications software, and the like. Such computer readable media further can include the computer program product of an embodiment of the present inventions for performing all or a portion (if processing is distributed) of the processing performed in implementing the inventions. Computer code devices of the exemplary embodiments of the present inventions can include any suitable interpretable or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLLs), Java classes and applets, complete executable programs, Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) objects, and the like. Moreover, parts of the processing of the exemplary embodiments of the present inventions can be distributed for better performance, reliability, cost, and the like.
As stated above, the devices and subsystems of the exemplary embodiments can include computer readable medium or memories for holding instructions programmed according to the teachings of the present inventions and for holding data structures, tables, records, and/or other data described herein. Computer readable medium can include any suitable medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium can take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, transmission media, and the like. Non-volatile media can include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, and the like. Volatile media can include dynamic memories, and the like. Transmission media can include coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optics, and the like. Transmission media also can take the form of acoustic, optical, electromagnetic waves, and the like, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) communications, infrared (IR) data communications, and the like. Common forms of computer-readable media can include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other suitable magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other suitable optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other suitable physical medium with patterns of holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other suitable memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave or any other suitable medium from which a computer can read.
Advantageously, the exemplary embodiments provide cost savings by avoiding brick-and-mortar receiving station operator charges. In addition, the farmers get immediate feedback and information regarding crop grade and immediate payment via issued checks or electronic funds transfers. Further, the farmers also avoid transportation costs of moving bales from the farm to the brick-and-mortar receiving station. Moreover, the exemplary embodiments provide a competitive advantage by providing the ability for on-the-spot purchase with farmers who have extra tobacco beyond commitment to others. This helps in short-crop years (e.g. during draught conditions) or when venturing with new types of tobacco.
While the present inventions have been described in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments, and implementations, the present inventions are not so limited, but rather cover various modifications, and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the present claims.
Claims
1. A method of facilitating tobacco purchasing from a tobacco farmer, the method comprising:
- providing a mobile leaf tobacco receiving station for receiving tobacco leaf bales at a location of the tobacco farmer;
- determining bale weight and tobacco leaf grade for the received tobacco leaf bales at the location of the tobacco farmer;
- optionally determining moisture content at the location of the tobacco farmer; and
- transmitting information relating to the determined bale weight, tobacco leaf grade, and optionally determined moisture content, of the received tobacco leaf bales from the mobile receiving station to a tobacco product manufacturing facility over a communications link.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising issuing funds to the tobacco farmer based on the determined moisture content, bale weight, and tobacco leaf grade of the received tobacco leaf bales.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the communications link comprises a wireless communications link.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the wireless communications link comprises a satellite communications link.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile receiving station comprises a truck having a trailer and a toter.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the trailer includes a loading ramp and an off loading ramp.
7. A computer program product for facilitating tobacco purchasing from a tobacco farmer via a mobile leaf tobacco receiving station for receiving tobacco leaf at a location of a tobacco farmer, including one or more computer readable instructions embedded on a tangible computer readable medium and configured to cause one or more computer processors to perform the steps of:
- determining bale weight and tobacco leaf grade for the received tobacco leaf bales at the location of the tobacco farmer;
- optionally determining moisture content at the location of the tobacco farmer; and
- transmitting information relating to the determined bale weight, tobacco leaf grade, and optionally determined moisture content, of the received tobacco leaf bales from the mobile receiving station to a tobacco product manufacturing facility over a communications link.
8. The computer program product of claim 7, further comprising issuing funds to the tobacco farmer based on the determined moisture content, bale weight, and tobacco leaf grade of the received tobacco leaf bales.
9. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the communications link comprises a wireless communications link.
10. The computer program product of claim 9, wherein the wireless communications link comprises a satellite communications link.
11. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the mobile receiving station comprises a truck having a trailer and a toter.
12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the trailer includes a loading ramp and an off loading ramp.
13. A system for facilitating tobacco purchasing from a tobacco farmer, the system comprising:
- a mobile leaf tobacco receiving station for receiving tobacco leaf bales at a location of a tobacco farmer;
- means for determining bale weight, tobacco leaf grade and, optionally, moisture content, for the received tobacco leaf bales; and
- means for transmitting information relating to the determined bale weight, tobacco leaf grade and, optionally, determined moisture content, of the received tobacco leaf bales from the mobile receiving station to a tobacco product manufacturing facility over a communications link.
14. The system of claim 13, further comprising means for issuing funds to the tobacco farmer based on the determined moisture content, bale weight, and tobacco leaf grade of the received tobacco leaf bales.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein the communications link comprises a wireless communications link.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless communications link comprises a satellite communications link.
17. The system of claim 13, wherein the mobile receiving station comprises a truck having a trailer and a toter.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the trailer includes a loading ramp and an off loading ramp.
19. A mobile receiving station for receiving and processing leaf tobacco at a location of a tobacco farmer, the mobile receiving station comprising:
- means for determining bale weight, tobacco leaf grade and, optionally, moisture content, for the received tobacco leaf bales at the location of the tobacco farmer; and
- means for transmitting information relating to the determined bale weight, tobacco leaf grade and, optionally, determined moisture content, of the received tobacco leaf bales from the mobile receiving station to a tobacco product manufacturing facility over a communications link.
20. The mobile receiving station of claim 19, further comprising means for issuing funds to the tobacco farmer based on the determined moisture content, bale weight, and tobacco leaf grade of the received tobacco leaf bales.
21. The mobile receiving station of claim 19, wherein the communications link comprises a wireless communications link.
22. The mobile receiving station of claim 21, wherein the wireless communications link comprises a satellite communications link.
23. The mobile receiving station of claim 19, wherein the mobile receiving station comprises a truck having a trailer and a toter.
24. The mobile receiving station of claim 23, wherein the trailer includes a loading ramp and an off loading ramp.
25. A method for reducing costs of tobacco selling and buying, the method comprising:
- moving a tobacco receiving station to a location of a tobacco farmer for receiving tobacco leaf at the location of the tobacco farmer;
- determining weight, grade and, optionally, moisture content, for the received tobacco leaf bales of the received tobacco leaf via the receiving station; and
- paying the farmer for the received tobacco leaf based on the determined moisture content, weight, and grade of the received tobacco leaf.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of determining grade of the received tobacco leaf is conducted in the presence of the tobacco farmer, enabling the tobacco farmer to receive direct feedback that may be used to improve a future tobacco crop.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 20, 2008
Publication Date: Sep 17, 2009
Applicant: PHILIP MORRIS USA INC. (Richmond, VA)
Inventors: Hal L. TEEGARDEN (Chesterfield, VA), David Scott RAY (Chesterfield, VA), John Stewart LIVESAY (Chesterfield, VA), Isidro GOMEZ, II (Midlothian, VA)
Application Number: 12/274,644
International Classification: G06Q 30/00 (20060101); G06Q 10/00 (20060101); G06Q 50/00 (20060101);