Abstract: A method is provided for curing tobacco. The method includes steps of wilting, bruising, aerating, and drying tobacco, where each of the steps is measured in hours or days rather than months. In some aspects, aeration may take two to twelve hours or less. In some aspects, the entire curing method may be completed in 24 hours or less.

Abstract: A horizontal conveyor for linked sausage strands has a frame (10) having a horizontal operating platform (12) with opposite first (16) and second ends (18), opposite sides, a top surface (20), and a continuous perimeter wall (14) extending along the sides and first and second ends. The perimeter wall (14) is substantially semi-circular at the first end (16); and has a substantially parallel side portions at a midsection; and has end portions that converge towards each other from the side portions to meet at a semi-circular end portion (18A) at the second end (18). A channel (24) is located in the top portion in uniform inwardly spaced relation to the perimeter wall, and a continuous conveyor chain (26) is in the channel. A plurality of spaced hook members (28) are secured to the conveyor chain and have a shank (30) slidably engaging the top of the perimeter wall, and a hook portion extends downwardly and outwardly with respect to the perimeter wall.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus for transferring a belt-like material such as carcass plies, belt plies, inner liners and the like comprises an awaiting conveyor, a movable conveyor provided on a downstream side of the awaiting conveyor and movable in directions substantially in parallel with a transfer direction of a belt-like material, awaiting transmission provided at a downstream end of the awaiting conveyor and transmitting driving power from the awaiting conveyor to the movable conveyor when the movable conveyor is moved to a rearmost position to be jointed with the awaiting transmission, and centering device for centering in width directions a festoon portion of the belt-like material which is formed in a clearance between the awaiting and movable conveyors when the movable conveyor has moved forward away from the awaiting conveyor.

Abstract: A folding device for a machine for treating, particularly steaming, folded printed fabrics is described. The device is constituted essentially by a rotary arm lift (S) which lifts individual support rods (20) for the folded fabric in succession from a condition in which the rods are suspended from endless conveyor chains (10) to a condition in which the rods (20) rest on rails (28) located above the active passes (16) of the chains, which draw the rods (20) carrying the folded fabric (F) through the treatment chamber (1) of the machine.

Abstract: A feeding machine 1 has a sausage conveying device 5 with a feeding arm 6 which moves in a conically circular manner around a smoking rod 7. Endless conveyer belts 8, 9, 19 are arranged in the device 5 between which the sausage chains 3 are transported from the rear to the front. The smoking rod 7 is clamped in a receiving device 2 in a longitudinally movable way and is located in the center axis of a cone determined by the circular movement. The receiving device 2 and the feeding machine 1 are connected with each other such that the conically circular movement of the feeding arm and the longitudinal movement of the smoking rod can be adjusted relative to each other. Depending on the rotational velocity of the conically circular movement or the withdrawal velocity of the smoking rod, larger or smaller loops develop at different distances.

Abstract: A sausage loop forming machine that includes a series of hooks of novel configuration on an endless horizontal conveyor. The operation of the conveyor is controlled by a novel sensor that senses the number of sausage joints which pass the sensor, thereby controlling the number of sausage links in the loop formed on each hook, i.e., the size of the loop on each hook. A rotating wheel feeder mechanism cooperates with the conveyor and the sensor to supply continuously a link sausage chain in vertical fashion to the conveyor's hooks.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating a web of textile material in a dwell zone comprises means for guiding around a closed circuit a plurality of suspension bars for carrying loops of the web of material. The web is fed downward at a fixed entrance point in such circuit to cause each passing suspension bar to pick up a loop of the web and is withdrawn continuously at a point in such circuit immediately preceding such entrance point.