US3885376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tobacco processing system and method
Assignee: Research Corp
•
Filing: 1973-02-13
•
Granted: 1975-05-27
•
Expires: 1993-02-13
Abstract
Abstract Mechanism is provided for sequentially defoliating tobacco leaves; transporting the defoliated leaves through first and second leaf cutters; and transporting the cut leaves to bulk tobacco storage or treatment containers; and the system may include an oscillating distributor to provide uniform distribution of the cut tobacco in the storage or treatment containers.
Inventors
- 👤 William H Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:34
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D45/00; A01D45/16; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/647; Y10T83/6476; Y10T83/6489; Y10T83/6491
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A tobacco processing machine comprising a tobacco leaf defoliating means; means for transporting the defoliated leaves from said leaf defoliating means to an elevated position, first and second leaf cutters, means mounting said first and second leaf cutters in structural association with said leaf transporting means for cutting the leaves along mutually perpendicular planes as said defoliated leaves are being transported; and means for directing the cut leaves to bulk container filling means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A tobacco processing machine comprising a tobacco leaf defoliating means; means for transporting the defoliated leaves from said leaf defoliating means to an elevated position, first and second leaf cutters, means mounting said first and second leaf cutters in structural association with said leaf transporting means for cutting the leaves along mutually perpendicular planes as said defoliated leaves are being transported; and means for directing the cut leaves to bulk container filling means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The tobacco processing machine as defined in claim 1, including an oscillating distributor at said bulk container filling means to provide uniform distribution of the cut tobacco in the bulk container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tobacco processing machine as defined in claim 2, wherein the bulk container comprises a tobacco curing module.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tobacco processing machine as defined in claim 3 including a container filling sleeve having its lower end connected to the open end of the curing module.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tobacco processing machine as defined in claim 4 including means for pressing the tobacco in said sleeve into the curing module.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tobacco processing machine as defined in claim 1, wherein the first leaf cutter comprises a plurality of spaced side-by-side disc cutters and said second leaf cutter comprises a rotating blade knife.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the means for transporting the defoliated leaves through the first and second leaf cutters comprise conveyor flights.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention defined in claim 7, including leaf pressing means for holding the leaves to the surface of the conveyor flights of the transporting means for the defoliated leaves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tobacco processing machine as defined in claim 1, wherein bulk container at the bulk container filling means comprises a temporary cut tobacco holding means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tobacco processing machine as defined in claim 1, wherein any one of the transporting means includes bulk tobacco transporting means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |