String doffer mechanism

Claim 2

A doffer mechanism for removing contaminants from a stream of material comprising: a frame having at least two oppositely disposed sides; a plurality of doffer elements, each doffer element having two ends and an axis of rotation passing through the two ends; means for mounting the two ends of each of the doffer elements to opposite sides of the frame at positions along the sides of the frame, such that the doffer elements are positioned across the plane of the frame and the axes of rotation of the plurality of doffer elements are substantially parallel, the means for mounting further comprising pivotal means for pivoting the doffer elements between a first position and a second position, the first position being substantially within the plane of the frame and the second position being substantially out of the plane of the frame; means for rotating the plurality of doffer elements about their respective axes of rotation, the rotation of the doffer elements causing agitation of the stream of material such that the stream of material travels substantially in the direction of the rotation; and means for adjusting the elevation above or below the plane of the frame of at least one of the plurality of doffer elements.

Claim 3

The doffer mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the means for mounting the two ends of each of the doffer elements to the frame comprises a pair of blocks including bearing supports which attach to opposite sides of the frame.

Claim 4

The doffer mechanism according to claim 2 wherein the means for rotating the doffer elements further comprises a plurality of doffer sprockets attached to one end of each of the doffer elements, a plurality of idler sprockets attached to the blocks, and a motor driven continuous chain which engages both the idler sprockets and the doffer sprockets.

Claim 5

The doffer mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the means for adjusting the elevation of the doffer elements comprises a pair of bearing mounts, a pair of blocks which attach to opposite sides of the frame and means for adjustably fastening the bearing mounts to the blocks in at least two configurations.

Claim 6

The doffer mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the doffer elements are cylindrical hollow members.

Claim 7

The doffer mechanism according to claim 1 wherein each of the doffer elements has a surface and a plurality of elongated flights extending the length of the surface of the doffer elements.

Claim 8

The doffer mechanism according to claim 6 wherein each flight comprises an elongated rectangular bar.

Claim 9

The doffer mechanism according to claim 7 wherein the rectangular bars are mounted at 60 degree intervals about the surface of the doffer elements.

Claim 10

The doffer mechanism according to claim 6 wherein each of the flights has an exposed surface and a cleaning means attached to the exposed surface of each of the flights.

Claim 11

The doffer mechanism according to claim 9 wherein the cleaning means is a hook material.

Claim 12

The doffer mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the stream of material is tobacco leaves.

Claim 13

A doffer mechanism for removing contaminants from a stream of material comprising: a frame having at least two oppositely disposed sides; a plurality of doffer elements, each doffer element having two ends and an axis of rotation passing through the two ends; means for mounting the two ends of each of the doffer elements to opposite sides of the frame at positions along the sides of the frame, such that the doffer elements are mounted across the frame and the axes of rotation of the plurality of doffer elements are substantially parallel; means for rotating the plurality of doffer elements about their respective axes of rotation, and means for adjusting the elevation above or below the frame of at least one of the plurality of doffer elements, the means for adjusting the elevation comprising a pair of bearing mounts, a pair of blocks which attach to opposite sides of the frame and means for adjustably fastening the bearing mounts to the blocks in at least two configurations, the means for fastening including a plurality of holes in the block, with at least one hole corresponding to each possible elevation of at least one of the plurality of doffer elements.

Claim 14

A doffer mechanism for removing contaminants from a stream of material comprising: a frame having at least two oppositely disposed sides; a plurality of doffer elements, each doffer element having two ends and an axis of rotation passing through the two ends; means for mounting the two ends of each of the doffer elements to opposite sides of the frame at positions along the sides of the frame, such that the doffer elements are mounted across the frame and the axes of rotation of the plurality of doffer elements are substantially parallel; means for rotating the plurality of doffer elements about their respective axes of rotation, and means for adjusting the elevation above or below the frame of at least one of the plurality of doffer elements, the means for adjusting the elevation comprising a pair of bearing mounts, a pair of blocks which attach to opposite sides of the frame and means for adjustably fastening the bearing mounts to the blocks in at least two configurations, the means for fastening including a plurality of holes in the block, with at least one hole corresponding to each possible elevation of at least one of the plurality of doffer elements.

Claim 15

A doffer mechanism for removing contaminants from a stream of material comprising: a frame having at least two oppositely disposed sides; a plurality of doffer elements, each doffer element having two ends and an axis of rotation passing through the two ends; means for mounting the two ends of each of the doffer elements to opposite sides of the frame at positions along the sides of the frame, such that the doffer elements are positioned across the plane of the frame and the axes of rotation of the plurality of doffer elements are substantially parallel, the means for mounting further comprising pivotal means for pivoting the doffer elements between a first position and a second position, the first position being substantially within the plane of the frame and the second position being substantially out of the plane of the frame; means for rotating the plurality of doffer elements about their respective axes of rotation, the rotation of the doffer elements causing agitation of the stream of material such that the stream of material travels substantially in the direction of the rotation; and means for selectively adjusting the positions along the sides and in the plane of the frame at which the ends of at least one doffer element are mounted to the frame.

Claim 16

A doffer mechanism for removing contaminants from a stream of material comprising: a frame having at least two oppositely disposed sides; a plurality of doffer elements, each doffer element having two ends and an axis of rotation passing through the two ends; means for mounting the two ends of each of the doffer elements to opposite sides of the frame at positions along the sides of the frame, such that the doffer elements are positioned across the plane of the frame and the axes of rotation of the plurality of doffer elements are substantially parallel, the means for mounting further comprising pivotal means for pivoting the doffer elements between a first position and a second position, the first position being substantially within the plane of the frame and the second position being substantially out of the plane of the frame; means for rotating the plurality of doffer elements about their respective axes of rotation, the rotation of the doffer elements causing agitation of the stream of material such that the stream of material travels substantially in the direction of the rotation; and means for selectively adjusting the positions along the sides and in the plane of the frame at which the ends of at least one doffer element are mounted to the frame.

Claim 17

The doffer mechanism according to claim 13 wherein the means for mounting the two ends of each of the doffer elements comprises a pair of blocks including bearing mounts which attach to opposite sides of the frame.

Claim 18

The doffer mechanism according to claim 14 wherein the means for selectively adjusting the positions along the sides of the frame comprises at least one T-shaped groove in the frame that slidably engages the head of at least one substantially T-shaped bolt whereby the substantially T-shaped bolt slidably mounts at least one block to the frame.

Claim 19

The doffer mechanism according to claim 14 wherein the means for rotating the doffer elements further comprises a plurality of doffer sprockets attached to the end of the doffer elements, a plurality of idler sprockets attached to the blocks, and a motor driven continuous chain which engages both the idler sprockets and the doffer sprockets.

Claim 20

The doffer mechanism according to claim 13 wherein the doffer elements are cylindrical hollow members.

Claim 21

The doffer mechanism according to claim 13 wherein each of the doffer elements has a surface and a plurality of elongated flights extending the length of the surface of the doffer elements.

Claim 22

The doffer mechanism according to claim 18 wherein each flight comprises an elongated rectangular bar.

Claim 23

The doffer mechanism according to claim 19 wherein the rectangular bars are mounted at 60 degree intervals about the surface of the doffer elements.

Claim 24

The doffer mechanism according to claim 18 wherein each of the flights has an exposed surface and a cleaning means attached to the exposed surface of each of the flights.

Claim 25

The doffer mechanism according to claim 21 wherein the cleaning means is a hook material.

Claim 26

The doffer mechanism according to claim 13 wherein the stream of material is tobacco leaves.

Claim 27

The doffer mechanism according to claim 13 further comprising means for adjusting the elevation above or below the frame of at least one of the plurality of doffer elements.

Claim 28

The doffer mechanism according to claim 24 wherein the stream of material is tobacco leaves.

Claim 29

A doffer mechanism for removing contaminants from a stream of material comprising: a subframe; a pair of frames of substantially the same size and shape, each of the frames being pivotally attached to the subframe so that each frame pivots about the subframe; a plurality of doffer elements each having two ends and an axis of rotation, the ends of the doffer elements mounted to each of the frames such that the doffer elements are mounted across each of the frames, the axes of rotation of the doffer elements in each frame being substantially parallel; means for rotating the plurality of doffer elements about their axes; and means for selectively pivoting each of the frames between a first, substantially horizontal position and a second, substantially vertical position.

Claim 30

A doffer mechanism for removing contaminants from a stream of material comprising: a subframe; a pair of frames of substantially the same size and shape, each of the frames being pivotally attached to the subframe so that each frame pivots about the subframe; a plurality of doffer elements each having two ends and an axis of rotation, the ends of the doffer elements mounted to each of the frames such that the doffer elements are mounted across each of the frames, the axes of rotation of the doffer elements in each frame being substantially parallel; means for rotating the plurality of doffer elements about their axes; and means for selectively pivoting each of the frames between a first, substantially horizontal position and a second, substantially vertical position.

Claim 31

The doffer mechanism according to claim 26 further comprising means for adjusting the elevation above or below the frame of at least one of the doffer elements in the frame.

Claim 32

The doffer mechanism according to claim 26 further comprising means for selectively adjusting the positions along the sides of the frame at which the ends of at least one doffer element are mounted to the frame.

Claim 33

The doffer mechanism according to claim 26 wherein each of the doffer elements has a surface and a plurality of elongated flights extending the length of the surface of the doffer elements.

Claim 34

The doffer mechanism according to claim 29 wherein each flight comprises an elongated rectangular bar.

Claim 35

The doffer mechanism according to claim 30 wherein the rectangular bars are mounted at 60 degree intervals about the surface of the doffer elements.

Claim 36

The doffer mechanism according to claim 26 wherein the doffer elements are cylindrical hollow members.

Claim 37

The doffer mechanism according to claim 29 wherein each of the flights has an exposed surface and a cleaning means attached to the exposed surface of each of the flights.

Claim 38

The doffer mechanism according to claim 33 wherein the cleaning means is a hoop material.

Claim 39

A doffer mechanism for removing contaminants from a stream of material comprising: at least two frames of substantially the same size and shape; a plurality of doffer elements, each doffer element having two ends and an axis of rotation passing through the two ends; means for mounting the two ends of each of the doffer elements to opposite sides of the frames at positions along the sides of the frames, such that the doffer elements are mounted across the frames and the axes of rotation of the plurality of doffer elements in each frame are substantially parallel; means for rotating the plurality of doffer elements about their respective axes of rotation; means for selectively directing the stream of material to a selected one of the frames of doffer elements for removal of contaminants from the stream by the selected one of the frames of doffer elements.

Claim 40

A doffer mechanism for removing contaminants from a stream of material comprising: at least two frames of substantially the same size and shape; a plurality of doffer elements, each doffer element having two ends and an axis of rotation passing through the two ends; means for mounting the two ends of each of the doffer elements to opposite sides of the frames at positions along the sides of the frames, such that the doffer elements are mounted across the frames and the axes of rotation of the plurality of doffer elements in each frame are substantially parallel; means for rotating the plurality of doffer elements about their respective axes of rotation; means for selectively directing the stream of material to a selected one of the frames of doffer elements for removal of contaminants from the stream by the selected one of the frames of doffer elements.

Claim 41

The doffer mechanism according to claim 35 wherein the frames comprise a pair of frames, the frames being oppositely inclined with respect to one another.

Claim 42

The doffer mechanism according to claim 36 wherein the pair of frames is positioned such that the frames are positioned parallel to one another.

Claim 43

The doffer mechanism according to claim 36 wherein the means for selectively directing the stream comprises a feed chute having delivery ends located at a lower end of each inclined frame and means for changing the configuration of the feed chute to direct the flow of material from one of the frames to the other of the frames.

Claim 44

The doffer mechanism according to claim 37 wherein the means for selectively directing the stream comprises a pivotal delivery gate capable of feeding tobacco to a first frame when in a first position prior to pivoting and to a second frame when in a second position after pivoting.

Claim 45

The doffer mechanism according to claim 35 wherein the stream of material is tobacco leaves.

Claim 46

A doffer element for removing contaminants from a stream of material comprising: a hollow tube having two ends and a central longitudinal axis passing through each of the two ends; a pair of circular plates affixed at the ends of the hollow tube; a shaft attached to each of the circular plates, each shaft having two ends such that the central longitudinal axis of the hollow tube passes through each of the two ends of each shaft; and; means for affixing a cleaning surface to the doffer element.

Claim 47

A doffer element for removing contaminants from a stream of material comprising: a hollow tube having two ends and a central longitudinal axis passing through each of the two ends; a pair of circular plates affixed at the ends of the hollow tube; a shaft attached to each of the circular plates, each shaft having two ends such that the central longitudinal axis of the hollow tube passes through each of the two ends of each shaft; and; means for affixing a cleaning surface to the doffer element.

Claim 48

The doffer element according to claim 41 wherein the doffer element has a surface and a plurality of elongated flights extending the length of the surface of the doffer elements.

Claim 49

The doffer element according to claim 42 wherein each flight comprises an elongated rectangular bar.

Claim 50

The doffer element according to claim 43 wherein the elongated rectangular bar is hollow.

Claim 51

The doffer element according to claim 42 wherein the flights are equidistantly mounted around the hollow cylindrical tube.

Claim 52

The doffer element according to claim 42 wherein each of the flights has an exposed surface and a cleaning means attached to the exposed surface of each of the flights.

Claim 53

The doffer mechanism according to claim 46 wherein the cleaning means is a hook material.

Claim 54

A doffer mechanism comprising: a continuous chain, the chain having an inner surface and an outer surface; means for driving the continuous chain; a plurality of doffer elements, each doffer element having a doffer sprocket for converting the motion of the continuous chain into rotational motion for rotating the doffer element, at least one of the doffer sprockets being in contact with the outer surface of the continuous chain; and at least one idler sprocket, the idler sprocket contacting the inner surface of the continuous chain.

Claim 55

A doffer mechanism comprising: a continuous chain, the chain having an inner surface and an outer surface; means for driving the continuous chain; a plurality of doffer elements, each doffer element having a doffer sprocket for converting the motion of the continuous chain into rotational motion for rotating the doffer element, at least one of the doffer sprockets being in contact with the outer surface of the continuous chain; and at least one idler sprocket, the idler sprocket contacting the inner surface of the continuous chain.

Claim 56

A doffer mechanism comprising: a continuous belt, the belt having an inner surface and an outer surface; means for driving the belt; a plurality of doffer elements, each doffer element having a doffer drum for converting the motion of the continuous belt into rotational motion for rotating the doffer element, at least one of the doffer elements being in contact with the outer surface of the continuous belt; and at least one idler drum, the idler drum contacting the inner surface of the continuous belt.

Claim 57

A doffer mechanism comprising: a continuous belt, the belt having an inner surface and an outer surface; means for driving the belt; a plurality of doffer elements, each doffer element having a doffer drum for converting the motion of the continuous belt into rotational motion for rotating the doffer element, at least one of the doffer elements being in contact with the outer surface of the continuous belt; and at least one idler drum, the idler drum contacting the inner surface of the continuous belt.