Patent ID: 6467488
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: A24B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for cutting tying elements of successive tobacco leaf bundles, wherein the butt ends of the leaves of each bundle are grouped and secured together by a transversely extending tying element disposed in surrounding relation to the grouped together butt ends,said method comprising: moving successive bundles along a predetermined path past a cutting station with the grouped butt ends of successive bundles disposed transverse to the path within a predetermined transverse position within the path; establishing a liquid jet configuration at said cutting station; moving said jet configuration through a repetitious path having a transverse extent greater than the transverse extent of said tying elements within the transverse position of the butt ends of said bundles; and directing the moving jet configuration onto the butt ends of successive bundles during the movement thereof along said predetermined path through said cutting station to transversely cut the tying elements thereof.