Improvements relating to sliced bale conditioning

Abstract: Apparatus for processing tobacco bales, comprising slicer means (1) for successively cutting slices from a bale; a pusher device (2) for moving the cut slices away from the slicer blade; and a conveyor (6) for receiving the slices from the pusher and delivering them to a further processing device (5). The combination of the conveyor and pusher enables a predetermined and controllable loading space for the addition of any additional loose tobacco (or other material) whilst avoiding the requirement of a long travel mechanism for the pusher.

Description: This invention relates to apparatus for slicing tobacco bales and feeding them to a processing device. One example of such an apparatus is shown in our European Patent No. 01 59 836, in which sliced portions of tobacco bales are mechanically transferred from a slicer blade to a conditioning station by means of a pusher device. EP-A-00 95 866 also discloses apparatus for slicing tobacco from a bale held on a platform, and a conveyor for carrying away the cut slices. In some practical applications of such conditioning systems, it is necessary to introduce additional materials together with the sliced product, before it enters the conditioning process. If the length of travel of the pusher between the slicer and the conditioner is increased in order to make space for the additional material, the apparatus then takes up more space and in addition the slicer cycle time is increased, reducing the throughput capacity. Accordingly the present invention provides apparatus for processing tobacco bales, comprising slicer means for successively cutting slices from a bale; a pusher device for moving the cut slices away from the slicer blade; and a conveyor for receiving the slices from the pusher and delivering them to a further processing device; characterised by further delivery means above the conveyor for adding loose tobacco or other material between successive slices. Preferably the bale is supported on a lift device which is raised in steps as slices are cut from the top, and the lift may be arranged to drop slightly in suitable synchronism with the movement of the cutting blade (as for example in EPO 01 59 836) in order to improve the cutting action. Alternatively, the slices may be cut vertically from the bale, the bale being turned on its side before cutting takes place. The combination of the conveyor and the pusher device allows a predetermined and controllable loading space to be allocated for any additional loose tobacco, without requiring a long travel mechanism for actuating the pusher. The invention also extends to a method of processing a bale of tobacco, comprising: successively cutting slices from the bale, loading each cut slice onto a conveyor, adding a controlled quantity of loose tobacco onto the conveyor and transporting the cut slice and the loose tobacco on the conveyor, into a conditioner. Preferably, the quantity of loose tobacco, the size of the slice, and the rate of delivery of slices are controlled by control means which also controls the speed of movement of the conveyor so that the relative flow rates of the relatively solid materials and the loose material can be adjusted to suit the conditioning process. One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a side elevation of a sliced bale conditioning system in accordance with the invention. A slicer blade 1 is arranged to cut a slice 3 from the top of a bale (not shown). A pusher 2 transfers the slice into a tunnel 4 the base of which is formed by a belt conveyor 6, so that the slice is loaded onto the end A of the conveyor. A feed chute 7 is arranged in the top cover of the tunnel, through which loose tobacco is fed onto the conveyor, between successive slices, the loose material and the slice then being fed into the conditioner 5. As can be seen from the drawing, the inclusion of the conveyor has the additional advantage of avoiding the necessity to extend the travel of the pusher from the entry point A of the tunnel to the exit point B. In use, the system is controlled so as to interleave the addition of loose tobacco through the chute 7, with the delivery of slices 3, and thus the ratio of loose tobacco to slices can be varied to suit the process in use. If required, the throughput of slices can also be increased compared to that of known systems, because the travel of the pusher can be kept short, and thus the time taken to retract it for the next slice is minimised.

Claims: Apparatus for processing tobacco bales, comprising slicer means (1) for successively cutting slices from a bale; a pusher device (2) for moving the cut slices away from the slicer blade; and a conveyor (6) for receiving the slices from the pusher and delivering them to a further processing device (5); characterised by further delivery means (7) above the conveyor for adding a controlled quantity of loose tobacco or other material between successive slices. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the slicer means includes a substantially horizontal blade and a lift device which is arranged to be raised progressively as slices are cut from the top, the lift being arranged to drop slightly in synchronism with the movement of the cutting blade to assist the cutting action. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the slicer means includes a substantially vertical blade so that slices are cut vertically from the bale. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3 further comprising control means arranged to control the quantity of loose material, the size of the slice, the rate of delivery of slices, and/or the speed of movement of the conveyor, whereby the relative rates of flow of the different materials can be adjusted to suit the conditioning process. A method of processing a bale of tobacco, comprising the steps of: successively cutting slices from the bale; loading each cut slice onto a conveyor; adding a controlled quantity of loose tobacco onto the conveyor; and transporting the cut slice and the loose tobacco on the conveyor, into a conditioner.

Inventors: WHITE THOMAS HENRY, WHITE, THOMAS HENRY
Applicants: DICKINSON ENG LTD W H, W.H. DICKINSON ENGINEERING LIMITED
Application year: 1992
Main classification: A24B3
IPC codes: A24B3