US3754382A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for orienting and harvesting tobacco leaves
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-02-18
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Granted: 1973-08-28
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Expires: 1990-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A mobile tobacco leaf harvester and a method of harvesting tobacco leaves employing mechanical and fluid means to orient and align tobacco leaves before they are stripped or severed from around the full circumference of the plant stalks and for displacing the harvested leaves in a generally uniform manner to collection receptacles.
Inventors
- 👤 R Rakestraw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:17
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01D; A01D45/00; A01D45/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A tobacco leaf harvesting and orienting apparatus comprising: supporting means adapted to traverse a row of standing tobacco plants, each plant including a main stalk and multiple leaves radiating from the main stalk around the circumference thereof, leaf removal means on said supporting means, and means cooperating with said removal means for pre-positioning predesignated leaves for contact with said leaf removal means immediately prior to their removal from the stalk, said means for prepositioning the leaves including fluid mEans for orienting the leaves in a prescribed manner before being removed from the main stalks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A tobacco leaf harvesting and orienting apparatus comprising: supporting means adapted to traverse a row of standing tobacco plants, each plant including a main stalk and multiple leaves radiating from the main stalk around the circumference thereof, leaf removal means on said supporting means, and means cooperating with said removal means for pre-positioning predesignated leaves for contact with said leaf removal means immediately prior to their removal from the stalk, said means for prepositioning the leaves including fluid mEans for orienting the leaves in a prescribed manner before being removed from the main stalks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A tobacco leaf harvesting and orienting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes a movable frame having a plurality of said leaf removal means positioned thereon for traversing opposed portions of each plant in the plant rows.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tobacco leaf harvesting and orienting apparatus as defined in claim 1, said leaf removal means including at least one member displaceable relative to said supporting means for stripping a leaf adjacent the plant stalk.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A tobacco leaf harvesting and orienting apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including conveyor means for displacing the stripped tobacco leaves from said leaf removal means to a leaf collection receptacle where the leaves are deposited in an orderly fashion with the stems facing generally in the same direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A tobacco leaf harvesting and orienting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said leaf removal means includes carrier means for displacing the harvested leaves in a prescribed path to a collection area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tobacco leaf harvesting and orienting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said leaf removal means includes an angularly displaceable member having at least one leaf stem engaging element secured thereto for stripping the leaves from the main stalks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A tobacco leaf harvesting and orienting apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including means cooperating with said leaf removal means for adjustably positioning said leaf removal means at various elevations on the plants to remove leaves substantially throughout the entire height of the plants.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A tobacco leaf harvesting and orienting apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further including means mounting said leaf removal means for displacement transversely of a row of tobacco plants upon traverse of said supporting means along the row.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A tobacco leaf harvesting and orienting apparatus as defined in claim 1, said leaf removal means including at least one pair of conveyor belts having opposed runs inclined downwardly with respect to the plants and the support means for gripping therebetween and stripping the tobacco leaves from the plant stalks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tobacco leaf harvesting and orienting apparatus as defined in claim 9, said fluid means including fluid suction means for extending a leaf beyond one side of the main stalk and into engagement with at least one of said belts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A tobacco leaf harvesting and orienting apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including means located below said leaf removal means for engaging the lowermost portions of the stalks for stabilizing the plant stalks as said supporting means traverses a row of standing plants.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A tobacco leaf harvesting and orienting apparatus as defined in claim 11, and means for driving said stabilizing means at substantially zero velocity relative to the plant stalks as said supporting means traverses a plant row.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tobacco leaf harvesting and orienting apparatus as defined in claim 11, said stabilizing means comprises endless belt means positioned to frictionally engage the plant stalks.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-27 | 1977-02-26 | 1977-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-27 | 1981-02-26 | 1981-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-27 | 1985-02-26 | 1985-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |