Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device that makes it possible to remove the main stem in the green leaves of plants with stemmed leaves such as tobacco and the like during harvest and to use the lamina parts of the leaves more efficiently in the industry.

State of the Art

Tobacco is a plant that is cultivated annually in the world. Two months after cultivation, the harvest of mature leaves begins. Harvesting is the process of plucking the main stems (Leaf) of the plant after the maturation of the leaves from the place where they are connected to the plant body. The harvesting process is carried out on the stem in four or five steps, at intervals from bottom to top. All harvested green leaves are exposed to curing process without waiting. Today, tobacco curing is performed in 4 different methods in the state of the art. These can be listed as follows; flue-cured curing, air curing, fire curing and sun cured.

In the flue cured method; the tobaccos that have been harvested with their main stems are connected to the apparatus called racks and arranged on the oven shelves during harvesting. Hereby, tobaccos are dried by passing the hot air supplied by using fuels such as natural gas, fuel-oil, etc. through them by means of circulating in the oven for 6-7 days.

In the air curing method, tobacco leaves that are hung on sticks in closed depots are exposed to a long-term curing system that takes about 25-30 days.

In the fire-cured method, the tobacco hung on the sticks in closed depots is dried by the heat obtained from the fires made in the depot.

In the sun-cured method, the harvested green tobacco leaves are arranged one by one on a rope or similar materials in a manner such that they do not fall on the ground. Subsequently, it is placed in sun-drenched places and dried naturally. In all these methods, the harvested green tobacco is hung on ropes or racks before curing. This sorting process is a process that requires considerable attention and labor and at the same time takes time. It definitely requires a large number of workers to be employed. For this reason, it causes tobacco production costs to increase. The most important cost item in cost calculations made for tobacco is the tobacco sorting.

Whatever curing method is applied, tobacco leaves are respectively subject to the following processes respectively; de-greening and color determination, curing of the leaf lamina and curing of the main stem. Although the first two of these steps are completed within a short period of time, high energy and attention is required to dry the main stem. For example, in the fire curing method, the internal temperature of the oven should be specifically kept at a temperature about 70 O; oth erwise, the stems will decay and the leaves will become unusable.

For example, in the patent document numbered TR2010/10413, a method for curing classical and semi-oriental tobaccos by artificial heating method is disclosed. In the method, it is stated that tobaccos are exposed to the steps of withering and yellowing, color fixing & lamina curing, stem curing, cooling and annealing. Furthermore, it has been described that the curing process is performed with the heat obtained by using electricity, solar energy, natural gas, LPG and any other energy sources.

In another patent document numbered EP3338566B1 in the state of the art, a method for curing tobacco leaves by curing is disclosed. Two depots and two different heat sources are used in the method. The method is initiated by flowing the first combustion gas through a first flue pipe of tobacco leaves placed in the first depot so as to heat the air in the first depot. Hereby, subsequently the cured tobacco leaves are taken into a second depot where they are exposed to re-curing process with a second heat source supplied from a second flue pipe.

Since the stems and lamina parts of the leaf cannot be used together in cigarette factories, the stem and the lamina must be separated from each other before cigarette production. First of all, the leaves of the tobacco after the curing process are cut; then, the lamina parts and stems are exposed to separation process. This process causes extra labor, high energy use and large amount of waste losses. Furthermore, the shrinkage of the parts of the lamina to be used in cigarettes reduces the efficiency; it leads to the shorter lengths of the shredded tobacco. As a result, due to the abovementioned disadvantages and the insufficiency of the current solutions regarding the subject matter, a development is required to be made in the relevant technical field.

When the state of the art is considered; the disadvantages of the methods carried out for curing the tobacco and making it ready for use in cigarette production are clear. When the methods in the state of the art are considered, it is thought that there is still a need for technical improvements that will minimize labor and energy consumption and at the same time ensure maximum efficiency from tobacco leaf.

Brief Description of the Invention

The present invention is related to a device suitable for use in the harvest and sorting out of tobacco leaves which fulfills the abovementioned requirements, eliminates all disadvantages and brings some additional advantages.

The main aim of the invention is to develop a device suitable for use on leaves with stemed structure particularly on green tobacco leaves that provides the separation of the leaf lamina from the main stem part during harvesting.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a device that both provides the tobacco leaf to be harvested and extracted from its main stem simultaneously.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a device that saves labor, energy and time by eliminating the need for the main stem curing phase, which is a part of the curing process of tobacco in the state of the art.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a device that shortens the total curing time of green tobacco leaves by separating the main stems before curing and therefore improves the quality of tobacco.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a device that allows to perform the decomposition of tobacco leaves after curing with less energy consumption compared to the state of the art by means of separating the main stems before curing. Another aim of the invention is to provide a device that increases the preference of natural methods such as sun curing method that does not require labor and energy instead of curing methods that reduce the quality of tobacco leaves such as fire curing method.

In order to fulfill the aims mentioned above, the present invention is a leaf sorting out device suitable for use on all leaves with stemed structure, including green tobacco leaves, simultaneously providing the harvesting of the leaf and the separation of the leaf lamina from the main stemed part, it comprises the following;

- at least one body panel above the moving parts of the device,

- at least one drum mechanism positioned on the body panel that provides linear movement by holding the leaf from its main stem and compressing the same,

- at least one drum adjustment element that enables the drum mechanism to be adjusted at the desired opening,

- at least one compression mechanism that provides the pressing force required by the drum mechanism to compress the leaf stem,

- at least one cutting element that enables the leaf lamina to be separated from the stem by cutting the leaf,

- at least one cutting adjusting element that enables the cutting element to take the desired angle,

- at least one harvesting knife that allows the main stem to be harvested by cutting from the section where it connects to the leaf stalk,

- at least one drive center that provides the movement of the drum mechanism,

- at least one motion transmission element that transfers the kinetic energy received from the drive center to the drum mechanism,

- at least one drive element that enables the movement of the drum mechanism to be initiated and terminated,

- at least one power supply providing the required energy to the drive center.

The structural and characteristic features of the present invention will be understood clearly by the following drawings and the detailed description made with reference to these drawings. Therefore, the evaluation shall be made by taking these figures and the detailed description into consideration.

Figures Clarifying the Invention

Figure - 1 is a perspective front view of the inventive device. Figure - 2 is a perspective enlarged view of the inventive device.

Figure - 3 is a perspective rear semi exploded view of the inventive device.

Description of the References

1 . Device suitable for use in sorting out of tobacco leaves

2. Body panel

3. Drum mechanism

4. Drum adjustment element

5. Compression mechanism

51. Spring

52. Spring shaft

6. Cutting element

7. Cutting adjustment element

8. Harvesting knife

9. Drive center

10. Motion transmission element

11 . Drive element

12. Power Source

13. Cover

Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed description, the preferred embodiments of the device suitable for use in the harvesting and sorting out of tobacco leaves is described only for clarifying the subject matter such that no limiting effect is created.

The present invention is a leaf sorting out device (1) suitable for use on all leaves with stemed structure, including green tobacco leaves, simultaneously providing the harvesting of the leaf and the separation of the leaf lamina from the main stemed part, it comprises the following;

- at least one body panel (2) that houses the moving parts of the device (1) thereon,

- at least one drum mechanism (3) positioned on the body panel (2) that provides linear movement by holding the leaf from its main stem and compressing the same,

- at least one drum adjustment element (4) that enables the drum mechanism (3) to be adjusted at the desired opening, - at least one compression mechanism (5) that provides the pressing force required by the drum mechanism (3) to compress the leaf stem,

- at least one cutting element (6) that enables the leaf lamina to be separated from the stem by cutting the leaf,

- at least one cutting adjusting element (7) that enables the cutting element to take the desired angle,

- at least one harvesting knife (8) that allows the main stem to be harvested by cutting from the section where it connects to the leaf stalk,

- at least one drive center (9) that provides the movement of the drum mechanism (3),

- at least one motion transmission element (10) that transfers the kinetic energy received from the drive center (9) to the drum mechanism,

- at least one drive element (11) that enables the movement of the drum mechanism (3) to be initiated and terminated,

- at least one power supply (12) providing the required energy to the drive center (9).

In an embodiment of the invention, the body panel (2) is in the form of a panel that has a drive center (9) on one surface and moving parts on the other surface.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the inventive device (1 ) also comprises at least one cover (13) that integrates with the body panel (2) and houses the drive center (9) (Figure 3).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention; the drum mechanism (3) comprises two drums that are parallel to each other and enable the leaf to move forward by compressing the same between them. Said drum mechanism (3) is designed to compress the leaf by holding it from its main stem. Since the main stem thickness of each leaf will be different from each other, the gap between the drums should be adjusted accordingly. At this point, the drum adjustment element (4) provides the adjustment of the distance between the drums according to the leaf stem thickness. Said adjustment can be performed manually or automatically with a sensor that measures the stem thickness of the leaf.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said compression mechanism (5) has

- at least one spring (51) that provides the compression force required by the drum mechanism (3) and at least one spring shaft (52) to which the spring (51) is connected on the body panel (2) (Figure 2).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cutting element (6) comprises two knives facing each other, positioned below the drum mechanism (3), which serve to cut the leaf main stem from both sides at full length. When the inventive device (1) is in operation, first of all the leaf that enters the drum mechanism (3) from the end portion, proceeds and passes through the cutting element (6) in the same manner by starting from the end until reaching the stalk. At the same time, the stem path is cut from both sides by means of the laminas included in the preferred embodiment of the invention and separated from the leaf lamina.

Since the main stem in the leaf has different thicknesses in different parts of the leaf, cutting the stem at a single predetermined thickness will reduce the yield from the leaf lamina. Therefore, in the inventive device (1), there is at least one cutting adjustment element (7) that provides the adjustment of the cutting element (6) angle according to the variable thickness of the stem along the leaf.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said harvesting lamina (8) is located at the upper section of the body panel (2) (Figure 3). Therefore, while the device (1) is in operation, harvesting of the leaf that moves along the drum mechanism (3) is carried out by cutting the same from the point where its body ends and reaches to its stalk. In an embodiment of the invention, the harvesting lamina (8) carries out the leaf cutting depending on the hand movement manually.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said drive mechanism (9) is in the form of an electric motor located on the body panel (2). In the device (1 ) of the invention, there are at least one, preferably two motion transmission elements (10) that connect the drive center (9) to the drum mechanism (3). Said motion transmission elements (10) serve as a mechanical bridge between the drive center (9) and the drum mechanism (3).

The drive element (11 ) in the inventive device (1 ) enables the drive center (9) to be triggered and thus the drum mechanism (3) to be activated. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive element (11) is in the form of an on-off button that allows the user to turn on and turn off the device (1). The energy required by the drive center (9) so as to operate the device (1) is provided by means of a power supply (12) within the scope of the invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, said power source (12) is a battery.

The inventive device (1) is preferably used to harvest green tobacco leaves and to separate the leaf lamina from the stem part.

In an embodiment of the use of the inventive device (1), the drive element (11) is pressed so as to harvest the mature leaf. The leaf is hold by releasing the drum adjustment element (4). The drum mechanism (3) automatically opens up as much as the stem width of the leaf to be harvested with the force it receives from the compression mechanism (5). The leaf proceeds by cutting the same along the cutting element (6) by plunging the same to the cutting element (6). When the progress ends, harvesting is carried out by cutting the leaf with the harvesting knife (8) from the point where the stem ends and the leaf stalk starts.

Since the inventive device (1) is an apparatus formed by bringing a plurality of parts together, part replacement can be performed easily. In addition, since its use is very practical, this allows the user to use it directly without the need for a learning process.