US2574030A - Tobacco stripper and grader - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 6, 1951 Filed July 9, 1947 TOBACCO STRIPPER AND GRADER C. J. GREEN 9 sheet-sheet 1 46 49\ l \J l 25 47 31 i 52 54 5ov 45 49 I/ 111|' 5 5l 5' A 11 11|46 am 11H l s 531,0 56111 69 727l` 70 86 as@ 1 35 68 122 12o 8785 5 /111 a a es 1 I I. 'HI '""11 11' 1l 11..

| 22` I* I 23 @mi l |50 W @im '64 1 I A, l CQ 20 INVENTOR 'l c/-ff/V ATTORNEYS Nov. 6, 1951 Filed July 9, 1947 TOBACCO STRIPPER AND GRADER YVI...

J. GREEN @sheets-sheet 2 l INVENTOR am maf/v ATTORNEYS C. J. GREENI I TOBACCO STRIPPER AND GRADER Nov.- 6, 1951 Filed July 9, 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 6, 1951 C. J. GREEN 2,574,030

TOBACCO STRIPPER AND GRADER Filed July 9. 1947 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. e; 1951 Q J, GREEN 2,574,030

TOBACCO STRIPPER ANDy GRADER 9 Sheets-Sheet Filed July 9, 1947 @Mew/m ATTORNEYS NV- 6, 1951 c. J. GREEN TOBACCO STRIPPER AND GRADER Filed July. 9, i947 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 6, 1951v c. .1. GREEN 2,574,030

TOBACCO STRIPPER AND GRADER Filed July 9, 194'? 9 sheets-sheet 7 INVENTOR.

ATTORN EYS.

Nov. 6, 1951 c. J. GREEN 2,574,030

TOBACCO STRIPPER AND GRADER Filed July 9, 1947 9 @Beets-Sheet 8 45 53' 25 46 Tf?) -L' 237 ii-- g "29" 50 54 f-4s l 5 .47 .if 5D I 1' 254 I- ,-rzf y r fa @a/Z 53 52 25s I 252 H 25o n 1 304 l 240 als 301 32o 302 245`.. 3'2 am 3|@ E 5:4 ww' W 230 Mm MH* e1. -22 FJf l 1i f1/@.2 225 INVENron ATTORNEYS c. J. GREEN TOBACCO STRIPPER AND GRADER Nov. 6, 1951 Filed July 9, Lgafw 9 SWW-Sheet 9 I /a q2 Jl |93 i 82 INVENTCR ATTORNEYS 'Patented Nov. 6, 195i i1 fApplicationlJuly 9,1947'5`SerialNo. 759,834 i i "iiel'aims' (C1- algien Y The present `invention relatesto ja tobacco stripping and grading machine,andfmore-parf ticularly to a machine for automatically severing the leaves from a tobacco stalk and sorting v,them individually according to grades characterized by prescribed variations inicolor or shade.

Heretofore, the operations of cutting tobacco Y leaves from the stalk and sorting them according toprescribed grades required in l the prepara tion of a tobacco cropwfor market, have been conventionally performed by manually stripping the leaves from thetobacco stalk andsorting them accordingl to certain prescribed standards of color, the lighter shades of reddish-brownbeing characteristic of the Vbetter quality. leaves, and

correspondingly darker` shades of reddish-brown being indicative of the less desirable grades yof tobacco. VThe practical limitations in attainable accuracy When-performingsuch an operation manually, Where the difference in shading Aor coloring of the different (groups is veryslight-are obvious. The provisionV therefore cfa mechanical device capable of, severing the leaves fromy the stalk and accurately Ydiscriminating betweendifferences in coloring of leaves barely perceptible to the human eyegfori; automatically performing Another objectis theiprovision of a machine for automaticallyvsevering the leaves from a tobacco stalk and depositing themat predetermined stationsin accordance with their color o r shade characteristics so ask to assemble all of the leaves of a predetermined c-Olor or shade inrone place. Another object is fthe provision of .a machine for automatically severing the leaves fromu a tobacco stalk and gradingA and sorting them aca cording to variations; in colorery shade, which is capable of accurately'v discriminating 'betvveen variations of coloring. barely perceptible `to `the eye- 1 Another object 4is the provision of amachine for automatically-severing the leaves severally 55 tQbaCQQ Stall? .and '.aln @i191 Sorting,

trom Va ent shades and gradevsloftobaccot 2 i them accordingto-variations incolor or shade, which consistently-ladheres tn prescribed grading standards with extreme acouracy. Y Another. abject is' teiprovide apparatusi for automatically stripping and grading tobacco leaves having means for presenting ,a tobacco stalkcontaining the tobacco leaves into successive operative positions before a stripping mech: anismlWhiehlsuecessively removes the '-.iri d ividua1 tobacco leaves, andVv conveyor means foridelivering the individual tobacco leaves to oneof a;.plu rality ef Statiens corresponding taldiiierent shades and grades of tobacco.-

lAnother object is to provide dapparatusfor automaticallyV stripping and grading tobacco leaves having a chuck forbholding Vand rotating the tobacco stalk; adjacent 1 a Stripper v.Wheel Whichcuts offurthenindividual leaves from which the leaves -rnay be conveyedto one ofia plurality of stations correspondingto diferentshades d grades of tobacco-1 1 5; Another -ebieet is ,team Ovide apparatus 1 for automatically. ;,Stripping .and grading tobacco leavesV having means fer Strippinaarid cani/ er1 ine the individual tabacco ,leaves to Onere Sa plurality of l stations correspondingl to the differ--4 :Another Object-,gie ia provide. appaaiiie automaticali y lStripping;'and grading tobaeee leaves havingV means for a conveyor to carrylthe individual ieavespasi ,a p iiiiaiiirof siaiioiiaaiid means, responsive towpredetermined `grades or `the accompanying drawings Showing @aiya Y anism Iofffigure 5 shades of tobacco ifor releasing the individual leaves into the predetermined station. Y' Y Y Other objects, advantagesnand capabilities et the invention will becomev apparent from the follewiriedeseripiiea taken iii eerliunciien with ferred embodiment of theinventionQinrWhich Figure 1 is a perspective viewiof a tobacc .est peine :and grading machine Constructed in accorsi-- ance vwith the preferred embodimentof the`presem? nveniion?. L I. 1. i Figure 2 is yasectionvievv of the machineytakenA along the lineshZK--Z of Figure 4; l f f Figure 3 isa top plan view of the machine,orriitfy 5mg the- 5,9m HUSUPPQT atithetop @Lf 191i@ Ver' tical frame;-

Figure lfisl a view; olf.y their-machine parti-allyrin section and partially in elevation; v

Figure 5. is aldetailpl/ mechanism;y

""'Figure G is-asection view of thefstripperf meen;v

3 machine taken along the lines 1 1 of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the electrical amplifying circuit associated with the selector means of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a detail section view of the chuck for holding the tobacco stalk;

Figure 10 is a detail plan view of the centering roll mechanism lfor positioning the stripping mechanism relative tothe stalk;

Figure 11 is a partial detail elevation along the line of Figure 3;

Figure l2 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention;

Figure 13 is an elevational View of Figure 12 looking toward the apparatus from'the side on which the cutting and stripping mechanism islocated;

of cams 38, 38 pivotally mounted therein on pins 39, 39. The cams 38, 38' are provided with faces 40, 40 which may, if desired, be roughened to improve their gripping characteristics as by providing serrations, the faces being disposed inwardly and tripping extensions 4|, 4| "extending outwardly of the hub 34 by which the orienta- Figure 14 is a side sectional elevation online i Figure 15 is a detailed plan view of oneof the severing and clamping'mechanisms attached to the turntable shown in Figure `12 Y Figure 16 is a partial verticalsection of Figure Figure 17 is a top. plan viewof thehalf-nut locking assembly for initially positioning the spindle vertically; and "Figure `18 is a vertical longitudinal section o f the half-nut lock assembly taken along the line |8|8 of Figure 1'7.

Like reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

In general, the tobacco stripping and grading machine according to the present inventioncornprses a continuously driven stripping mechani'srm for shearing the Aleavesfrom a tobacco stalk, a continuously driven positioning device for holding the tobacco stalk andimparting both rotary and vertical motion to the stalk, for `bringing the stems o f the leaves *individually rinto operating relation to thestripping mechanism; a series of light-sensitive photo-electric cells retion of thejcam's 38, 38 may be controlled. The cams 38, Y3 8 are so designed that the radius of 'each'cam ina direction towards the center of the hub 3 4 increases as the tripping extensions 4|, 4| are moved upwardly toward the spindle 38.

Surrounding the hub 34 is a releasing sleeve 42` adapted to be moved axially along the hub 34 and having resilient means 43 disposed between the adjacent surfaces of the sleeve 42 and the hub 34 for retaining the sleeve 42 at its vposition of adjustment vertically along the hub. It will be readily observed that insertion of the stem ofthe tobacco stalk into the .recess 36 will bring the stem into engagement with theserrated faces 43, 40 when the tripping extensions 4|, 4 lf are urged upwardly, rotating the cams 3B, 38 to the proper separation of faces 40, 40* for the stem, so that any subsequent upwardmovement .of the extensions 4|, 4|' will result in the stem being rigidly clamped between the adjaeently disposed faces of the cams v33, 38. WhenA it-is 'desired to disengage the cams from the stem-of the stalk, movement of the release ysleeve 42 ytoward the lower end of the hub 34, either manually or by engagement with a fixed stop, brings the lower face of v the sleeve 42 against the trippingextensions 4|,

sponsive to certain selected colors or shades corresponding to distinct grades of tobacco, a series of collectors or stations disposed adjacent the photo-electric cells, a conveyor mechanism for collecting the leaves as they are severed from the stalk and carrying them'past the photo-electric cells, and a series of release devices associated with each of the photo-electric cellsV and operably associated with the conveyor mechanismor causing the conveyor mechanism to release the leaves into the collectors adjacent the photoelectric cellsk when a celly receives light reflected from the leaf before it 0E the color to which it is responsive, such that all the leaves of any selected color grade will` be deposited in lne'of the collectors. V m AReferring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1, 3 aride, mounted on a horizontally extending base member is a vertically extending frame member 22 Vfor supportingvk the stripping and stalk positioning "mechanisms, and having horizontal supporting arms 23, '24,725 'and Tl extending laterally therefrom.`

'A' spindle 30, having a 'threaded portion 3| and a keyed shaft 32 ismounted with itsfthreaded portion 3| in a'threa'ded split-nut device, to'be later described, supportedbygarmfZ' theY spindle being positioned with its axis disposed vertically, and carrying a Chuck member 33 0111' th Quer end thereof adapted vtograsp the-'tobaoco stalk 5 and hold it with its axis in a Vvertical position.

Ilhe chuck 33, as shown in detail in Figi'ire 9;

4|' and forces them downwardly, rotating the cams 38, 38? so that the ser-rated faces 40, 48' are removed from engagement with the `stem of the stalk to release the stem. Three or more of such cams are required to properly center and -hold the stalk.

The split-nut support 45 carried by the ar1n25 and inY which the threaded 'por-tion 3| of the spindle 30 -is mounted, comprises a xed halfnut element 46 securedto the arm 25 and having a half-cylindrical smooth recess 4'1- -therrein, and a second half-nut element 48 hav-ing a threaded recess 49 in the adjacent surface thereof, the

element v48 being mounted slidably on a pair of guide rods 58, threaded into and extending perpendicularly to the outer face of the fixed element 46 at eitherside of the recess-41. The guide rods 50, extend through the element 48 and support a-block 5|. A pair of lever V"members 52, 52' interconnected -attheir free ends by a tubular element 54 are pivotallyfmounted on each yside-of the block 5|, and are connected by pivoted links 53, 5-3v -to themovable half-nut element 48 Vsuch that Amovement o f the free end of the lever members 52', 52 downwardly toward the spindle 3i)v forces the movable half-nut `element 48 along the guide rods 50, away from-the threaded portion 3| of the spindle`30`and from the half-nut element 46 to disengage the split-nut support 45 Vfrom the spindle 3 3 and permit the latter to fallvertical-ly. vSuitable Varrestingl means-to resiliently arrest theY fall of the spindle 30 may be provided in the form of-a coil springr 55 adapted to resiliently support a collar 56 adapted to en- Sage 'a Seefeld 6011er@ Stopv 51 @n the Spindle 3.0.-1 The PUTPQSS? .Of '91.1.15 @S-lient Inf-3.115 ist@ cushion the fallofthe 'spindle 30 and chuck 3-3- in the event-thev operator releases the v`half-nut 48;

The spindle 30 is continuously driven from an electric motor 60 supported on the base .20 through a chain of gears and sprockets to be described. The shaft 6| of the electric motor f6!! issuitably journalled in support member 62 mounted; on base 20 and provided with a wormgear 63 engaging a spur gear 64 mounted on a vertical shaft 65 J'Ollrnalled at each end in bearings 66, 66' housing 61 supported on the support member 62 to impart'rotation from the shaft 6| lof the electric motor 60 to the verticalshaft 65. An extension 68 of the vertical shaft 65Y is provided ,wi th a sprocket gear 69 imparting rotation through the chain 10 coupled thereto to chain sprocket gear 1| on a short jack shaft 18 journalled in 2 4@ integral with supporting arm 24 and a supplemental arm' 11. A suitable spur gear 12 is fixed to the jack shaft 18 and is adapted to drive the spur gear 14 which is slidablyv keyed` to the shaft 32 of spindle 30 through Ya gear'chainincluding'idler gears 15 and 16 which are respfectively journalled on short shafts extending between the "arms 24a, and 11a. A suitable friction clutch 13 is provided for. coupling the spur chain gear 1| Yto the jack shaft 18.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the continuous rotation of the `shaft 6| of the electricY motor 60 will be transmitted through the worm and spur gears 63 and 64, vertical shaft 65 and extension 68, sprocket gears 69 and 1| through chain 10, clutch 13, 4driving gear 12, and idler gears 15 and 16 'tothe gear 14 keyed to the keyed shaft 32 `of the spindle 30, to rotate thespindle 30 and the chuck 33 aixed to the lower end thereof at apredetermined rate in a clockwise direction'when viewed from the top, and at the same time impart a continuous vertical movement to the spindle 30hy vreason'of themen'- gagement of the threaded portion 3| with thread-- ed half-nut element 08 proportional tothe speed of rotation of the spindle 30 nand the pitch of the threads. Suitable stop. or tripping,V mean-s y(not shown) may be positioned on .the frame "22' in the path of the chuck 33 toV engage the releasesleeve 42 on the chuck 33 at the upper limit ofi travel of the spindle Stato trip the cam tripping extensions 4|,'4| and cause the tobacco stalk to be released from the chuck 33. Y Referring now to Figures 1 3, 5, 6 and 1 1, the stripper mechanism is/positioned to begcontinuously driven from the same sourceA as the spindle 30 and actin conjunction therewith to severthe leaves individually from the tobacco stalkinthel following manner. A disk-likeplate 80 h av'inga perpendicularly extending rim 8 mounted thereon is provided with a plurality of shearing elements 82 circumferentially spaced onthe periphery of the disk 80. The disk 80' is securedtoavertical shaft 83 having a sprocket gear 84 also mounted on the shaft 83 and vertically spaced f rom th` e` disk 80, the shaft 83 being journalled at itsuipper end in a supporting frame 85 which is pivotally mounted on an axis on the arm 24 coincident with the axes of gear 86 engaging the driving gearJZ and sprocket gear 81 secured to the gear 86. The gear 86 is keyed to a shaft 86a. the upper end-of which is journalled in the outer end of arm 24. The lower end of this shaft is journalled inarms 86band 86o. A suitable chain sprocket 81' is xed tothe lower end of shaft 8'6a.-.,A-suitable sprocket chain 88 engages the chain `sprockets 81 andSll. Through this chain drive the shaft-8 3 andthe disk 80 of the strippingmechanism are IQtated-j .It will be apparent that. :the direction.

of' rotationoitm disk 80- will be' asindicated by.

the` arrowin Figure 5 and will be the sameas that of the spindle 30 The lower end of the frame 85 is provided with a boss a through which aspring 8512! one end of which rests against the frame 2 2, is adapted to resiliently urge the frame 85 in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed from above for the purpose of resiliently urging the stripper ymechanism toward the chuck 33.

-v 'I he shearing elements 82 lie substantially in the plane of the disk 80 and comprise a radially extending arm 90 secured to the periphery of the disk 80 and an arm 9| extending at substantially right angles to the arm 90 in the direction ofrotation of the disk 80 and tapering to a point atthe forward end thereof, the inner edge 9| of the arm 9| being shaped to form a shearingedge andthe outer edge having a perpendicular extension 92 thereon. Associated with each of the shearing elements 82 is a movable shearing cam 93 pivotedito the disk 80 as by pins 9 4, eachof the movable shearing cams 93 having a surface 95 riding against a stationary cam member 96 positioned beneath the disk 80 so that rotation of the disk 80 relative to the stationary cam 96 periodically rotates the movable shearing cam 93 adjacent the raised portion 91 of the cam 96 outwardly o f thedisk 80 to bring an edge-98r of the movableshearing cam 93 against the. extension 92of the arm 9| in closed relation with the element 82 and shearing off any object .coming between the edge 98 and the shearing edge 9|'. Suitable spring means, such as a spring element 99between each of the movable shearing cams 93 and the disk 80, may be provided to resiliently urgerthe camming surface 95 thereof toward th stationary cam 96. Positioned adjacent the chuck 33 immediately beneath the lower surface thereof is a centering mechanism generally indicated at |00 and shown in detail in Figure 10 for insuring the properv positioning of Vthe shearing elements 82 mounted on the-.disk 80 relative to the tobacco stalk. This centering mechanism |00 comprises a fixed plate member |0| extending horizontally from a bracket on the frame 22 to a position adjacent the c huc-k 3 3, and having an opening |02 therein through which the stem of the tobacco stalk maybeinserted into the recess 36 of the chuck 33. The fixed platernember |0| also has three equally spacedradially extending slots |03, and an equal number of upright guide pins |04 mounted thereon. K A movable plate memberk |05 is carried on the-:xed plate |0|, having a center opening |06 through which the stem of the tobacco stalk may be inserted, three equally spaced slots |01 oriented atan angle to the radial slots |03 in fixed-plate |01, and a plurality of guide slots |08 adaptedto receive the guide pins. |04 in the fixed plate member |0I. Resilient means such as spring |09 is coupled between fixed plate |0| and movable platemember |05 to continuously urge the moyable plate |05 in a clockwise direction and camthe rollers inwardly toward the axis 'of the plates |0| and |05.

Verticalshafts ||0 are inserted through each ofthe radial slots |03 in the fixed plate member |0|vg vandl the corresponding angularly oriented slotsx|01 in the movable plate member |05 and a roller journalled tothe lower end of each of'saidshafts .l |0 beneath the fixed plate member I0|f, the edge of the rollers lll being adapted to extend inwardly ofthe edge of the openings |02 and-|06 inl the platemembers |0|and |05. and beari-ragainstthe stem of the tobacco stalk inassets@ sertedftherethrough; The xed plate lmfember 'I UI- andt-he associated plate |05 and rollers I 'I-Iv Iare positioned vertically on the iframe `2? 'such-that theve'dge of-'one of the rollers lI-'I I rides against'the rim 8| /on the shearing disk -80. Since the plv-1 otally supported z'frame -85 carrying the shaft Z83 and shearing disk 80 is spring urged Vtoward the spindle30, the rim of the shearing -disk '80 will therefore be continuously held against one of lthe rollers II I. The shearingelements 82 ofthe disk 80 rotatingat Ya -xed radius about the vertical shaft 83, thenradi-i of the rim 58| and of the rollers I'II Vand their spacing from -the axis 'of the stalk may be 4designed so that the shearing elements 8`2 -are always flocated the proper distance from the center of ithe stalk lto engage and seventh'e leaves individually as they are successivelyjpresented to lthe shearing elements-'82 lby the movement of the spindle 30, the rollers IfI'I being -limited'to 'radial movement only relative to the plate Il bythe radial slots |03 and continuously held in engagement with the tobacco stalkbyftheforce of spring |09.

- The positioning of the projecting portion 97 of the `fixed cam -96 controlling lthe orientation of' the movable shearing cams 93 is of a design -to' maintain vthe movable shearing cams 93 closed with the shearing members 82 over a portion of the circular lpathtravelled by the shearingmem bers 82 `proportional lto vvthe length of the projectingportion 0l. This is-eifective to render the shearing elements 82 operative to strip rthe leaves of to'bacco from rthe stalk by positioning the disk 80, as ldescribed above,=so that the tapered arm 9| o'f each element Y82 is 'brought between the leaf presented thereto bythe spindle 30 andthe stalk to which the leaf is attached, and fthe movable shearing cam`93 is camme'dto bring the edge 98 vthereof into abutment with theextension '92 of the arm 9| and past the shearing edge 9|' to sever the leaf and clamp the leaf thus Vsevered'- between the edge 98 of the movable cam '943 'and the extension 1942 of the arm`9| onl the fixed 'shearing element 82 for the remainder of the time `Vthat the movable shearing element is in engagement rality of arcuate segments :|30 and position Ethe` segments relative Eto the top |22 of the drum member |20I'so .as to form the side of lthe d-ru-In member |20. Thesegments |30 are thereby lren.- dered retractable -radially from the periphery div the top |22-of the drum 'member 120. Thelnum ber `ofthe segments V"l Strand ofthe support blocks |23 is made to correspond '-to the number of shearing elements .S2 mounted onthe stripping mechanism disk 80,' and 'the arc length o'flthe segments |30 is designed so that the segments |30 mounted on the drum 'member |20 formfa substantially continuous side `for 'the drum j|20.' However, there is sufficient clearance betweenrtl'iesides ofadjacent segmentsto permit thesegments to move `inwardsimultaneously. Spring coils T3 are disposed ontheguide-rods-EI 215,126 bearing against the adjacent surfaces of `fthe segments |30 andthe-support Ibl'oe'ks I 23 tolresiliently fur'ge the segments v-I 30 Vradially--outvvardly of Vthe drum member |20,fandwa plate |32 is mounted vbetween the yfree ends o'f eachepair of guide rods |25, |26 having fa horizontal extension |33 at the lower end of"the Aplate '|32 forming `an outwardly vextending camsurface I 3'4.

vAdapted* Eto cooperate 'with the segments v|30 forming-thefside of the drum `member |20 for conveying 'the tobacco 4leaves fin cooperation Ywith the'side ofthe drum I2f|`l`aftevr severing them from the stalk is a continuous belt |40 positioned adjacentthe sidegof the drum member v|20 and guided away therefrom vrearwardly of the'spindle mechanism 30 and stripping lmechanism 80 by guidejro'llers '|f4 I, I4 and around guide roller |42 journalled to rotate freely onrshaft |43 mounted onsupporting` arm 23 on the Aframe 22 on avertical axis substantially coincident with the vaxis of sprocket gear H and gear l2 spaced'radially away from theside Vof the drum member |20 and the chuck 33. The positioning of the continuous belt 'by means lof thejguide rollers I|I|,V

|41 zand |42 relative to the `tobacco stalk andthe stripping mechanismdisk |80 is such, as. shown in FigureY 2, that the tobacco leaves severed from the stalk by theshearing elements 82 and clamped thereon by movable shearing cams 93 are carried between the continuously driven belt |40 and the side of ythe drum member |20 dened by the segments |"30jwhere the belt |40 and drum |20 join adjacentguide roller I'4I, the leaves being each frictionally held vbetween the belt and one `of the'segments |30 and carried around the f circular path defined bythe segments |30. The

arc length of the raised'portion S'lrof the cam'S'B is such'thatjthe movable shearing cam 93 is guided from its clamping position in engagement with' the extension r492 of shearing element 32 to release the'leaf carriedithereby and'permitit tov be conveyed by the segments |30 and belt |40. The speed of rotation of lthe stripping mechanism and conveying `mechanism are so adjusted 'that only one leaf is carried-by each segment |30.

A housing |50 mounted on the base 20 of the machine isfprovi'dedhaving 'a side 4I5| extending around vand outwardly of the ,periphery of the drum member |20, `provided with an opening |52 in the portion of the side IEI of the housing |50 adjacent the stripping mechanism and tobacco stalk positioning chuck 33. At various desired intervals along theside I5I of the `housing |50, light-sensitive sorting orgrading unitsare provided, comprising a light source energized directly fromanalternating current source and mounted infatube I-BI toi-form asubstantially directional beam otf'lightdirected inwardly of the housing and ybelow the side of the drum -member |20 formed by the segments |30, and a collimating lens Y|62 and photoelectric Ycell |63 of conventional design, 'such as a selenium cell, mounted in a tube |64 ywith nits axis directed so as to permit light reflected from leaves conveyed by the segment |30 and belt |40 and depending below the periphery'ofthe drum `member `,|20 to travel through thecollimating lens |62 onto the sensitizedlsurlace of the photo-electric'cell I 53. The number of ysuch light-sensitive grading units will correspond tofthenumberolfdiierent grades into which itis-*desired 'to sort -the tobacco leaves.

--Ahousing drum -|"|0 of smaller diameter than that-oflthedrumlmember |20 is mounted onv the vertical `shaft housing 6 l 'surrounding the vertical y shaft -and-'secure'dlto lthe -supportmember 62 fixedto the-basel2'0- f Mounted within the housing 9 drum |10 are a plurality of solenoids |12 aixed to the under surface of the top |13 of the housing drum |10, the armatures |14 of each of the solenoids |12 extending upwardly through an opening |15 provided in the top |13 of the housing drum |10 and coupled to one end of 'a lever |16 pivotally mounted on the top of the housing |10 Iby a yoke |11. The other end of each of the levers |16 are provided with upwardly extending pins |18 positioned, when the solenoids |12'are energized, in the path of the cam surface |34 on the extensions |33 ofthe plates |32. Spring coils |10 are provided surrounding the armatures |14 of the solenoids |12 between the top |13 of the housing drum |10 and the lever |16 to normally I" urge the end of the levers carrying the pins |18 downwardly below the plane of the path of cam surfaces |34 of the plates |32 when the solenoids |12 are de-energized. f

The above-described solenoid and tripping llever units, making up the actuating device for releasing the leaves from the conveyor drum and continuous belt |40, are positioned circumferentially about the top lof the housing 'drum |10 somewhat ahead of the position of the light-sensi- -tive grading units With which they are associated,

so that when leaves conveyed past the light-sensitive units by the drum |20 and continuous beltV .|40 actuate oneof the photo-electric cells |63, the

response of the cell |63 may be transmitted to the solenoid v| 12 associated therewith and the tripping pin |18 on lever |16 projected upwardly into the path of the cam surface |34 on the plate |32 coupled to the segments |30 in suiiicient time to engage the cam surface |34 coupled with the particular segment engaging the leaf energizing the light-sensitive grading unit and retract the segment |30, releasing the leaf positioned thereby. Disposed adjacent each of the light-sensitive grading units and below the segments |30 is a collector chute |80 adapted to receive the leaves when released from the segments |30 and belt |40.

An electrical current amplifier, shown schematically in Figure 8, is coupled betweenveach of the photo-electric cell grade detectors |63 and a solenoid |12 to amplify the current generated by the photo-electric cell |63 when the photo-electric cell is actuated to couple the current generated to the solenoid |12 at sucient intensities l to energize the solenoid |12 to retract thearmature |14 and pivot the lever |16 to a position projecting the pin |18 into the path of the cam surface |34 of plate |32, thereby forcing the guide rods |25, |26 radially towardthe center of the drum |20 as the plate |32 is driven past the projecting pin |18 and the segment 30 secured 10 tions occur in the alternating current source and vary the brilliancy of light source |60, an increase in line voltage and in the direct current output of rectifier 204 producing a greater positive swing of the voltage =on the cathode 205 than on the ranode 200 and accordingly reducing the potential across these electrodes with an increase in the brilliancy of the light source |60.

A pair of triode amplifier tubes 208 and 2|0 Aare provided, the cathodes of the triodes 208 and 4vthrough a plate supply battery 2|2 and a plate thereto away from the belt to release the f leaf of tobacco held between the segment |30 and belt |40. The electrical connections of the current amplier are as follows. The anode 200 of the photo-electric cell |63 is coupled through a grid resistor 20| to the tap 202 lof a variable potentiometer 203 placedacross the direct current output of a conventional alternating current rectier and filter unit 204 energized fromthe same alternating current source as the light source |60. The cathode 205 of the photo-electric cell |63 is coupled directly to the negative terminal of a high-voltage vB battery 206, the. positive terminal of which is coupled through the resistor 201 rto. the positive output of rectier 204. This is done for the purpose of providing automatic compensation in the voltage impressed resistor 2|3 to a tapfon variable potentiometer 2||, the voltage at the tapof potentiometer 2|| and that of battery 2 I2 providing the -plate voltage for-triode 208. The plate of triode 2|0 is supiplied through the coil `of solenoid |12 from the positiveterminal ofthe high-voltage B battery 206. A tap 2|4 is provided on the plate supply battery 2 2 from which the grid bias volt'- age for the gridof triode 2|0 is obtained.

When light falls on the photo-electric cell |63, current proportional to the quantity lof light flows from the battery 206 and rectier 204 through the potentiometer 203, tap 202, and grid resistor 20| through the cell |63, producing'a negative voltage drop at the grid of triode 203 coupled to the top of resistor 20|.l The vconsequent reduction in plate current through triode 203 ,decreasesV the voltage drop across plate resistor 2 I3, driving the grid of'triode2l0 positive and producing an increased plate current throughthe coil of solenoid |12 suiiciently amplied by the'two stages to actuate the solenoid-andproject the pin |18 upward intothe path ofthe camsurfa'ce |34. In this emibodment a two stage'current'Y amplifier is shown, but more or less stages may be provided if desired, depending on-the amplification required to produce suiiicient'fcurrent from the photo-electric cell output to-energize the solenoid |12." The scheme of shading backgrounds and photosensitive cells to effect a, progressive grading of `the tobacco leaves'where, for example, ve stay background intercepts the light-beam but not to operate when an object darker-than the background intercepts the light beam as' explained hereinbefore.'v v l 'P Station No.1: Background to be slightly darker than the shade of the lightest colored leaf to be graded. Leaves deposited at this Vstation will range from the very lightest leaves to those of a shade just a little lighter than the background of thisstation. 1

Station No. 2: Background a little darker-than that of Station No. 1. Leavesdepositedhere will be those that are of a shade as dark as Background No. `1 and those that are darker than Background No. 1 so long as they are not as dark asBackground No.2. -Y f y i Station No. 3: Background a littlefdarker than that of Station'No.--2. y Leaves-deposited here will be those that are of. a--shade as dark as Background No. 2 and those that are darker than Background No. 2 so long vas they are not as dark Background No. 3. y A,

Station No. 4:Y Background alittle darkerthan that of Station No. 3. Leaves deposited here will kbe those that are of a shade as dark as Backgwundle-:S are. the@ 1512er are earlier .than

Background No. 3z-soflongiasthey are not as darkn asrBackground No.. 4.

f .Station No. 5': Background to be jet black, in order to' dump--allleaves too dark to have been released at' any of the previous grading stations and `to insure.l that no leaves will' continue to travel in the conveying system on more than one round.

Y A modification ofthe principles involved inthe practical embodiment of Athis invention hereinbeforesfdescribed Vwillnow be: set lforth in which two steps 'inthe aforementioned embodiment will be combinedinto oneY step, and other refinements invthe mechanism vwill be readily appreciated. The: salient points inA this modification involve anotherarrangement ofV applying power from the electricfmotor torthe chuck, combining the stripper: mechanismr-with'the leaf holding mechanism .directly oni the revolving drum, anda modica- `tion of therleafrelease mechanism.

In the modified.' form shown in Figures l2 to'16, inclusive, a base' 22D is provided, near the center of which ismounted a suitablepower source such .as electric." motorv v2 2|? toi rotate '.a drive shaft 2.22011; whichy are keyed` worm. 2,23, and screw or spiral gear' 224. Near'they extreme vend of drive shaft-,222"andsuitably mounted in a verticalY po'- .sition shaftv 230 Aisf/equipped withscrew or spiral` lgear* `2,'*2Eifwhich engages' screw gear '224. Shaft .2301'.extendsf inwan lupwardly direction such that it may transmit powerfromY the drive .shaft 22.2 to" theA chuck 232;` andthe chuck spindle 23| by means of' V-belt pulley .2'33 keyed lto said shaft Y23u and' V-belt pulley' 231i through V-belt '236. The chuck and chuck lspindlezraising. mechanism, similar to the split-nutr support 45: described in the 'previous embodimentY are. located between shaft-23ll which is1 on the extremeside of the machine and thel revolving drumiiM, laterto .bede- :scr'ibed: andai; such heightas to provide `adequate space: to. raise5 theitobaccostalkrso that allV of its leaves may h'e stripped .atthe approximate level of the top of tlfiev revolving: drum. V-belt pulley 2:34.is silidably' keyed to; spindle 235 in like manner. as previouslyI described'- inthe vprevious embodiment. The'stalk holding chuck.' 232 and the v chuck spindle 23| and the split-nut mechanism 2&1 are similarin alll respects to; those employed in. the.' previous embodiment. The chuck spindle 23|` isjournaled.: in' the swinging bracket 238 -Which is pivotallyA connected tothe-uprightA column: on the frame. A suitableV `spring"239` 'i`s adapted to resiliently swing this bracket '238' in sucha'direction that the roller will be in rolling engagementagainst the'rim-on the-revolving drumilll.

Near the center of base'- 220 and mounted verticalthereto, shaft-casing 12421 isf xedly attached to the top 3H! and bottom A243 of the fixed drum 2 '4'8' which in turn is rigidly attached' to base 22B by' means of1 supports Y2544.- Extending through "sh-aft casing 24? and adequately journalled there'- by means of suitable bearings 245, shaft 24| 1s rotatably mounted and has xedly' keyed to its lower extremity a suitable gear 24E to Yengage worm 22'3. Y A cap 250- is `iixedly keyed to the Vupper extremity of shaft v2li-'l1v which capis made a partv ofA and acts as' the* hub of revolving drum 240;

Revolving drum 240'providesa means for stripping tobacco leaves from the'stalk and' convey'- ingthem successively before a plurality of: photoelectric means described inthe previous embodi- 'ment Stripping is accomplished by 'aplurality of shearing hooks 26|) which in conjunction with 12 Tsinaazrfing;bars.211|]- shear thezstems of the leaves as' the-stalk is rotated andt-hestems vofpzthe ,leaves arepresented by chuck 23.2 tothefshearing hooks. The component parts of :shearing lhooks-255i)` are the shanks 26| which are attachedg'to the 'periphery of 'the revolving drum V24|l1'and extend outwardly therefrom a'distance slightly greater than twice the diameter of the 4largest tobacco stem -to b e accommodated Shearing member 252 extends horizontally from .the outer Vend of shank 251|: and at right; angles'lth'eretoY in the directionV of rotationxof 'drum 21H3.`v By reason of its triangular cross secftionwith an acute angle Aat the lower base thereof; asharla` cutting edge 2541's' provided along the outer portionof cutting slot 265. shearing member-'262i and its cutting edge 264r must be wide enough in a direction radiallyfo the drum to cut-through the largest leaf stem. Leaf holding rirn 263 .dependsfromshear- 'ing-Shook' 262.(

-ingi bar Zit' to act as a lpositive means for holding the tobacco stem. 'Resilientimeana consisting of a compression spring 2'1-9, and a restraining washer N3 is installed on pin 21| after it is .installed through shearing bar 27|), rivet head down to hold the shearing bar, through aperture 2li? the tcp of the drum; through spring 279 and' Yres-training washer-213 where it is held in compression by means of cotter pin 2M inserted througlfl0 aperture ZESiin thepin The purpose of this spring is to urge the shearing bar resilientlyagainst the under' surface of the top of the revolving drum so that a maximum shearing action will be obtained when it engages shear- 4ingV hook 260. Resilient `means in the form of a leafspring 282 made fast to the under side of the top oftherevolving drum by a slottedrivet 23331 is adapted toy resiliently urge the shearing 'bar 27D to closed position. shearing bar 21H is held in open position by means of clapper hook Edili installed onthe under side of the top of the revolving drum and pivoted on pin 292. A suitable leaf spring 29| xed to rivet 293 urges the cl'apper hook 29!)v against rivet 293. The design of this clapper hook is such that its cam surface 29H and the cam surface 295' on the inward' end of shearing bar 210 slidably engage each other as the shearing bar 2l!! is moved to open position. As thisA motion continues the projection 296 on'the shearing bar 210 is engaged' behind the projection '29? on clapper hook 293, thereby holding the shearing bar in open position. Cam engaging post 3GB extends in a downwardly direction from shearing bar 210 and is4 firmly aiiixed thereto. The purpose of this post is to engage a suitable cam mechanism SltA 'controlled by the photo-electric system, described vthe openings |02 and asv-1,030

Y13 `of :the shearing bars 210 are opened when'they arrive at the point to engage the next tobacco yleaf stem. l

- Post 30|- extends in a downwardly direction from clapper hook 290 and is firmly aixed thereto'. The purpose of this post is to engage clapper hook release 30?.' located near the chuck 232 on 1the periphery-of the fixed drum top 3|0 and eX- tending therefrom in a vertical position toreleasethe shearing bar resiliently at the proper Amoment when the tobacco leaf is presented thereby stripping it from the stalk. Power for this 'operation is also furnished by the rotatory movement of the revolving drum. The clapper release post 30| must lie at all times further from the center of rotation of the revolving drum rthan post 300 so that there will not be a poszsibility of one mechanism interfering with the vother.

"i The stalk -centering device 303 is of the sainel design as that described in the previous embodi- "ment except that roller of the stalk centering device is adapted for rolling engagement "against the rim of Ythe revolving drum 240. I

The shearing bar opening mechanism consisting of a solenoid coil 3|9 installed on the under vside of fixed drum top 3|0, whose armature 3|2 extends through aperture 3|5 in fixed drumY top "3|0'and engages release mechanism comprising a rocker arm 3|3 pivotally mounted onears 3|4 "in'such a manner that the release end'3l6 which 'isthe cam surface that engages post 300 on the shearing. bar is held by spring 3|2v so that when the solenoid is de-energized release end 3|6 lies "close to the top offixed drum 3|0. However,

when the solenoid is energized by the photo-elec- 'tricA system, the cam release 3|6 assumes a horizontal position in the path of the cam post 300 -and by means of the inclinedsurface of cam 3I6 and thecontinued rotation of the drum shearing bar-210 pivots to open position. i

LA summary of the operation of the above-de- :scribed device is as follows: .clutch-13' adjusted to prevent couplingV of the continuous driving ,force With the friction from the electric motor 12, so .that no force/is 30, and with the spindle 60 to the driving gear applied to the spindle `l30 atthe` lower limit of its movement vertically,

a'stalk of tobacco is inserted stem-first through |06 in the plates |0| and |05 of the stripper positioning mechanism and into the recess 36 in the bottom of the chuck 33, kbringing the stem into contact with the serrated vfaces of the cams 38, 38. After the stem is inserted fully into the recess 36, cams 38, 38 are rotated slightly by the release extensions 4|, 4| to ysecure the stem rigidly between the serrated faces 40, 0' thereof and position the stalk in the chuck 33.

Readjustment-of the clutchv 13 recouples the driving force from the electric motor to the driving gear 12, imparting rotation through Ythe idler gears 15 and 16 to the gear 14 keyed to the keyed portion 32 of the spindle 30, rotatingk the tobacco stalk as well as moving it at a relatively slower rate upward through the action of the ythreaded split-nut support and threaded portion 3| of the spindle 30. Rotation of the driv- 'ing gear 12 likewise drives the stripping disk `against the stem by the spring urged movable- ,the conveyor means.

plate |05and angularly arranged slots |01 there- :in with one of the rolls bearing against the lthe shearing element 82 bythe spindle 3% and the stem of the stalk. The raised portion 91 on the fiixed cam 96 islpositioned to cam the movable shearing cams'93 into a closed relation with the velements 182 immediately after the arm 9| has been brought behind the leaf to sever the leaf and clamp it between the-edge 98 of the cam 93 and the-extension 92 until` the leaf is carried into 4fa position between the continuous belt |40 and Itlfieisegments |20 forming the sides of the drum member |20 where the leaf is further conveyed rpast the series of light sensitive grading stations lformed by the photo-electric cells |63 and their associated illumination'sources |60. The number of shearingjelements 82, and of the segments |30,

-is the same,r and the speeds at which each are driven: and the spacing of the same are adjusted 'so-,that the leaf severed by each of the shearing elements 82'is picked up and conveyed by only onel of the conveyor segments |30. It will be apparent that, as the spindle 30 and the tobacco stalk secured thereto are continuously elevated vvertically;as they are rotated, each ofthe leaves verticallyz disposed-along the stalk will in turn be severed by the shearing elements 82 of the stripping disk 80 and transported to the conveyor means comprising the continuously driven belt MD and segments |20, where they are severally eX- posed vto the various light-sensitive grading VY'stages surrounding the drum member |20.

In the modication we have described, the insertion of the tobacco stalks in the chuck 232 is exactly the same as in the original embodiment. The principal difference is in the fact that a separate shearing mechanism was eliminated and the Yshearing isl accomplished by the shearing mechanisms 260 and 210 on the periphery of the Vrevolving drum which are at the same time the leaf holding mechanism for conveying the indi- .vidualqleaves before the photo -sensitive cells thereby reducing working parts.

'- v'Ihephoto-electric cells |63 are adjusted to be responsive to progressively darker tones of reddish-brown light reflected from the leaves conveyed past the cells |03, moving counterclockwise around the side |5| of the housing |50 from the point at which the leaves are picked up by The color selectivity of the cells |63 may be adjusted by adjusting the threshold potential of the photo-electric cell |63 and .its` amplifying circuit to provide suiiicient current in the plate circuit of the last stage of the amplier to actuate the solenoid therein only A vvhen'light of intensity characteristic of the color :to which the stage is to be responsive is reected intothefcellf |63, since .the photo-electric cells are inherently somewhat color sensitive.

When a photo-electric cell |63 is energized to z generate current by light of the proper color or lintensity. reiiected from the leaf beforel it, the solenoidY is Venergized lthrough the amplifier associated Ytherewith and its armature |14 actuated *to-'pivot the leverl |16 and project the pin |18 into the pathv of the'cam surface |34 of the plate |32' lcarried `bythe segment |30 conveying the leaf detected," so that the plate |32 and the seg- 'ment |30=to`which it is secured will be cammed inwardly -fof-lthel beltl |l0r andthe leaf released .15 from between the -belt |40 and segment t3!) -to fall into theY collecting chute 180 associated with the energized grading station, the leaf being eollected in a suitable receptacle provided at the lower opening of the chute |80. y c

As the grading stations are adjusted to beenergized by progressively darker colors or tones, the threshold to which they are adjusted may be progressively lowered Vproceeding around :from the point at which the leaves are introduced to the conveyor means, insuring that the 'better grades of tobacco leaf will be progressively released from the conveyor as they pass from better to poor grading stages.

After all the leaves have been severed from the stalk and sorted, the free end of the levers 52, 52 may be rotated downwardly, separating Ythe sections 46 and 43 of the split-nut supportv `4'5 and releasing the spindle 30 to returnv under the force of gravity to its initial position occupied at the beginning of the cycle, this being accomplished manually as previously described; The clutch 'I3 is then adjusted to disengage the driving gear 'F2 from the sprocket Il to stop rotation f the spindle 30 and stripping mechanism and4 `permit replacing of the tobacco stalk in the chuck 373 and the commencing 'of another cycle of operation.

While I have particularly shown and described one particular embodiment and one modification Ato position the leaves on said stalk successively to be engaged by said shearing elements` for shearing the leaves individually from the stalk, aseries of selector means each responsive to a. distinct grade of leaf, a continuous conveyor having means for individually gripping the severed leaves and advancing them toward saidxselector means, transfer means intercoupling said stripping means and said conveyor means for transferring the individual severedy leaves therebetween and release means coupled betweeneach Y of said selector means and said conveyor means and actuated by said selector means on detection of leaves of the grade to which they are responsive to release the leaves from the conveyor means.

2. A tobacco stripping and grading machine,

comprising stripping means` for severing the leaves from a tobacco stalk including a plurality of shearing elements continuously driven in a circular path, stalk positioningmeans operatively.v

coupled with said stripping means to position the leaves on, said stalk separately in the path of` said shearing elements for shearing the leaves individually from the stalk, aseri'es; of; light-sensitiveY selector means each responsive? to av distinct- 'color characteristic; of a desired leaf gradaa continuous conveyor having means forindividually gripping the severed leaves andadvancing their-r past said selector means, transfer means j intercoupling; said stripping; `means and said grip- 'ping means for transferring -the individual severed leaves therebetween, and release means coupled between each of said selector means and said ,gripping means and actuated by said selector .means on detection of leaves of the color to which they Vareresponsive to release the leaf detected from `the gripping means.

3. A tobacco stripping 'and grading machine, comprising stripping means for severing the 'leaves from a tobacco stalk including a plurality of vshearing elements continuously driven in a circular path, stalkpositioning means operatively coupled with said Astripping means to position the leaves on the stalk successively in the path of said shearing elements for shearing the leaves individually from the stalk, a series of light-sensitive selector means each responsive to a distinct colorcorresponding to a distinct grade of tobacco, a continuous conveyor having a series of independent gripping means for individually grasping and advancing the severed leaves past said selector means progressively from the lighter colorresponsive selector means to the darker colorresponsive selector means, and release means coupledbetween each of said selector means and said :gripping means and actuated by said selector means on detection of leaves of the color -to which they are responsive to release rleaves detected from the gripping means at a point adjacent the selector means detecting them.

4. A tobacco strippingV and grading machine, comprising stripping means for severing the leaves from a tobacco stalk including a plural-ity of shearing elements continuously driven -in a circular path, stalk positioning means operatively coupled with said stripping means to position the .leaves on the stalk successively in the path of said shearing elements for shearing the leaves individually from the stalk, a series of light-sensitive selector means each responsive to. a distinct color corresponding to a distinct grade of tobacco, conveyor means including a plurality of kclamping elements operative to engage and carry said leaves individually past said light-sensitive selector means, and release means coupled between each of said selector means and the clamping element adjacent thereto and actuated by said selector means on detection of a leaf of the color to which they are responsive to disengage the clamping element adjacent the selector means actuated from the leaf.

5. A tobacco stripping and grading machine, comprising stripping means for severing the leaves from a tobacco stalk including a plurality of shearing elements continuously drivenin a circular path, stalk positioning means operatively coupled with said stripping means to position the leaves on the stalk successively in the path of said shearing elements for severing the leaves individually from thel stalk, a series of light-sensitive selector means each responsiveto a4 distinct color corresponding to a distinct grade of tobacco, conveyor means comprising a plu'- rality of movable segments disposed in 'a circular path, a continuous driven belt surrounding said segments, each segment being operative to position one of the leaves against said Ybelt and convey the leaves individually past said lightsensitive selector means, and release means cou.- pled between each of said selector means and the movable segment adjacent thereto and actuated by said selector means on detection of a lea-f of the color to: which they are responsive tomove theV segment adjacent the selector means actuated away from the leaf detected to release the leaf from the b'elt. Y

6. A tobacco stripping and grading machine, comprising stripping means for( severing the leaves from a tobacco stalk including al plurality of shearing elements continuously driven ina circular path, stalk positioning means operatively coupled with said strippingum'eans' toposition the leaves on the stalk successively'in the path of said shearing elements for severing `the leaves individually from thestalk, 'a series Vof light-sensitive selectory means each responsive to a'distinct color corresponding to a distinctl grade of tobacco, conveyor means comprisingaplurality of radially movable segments positioned in a circular path to form a substantiallycontinuous surface, a continuous driven belt surrounding and in engagement with said segments, each of said segments being operativeY to frictionally secure one of the leaves severed by said stripping means between the adjacent surfaces of said segments and the continuous belt and convey the leaves -past said light-sensitive selector means, and release means coupled betweenl each of lsaid selector means and the movable segment adjacent thereto and actuated by said selector means on detection of a leaf of the color to which they are Yresponsive to disengage the segmen't'adjacent' the selector means actuated from the'belt and release the leaf positioned thereby from the belt. Y

'7. A tobacco' stripping' and grading machine, comprising stripping means' for 4 severing the leaves from a tobacco stalk including a plurality of shearing elements continuously driven in a circular path, stalk positioning meansuoperatively coupled with'sai'd stripping means to position the leaves on the stalk successively in the path of said'shearing elements for severing the leaves individually fromy the stalk, awseries of light-sensitive selector means each responsive to` a distinct color corresponding to a distinct grade of tobacco, conveyor means comprising a plurality of radially movable segments positioned in a circular path to form a substantially continuous surface, a continuous driven belt surrounding and in engagement with said segments, each of said segments being operative to frictlonally secure one of the leaves severed by said stripping means between theadjacent surfaces of said segments and the-continuous belt and convey the leaves past said light-sensitive means, and release means coupled between each of said selector means and the movable segment adjacent thereto and actuated by said selector means on detection of a leaf of the color to which they are responsive to cam the segment adjacent the selector means actuated as it is driven past that selector means radially away from the belt to release the leaf positioned thereby.

8. A tobacco stripping and grading mechanism, comprising stripping means for severing the leaves from a tobacco stalk including a plurality of shearing elements continuously driven in a circular path, stalk positioning means imparting rotary and vertical movement to said stalk, spacing means coupled between said stalk and said stripping means operative to automatically space said stripping means from said stalk at a distance to position the path of said shearing elements coincident with the portion of the surface of said stalk disposed toward said stripping means to effect shearing of the leaves individually from the stalk, a series of lightsensitive selector means each responsive to a distinct color corresponding to a distinct grade of j tobacco, conveyor means for vcarrying the leaves individually past said selector means, and release means coupled between each of said selector means and said conveyor means and actuated by said selector means on" detection of a leafof the color to which they are responsive to release the leafV detected from said conveyor means. i'

9. A tobacco stripping and grading machine, comprising stripping means Afor severingY the leaves from a tobacco 'stalk including a plurality of shearing elements continuously Ydriven in a circular path and operative to shear tobacco leaves ofi of a stalk and convey the leaves to a preselected point in the path of the shearing elements, stalk positioning means operatively coupled Wth said stripping means to position the leaves on said stalk separately in the path of said shearing elements for shearing the leaves individually from the stalk, a series of ylight-sensitive selector means'each responsive to a distinct color corresponding to a distinct gradeof tobacco, conveyor means operative to engage the leaves severedirom the stalk at the point in the path of the shearing elements to'wnicn the leaves are conveyeciby tne stripping means and carry the leaves individually past said selector means, and release-means coupled between eachy oi said selector means and said conveyor means and actuated by said selector means on detection of a leaf of the color to which tney are responsive to release the leaf detected Irom the conveyor means.

1U. Tobacco stripping and grading apparatus of the type described comprising stripping means for severing the leaves from a tobacco stalk including a plurality of shearing elements and stalk positioning means operatively associated with said stripping means toposition the leaves, a

plurality of `selector means each responsive to the color of the leaf, conveyor means having a series oi independent gripping elements for carrying the individual leaves as they are severed from the tobacco stalk toward said selector means and means operated by said selector means to release the leaves from said gripping elements.

11. Tobacco stripping and grading apparatusv of the type described comprising stalk positioning means mounted for rotation and vertical movement to successively present all the leaf stems on a tobacco stalk at a predetermined point, a stripping means for severing the leaves from a tobacco stalk, including a plurality of shearing elements operatively associated with said stalk positioning means, conveyor elements for separately gripping and carrying the individual leaves as they are severed from the tobacco stalk, a plurality of selector means each responsive to a predetermined leaf color disposed along the course of movement of said conveyor elements, a plurality of leaf collecting means also disposed along the course of movement of said conveyor elements, and means operated by said selector means to selectively release the leaves from the said conveyor elements into the predetermined collecting means associated with the selector means for that color and grade of tobacco leaves.

12. Tobacco stripping and grading apparatus of the type described comprising stalk positioning means mounted for rotational and vertical movement adapted to present successively all the leaf stems on a tobacco stalk at a predetermined point, a plurality of severing elements adapted to move adjacent said stalk positioning Ymeans for severing the leaves from a tobacco stalk and having gripping means thereon fr holding the severed leaves, a series of clamping means adjacent and operatively associatedwith said severing elements adapted to separately disengage the severed leaves from said gripping means and advance the individual leavesalong a predetermined course, a plurality of selector means each responsive to a predetermined leaf color or grade disposed along the course of movement of said clamping means, a 'plurality of leaf Collecting means also disposed along the course of movement of Vsaid clamping means and means operated by said selector means to selectively release the leaves from said clamping means into predetermined collector means asso'ciated with the Vdifferent predetermined grades and colors of tobacco leaves.

13. Tobacco stripping and gradingv apparatus of the type described comprising stalk positioning means mounted for rotational and vertical movement adapted to present successively all the leaf stems on a tobacco stalk at a predetermined point, a turntable mounted for rotational movement having a plurality of means forV severing and clamping the individual leaves and adapted to move successively past said point upon rotation of said turntable, aplurality ofl selector means each responsive to a predetermined leaf color or grade disposed along lthe course of movement of said turntable, a plurality of leaf collecting means also disposed along the course of movement of said turntable and means operated by said selector means to selectively release the leaves from said severing and clamping means on said turntable into predetermined collector means associated with that grade and color of tobacco leaves. f Y

14. Tobacco stripping and grading apparatus of the type described comprising stalk positioning means mounted for rotational and vertical movement adapted to present successivelyv all the 29-`y leaf stems on` a tobacco stallat a predetermined pointja turntable mounted for rotationalmovementhaving a plurality of means for severing and clampingzthe individual leaves andadapted to movesuccessively Ypast said point upon rotation of said turntable, a'plurality of selector means made sensitive to colors of diiferent grades of tobacco leaves disposed along the course of movement of said turntable, a plurality of back-V grounds disposed along the f course of move-V ment of said turntable shaded to'correspond with colors of different grades of tobacco leaves and operatively associated with said selectorV means, a plurality of leaf collecting means also disposed alongv the course of movement of said turntable and means operated by said selector means to selectively release the leaves from said severing and clamping means on said turntable -into predetermined collector means associated with that grade and color of tobacco leaves.

` CARL J. GREEN.

REFEImNcEsv CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS American Publishing Co., Hartford, Connecticut 1875-pages 458 and 459.

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