US 2012/0329536 A1 · APPARATUS FOR STRIPPING AND SORTING LEAVES FROM AGRICULTURAL CROPS

Abstract

An apparatus for stripping and sorting leaves from stalks of agricultural crops. The apparatus includes a base frame having a first longitudinal member, said first longitudinal member having a first end and a second end, and a second longitudinal member in a parallel spaced-relationship with said first longitudinal member, a plurality of cross members arranged perpendicularly along at least said first longitudinal member, each of said plurality of cross members having a lower stripping member for receiving the stalk of an agricultural crop, a plurality of upper stripping members, each upper stripping member positionable to cooperate with a corresponding lower stripping member to substantially encircle the stalk and means for engaging and conveying the stalk along the apparatus in a direction from said first end to said second end of said first longitudinal member.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for stripping and sorting leaves from stalks of agricultural crops, comprising

(a) a base frame having a first longitudinal member, said first longitudinal member having a first end and a second end, and a second longitudinal member in a parallel spaced-relationship with said first longitudinal member;
(b) a plurality of cross members arranged perpendicularly along at least said first longitudinal member, each of said plurality of cross members having a lower stripping member for receiving the stalk of an agricultural crop;
(c) a plurality of upper stripping members, each upper stripping member positionable to cooperate with a corresponding lower stripping member to substantially encircle the stalk;
and
(d) means for engaging and conveying the stalk along the apparatus in a direction from said first end to said second end of said first longitudinal member;
wherein each upper stripping member and the corresponding lower stripping member cooperate to strip the leaves from the stalk as the stalk is conveyed along the apparatus.

3 more elements

A method for stripping and sorting leaves from stalks of agricultural crops, the method comprising:

(a) placing a stalk upon a plurality of lower stripping members of an apparatus for stripping and sorting leaves from the stalks of agricultural crops;
(b) positioning a plurality of upper stripping members so as to cooperate with a corresponding lower stripping member to substantially encircle the stalk;
(c) engaging and conveying the stalk longitudinally along the apparatus;
(d) stripping the leaves from the stalk as the stalk is conveyed along the apparatus;
and
(e) sorting the leaves by position along the stalk as the stalk is conveyed along the apparatus.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for stripping and sorting leaves from agricultural crops

Life of this patent

Apparatus for stripping and sorting leaves from agricultural crops

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20