Apparatus and method for processing plant material

Apparatus for processing plant material to remove leaves from a plant stalk, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for transporting a plant with leaves hanging down from the stalk;
• and
• a defoliator mechanism having two rollers, the rollers being movable between (i) a disengaged position for receiving leaves hanging down from the conveyor, and (ii) an engaged position in which the rollers are configured to grip the leaves received by the defoliator mechanism;
• wherein when the two rollers are in the engaged position, the defoliator mechanism is configured to rotate the two rollers to apply a force to separate the leaves from the stalk.

Apparatus for processing plant material to remove leaves from a plant stalk, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for transporting a plant with leaves hanging down from the stalk;
• and
• a defoliator mechanism having two opposing surfaces, the opposing surfaces being movable between (i) a disengaged position for receiving leaves hanging down from the conveyor, and (ii) an engaged position in which the opposing surfaces are configured to grip the leaves received by the defoliator mechanism, the defoliator mechanism being configured to apply a force to separate the leaves from the stalk;
• wherein a first surface of the two opposing surfaces is provided by a first rotatable belt.

Apparatus for processing plant material to remove leaves from a plant stalk, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for transporting a plant with leaves hanging down from the stalk;
• and
• a defoliator mechanism having two opposing surfaces, the opposing surfaces being movable between (i) a disengaged position for receiving leaves hanging down from the conveyor, and (ii) an engaged position in which the opposing surfaces are configured to grip the leaves received by the defoliator mechanism, wherein one or both of the opposing surfaces is textured;
• wherein the opposing surfaces act in the engaged position to apply a force on the gripped leaves to separate them from the stalk.

Apparatus for processing plant material to remove leaves from a plant stalk, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for transporting a plant with leaves hanging down from the stalk;
• a defoliator mechanism having two opposing surfaces, the opposing surfaces being movable between (i) a disengaged position for receiving leaves hanging down from the conveyor, and (ii) an engaged position in which the opposing surfaces are configured to grip the leaves received by the defoliator mechanism, wherein the opposing surfaces act in the engaged position to apply a force on the gripped leaves to separate them from the stalk;
• and
• one or more sensors for triggering at least one control task for controlling the defoliation of the leaves.

Apparatus for processing plant material to remove leaves from a plant stalk, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for transporting a plant with leaves hanging down from the stalk;
• and
• a defoliator mechanism having two opposing surfaces, the opposing surfaces being movable between (i) a disengaged position for receiving leaves hanging down from the conveyor, and (ii) an engaged position in which the opposing surfaces are configured to grip the leaves received by the defoliator mechanism;
• wherein the opposing surfaces act in the engaged position to apply a force on the gripped leaves to separate them from the stalk;
• and wherein the conveyor is inclined upwards as the leaves approach the defoliator.

Apparatus for processing plant material to remove leaves from a plant stalk, the apparatus comprising:

• a conveyor for transporting a plant with leaves hanging down from the stalk;
• a defoliator mechanism comprising at least one blade for cutting the leaves from the stalk;
• and
• a leaf sorting system configured to separate the defoliated leaves into different categories corresponding to position on the stalk.

A method for processing plant material using an apparatus to remove leaves from a plant stalk, the apparatus having a conveyor for transporting a plant with leaves hanging down from the stalk, a defoliator mechanism having two opposing surfaces and at least one chute configured to direct at least a portion of leaves defoliated from the plant, the method comprising:

• transporting a plant via the conveyor a plant the defoliator mechanism;
• receiving the leaves hanging down from the conveyor by the defoliator mechanism with the opposing surfaces in a disengaged position;
• moving the opposing surfaces from the disengaged position to an engaged position in which the opposing surfaces are configured to grip the leaves received by the defoliator mechanism;
• and
• applying a force via the opposing surfaces on the gripped leaves to separate them from the stalk.