Apparatus for separating threshold leaf tobacco

摘要

A method is provided for separating lighter particles from heavier particles in a mixture thereof utilizing a separation chamber for continuous movement of particles therethrough. The chamber has a pair of opposite sides one of which is a projecting side and one of which is a receiving side, the projecting side of the chamber having an inlet opening for receiving the lighter and heavier particles of the mixture with the receiving side of the chamber having an outlet opening disposed generally across from the inlet opening. The method includes establishing a generally upward air flow in the chamber between the opposite sides thereof, projecting particles from the projecting side of the chamber across the generally upward air flow therein so that lighter particles are carried upwardly by the air flow in the chamber and particles including heavier particles move downwardly through the generally upward air flow in each chamber, causing some of the particles projected from the projecting side of the chamber to reach the receiving side thereof and to pass through the outlet opening therein to be subsequently processed, receiving the lighter particles carried upwardly by the air flow within the chamber and moving the same in such a way as to enable them to discharge from the chamber, and receiving the particles including heavier particles which move downwardly within the generally upward air flow in the chamber and moving the same in such a way as to enable them to be discharged from the chamber.