A device for spreading whole tobacco leaves.

摘要

A device for spreading tobacco leaves (4) comprises a suction box (1) with a perforated wall (2) and a shield composed of a plurality of sections (5) transversely movable outwards from a closed position in which they cover the perforated wall (2) with the exception of a central area against which the mid rib portion of the tobacco leaf can be clamped by means of a rail (6,7). The leaf is held by suction against the shield sections (5) during their opening movement and is so spread and stretched transversely in a direction away from the mid rib. Trailing brushes (8) that are moved outwards together with the shield sections (5) are further provided for this purpose. The perforated wall (2) may comprise knives which, when being run over by a roller, cut out wrappers or binders or blanks therefor from the tobacco leaf (4) while this is still being held firmly against the wall (2) after full opening of the shield (5,5).