| 摘要 |
<p>The present invention relates to a method of harvesting tobacco and system for bulk handling whole leaf flue cured tobacco between field harvesting and curing and drying operations. In the method of harvesting tobacco, tobacco leaves are defoliated from tobacco stalks and conveyed therefrom to an area of discharge where the leaves are discharged and directed in random alignment into an open top bulk tobacco support unit such that the randomly aligned leaves are generally uniformly distributed within a bulk support unit and the tobacco leaves are generally disposed in horizontal planes with the individual leaves being disposed in overlying relationship. After the bulk support unit has been filled to a predetermined level, a plurality of elongated members are inserted through the bulk support unit in directions generally perpendicularly to the planes of the tobacco leaves. Thereafter, the filled bulk support unit is rotated approximately 90 degrees such that the planes of the leaves within the bulk support unit are rotated from generally horizontal positions to generally vertical positions and wherein said bulk support unit includes a continuous volume of leaves with the depth of the volume being greater than the length of the respective leaves comprising the volume. After rotation, the bulk support unit is transferred into operative relationship with a curing and drying system, the bulk support unit being positioned such that the planes of the leaves are generally vertically oriented so as to enable a forced system of air normally associated with a curing and drying system to readily move therethrough. Basically the apparatus or bulk handling unit supporting the harvested tobacco comprises a rectangular frame structure that when disposed in the filling position includes a leaf receiving area of substantial cross sectional area, both the length and width of the cross sectional area being greater than the length of the respective leaves received within the bulk support unit. For confining the volume of tobacco within the bulk handling or support unit, there is provided a plurality of tines that are adapted to project through the bulk support unit and to support portions of the volume of bulk tobacco within the unit when the support unit is rotated approximately 90 degrees from the horizontal filling position to a vertical position. Therefore, it is appreciated that once rotated, because of the substantial cross sectional filling area, that the vertical depth of the bulk support unit is greater than the length of the respective leaves comprising the volume.</p> |
