Improvements relating to the Disentangling of Cut Tobacco, and to Apparatus therefor

2076. Allison, O. W., and Allison, C. Jan. 26. Tobacco.- Relates to apparatus for disentangling cut smoking tobacco. The cut tobacco in a moist state is introduced through an opening e into a heating or drying drum A in which are coils of steam pipes D carried by radial arms d fixed to the drum. Rows of pins e assist in the loosening of the tobacco. The steam pipes are supplied through a pipe d , and an exit pipe d is provided for discharge of condensed water. The drum runs on rollers a and is rotated by a gearwheel c. The heated tobacco passes on to a feed-band G which feeds it to picking or retarding rollers H, H and a more rapidly moving combing-roller I. The combed tobacco is deposited on a feed-band J, and may then be passed 'through a second heating-drum O and combing-apparatus H, I, &c. similar to those described. To prevent cooling of the tobacco as it passes through the first combing-apparatus, the latter is enclosed in a housing K, and it is also mounted to run on rails l so that it may be run out of the housing for cleaning purposes &c.