| abstract |
A method of and an apparatus for automatically taking a cored sample of tobacco from a bale of tobacco and pneumatically transferring the sample to a remotely located receiving station, such as a stem content analyzer, are disclosed. A sample canister with vacuum-operated end closures for use in the pneumatic transfer of the tobacco sample is also disclosed. A compacted, cored sample of tobacco is delaminated and then deposited into an open sample canister which is closed and pneumatically transported to a stem content analyzer where it is opened, upended to deposit the sample into the stem content analyzer, reclosed and pneumatically returned for another sample of tobacco. |