US3580053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cigarettes testing
Assignee: Molins Machine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1968-10-07
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1988-10-07
Abstract
Abstract Testing cigarettes for leaks by passing them endwise through a suction chamber which draws air from atmosphere through the end of a cigarette and through its wrapping and the pressure of which fluctuates according to the air flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Desmond Walter Molins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/32; A24C5/34; A24C5/3418
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of testing cigarettes and similar rodlike articles traveling in a stream comprising successively moving each article endwise through a test chamber which has an inlet and an outlet for the articles and which communicates with means tending to maintain the air pressure in the chamber different from atmospheric air pressure so that at a moment during its travel the article obturates the inlet and outlet simultaneously, while at the same moment at least one of the ends of the article communicates with atmosphere, and at this moment detecting the air pressure in the chamber to indicate airflow through the article wrapping between the interior thereof and the test chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of testing cigarettes and similar rodlike articles traveling in a stream comprising successively moving each article endwise through a test chamber which has an inlet and an outlet for the articles and which communicates with means tending to maintain the air pressure in the chamber different from atmospheric air pressure so that at a moment during its travel the article obturates the inlet and outlet simultaneously, while at the same moment at least one of the ends of the article communicates with atmosphere, and at this moment detecting the air pressure in the chamber to indicate airflow through the article wrapping between the interior thereof and the test chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein suction is applied to the chamber to reduce the pressure below atmospheric pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the pressure difference is about a meter of water pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for testing cigarettes and similar rodlike articles moving in a stream comprising a test chamber having an inlet and an outlet for the articles, means to maintain the air pressure in the chamber different from atmospheric pressure, means to move each article successively endwise through said chamber wherein at a moment during its travel the article obturates the inlet and outlet simultaneously with at least one of its ends communicating with atmosphere, and means to detect the air pressure in the chamber at said moment to indicate airflow through the article wrapping between the interior thereof and the test chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
Apparatus for testing cigarettes and similar rodlike articles moving in a stream comprising a test chamber having an inlet and an outlet for the articles, means to maintain the air pressure in the chamber different from atmospheric pressure, means to move each article successively endwise through said chamber wherein at a moment during its travel the article obturates the inlet and outlet simultaneously with at least one of its ends communicating with atmosphere, and means to detect the air pressure in the chamber at said moment to indicate airflow through the article wrapping between the interior thereof and the test chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |