US3596797A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for cigarette containers
Assignee: Arenco AB
•
Filing: 1969-11-12
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1989-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A variable capacity cigarette container or feed hopper provided with motor-driven, flexible sidewalls for varying the volume of the container. A thin, flexible strip is attached to a feed-in conveyor positioned at the top of the container and is adapted to constantly lie on top of the uppermost layer of cigarettes in the container. As the level of the top layer of cigarettes changes in response to the feed-in/feed-out ratio, the strip bends slightly and such movement is detected by an electrical proximity sensor whose output actuates the drive motor to vary the container volume accordingly. This arrangement ensures that incoming cigarettes have no drop to the top layer, which could result in unwanted misalignments.
Inventors
- 👤 Nils Wallenborn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:26
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/32; A24C5/322; A24C5/325
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
Device in cigarette containers of the type having an upper feed-in opening and a lower feed-out opening for cigarettes and the storage capacity of which is variable depending on alterations in the ratio between cigarettes fed in and cigarettes fed out, at least one wall part of the container being displaceable by means of a driving motor and the feed-in opening being limited by at least one strip-shaped, flexible covering member arranged to rest on the top layer of cigarettes in the container, characterized in that the covering member is light and freely movable and that its movements due to alterations in the upper layer of cigarettes are sensed by means of an electric sensing member which is stationary in relation to the feed-in opening and is arranged to be influenced by alterations in an airgap between the upper surface of the covering member and the sensing member and, when influenced, regulates the driving motor so that the airgap is kept substantially constant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
Device in cigarette containers of the type having an upper feed-in opening and a lower feed-out opening for cigarettes and the storage capacity of which is variable depending on alterations in the ratio between cigarettes fed in and cigarettes fed out, at least one wall part of the container being displaceable by means of a driving motor and the feed-in opening being limited by at least one strip-shaped, flexible covering member arranged to rest on the top layer of cigarettes in the container, characterized in that the covering member is light and freely movable and that its movements due to alterations in the upper layer of cigarettes are sensed by means of an electric sensing member which is stationary in relation to the feed-in opening and is arranged to be influenced by alterations in an airgap between the upper surface of the covering member and the sensing member and, when influenced, regulates the driving motor so that the airgap is kept substantially constant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensing member is arranged to generate an electric field in the airgap and, upon alteration of the airgap, a corresponding alteration is effected in the electric field, which then influences the output signal of the sensing member to the driviNg motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the feed-in of the cigarettes is greater than the feed-out and that the sensing member is arranged to be activated when the width of the airgap falls below a predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the airgap is part of a magnetic circuit in the sensing member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the covering strip, at least within a limited area, has a coating of metallic material, said coating limiting one side of the airgap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the coating consists of a material which can be magnetized and the covering strip of a nonmagnetic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the coating consists of a thin metal foil applied on the covering strip.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the covering strip consists of rubber having a thin metal sheet connected to the airgap.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the feed-in of the cigarettes is greater than the feed-out and that the sensing member is arranged to be activated when the width of the airgap falls below a predetermined value.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Device according to claim 5 characterized in that the coating consists of a thin metal foil applied on the covering strip.
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) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |