US3633735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for feeding cigarettes or other rodlike articles
Assignee: Molins Machine Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1969-07-23
•
Granted: 1972-01-11
•
Expires: 1989-07-23
Abstract
Abstract The speed of an endless band conveying a stack of rodlike articles aligned parallel to one another and moving transversely to their axes is regulated by means of a flap which partly defines a channel for the stack of articles and moves up and down in response to the variable pressure of the articles beneath it. Two endless bands one above the other and each carrying a stack of the articles may convey the two stacks to a merger zone lying above a third endless band which carries the merged stack with the aid of a top wall confining the upper surface of the merged stack.
Inventors
- 👤 Desmond Walter Molins
- 👤 David Theodore Nels Williamson
- 👤 Alan Keith Mccombie
- 👤 Horace Alexander Stone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:25
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/35; B; B65; B65G; B65G47/00; B65G2811/00; B65G2811/06; B65G2811/0673; B65G2811/0689
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for merging two stacks of rodlike articles aligned parallel to one another and moving transversely to their axes, comprising two endless bands mounted one above the other for respectivelY carrying the two stacks directly into a merger zone lying above a third endless band which carries further the merged stack, top wall means for confining the upper surface of the merged stack as it leaves the merger zone, and including control means responsive to the rate of delivery of articles from the merger zone for regulating the speed at which said articles are conveyed from the merger zone by the third endless band.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for merging two stacks of rodlike articles aligned parallel to one another and moving transversely to their axes, comprising two endless bands mounted one above the other for respectivelY carrying the two stacks directly into a merger zone lying above a third endless band which carries further the merged stack, top wall means for confining the upper surface of the merged stack as it leaves the merger zone, and including control means responsive to the rate of delivery of articles from the merger zone for regulating the speed at which said articles are conveyed from the merger zone by the third endless band.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for regulating the speed at which articles are conveyed are controlled by a flap confining the upper surface of the merged stack at the merger zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said top wall means comprises a fourth endless band the lower run of which travels in the same direction as the run of the third endless band supporting the merged stack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for merging two stacks of rodlike articles aligned parallel to one another and moving transversely to their axes, comprising two endless bands mounted one above the other for respectively carrying the two stacks to a merger zone lying above a third endless band which carries further the merged stack, and including top wall means for confining the upper surface of the merged stack as it leaves the merger zone, at least one of the endless bands carrying a stack of articles towards the merger zone having a cooperating parallel top wall for confining the upper surface of the stack on said one band.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
104 words
Apparatus for merging two stacks of rodlike articles aligned parallel to one another and moving transversely to their axes, comprising two endless bands mounted one above the other for respectively carrying the two stacks to a merger zone lying above a third endless band which carries further the merged stack, and including top wall means for confining the upper surface of the merged stack as it leaves the merger zone, at least one of the endless bands carrying a stack of articles towards the merger zone having a cooperating parallel top wall for confining the upper surface of the stack on said one band.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said cooperating parallel top wall comprises a further endless band the lower run of which travels in the same direction as the surface of said one band supporting a stack of articles being conveyed towards the merger zone.
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) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |