US3677068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Arrangement for testing cigarettes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-05
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1991-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A rotatably mounted drum provided with a plurality of axially extending troughs having openings disposed around the circumferential surface of the drum, is disclosed. Cigarettes are fed radially into the openings as the drum rotates. The troughs are of such a depth that the cigarettes do not project above the drum surface, consequently, as the drum rotates in contact with a movable belt extending over an arcuate portion of its circumference, the troughs are closed while covered by the belt. While the troughs are so closed, air under pressure is injected into the closed troughs and a vacuum source is applied, via an axial bore in a piston pressed against the cigarettes'' end surface, to the respective cigarette. The resulting air displacement, if any, is monitored and, where it exceeds a predetermined amount, indicating that the cigarette wrapping paper is faulty - the cigarette is rejected.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred Schmermund
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:54
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/32; A24C5/34; A24C5/3418; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S131/00; Y10S131/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
An arrangement for testing cigarettes comprising in combination: a rotatably mounted drum; drive means to rotate said drum; a plurality of elongate troughs having respective openings extending axially in the circumferential surface of said drum; feed means to feed cigarettes radially into said troughs through said openings; retaining means to retain cigarettes in said troughs on rotation of said drum; an endless flexible belt extending over an arcuate path next adjacent a predetermined portion of said circumferential drum surface to close each of said troughs for a predetermined fraction of each revolution performed by said drum; mounting means to mount and maintain said endless flexible belt and replace by frictional contact with said circumferential surface to cause said belt to be displaced at a speed substantially equal to the circumferential speed of said drum; at least one source of fluid at other than atmospheric pressure and; means to apply said at least one source to said thus closed troughs, whereby cigarettes contained therein may be tested.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
An arrangement for testing cigarettes comprising in combination: a rotatably mounted drum; drive means to rotate said drum; a plurality of elongate troughs having respective openings extending axially in the circumferential surface of said drum; feed means to feed cigarettes radially into said troughs through said openings; retaining means to retain cigarettes in said troughs on rotation of said drum; an endless flexible belt extending over an arcuate path next adjacent a predetermined portion of said circumferential drum surface to close each of said troughs for a predetermined fraction of each revolution performed by said drum; mounting means to mount and maintain said endless flexible belt and replace by frictional contact with said circumferential surface to cause said belt to be displaced at a speed substantially equal to the circumferential speed of said drum; at least one source of fluid at other than atmospheric pressure and; means to apply said at least one source to said thus closed troughs, whereby cigarettes contained therein may be tested.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible belt is supported by at least two freely rotatable guide wheels between which said endless belt extends in contact with the circumferential surface of said drum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein the interior of each said trough is provided with an arcuate seating for accommodating the circumferential surface of a cigarette, and the center of curvature of said seating is radially spaced from said drum surface by an amount which is at least equal to the radius of curvature of said seating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein the interior of each of said troughs is provided with at least two support members projecting within said trough to define respective arcuate seatings for accommodating the circumferential surface of a cigarette, and the center of curvature of each said seating is radially spaced from the circumferential drum surface by an amount which is at least equal to the radius of curvature of said seating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 4 wherein the support members are each provided with a passage or passages therein which communicate with a source of vacuum pressure for retaining cigarettes in said troughs on rotation of said drum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 1, further comprising a stationary member having a surface abutting one end surface of said rotatable mounted drum, a plurality of first passages in said drum which establish intercommunication between the closed troughs and a first arcuate control channel in said abutting surface of said stationary member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 6 Wherein each of said first passages comprises an elongate passage extending axially in the interior of said drum from said one end surface thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cylindrical bores in an end portion of said drum, each bore being axially aligned with a corresponding one of said elongate troughs and being provided with a piston which is selectably displaceably therealong for contacting an end surface of a cigarette in the respective trough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 8 wherein the piston is provided with an axial bore therein for establishing intercommunication between said trough and a suction or pressure source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 9 wherein said piston is axially displaceable along the respective bore against a return spring in response to hydraulic pressure fluid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 10 comprising an annular member attached to an end surface of said drum to rotate therewith, said annular member being provided with a plurality of further cylindrical bores corresponding to and axially aligned with respective ones of said first mentioned cylindrical bores in the adjacent end portion of said drum, said pistons being axially slidable along mutually aligned pairs of first and further cylindrical bores, and said axial bore in said piston communicating with said suction or pressure source via a further arcuate control channel in an abutting surface of a further stationary member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
An arrangement as defined in claim 11 wherein said hydraulic pressure fluid is applied via still further passages in the annular or cylindrical member and via a still further arcuate control channel in said surface of said further stationary member.
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) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |