Patent US3685650A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3685650A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for the selection of foreign bodies of smaller dimensions, from a main mass
Assignee: British American Tobacco Germany GmbH
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Filing: 1970-09-14
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1990-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and an apparatus for removing foreign bodies from a main mass, especially from tobacco, by electrically optically monitoring the mass and pneumatically removing the foreign bodies.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans J Walther
- 👤 Klaus J Liepelt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/36; B; B07; B07C; B07C5/00; B07C5/34; B07C5/342
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for the selection of foreign bodies of small dimensions, which can be differentiated from a main mass of material optically comprising moving the main mass of the material on a conveyor belt in adjacent streams, monitoring the material by an electro-optical system arranged to monitor the main substance over each stream, and pneumatically removing the foreign bodies via flaps, provided for each part stream, which are arranged to be opened for a short period under the control of the electro-optical system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for the selection of foreign bodies of small dimensions, which can be differentiated from a main mass of material optically comprising moving the main mass of the material on a conveyor belt in adjacent streams, monitoring the material by an electro-optical system arranged to monitor the main substance over each stream, and pneumatically removing the foreign bodies via flaps, provided for each part stream, which are arranged to be opened for a short period under the control of the electro-optical system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
A selecting apparatus, for use with contaminated tobacco coming from a ripping machine, comprising a conveyor belt arranged to run at high speed, a spiked roller provided with a stripping device and arranged above the conveyor belt, electro-optical systems which each control a part of the width of the belt which is arranged to be illuminated by lamps arranged transverse to the direction in which the belt runs and downstream of the spiked roller, flaps individually arranged downstream of each electro-optical system and arranged to be electromagnetically opened for a short period by means of the electro-optical systems on sensing optic reflections from the foreign bodies, and an exhaust channel common to all the flaps for removal of the foreign bodies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
A selecting apparatus, for use with contaminated tobacco coming from a ripping machine, comprising a conveyor belt arranged to run at high speed, a spiked roller provided with a stripping device and arranged above the conveyor belt, electro-optical systems which each control a part of the width of the belt which is arranged to be illuminated by lamps arranged transverse to the direction in which the belt runs and downstream of the spiked roller, flaps individually arranged downstream of each electro-optical system and arranged to be electromagnetically opened for a short period by means of the electro-optical systems on sensing optic reflections from the foreign bodies, and an exhaust channel common to all the flaps for removal of the foreign bodies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, in which the circumferential speed of the spiked roller is adjustable and is arranged to be lower than the speed of the conveyor belt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, in which the conveyor belt together with the fleece of tobacco lying thereon is arranged to be illuminated by fluorescent lamps which are driven with an electronically stabilized rectangular voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, comprising color filters in the electro-magnetic systems by means of which the reflection of the main mass of the material is extensively suppressed, and photo-cells having spectral selection of their sensitivity, whose maximum lies in the region in which the main mass of the material has the least, and the foreign material a strong, reflection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the conveyor belt is black.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2726762A
Cited
US2967614A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |