US3757564A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cigarette inspection
Assignee: Rothmans Benson and Hedges Inc
•
Filing: 1972-02-09
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1992-02-09
Abstract
Abstract Cigarettes are inspected for imperfections in the sealing of the filter to the cigarette rod by applying air at a relatively high velocity to the tobacco end of the cigarette while holding only the filter end of the cigarette. A characteristic of air flow of the cigarette is measured, such as the pressure drop over the length of the cigarette. When the characteristic is abnormal, then the sealing is imperfect and the cigarette is rejected.
Inventors
- 👤 C Blackburn
- 👤 J Schmelzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:43
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C3/00; G07C3/14; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26; G01M3/28; G01M3/2846
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of inspecting cigarettes including a cigarette rod having an outer paper wrapping and a filter secured adjacent one end of said rod by cork paper adhesively connected to said filter and said outer paper wrapping, to ascertain the effectiveness of the seal between said cork paper and said outer wrapping, which comprises establishing an abutting surface; establishing an abutting relationship between the filter end of said cigarette and said surface by positioning the filter end of said cigarette adjacent said surface, applying suction to an opening in said surface to draw the filter end against said surface and ceasing application of said suction upon establishment of said abutting relationship; holding said filter in said abutting relationship without longitudinal compression; determining a characteristic of air flow of said cigarettes while holding said cigarettes in said abutting relationship; establishing an approximate mean value of said characteristic for functionally sound cigarettes having an adequate seal between said cork paper and said outer wrapping; accepting cigarettes conforming to said approximate mean value and rejecting cigarettes differing substantially from said approximate mean value.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of inspecting cigarettes including a cigarette rod having an outer paper wrapping and a filter secured adjacent one end of said rod by cork paper adhesively connected to said filter and said outer paper wrapping, to ascertain the effectiveness of the seal between said cork paper and said outer wrapping, which comprises establishing an abutting surface; establishing an abutting relationship between the filter end of said cigarette and said surface by positioning the filter end of said cigarette adjacent said surface, applying suction to an opening in said surface to draw the filter end against said surface and ceasing application of said suction upon establishment of said abutting relationship; holding said filter in said abutting relationship without longitudinal compression; determining a characteristic of air flow of said cigarettes while holding said cigarettes in said abutting relationship; establishing an approximate mean value of said characteristic for functionally sound cigarettes having an adequate seal between said cork paper and said outer wrapping; accepting cigarettes conforming to said approximate mean value and rejecting cigarettes differing substantially from said approximate mean value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 including blowing air at a relatively high velocity at the open end of said cigarette and measuring said characteristic of air flow at said filter end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said air is blown at the free end of the cigarette at a relatively high velocity through a pipe positioned a short distance from the free end of said cigarette, and the pressure drop across the cigarette measured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein holding said filter in said abutting relationship includes supporting said cigarette along the longitudinal length thereof on a platform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said platform is air permeable and suction is applied across said platform to maintain said cigarette in contact with said platform.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3258117A
Cited
US3564902A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |