US3774791A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for producing, processing and manipulating filter rod sections
Assignee: Körber AG
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Filing: 1971-05-21
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Granted: 1973-11-27
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Expires: 1991-05-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for producing, processing and manipulating filter rod sections,wherein the filters contain bundles of filamentary plastic material which is treated with a plasticizer, has a filter rod making machine serving to deliver filter rod sections to a loading unit. The latter forms rows of filter rod sections which are introduced into empty containers for transport to an evacuating station where the contents of filled containers are transferred into the hopper of a transfer unit having several pneumatic conveyors which transport filter rod sections into the magazines of discrete filter cigarette making machines whenever the supply of filter rod sections in the respective magazines decreases below a predetermined value. The period of dwell of filter rod sections in the loading unit, in filled containers, in the hopper of the transfer unit and in the pneumatic conveyors is long enough to insure satisfactory setting of plasticizer prior to severing of filter rod sections and prior to assembly of the resulting filter plugs with sections of wrapped tobacco rods to form filter-tipped smokers'' products. The speed of the filter rod making machine decreases or increases in automatic response to an increase or reduction in the number of filled containers, and the speed of the filter cigarette making machines automatically increases or decreases in response to an increase or reduction in the number of filled containers.
Inventors
- 👤 Ulrich Bornfleth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:31
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/35; A24C5/352
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
Apparatus of the character indicated, comprising a first machine for making filter rod sections containing an ingredient the conditioning of which ingredient takes up a predetermined interval of time whereby, after the elapse of said interval, said ingredient enhances the structural stability of filter rod sections; at least one consuming machine for manipulating said filter rod sections; transporting means for delivering filter rod sections from said first machine to said consuming machine, including a loading unit operatively connected with said first machine and having means for filling empty containers with filter rod sections, conveyor means for advancing filled containers to an evacuating station, a magazine for receiving filter rod sections from filled containers at said evacuating station, and at least one pneumatic conveyor for transporting filter rod sections from said magazine to said consuming machine; and means for operating said transporting means at such a speed that the shortest time interval which is required for the transport of filter rod sections from said first machine to said consuming machine exceeds said predetermined interval so that said consuming machine manipulates structurally stable filter rod sections, said conditioning occurring during the filter rod section transport from said first machine to said consuming machine which facilitates its handling characteristics thus reducing the likelihood of damage to said rod sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
Apparatus of the character indicated, comprising a first machine for making filter rod sections containing an ingredient the conditioning of which ingredient takes up a predetermined interval of time whereby, after the elapse of said interval, said ingredient enhances the structural stability of filter rod sections; at least one consuming machine for manipulating said filter rod sections; transporting means for delivering filter rod sections from said first machine to said consuming machine, including a loading unit operatively connected with said first machine and having means for filling empty containers with filter rod sections, conveyor means for advancing filled containers to an evacuating station, a magazine for receiving filter rod sections from filled containers at said evacuating station, and at least one pneumatic conveyor for transporting filter rod sections from said magazine to said consuming machine; and means for operating said transporting means at such a speed that the shortest time interval which is required for the transport of filter rod sections from said first machine to said consuming machine exceeds said predetermined interval so that said consuming machine manipulates structurally stable filter rod sections, said conditioning occurring during the filter rod section transport from said first machine to said consuming machine which facilitates its handling characteristics thus reducing the likelihood of damage to said rod sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said conveyor means is arranged to advance empty containers from said evacuating station to said loading unit and comprises first and second storing mEans respectively arranged to accommodate supplies of empty and filled containers, said first and second storing means respectively comprising first and second conveyors operable independently of each other to respectively transport empty containers toward said loading unit and filled containers toward said evacuating station, and further comprising a transfer device for feeding filter rod sections from said magazine into said pneumatic conveyor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said conveyor means further comprises signal generating detector means provided in at least one of said storing units and arranged to furnish signals indicative of the presence or absence of containers in said one storing unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said detector means includes two discrete detectors one of which is arranged to produce signals in response to removal of containers from said one storing unit and the other of which is arranged to produce signals in response to introduction of containers into said one storing unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the filling means of said loading unit comprises row forming means for assembling rows of filter rod sections, means for transporting empty containers past said row forming means, and means for transferring rows of filter rod sections from said row forming means into such empty containers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said transporting means further comprises a third conveyor operable to transport containers from said first storing unit past said filling means of said loading unit, a fourth conveyor operable to transport containers from said second storing unit to said evacuating station, and detector means adjacent to said conveyors of said conveyor means and actuatable by containers on the respective conveyors to produce signals for controlling the operation of said conveyors of said conveyor means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-26 | 1977-05-28 | 1977-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-26 | 1981-05-28 | 1981-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-26 | 1985-05-28 | 1985-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |