Method and apparatus for increasing the density of tobacco in predetermined sections of a tobacco braid

Claim 2

Apparatus for increasing the density of portions of a stream of tobacco, which comprises: a conveyor belt for receiving and conveying a stream of tobacco of predetermined thickness, a cylindrical member mounted for rotation about an axis spaced from the conveyor belt a distance substantially equal to the radius of the cylindrical member and the predetermined thickness of the tobacco stream, the cylindrical member being operable to receive a stream of tobacco and convey it to said conveyor belt, a wheel mounted for rotation about an axis spaced from the conveyor belt a distance substantially equal to the radius of the wheel, said axis being located upstream of the cylindrical member axis with respect to the conveyor belt, means providing tobacco holding slots in the periphery of the wheel, means for generating a suction force coupled to the slots in the wheel, means mounted adjacent the cylindrical member for trimming the tobacco held thereon to said predetermined thickness, the trimmed tobacco being conveyed to the slots in the wheel at least partially by the suction being generated thereat, and means for transferring the tobacco incrementS from the slots to the conveyor belt upstream of the receipt thereon of the stream of tobacco from the cylindrical member, the tobacco increments being overlayed by the tobacco stream as the conveyor belt is driven and compacted therein by the cylindrical member.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slots are spaced apart on the wheel a distance approximately equal to the tobacco portion of a cigarette.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein suction means are coupled to the cylindrical member to hold the stream of tobacco thereon.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein suction means are coupled to the cylindrical member to hold the stream of tobacco thereon.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the conveyor belt is coupled to a source of suction and the tobacco delivered thereto by the cylindrical member is held on the conveyor belt by suction, and the tobacco increment transferring means includes means for successively placing the slots in juxtaposition with the conveyor belt and means for interrupting the suction coupled to the slots in the wheel as the slots are placed in juxtaposition with the conveyor belt.

Claim 7

Apparatus for increasing the density of portions of a stream of tobacco, which comprises: a conveyor belt for receiving and conveying a stream of tobacco of predetermined thickness, means for conveying a stream of tobacco to the conveyor belt, at least a portion of the means being mounted adjacent to the conveyor belt, means for forming a succession of tobacco increments, said means being mounted adjacent the conveyor belt upstream of the tobacco stream conveying means, and including a wheel having means providing a series of slots therein, suction means coupled to said slots to retain the increments of tobacco therein, means for supplying tobacco to said slots, and means for rotating the wheel to drive the tobacco filled slots into juxtaposition with the conveyor belt, said means for supplying tobacco to said slots including means mounted adjacent the tobacco stream conveying means for trimming the stream of tobacco thereon to a predetermined depth, the excess tobacco particles being directed toward the slots in the increment forming wheel by the inertia provided by the tobacco stream conveying means, and means for transferring the tobacco increments from the tobacco increment forming means to the conveyor belt upstream of the receipt thereon of the stream of tobacco from the tobacco stream conveying means, the tobacco increments being overlayed by the tobacco stream as the conveyor belt is driven and compacted therein by said tobacco stream conveying means.

Claim 8

Apparatus for increasing the density of portions of a stream of tobacco, which comprises: a conveyor belt for receiving and conveying a stream of tobacco of predetermined thickness, means for conveying a stream of tobacco to the conveyor belt, at least a portion of the means being mounted adjacent to the conveyor belt, means for forming a succession of tobacco increments, said means being mounted adjacent the conveyor belt upstream of the tobacco stream conveying means, and including a wheel having means providing a series of slots therein, suction means coupled to said slots to retain the increments of tobacco therein, means for supplying tobacco to said slots, and means for rotating the wheel to drive the tobacco filled slots into juxtaposition with the conveyor belt, said means for supplying tobacco to said slots including means mounted adjacent the tobacco stream conveying means for trimming the stream of tobacco thereon to a predetermined depth, the excess tobacco particles being directed toward the slots in the increment forming wheel by the inertia provided by the tobacco stream conveying means, and means for transferring the tobacco increments from the tobacco increment forming means to the conveyor belt upstream of the receipt thereon of the stream of tobacco from the tobacco stream conveying means, the tobacco increments being overlayed by the tobacco stream as the conveyor belt is driven and compacted therein by said tobacco stream conveying means.