US3800936A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for forming groups of objects moved on a conveyor as a single layer sequence
Assignee: Societe Nationale dExploitation Industrielle des Tabacs et Allumettes SAS
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Filing: 1971-12-20
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1991-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A device for grouping in a specified number, objects which are moved as a single layer sequence on a conveyor unit, in particular, substantially cylindrical rod-shaped objects and, particularly cigarettes, which are moved cross-wise with respect to their axis, the latter being adapted to let air flow through it comprising at least one suction chamber associated with said conveyor unit so that said objects are subjected to that suction over at least one zone of said conveyor unit and a tunnel which extends longitudinally above said conveyor unit, is laterally air-tight and open at its ends and covers said zone of said conveyor unit.
Inventors
- 👤 H Anfossi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:02
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/32; A24C5/322; B; B65; B65B; B65B19/00; B65B19/02; B65B19/04; B65B19/10; B65B35/00; B65B35/30; B65B35/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A grouping device, comprising a substantially flat, horizontally extending, conveyor operable to convey a plurality of objects thereon along a path of travel, a suction chamber under a portion of the conveyor, said conveyor having means for allowing air to flow through said conveyor to said suction chamber, and an elongated tunnel over said portion of said conveyor and having open entrance and exit ends arranged transvese to the path of travel of said objects, said tunnel being in air-tight sealing relationship with the conveyor along the lateral edges of the tunnel, said suction chamber being operable to draw air into said tunnel from said entrance and exit ends such that an object on the conveyor will be subjected to a first force resulting from air entering said entrance and acting to acclerate the object along its path of travel through the tunnel, a second force resulting from air entering said exit and acting opposite to said first force and a third force resulting from the contact between the object and the conveyor acting in the same direction as said first force, said suction chamber, said conveyor and said tunnel cooperatively establishing the magnitude of said forces to cause a desired number of objects to be grouped together as they leave the tunnel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
A grouping device, comprising a substantially flat, horizontally extending, conveyor operable to convey a plurality of objects thereon along a path of travel, a suction chamber under a portion of the conveyor, said conveyor having means for allowing air to flow through said conveyor to said suction chamber, and an elongated tunnel over said portion of said conveyor and having open entrance and exit ends arranged transvese to the path of travel of said objects, said tunnel being in air-tight sealing relationship with the conveyor along the lateral edges of the tunnel, said suction chamber being operable to draw air into said tunnel from said entrance and exit ends such that an object on the conveyor will be subjected to a first force resulting from air entering said entrance and acting to acclerate the object along its path of travel through the tunnel, a second force resulting from air entering said exit and acting opposite to said first force and a third force resulting from the contact between the object and the conveyor acting in the same direction as said first force, said suction chamber, said conveyor and said tunnel cooperatively establishing the magnitude of said forces to cause a desired number of objects to be grouped together as they leave the tunnel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor is a perforated belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 1 further comprising , in the upstream zone of said tunnel, means designed to accelerate each object in succession.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein the suction chamber extends over two non consecutive zones, the first zone, corresponding to that of the tunnel, being separated from the second, set out upstream with respect to the tunnel, through a sealing plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said objects are cylindrical and rod-shaped, and the contact between the objects and the conveyor is along a line of contact.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device according to claim 1, wherein said objects are cigarettes.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for grouping objects, comprising feeding said objects on a substantially flat, horizontally extending suction conveyor means along a path of travel through a longitudinally extending grouping zone, flowing air through said grouping zone in a first direction parallel to the path of travel from one end of the grouping zone toward the other end to propel said objects through the grouping zone, flowing air through said grouping zone from said other end of said grouping zone in a second direction parallel to the path of travel and opposite to said first direction to restrain the travel of the objects through said grouping zone, applying suction to said suction conveyor, and continuously moving the conveyor means through the grouping zone, the action of the suction conveyor means and the magnitude and distribution of the flow of air in said first and second directions cooperatively establishing the number of objects grouped in said grouping zone.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
155 words
A method for grouping objects, comprising feeding said objects on a substantially flat, horizontally extending suction conveyor means along a path of travel through a longitudinally extending grouping zone, flowing air through said grouping zone in a first direction parallel to the path of travel from one end of the grouping zone toward the other end to propel said objects through the grouping zone, flowing air through said grouping zone from said other end of said grouping zone in a second direction parallel to the path of travel and opposite to said first direction to restrain the travel of the objects through said grouping zone, applying suction to said suction conveyor, and continuously moving the conveyor means through the grouping zone, the action of the suction conveyor means and the magnitude and distribution of the flow of air in said first and second directions cooperatively establishing the number of objects grouped in said grouping zone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein the objects are accelerated prior to the grouping zone to cause them to enter the grouping zone one at a time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 7, wherein the objects are conveyed along said path by a suction conveyor means, and the suction is disconnected immediately upstream of said grouping zone to accelerate said objects and thereby cause them to enter the grouping zone one at a time.
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) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |