US3844295A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for forming a tobacco stream
Assignee: Körber AG
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Filing: 1972-06-29
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1992-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A distibutor for shredded tobacco wherein a carded belt or drum withdraws a wide layer of tobacco shreds directly from a magazine and advances successive increments of the layer into the range of bristles on a rapidly revolving brush serving to propel the shreds of successive increments onto a spaced-apart portion of the belt or drum to form thereon a relatively small floating supply of loose shreds. The belt or drum removes from the floating supply a wide sliver of loose shreds which is thereupon showered and converted into a narrow tobacco stream. The quantity of shreds in the floating supply is monitored by a detector which regulates the position of a refuser cooperating with the belt or drum immediately downstream of the magazine to control the height of the layer thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 H David
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:42
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/39; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S131/00; Y10S131/905; Y10S131/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
In an apparatus for forming a continuous stream of fibrous material, particularly a stream of comminuted tobacco particles, a combination comprising a source of supply of fibrous material; conveyor means arranged to receive from said source fibrous material in the form of a continuous layer having a width exceeding its height and to transport the layer lengthwise into a predetermined path extending along successive first and second stations; removing means provided at said first station and including a device for propelling successive increments of the moving layer from said first to said second station whereby the fibrous material of such increments moves along a second path with attendant separation of fibrous material to form at said second station a relatively small floating second supply of separated material, said conveyor means being arranged to withdraw from said floating supply a continuous sliver for movement with said conveyor means along said first path; and means for monitoring the quantity of fibrous material in said floating supply and means for regulating the quantity of fibrous material in unit lengths of said layer in response to signals from said monitoring means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
In an apparatus for forming a continuous stream of fibrous material, particularly a stream of comminuted tobacco particles, a combination comprising a source of supply of fibrous material; conveyor means arranged to receive from said source fibrous material in the form of a continuous layer having a width exceeding its height and to transport the layer lengthwise into a predetermined path extending along successive first and second stations; removing means provided at said first station and including a device for propelling successive increments of the moving layer from said first to said second station whereby the fibrous material of such increments moves along a second path with attendant separation of fibrous material to form at said second station a relatively small floating second supply of separated material, said conveyor means being arranged to withdraw from said floating supply a continuous sliver for movement with said conveyor means along said first path; and means for monitoring the quantity of fibrous material in said floating supply and means for regulating the quantity of fibrous material in unit lengths of said layer in response to signals from said monitoring means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said conveyor means comprises means for removing fibrous material from said source and said apparatus further comprising refuser means for equalizing the layer upstream of said first station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said removing means is arranged to propel fibrous material at a speed greatly exceeding the speed of the layer on said conveyor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said conveyor means comprises an endless carded conveyor belt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said conveyor means comprises a carded drum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said propelling device comprises a rotary brush.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising refuser means cooperating with said conveyor means downstream of said second station to equalize said sliver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said monitoring means comprises photoelectric detector means and said regulating means comprises rotary refuser means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said conveyor means comprises a portion which draws the fibrous material of said layer directly from said source of supply.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for converting said sliver into a continuous narrow stream of fibrous material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
184 words
In a method of forming a continuous homogeneous stream of fibrous material, such as comminuted tobacco leaves, the steps of establishing a relatively large first supply of fibrous material; withdrawing from said first supply fibrous material in the form of a continuous layer having a width greatly exceeding its height and transporting the layer lengthwise into a predetermined path extending along successive first and second stations; withdrawing successive increments of the layer from said path at said first station and propelling the fibrous material of the thus removed increments to said second station with attendant separation of propelled fibrous material; accumulating at said second station a relatively small floating second supply of separated fibrous material; monitoring the quantity of fibrous material in said second supply and regulating the rate of withdrawal of material from said first supply as a function of changes in the quantity of material in said second supply so as to maintain said quantity of material in said second supply within a predetermined range; and withdrawing from said second supply a continuous sliver of separated fibrous material to form said stream.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
184 words
In a method of forming a continuous homogeneous stream of fibrous material, such as comminuted tobacco leaves, the steps of establishing a relatively large first supply of fibrous material; withdrawing from said first supply fibrous material in the form of a continuous layer having a width greatly exceeding its height and transporting the layer lengthwise into a predetermined path extending along successive first and second stations; withdrawing successive increments of the layer from said path at said first station and propelling the fibrous material of the thus removed increments to said second station with attendant separation of propelled fibrous material; accumulating at said second station a relatively small floating second supply of separated fibrous material; monitoring the quantity of fibrous material in said second supply and regulating the rate of withdrawal of material from said first supply as a function of changes in the quantity of material in said second supply so as to maintain said quantity of material in said second supply within a predetermined range; and withdrawing from said second supply a continuous sliver of separated fibrous material to form said stream.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
In a method as defined in claim 11, the additional step of equalizing the sliver downstream of said second station.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
In a method as defined in claim 12, wherein said second withdrawing step comprises removing separated fibrous material from said second supply at a rate exceeding a predetermined rate so that the material which is removed from said second supply contains a surplus with respect to that required in said homogenized stream of fibrous material, said equalizing step comprising returning said surplus from the thus removed separated material into said second supply.
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) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |