US3844541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of filling cigarette filters and device for carrying out the method
Assignee: BURRAS F AND CIE
•
Filing: 1972-11-13
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1992-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus for filling a chamber made between two coaxial cylindrical elements of a cigarette filter with a mixture of flowable products wherein each product is stored separately in distinct reservoirs located above a loading funnel opening laterially into a conduit through which pass said filter elements spaced from one another. The particles flow from the reservoirs into a free-fall zone in the loading funnel where they form a homogeneous mixture. The flow rates are adjusted by automatic means and suction is applied to remove dust particles.
Inventors
- 👤 A Artho
- 👤 P Muriset
- 👤 B Henzelin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:30
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24D; A24D3/00; A24D3/02; A24D3/0204; A24D3/0212; A24D3/0225; B; B01; B01F; B01F25/00; B01F25/80; B01F25/83
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A device for filling, with a mixture of fluid products, a chamber contrived between a pair of coaxial cylindrical elements moving along a conduit in a spaced relationship, said device comprising: a. a plurality of bins, each bin containing fluid products to be mixed, said bins having a discharge outlet; b. a hopper disposed beneath said bins whereby fluid products discharged from said bins outlet fall freely into said hopper, said hopper also disposed in communication with said conduit, said hopper comprising: i. a free-fall zone, initially receiving said fluid products discharged form said bins, in which a homogeneous mixture of said fluid products is formed prior to accumulation thereof at the bottom of said hopper, ii. means for mixing said fluid products, and iii. suction means disposed in said free-fall zone to create a sub-atmospheric pressure in said hopper and to suck dust upwardly away from the homogeneous mixture; and c. means for adjusting the discharge of fluid materials from the bins outlet into the hopper, said adjusting means being responsive to a predetermined level of the homogeneous mixture of fluid material piling up in the bottom of said hopper so as to maintain said free-fall zone in said hopper; whereby, with the application of suction in said conduit the homogeneous mixture of fluid products is drawn from said hopper into the chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
224 words
A device for filling, with a mixture of fluid products, a chamber contrived between a pair of coaxial cylindrical elements moving along a conduit in a spaced relationship, said device comprising: a. a plurality of bins, each bin containing fluid products to be mixed, said bins having a discharge outlet; b. a hopper disposed beneath said bins whereby fluid products discharged from said bins outlet fall freely into said hopper, said hopper also disposed in communication with said conduit, said hopper comprising: i. a free-fall zone, initially receiving said fluid products discharged form said bins, in which a homogeneous mixture of said fluid products is formed prior to accumulation thereof at the bottom of said hopper, ii. means for mixing said fluid products, and iii. suction means disposed in said free-fall zone to create a sub-atmospheric pressure in said hopper and to suck dust upwardly away from the homogeneous mixture; and c. means for adjusting the discharge of fluid materials from the bins outlet into the hopper, said adjusting means being responsive to a predetermined level of the homogeneous mixture of fluid material piling up in the bottom of said hopper so as to maintain said free-fall zone in said hopper; whereby, with the application of suction in said conduit the homogeneous mixture of fluid products is drawn from said hopper into the chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein the means for mixing the said fluid products are fixed elements alternately arranged on the walls of the hopper in a manner to interrupt the free fall of the products.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Device according to claim 2, wherein said fixed elements are blades obliquely arranged with respect to the vertical wall of the hopper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
Device according to claim 2, wherein said fixed elements comprise on the one hand a series of blades distributed around a vertical shaft and forming a double helicoidal thread, said arrangement being surrounded by a cylindrical wall, and on the other hand a conical nozzle (56) provided at the lower end of the cylindrical wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Device according to claim 4, wherein said fixed elements further comprise a stack of latticework formed of wires differently directed and lodged under said nozzle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting the outlet discharge from the bins comprise a shaft arranged horizontally and provided with longitudinal grooves, said shaft being driven in rotation at a regulated speed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Device according to claims 6, wherein the axis of the horizontal shaft is perpendicular to the intermediate wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Device according to claim 7, wherein the driving of the shaft is stopped when the beam does not reach the light sensitive detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting the outlet discharge from the bins comprise a control device provided with level detecting means for the piling of fluid material in the bottom of the hopper.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
Device according to claim 9, wherein said level detecting means comprise a light source which projects a horizontal light beam through the walls of the hopper and a light sensitive detector which receives said light beam as long as the piling of said products reaches a level which lies lower than that of the beam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
Device according to claims 10, wherein the driving of the shaft is stopped when the beam does not reach the light sensitive detector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein said hopper is provided with a cover part and communicates through a discharge duct with the bins, through an opening provided at the lower end thereof with the passage way of the filter elements, and through a pipe provided at its upper end with a suction source, which permits suction of the air and the dust from the hopper.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
Device according to claim 1, wherein it comprises two bins lodged in the same enclosure, the latter being rigid and the bins being separated from one another by an intermediate wall lodged within said enclosure and extending down to the lower discharge aperture provided in the bottom of the enclosure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
Device according to claim 13, wherein the axis of the horizontal shaft is perpendicular to the intermediate wall.
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 |