US3850029A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for measuring the compressibility of cigarettes and the like
Assignee: Honeywell Measurex Corp
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Filing: 1973-07-16
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Granted: 1974-11-26
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Expires: 1993-07-16
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for measuring the compressibility or firmness of a cigarette rod includes two pairs of contacts for slidably gripping the cigarette rod to be manufactured which are mounted on the ends of levers which themselves are asymetrically mounted on rubber diaphragms which include at least a single corrugation. Each diaphragm closes an opening in an air chamber which is supplied a constant pressure to thus provide a constant force on each of the lever arms. The asymetrical mounting of the lever arms produces a differential force between the contact pairs, the differential force producing a differential compression or displacement of the cigarette rod such differential displacement being a measure of the compressibility of the rod. The differential displacement is actually detected by measuring the change in the reluctance of the flux path between the contacts caused by a change in the distance between the contacts.
Inventors
- 👤 S Swanson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N3/00; G01N3/40; A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/32; A24C5/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for measuring the compressibility of a continuously moving uncut rod-shaped object where compressibility is defined as Delta X/ Delta F where Delta X is the displacement of said object when subjected to the force, Delta F, said apparatus comprising: first and second contact pairs spaced along the line of movement of said object for slidably gripping and compressing said object; means for applying a different known forces to said first and second contact pairs tending to compress said object in two places said means including pivotal mounting means for said contact pairs disposed on opposed sides of said rod-shaped object; gauge means included in said contact pairs, for sensing the distances between the contacts of each pair while said contacts slidably grip and compress said object in response to said force applying means; means for indicating the distance between the contacts of each pair by first and second electric signals respectively; and means for finding the difference between such signals, such difference being proportional to said compressibility.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
Apparatus for measuring the compressibility of a continuously moving uncut rod-shaped object where compressibility is defined as Delta X/ Delta F where Delta X is the displacement of said object when subjected to the force, Delta F, said apparatus comprising: first and second contact pairs spaced along the line of movement of said object for slidably gripping and compressing said object; means for applying a different known forces to said first and second contact pairs tending to compress said object in two places said means including pivotal mounting means for said contact pairs disposed on opposed sides of said rod-shaped object; gauge means included in said contact pairs, for sensing the distances between the contacts of each pair while said contacts slidably grip and compress said object in response to said force applying means; means for indicating the distance between the contacts of each pair by first and second electric signals respectively; and means for finding the difference between such signals, such difference being proportional to said compressibility.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 where said differential means includes a pair of juxtaposed levers carrying said first and second contact pairs at the two ends of the levers and including means for asymetrically pivoting said levers to provide said differential force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 where said means for asymetrically pivoting said levers include a gas chamber having an aperture each and flexible sheet means having at least one corrugation closing said aperture one of said levers being mounted at an asymetrical pivot point on said sheet means, and gas supply means for providing a substantially constant pressure in said chamber to produce a constant force on said pivot point.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 where said gauge means include magnetic circuit means mounted on each of said contact pairs for producing a magnetic flux across said distance between said contact pairs whereby the length of the flux path is modified in accordance with said displacement of said object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for measuring the firmness of a continuously moving uncut rod where compressibility is defined as the indentation in said rod resulting from a particular applied force, said apparatus comprising: means for continuously applying a first known force to said continuously moving rod at a first point such that said rod is radially compressed a first distance; means for measuring said first distance; means for continuously applying a second known force to said continuously moving rod at a second point such that said rod is radially compressed a second distance; second force; meaNs for measuring said second distance; means; means for determining the difference between said first and second distances; to provide an output proportional to compressibility.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus for measuring the firmness of a continuously moving uncut rod where compressibility is defined as the indentation in said rod resulting from a particular applied force, said apparatus comprising: means for continuously applying a first known force to said continuously moving rod at a first point such that said rod is radially compressed a first distance; means for measuring said first distance; means for continuously applying a second known force to said continuously moving rod at a second point such that said rod is radially compressed a second distance; second force; meaNs for measuring said second distance; means; means for determining the difference between said first and second distances; to provide an output proportional to compressibility.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3572101A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |