Cigarette making machines

Claim 2

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious first conveyor; a plurality of studs secured to said conveyor at regular intervals forming between them recesses for receiving tobacco, each stud having a pair of end walls facing in opposite directions and the confronting end walls of adjacent studs being arranged to contain and confine substantially the entire end surfaces of the tobacco sections formed between them in said recesses; means for filling the spaces between successive studs with tobacco; means for compressing the tobacco sections between the studs by a differential air pressure; a second conveyor including suction means for receiving the tobacco sections in spaced relation with recesses therebetween and carrying them towards a continuous wrapper web; means for feeding filter sections into the recesses between successive tobacco sections after the tobacco sections have left the first conveyor; and a rod-forming device for enclosing the tobacco sections and filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections.

Claim 3

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 1 wherein said means for filling the spaces between successive studs comprises means for showering tobacco on the conveyor to fill the spaces between successive studs on the conveyor.

Claim 4

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 2 including means for removing tobacco from the studs after the showering has been completed.

Claim 5

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 3 further comprising means for moving the conveyor along a curved path to remove the tobacco from the studs by centrifugal action while the conveyor is moving along said curved path.

Claim 6

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 1 wherein the end walls of said studs are imperforate.

Claim 7

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 1 in which the studs are fixed to the first conveyor.

Claim 8

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 6 in which the studs are arranged so that their height above the conveyor may be reduced by pressure from above the studs.

Claim 9

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 7 wherein each stud comprises a resilient metal strip bent around a body of resiliently compressible material.

Claim 10

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 6 in which the second conveyor is formed with recesses to allow clearance for the studs.

Claim 11

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 9 in which the recesses in the second conveyor contain radially slidable members which move outwards so as to fill the recesses in the region of the continuous wrapper web.

Claim 12

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 1 in which the studs are formed separately from the first conveyor and are secured to the first conveyor by suction.

Claim 13

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 11 including a variable-speed transfer conveyor for receiving the studs from the first conveyor at a point downstream of the point at which the tobacco sections are transferred to the second conveyor, and for carrying the studs to a point further downstream along the first conveyor and means including an adjustable timing device for placing the studs back on the first conveyor at regular intervals.

Claim 14

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious first conveyor; a plurality of studs carried by said conveyor and arranged thereon at regular intervals, the studs forming between them recesses for receiving tobacco; means for showering tobacco on the conveyor to fill the spaces between successive studs; a rotary valve adjacent to said conveyor in the region of the shower and arranged to direct a jet of air across the surface of each stud to blow off the tobacco; means for compressing the tobacco sections between the studs by a different air pressure; a second conveyor including suction means for receiving the tobacco sections in spaced relation with recesses therebetween and carrying them towards a continuous wrapper web; means for feeding filter sections into the recesses between successive tobacco sections after the tobacco sections have left the first conveyor; and a rod-forming device for enclosing the tobacco sections and filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections.

Claim 15

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious first conveyor; a plurality of studs carried by said conveyor and arranged thereon at regular intervals, the studs forming between them recesses for receiving tobacco; means for showering tobacco on the conveyor to fill the spaces between successive studs; a rotary valve adjacent to said conveyor in the region of the shower and arranged to direct a jet of air across the surface of each stud to blow off the tobacco; means for compressing the tobacco sections between the studs by a different air pressure; a second conveyor including suction means for receiving the tobacco sections in spaced relation with recesses therebetween and carrying them towards a continuous wrapper web; means for feeding filter sections into the recesses between successive tobacco sections after the tobacco sections have left the first conveyor; and a rod-forming device for enclosing the tobacco sections and filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections.

Claim 16

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 13 in which the rotary valve extends along the conveyor across substantially the whole width of the shower and is arranged to direct jets of air continuously across all the studs in the region of the shower to remove the tobacco as soon as it reaches the studs.

Claim 17

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 13 further comprising means including fixed edges defining an opening extending along and parallel to the conveyor, the rotary valve comprising a tube having its axis parallel to the direction of the conveyor and formed with helical slots through which jets of air pass from the interior of the tube between said fixed edges.

Claim 18

A cigarette-making machIne according to claim 15 in which the tube comprises strips carried by at least two discs situated at the ends of the tube, which discs are adjustable slightly relative to one another about the axis of the tube to vary the helix angle of the slots between the strips.

Claim 19

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious conveyor arranged for movement along a predetermined path; substantially parallel fixed rails mounted along opposite sides of the conveyor and defining between them and with the conveyor a trough of predetermined depth; a plurality of pairs of raised end walls spaced along and secured to said conveyor and extending transversely of said path, said end walls defining a plurality of regularly spaced regions separated by intermediate areas on said conveyor and having a width in said transverse direction slightly less than the distance between the rails so as to pass between the rails with a running clearance and extending from the conveyor by a distance substantially equal to said predetermined depth; means for showering tobacco onto tthe conveyor; means for removing tobacco from said intermediate areas of said conveyor between said regions leaving spaces between the tobacco sections in said regions, means for compressing the tobacco sections in said regions by a differential air pressure; means for feeding filter sections into said spaces between said tobacco sections; and a rod-forming device for enclosing said tobacco sections in alternation with said filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections.

Claim 20

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious conveyor arranged for movement along a predetermined path; substantially parallel fixed rails mounted along opposite sides of the conveyor and defining between them and with the conveyor a trough of predetermined depth; a plurality of pairs of raised end walls spaced along and secured to said conveyor and extending transversely of said path, said end walls defining a plurality of regularly spaced regions separated by intermediate areas on said conveyor and having a width in said transverse direction slightly less than the distance between the rails so as to pass between the rails with a running clearance and extending from the conveyor by a distance substantially equal to said predetermined depth; means for showering tobacco onto tthe conveyor; means for removing tobacco from said intermediate areas of said conveyor between said regions leaving spaces between the tobacco sections in said regions, means for compressing the tobacco sections in said regions by a differential air pressure; means for feeding filter sections into said spaces between said tobacco sections; and a rod-forming device for enclosing said tobacco sections in alternation with said filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections.

Claim 21

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 17 in which the means for removing tobacco from the intermediate areas of the conveyor includes means for directing a jet of air in a direction transverse to said conveyor path across said intermediate areas to blow off the tobacco.

Claim 22

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 17 wherein said end walls are imperforate.

Claim 23

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 17 further comprising a second conveyor for receiving the tobacco sections in spaced relation from the first conveyor, said filter section feeding means being arranged to feed said filter sections into the spaces between said tobacco sections.

Claim 24

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious conveyor arranged for movement along a predetermined path; means defining a plurality of regularly spaced regions separated by intermediate areas on said conveyor, said means including raised end walls for said regions; means for showering tobacco onto the conveyor; means for directing a jet of air in a direction transverse to said conveyor path across said intermediate areas to remove tobacco from said intermediate areas of said conveyor between said regions, said air jet means including movable means at least partly defining an outlet for the air jet and arranged to move synchronously with movement of the conveyor such that the air outlet moves along the conveyor at the same speed as the conveyor and in alignment with one of the intermediate areas; means for compressing the tobacco sections in said regions by a differential air pressure; means for feeding filter sections into the spaces between said tobacco sections; and a rod-forming device for enclosing said tobacco sections in alternation with said filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections, said end walls having substantially the same transverse width as the width of said conveyor adapted to support said tobacco sections and extending from said conveyor to a substantially uniform predetermined height.

Claim 25

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious conveyor arranged for movement along a predetermined path; means defining a plurality of regularly spaced regions separated by intermediate areas on said conveyor, said means including raised end walls for said regions; means for showering tobacco onto the conveyor; means for directing a jet of air in a direction transverse to said conveyor path across said intermediate areas to remove tobacco from said intermediate areas of said conveyor between said regions, said air jet means including movable means at least partly defining an outlet for the air jet and arranged to move synchronously with movement of the conveyor such that the air outlet moves along the conveyor at the same speed as the conveyor and in alignment with one of the intermediate areas; means for compressing the tobacco sections in said regions by a differential air pressure; means for feeding filter sections into the spaces between said tobacco sections; and a rod-forming device for enclosing said tobacco sections in alternation with said filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections, said end walls having substantially the same transverse width as the width of said conveyor adapted to support said tobacco sections and extending from said conveyor to a substantially uniform predetermined height.

Claim 26

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 21 in which the said movable means comprises a rotary valve adjacent to the conveyor in the region of the shower, said valve extending along the conveyor across substantiaLly the whole width of the shower and being arranged to direct jets of air continuously across said intermediate areas of said conveyor whereby tobacco is removed from said areas in the region of said shower.

Claim 27

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious conveyor arranged for movement along a predetermined path; fixed rails mounted along opposite sides of the conveyor and defining between them and with the conveyor a trough of predetermined depth; a plurality of elongated studs arranged to be carried through the trough by the conveyor at regular intervals, thus forming recesses between successive studs, each stud having side walls spaced apart by a distance slightly less than the distance between the rails so as to pass between the rails with a running clearance, end walls defining the ends of adjacent recesses, and an outer wall having a surface which is substantially parallel to the conveyor, said surface being spaced from the conveyor by a distance substantially equal to said predetermined depth; means for showering tobacco towards the conveyor and into the recesses between the studs and also over said outer wall surface of the studs; pneumatic means for directing a first air stream in a direction transverse to said conveyor path across said surfaces of the outer walls of said studs to blow away laterally the tobacco which is showered onto said surfaces of the outer walls of the studs to leave spaced tobacco sections on the conveyor lying between the studs; means for directing a second air stream in a direction transverse to both said conveyor path and first air stream through said air-pervious conveyor to compress air spaced tobacco sections; means for receiving the tobacco sections from the conveyor in spaced relation with recesses therebetween; means for inserting filter sections into the recesses between successive tobacco sections; and means for enclosing the tobacco and filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod.

Claim 28

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious conveyor arranged for movement along a predetermined path; fixed rails mounted along opposite sides of the conveyor and defining between them and with the conveyor a trough of predetermined depth; a plurality of elongated studs arranged to be carried through the trough by the conveyor at regular intervals, thus forming recesses between successive studs, each stud having side walls spaced apart by a distance slightly less than the distance between the rails so as to pass between the rails with a running clearance, end walls defining the ends of adjacent recesses, and an outer wall having a surface which is substantially parallel to the conveyor, said surface being spaced from the conveyor by a distance substantially equal to said predetermined depth; means for showering tobacco towards the conveyor and into the recesses between the studs and also over said outer wall surface of the studs; pneumatic means for directing a first air stream in a direction transverse to said conveyor path across said surfaces of the outer walls of said studs to blow away laterally the tobacco which is showered onto said surfaces of the outer walls of the studs to leave spaced tobacco sections on the conveyor lying between the studs; means for directing a second air stream in a direction transverse to both said conveyor path and first air stream through said air-pervious conveyor to compress air spaced tobacco sections; means for receiving the tobacco sections from the conveyor in spaced relation with recesses therebetween; means for inserting filter sections into the recesses between successive tobacco sections; and means for enclosing the tobacco and filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod.

Claim 29

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious first conveyor; a plurality of studs carried by said conveyor and arranged thereon at regular intervals; means for filling the spaces between successive studs by showering tobacco onto the conveyor; a rotary valve adjacent to and extending along the conveyor across substantially the whole width of the shower and being arranged to direct jets of air continuously across all the studs in the region of the shower to remove tobacco as soon as it reaches the studs; a return passage which extends from the side of the shower opposite to the valve and is arranged to return that tobacco back into the shower; means for compressing the tobacco sections between the studs by a differential air pressure; a second conveyor including suction means for receiving the tobacco sections in spaced relation and carrying them towards a continuous wrapper web; means for feeding filter sections into the spaces between successive tobacco sections after the tobacco sections have left the first conveyor; and a rod-forming device for enclosing the tobacco sections and filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections.

Claim 30

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious first conveyor; a plurality of studs carried by said conveyor and arranged thereon at regular intervals; means for filling the spaces between successive studs by showering tobacco onto the conveyor; a rotary valve adjacent to and extending along the conveyor across substantially the whole width of the shower and being arranged to direct jets of air continuously across all the studs in the region of the shower to remove tobacco as soon as it reaches the studs; a return passage which extends from the side of the shower opposite to the valve and is arranged to return that tobacco back into the shower; means for compressing the tobacco sections between the studs by a differential air pressure; a second conveyor including suction means for receiving the tobacco sections in spaced relation and carrying them towards a continuous wrapper web; means for feeding filter sections into the spaces between successive tobacco sections after the tobacco sections have left the first conveyor; and a rod-forming device for enclosing the tobacco sections and filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections.

Claim 31

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 24 in which the return passage is adapted to return the tobacco with a timing such that tobacco is showered into the spaces between the studs on said first conveyor.

Claim 32

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious first conveyor arranged for movement along a predetermined path; a plurality of studs carried by said conveyor and arranged thereon at regular intervals; means for filling the spaces between successive studs by showering tobacco onto the conveyor, said means including a channel for conveying the showered tobacco onto said conveyor; means for directing a jet of air across said studs to discourage accumulaTion of tobacco thereon including at least one air inlet in communication with said channel at one side thereof adjacent said conveyor and an air outlet arranged on the opposite side of said channel adjacent said conveyor, said outlet extending along substantially the whole width of the channel in the direction of movement of said conveyor; passage means which extends in a loop from said outlet into said channel at a position upstream of said outlet, whereby tobacco directed into said outlet may be returned to the shower in said channel; means for compressing the tobacco sections between the studs by a differential air pressure; a second conveyor including suction means for receiving the tobacco sections in spaced relation and carrying them towards a continuous wrapper web; means for feeding filter sections into the spaces between successive tobacco sections after the tobacco sections have left the first conveyor; and a rod-forming device for enclosing the tobacco sections and filter sections in said continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections.

Claim 33

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious first conveyor arranged for movement along a predetermined path; a plurality of studs carried by said conveyor and arranged thereon at regular intervals; means for filling the spaces between successive studs by showering tobacco onto the conveyor, said means including a channel for conveying the showered tobacco onto said conveyor; means for directing a jet of air across said studs to discourage accumulaTion of tobacco thereon including at least one air inlet in communication with said channel at one side thereof adjacent said conveyor and an air outlet arranged on the opposite side of said channel adjacent said conveyor, said outlet extending along substantially the whole width of the channel in the direction of movement of said conveyor; passage means which extends in a loop from said outlet into said channel at a position upstream of said outlet, whereby tobacco directed into said outlet may be returned to the shower in said channel; means for compressing the tobacco sections between the studs by a differential air pressure; a second conveyor including suction means for receiving the tobacco sections in spaced relation and carrying them towards a continuous wrapper web; means for feeding filter sections into the spaces between successive tobacco sections after the tobacco sections have left the first conveyor; and a rod-forming device for enclosing the tobacco sections and filter sections in said continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections.

Claim 34

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 26 in which said passage means is adapted to return the tobacco with a timing such that tobacco is showered into the spaces between the studs on said first conveyor.

Claim 35

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 26 in which the means for directing a jet of air across the studs includes movable means at least partly defining an outlet for the air jet and arranged to move synchronously with movement of the conveyor, such that said outlet for the air jet moves adjacent the conveyor at the same speed as the conveyor and in alignment with one of the spaces between the studs.

Claim 36

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious conveyor arranged for movement along a predetermined path; means defining a plurality of regularly spaced regions with intermediate areas between adjacent regions on said conveyor, said means including raised end walls for said regions; means defining a channel extending towards the conveyor; means for showering tobacco through the channel and onto the conveyor; means for directing a jet of air transversely through the channel and including movable means at least partly defining an outlet for the air jet and arranged to move synchronously with movement of the conveyor, such that the air outlet moves along the conveyor, at the same speed as the conveyor and in alignment with one of the intermediate areas, said outlet having a dimension along the conveyor substantially the same as that of the intermediate area, whereby the jet of air keeps the intermediate areas clear of tobacco but permits the formation of tobacco sections in said regions; and a rod-forming device for enclosing said tobacco sections in alternation with filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections.

Claim 37

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious conveyor arranged for movement along a predetermined path; means defining a plurality of regularly spaced regions with intermediate areas between adjacent regions on said conveyor, said means including raised end walls for said regions; means defining a channel extending towards the conveyor; means for showering tobacco through the channel and onto the conveyor; means for directing a jet of air transversely through the channel and including movable means at least partly defining an outlet for the air jet and arranged to move synchronously with movement of the conveyor, such that the air outlet moves along the conveyor, at the same speed as the conveyor and in alignment with one of the intermediate areas, said outlet having a dimension along the conveyor substantially the same as that of the intermediate area, whereby the jet of air keeps the intermediate areas clear of tobacco but permits the formation of tobacco sections in said regions; and a rod-forming device for enclosing said tobacco sections in alternation with filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections.

Claim 38

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 29 further comprising means including fixed edges defining an opening extending along and parallel to the conveyor, the movable means comprising a rotary valve tube having its axis parallel to the conveyor and formed with at least one helical slot through which jets of air pass from the interior of the tube between said fixed edges.

Claim 39

A cigarette-making machine according to claim 29 including a return passage which extends from the side of the conveyor opposite to the air outlet and is arranged to receive the tobacco blown off the intermediate areas of the conveyor and to return that tobacco back into the channel.

Claim 40

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious first conveyor; a plurality of studs carried by said conveyor and arranged thereon at regular intervals, the studs forming between them recesses for receiving tobacco; means for filling the spaces between successive studs with tobacco; Means for compressing the tobacco sections between the studs by a differential air pressure; a second conveyor including suction means for receiving the tobacco sections in spaced relation with recesses therebetween and carrying them towards a continuous wrapper web; means for feeding filter sections into the recesses between successive tobacco sections after the tobacco sections have left the first conveyor; and a rod-forming device for enclosing the tobacco sections and filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections; said rod-forming device including a garniture having means for mechanically compressing the tobacco sections down to their final diameter and said filter feeding means being arranged to feed filter sections of a diameter large enough to completely fill the garniture of the rod-forming device so as to prevent tobacco from moving over the filter sections.

Claim 41

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious first conveyor; a plurality of studs carried by said conveyor and arranged thereon at regular intervals, the studs forming between them recesses for receiving tobacco; means for filling the spaces between successive studs with tobacco; Means for compressing the tobacco sections between the studs by a differential air pressure; a second conveyor including suction means for receiving the tobacco sections in spaced relation with recesses therebetween and carrying them towards a continuous wrapper web; means for feeding filter sections into the recesses between successive tobacco sections after the tobacco sections have left the first conveyor; and a rod-forming device for enclosing the tobacco sections and filter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections; said rod-forming device including a garniture having means for mechanically compressing the tobacco sections down to their final diameter and said filter feeding means being arranged to feed filter sections of a diameter large enough to completely fill the garniture of the rod-forming device so as to prevent tobacco from moving over the filter sections.

Claim 42

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious first conveyor; a plurality of studs carried by said conveyor and arranged thereon at regular intervals, the studs forming between them recesses for receiving tobacco; means for filling the spaces between successive studs with tobacco; means for compressing the tobacco sections between the studs by a differential air pressure; a second conveyor including suction means for receiving the tobacco sections in spaced relation with recesses therebetween and carrying them towards a continuous wrapper web; means for feeding filter sections into the recesses between successive tobacco sections after the tobacco sections have left the first conveyor; and a rod-forming device for enclosing the tobacco sections and flter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections; said rod-forming device including a garniture having means for mechanically compressing the tobacco sections down to their final diameter and said filter feeding means being arranged to slit the ends of the filter sections to allow the ends to expand and thus completely fill the garniture of the rod-forming device so as to prevent tobacco from moving over the filter sections.

Claim 43

A cigarette-making machine for making filter-tipped cigarettes, comprising an air-pervious first conveyor; a plurality of studs carried by said conveyor and arranged thereon at regular intervals, the studs forming between them recesses for receiving tobacco; means for filling the spaces between successive studs with tobacco; means for compressing the tobacco sections between the studs by a differential air pressure; a second conveyor including suction means for receiving the tobacco sections in spaced relation with recesses therebetween and carrying them towards a continuous wrapper web; means for feeding filter sections into the recesses between successive tobacco sections after the tobacco sections have left the first conveyor; and a rod-forming device for enclosing the tobacco sections and flter sections in a continuous wrapper web to form a continuous rod filled successively with tobacco sections and filter sections; said rod-forming device including a garniture having means for mechanically compressing the tobacco sections down to their final diameter and said filter feeding means being arranged to slit the ends of the filter sections to allow the ends to expand and thus completely fill the garniture of the rod-forming device so as to prevent tobacco from moving over the filter sections.