Patent US3863491A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3863491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for testing cigarettes
Assignee: Mpac Group PLC
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Filing: 1973-01-22
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Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A device for testing the ends of cigarettes comprises a carrier for the cigarettes, a nozzle for directing a stream of air against the wrapper of each cigarette adjacent to one end, with sufficient velocity to deform the wrapper of an inadequately filled cigarette, and means for sensing a characteristic of the air stream in a region to which the stream is deflected by the wrapper of an inadequately filled cigarette. Preferably a microphone is used to sense a change in the air pressure in that region. The nozzle preferably directs the stream of air towards the cigarette at an angle of approximately 65* to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette, and so that the air stream has a component of velocity towards the opposite end of the cigarette.
Inventors
- 👤 Desmond W Molins
- 👤 Francis A M Labbe
- 👤 Harry Parkinson
- 👤 Peter Kirk
- 👤 Robert J Hayward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:53
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/32; A24C5/34; A24C5/3418
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of testing a cigarette, comprising directing a stream of air against the side of the cigarette adajcent to one of its ends with a velocity sufficient to deform the end portion of an inadequately filled cigarette in which event said air stream is deflected towards a first region spaced from said end portion but insufficient to deform the end portion of an adequately filled cigarette in which event said air stream is deflected towards a second region spaced from said end portion and remote from said first region, and detecting the presence of the air stream in said first region to which said air stream is deflected by the deformed side of an inadequately filled cigarette.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of testing a cigarette, comprising directing a stream of air against the side of the cigarette adajcent to one of its ends with a velocity sufficient to deform the end portion of an inadequately filled cigarette in which event said air stream is deflected towards a first region spaced from said end portion but insufficient to deform the end portion of an adequately filled cigarette in which event said air stream is deflected towards a second region spaced from said end portion and remote from said first region, and detecting the presence of the air stream in said first region to which said air stream is deflected by the deformed side of an inadequately filled cigarette.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 in which a change in the air pressure in said first region resulting from the pressure of said air stream is detected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 2 in which the air pressure is detected in a conduit having in said first region an inlet into which at least part of the air stream is deflected by an inadequately filled cigarette.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 3 in which the air pressure is detected by a microphone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 2 in which the stream of air is directed against the side of the cigarette in a direction such that the air stream has a component of velocity towards the opposite end of the cigarette.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the presence of the air stream in said first region is detected by a microphone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for testing cigarettes, comprising a testing station, means for carrying a cigarette, a nozzle for directing a stream of air against the side of an end portion of the cigarette with a velocity sufficient to deform an inadequately filled cigarette in which event said air stream is deflected toward a first region spaced from said end portion but insufficient to deform an adequately filled cigarette in which event said air stream is deflected towards a second region spaced from said end portion and remote from said first region, and sensing means for sensing the presence of the air stream in said first region to which the air stream is deflected by the deformed side of an inadequately filled cigarette.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for testing cigarettes, comprising a testing station, means for carrying a cigarette, a nozzle for directing a stream of air against the side of an end portion of the cigarette with a velocity sufficient to deform an inadequately filled cigarette in which event said air stream is deflected toward a first region spaced from said end portion but insufficient to deform an adequately filled cigarette in which event said air stream is deflected towards a second region spaced from said end portion and remote from said first region, and sensing means for sensing the presence of the air stream in said first region to which the air stream is deflected by the deformed side of an inadequately filled cigarette.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 in which said sensing means comprises means for sensing the air pressure in said first region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 including a conduit having an inlet in said first region and into which at least part of the air stream is deflected by an inadequately filled cigarette, said sensing means being arranged to sense the air pressure in the conduit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the air pressure sensing means is a micRophone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the nozzle is arranged to direct the stream of air against the side of the cigarette in a direction such that the air stream has a component of velocity in a direction towards the opposite end of the cigarette.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 including a conduit having an inlet in said first region facing towards the end face of the cigarette for receiving at least part of the air stream deflected by an inadequately filled cigarette.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the nozzle is arranged to direct the stream of air towards the cigarette at an angle to the cigarette axis lying substantially within the range 64* to 68*.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 including a microphone for detecting the occurrence of an air stream through the conduit indicative of an inadequately filled cigarette.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 in which said sensing means comprises a microphone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for testing cigarettes comprising conveyor means for conveying a succession of cigarettes past a testing station; a nozzle mounted at the testing station for directing a stream of air against the wrapper of each cigarette adjacent to one of its ends, with a component of velocity towards the opposite end of the cigarette, and with a velocity sufficient to deform the wrapper of an inadequately filled cigarette but insufficient to deform the wrapper of an adequately filled cigarette; a pipe having an opening directed substantially axially towards the cigarette end being tested, for receiving at least part of the air stream deflected by the deformed wrapper of an inadequately filled cigarette; a housing connected to the pipe; and a microphone mounted in the housing to sense the occurrence of an air flow into the pipe indicative of an inadequately filled cigarette.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus for testing cigarettes comprising conveyor means for conveying a succession of cigarettes past a testing station; a nozzle mounted at the testing station for directing a stream of air against the wrapper of each cigarette adjacent to one of its ends, with a component of velocity towards the opposite end of the cigarette, and with a velocity sufficient to deform the wrapper of an inadequately filled cigarette but insufficient to deform the wrapper of an adequately filled cigarette; a pipe having an opening directed substantially axially towards the cigarette end being tested, for receiving at least part of the air stream deflected by the deformed wrapper of an inadequately filled cigarette; a housing connected to the pipe; and a microphone mounted in the housing to sense the occurrence of an air flow into the pipe indicative of an inadequately filled cigarette.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 in which the nozzle is arranged to direct the stream of air against the wrapper of the cigarette in a direction which is inclined to the cigarette axis by approximately 65*.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of testing cigarettes comprising the steps of: a. carrying a succession of cigarettes past a testing station; b. directing a stream of air, at the testing station, against the wrapper of each cigarette in turn adjacent to one of its ends in a direction such that the air stream has a component of velocity towards the opposite end of the cigarette, the air stream being directed with a velocity sufficient to deform the wrapper of an inadequately filled cigarette but insufficient to deform the wrapper of an adequately filled cigarette; and c. sensing by means of a microphone the air pressure in a region adjacent to the cigarette end being tested, and to which at least part of the air stream is deflected by the deformed wrapper of an inadequately filled cigarette.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of testing cigarettes comprising the steps of: a. carrying a succession of cigarettes past a testing station; b. directing a stream of air, at the testing station, against the wrapper of each cigarette in turn adjacent to one of its ends in a direction such that the air stream has a component of velocity towards the opposite end of the cigarette, the air stream being directed with a velocity sufficient to deform the wrapper of an inadequately filled cigarette but insufficient to deform the wrapper of an adequately filled cigarette; and c. sensing by means of a microphone the air pressure in a region adjacent to the cigarette end being tested, and to which at least part of the air stream is deflected by the deformed wrapper of an inadequately filled cigarette.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of testing a cigarette, comprising directing a stream of air against the side of the cigarette adjacent to one of its ends with a velocity sufficient to deform the end portion of an inadequately filled cigarette, but insufficient to deform the end portion of an adequately filled cigarette, and detecting the presence of the air stream in a region spaced from said end portion and to which said air stream is deflected by the deformed side of an inadequately filled cigarette, said stream of air being directed against the side of the cigarette in a direction such that the stream has a component of velocity towards the opposite end of the cigarette.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of testing a cigarette, comprising directing a stream of air against the side of the cigarette adjacent to one of its ends with a velocity sufficient to deform the end portion of an inadequately filled cigarette, but insufficient to deform the end portion of an adequately filled cigarette, and detecting the presence of the air stream in a region spaced from said end portion and to which said air stream is deflected by the deformed side of an inadequately filled cigarette, said stream of air being directed against the side of the cigarette in a direction such that the stream has a component of velocity towards the opposite end of the cigarette.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 19 in which the air pressure of said deflected air stream in said region is detected.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 20 wherein the stream of air is directed towards the cigarette at an angle to the cigarette axis lying substantially within the range 64 to 68 degrees.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for testing cigarettes, comprising a testing station, means for carrying a cigarette, a nozzle for directing a stream of air against the side of an end portion of the cigarette with a velocity sufficient to deform an inadequately filled cigarette but insufficient to deform the end portion of an adequately filled cigarette, and sensing means for sensing the presence of the air stream in a region spaced from said end portion and to which the air stream is deflected by the deformed side of an inadequately filled cigarette, said nozzle being arranged to direct the stream of air against the side of the cigarette in a direction such that the stream has a component of velocity in a direction towards the opposite end of the cigarette.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for testing cigarettes, comprising a testing station, means for carrying a cigarette, a nozzle for directing a stream of air against the side of an end portion of the cigarette with a velocity sufficient to deform an inadequately filled cigarette but insufficient to deform the end portion of an adequately filled cigarette, and sensing means for sensing the presence of the air stream in a region spaced from said end portion and to which the air stream is deflected by the deformed side of an inadequately filled cigarette, said nozzle being arranged to direct the stream of air against the side of the cigarette in a direction such that the stream has a component of velocity in a direction towards the opposite end of the cigarette.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 in which said sensing means comprises means for sensing the air pressure in said region.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of testing a cigarette, comprising directing a stream of air against the side of the cigarette adjacent to one of its ends with a velocity sufficient to deform the end portion of an inadequately filled cigarette but insufficient to deform the end portion of an adequately filled cigarette, collecting air deflected from the side of an inadequately filled cigarette, and detecting the presence of the collected air.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of testing a cigarette, comprising directing a stream of air against the side of the cigarette adjacent to one of its ends with a velocity sufficient to deform the end portion of an inadequately filled cigarette but insufficient to deform the end portion of an adequately filled cigarette, collecting air deflected from the side of an inadequately filled cigarette, and detecting the presence of the collected air.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 24 in which the air pressure of said collected air is detected.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 24 in which the presence of the collected air is detected by a microphone.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for testing cigarettes, comprising a testing station, means for carrying a succession of cigarettes through the testing station, a nozzle at the testing station for directing a stream of air against the side of an end portion of a cigarette at the testing station with a velocity sufficient to deform an inadequately filled cigarette but insufficient to deform the end portion of an adequately filled cigarette, receiving means at the testing station arranged to receive at least a part of the air stream deflected by the deformed side of an inadequately filled cigarette, and sensing means associated with the receiving means for sensing the presence of the air stream received by the receiving means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for testing cigarettes, comprising a testing station, means for carrying a succession of cigarettes through the testing station, a nozzle at the testing station for directing a stream of air against the side of an end portion of a cigarette at the testing station with a velocity sufficient to deform an inadequately filled cigarette but insufficient to deform the end portion of an adequately filled cigarette, receiving means at the testing station arranged to receive at least a part of the air stream deflected by the deformed side of an inadequately filled cigarette, and sensing means associated with the receiving means for sensing the presence of the air stream received by the receiving means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 27 in which said sensing means comprises means for sensing the air pressure.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 27 in which said sensing means comprises a microphone.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of testing a cigarette, comprising directing a stream of air against the side of the cigarette adjacent to one of its ends with a velocity which is sufficient to deform the end portion of an inadequately filled cigarette so that the air stream is deflected towards a predetermined region spaced from the end portion of the cigarette but which is insufficient to deform the end portion of an adequately filled cigarette to the degree necessary for a substantial part of the air stream to be deflected to said predetermined region, and detecting the presence of the air stream in said predetermined region.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of testing a cigarette, comprising directing a stream of air against the side of the cigarette adjacent to one of its ends with a velocity which is sufficient to deform the end portion of an inadequately filled cigarette so that the air stream is deflected towards a predetermined region spaced from the end portion of the cigarette but which is insufficient to deform the end portion of an adequately filled cigarette to the degree necessary for a substantial part of the air stream to be deflected to said predetermined region, and detecting the presence of the air stream in said predetermined region.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 30 in which the presence of the air stream in said predetermined region is detected by a microphone.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 30 in which the stream of air is directed towards the side of the cigarette in a direction such that the air stream has a component of velocity towards the opposite end of the cigarette.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 32 wherein the stream of air is directed towards the cigarette at an angle to the cigarette axis lying substantially within the range of 64* to 68*.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for testing cigarettes comprising a testing station, means for supporting a cigarette at said testing station, a nozzle for directing a stream of air against the side of an end portion of the cigarette with a velocity which is sufficient to deform an inadequately filled cigarette so that the air stream is deflected towards a predetermined region spaced from the end portion of the cigarette but which is insufficient to deform the end portion of an adequately filled cigarette to the degree necessary for a substantial part of the air stream to be deflected To said predetermined region, and sensing means for sensing the presence of the air stream in said predetermined region.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
114 words
Apparatus for testing cigarettes comprising a testing station, means for supporting a cigarette at said testing station, a nozzle for directing a stream of air against the side of an end portion of the cigarette with a velocity which is sufficient to deform an inadequately filled cigarette so that the air stream is deflected towards a predetermined region spaced from the end portion of the cigarette but which is insufficient to deform the end portion of an adequately filled cigarette to the degree necessary for a substantial part of the air stream to be deflected To said predetermined region, and sensing means for sensing the presence of the air stream in said predetermined region.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 in which said sensing means comprises a microphone.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 in which the nozzle is arranged to direct the stream of air towards the side of the cigarette in direction such that the air stream has a component of velocity in a direction towards the opposite end of the cigarette.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 36 in which the nozzle is arranged to direct the stream of air towards the cigarette at an angle to the cigarette axis lying substantially within the range of 64* to 68*.
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) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |