US3871385A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for building a tobacco stream
Assignee: Körber AG
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Filing: 1973-01-09
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Granted: 1975-03-18
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Expires: 1993-01-09
Abstract
Abstract A distributor for comminuated tobacco wherein a first conveyor, such as a carded drum, an endless apron or a pneumatic conveyor, supplies tobacco at a variable rate into the path of orbital movement of bristles on a rapidly rotating accelerating device. The bristles propel the particles of tobacco onto a narrow foraminous transporting belt which travels in a horizontal channel and accumulates a dense tobacco stream which is transported past a trimming device and into the wrapping mechanism of a cigarette rod making machine. The accelerating device is driven by a separate motor so that the peripheral speed of its bristles exceeds the speed of tobacco travel on the first conveyor. The stream is attracted to the transporting conveyor by suction, and the accelerating device is placed sufficiently close to the channel to insure that, during impact against the transporting conveyor or against the layer of tobacco thereon, the kinetic energy of all or nearly all tobacco particles is substantially identical. The accelerating device can be placed below, between or above the first conveyor and transporting conveyor and may form part of a winnowing assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry David
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:47
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/39
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
In a machine for the making of tobacco filler rods, apparatus for building a tobacco stream comprising a source of comminuted tobacco; a tobacco feeding unit arranged to draw tobacco from said source and including a first conveyor operable at a plurality of speeds to transport the withdrawn tobacco along a first portion of a predetermined path; a tobacco stream transporting second conveyor adjacent to means defining a relatively narrow second portion of said path; an accelerating device comprising a rotary conveyor and wall means defining with said rotary conveyor a funnel which receives tobacco supplied by said first conveyor, said accelerating device being disposed between said conveyors and operative to mechanically accelerate comminuted tobacco for transfer into and densification in said narrow second portion of said path wherein the accelerated tobacco forms a narrow growing stream which is transported by said second conveyor; and means for operating said accelerating device independently of at least one of said conveyors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
In a machine for the making of tobacco filler rods, apparatus for building a tobacco stream comprising a source of comminuted tobacco; a tobacco feeding unit arranged to draw tobacco from said source and including a first conveyor operable at a plurality of speeds to transport the withdrawn tobacco along a first portion of a predetermined path; a tobacco stream transporting second conveyor adjacent to means defining a relatively narrow second portion of said path; an accelerating device comprising a rotary conveyor and wall means defining with said rotary conveyor a funnel which receives tobacco supplied by said first conveyor, said accelerating device being disposed between said conveyors and operative to mechanically accelerate comminuted tobacco for transfer into and densification in said narrow second portion of said path wherein the accelerated tobacco forms a narrow growing stream which is transported by said second conveyor; and means for operating said accelerating device independently of at least one of said conveyors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first conveyor is located at a level above said accelerating device and the tobacco descends by gravity into the range of said accelerating device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first conveyor is located at a level below said second conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second conveyor is located at a level above said accelerating device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said accelerating device is located at a level above said second conveyor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising means for classifying the particles of comminuted tobacco in advance of said accelerating device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said classifying means is located at a level above said accelerating device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said first conveyor is arranged to draw tobacco from said source and said feeding unit further comprises means for removing tobacco from said first conveyor, said accelerating device being disposed at a level above said second conveyor and below said removing means and said removing means being arranged to supply tobacco to said accelerating device by gravity flow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said first conveyor is a carded conveyor and said removing means comprises a picker roller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said feeding unit further comprises refuser means for equalizing the comminuted tobacco which is being drawn from said source by said carded conveyor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising an elongated tobacco channel provided with an elongated suction chamber, said second conveyor consisting of foraminous material and having an elongated stretch one side of which is adjacent to said chamber and the other side of which receives tobacco from said accelerating device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second portion of said path is substantially normal to said first portion of said path, said first conveyoR being arranged to supply a sliver of comminuted tobacco and said accelerating device comprising a rotary conveyor having an axial length at least approximating the width of the sliver on said first conveyor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising prime mover means for driving said first conveyor in synchronism with said second conveyor, said means for operating said accelerating device comprising a discrete motor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said first and second conveyors are endless belts.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the filler rod produced by said machine has a predetermined density and said means for operating said accelerating device comprises means for driving said rotary conveyor at a peripheral speed which is high enough to impart to comminuted tobacco a kinetic energy sufficient to build on said second conveyor a tobacco stream whose density exceeds one-half of said predetermined density.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |