US3874391A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and means for regulating the operation of apparatus for the production and processing of cigarettes or the like
Assignee: Körber AG
•
Filing: 1972-05-02
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1992-05-02
Abstract
Abstract The operation of a production line including a cigarette making machine and a filter cigarette machine is regulated by a shift register which transports signals serving to initiate the starting and stoppage of various assemblies in the production line in a predetermined sequence. The shift register also serves to transport further signals produced by detectors which track filter cigarettes and their components. Such further signals are transmitted to an ejecting device which segregates those cigarettes which exhibit one or more defects or which are likely to exhibit defects because they are produced during certain stages of operation of the production line. The detectors scan the splices in a web of cigarette paper, the seam on the wrapper of a cigarette rod, plain cigarettes, filter rods, filter plugs and filter cigarettes.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernst Dogl
- 👤 Albrecht Funck
- 👤 Dieter Wellach
- 👤 Hans-Georg Winkler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:22
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/32; A24C5/34; A24C5/14; A24C5/31; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S131/00; Y10S131/906; Y10S131/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
In an apparatus for the production and/or processing of cigarettes and/or analogous rod-shaped articles travelling continuously along a predetermined path, a combination comprising a plurality of assemblies adjacent to said path, each of said assemblies being activatable to treat the articles and/or their components; control means for starting and/or terminating the activation of said assemblies; shift register Means having a plurality of shifting stages whose number at least equals the number of articles in said path, said shift register means further having a plurality of outputs connecting selected shifting stages with said control means and signal receiving inputs connected with selected shifting stages; means for furnishing pulses to said shifting stages at a frequency corresponding to the number of articles and/or their components which are being produced and/or processed per unit of time; and means for furnishing signals to said inputs whereby such signals are transported with said pulses to successive outputs and to said control means to effect the activation and/or deactivation of said assemblies in a predetermined sequence.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
In an apparatus for the production and/or processing of cigarettes and/or analogous rod-shaped articles travelling continuously along a predetermined path, a combination comprising a plurality of assemblies adjacent to said path, each of said assemblies being activatable to treat the articles and/or their components; control means for starting and/or terminating the activation of said assemblies; shift register Means having a plurality of shifting stages whose number at least equals the number of articles in said path, said shift register means further having a plurality of outputs connecting selected shifting stages with said control means and signal receiving inputs connected with selected shifting stages; means for furnishing pulses to said shifting stages at a frequency corresponding to the number of articles and/or their components which are being produced and/or processed per unit of time; and means for furnishing signals to said inputs whereby such signals are transported with said pulses to successive outputs and to said control means to effect the activation and/or deactivation of said assemblies in a predetermined sequence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising detector means connected with said inputs and operable to monitor said assemblies and to produce signals in response to detection of defective assemblies, said control means being arranged to deactivate said assemblies in a predetermined sequence in response to signals from said detector means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A combination as defined in claim 2, wherein at least one of said outputs is connected with said detector means to operate the latter in response to said first mentioned signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said apparatus includes a machine having means for transporting filter stubs along said predetermined path and said detector means comprises means for scanning said path for the presence or absence of filter stubs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said apparatus includes a machine having means for transporting a wrapped tobacco rod along said path and said detector means includes means for scanning said path for the presence or absence of said wrapped tobacco rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising detector means for scanning said path for the presence of defective articles and/or components thereof and for furnishing to said shift register means signals which effect the deactivation of at least one of said assemblies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said control means is arranged to activate at least one of said assemblies in response to a signal from an output of said shift register means and to thereupon maintain said one assembly in activated condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said apparatus includes a machine having means for producing rod-shaped articles and comprising an adhesive-applying device, said adhesive-applying device forming part of said one assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said apparatus includes a machine having means for producing rod-shaped articles and comprising a heating device, said heating device forming part of said one assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said apparatus includes a machine having means for processing filter stubs and comprising a filter stub feeding device, said filter stub feeding device forming part of said one assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said apparatus includes a machine having means for processing adhesive-coated bands and comprising a device for supplying adhesive-coated bands, said device for supplying adhesive-coated bands forming part of said one assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, including means for varying said producing and/or processing frequency, said control means being arranged to temporarily activate at least one of said assemblies in response to a signal from an output of said shift register means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said one assembly comprises means for removing from said path articles produced during the starting of said assemblies.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said one assembly includes means for removing from said path articles produced during changes in the rate of production and/or processing of articles per unit of time.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
A comBination as defined in claim 12, wherein said apparatus includes a machine having means for producing and subdividing a wrapped filler rod of fibrous material and comprising a cutoff for said rod and means for cleaning said cutoff, said means for cleaning said cutoff forming part of said one assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said apparatus includes a machine having means for producing a wrapped filler rod of fibrous material and means for mutilating said rod in response to signals furnished by said one output of said shift register means, said means for mutilating forming part of said one assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said control means is arranged to activate at least one of said assemblies in response to a signal from an output of said shift register means and to thereupon maintain said one assembly in activated condition, and to deactivate said one assembly in response to a signal from said signal furnishing means for terminating the production and/or processing of articles.
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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) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |