US3880171A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Production of smoking articles
Assignee: Brown and Williamson Holdings Inc
•
Filing: 1972-12-04
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1992-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A conventional ''''stratified'''' cigarette making machine provided with a tobacco feeding system to supply a smoking material of a selected type to the underside of an endless suction conveying band by means of which a generally uniform layer of said material is carried past trimming knives that cut the layer into a predetermined double wedged profile that is then carried by the band to a second tobacco feeder on the machine that supplies the remainder of the smoking material, that is different from the first to provide a composite layer of material from which the cigarette is produced. The trimming knives comprise specially profiled cutting edges that produce the required profile.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald B Naylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:51
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/14; A24C5/18; A24C5/1814; A24C5/1821
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
In a cigarette making machine for producing a cigarette consisting partially of a first smoking tobacco material and partially of a second smoking tobacco material differing in composition from said first material, the improvement comprising: a. means for conveying tobacco, said means defining a tobacco receiving surface, b. means for supplying a first tobacco to said tobacco receiving surface for forming a generally uniform layer thereon. c. at least one trimming knife for trimming said tobacco to a generally double wedge configuration, having a central apex and generally feathering out in opposite directions therefrom, said knife operatively associated with said surface and being rotatable about an axis generally normal to the plane of said surface, said knife being comprised of cutting edge portions disposed in arcuate segments about said axis in alternately declining and inclining relation relative to the plane of said tobacco receiving surface, d. means for removing tobacco from between said double wedge configurations to provide separated portions therebetween, e. means for supplying a second tobacco to said layer for replacing at least in part, the trimmed away tobacco.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a cigarette making machine for producing a cigarette consisting partially of a first smoking tobacco material and partially of a second smoking tobacco material differing in composition from said first material, the improvement comprising: a. means for conveying tobacco, said means defining a tobacco receiving surface, b. means for supplying a first tobacco to said tobacco receiving surface for forming a generally uniform layer thereon. c. at least one trimming knife for trimming said tobacco to a generally double wedge configuration, having a central apex and generally feathering out in opposite directions therefrom, said knife operatively associated with said surface and being rotatable about an axis generally normal to the plane of said surface, said knife being comprised of cutting edge portions disposed in arcuate segments about said axis in alternately declining and inclining relation relative to the plane of said tobacco receiving surface, d. means for removing tobacco from between said double wedge configurations to provide separated portions therebetween, e. means for supplying a second tobacco to said layer for replacing at least in part, the trimmed away tobacco.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein two trimming knives are provided in paired cooperative relation to simultaneously trim on opposite sides of said layer to effect a complete trimming of the layer to the double wedge configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein the conveyor means is comprised of a suction band.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of the cutting edge portions of the trimming knife is parallel to the plane of said tobacco receiving surface and is positioned between said inclining and declining portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein a cleaning means is provided adjacent said trimming knife for cleaning trimmed tobacco from said cutting edge portions, said cleaning means comprising a central disc having radially extending flexible blades.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for removing tobacco to provide a separation between configurations is comprised of a pneumatically operated blow-off means disposed between the first and second supply means and operated in a synchronized sequence to form gaps in the layer of smoking material from said first supply means at predetermined intervals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein said first supply means includes means providing a suction chamber, said tobacco receiving surface being foraminous and arranged to be moved substantially horizontally below and adjacent to said chamber means, a chimney arranged to feed said smoking tobacco material vertically upwardly to the underside of said tobacco receiving surface as it is moved over the upper end portion of said chimney, and the lower end portion of said chimney being provided with means forming a plurality of passages through which air may enter the same.
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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) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |