US4224497A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for making filter cigarettes using light energy to make perforations in the filter tipping wrap
Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc
•
Filing: 1978-05-22
•
Granted: 1980-09-23
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Expires: 1998-05-22
Abstract
Abstract Perforations are made at locations spaced about the periphery of a cigarette by conducting separate parts of a laser beam through respective separate light paths which intersect such spaced peripheral locations.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter W. Duley
- 👤 A. Clifton Lilly, Jr.
- 👤 Warren E. Claflin
- 👤 Edward B. Stultz
- 👤 Peter Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:49
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/08; B23K26/0823; A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/60; A24C5/606; B23K26/02; B23K26/06; B23K26/064; B23K26/0643; B23K26/0665
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
In a method for making filter cigarettes wherein tobacco rods are formed and wrapped and then joined to filter plugs bearing filter tipping wrap, and circumferentially spaced perforations are made simultaneously in said filter tipping wrap of each cigarette by exposure of the outer surface of said filter tipping wrap to light energy, the improvement wherein such exposure step is practiced by generating a pulse of light and conducting separate spatial parts thereof simultaneously to locations circumferentially spaced on said outer surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a method for making filter cigarettes wherein tobacco rods are formed and wrapped and then joined to filter plugs bearing filter tipping wrap, and circumferentially spaced perforations are made simultaneously in said filter tipping wrap of each cigarette by exposure of the outer surface of said filter tipping wrap to light energy, the improvement wherein such exposure step is practiced by generating a pulse of light and conducting separate spatial parts thereof simultaneously to locations circumferentially spaced on said outer surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said circumferentially spaced perforations are made while each said cigarette is in preselected angular disposition with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said perforations are made at a common location axially of said plugs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: said separate parts of said beam are of substantially equal intensity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein light-reflective surfaces are employed in such light energy conducting step and including the further step of issuing pressurized gas onto said light-reflective surfaces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said light energy is laser-generated light energy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method claimed in claim 6 wherein said light energy is transverse excited atmospheric laser-generated light energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein the size of said perforations is controlled in part by preselecting the intensity of said light energy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method claimed in claim 2 wherein the size of said perforations is controlled in part by preselecting said angular disposition to provide a predetermined size for each said perforation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method claimed in claim 9 wherein the size of said perforations is controlled in further part by preselecting the intensity of said light energy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1983-09-23 | 1984-03-24 | 1984-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-23 | 1988-03-24 | 1988-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-23 | 1992-03-24 | 1992-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |