Patent US4229137A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4229137A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process of conveying cigarettes or other rod-like articles
Assignee: Mpac Group PLC
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Filing: 1978-03-22
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Granted: 1980-10-21
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Expires: 1998-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A buffer store for filled and empty cigarette containers is provided between a cigarette making machine and a cigarette packing machine so that either of the machines may be kept running if the other stops. In one example the buffer store consists of separate cigarette loading and unloading stations between which the cigarette containers are carried in trolleys. In a further example, the loading and unloading stations are combined into a single unit which is adapted to either load or unload containers, depending on the operating conditions of the machines, the containers again being carried in trolleys.
Inventors
- 👤 Desmond W. Molins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:58
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G1/00; B65G1/02; B65G1/04; B65G1/12; B65G1/127; A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/35; A24C5/352; B65G37/00; B65G2812/00; B65G2812/01; B65G2812/012; B65G2812/013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of conveying cigarettes or other rod-like articles comprising the steps of conveying a stream of rod-like articles towards a loading station in a direction transverse to their lengths, forming the articles into confined batches, moving successive batches into containers at the loading station, moving containers filled with batches of articles away from the loading station, delivering a succession of containers filled with batches of articles to an unloading station at which the batches of articles are pushed successively out of the containers and are received by retaining means, and conveying from the unloading station, as a continuous stream, the articles received by the retaining means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of conveying cigarettes or other rod-like articles comprising the steps of conveying a stream of rod-like articles towards a loading station in a direction transverse to their lengths, forming the articles into confined batches, moving successive batches into containers at the loading station, moving containers filled with batches of articles away from the loading station, delivering a succession of containers filled with batches of articles to an unloading station at which the batches of articles are pushed successively out of the containers and are received by retaining means, and conveying from the unloading station, as a continuous stream, the articles received by the retaining means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which a common station serves as the loading and unloading station and in which the path of said stream being conveyed towards the loading station and the path of said stream being conveyed away from the loading station have a common portion over which the articles are conveyed in a direction depending on whether batches are being separated from or reformed into said stream.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of handling rod-like articles comprising the steps of conveying a continuous stream of rod-like articles between at least one article producing machine and at least one article packing machine, and controlling the net flow of rod-like articles in said stream by transferring rod-like articles from the stream into one or more containers to vary said flow and by transferring rod-like articles from a container into the stream as required to vary said flow, and further comprising transferring articles to or from a container in a subsidiary stream which joins said stream, and conveying said subsidiary stream in opposite directions depending on whether rod-like articles are being transferred to or from a container.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of handling rod-like articles comprising the steps of conveying a continuous stream of rod-like articles between at least one article producing machine and at least one article packing machine, and controlling the net flow of rod-like articles in said stream by transferring rod-like articles from the stream into one or more containers to vary said flow and by transferring rod-like articles from a container into the stream as required to vary said flow, and further comprising transferring articles to or from a container in a subsidiary stream which joins said stream, and conveying said subsidiary stream in opposite directions depending on whether rod-like articles are being transferred to or from a container.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of handling rod-like articles comprising the steps of conveying a stream of rod-like articles away from at least one article producing machine and towards at least one article packing machine, transferring articles directly from said stream into a container, transferring articles directly to said stream from a container so that articles from said container are subsequently conveyed in a continuous stream toward said article packing machine or machines, conveying empty containers and full containers from an external source of containers into position for said respective transfer of articles, and controlling the transfer of articles to or from the stream to adjust the net flow of said stream from the producing machine or machines according to the demand of the packing machine or machines.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of handling rod-like articles comprising the steps of conveying a stream of rod-like articles away from at least one article producing machine and towards at least one article packing machine, transferring articles directly from said stream into a container, transferring articles directly to said stream from a container so that articles from said container are subsequently conveyed in a continuous stream toward said article packing machine or machines, conveying empty containers and full containers from an external source of containers into position for said respective transfer of articles, and controlling the transfer of articles to or from the stream to adjust the net flow of said stream from the producing machine or machines according to the demand of the packing machine or machines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 4 including the step of moving a container intermittently through a transfer position with said stream.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 4 including the step of transferring batches of articles which comprise complete sections of said stream.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein the batches are transferred in a direction parallel to the lengths of the articles in said stream.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the stream comprises a multi-layer stack of articles, further comprising the step of dividing said stream into batches for transfer into a container by progressively separating said stream into batches as it is conveyed away from said producing machine or machines.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of handling rod-like articles comprising the steps of conveying a stream in the form of a multi-layer stack of rod-like articles away from at least one article producing machine and towards at least one article packing machine, transferring articles directly from said stream into a container, forming a discontinuity in said stream, transferring articles directly to said stream from a container by transferring a batch of articles from a container into a space constituting said discontinuity, reforming a continuous stream including said batch, conveying empty containers and full containers from an external source of containers into position for said respective transfer of articles, and controlling the transfer of articles to or from the stream to adjust the net flow of said stream from the producing machine or machines according to the demand of the packing machine or machines.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of handling rod-like articles comprising the steps of conveying a stream in the form of a multi-layer stack of rod-like articles away from at least one article producing machine and towards at least one article packing machine, transferring articles directly from said stream into a container, forming a discontinuity in said stream, transferring articles directly to said stream from a container by transferring a batch of articles from a container into a space constituting said discontinuity, reforming a continuous stream including said batch, conveying empty containers and full containers from an external source of containers into position for said respective transfer of articles, and controlling the transfer of articles to or from the stream to adjust the net flow of said stream from the producing machine or machines according to the demand of the packing machine or machines.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said discontinuity is defined by spaced retaining means, including the step of progressively withdrawing said retaining means from the stream as the stream is conveyed towards the packing machine or machines.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of handling rod-like articles comprising the steps of conveying a stream of rod-like articles away from at least one article producing machine, successively transferring articles from said stream into containers, successively transferring articles from said containers to reform a continuous stream of articles from batches of articles in the containers, conveying said continuous stream to at least one article packing machine, and controlling the transfer of articles to or from containers according to the production of the producing machine or machines and the demand of the packing machine or machines.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of handling rod-like articles comprising the steps of conveying a stream of rod-like articles away from at least one article producing machine, successively transferring articles from said stream into containers, successively transferring articles from said containers to reform a continuous stream of articles from batches of articles in the containers, conveying said continuous stream to at least one article packing machine, and controlling the transfer of articles to or from containers according to the production of the producing machine or machines and the demand of the packing machine or machines.
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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) | 1983-10-21 | 1984-04-21 | 1984-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-10-21 | 1988-04-21 | 1988-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-10-21 | 1992-04-21 | 1992-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |