Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for applying liquid plasticizer to a running tow of filamentary filter material, particularly in a filter rod making machine, comprising a source of liquid plasticizer; means for transporting the tow of filamentary material along a predetermined path having a predetermined width; an ultrasonic atomizing device adjacent to said path and operable to spray atomized plasticizer onto successive increments of the tow in said path, comprising a flexural resonator having a substantially rectangular atomizing surface extending substantially along the full width of said path, piezoceramic means connected with said resonator and a source of a-c potential connected with said piezoceramic means to effect expansion and contraction of said piezoceramic means and corresponding movements of said flexural resonator; and means for supplying plasticizer from said source to said atomizing device, including means for delivering liquid plasticizer to said atomizing device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for applying liquid plasticizer to a running tow of filamentary filter material, particularly in a filter rod making machine, comprising a source of liquid plasticizer; means for transporting the tow of filamentary material along a predetermined path having a predetermined width; an ultrasonic atomizing device adjacent to said path and operable to spray atomized plasticizer onto successive increments of the tow in said path, comprising a flexural resonator having a substantially rectangular atomizing surface extending substantially along the full width of said path, piezoceramic means connected with said resonator and a source of a-c potential connected with said piezoceramic means to effect expansion and contraction of said piezoceramic means and corresponding movements of said flexural resonator; and means for supplying plasticizer from said source to said atomizing device, including means for delivering liquid plasticizer to said atomizing device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising banding means for spreading the tow in said path so that the tow forms a thin layer of exposed filamentary material during transport past said atomizing device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said delivering means comprises means for delivering to said surface of said flexural resonator metered quantities of plasticizer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said transporting means comprises means for advancing the tow at a plurality of speeds and said delivering means comprises means for varying the rate of delivery of plasticizer to said surface of said flexural resonator as a function of changes in the speed of movement of the tow along said path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said supplying means includes means for delivering plasticizer to said surface substantially along the full width of said path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said flexural resonator includes an elongated substantially strip-shaped member having a first side and a second side, said piezoceramic means being disposed at one side of said strip-shaped member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said strip-shaped member has a substantially rectangular outline.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said flexural resonator has a plurality of oscillation nodes spaced apart from each other, as considered in the longitudinal direction of said strip-shaped member, said supplying means including conduit means for delivery of plasticizer to said strip-shaped member in the region of at least some of said nodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said strip-shaped member is disposed substantially vertically and said conduit means includes means for discharging plasticizer against both sides of said strip-shaped member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for interrupting the delivery of plasticizer to one side of said strip-shaped member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic atomizing device is disposed at one side of said path and further comprising a second ultrasonic atomizing device at the other side of said path and means for supplying liquid plasticizer to said second atomizing device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said path is substantially horizontal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said atomizing devices are staggered with reference to each other, as considered in the longitudinal direction of the tow in said path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plasticizer is triacetin.