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US4355535A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for automatically measuring the properties of air-permeable rod-like articles
Assignee: Anglemaster Ltd
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Filing: 1980-10-15
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Granted: 1982-10-26
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Expires: 2000-10-15
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for sequentially measuring the physical properties of air-permeable rod-like articles such as cigarettes or filter rods. The apparatus is self contained and includes stations for measuring the circumference, weight and pressure drop of each article. The measurement of circumference and pressure drop are carried out pneumatically. An indexing drum is provided to transfer each article to the subsequent measuring station.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Vaughan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/32; A24C5/34; G01B; G01B13/00; G01B13/08; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for automatically measuring a plurality of physical properties of air-permeable rod-like articles comprising: (a) a plurality of measuring stations, (b) an indexing drum arranged to receive an article and to rotate to present the article sequentially at each of the measuring stations, (c) means for transferring the article from the drum to the measuring station at which it is presented, (d) means at said measuring station to measure a respective physical property of the article, (e) means for generating a signal indicative of the magnitude of the physical property measured at the measuring station, (f) means for transferring the article from the measuring station back to the drum in readiness for being presented at the next measuring station, and (g) means for measuring and recording said signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for automatically measuring a plurality of physical properties of air-permeable rod-like articles comprising: (a) a plurality of measuring stations, (b) an indexing drum arranged to receive an article and to rotate to present the article sequentially at each of the measuring stations, (c) means for transferring the article from the drum to the measuring station at which it is presented, (d) means at said measuring station to measure a respective physical property of the article, (e) means for generating a signal indicative of the magnitude of the physical property measured at the measuring station, (f) means for transferring the article from the measuring station back to the drum in readiness for being presented at the next measuring station, and (g) means for measuring and recording said signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the physical properties include at least one of: weight, circumference, and pressure drop across the article.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 in which the measurement of circumference is performed pneumatically.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the article transfer means is an air jet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the article is a tobacco rod.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the article is a filter rod for a smoking article.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the number of measuring stations correspond to the number of physical properties being measured, each station for measuring one such property.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said drum has a horizontal axis; and further including means located above said drum for supplying the articles thereto by gravity feed; and means located below said drum for collecting the articles by gravity feed from said drum; and wherein said two transferring means transfer the article in the axial direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said collecting means is combined with a further measuring station; said apparatus further including further means for transferring the article from said further measuring station away from said drum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 and further including slots in said drum for retaining the articles; means located at said supplying means for assisting entry of the articles into said slots; and guide means for radially retaining the articles in said slots while permitting longitudinal movement of the articles along said slots.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4018081A
Cited
US4181007A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-10-25 | 1986-04-26 | 1986-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-10-25 | 1990-04-26 | 1990-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-10-25 | 1994-04-26 | 1994-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |