US4882938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pick-up unit for withdrawing cigarette samples from a mass of cigarettes
Assignee: GD SpA
•
Filing: 1988-04-06
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Granted: 1989-11-28
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Expires: 2008-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A pick-up unit for withdarwing sample cigarettes from a mass of cigarettes traveling perpendicularly to the cigarette axes; each cigarette occupying random positions within the mass as the latter travels in the aforementioned direction. The unit presents a mobile head for withdrawing at least one cigarette at a time from the aforementioned mass which head presents a suction seat connected to a pneumatic suction circuit and is moved along a given route, between a given release position and a pick-up position located at a random point along the aforementioned route, by reversible actuating elements controlled by a sensor connected to the aforementioned pneumatic circuit and designed to reverse the aforementioned actuating elements in response to a sharp fall in pressure inside the aforementioned pneumatic circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Armando Neri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:57
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/32; A24C5/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A pick-up unit for withdrawing sample cigarettes from a mass of cigarettes traveling perpendicularly in relation to the cigarette axes, each said cigarette occupying random positions within the said mass as the latter travels in the said direction; the pick-up unit comprising a mobile head (17) for withdrawing at least one cigarette (6) at a time from said mass (5), the mobile head (17), in turn, comprising at least one suction seat (18) for picking up a respective said cigarette (6); a pneumatic suction circuit (19) connected to said seat (18); reversible actuating means (13, 15 or 33, 35) connected to the mobile head (17), for moving the mobile head along a given route between a given release position and a pick-up position, which is located at a random point along the route of the mobile head (17); and sensor means (24) connected to the pneumatic suction circuit (19), for reversing the actuating means (13, 15 or 33, 35) in response to a sharp fall in pressure inside the pneumatic circuit (19).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A pick-up unit for withdrawing sample cigarettes from a mass of cigarettes traveling perpendicularly in relation to the cigarette axes, each said cigarette occupying random positions within the said mass as the latter travels in the said direction; the pick-up unit comprising a mobile head (17) for withdrawing at least one cigarette (6) at a time from said mass (5), the mobile head (17), in turn, comprising at least one suction seat (18) for picking up a respective said cigarette (6); a pneumatic suction circuit (19) connected to said seat (18); reversible actuating means (13, 15 or 33, 35) connected to the mobile head (17), for moving the mobile head along a given route between a given release position and a pick-up position, which is located at a random point along the route of the mobile head (17); and sensor means (24) connected to the pneumatic suction circuit (19), for reversing the actuating means (13, 15 or 33, 35) in response to a sharp fall in pressure inside the pneumatic circuit (19).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A pick-up unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pneumatic circuit (19) comprises a suction source (21) and a duct (20) connecting the suction source (21) to suction seat (18); said sensor means (24) being connected to an intermediate point on said duct (20).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A pick-up unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sensor means (24) comprises a pressure switch connected to said duct (20) and designed to emit a signal for reversing said reversible actuating means (13, 15 or 33, 35).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A pick-up unit as claimed in claim 1, comprising further sensor means (28) designed to de-activate said pneumatic suction circuit (19) in response to the presence of a cigarette (6) in said suction seat (18) in said release position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR769232A
Cited
US2121191A
Cited
US2601786A
Cited
US3492874A
Cited
US3894438A
Cited
US4363235A
Cited
US4574646A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-27 | 1993-05-29 | 1993-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-05-29 | 1997-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-27 | 2001-05-29 | 2001-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |