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US4882938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pick-up unit for withdrawing cigarette samples from a mass of cigarettes
Assignee: GD SpA
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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 02:06
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)
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Cited
US2121191A
Cited
US2601786A
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US3492874A
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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) | 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 |