Patent · US Expired

Vacuum arrangement on combiner

US5542901A · kind A · utility

27Cited by
16References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 22, 1994
Grant dateAug 6, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 22, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA24D3/0225
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for delivering free-flowing material into discrete receiving spaces separating filter plugs in partially constructed cigarette filter assemblies. The method includes rapidly feeding a free-flowing material such as charcoal into partially constructed cigarette filter assemblies. The free-flowing material is dispensed to a first conveyance and is subsequently transferred to a second conveyance that is positioned parallel and above the first conveyance. Vacuum is used to hold the free-flowing particulate material onto the first conveyance and is used to transfer the free-flowing material to the second conveyance and to hold it there. The free-flowing material is next transferred onto receiving spaces formed between articles such as cigarette filter plugs that are disposed on a third conveyance. The transfer of the free-flowing material to the receiving spaces and retention is also facilitated by application of vacuum.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.