Perforating apparatus

US6363942B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• HAUNI MASCHINENBAU GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Manfred Dombek · Dassendorf, DE
• Helmut Voss · Hamburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 8, 1999
• Grant date: Apr 2, 2002
• Expiry date: Dec 8, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B23K26/082
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention concerns a perforating apparatus for producing openings in a peripheral surface of a substantially elongate, cylindrical object, in particular a cigarette, comprising a light source for producing at least one high-energy light beam, by means of which the openings can be produced in the object, an operative zone which can be produced by a guidance tracking means for guided tracking of the light beam and within which the light beam acts on an object moving through the operative zone, to produce the openings, rolling means for producing a rotary movement of the objects about their longitudinal axis while the objects are moving through the operative zone in order to expose the peripheral surface to the light beam, and transport means for conveying the object through the operative zone. The invention is characterised by a light-refracting means through which the light beam is passed before reaching the operative zone so that upon guided tracking of the light beam the light beam remains focused substantially everywhere within the operative zone.