Philip Morris Inc.

J Lee Gregory

Duane C Wilder

John J Fleenor

John E Tindall

William H Stevens

A method for forming an aluminum cigarette package includes the step of cutting elliptical blanks from an aluminum sheet and shaping the blanks by progressive drawing operations into a lid and a body. The lid and body are joined by a flexible label that serves as a hinge that allows the lid to be pivoted relative to the body to open and close the pack. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a drawn aluminum body is provided with a flat cap member having an aperture and a resealable closure. The invention includes a metal package made by the method of the invention.

Metal cigarette package

A sharpening and cleaning apparatus for sharpening scalloped-edged blades in a carton slitting machine includes at least two rotating cylindrical hones mounted on a pneumatically controlled actuator, and a pair of blade cleaning brushes mounted on a separate actuator. A sharpening operation is initiated by a machine operator as needed to maintain blade sharpness, and is performed automatically by the apparatus controls. The hone actuator positions the rotating hones in contact with opposing sides of a cutting edge of the slitting blade as the blade moves past the hones at reduced speed. A first hone is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of the blade and a second hone is rotated in the same direction of the blade. During sharpening, the hones execute several reciprocating axial movements to stroke the blade. Prior to the operation of the hones the actuator positions the brushes in contact with the blade and causes the brushes to rotate to remove debris from the blade.

Method and apparatus for sharpening and cleaning scalloped-edged blades

Method of making a cigarette package

A sharpening apparatus for sharpening scalloped-edged blades in a carton slitting machine includes at least two rotating cylindrical hones mounted on a pneumatically controlled actuator. A sharpening operation is initiated by a machine operator as needed to maintain blade sharpness, and is performed automatically by the apparatus controls. The actuator positions the rotating hones in contact with opposing sides of a cutting edge of the slitting blade as the blade moves past the hones at reduced speed. A first hone is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of the blade and a second hone is rotated in the same direction of the blade. During sharpening, the hones execute several reciprocating axial movements to stroke the blade.

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Richmond, VA, United States of America

J Lee Gregory