Philip Morris Inc.

William H Smick, Iii

Charles Gary Atwell

Martin T Garthaffner

Andrew J Gillespie

Ronald D Honaker

Ricky N Cooper

William H Pettigrew

Steven Frederick Spiers

Everett C Grollimund

Donald L Brookman

Walter W Marsh

Armistead S Church

A drum elevator and method of elevating cigarettes, the apparatus including a series of rotatable cigarette transferring drums including a first plurality of horizontally disposed drums at a first elevation and a second plurality of vertically disposed drums extending to a second elevation, the second plurality of vertically disposed drums receiving output from the first plurality of drums, the series of drums adapted to receive a procession of cigarettes at the first elevation and to elevate the cigarettes along a transfer path to the second elevation while maintaining the cigarettes arranged substantially in the procession; a rejection station at a location along the transfer path; a controller operative to selectively actuate the rejection station; and a stack former at the second elevation, the stack former receiving output of the second plurality of vertically disposed drums.

Drum elevator system

A drum elevator and method of elevating cigarettes, the apparatus having a series of rotatable cigarette transferring drums including a first plurality of horizontally disposed drums at a first elevation and a second plurality of vertically disposed drums extending to a second elevation, the second plurality of vertically disposed drums receiving output from the first plurality of drums, the series of drums adapted to receive a procession of cigarettes at the first elevation and to elevate the cigarettes along a transfer path to the second elevation while maintaining the cigarettes arranged substantially in the procession; a rejection station at a location along the transfer path; a controller operative to selectively actuate the rejection station; and a stack former at the second elevation, the stack former receiving output of the second plurality of vertically disposed drums.

A high-speed dynamic porosimeter including a device for removing accumulated debris is disclosed. The porosimeter has an apertured surface, preferably curved, across which a web whose porosity is to be measured is drawn while suction is applied to the apertures. A pressure transducer monitors the pressure in a sensor line or chamber, which pressure varies as a function of the porosity of the web. A scraper blade scrapes debris from the apertured surface from time to time. Preferably, vacuum suction is also applied to a slot at the upstream side of the apertured surface to ensure a good seal between the web and the surface.

Self-cleaning porosimeter

Apparatus for maintaining suitable profiles of rod-shaped articles contained in a hopper includes an agitator translatable in the hopper in the direction of movement of conveyors fed by the hopper. A detector unit is provided for sensing the level of articles in the hopper and arrangement is made for rendering the detector unit inoperative during preselected times attending the placement of article storage trays atop the hopper.

Apparatus for handling rod-shaped articles

Apparatus is provided for each conveyor in a pair of merged conveyors inclusive of a member supported to engage conveyed articles prior to arrival thereof at a junction location common to the conveyor pair. A system is operative to selectively energize brakes associated with such article-engaging members to maintain the same in arresting or releasing relation with respect to engaged articles. The brake arrangement for one conveyor permits preselected movement of such member while the brake is energized to inform the system of conveyor loading.

Growing community of inventors

Richmond, VA, United States of America

William H Smick, Iii