The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 03, 1987
Filed:
Jan. 06, 1984
Applicant:
Inventors:
Richard E Thatcher, Chester, VA (US);
Louis R Turano, Colonial Heights, VA (US);
Assignee:
Philip Morris Incorporated, New York, NY (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
A24B / ; A24C / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
131110 ; 131108 ; 1311092 ; 1311093 ; 198766 ; 209474 ; 406 89 ; 406138 ; 406142 ;
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for the separation and classification of tobacco into two fractions, e.g., into heavies and lights. A stream of fluid is employed to produce a stratified bed of the tobacco, preferably in cooperation with vibration of the tobacco, in which the tobacco is supported by the fluid and is stratified as a function of particle size, density and weight. The stream entrains the tobacco particles located at the top of the stratified bed and removes them to a suitable receptacle, where they are received and collected.