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:
Oct. 24, 1989
Filed:
Aug. 14, 1987
Jack C Wheless, Richmond, VA (US);
Philip Morris Incorporated, New York, NY (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for separating light particles from heavy particles in a stream of particulate matter, particularly for separating stems from the stream of tobacco filler fed to a cigarette maker, is provided. The tobacco is introduced into a first chamber in which it travels generally downward to a fourth chamber communicating with second and third chambers, the second chamber being the chimney of the cigarette maker and the third chamber extending downward from the fourth chamber. An air stream flowing upward through the third chamber reverses the momentum of most of the light particles and propels them into the chimney, while the heavy particles (stems) and some light particles travel downward into the third chamber. As the light particles fall through the third chamber, their momentum is gradually reversed by the air stream and they rise through the fourth chamber into the chimney. The heavy particles are collected at the bottom of the third chamber.