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:
Aug. 06, 1996
Filed:
Mar. 22, 1994
Charles G Atwell, Mechanicsville, VA (US);
Joseph F Budjinski, II, Quinton, VA (US);
Jack R Shook, Doswell, VA (US);
Philip Morris Incorporated, New York, NY (US);
Abstract
This invention relates to a method for delivering free-flowing material into discrete receiving spaces separating filter plugs in partially constructed cigarette filter assemblies. The method includes rapidly feeding a free-flowing material such as charcoal into partially constructed cigarette filter assemblies. The free-flowing material is dispensed to a first conveyance and is subsequently transferred to a second conveyance that is positioned parallel and above the first conveyance. Vacuum is used to hold the free-flowing particulate material onto the first conveyance and is used to transfer the free-flowing material to the second conveyance and to hold it there. The free-flowing material is next transferred onto receiving spaces formed between articles such as cigarette filter plugs that are disposed on a third conveyance. The transfer of the free-flowing material to the receiving spaces and retention is also facilitated by application of vacuum.