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:
Feb. 03, 2015
Filed:
May. 05, 2010
Terry L. Bullins, Walnut Cove, NC (US);
Mark A. Vernon, Winston Salem, NC (US);
Thomas Allen Costner, Pilot Mountain, NC (US);
Timothy F. Tilley, Pinnacle, NC (US);
Terry L. Bullins, Walnut Cove, NC (US);
Mark A. Vernon, Winston Salem, NC (US);
Thomas Allen Costner, Pilot Mountain, NC (US);
Timothy F. Tilley, Pinnacle, NC (US);
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Winston-Salem, NC (US);
Abstract
An apparatus is provided for refining materials such as a tobacco material. The apparatus includes a disc assembly rotatably coupled to a drive arrangement. The disc assembly includes a disc body having first and second lateral surfaces each having a refining arrangement disposed thereon. First and second stationary refining arrangements are positioned in opposing relationship to the first and second lateral surfaces so as to form first and second refining zones. The disc assembly further includes first and second gear members. The first gear member is engaged with the drive arrangement, and the second gear member is engaged with the disc body. The first and second gear members are arranged to engage each other such that interaction therebetween rotatingly drives the disc body. The first and second gear members are configured to resist wear associated with interaction therebetween.