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US 5,169,481 AGranted
Apparatus making thin laminate structures and forming the structures into lightweight, thin-walled tubes
AssigneePhilip Morris Incorporated
InventorsMike Braunshteyn, James E. Hall, Reginald W. Newsome, Jack C. Wheless, Kathleen S. Whittle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for laminating at least two strips of strip material and forming the laminate into lightweight, thin-walled tubular members that may be used in the construction of non-combustion smoking articles.
Claims138
An apparatus for forming tubular members from laminate strip material, comprising:
- (a) means for perforating a metal foil means, further comprising,
- (1) means for supplying a metal foil means,
- (2) means for perforating the metal foil means with a predetermined pattern,
- (3) means for removing from the metal foil means at the perforation sites portions of the metal foil means that are formed and extend from a surface of the metal foil means as the metal means is perforated by the perforation means, and
- (4) means for calendering the perforated metal foil means that has had the portions of the metal foil means that extended from the surface of the metal foil means at the perforation sites removed;
- (b) means for measuring the porosity and cleaning the perforated and calendered metal foil means;
- (c) means for lubricating a surface of the perforated and calendered metal foil means that has the porosity measured and has been cleaned;
- (d) means for supplying a substrate;
- (e) means for applying a sealing material to the substrate;
- and
- (f) means for forming tubular members from the laminate strip material comprising the metal foil means of (c) and the substrate of (e) that are secured with a portion of the sealing material applied to the substrate.
8 more elements
An apparatus for forming tubular members from laminate strip material, comprising:
- (a) means for forming the laminate strip material from a perforated metal foil means and a substrate, further comprising,
- (1) means for supplying the metal foil means,
- (2) means for supplying the substrate;
- (3) means for perforating the metal foil means with a predetermined pattern and minimizing a separation of the material from the metal foil means at each perforation site in making the perforations, and
- (4) means for calendering the perforated metal foil means and the substrate to form the laminate strip material;
- (b) means for measuring the porosity and cleaning the laminate strip material;
- (c) means for lubricating a portion of the laminate strip material;
- (d) means for applying a sealing material to the laminate strip material;
- and
- (e) means for forming tubular members from the laminate strip material.
7 more elements
An apparatus for forming tubular members from laminate strip material, comprising:
- (a) means for shaping and perforating a metal foil means, further comprising,
- (1) means for shaping and perforating at least two strips of metal foil means with a predetermined pattern, and
- (2) means for laminating at least the two shaped and perforated strips of metal foil means;
- (b) means for measuring the porosity and cleaning the laminated strip of shaped and perforated metal foil means;
- (c) means for lubricating a surface of the laminated strip of shaped and perforated metal foil means;
- (d) means for supplying a substrate;
- (e) means for applying a sealing material to the substrate;
- and
- (f) means for forming tubular members from laminate strip material comprising the laminate metal foil means of (c) and the substrate of (e) that are laminated to form the laminate strip material with a portion of the sealing material applied to the substrate.
6 more elements
An apparatus for forming tubular members from laminate strip material, comprising:
- (a) means for shaping and perforating, and laminating at least two strips of metal foil means and a substrate, further comprising,
- (1) means for shaping and perforating both the at least two strips of metal foil means and the substrate with a predetermined pattern, and
- (2) means for laminating the shaped and perforated strips of metal foil means and substrate;
- (b) means for measuring the porosity and cleaning the laminate strip material;
- (c) means for lubricating a portion of the laminate strip material;
- (d) means for applying a sealing material to the laminate strip material;
- and
- (e) means for forming tubular members form the laminate strip material.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.