US 5,337,762 A · Apparatus for storing and distributing comminuted tobacco

Abstract

An apparatus for temporarily storing and distributing comminuted tobacco to a plurality of consuming machines (particularly for distributing cut tobacco to cigarette rod making machines) has a circular tray which receives batches of comminuted tobacco at regular or irregular intervals and is caused to perform movements resulting in conversion of stored tobacco particles into a fluidized bed. Upwardly extending suction pipes draw tobacco particles from the fluidized bed for delivery to the respective consuming machines. The mechanism for moving the tray comprises at least three identical eccentrics which are rotatable in vertical planes and are installed at the underside of the marginal portion of the bottom wall of the tray substantially in line with the inlets of the suction pipes. The eccentrics have identical throws and are mounted in spherical bearings which are secured to the bottom wall by hinges for pivotal movement about horizontal axes extending tangentially of the tray. The eccentrics are rotated by a motor which drives a first bevel gear coaxial with the tray, and the first bevel gear mates with and transmits torque to additional bevel gears, one for each eccentric and each connected with a shaft which carries the respective eccentric.

Claims13

Dependent claims

Apparatus for supplying comminuted tobacco to a plurality of consuming machines, comprising a reservoir having a central vertical axis, a substantially circular peripheral wall and a bottom wall with a substantially centrally disposed raised conical portion;

means for simultaneously imposing up-and-down movements and oscillatory horizontal back-and-forth movements on said reservoir for converting at least a major part of tobacco in said reservoir into a fluidized bed, comprising at least three eccentrics having at least substantially identical eccentricities, being adjacent said peripheral wall, supporting said reservoir and being equidistant about said axis, said eccentrics being rotatable in vertical planes and said converting means further comprising means for rotating said eccentrics;
and means for pneumatically conveying comminuted tobacco from the fluidized bed to the consuming machines, said conveying means having inlets adjacent a portion of said bottom wall surrounding said raised conical portion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for storing and distributing comminuted tobacco

Life of this patent

Apparatus for storing and distributing comminuted tobacco

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13