US 5,404,919 A · Uniform tobacco distribution system and method for a tobacco press

Abstract

A distribution system for a tobacco press is disclosed which includes a distribution conveyor system (50) and distributor blade assembly that includes a first blade mechanism (B) and a second blade mechanism (C). The blade mechanisms are disposed in upper and lower hopper portions (80a, 80b), and distribute tobacco into a charger (30a). The charger includes a vertical chute (32a)and an internal container (34a) which inserts into a tobacco container (22a) which tobacco is distributed and compressed by means of a press head (12a). First blade mechanism (B) includes a primary distributor blade (82) which can be moved in both a linear motion and a pivotal motion to primarily control the deflection and distribution of tobacco. Second blade mechanism (C) may include secondary distributor blades (94) and (96) which, when utilized in combination with primary distributor blade (82), provide for quadrant (a, b, c, d) distribution of tobacco into container (22a). Clockwise quadrant filling of the container is achieved by having second blade mechanism (C) first distribute to quadrants "a" and "b", while first blade mechanism B distributes to quadrants "a" and "d" to overlap and define a feed opening only over quadrant "a". First and second blade mechanisms may then be controlled so that a distribution opening is formed over quadrants "b", "c"and "d" sequentially to complete a fill cycle.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A tobacco press for compressing particles of tobacco into tobacco cakes, said tobacco press including at least one tobacco press, a tobacco distribution system having a distribution conveyor for distributing said tobacco to said press, said tobacco press comprising a feed hopper for receiving tobacco from said distribution conveyor, a charger disposed below said hopper having a vertical chute through which said tobacco is distributed into a container disposed below said charger, and a vertically reciprocating press head which extends through said charger for compressing said tobacco in said container, wherein said distribution system comprises:

a tobacco distributor blade mechanism having a distributor blade disposed at an angle to said distribution conveyor for deflecting and distributing said tobacco from said distribution conveyor;
and
a drive mechanism for moving said distributor blade to a desired position in said hopper including a carriage carried by said hopper having a pivot about which said distributor blade is pivotally carried;
a first drive for moving said carriage in translational motion;
and
a second drive carried by said carriage for pivoting said distributor blade about said pivot so that said distributor blade may be positioned in a desired vertical plane within said hopper and may be positioned at a desired inclination to that vertical plane.

3 more elements

A tobacco press for compressing particles of tobacco into tobacco cakes, said tobacco press including at least a first tobacco press, a tobacco distribution system having a distribution conveyor for distributing said tobacco to said tobacco press, a feed hopper for receiving tobacco from said distribution conveyor, a charger disposed below said hopper having a vertical chute through said tobacco is distributed into a container disposed blow said charger, and a vertically reciprocating press head for compressing said tobacco in said container, wherein said distribution system comprises:

a first distributor blade mechanism having a primary distributor blade for deflecting and distributing said tobacco from said distribution conveyor;
a first drive mechanism for moving said primary distributor blade to a desired position in said hopper;
said drive mechanism including a carriage having a pivot about which said distributor blade is pivotally carried, a first drive for moving said carriage in linear movement, and a second drive for pivoting said distributor blade about said pivot;
a second blade mechanism disposed below said first blade mechanism in said hopper;
said second blade mechanism including a first secondary distributor blade and a second secondary distributor blade for distributing said tobacco deflected and distributed by said primary distributor blade;
and
a second drive mechanism for moving said first and second secondary distributor blades to a desired distributing position.

4 more elements

A tobacco press for compressing particles of tobacco into tobacco cakes, said tobacco press including at least a first tobacco press, a tobacco distribution system having a distribution conveyor for distributing said tobacco to said tobacco press, a feed hopper for receiving tobacco from said distribution conveyor, a charger disposed below said hopper having a vertical chute through said tobacco is distributed into a rectangular container disposed below said charger having a cross-section defined by quadrants;

and a vertically reciprocating press head for compressing said tobacco in said container, wherein said distribution system comprises:
a first blade mechanism having a primary distributor blade for deflecting and distributing said tobacco from said distribution conveyor;
a first drive mechanism for moving said primary distributor blade to a desired position in said hopper;
a second blade mechanism disposed below said first blade mechanism in said hopper;
said second blade mechanism including at least one secondary distributor blade for distributing said tobacco deflected and distributed by said primary distributor blade;
and
a second drive mechanism for moving said first and second secondary distributor blades to a desired distributing position;
a control for moving said first blade mechanism to a first position for deflecting and distributing said tobacco into a first and fourth quadrant of said container, and to a second position for deflecting and distributing tobacco into a second and third quadrant of said container;
and
said control moving said second blade mechanism to a first position for deflecting and distributing said tobacco into said first and second quadrants, and to a second position for deflecting and distributing said tobacco into said third and fourth quadrants;
whereby said container is filled by sequentially distributing said tobacco into said quadrants.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Uniform tobacco distribution system and method for a tobacco press

Life of this patent

Uniform tobacco distribution system and method for a tobacco press

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25