Patents by Inventor Heinz-Christen Lorenzen
Heinz-Christen Lorenzen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8172739Abstract: A device for combining groups of at least two different types of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters in the tobacco industry in a continuous process includes a plurality of independent functional units that are each designed as a module.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2002Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: HAUNI Maschinenbau AGInventors: Sönke Horn, Thorsten Scherbarth, Stephan Wolff, Gerd Strohecker, Steffen Rocktäschel, Wolfgang Steiniger, Heinz-Christen Lorenzen, Uwe Heitmann, Nikolaos Georgitsis
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Patent number: 7004896Abstract: A method and arrangement are provided for producing compound filters for products in the tobacco-processing industry. A filter tube, having a filter element in a central region of the filter tube, is supplied to a predetermined position. Predetermined portions of filtering material are then inserted into the filter tube from at least a first end of the filter tube so that filter segments form in at least a first part of the filter tube.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2002Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau GmbHInventors: Uwe Heitmann, Sönke Horn, Nikolaos Georgitsis, Heinz-Christen Lorenzen, Steffen Rocktäschel, Stephan Wolff, Wolfgang Steiniger, Gerd Strohecker, Andreas Rinke, Hans-Herbert Schmidt
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Patent number: 6968847Abstract: There is provided an apparatus which can be incorporated into machines or production lines for the making of rod-shaped articles, such as filter cigarettes. The apparatus ascertains at least the diameters of longitudinally spaced-apart portions of an article, such as a continuous cigarette rod having equidistant portions of greater density, while the article advances lengthwise at a constant speed or at one of several different speeds. Accurate determination of the diameters of spaced-apart portions and, if necessary, a change of the diameter when it deviates from an optimum value, renders it possible to reduce the number of rejects and to turn out high-quality products, such as filter cigarettes wherein the mouthpiece is attached to the dense ends of the plain cigarettes; this ensures that the diameter of the dense end is identical with or sufficiently close to that of the filter mouthpiece so that the customary uniting band can secure the mouthpiece to the plain cigarette without leakage.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2003Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau AGInventor: Heinz-Christen Lorenzen
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Patent number: 6877515Abstract: Apparatus for making one or more rod-like fillers of shredded tobacco for use in the making of cigarettes or the like employs one or two pneumatic conveyors having endless foraminous belts trained over pulleys and including elongated stretches below communicating parts of a common suction chamber. A shower of intermixed tobacco shreds and smaller particles including tobacco dust and coarser particles is directed against the undersides of the elongated stretches. The shreds are attracted to and advance with the respective belts to form streams which are ready to be trimmed and thereupon draped into cigarette paper or the like. At least some smaller particles penetrate through the respective belts into the corresponding parts of the suction chamber. The contents of the suction chamber are evacuated by suction and are returned to the undersides of the elongated stretches of the belts for classification.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau AGInventors: Uwe Heitmann, Heinz-Christen Lorenzen
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Publication number: 20040237972Abstract: A device for combining groups of at least two different types of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters in the tobacco industry in a continuous process includes a plurality of independent functional units that are each designed as a module.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Sonke Horn, Thorsten Scherbarth, Stephan Wolff, Gerd Strohecker, Steffen Rocktaschel, Wolfgang Steiniger, Heinz-Christen Lorenzen, Uwe Heitmann, Nikolaos Georgitsis
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Patent number: 6814080Abstract: Apparatus for making one or more rod-like fillers of shredded tobacco for use in the making of cigarettes or the like employs one or two pneumatic conveyors having endless foraminous belts trained over pulleys and including elongated stretches below communicating parts of a common suction chamber. A shower of intermixed tobacco shreds and smaller particles including tobacco dust and coarser particles is directed against the under sides of the elongated stretches. The shreds are attracted to and advance with the respective belts to form streams which are ready to be trimmed and thereupon draped into cigarette paper or the like. At least some smaller particles penetrate through the respective belts into the corresponding parts of the suction chamber. The contents of the suction chamber are evacuated by suction and are returned to the undersides of the elongated stretches of the belts for classification.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2003Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau AGInventors: Uwe Heitmann, Heinz-Christen Lorenzen
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Patent number: 6814082Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for providing information on the fiber structure, particularly for determining deviations from an average fiber structure, of a fiber rope in the tobacco-processing industry and especially a tobacco rope. A first measuring device generates a first measuring signal that essentially only indicates the density of the fiber rope. A second measuring device generates a second measuring signal that represents a function of fiber rope density and fiber geometry. An evaluation device uses the first and second measuring signals to generate an evaluation signal which provides information on the fiber structure, particularly the deviations from an average fiber structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau AGInventor: Heinz-Christen Lorenzen
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Patent number: 6783617Abstract: A filter rod making machine wherein successive increments of a stream constituting a converted tow of filamentary filter material for tobacco smoke are contacted by a compressing tool which is vibrated at a frequency and/or amplitude sufficient to prevent over-heating of the tool and/or of filaments of filter material, such as acetate fibers. Conversion of the tow into the stream and the wrapping of the compressed stream into a running web of filter paper are carried out in a conventional manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2001Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau AGInventor: Heinz-Christen Lorenzen
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Publication number: 20040060570Abstract: Apparatus for making one or more rod-like fillers of shredded tobacco for use in the making of cigarettes or the like employs one or two pneumatic conveyors having endless foraminous belts trained over pulleys and including elongated stretches below communicating parts of a common suction chamber. A shower of intermixed tobacco shreds and smaller particles including tobacco dust and coarser particles is directed against the under-sides of the elongated stretches. The shreds are attracted to and advance with the respective belts to form streams which are ready to be trimmed and thereupon draped into cigarette paper or the like. At least some smaller particles penetrate through the respective belts into the corresponding parts of the suction chamber. The contents of the suction chamber are evacuated by suction and are returned to the undersides of the elongated stretches of the belts for classification.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Inventors: Uwe Heitmann, Heinz-Christen Lorenzen
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Publication number: 20030154992Abstract: There is provided an apparatus which can be incorporated into machines or production lines for the making of rod-shaped articles, such as filter cigarettes. The apparatus ascertains at least the diameters of longitudinally spaced-apart portions of an article, such as a continuous' cigarette rod having equidistant portions of greater density, while the article advances lengthwise at a constant speed or at one of several different speeds. Accurate determination of the diameters of spaced-apart portions and, if necessary, a change of the diameter when it deviates from an optimum value, renders it possible to reduce the number of rejects and to turn out high-quality products, such as filter cigarettes wherein the mouthpiece is attached to the dense ends of the plain cigarettes; this ensures that the diameter of the dense end is identical with or sufficiently close to that of the filter mouthpiece so that the customary uniting band can secure the mouthpiece to the plain cigarette without leakage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2003Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventor: Heinz-Christen Lorenzen
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Publication number: 20020144699Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for providing information on the fiber structure, particularly for determining deviations from an average fiber structure, of a fiber rope in the tobacco-processing industry and especially a tobacco rope. A first measuring device generates a first measuring signal that essentially only indicates the density of the fiber rope. A second measuring device generates a second measuring signal that represents a function of fiber rope density and fiber geometry. An evaluation device uses the first and second measuring signals to generate an evaluation signal which provides information on the fiber structure, particularly the deviations from an average fiber structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2002Publication date: October 10, 2002Inventor: Heinz-Christen Lorenzen
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Publication number: 20020119874Abstract: A method and arrangement are provided for producing compound filters for products in the tobacco-processing industry. A filter tube, having a filter element in a central region of the filter tube, is supplied to a predetermined position. Predetermined portions of filtering material are then inserted into the filter tube from at least a first end of the filter tube so that filter segments form in at least a first part of the filter tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2002Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: Uwe Heitmann, Sonke Horn, Nikolaos Georgitsis, Heinz-Christen Lorenzen, Steffen Rocktaschel, Stephan Wolff, Wolfgang Steiniger, Gerd Strohecker, Andreas Rinke, Hans-Herbert Schmidt
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Publication number: 20020092537Abstract: A mixture of long and short tobacco particles is sifted in the hopper of a cigarette maker to segregate the short particles from the long particles. The long particles are converted into a continuous stream and the short particles are gathered into a series of discrete, preferably metered, batches which are heterogeneously distributed in longitudinally spaced apart portions of the stream. The latter is thereupon converted into a rod-like filler which is draped into a web of cigarette paper or other wrapping material to form therewith a continuous tobacco-containing rod. The rod is severed between successive batches or successive groups of batches so that each discrete cigarette contains at least one batch of short tobacco particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2002Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventors: Heinz-Christen Lorenzen, Wolfgang Steiniger
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Publication number: 20020043268Abstract: Apparatus for making one or more rod-like fillers of shredded tobacco for use in the making of cigarettes or the like employs one or two pneumatic conveyors having endless foraminous belts trained over pulleys and including elongated stretches below communicating parts of a common suction chamber. A shower of intermixed tobacco shreds and smaller particles including tobacco dust and coarser particles is directed against the undersides of the elongated stretches. The shreds are attracted to and advance with the respective belts to form streams which are ready to be trimmed and thereupon draped into cigarette paper or the like. At least some smaller particles penetrate through the respective belts into the corresponding parts of the suction chamber. The contents of the suction chamber are evacuated by suction and are returned to the undersides of the elongated stretches of the belts for classification.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2001Publication date: April 18, 2002Inventors: Uwe Heitmann, Heinz-Christen Lorenzen
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Publication number: 20010013387Abstract: A filter rod making machine wherein successive increments of a stream constituting a converted tow of filamentary filter material for tobacco smoke are contacted by a compressing tool which is vibrated at a frequency and/or amplitude sufficient to prevent over-heating of the tool and/or of filaments of filter material, such as acetate fibers. Conversion of the tow into the stream and the wrapping of the compressed stream into a running web of filter paper are carried out in a conventional manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2001Publication date: August 16, 2001Inventor: Heinz-Christen Lorenzen
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Patent number: 5234397Abstract: A continuous tow of filamentary filter material is advanced past a rotary applicator which delivers metered but variable quantities of a second filter material (such as granulated or pulverulent charcoal) into successive increments of the tow. The tow and the delivered second filter material are thereupon draped into a web of wrapping material to form a filter rod which is sub-divided into sections of desired length. The density and/or the mass of the filter rod or of successive filter rod sections is monitored and the results of such monitoring operation are utilized to regulate the rate of delivery of second filter material so that the mass or density of the rod remains constant. The draw resistance of the filter rod or of filter rod sections can be monitored to generate signals which are used to regulate the rate of advancement of the tow toward the draping station and to thus maintain the draw resistance at least substantially constant.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1992Date of Patent: August 10, 1993Assignee: Korber AGInventors: Gunter Wahle, Heinz-Christen Lorenzen
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Patent number: 4941482Abstract: The density of a tobacco stream which is advanced by a foraminous conveyor toward the surplus removing station of a cigarette rod making machine is measured by one or more detectors each having one or more sources of infrared light and one or more photoelectric transducers. In order to avoid the generation of distorted signals in response to impingement of high-intensity radiation upon the transducer or transducers, each transducer is out of line with the path of direct propagation of radiation from the respective source or sources toward successive increments of the tobacco stream. The transducer or transducers receive infrared light which is scattered in and/or reflected by tobacco particles in the stream. Signals from the transducer or transducers are used to regulate the quantity of surplus which is removed from the stream.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1988Date of Patent: July 17, 1990Assignee: Korber AGInventors: Uwe Heitmann, Heinz-Christen Lorenzen, Wolfgang Siems, Peter Pinck
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Patent number: 4926886Abstract: A stream of tobacco fibers is formed in a channel by showering the fibers against the underside of the lower reach of a foraminous belt conveyor which cooperates with a suction chamber to attract the fibers and to advance the stream past a trimming station where the surplus of fibers is removed by an adjustable equalizing device. The density of the stream is monitored upstream of the trimming station, and the thus obtained signals which are indicative of the density of successive increments of the stream are used to adjust the equalizing device so that the density of the trimmed stream is maintained within a desired range. Monitoring of density upstream of the trimming station ensures that the position of the equalizing device is properly adjusted not later than when the monitored increments of the stream reach the trimming station.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1988Date of Patent: May 22, 1990Assignee: Korber AGInventors: Heinz-Christen Lorenzen, Uwe Heitmann, Wolfgang Siems, Peter Pinck
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Patent number: 4878506Abstract: The tobacco stream which is formed at the underside of a foraminous conveyor and carries a surplus of tobacco particles is transported past a trimming device which removes the surplus to convert the stream into a filler which is thereupon wrapped into a web of cigarette paper. The mass flow of tobacco particles in the untrimmed stream is monitored by a detector which utilizes infrared light, and the signals from such detector are used to change the position of the conveyor relative to the trimming device so as to ensure that the mass flow of tobacco particles in the filler remains within a desired range. One or more additional detectors monitor the mass of flow tobacco particles in the filler upstream and/or downstream of the wrapping station, and the signals from such second detector or detectors are used to correct the position of the conveyor relative to the trimming device and/or to change the position of the trimming device relative to the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1988Date of Patent: November 7, 1989Assignee: Korber AGInventors: Peter Pinck, Heinz-Christen Lorenzen, Uwe Heitmann, Wolfgang Siems
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Patent number: 4865054Abstract: One or more streams of tobacco in a rod making machine are tested by several density monitoring units one of which employs a source of nuclear radiation and at least one other of which employs a source of optical radiation. The resulting density signals are evaluated and converted into signals which are devoid of the influence of changes of color and/or blend of fibrous material in the stream or streams and are used for segregation of defective rod-shaped articles and/or for controlled removal of surplus from the stream or streams.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1988Date of Patent: September 12, 1989Assignee: Korber AGInventors: Heinz-Christen Lorenzen, Uwe Heitmann, Wolfgang Siems