Patents by Inventor William C. Lacy, Jr.

William C. Lacy, Jr. 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).

  • Apparatus for separating threshed leaf tobacco
    Patent number: 5476109
    Abstract: Apparatus for separating lighter particles such as lamina containing little or no stem from tobacco particles contained in threshed leaf tobacco which comprises a plurality of tobacco particle separating units, each including a separation chamber each a fan system for establishing a generally upward air flow therein. A tobacco particle projecting mechanism is provided in each chamber for projecting tobacco particles across the generally upward air flow therein with each having structure for directing tobacco particles in cooperating relation therewith to be projected thereby. Mechanisms are provided for receiving the lighter particles carried upwardly by the air flow, the heavier particles moving downwardly within the air flow within each chamber and discharging the particles therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Universal Leaf Tobacco Co., Inc.
    Inventors: G. A. John Coleman, William C. Lacy, Jr.
  • Apparatus for separating threshold leaf tobacco
    Patent number: 5460189
    Abstract: A method is provided for separating lighter particles from heavier particles in a mixture thereof utilizing a separation chamber for continuous movement of particles therethrough. The chamber has a pair of opposite sides one of which is a projecting side and one of which is a receiving side, the projecting side of the chamber having an inlet opening for receiving the lighter and heavier particles of the mixture with the receiving side of the chamber having an outlet opening disposed generally across from the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Universal Leaf Tobacco Co., Inc.
    Inventors: G. A. John Coleman, William C. Lacy, Jr.
  • Apparatus for separating threshed leaf tobacco
    Patent number: 5325875
    Abstract: Apparatus for separating lighter particles such as lamina containing little or no stem from tobacco particles contained in threshed leaf tobacco which comprises a plurality of tobacco particle separating units, each including a separation chamber each a fan system for establishing a generally upward air flow therein. A tobacco particle projecting mechanism is provided in each chamber for projecting tobacco particles across the generally upward air flow therein with each having structure for directing tobacco particles in cooperating relation therewith to be projected thereby. Mechanisms are provided for receiving the lighter particles carried upwardly by the air flow, the heavier particles moving downwardly within the air flow within each chamber and discharging the particles therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Universal Leaf Tobacco Co., Inc.
    Inventors: G. A. John Coleman, William C. Lacy, Jr.