Abstract: A flexible sheet feeding mechanism with a hopper for receiving parallel sheets and a suction pickup which has a simultaneous linear and angular reciprocating motion. The pickup separates the outside sheet of the hopper stack by applying suction near one edge. The linear and angular motion of the suction device then peels that sheet off of and away from the stack, feeding it into a set of friction rollers. The plane formed by the outside flexible sheet intersects the plane generated by the path of linear reciprocal movement.

Abstract: A thermocouple locator for holding a thermocouple inside a flexible pouch comprises a rigid frame that bears snugly against the pouch to prevent relative movement of the frame and pouch. The frame includes attachment means for securing a thermocouple to the frame.

Abstract: An electronic control system is described to control the operation of a positive displacement piston filler used for dispensing sauce or a suitable liquid into a flexible pouch which is controlled in movement by means of a Bartelt packaging machine. The electronic control system exerts control over the opening and closing of a dispensing plunger, a rotor valve and a product delivery piston associated with the sauce filler apparatus. A blow-off timing sequence is further controlled to assure that a blast of pressurized air enters the dispensing head of the sauce filler at the most optimum time to assure reliable cleaning of the top portion of the pouch prior to sealing. The control system employs separate timers which serve to enable control of each of the above described operations in one hundredths of a second to enable precise regulation of each phase of the fill cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a pile of foliage from one surface to a second surface comprising an unloading mechanism which will contain and suspend the pile of foliage to permit removal of the first surface and a conveyor system positioned adjacent the unloading mechanism for receiving the foliage and uniformly dispensing it onto the second surface.

Abstract: A composite structure for use on a smoking product including a non-porous tipping paper coated with a heat-activatable adhesive in a selected pattern, having areas void of adhesive and microscopic openings through the tipping paper within the void areas. The method of manufacturing the composite structure includes applying a non-conductive, heat-activatable adhesive coating on the paper web in a specific pattern having void and adhesive coated areas and forming perforations in the void areas of the paper web.

Abstract: The method of transferring the material between a first and second zone having different atmospheres of a first and second fluid utilizing spaced sealing members and a liner extending between sealing members, said sealing members and liner adapted to be manipulated in a sequence to permit the material to pass from the first zone to the second zone without an admixing of the atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus for stripping the leaves from a cured tobacco plant including a conveyor which receives the tobacco plants with the leaves disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor. A clamping mechanism located adjacent the conveyor means which engages and holds the leaves as the stalk is continuously moved past the clamping means to pull the leaves from the stalk.

Abstract: A transfer and phasing device having a transfer drum for receiving rod-shaped articles from an output drum rotating at the same peripheral speed, a phasing drum rotating at a different peripheral speed and having a plurality of tapered seats for receiving the rod-shaped articles from the transfer drum, and means for capturing and moving said rod-shaped articles into said tapered seats.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for perforating the walls of an assembled filter element used on smoking products including a continuously moving conveying means for receiving a plurality of said filter elements and means for retaining said assembled filter elements on said conveying means, a plurality of piercing elements positioned at right angles to the direction of movement of said assembled filter elements, and a means for manipulating the piercing elements so that it penetrates and withdraws from the walls of the filter element.

Abstract: A strip laminating method in which a first web is moved into contact with an anvil surface, severed into a plurality of strips and maintained in contact with said anvil surface. A second web having a selected striped adhesive pattern is moved into contact with said anvil surface and selected strip of said first web adheres to the adhesive stripes on said second web.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of removing oil from metal scrap, comprising the steps of introducing oil-laden scrap into a hermetically sealed chamber, evacuating said chamber, heating said scrap to vaporize the oil, and removing the vaporized oil from said chamber.

Abstract: An optical laser beam chopper for converting a continuous beam into a series of scanning impulses for use in perforating a moving web is disclosed. The system utilizes a coherent light source which produces a beam for use in perforating a thin paper web of the type used in producing cigarette filters. The beam passes through a rotary chopper, or shutter, system which incorporates a plurality of rotary discs each of which carries one or more annular rings divided into segments. Selected segments on each ring are formed of a reflective material to act as mirrors for the laser beam, while the remaining segments are in the form of apertures which allow the beam to pass through the disc.

Abstract: A supply and transfer mechanism for use on a cigarette packaging machine including a hopper for receiving a supply of cigarettes, said hopper having a reservoir portion and a vein section. The vein section channels the cigarettes from the reservoir portion into at least three counter sections. A plunger is provided to transfer the cigarettes in the three counter sections into three compression pockets carried on a rotary drum which indexes adjacent to the counter section.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering vapors used in a processing system which expands tobacco to increase its filling capacity, including a tank having a supply of condensable compound in its liquid state and a less dense chilling liquid which is maintained at a temperature below the boiling point of the condensable compound and floats thereon. The upper portion of the tank is segregated into a condensor section which receives the vapors from the processing system and a compressor section for maintaining a selected pressure in the tank. A sparging header is provided within the chilling liquid to receive and introduce the vapors of the compound in the condensor section of the tank so that the vapors will be condensed and settle to the bottom of the tank.

Abstract: A tiered container for use in an autoclave of an apparatus used in a process for increasing the filling capacity of tobacco, said process utilizing a compound to impregnate the tobacco and a hot gas to vaporize the impregnating compound.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for packaging U-shaped tortilla shells with or without filler including a container for receiving and enclosing a plurality of U-shaped tortilla shells and a spacer element within the container which is inserted in the open end of the shells.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite lithographic product for use in medium to long-run printing applications consisting of the steps of providing a sheet of metal of between 0.004 to 0.008 inch thick and having a lithographic quality surface, treating at least one surface of the metal sheet to accept a sensitizing coating, providing a backing sheet and laminating the backing sheet to the untreated surface of the metal sheet.

Abstract: A tiered container for use in an autoclave of an apparatus used in a process for increasing the filling capacity of tobacco, said process utilizing a compound to impregnate the tobacco and a hot gas to vaporize the impregnating compound.

Abstract: A packaging handling system for detecting and rejecting faulty packages and for maintaining a packaging or boxing machine in operation for a specific period of time if one or the other goes down. The system comprises a plurality of photocell sensing units to detect the imperfectly formed packages and a .[.means for rejecting.]. .Iadd.pneumatic rejection device .Iaddend.the faulty packages. An accumulator is positioned in the conveyor line between the packaging machine and the boxer and will store a limited number of packages should the cartoning machine discontinue to operate and will feed a limited number of packages on the conveyor should the packaging machine become inoperative. When the system is utilized on a boxer being fed by two packers, a distribution table is also provided in the system to divide the work from one packer to both lines should the other packer cease to function.