Filtered smoking article inspection system, and associated method

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9788570
APP PUB NO 20140247339A1
SERIAL NO

14278456

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Importance

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Abstract

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An inspection system and associated method are provided for inspecting a smoking article having a smokable rod and a filter element serially secured together by a tipping material circumscribing a longitudinal periphery of the filter element and a portion of a longitudinal periphery of the smokable rod adjacent to the filter element. A transport device is configured to transport individual as-formed smoking articles from a first to a second position such that the tipping material associated with each smoking article is accessible at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article. An inspection device is configured to optically inspect each smoking article, at least about the portion of the longitudinal periphery of the smoking article having the tipping material, as the smoking article is transported between the first and second positions, and to automatically determine from the optical inspection whether the inspected smoking article is defective.

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Patent Owner(s)

  • R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY

International Classification(s)

Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Ademe, Balager Winston-Salem, US 74 2509
Brantley, Franklin Forrest Winston-Salem, US 6 100
Dixon, Darrell Thomas Clemmons, US 5 102
Henderson, Calvin Wayne Lewisville, US 6 141
Nuckols, Eddie Lee Mocksville, US 3 42
Thomas, Timothy Frederick High Point, US 40 716

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