Patent ID: 6070592
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: A24C,B23K,Y10S

Abstract:
A filter assembly machine for producing ventilated tobacco products; said machine (2) comprising a conveying drum (11) having a number of peripheral seats (19) for feeding respective products (3) along a given conveying path (P) extending partly about an axis (11a) of the drum (11); each peripheral seat (19) having a respective longitudinal axis (19a) extending parallel to the axis (11a) of the drum (11), and rotatable about said respective longitudinal axis (19a) and about the axis (11a) of the drum (11); a perforating device (12) associated with the drum (11) to form a number of ventilation holes (14) in each product (3), an optical control device (16) located along the periphery (20) of the drum (11) to determine an external condition of the products (3); said perforating device (12) being associated with an extracting device (15) located along the periphery of the drum (11) to extract by suction fumes and dust produced during perforation, and to define a protective shield, said extracting device (15) comprising covering and protecting means (27) mounted outside said drum (11), along said conveying path (P), and at a given distance from the drum (11); said perforating device (12) comprising a laser source (23) for emitting a laser beam (24), and reflecting and focusing means (25) housed inside said drum (11) to reflect the laser beam (24) substantially towards said covering and protecting means (27), and to focus the laser beam (24) along a perforating path (PF) of said products (3) and substantially at said peripheral seats (19); the perforating path (PF) defining a substantially central portion of said conveying path (P).