Patent Publication Number: US-6698436-B1

Title: Process and apparatus for assembling filter holders for use in a smoking machine

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for assembling a plurality of filter holders for use in a smoking machine. 
     Automated smoking machines are old in the art, and these machines are primarily used for the collection and subsequent analysis of tobacco smoke constituents. Standards for puff volume, puff profile and puff duration, together with sample preparation and analysis are followed in the operation of such smoking machines. 
     Numerous smoking machines have been proposed and developed within the prior art. Typical machines for smoking cigarettes are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents, all of which are incorporated by reference in the present application. These Patents include U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,228,216, 3,200,648, 3,433,054, 3,460,374, 3,476,119, 3,528,435, 3,548,840, 3,548,841, 3,732,874, 4,019,366 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,003. Many of these automated smoking machines are a parallel or all-at-a-time type of device where each cigarette in a group of 20 is simultaneously puffed about once every 60 seconds. Other known machines are capable of smoking cigarettes in a predetermined sequence. 
     Prior to actually using an automated smoking machine, filter holders must be assembled by placing a clean filter element between the upper and lower portions of each of a plurality of such filter holders. The upper portion of the filter holder has an opening for receiving a cigarette and the lower portion has an opening for releasable attachment to the smoking machine. Normally, each loosely assembled filter holder is individually pressed to seal the upper and lower portions thereof together with the filter element therebetween. Such procedure for preparation of the filter holders is both time consuming and inefficient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is a process for assembling a plurality of filter holders for use in a smoking machine where the plurality of holders is simultaneously pressed to thereby seal to upper and lower portions of each filter holder together with the filter element therebetween. 
     Another object of the present invention is a press for assembling a plurality of filter holders for use in a smoking machine where the plurality of loosely assembled holders is simultaneously pressed to thereby seal the upper and lower portions of each filter holder together with the filter element therebetween. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a process for assembling a plurality of filter holders for use in a smoking machine comprises the steps of providing a plurality of filter holders, each holder having upper and lower portions constructed and arranged for fitting engagement with one another. A filter element is placed between the upper and lower portions of each filter holder, and each holder is loosely assembled by fitting the upper and lower portions together with the filter element therebetween. The loosely assembled filter holders are placed on a portable tray having a plurality of individual compartments, one for each assembled filter holder. The portable tray is then positioned in a press, and the filter holders are simultaneously pressed to thereby seal the upper and lower portions of each holder together with the filter element therebetween. 
     The present invention also includes a particular press for assembling a plurality of filter holders for use in a smoking machine. The press comprises a framework, and a press platen is mounted to the framework for vertical movement. A portable and removable tray is supported by the framework directly below the press platen, and an alignment structure on the framework and tray positions the tray at an exact predetermined location directly below the press platen. At least one hydraulic cylinder is connected between the framework and press platen for moving the platen in a vertical direction toward and away from the tray and the loosely assembled filter holders. Moreover, the tray includes a plurality of individual compartments, one compartment for holding one of the plurality of loosely assembled filter holders, and the press platen also includes a similar plurality of individual compartments, one for engaging each of the plurality of filter holders during pressing upon actuation of the at least one hydraulic cylinder. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Novel features and advantages of the present invention in addition to those noted above will become apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for assembling a plurality of filter holders for use in a smoking machine, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a loosely assembled filter holder with a filter element between the upper and lower portions of the holder with portions of the holder broken away to illustrate interior details; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a filter holder press assembly, according to the present invention, with portions thereof broken away to shown interior details; and 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmental sectional view of one filter holder in the press where the upper and lower portions thereof are pressed together with the press assembly of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring in more particularity to the drawings, FIG. 1 is illustrious of a process for assembling a plurality of filter holders for use in a smoking machine. Such smoking machines and filter holders are old in the art, and FIG. 2 illustrates a filter holder  10  used for many years in smoking machines. Fundamentally, filter holder  10  comprises an upper portion  12  and a lower portion  14  constructed and arranged for fitting engagement with one another. A filter element  16  is placed between the upper and lower portions of the filter holder. Additionally, upper portion  12  includes a central opening  18  for receiving a cigarette while lower portion  14  includes a central opening  20  for releasable attachment to a smoking machine (not shown). As is well known, the smoking machine provides simulated puffs on lighted cigarettes attached to a plurality filter holders whereby tobacco smoke constituents are collected on the filter elements  16  for subsequent analysis. 
     As expressed in FIG. 1, filter holders  10  are loosely assembled with a filter element  16  between the upper and lower portions  12 ,  14  of each holder. The loosely assembled filter holders are then placed in a portable tray  22  having a plurality of individual compartments  24 , one for each assembled filter holder. Tray  22  with the loosely assembled filter holders  10  is then positioned within a press  26  that functions to simultaneously press the filter holders to thereby seal the upper and lower portions  12 ,  14  of each filter holder  10  together with the filter element  16  therebetween. The sealed filter holders are then removed from the tray and loaded into the smoking machine. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the portable tray  22  and press  26  in more detail. Basically, press  26  operates to simultaneously seal a plurality of filter holders  10  for subsequent use in a smoking machine. The press includes a framework  28  with a press platen  30  mounted to the framework for vertical movement. Framework  28  also supports the portable tray  22  directly below the press platen  30 . Alignment structure on the framework in the form of projections  32  engage openings  34  in the bottom surface of the tray for positioning tray  22  at an exact predetermined location directly below the press platen  30 . Hydraulic cylinders  36  are secured between an upper portion  38  of framework  28  and the press platen  30 . Actuation of the hydraulic cylinders functions to move platen  30  in a vertical direction toward and away from tray  22 . 
     Plural individual compartments  24  are provided in portable tray  22 , one compartment for holding one of the plurality of loosely assembled filter holders  10 . Press platen  30  also includes a plurality of individual compartments  40 , one for engaging one of the plurality of the filter holders during pressing upon actuation of the hydraulic cylinders  36 . Both the removable and portable tray  22  and the press platen  30  may include  20  compartments  24 ,  40  comprising two rows of  10  such compartments. 
     The overall press  26  includes an air gauge  42 , actuator buttons  44  and a valving device  46 , all used to properly activate movement of the press platen  30  toward and away from removable tray  22 . After pressing of the filter holders to seal the upper and lower portions together, the holders are removed from the tray and releasably secured to the smoking machine.