AU526552B2 - Venting cigarette tips by laser - Google Patents

Description

'4

2 ~9 4A/BVC() AUSTRALIA

652 Patents Act

PATE APPLICATION FOR A

Insert FULL name(s) of WWe PHILIP MORRIS INCORPORATED applicanit(s)

471 0O7/79 ALL ZiW 6D Insert FULL address(es) of Of (C) 100 Park Avenue, New York, New npplicant(s) United States of America

hereby apply for the grant of a Patent for an invenltion entitled Insert TITLE of invention (APPARATUS AND M4ETH-OD FOR PERFORATING ARTILCLES

BY LASER

Insert "comqplete which is described in the accompanying (e) specification. ,(21 'provisiona"

(Note: The following paragraphapplies only to Convention applications)

This application is a Conveation application based on the. basic application(s) for a patent or similar protection ider~tified by number, country, and filing date as follows: Insert number. fountry and No. 908,520 filed May 22, 1978 filing date for No. 908,522 filed May 22, 1978 No. 908,523 filed May 22, 1978 United States of America

Q6

C

Address for Service: PHILLIPS ORMCNNDE AND FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne, Australia 3000

~DATE opigning. 20 April Dated (g)2 1979

(hi) Signature of PHILIP MORRIS INCORPORATED

corporate asehedote*) By Corporate seal Helmut R. Wakeham ifany Note, No legalization Vice President or other witness required

PHILLIPS ORMONDE AND) FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street

7 Melbourne, Australia Li

Patents Act

Di&CLARATION FOR A Pi-TENT ,xPPLIC.-T ION

In support. of the convention application made by PHILIP MORRIS INCORPOR.tTiiD 47 .(hereinafter called "aor),liciant' for a patent for an invention OLLA entitled ~'~P~ii~AN~UD 1'ETHOD d'RTN tTItSBYLi'.ERI

I,.Helmut R. Jakeham, Vice President of Philip Morris Incorporated of 100 Park Avenue, New- York, Newa York 10017, United Stdtes of America.

,do solemnly and sincerely d ,clare as follows* 1. I am authori-ed to mF~e this declar'ation on behalf of the applicant.

2. 4A2~DULLY of King City, Ontario, Canada, A. CLIFTON LILiY, JR. of 4733 Hor'kins Road, Richmond, Virginia, Unitod States of America, ,imRN E. CLAiFLIN of 9670 Iredell !Road, B 3 on Air, Virginia, United States of America, 1 -ii MART'IN of 1323 Castleton Road, Richmond, Virginia, United Statc-s of A-qprica, 't-D ,~RD B. STJL'2, of 6332 Barrister Road, Chr-.sterfield, Virginia, United States of .xrerica, VR C LLUN of 3306 Nuttree Joods Place, Midlothian,. Vi ginia United States of ion. America and E~RNEST C, ."'LLL of 7603 Comanche Drive Richmond, Virginia, United States-of Anierica

are the a: tual inventors of the invention and the facts u'on which the aap~licants, are -entitled to make the ap licoition are- as follows:

~:Aprz2icant is the assigjnpe of the invention from the actual inventors

39' -The basic anolications for patenit or similar )rotection on which the application is based are idientified by COUNTRY, FILING' D.AT2 and J3ASIC APPLICiNT as follows: UNI.TED 3FiTSS OF ttxI'IditICi% 22 May, 1978 JLT: J. 0UL,.Y, A.CLIFTON LILLY, JR. 4ivl,(REN E. ULitFLIN, PL'T:lk 11'CI2N and B. TULTZJ UNITE'D JTi TiE3 0? ANVIRI"A 22 Maiy, 1978~~5 C^SiEhLL, EVER--TT C. GROLLIMIUND, Li.RN DULi Y, it. CLIFTON LILLY, ~UxRLN&. Li FLI.1N, P1-21i'w MARTIN and iL>.iD3. 3TULT"L UNITED STATE'S OF tiML;I2AC 22 May, 1978 1-ItVRLETT C. GiROLLIPIUND, 4AL-OR i. DULEY, it. CLIFTON LILLY, JP. ;'tRREN CLAFLIN, PETE~R MiRT1N apnd ED4ARD B. STULTIZ

4. The basic applications referread to in paragraph 3 hereof were the first apnlications made in a convention country in respect of the invtuntion the subject of the apnlication.

Declar(!d a't Richmond, Virgiaia, Dated l~

;Declarant

selectibnf of dilution characteristics optionally at the -atus for cigarette maker on otherwise complete cigarettes by adjust-

4, i i

(12) AUSTRALIAN PATENT ABRIDGMENT (19) AU (11) AU-B-47107/79

(54) VENTING CIGARETTE TIPS BY LASER (71) PHILIP MORRIS INCORPORATED (21) 47107/79 526552 (22) 16.5.79 (24) 22.5.78 (31: 908520 (32) 22.5.78 (33) US ET AL

(43) 29.11.79 (44) 20.1.83 2 (51) A24C 5/50 B26F 1/30 B26D 7/02 P260 7/06 B26D 5/20

(72) WALTER W. DULEY ET AL (74) PO (56) 35242/78 513096 A24C 16651/76 511559 A24C

(57) Claim 1. A method for making filter cigarettes wherein tobacco rods are formed and wrapped and then joined to filter plugs bearing filter tipping wrap, and circumferentially spaced perforations are made simultaneously in said filter tipping wrap of each cigarette by exposure of the outer surface of said filter tipping wrap to laser-generated light energy, wherein such exposure step is practiced by generating a pulse of light and conducting separate spatial parts thereof simultaneously to locations circumferentially spaced on said outer surface.

D2 1 4

115,3 /1

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 526552 CO MPLETE SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL)

47107/79 Class It. Class Application Number: Lodged:

Complete Specification Lodged: I Accepted: I Published: Priority:

Related Art:

APPLICANT'S REF.: Name(s)of'Applicant(s): PHILIP MORRIS INCORPORATED

Address(es) or Applicant(s): 100 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017, UNITED .STATES OF AMERICA.

Actual Inventor(s): WALTER W; DULEY A. CLIFTON LILLY, JR. WAR~REN E. CLAFLIN PETER MARTIN EDWARD B. STULTZ EVERETT C."GROLLIMUND Address for Service is: ERNEST. CAA HWELL PHILLIPS, ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne, Australia, 3000 Complete -Specification for the inven~in entitled:

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PERFOPATING ARTICLES''BY LASER

The followig statement is a full descri tion of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s).

Melbourne, Australia

T'his invention relates to methods and apparatus for

perforation of the surface of articles and pertains more

particularly to the manufacture of cigarettes having dilu-

tion characteristics attained by perforation of filter

tipping paper using laser apparatus.

Practices examined heretofore in the cigarette in-

dustry for perforation have included mechanical puncture,

electrical arc striking and laser beam treatment. These

practices typically have involved perforating a web of

filter tipping paper with smoke dilution thereby being effected in the cigarette filte-, upon wrapping the per-

forated tipping paper on filter plugs.

'0 For.operation on the assembled filter cigarette. i.e., o where perforations are to be made in the tipping paper after

wrapping thereof upon the plug and following joinder of

C the tobacco cylinder and plug, the laser approach is more Soo~

expeditious than the other foregoing practices. One known

system for this purpose continuously rotates an otherwise com- C*00 plete cigarette in relation to a pulsed point-focused laser 4 Co cr 003 C 20 beam. On each pulse, a single hole is-made in the cigarette

41; filter. After completion of rotation, the cigarette bears

0e CCC 6 0 a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes at a common

location Fi:ally of the cylindrical plug. Since cigarettes C, I are made back-to-back in such known system and then

mutually severed midway of the dual filter plug, the laser beam

is split into two beams which are incident on mutually

spaced axial locations on the dual plug.

Such known laser approach has advantage in not re-

quiring perforation of tipping paper as a practice prepara-

tory ,to cigarette making and further in providing possible

*Y t selection of dilution characteristics optionally at the cigarette maker on otherwise complete cigarettes by adjust- ment of laser apparatus operation as contrasted with need for preselection of properly perforated tipping paper for each diverse-dilution cigarette. On the other hand, such known laser-perforation system requires that each cigarette to be perforated be subjected to a full revolution about its longitudinal axis while such axis is in spatially fixed disposition. In the known system., this relatively complex 16 task is practiced by capturing each cigarette separately be- tween first and second drums in a recess extending about-the

1 first drum surface and rotating the drums at identical

lineal surface speed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide

improved methods and apparatus for laser perforation of arti-

Scles of manufacture.

A more particular object of the invention is to enable

expeditious laser perforation of the periphery of otherwise

complete filter cigarettes. %3Q In attaining the foregoing and other objects, the

1' invention provides practice wherein a plurality of circumfer-

entially spaced holes are made simultaneously, by laser

treatment of a cigarette, while the cigarette is in essen- tially single angular disposition with respect to its longi-

tudinal axis. The invention provides apparatus having com-

ponents for conducting light energy simultaneously to spaced

circumferential locations on a cigarette in the -ourse of

transport thereof through a,cigarette assembly unit. Appara- tus in accordance with the invention preferably includes a

pulsed laser and optical structure receiving the laser output pulse and simultaneously conducting separate parts thereof in different light paths which intersect diverse locations spaced about a periphery of a cigarette. The sys- tem for transporting cigarettes includes a rotative drum which supports cigarettes for perforation and provides for synchronism between drum rotation and laser pulsing. By such practice and apparatus, the cigarette maker may operate with benefit of the invention without change in the produc- tion efficiency attained in conventional operation thereof, requiring at most the addition to the assembly unit of exit structure transferring cigarettes with filter portions thereof circumferentially exposed for laser perforation.

The foregoing and other objects and features of the

invention.will be further understood from the following

detailed description of preferred practices and embodiments

thereof and from the drawings wherein like reference numerals

identify like parts throughout. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation illustrating transport

apparatus for filter cigarettes.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view as seen from plane II-II

of Fig. 1 and including a showing of additional components

of the system of Jhe invention.

SFig. 3 is an elevational view of the perforating op-

tics of Fig. 2 as seen from plane III-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view as seen along line IV-IV

of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the hub reflec-

tor unit of Fig, 4.

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the.Fig.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view as seen along line

VII-VII of Fig.

1g i I._lb~~~~l~eetP

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of a spherical

reflector of the Fig. 3 perforating optics.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view as seen along line IX-IX

or Fig. 8.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, main frame 10 of a

cigarette maker supports ejection drum 12, perforation

support drum 14 and transfer drum 16. The path P of cig- arettes issued by the maker and traversing the drums is

indicated by the broken arrow line, perforated cigarettes

being transferred from drum 16 to an output belt conveyor

(not shown).

Drum 14 has spaced peripheral grooves 18 running-

axially thereof, cigarettes C shown in phantom in Fig. 2 'o being supported in the grooves with the filter tip portion

o extending outwardly of drum face 14a. Ducts 20 extend, in oa sets of three as shown, from the floor of grooves 18 through

drum 14 and in registry with counterpart fluid passages 22,

peripherally continuous over drum portion 14b and extending a 7 38)

0 0 to the interior of vacuum shoe 24. Shoe 24 is secured to 20 manifold 26 and is in fluid communication therewith. By S.negative pressurization of manifold 26, suction capture of

cigaret es C is effected in travel thereof over path P in *Fig. 1.

Housing 28 supports shoe 24 and manifold 26 and seats

bearings 30 and 32. Shaft 34 is thus supported for rotation

of drum 14 by driving of gear 36. Hub 38 and timing disc

are rotative with drum 14, disc 40 having a crenelated peri-

aery, individual radial lugs thereof corresponding in number

with the number of grooves 18. Each lug activates Hall-

effect switch. 42 on passage through the field of sensitivity

1a li r.

of the switch, providing an electrical pulse output on

line 44. Such pulses are coupled to laser 46 for short herical duration energization thereof. Hub 38 includes sectoral slots for receipt of screws 48 whereby timing disc 40 may be ine IX-IX rotated into desired position for synchronizing operation of

the laser with shaft 34 angular position. of a Upwardly of drum 14, main frame 10 has secured tion thereto mounting 50. The mounting in turn supports perfor- of cig- ation optics assembly'52, the structural detail of which is ms is 10 discussed below. On each pulsing laser 46 issues its output arettes beam 54 to assembly 52 which processes the beam to issue per- Dnveyor forating beams 56 onto the periphery of the cigarette dis- ('0

posed in position shown in Fig. 1. Perforation of the ciga- anning, (44 (4y (34 4. 44l~ (4

rette filter is thus achieved simultaneously as to all per- Fig. 2 (4(4 "0" i'j forations while the cigarette is in essentially singie angu- cea portion (34 (3 4.

4,4

tend, in 43(44 lar disposition with respect to its longitudinal axis. Since (3((44

drum 14 perferably rotates continuously during operation of 18 through

sages 22, the system, the cigarette is transported in path P during

axtending (4 (4 perforation by some actual measure, despite that it is main- 44

(39

ired to A. 0(42 20 tained by vacuum in fixed position in the drum gtcove. 4' "a 9I or o 4(342

2. By .9 4444 Shortening of the duration of the laser pulse will, however, 9 0 44 a*e 44~ 4444 4)

Dture of effectively "stop" the cigarette, there is no practi-

Lh P ii, cal measure of transport during perforation. On the other C (491 t (3 4

944444* hand, the invention contemplates variation of dilution char- 9(49444) a

and seats acteristics by permitting a practical measure of transrport 44

rotation during perforation by lengthening perforations as the cig-

ig disc 40 arette is moved in pathP during laser pulsing. An alter-

ited peri- native dilution control measure is to modify beam energy.

j in number In practice of the invention, laser 46 is preferably

Hall- a TEA (transverse excited atmospheric) CO2 Laser, such as a

nsitivity put on Series TE-8GlA Line Tunable Multigas Laser, produced conmerci- hort ally by Lumonics Research Limit&1, Ontario, Canada. Such toral laser provides a-large diameter beam of high intensity and may be short duration and is readily pulsed at rates corresponding ration of to rotational transport speeds of drum 14.

In adapting laser apparatus to the perforation of cig- red arettes in manner not requiring rotation of individual perfor- cigarettes about their axes throughout perforation thereof, which is and permitting operational speed consistent with customary ts output 10 cigarette making speeds, applicants preferably employ per- issue per- foration optics 52 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Principal te dis- optical components of the perforation optics are reflective 0, 0

the ciga- 0, elements 58 and 60 which are supported successively between 2 0 all per- 2 0 f the laser light-issuing location and the cigarette perfor- 2C.0

gle angu- 200 ating location. Such elements are operative in coniunction 030 is. Since 0004 to separate received light energy into discrete parts and to ation of focus each such discrete part for incidence thereof on a during distinct one of a plurality of locations about the periphery is main- of the cigarette. 0000r 0P 00 201 0 ve. 0, 0 0 OoOn 20 In Figs. 3 and 4, the perforation optics housing is n 0, 0002 however, 0 2 0lta

00 2 comprijsed of support ring 62, back plate 64, front plate 66 0 0 200 L 0 0 0 0 practi- 000 0

0iso I and manifold 68. Support ring 62 includes keyway 62a and e other 0 bores 62b for securement to parent support structure 0 0 4. ion char- 00 0*

(mounting 50) and has further bores therethrough for receipt anrsgort 0 2 0 of interiorly threaded bolts 70, counterpart flat head 01

he cig- fasteners 71 and dowels 72, 73 with attendant securement of alter- the baplate,_ front.plate -and.- mani-fold-to- the support-ring. nergy. Manifold 68 and front plate 66 both have central referably openings registering with one another to define housing uch as a 30 light admission port 74. Back plate 64 has secured centrally thereto, by flat head fasteners 76 and dowel 78, hub re- flector unit 80. Unit 80 is centered about optical axis 82 of admission port 74 and provides, an angular succession about axis 82 of plane reflectors, shown in Fig. 5 as light-reflective elements 58. These elements are preferably integral with hub unit 80, comprising facets formed contigu- ously with one another. Sharp edges are maintained at intersections 86 of adjacent facets and the facets form angle 84 (Fig. 6) with axis 82, desirably forty-five degrees held to plus/minus ten minutes of arc. As shown in Fig. 7 hub unit 80 includes holes 80a and 80b extending partially therethrough for receipt of fasteners. 76 and 78 (Fig. 4). C.

Support ring 62 defines circumferentially spaced 0:. V~r' lands 88 (Fig. 4) which are inclined with respect to axis 82

at such angle as to provide for axial alignment and the

focusing of energy received by spherical' rflector elements

onto cigarette C. Reflective elements 60 are preferably

secured to lands 88 by a suitable cement 90, such as Eastman

910 cement. Dowels 92 are tapped into front plate 66

4.O 20 immediately adjacent each reflective element 60 to further aa

secure the elements in focusing position. Reflective ele-

ments 58 and 60 are employed in counterpart pairs, i.e. each Vn V

reflective element 58 communicates with a single one of re-

flective elements 60, the two communicating reflective ele- 4. V

ments comprising a successive pair of reflectors in a single

light path extending to a distinct one of the peripheral

locations on cigarette C to be perforated. Plane elements

58 serve to separate incoming light energy into separate

parts, each part being focused by its counterpart spherical

reflective element 60, While reflective elements 60 are

i -8- j

0: mutually contiguous, reflective elements 58 are disposed in angularly successive spaced disposition about axis 82.

In the illustrated example, fifteen facets of hub unit

are employed with fifteen spherical reflective elements,

the latter elements being spaced from one another by

twenty-four degi-!s of arc. Fifteen perforations are

accordingly made about the periphery of cigarette C at like

twenty-four degree peripheral spacing.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, each spherical reflec-

tive element 60 is preferably formed, as in the case of hub

unit 80, from a solid body.of high purity OFHC (oxygen-free

high thermal conductivity) copper. Element 60 exhibits a lt f

frontal surface 60a having a common spherical radius over ft 0

its entirety with its depth of solid body extending beyond Of

ft the base point 60B of the spherical radius being of dimen- ft ,p ft ft a sion controlled to effect proper focusing of received light

energy. The reflective surfaces of both of elements 58 and

preferably have a protective coating applied thereto.

Shims 61 (Fig. 4) may be employed as needed for maximizing ft

energy transfer to cigarette C, as by assisting focusing.

In rendering the apparatus thus far described more r* 64? 6 t f Sr suitable for the industrial environment of cigarette perfor- F* ation, or in like perforation involving the effective con-

version of paper to a particulate cloud, pressurize4 gas is

introduced, during use of the perforating optics of Figs.,

3 and 4, into air inlet port 94. An annular channel 96

between manifold 68 and baffle 98 cOhducts pressurized air

to.interior ports 100 in respective gas communication with

a second annular channel 102 of manifold 68 which, in turn,

issues pressurized air through cannels 104 formed in front

-9- :L t I plate 66, each channel being adjacent to one of the spherical reflective elements 60. Pressurized gas is thereby forcibly issued across the spherical reflective elements to effect cleaning thereof.

To provide for essentially uniform volume flow of pres-

surized air from'each of interior ports 100, the size of the

ports is increased with increasing distance thereof from air

inlet port 94.

Back plate 64 (Fig. 3) is a solid member except for

window cutouts 106 formed therein at locations in registry

with the light paths extending from reflective elements

no to cigarette C. By this preferred configuration of back plate 0" 64 a sufficient back pressure is applied-by the back plate

member on introduced pressurized gas as to cause flow there- of also across the surfaces of reflective elements 58 with

.ao window 74 then serving as an exhaust port for such pressurized

gas.

Unit 80 is shown with bore 80c (Fig. enlarged in

diameter from bore 64a formed in the portion of plate 64

20 immediately supporting unit 80. By this arrangement, a set up and alignment pin (not shown) may be stepped in diameter

to fit bore 64a and to otherwise represent cigarette C and

reside in perforation drum groove 18 (Fig. Following set

up and alignment, the pin is removed and a light energy ab-

sorber may be inserted in bore 64a to protect against issu-

ance of the laser output leftwardly of plate 64 in Fig. 4.

In the illustrated practice discussed above, the place-

ment of all reflective elements 58 and all reflective ele-

ments 60 in respective common orientations with respect to

axis 82 provides for common location axially of the cigarette for all perforations, i.e. the fifteen perforations de- fine a perforated circular band about the cigarette. The invention contemplates such changes in disposition of its optical elements as to arrange for other hand configurations as may be desired, e.g. closed or open helical bands, etc.

Further, while the use of a pulsed laser has been discussed,

the invention contemplates suitable shuttering of a continu-

ous laser synchronously with movement of articles to perfora-

tion position. The laser beam may also be shaped, as de-

sired, by masking internally of the resonant cavity or ex-

ternally thereof,.e.g. to be square or ring-shaped in cross-

section. Modification of the preferred optics may of course

Sbe made to achieve like definition of separate light con-

ducting paths, with conveyance of essentially focused energy to the article to be perforated, for example, by an arrange-

ment of plural light sources and associated focusing elements a in lieu of the preferred single light source described

herein.

SCS In the illustrated arrangement, reflector elements

58 are plane and 60 are spherical or aspherical. The ele-

a ments may.conversely be successively spherical (aspherical)

and plane in the direction of' light energy propagation. In

another usable arrangement plane elements may be substituted

for reflectors 60 in the illustrated embodiment with a

focusing lens in each distinct path, either between successive

reflectors or between each output reflector and the cig-

arette. While the exemplary article has been characterized

as cylindrical and peripherally perforated while in single

angular disposition about its longitudinal axis, the invention

is manifestly useful for such pertpheral perforation of arti-

cles of other than cylindrical shape.

ns de- The )n of its ifigurations 3nds, etc. ~i discussed, E a continu- 3 tLo perfora- 1, as de-

Lty or ex- ad in cross- iy of course Lght con- ::used energy an arrange- 3ing elements i Ti ::ribed

relements

The ele- aspherical) ation. In substituted qi th a aen successive the cig- aracterized in single the invention

Lion of arti-

Claims (4)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A method for making filter cigarettes wherein tobacco rods are formed and wrapped and then joined to filter plugs bearing filter tipping wrap, and circumferentially spaced perforations are made simultaneously in said filter tipping wrap of each cigarette by exposure of the outer surface of said filter tipping wrap to laser-generated light encrgy, wherein such exposure step is practiced by generating a pulse of light and conducting separate spatial parts thereof simultaneously to locations circumferentially spaced on said outer surface.
2. 2. The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said circumferenti- ally spaced perforations are made while each said cigarette is in preselected angular disposition with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof.
3. 3. The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said perforations are made at a common location axially o± said plugs.
4. 4. The method claimed in claim 1 wherein light-reflective surfaces are employed in such light-energy conducting step 0 0 and including the further step of issuing pressurized gas onto said light-reflective surfaces. The method claimed in claim 4 wherein said light energy u is transverse excited atmospheric laser-generated light energy. 6. 'The method claimed in claim 1 wherein the size of said perforations is controlled in part by preselecting the intensity of said light energy. 7. The method claimed in 'aim 2 wherein the size of said perforations is controlled in part by preselecting said angular disposition to provide a predetermined size for each said perforation. 8. The method claimed in claim 7 wherein the size of said perforations is controlled in further part by preselecting the intensity of said light energy. 9. The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said separate parts of said beam are of equal intensity. Apparatus for providing perforations extending through and spaced about the outer peripheral surface of a cigarette, comprising a laser for generating a pulse of light and 40 optical means for receiving such light pulse and for i.fc -12-

   D2 D2 1 4

   115,3/1

   simultaneously conducting separate spatial parts thereof in respective different light paths intersecting respective different locations circumferentially spaced about such outer peripheral surface. 11. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which said apparatus further comprisec rotative transport means for transporting the cigarette, said rotative transport means contacting the cigarette only at a portion of the cigarette distinct from the portion thereof to be perforated, and said optical means conducts said separate spatial parts to said different locations as said rotative transport means moves the cigarette through a determined position. 12. The apparatus claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said separate parts of said beam are of substantially equal inten- sity. 13. The apparatus claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein said optical means so defines said light paths as to prov le common disposition axially of said article extent for said different locations. 14. The apparatus claimed in claim 10 or 11 further including a housing having a light admission port and light issuance port means, said housing supporting a plurality of first light-reflective elements of said optical means in angularly successive disposition about an optical axis of said light admission port and in confronting relation thereto and further supporting a like plurality of second light-reflective elements of said optical means in angularly successive disposition about said optical axis, each such second element being in confront- ing relation both to a distinct one of said first elements and said light issuance port means. The apparatus claimed in claim 14 wherein said first elements are supported mutually contiguously about said optical axis and wherein said second elements are supported a

   in mutually spaced relation about said optical axis. 16. The apparatus claimed in claim 15 wherein said light issuance port means comprises plate means defining a plurality of light issuance ports, each such issuance port being in registry with a distinct one of said second elements. 17. The apparatus claimed in claim 10 or 11 further including ii .40 a housing having a light admission port, and a light issuance -13-

   a.

   APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PERFORATING ARTICLES BY LASER

   The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s):

   1911 WIT

   reof port in registry with each of sa light parts, said ;pective housing supporting light-reflective elements of said -uch optical means in said light paths, said housing including means for receiving pressurized gas and for applying such )paratus received gas onto surfaces of said reflective elements. -porting 18. The apparatus claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein :ing the said laser is a transverse excited atmospheric laser. ,t from 19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 further including .al means sensor means for generating an output signal when said nt rotative transport means is at such an angular position cigarette m, that a igarette being transported by said rotative LI

   111- transport means is passing through said predetermined n ierein said position, and means for applying said output signal to ial inten- said light energy generator means for causing the generation of a pulse of light energy thereby. said 20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 19 r- 3e substantially as hereinbefore described with reference )r said to the examples.

   including oa- DATED: 26 October, 1982. PHILLIPS OR-4ONDE AND FITZPATRICK first Attorneys for: ouil ingularly r PHILIP MORRIS INCORPORATEI$44a I light ind further Lvr elements about i confront- Lements and

   :irst 3aid ipported

   Light

   ,e port I elements. including A issuance* 4 9 -14-

   1 1 1I iI I tus in accordiance with the invention preferably includes a prepara- Pulsed laser and optical structure receiving the laser )ossible

   -3-

   C *tt

   C ACW A 0

   ~C 4A

   A C 0

   A

   S CCC *0 CC CC

   0* CC CC 00 CC

   *0 S 000

   0 *40 CC S CC

   CC

   CC SO 0* *4 CCS C. C.A

   0 0*0*00 CC

   Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the-Fig. Fig. 7 j 5 ,a sectional view as seon along line VII-VII of Fig.

   @00 @00 0 0.00 0 00 0090 00 S @0 0 0 0 .0 0 0 6 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 0 56~0 0 0 0 0 S 0000 S S *S .1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 S 0 000 00 0 0 0 00

   14

   FIG./

   I