(19)
(11) EP 0 500 298 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
03.11.1993 Bulletin 1993/44

(43) Date of publication A2:
26.08.1992 Bulletin 1992/35

(21) Application number: 92301284.3

(22) Date of filing: 18.02.1992
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)5: A24C 5/32, A24C 5/34, B25J 15/02
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

(30) Priority: 19.02.1991 US 657657

(71) Applicant: Philip Morris Products Inc.
Richmond Virginia 23234 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Adkins, Wayne B.
    New Kent, VA 23124 (US)
  • Roncero, Jose I.
    Richmond, VA 23233 (US)

(74) Representative: Marlow, Nicholas Simon et al
Reddie & Grose 16, Theobalds Road
London WC1X 8PL
London WC1X 8PL (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Apparatus and method for gripping a cigarette


    (57) A gripping device 500 for gripping securely each of a plurality of differently dimensioned smoking articles 580 without damaging any of the smoking articles is disclosed. Two opposing members 510, 520 having opposing notches 515, 525 for contacting and gripping the article are provided. The members are translated together to grip securely a smoking article therebetween. One member is movably connected to a support member 560 for relative movement therewith and a means 570 for adjusting the force exerted by the members on the smoking article is provided to control the relative motion of the one member and to adjust the force exerted by the opposing members so that the range of differently sized articles can be securely gripped without deformation and without having to change or readjust the position of the opposing members. The gripping device is useful in an automated test facility for testing smoking articles of different dimensions, particularly circumferences.






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