DE1193849B - Method and device for testing cigarettes or the like. - Google Patents

Description

Method and device for testing cigarettes od. Like. In the previous production of cigarettes, these leave the machine with a predetermined Velocity and order cross-axially with the same distance.

To check the operation of the machine, the cigarettes must then tested for various properties of the filling, the casing and the dimensions will. Some of these properties, such as the air permeability of the envelope and the strength of the heads, can be at said predetermined speed and order are checked, while other properties such as weight, quality of the imprint etc. only at reduced speed or even temporarily Standstill of the cigarettes can be checked. In the latter case it is required, by removing the cigarettes to be tested, the aforementioned predetermined To repeal order. After testing, the tested cigarettes are then disordered admitted to the unchecked again. This has no disadvantages as long as all cigarettes Unordered accumulated, for example stored in trays or magazines and possibly only processed from there in filter cigarette machines or in packing machines should be.

In contrast, it is the object of the invention, the cigarettes directly further processing without intermediate collection, for example in filter cigarette machines or in a packing machine without a magazine, and they meanwhile on those of the named ones Properties, such as the quality of the imprint, should be checked for the previous one Feeding without intermediate accumulation were not feasible.

For this purpose it is provided according to the invention that the to be tested Cigarettes taken in a known manner, checked, but then put into the Remove gaps that have arisen to restore the predetermined order inserted.

Should the cigarettes be transverse to their conveying movement after the row has been formed are shifted coaxially, is provided in a further embodiment of the invention, that the removed cigarettes in the gap created by their removal again inserted. If, on the other hand, the checking is carried out during the transverse axial conveyance takes place, the removed cigarettes are expediently in the previous one Gaps created by cigarettes. This is particularly advantageous if these loopholes are those created by removing buggy Cigarettes were created. In both cases it is ensured that parts of rows of cigarettes or this itself is continuously in an orderly state for a further processing machine, in the first case about a packing machine, in the second case about a filter cigarette machine can be fed. That is true, especially in the event that the cigarettes are checked during their uninterrupted transverse axial conveying movement, even then to if, in a further embodiment of the invention, several cigarettes in one order taken, checked in this and also in this order in a gap again inserted.

A device is used to practice the method according to the invention with a cross conveyor provided with recordings for the cigarettes or the like., with Extraction means for the cigarettes to be tested, with one at a reduced speed movable or stationary test tray and a test device assigned to it for the cigarettes and means for returning the tested cigarettes to the Cross conveyor.

Such a device is according to the invention by control means marked for switching on the means for re-feeding when a gap is passed.

In a preferred embodiment of such a device is after the invention provided that the cigarettes by means of a cigarette holder of a feed conveyor on rotating support means, such as rollers, can be lifted, the Test means is a scanning means that reacts to color differences to the a pulse generator for evaluating the test results works together and the support means a controlled depositing means for re-arranging the checked cigarettes in the correct position is downstream in the cigarette row.

If, as already mentioned at the beginning, the rows of cigarettes are shifted coaxially are, the depositing means according to the invention is controllable in such a way that the cigarettes can be inserted into the gaps in a row of cigarettes, which by removing other, cigarettes previously in this row were created.

To ensure that the cigarette to be tested is placed securely when it is removed To achieve from a row and conveying to the support means is according to the invention it is also provided that the support means have one of the shape of the object to be tested is adapted and provided with a suction air slot.

For checking the cigarettes, scanning means are used according to the invention, which react to color differences in a preferred training and with 'one Impulse generators work together to evaluate the test results. This means to Evaluation of the test results can be acoustic, optical or combined display and be control means.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in the drawings. It shows F i g. 1 shows a perspective illustration of the device with a drum designed as a feed conveyor, partially in section, FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the device according to FIG. 1, the position of the drum being slightly changed in order to show the driver disengaged by means of spring pressure, FIG. 3 shows a section along the line VV in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 shows a section along the line VI-VI in FIG. 2, fig. 5 shows a partially broken view of the device in the direction of arrow 200 in FIG. 2, FIG. 6 to 9 four main stages of the test process with a schematic indication of the parts of the device that are important for the function according to FIG. 1, FIG. 10 an additional device for changing the mode of operation of the device in the form of a slide, by means of which the tested cigarettes are guided into a receptacle, and FIG. 11 shows an electrical circuit diagram for a test device according to FIG. 1 to 5.

To fasten the device to the cigarette machine, not shown, two side walls 201 and 202 are used, between which a drum 203 is rotatably mounted on a hollow axle 204 , on which an arm 205 provided with a spring-mounted driver 206 is attached at one end. A toothed wheel 208 with a locking ring 209 mounted axially thereon, in which the driver 206 engages, is mounted freely rotatably on a bearing 210 between the wall 202 and the arm 205 . At the other end of the axis 204 of the drum 203, a control device 207 is attached, which will be described later.

A cigarette holder 211 which is provided with depressions and has suction air ducts 212 is fastened axially to the drum 203. Between the wall 201 and the facing end of the drum 203 (see also FIG. 2), a cylindrical suction chamber 213 is attached on the drum axis 204, which is supported by a spring 216, which is supported on a disk 217 attached to the wall 201 , is pressed against the drum 203. A pin 215 protrudes from the wall 201, slides in an axial recess 218 of the suction air chamber 213 and thereby allows the suction air chamber 213 to be axially displaced, while at the same time preventing the same from rotating. Suction air is fed to the suction air chamber 213 and to the cigarette holder 211 via a connecting piece 214 , as will be described later.

On the other side of the drum 203, an end plate 219, which at the same time represents part of the wall 202 , carries an electromagnet 220 with a rounded plunger 221 which is attached in such a way that it presses against the driver 206 when the electromagnet 220 over the line 222 is excited, the driver 206 engaging the locking collar 209. Opposite the plunger 221 is one in the axial direction. Leaf spring 223 attached, one end of which is attached to the face plate 219. The leaf spring 223 is attached in such a way that it presses the driver 206 out of the connection with the locking collar 209 in a direction which runs counter to the pressure direction of the plunger 221.

On the opposite side of the drum 203, a pin 224 is provided perpendicular to the outside of the wall 201, on which two angle levers 225 and 226 are rotatably mounted. The angle levers 225 and 226 carry rotatably mounted rollers 227 and 228 on one end, the axes of which run parallel to the axis of the pin 224. These rollers 227 and 228 rest on cam disks 229 and 230 of the control device 207 . The rollers 227 and 228 are pressed against the cams 229 and 230 by means of springs 231 and 232. One end of each of these springs 231 and 232 is attached to the bell cranks 225 and 226 and the other ends to retaining pins 233 and 234 which protrude from the wall 201. A rolling device is provided between the walls 201 and 202, which consists of two test rollers 235 and 236, which are parallel to one another and to the drum 203. The test rollers 235 and 236 are rotatably mounted in bearing blocks 237 and 238 and are connected to one another by a drive belt 239. The test roller 236 extends through the wall 201 and carries a belt pulley 240. The bearing block 237, like the bearing block 238, is attached to a hollow shaft 241 which is rotatably mounted in the wall 201 so that the bearing blocks 237 and 238 with the test roller 235 are pivotable around the test roller 236.

Adjacent to the test roller 236, facing away from the drum 203, there is a flat profile guide 242 , the ends of which are fastened to the walls 201 and 202 by means of screws 258. The guide 242 is inclined downward from the roller 236. A lock 243, which consists of a rod 244 with rake-shaped associated rods 245 , is attached along the lower edge of the guide 242 and connected to the spring end of the angle lever 225 so that it is raised or lowered on the roller 227 in accordance with the movement of the cam 229 can be.

Two holders 246 and 247, which are in the vertical and horizontal directions are adjustable, are at the Face plate 219 attached and wear a photocell 248 and a lamp 249. Other identical test equipment can be used should be attached if other test methods are used. The photocell 248 and lamp 249 can be moved to a desired point within the range of the test rollers 235 and 236 are angled.

The top view in FIG. 4 shows how the spring 216 against the suction air chamber 213 and the arrangement of the angle levers 225 and 226, the cam disks 229 and 230 on a carrier plate 250.

F i g. 5 shows the shape of the cams 229 and 230 as well as the assignment of a pin 251 which is attached to the end of the shaft 241 and carries a gear 299 which engages in a toothed segment 257 on the angle lever 226. Both representations illustrate how the cam discs are mounted 229 and 230 to the support plate 250 by means of bolt and screw units 252 and an idler gear 253, which is associated with the gear 208 and is not shown by a, is driven by the gear 208 guided around drive chain.

The section in FIG. 6 shows the control of the suction air via the nozzle 214 through a semicircular concentric trough 254 in the suction chamber 213. The channels 212 in the cigarette holder 211 provided with troughs are connected to the suction groove 254 via a channel 256 in a bar 255 located in the drum 203 , in the area of which this channel 256 passes over about half a revolution of the drum 203 . The position of the test rollers 235 and 236 of the guide 242 and the lock 243 to one another is also clearly shown. Z, means the test position of a cigarette.

F i g. 7 shows several details of the control device 207 as well as several details the driver 206 in connection with the locking ring 209 and those acting against it Positions of the spring 223 and the plunger 221.

F i g. 12 shows, as an accessory, a curved slide 260 with screw holes 259 through which the slide 260 can be screwed to the guide 242.

In Fig. 13 shows a circuit diagram which at the same time also indicates the absence of a cigarette in addition to the display of the print offset. Two photoresistors 301 and 302 and the associated transmitter lamps 303 and 304 are provided here. Following these parts are an amplifier 305, a pulse shaper 306 and, in parallel, a Schmitt trigger and an inverter. While the latter are provided for the actuation of a signal lamp 315, which indicates the lack of cigarettes via an "AND gate" 319 and an output stage 320 with a relay 321 connected downstream, the amplifier 305 and 306 are an "and gate" 308, a Memory 309, a further "AND gate" 311 and an output stage 312 with relay 313 for actuating a signal lamp 314 are provided, which indicate the print offset. A control switch 307 controls the measuring process for the two indicator lamps via a memory 310. The magnet 220 (FIG. 3) is connected in parallel to the circuit of the signal lamp 315, whereby a rectifier 323 allows the current to flow in only one direction, namely from the circuit of the signal lamp 315 to the magnet 220 Invention is discussed, serve to understand that the cigarettes according to the schematic figures 6 to 9 are conveyed transversely axially in the direction of the arrow under the described drum 203, the drum rotates clockwise to then be further conveyed under the test rollers 235, 236.

The operation of this device is as follows: When a cigarette to be tested passes under the drum (FIG. 1), the electromagnet 220 is energized by means of a control relay (not shown) or by hand if a particular cigarette is intended for testing. As a result, the plunger 221 forces the driver 206 against the spring 223 in order to engage the locking ring 209 on the gear wheel 208, which is driven in a clockwise direction. When the cigarette holder 211 (see also FIG. 6) comes close to the row of cigarettes, the suction air, which is effective through the channels of the cigarette holder, picks up the closest cigarette Z1 and conveys it in the direction of the test rollers 235 and 236 While the axis 204 (FIG. 1) rotates in this position, the cam 230 (FIGS. 2 and 3) moves the angle lever 226 via the roller 228, so that the toothed edge 257 the pin 251 and thus also the hollow shaft 241 rotated counterclockwise (FIG. 3). This allows the test roller 235 to move into a lower position than that of the test roller 36 (FIG. 6) and thus creates sufficient space between it and the drum 203 for the cigarette holder 211 with the cigarette Z1 received. While the cigarette holder 211 passes through this position (FIG. 7), the movement of the cam plate 230 raises the test roller 235 on the same plane as the roller 236, and at the same time the suction air, which via channels 212 from the trough 254 (F i g. 4) is interrupted, whereby the cigarette Z1 falls into the rolling trough which is created between the test rollers 235 and 236 and at the same time forms the test station.

The pulley 240 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is continuously driven in a clockwise direction, so that the test roller 236 and the test roller 235 also rotate clockwise via the drive belt 239. The two rollers cause the cigarette Z1 to rotate counterclockwise (FIGS. 7, 8, 9). The speed and number of rotation of the cigarette Z1 can be adjusted and any error in the print on the envelope can be detected by the photocell 248, the photocell 248 causing a display and control pulse to be triggered, which is transmitted to control elements. After completion of the test, the roller 227 (FIG. 3) enters a recess in the cam disk 229, whereby the lock 243 is lifted via the angle lever 225 and the previously tested cigarette Z2 (FIG. 8) is released. In this special embodiment according to the invention, the test device is synchronized with the conveyor for the cigarettes, so that the tested cigarette Z2 is automatically deposited on the place on which the cigarette Z1, which has now been removed for testing, was previously located. In this case, for. B. checked every twentieth cigarette, cigarette Z3 (Fig. 8) is the cigarette that was checked before cigarette Z2. When the cam disk 229 (Figs. 2 and 3) rotates further, the lock 243 is moved back to its original position so that it holds the next cigarette C1, caused by the subsequent action of the cam disk 230 on roller 228, which over the Lever 226 rotates blocks 237 and 238 and rollers 235 and 236 partially counterclockwise (Fig. 9).

The drum 203 then approaches that of FIG. 6 displayed Position, and the process described above becomes the twentieth that follows Cigarette c repeated.

During operation with the accessory according to FIG. 10, it is not necessary to synchronize the testing device with the conveyor for the cigarettes Z, since the tested cigarettes are guided onto the chute. 260 and, according to arrow 261, into a receptacle (not shown) suitable for this purpose. If desired, these accumulated cigarettes can be subjected to other tests, e.g. B. to determine deviations from the average weight for a certain number of cigarettes.

The test process as such is shown in FIG. 11 as follows: The two transmitter lamps 303, 304 direct their light rays onto the cigarette Z, which reflects the rays that are recovered by the photoresistors 301, 302. In relation to the conveying position of the cross-conveyed cigarette Z, the two photo resistors 301 and 302 as well as the two transmitter lamps 303 and 304 lie next to one another, so that the cross-conveyed cigarette Z is simultaneously in the effective range of two bundles of rays. The arrangement is such that the transmitter lamp 303 detects the imprint on the cigarette Z, while the transmitter lamp 304 is directed only at the white envelope. The two photoresistors 301 and 302 are connected in a bridge circuit in such a way that brightness fluctuations of the same magnitude cancel each other out electrically and therefore do not control the downstream amplifier -05. Only differences in brightness in the two photo resistors 301, 302, e.g. B. if one photoresistor 301 receives the reflected light for printing and the other photoresistor 302 receives the reflected light from the white paper, they cause a voltage difference and thus also a control of the amplifier 305. The current level output by the amplifier 305 causes it as soon as it is intended Value reached because the pulse shaper 306 sends an innpulse to the evaluation circuit. A control switch 307, which, as shown schematically, can be actuated by means of a cam or some other suitable movable part of the test device, switches the evaluation circuit to “measure” or “transport”. A storage stage 310 connected downstream of the control switch 307 has the task of only forwarding bounce-free pulses and of suppressing any undesired contact bouncing of the control switch 307. When the cigarette Z has been inserted into the testing device, the control switch 307 is switched to "Measure" and an "AND gate" 308 is opened. The pulse coming from the pulse shaper 306 can thus be passed on to a memory 309. In the "transport" position of the pressure switch 307, ie during the transport time of the cigarettes Z, the pulse cannot return. Pulse shaper 306 arrive because the "AND gate" 308 is blocked. During this time, no impulses can be sent to the Auswext circuit. In the "Measure" position, no pulse can get from memory 309 to output stage 312 , since "AND gate" 311 is blocked. The memory 309 can therefore pass on pulses via the “AND gate” 311 to the output stage 312 only during the transport time. The memory 309 is brought into its signal position when the control switch 307 is switched on, ie at the output to the “AND gate” 311 there is a voltage which, if the “AND gate” 311 were open, would activate the signal lamp 314.

If the pressure is correct, an impulse is transmitted during the measuring time the "AND gate" 308 to memory 309, which is then from its previous signal position tilts back into its zero position, so that after the measuring time has elapsed, given by the Control switch 307, the relay cannot respond. When the photo resistor 301 does not display the set and desired value during the measurement process (e.g. B. with offset of the imprint), no pulse is passed to the memory 309, so that Memory 309 remains in its signal position. After the measuring time has elapsed, a Another "AND gate" 311 connected downstream of the memory 309 and via an output stage 312 brought a downstream relay 313 to respond, which is a signal lamp 314 lights up. The evaluation and display of the stored control pulse, measured and caused by the photo resistor 301, so always only occurs during the transport time. Claims: 1. Method for testing cigarettes or the like, after their production with a predetermined speed and order transversely axially at the same distance without intermediate accumulation directly to a further processing machine, such as a filter cigarette machine or a packing machine, conveyed and between these two points after reducing the conveyor speed, if necessary to a standstill, to be checked that the cigarettes to be tested are removed in a known manner, tested, but then into the gaps created by the removal to restore the predetermined Order to be reinserted.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the removed Cigarettes are reinserted into the gap created by their removal.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the removed Cigarettes back into the gaps created by removing previous cigarettes inserted.

4. The method according to claim 1 or the following, characterized in that that several cigarettes are taken in one order, checked in this and also be reinserted into a gap in this order.

5. Apparatus for practicing the method of claim 1 having a with recordings provided cross conveyor for the cigarettes or the like, with removal means for the cigarettes to be tested with a movable at a reduced speed or more stationary Test tray and a test device assigned to it for the cigarettes and means for returning the tested cigarettes to the Cross conveyor, characterized by control means for switching on the means (242, 243) to be re-routed when a gap is passed.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the cigarettes by means of a cigarette holder (211) from a feed conveyor onto rotating support means, for example rollers (235, 236) can be lifted off, the test equipment reacts to color differences Sampling means with which a pulse generator cooperates to evaluate the test results and the support means (235, 236) the controlled depositing means (242, 243) for correct positioning Rearrangement of the tested cigarettes in the cigarette row is connected downstream.

7. Device according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that that the depositing means is controllable in such a way that the cigarettes in the gaps of a Row of cigarettes can be inserted by removing others beforehand in this row cigarettes in place. B. Device according to one of the claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the support means one of the shape of the to be tested The object is adapted and provided with a suction air protection receptacle (211).

9. Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that that the means for inspecting the objects are scanning means.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that that the means for evaluating the test results are acoustic display means.

11. Device according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that that the means for evaluating the test results are optical display means.

12. Device according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that that the means for evaluating the test result combined display and control means are. Considered publications: German Patent Specifications No. 487 693, 542 225, 570 533, 576 243, 703 646, 1047 693.