EP0007837A1 - Device for measuring the firmness of cigarettes or similar articles - Google Patents

Device for measuring the firmness of cigarettes or similar articles Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0007837A1
EP0007837A1 EP79400465A EP79400465A EP0007837A1 EP 0007837 A1 EP0007837 A1 EP 0007837A1 EP 79400465 A EP79400465 A EP 79400465A EP 79400465 A EP79400465 A EP 79400465A EP 0007837 A1 EP0007837 A1 EP 0007837A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
measurement
articles
pusher
cigarettes
unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP79400465A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0007837B1 (en
Inventor
Michel Morin
Alain Rousseau
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Societe Nationale dExploitation Industrielle des Tabacs et Allumettes SAS
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Societe Nationale dExploitation Industrielle des Tabacs et Allumettes SAS
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Priority to AT79400465T priority Critical patent/ATE122T1/en
Publication of EP0007837A1 publication Critical patent/EP0007837A1/en
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Publication of EP0007837B1 publication Critical patent/EP0007837B1/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/32—Separating, ordering, counting or examining cigarettes; Regulating the feeding of tobacco according to rod or cigarette condition
    • A24C5/34—Examining cigarettes or the rod, e.g. for regulating the feeding of tobacco; Removing defective cigarettes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for measuring the compactness of smoking articles of cylindrical shape such as cigarettes, filter cigarettes or filter sticks.
  • the compactness of a cigarette or the like characterizes its compressibility, its hardness, its filling. This is one of the important physical characteristics that must be taken into account when judging the quality of the product under consideration.
  • a unit of measurement comprising jaws which are placed around the cigarette and a specific load is applied to one of the jaws. The measurement of the relative displacement of the jaws provides a quantity representative of the crushing of the cigarette.
  • the compactness can be assessed in two stages: crushing when empty, under a slight preload and crushing under a determined load.
  • the invention relates to a device which makes it possible to measure the compactness of cigarettes in a batch in two different directions.
  • the invention relates to a device for measuring the compactness of smoking articles of cylindrical shape, characterized in that it comprises a supply unit for bringing the articles to a positioning and distribution assembly, two units of compactness measurement mounted on either side of this assembly, which assembly comprises a rectilinear movement path extending substantially from one unit of measurement to the other to allow each item to move from a central position receiving to an extreme measuring position, means for positioning the articles in the receiving position alternately in two different angular positions and means for moving the cigarettes along said path alternately towards one and the other measuring unit.
  • the device according to the invention simultaneously measures the compactness in two different positions of the articles, since the two measurement units can operate in unison.
  • said assembly comprises at least two drums which define said path between them, the drums being able to be driven in rotation in the same direction, so as to rotate an article in contact with it about its axis.
  • each angular position is defined by a light source associated with a detector.
  • a light source associated with a detector.
  • the seam of a cigarette is an area whose reflective power is different from that of the rest of the cigarette: when the radiation from the source falls on the seam, it is reflected and the output current of the detector is stronger or weaker than outside this position. This detection controls the instantaneous stop of the drums on which the cigarette.
  • the device according to the invention for measuring the compactness of cigarettes essentially comprises a supply unit, a positioning and distribution assembly and two measurement units mounted on either side of this assembly.
  • the device comprises a supply unit arranged to bring the cigarettes one by one in a horizontal position to the central receiving position R defined by the drums 1 , 1 'and 2, 2' and shown in dotted lines.
  • the feed unit comprises an inclined plane 3 and an articulated pallet 4 which, in the low position, retains the cigarette by orienting it so that its axis is perpendicular to the line of greatest slope of the inclined plane, and in position high (shown in dotted lines), lets it descend along the inclined plane.
  • the cigarettes are brought one by one to the inclined plane by a dispenser member not shown.
  • the pivoting up of the pallet 4 is electrically triggered in connection with the operation of the device.
  • the cigarette having left the supply unit comes to occupy the aforementioned central position bearing on the drums 1, 1 ′ and 2.2 ′ with parallel axes.
  • the drums 1 and 2 are rotated in the same direction so as to rotate the contact cigarette in contact with the drums.
  • the direction of rotation is illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 1.
  • the drums 1 and 2 are driven by a motor 5 via pulleys 6 and a belt 7.
  • the device comprises a first photocell 10 placed vertically above the reception area.
  • the seam of the cigarette receives the radiation from the cell 10, it reflects this radiation in a more intense or less intense way than the rest of the cigarette.
  • the output current emitted by the cell takes a higher or lower value than the average value of the signal, and this allows the detection of the seam. This detection in turn triggers the immediate shutdown of motor 5 and the cigarette keeps the position where the seam is on the top.
  • a second photoelectric cell 11 is placed laterally so that the axis of the emitted radiation is orthogonal to the axis of the cell 10, that is to say horizontal.
  • this cell 11 When this cell 11 is active, the cigarette therefore assumes a position where the seam is on the side.
  • the cells 10 and 11 are active in turn, so that the cigarettes which occupy the reception position are placed alternately with the seam on top and with the seam on the side.
  • the cigarettes thus positioned are brought alternately to one and the other measuring unit, so that the compactness measurements are carried out along two perpendicular axes.
  • the distribution is ensured by a pusher 15 which moves in an alternating movement along said path.
  • This pusher 15 is provided with spikes 16 to maintain the cigarettes in the correct position during movement to the respective unit of measurement.
  • the pusher 15 is mounted at the end of an upper arm 17 secured to a pivot 18.
  • the pivot 18 is rotatably supported by a lower arm 19, the other end of which is rigidly connected to a shaft 20 driven by a motorcycle - reducer 21 comprising motor and reduction gears.
  • the pivot 18 carries at its lower end a wheel 22 connected by a toothed belt 23 to a wheel 24 mounted around the shaft 20 but rigidly connected to the chassis by a pin 25 and therefore fixed.
  • the mechanism transforms the rotational movement of the shaft 20 into a rectilinear movement of the pusher 15 along the aforementioned path.
  • the motor 21 is controlled so as to cause, if we suppose the pusher in the position of FIG. 3, first of all a movement from left to right of the pusher 15, the latter bringing the cigarette present in the area of reception to the right measurement unit then, the pusher then being to the right of the reception area, a movement from right to left which brings the next cigarette to the measurement unit located on the left.
  • the measurement units by themselves do not have original characteristics. They include a lower jaw 29 which receives the cigarette and a jaw 30 which is placed on the cigarette to be measured and a movable coupling 31 which is applied to the jaw 30 with a determined load. The relative displacement of the jaws is indicative of the crushing of the cigarette and as a result of its compactness.
  • the device described operates as follows.
  • the articulated pallet 4 lets through a cigarette which is placed in the receiving position. In this position, the cigarette is suitably angularly positioned using the drums 1 and 2 and one of the cells 10 and 11.
  • the pusher 15 is moved to bring the cigarette to the unit located on the side opposite its starting position. During this time, another cigarette has been brought into contact with the pallet 4. The latter then pivots and the second cigarette descends along the inclined plane 3 to the receiving position. In this position, the drums 1 and 2 rotate the cigarette to the correct position, identified by the seam, the active cell being that which was not active for the first cigarette.
  • the pusher 15 then moves the cigarette towards the measurement unit which is not yet supplied.
  • the two measurement units operate in synchronism, one measures the crushed load of cigarette n while the other measures the empty crushing of cigarette n + 1; in the following cycle, the first compacimeter determines the no-load crushing of the cigarette n + 2 while the second measures the crushing under load of the cigarette n + 1.

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  • Manufacturing Of Cigar And Cigarette Tobacco (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)

Abstract

Dispositif pour mesurer la ?compacité? d'articles à fumer de forme cylindrique, tels que des cigarettes, des cigarettes-filtres ou des bâtonnets-filtres comprenant une unité d'alimentation (3, 4) pour amener les articles à un ensemble de positionnement et de distribution, deux unités de mesure de la compacité montées de part et d'autre de cet ensemble, lequel ensemble comprend un chemin de déplacement rectiligne s'étendant sensiblement d'une unité de mesure à l'autre pour permettre a chaque article de se déplacer d'une position centrale de réception vers une position extrême de mesure, des moyens (1, 2, 10, 11) pour positionner les articles en position de réception alternativement dans deux positions angulaires différentes et des moyens (17) pour déplacer les articles suivant ledit chemin alternativement vers l'une et l'autre unité de mesure.Device for measuring? Compactness? cylindrical-shaped smoking articles, such as cigarettes, filter cigarettes or filter sticks comprising a supply unit (3, 4) for supplying the articles to a positioning and distribution assembly, two compactness measurement mounted on either side of this assembly, which assembly comprises a rectilinear movement path extending substantially from one unit of measurement to another to allow each article to move from a central position receiving to an extreme measurement position, means (1, 2, 10, 11) for positioning the articles in the receiving position alternately in two different angular positions and means (17) for moving the articles along said path alternately towards the 'and the other unit of measurement.

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif pour mesurer la compacité d'articles à fumer de forme cylindrique tels que cigarettes, cigarettes à filtre ou bâtonnets-filtres.The present invention relates to a device for measuring the compactness of smoking articles of cylindrical shape such as cigarettes, filter cigarettes or filter sticks.

La compacité d'une cigarette ou article analogue caractérise sa compressibilité, sa dureté, son remplissage. C'est l'une des caractéristiques physiques importantes qu'il faut prendre en considération pour juger de la qualité du produit considéré. Pour la mesurer, on utilise une unité de mesure comprenant des mâchoires qui se placent autour de la cigarette et on applique à l'une des mâchoires une charge déterminée. La mesure du déplacement relatif des mâchoires fournit une grandeur représentative de l'écrasement de la cigarette.The compactness of a cigarette or the like characterizes its compressibility, its hardness, its filling. This is one of the important physical characteristics that must be taken into account when judging the quality of the product under consideration. To measure it, a unit of measurement is used comprising jaws which are placed around the cigarette and a specific load is applied to one of the jaws. The measurement of the relative displacement of the jaws provides a quantity representative of the crushing of the cigarette.

La compacité peut être appréciée en deux temps : l'écrasement à vide, sous une légère précharge et l'écrasement sous une charge déterminée.The compactness can be assessed in two stages: crushing when empty, under a slight preload and crushing under a determined load.

De plus on a constaté qu'une seule mesure de compacité,était insuffisante, et qu'il était souhaitable d'effectuer deux mesures en appliquant la charge suivant des directions différentes, notamment perpendiculaires. La mesure de compacité étant destructive, cela suppose bien entendu que les mesures portent sur deux cigarettes différentes appartenant à un même lot.In addition, it was found that a single compactness measurement was insufficient, and that it was desirable to carry out two measurements by applying the load in different directions, in particular perpendicular directions. Since the compactness measure is destructive, this of course presupposes that the measurements relate to two different cigarettes belonging to the same batch.

L'invention vise un dispositif qui permet de mesurer la compacité des cigarettes d'un lot suivant deux directions différentes.The invention relates to a device which makes it possible to measure the compactness of cigarettes in a batch in two different directions.

L'invention a pour objet un dispositif pour mesurer la compacité d'articles à fumer de forme cylindrique, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend une unité d'alimentation pour amener les articles à un ensemble de positionnement et de distribution, deux unités de mesure de la compacité montées de part et d'autre de cet ensemble, lequel ensemble comprend un chemin de déplacement rectiligne s'étendant sensiblement d'une unité de mesure à l'autre pour permettre à chaque article de se déplacer d'une position centrale de réception vers une position extrême de mesure, des moyens pour positionner les articles en position de réception alternativement dans deux positions angulaires différentes et des moyens pour déplacer les cigarettes suivant ledit chemin alternativement vers l'une et l'autre unité de mesure.The invention relates to a device for measuring the compactness of smoking articles of cylindrical shape, characterized in that it comprises a supply unit for bringing the articles to a positioning and distribution assembly, two units of compactness measurement mounted on either side of this assembly, which assembly comprises a rectilinear movement path extending substantially from one unit of measurement to the other to allow each item to move from a central position receiving to an extreme measuring position, means for positioning the articles in the receiving position alternately in two different angular positions and means for moving the cigarettes along said path alternately towards one and the other measuring unit.

Compte tenu de sa structure, le dispositif selon l'invention mesure simultanément la compacité dans deux positions différentes des articles, puisque les deux unités de mesure peuvent fonctionner à l'unisson.Given its structure, the device according to the invention simultaneously measures the compactness in two different positions of the articles, since the two measurement units can operate in unison.

De façon avantageuse ledit ensemble comprend au moins deux tambours qui définissent entre eux ledit chemin, les tambours pouvant être entraînés en rotation dans le même sens,de manière à faire tourner autour de son axe un article en contact avec eux.Advantageously, said assembly comprises at least two drums which define said path between them, the drums being able to be driven in rotation in the same direction, so as to rotate an article in contact with it about its axis.

De façon préférée, chaque position angulaire est définie par une source de lumière associée à un détecteur. On utilise ici le fait que la couture d'une cigarette est une zone dont le pouvoir réfléchissant est différent de celui du reste de la cigarette : lorsque le rayonnement de la source tombe sur la couture, il est réfléchi et le courant de sortie du détecteur est plus fort ou plus faible qu'en dehors de cette position. Cette détection commande l'arrêt instantané des tambours sur lesquels repose la cigarette.Preferably, each angular position is defined by a light source associated with a detector. We use here the fact that the seam of a cigarette is an area whose reflective power is different from that of the rest of the cigarette: when the radiation from the source falls on the seam, it is reflected and the output current of the detector is stronger or weaker than outside this position. This detection controls the instantaneous stop of the drums on which the cigarette.

L'invention sera bien comprise à la lecture de la description suivante, faite en se référant au dessin annexé, sur lequel :

  • - la figure 1 est une vue schématique de l'ensemble de positionnement et de distribution ;
  • - la figure 2 est une vue de face du dispositif selon l'invention, l'une des unités de mesure n'étant pas représentée ;
  • - la figure 3 est une vue de dessus de l'ensemble de positionnement et de distribution, et
  • - la figure 4 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3.
The invention will be clearly understood on reading the following description, made with reference to the appended drawing, in which:
  • - Figure 1 is a schematic view of the positioning and distribution assembly;
  • - Figure 2 is a front view of the device according to the invention, one of the measurement units not being shown;
  • FIG. 3 is a top view of the positioning and distribution assembly, and
  • - Figure 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of Figure 3.

Le dispositif selon l'invention pour mesurer la compacité des cigarettes comprend essentiellement une unité d'alimentation, un ensemble de positionnement et de distribution et deux unités de mesure montées de part et d'autre de cet ensemble.The device according to the invention for measuring the compactness of cigarettes essentially comprises a supply unit, a positioning and distribution assembly and two measurement units mounted on either side of this assembly.

Le dispositif, à l'excepté des unités de mesure, est représenté schématiquement à la figure 1. Il comprend une unité d'alimentation agencée pour amener les cigarettes une par une en position horizontale à la position centrale de réception R définie par les tambours 1, 1' et 2, 2' et représentée en trait pointillé. L'unité d'alimentation comprend un plan incliné 3 et une palette articulée 4 qui, en position basse, retient la cigarette en l'orientant de façon que son axe soit perpendiculaire à la ligne de plus grande pente du plan incliné, et en position haute (représentée en pointillé), la laisse descendre suivant le plan incliné. Les cigarettes sont amenées une par une sur le plan incliné par un organe de distribution non représenté. D'autre part, le pivotement vers le haut de la palette 4 est déclenché électriquement en liaison avec le fonctionnement du dispositif.The device, with the exception of the measurement units, is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1. It comprises a supply unit arranged to bring the cigarettes one by one in a horizontal position to the central receiving position R defined by the drums 1 , 1 'and 2, 2' and shown in dotted lines. The feed unit comprises an inclined plane 3 and an articulated pallet 4 which, in the low position, retains the cigarette by orienting it so that its axis is perpendicular to the line of greatest slope of the inclined plane, and in position high (shown in dotted lines), lets it descend along the inclined plane. The cigarettes are brought one by one to the inclined plane by a dispenser member not shown. On the other hand, the pivoting up of the pallet 4 is electrically triggered in connection with the operation of the device.

La cigarette ayant quitté l'unité d'alimentation vient occuper la position centrale précitée en appui sur les tambours 1, 1' et 2,2' d'axes parallèles. Les tambours 1 et 2 sont mus en rotation dans le même sens de manière à entraîner en rotation par contact la cigarette se trouvant en appui sur les tambours. Le sens de rotation est illustré par les flèches à la figure 1. L'entraînement des tambours 1 et 2 est réalisé par un moteur 5 par l'intermédiaire de poulies 6 et d'une courroie 7.The cigarette having left the supply unit comes to occupy the aforementioned central position bearing on the drums 1, 1 ′ and 2.2 ′ with parallel axes. The drums 1 and 2 are rotated in the same direction so as to rotate the contact cigarette in contact with the drums. The direction of rotation is illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 1. The drums 1 and 2 are driven by a motor 5 via pulleys 6 and a belt 7.

Pour positionner correctement les cigarettes en vue de la mesure de compacité, il faut arrêter la rotation des tambours lorsque la position correcte est atteinte. Pour détecter celle-ci, on utilise le pouvoir réfléchissant différent de la couturede la cigarette. Le dispositif comprend une première cellule photo-électrique 10 placée à la verticale de la zone de réception. Lorsque, du fait de la rotation des tambours 1 et 2, la couture de la cigarette vient à recevoir le rayonnement issu de la cellule 10, elle réfléchit ce rayonnement d'une manière plus intense ou moins intense que le reste de la cigarette. Le courant de sortie émis par la cellule prend une valeur plus élevée ou moins élevée que la valeur moyenne du signal, et cela permet la détection de la couture. Cette détection déclenche à son tour J'arrêt immédiat du moteur 5 et la cigarette garde la position où la couture se trouve sur le dessus.To correctly position cigarettes for compactness measurement, the rotation of the drums must be stopped when the correct position is reached. To detect this, we use the reflective power different from the cigarette seam. The device comprises a first photocell 10 placed vertically above the reception area. When, due to the rotation of the drums 1 and 2, the seam of the cigarette receives the radiation from the cell 10, it reflects this radiation in a more intense or less intense way than the rest of the cigarette. The output current emitted by the cell takes a higher or lower value than the average value of the signal, and this allows the detection of the seam. This detection in turn triggers the immediate shutdown of motor 5 and the cigarette keeps the position where the seam is on the top.

De façon analogue, une seconde cellule photo-électrique 11 est placée latéralement de manière que l'axe du rayonnement émis soit orthogonal à l'axe de la cellule 10, c'est-à-dire horizontal. Lorsque cette cellule 11 est active, la cigarette prend donc une position où la couture se trouve sur le côté.Similarly, a second photoelectric cell 11 is placed laterally so that the axis of the emitted radiation is orthogonal to the axis of the cell 10, that is to say horizontal. When this cell 11 is active, the cigarette therefore assumes a position where the seam is on the side.

Les cellules 10 et 11 sont actives tour à tour, de sorte que les cigarettes qui occupent la position de réception sont placées alternativement avec la couture dessus et avec la couture sur le côté. Les cigarettes ainsi positionnées sont amenées alternative-i ment vers l'une et l'autre unité de mesure, si bien que les mesures de compacité sont réalisées suivant deux axes perpendiculaire On va décrire à présent le dispositif qui assure la distribution alternée des cigarettes vers les unités de mesure. Cette distribution s'effectue suivant un chemin rectiligne défini tout d'abord par les tambours, puis par des guides 12, 12' appartenant à l'ensemble de distribution, et qui se prolonge par des berceaux 13, 14 dans chaque unité de mesure.The cells 10 and 11 are active in turn, so that the cigarettes which occupy the reception position are placed alternately with the seam on top and with the seam on the side. The cigarettes thus positioned are brought alternately to one and the other measuring unit, so that the compactness measurements are carried out along two perpendicular axes. We will now describe the device which provides alternating distribution of cigarettes to the units of measurement. This distribution takes place along a rectilinear path defined first of all by the drums, then by guides 12, 12 'belonging to the distribution assembly, and which is extended by cradles 13, 14 in each measurement unit.

La distribution est assurée par un pousseur 15 qui se déplace suivant un mouvement alternatif le long dudit chemin. Ce pousseur 15 est muni de pointes 16 pour maintenir les cigarettes dans la position correcte au cours du déplacement vers l'unité de mesure respective. Le pousseur 15 est monté à l'extrémité d'un bras supérieur 17 solidaire d'un pivot 18. Le pivot 18 est supporté en rotation par un bras inférieur 19 dont l'autre extrémité est liée rigidement à un arbre 20 entrainé par un moto- réducteur 21 comprenant moteur et engrenages.de réduction. De plus, le pivot 18 porte à son extrémité inférieure une roue 22 reliée par une courroie crantée 23 à une roue 24 montée autour de l'arbre 20 mais liée rigidement au châssis par une goupille 25 et donc fixe.The distribution is ensured by a pusher 15 which moves in an alternating movement along said path. This pusher 15 is provided with spikes 16 to maintain the cigarettes in the correct position during movement to the respective unit of measurement. The pusher 15 is mounted at the end of an upper arm 17 secured to a pivot 18. The pivot 18 is rotatably supported by a lower arm 19, the other end of which is rigidly connected to a shaft 20 driven by a motorcycle - reducer 21 comprising motor and reduction gears. In addition, the pivot 18 carries at its lower end a wheel 22 connected by a toothed belt 23 to a wheel 24 mounted around the shaft 20 but rigidly connected to the chassis by a pin 25 and therefore fixed.

Comme la roue 24 a un diamètre double de celui de la roue 22, le mécanisme transforme le mouvement de rotation de l'arbre 20 en un mouvement rectiligne du pousseur 15 suivant le chemin précité. Le moteur 21 est commandé de façon à provoquer, si l'on suppose le pousseur dans la position de la figure 3, tout d'abord un mouvement de gauche à droite du pousseur 15, celui-ci amenant la cigarette présente dans la zone de réception à l'unité de mesure de droite puis, le pousseur étant alors à droite de la zone de réception, un mouvement de droite à gauche qui amène la cigarette suivante vers l'unité de mesure située à gauche.As the wheel 24 has a diameter twice that of the wheel 22, the mechanism transforms the rotational movement of the shaft 20 into a rectilinear movement of the pusher 15 along the aforementioned path. The motor 21 is controlled so as to cause, if we suppose the pusher in the position of FIG. 3, first of all a movement from left to right of the pusher 15, the latter bringing the cigarette present in the area of reception to the right measurement unit then, the pusher then being to the right of the reception area, a movement from right to left which brings the next cigarette to the measurement unit located on the left.

Les unités de mesure ne présentent pas par elles-mêmes de caractéristiques originales. Elles comprennent une mâchoire inférieure 29 qui reçoit la cigarette et une mâchoire 30 qui vient se pla- cer sur la cigarette à mesurer et un attelage mobile 31 qui vient s'appliquer sur la mâchoire 30 avec une charge déterminée. Le déplacement relatif des mâchoires est indicatif de l'écrasement de la cigarette et par suite de sa compacité.The measurement units by themselves do not have original characteristics. They include a lower jaw 29 which receives the cigarette and a jaw 30 which is placed on the cigarette to be measured and a movable coupling 31 which is applied to the jaw 30 with a determined load. The relative displacement of the jaws is indicative of the crushing of the cigarette and as a result of its compactness.

Le dispositif décrit fonctionne comme suit. La palette articulée 4 laisse passer une cigarette qui vient se placer dans la position de réception. Dans cette position, la cigarette est positionnée angulairement de manière appropriée à l'aide des tambours 1 et 2 et d'une des cellules 10 et 11. Une fois ce positionnement réalisé, le pousseur 15 est déplacé pour amener la cigarette à l'unité de mesure située du côté opposé à sa position de départ. Pendant ce temps, une autre cigarette a été amenée au contact de la palette 4. Celle-ci pivote alors et la seconde cigarette descend suivant le plan incliné 3 jusqu'à la position de réception. Dans cette position, les tambours 1 et 2 font tourner la cigarette jusqu'à la position correcte, repérée par la couture, la cellule active étant celle qui n'était pas active pour la première cigarette. Le pousseur 15 déplace ensuite la cigarette vers l'unité de mesure non encore alimentée. Les deux unités de mesure opèrent en synchronisme, l'une mesure l'écrasement en charge de la cigarette n alors que l'autre mesure l'écrasement à vide de la cigarette n + 1; au cycle suivant le premier compacimètre détermine l'écrasement à vide de la cigarette n + 2 alors que le second mesuré l'écrasement en charge de la cigarette n + 1.The device described operates as follows. The articulated pallet 4 lets through a cigarette which is placed in the receiving position. In this position, the cigarette is suitably angularly positioned using the drums 1 and 2 and one of the cells 10 and 11. Once this positioning has been carried out, the pusher 15 is moved to bring the cigarette to the unit located on the side opposite its starting position. During this time, another cigarette has been brought into contact with the pallet 4. The latter then pivots and the second cigarette descends along the inclined plane 3 to the receiving position. In this position, the drums 1 and 2 rotate the cigarette to the correct position, identified by the seam, the active cell being that which was not active for the first cigarette. The pusher 15 then moves the cigarette towards the measurement unit which is not yet supplied. The two measurement units operate in synchronism, one measures the crushed load of cigarette n while the other measures the empty crushing of cigarette n + 1; in the following cycle, the first compacimeter determines the no-load crushing of the cigarette n + 2 while the second measures the crushing under load of the cigarette n + 1.

Ainsi la compacité est mesurée simultanément sur deux cigarettes suivant deux directions perpendiculaires.Thus the compactness is measured simultaneously on two cigarettes in two perpendicular directions.

Claims (6)

1.- Dispositif pour mesurer la compacité d'articles à fumer de forme cylindrique, tels que des cigarettes, des cigarettes- filtres ou des bâtonnets-filtres, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend une unité d'alimentation pour amener les articles à un ensemble de positionnement et de distribution, deux unités de mesure de la compacité montées de part et d'autre de cet ensemble, lequel ensemble comprend un chemin de déplacement rectiligne s'étendant sensiblement d'une unité de mesure à l'autre pour permettre à chaque article de se déplacer d'une position centrale de réception vers une position extrême de mesure, des moyens pour positionner les articles en position de réception alternativement dans deux positions angulaires différentes et des moyens pour déplacer les articles suivant ledit chemin alternativement vers l'une et l'autre unité de mesure.1.- Device for measuring the compactness of smoking articles of cylindrical shape, such as cigarettes, filter cigarettes or filter sticks, characterized in that it comprises a supply unit for bringing the articles to a positioning and distribution assembly, two compactness measurement units mounted on either side of this assembly, which assembly comprises a rectilinear displacement path extending substantially from one measurement unit to the other to allow each article to move from a central receiving position to an extreme measurement position, means for positioning the articles in the receiving position alternately in two different angular positions and means for moving the articles along said path alternately towards the one and the other unit of measurement. 2.- Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ledit ensemble comprend au moins deux tambours qui définissent entre eux ledit chemin, les tambours pouvant être entrainés en rotation dans le même sens de manière à faire tourner autour de son axe un article en contact avec eux.2.- Device according to claim 1, wherein said assembly comprises at least two drums which define between them said path, the drums can be rotated in the same direction so as to rotate around its axis an article in contact with them. 3.- Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel chaque position angulaire est définie par une source de lumière associée à un détecteur.3.- Device according to claim 1, wherein each angular position is defined by a light source associated with a detector. 4.- Dispositif selon la revendication 2, dans lequel il est prévu un pousseur àssujetti à se déplacer suivant ledit chemin entre deux positions extrêmes correspondant chacune à l'introduction d'un article dans une unité de mesure.4.- Device according to claim 2, wherein there is provided a pusher subject to move along said path between two extreme positions each corresponding to the introduction of an article in a unit of measurement. 5.- Dispositif selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le pousseur est muni de pointes sur ses deux faces terminales de façon à maintenir la position angulaire des articles au cours de leur déplacement par le pousseur.5.- Device according to claim 4, wherein the pusher is provided with spikes on its two end faces so as to maintain the angular position of the articles during their movement by the pusher. 6.- Dispositif selon l'une des revendications 4 et 5, dans lequel le pousseur est entraîné par un moteur par l'intermédiaire d'un mécanisme comprenant un arbre entrainé par le moteur, un bras inférieur fixé par une extrémité à cet arbre, un pivot monté rotatif à l'autre extrémité du bras inférieur, un bras supérieur fixé par une extrémité au pivot et portant le pousseur à l'autre extrémité, une roue montée autour de l'arbre et une roue solidaire du pivot et une courroie crantée reliant les deux roues.6.- Device according to one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the pusher is driven by a motor via a mechanism comprising a shaft driven by the motor, a lower arm fixed by one end to this shaft, a pivot pivotally mounted at the other end of the lower arm, an upper arm fixed at one end to the pivot and carrying the pusher at the other end, a wheel mounted around the shaft and a wheel integral with the pivot and a toothed belt connecting the two wheels.
EP79400465A 1978-07-13 1979-07-05 Device for measuring the firmness of cigarettes or similar articles Expired EP0007837B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT79400465T ATE122T1 (en) 1978-07-13 1979-07-05 DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE STRENGTH OF CIGARETTES OR THE LIKE.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7820929A FR2430730A1 (en) 1978-07-13 1978-07-13 DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE COMPACITY OF STEM-SHAPED OBJECTS
FR7820929 1978-07-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0007837A1 true EP0007837A1 (en) 1980-02-06
EP0007837B1 EP0007837B1 (en) 1981-07-29

Family

ID=9210710

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP79400465A Expired EP0007837B1 (en) 1978-07-13 1979-07-05 Device for measuring the firmness of cigarettes or similar articles

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4224822A (en)
EP (1) EP0007837B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE122T1 (en)
DE (1) DE2960535D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2430730A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0195173A1 (en) * 1985-03-22 1986-09-24 Fabriques De Tabac Reunies S.A. Control-device for the compressibility of tobacco-manufactory articles
GB2201328A (en) * 1987-02-21 1988-09-01 Koerber Ag Apparatus for perforating or testing rod-shaped articles

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3310682A (en) * 1962-05-21 1967-03-21 Short Brothers & Harland Ltd A Hardness measurer using tiltable mirrors
US3559466A (en) * 1968-06-07 1971-02-02 Liggett & Myers Inc Direct readout deflection meter

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2338070A (en) * 1941-03-06 1943-12-28 American Mach & Foundry Individual cigarette density recording machine
FR1437670A (en) * 1965-03-26 1966-05-06 Seita Method and device for measuring the compactness and other physical characteristics of a body or a group of compressible bodies and in particular of cigarettes

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3310682A (en) * 1962-05-21 1967-03-21 Short Brothers & Harland Ltd A Hardness measurer using tiltable mirrors
US3559466A (en) * 1968-06-07 1971-02-02 Liggett & Myers Inc Direct readout deflection meter

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0195173A1 (en) * 1985-03-22 1986-09-24 Fabriques De Tabac Reunies S.A. Control-device for the compressibility of tobacco-manufactory articles
GB2201328A (en) * 1987-02-21 1988-09-01 Koerber Ag Apparatus for perforating or testing rod-shaped articles
GB2201328B (en) * 1987-02-21 1991-07-03 Koerber Ag Apparatus for rolling and simultaneous treatment of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2430730B1 (en) 1980-12-05
EP0007837B1 (en) 1981-07-29
US4224822A (en) 1980-09-30
FR2430730A1 (en) 1980-02-08
ATE122T1 (en) 1981-08-15
DE2960535D1 (en) 1981-10-29

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