EP0195173B1 - Control-device for the compressibility of tobacco-manufactory articles - Google Patents

Control-device for the compressibility of tobacco-manufactory articles Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0195173B1
EP0195173B1 EP19850810124 EP85810124A EP0195173B1 EP 0195173 B1 EP0195173 B1 EP 0195173B1 EP 19850810124 EP19850810124 EP 19850810124 EP 85810124 A EP85810124 A EP 85810124A EP 0195173 B1 EP0195173 B1 EP 0195173B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
load
control unit
frame
lowering
preliminary
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.)
Expired
Application number
EP19850810124
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0195173A1 (en
Inventor
Gian Piero Mussini
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Philip Morris Products SA
Original Assignee
Fabriques de Tabac Reunies SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fabriques de Tabac Reunies SA filed Critical Fabriques de Tabac Reunies SA
Priority to EP19850810124 priority Critical patent/EP0195173B1/en
Priority to DE8585810124T priority patent/DE3569871D1/en
Publication of EP0195173A1 publication Critical patent/EP0195173A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0195173B1 publication Critical patent/EP0195173B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • A24C5/343—Examining cigarettes or the rod, e.g. for regulating the feeding of tobacco; Removing defective cigarettes by mechanical means, e.g. feelers

Definitions

  • the various devices which have been produced up to now in order to allow these tests to be carried out were not designed so that the tests are absolutely repetitive.
  • the result of the measurement could depend on the operator's behavior, for example the speed with which the load was applied to the stack of cigarettes or filter sticks.
  • the object of the present invention is to remedy these shortcomings of the control devices already known, and for this, the aim has been set of making an apparatus operating as automatically as possible.
  • the present invention therefore relates to a device for controlling the compressibility of articles from the tobacco industry, comprising means for acting on a load having a predetermined weight on an upper surface of a set of articles, while now the said assembly on a fixed base, and means for measuring the lowering of the said upper surface after the positioning of the load, characterized in that the said means are automatic and comprise on the one hand means for making act on said surface first of all a prior charge and then in addition a main charge, and on the other hand means for determining the moment when said surface has reached, under the effect of the prior charge alone, a level of stable reference, to make the main load act after this moment, and to measure the lowering of said surface under the effect of the main and prior loads, from the reference level.
  • control device comprises a duly programmed control circuit which will be housed in an electronic box (not shown).
  • Fig. 1 shows the mechanical unit of the device. It comprises a frame 1 with a rigid base 2, a vertical pillar 3, an upper slide 4 and an intermediate arm 5 provided at its end with an intermediate slide 6. At the upper slide 4 is rigidly fixed a lateral upper arm 7 which extends above the intermediate arm 5 and which carries a nut element 8 of a vertical screw displacement device 9 to which we will return later.
  • the upper slide 4 guides a control block 10.
  • the connection between these two elements is constituted, for example, by a guide device with rollers, shown schematically at 11.
  • a guide device with rollers shown schematically at 11.
  • use high-precision guide devices which will be arranged so as to be perfectly vertical, so that the control unit can move parallel to itself without being braked or subjected to any constraint.
  • Inside the control unit 10 is mounted an electric motor 12 whose stator is fixed and secured to the control block, while the rotor is secured to the upper part of the screw 9.
  • this screw 9 opens out to the lower end of the motor 12 and comprises at this point a flange 13 which constitutes a positioning element cooperating with an upper stop and a lower stop 14a and 1 4b of the control unit 10.
  • the screw 9 being engaged in the nut 8 secured to the arm 7, it can be seen that the rotation of the rotor of the motor 12 has the effect of raising or lowering the control unit 10 along the slide 4 thanks to the guide means 11.
  • the power supply to the motor 12 will therefore be linked to the electronic box which will include control blocks capable of switching on and off the rotation of the motor 12 in one direction or another depending on whether it is to control the raising or lowering of the block 10.
  • the standard control support 15 which is placed on the base 2.
  • the upper surface of this base 2 has locating elements constituted for example by two rails 16 arranged in parallel one to the other and two parallel lateral stops 171e while allowing precise positioning of the control support 15.
  • the latter is a rigid part which has in its central part a dovetail groove 18 whose dimensions are predetermined and such as for example an assembly formed of cigarettes 19 can be arranged in three layers in the dovetail groove. It is known that standard supports of the kind of support 15 can be produced as a function of the dimensions of the smoking products to be tested, in particular as a function of the diameter of the cigarettes.
  • the support 15 which is made of aluminum comprises a patch 48 of ferromagnetic metal so that a detector 49 housed in the base 2 can detect the presence of the support.
  • the stack of cigarettes 19 has an uncovered upper surface on which the lower face 20 of a tray 21 can rest, forming part of a load block 22.
  • the base 2 rests on a table by via a fixed foot 23 and an adjustable foot 24, so that it can be adjusted so that the support surface defined by the rails 16 is absolutely horizontal, which can be controlled by means of a spirit level 25.
  • Inside the base are housed control and supply connections for the various electrical and electronic elements that comprise the mechanical unit described here. These connections are connected to socket 26.
  • the load block 22 comprises an upright 27 integral with the plate 21, a lateral finger 28 which extends under the intermediate arm 5, a slide 29 equipped like the control block 10 with high-precision vertical guide elements capable of cooperate with the slide 6, and a hooking element 30 disposed at its upper part. All of these elements are rigidly secured to one another and are mounted so as to be able to move in a strictly vertical direction without play but also without fraining relative to the fixed slide 6.
  • the possible stroke of the load block 22 will be sufficient to allow it to perform the required functions, as will be seen below.
  • the weight of this load block which is intended to constitute a preliminary load applied via the surface 20 on the upper surface of the stack of cigarettes 19, is 100 gr.
  • the hooking element 30 has an upper part 31 in the form of a lateral finger bounded by an upper surface 32 and by a lower surface 33, these two surfaces being flat and strictly parallel to each other. by being perpendicular to the axis of the block 22.
  • These surfaces 32 and 33 serve for the connection between the load block 22 which constitutes the prior charge and a load block 34 disposed at the upper part of the mechanical unit described.
  • This upper load block 34 constitutes a main load whose total weight is 1400 gr.
  • the load block 34 normally carries the load block 22 thanks to the suspension member 39 which slides in a vertical opening 40 of the block 34 and which has at its base the lateral suspension finger 41.
  • This lateral suspension finger extends under the attachment finger 31 so that the lower surface 33 of the latter can rest on its upper surface.
  • the suspension member 39 is held by a spring 42 in a position where it is pressed by its upper end against an internal shoulder 43 which limits the vertical passage 40 and the distance between the two fingers of the hooking element 31 is such that the various operations which must take place during a control program can be carried out freely.
  • the mechanical unit described here comprises two electronic devices: on the one hand a pair of switches 44 and 45, operating as position detectors, and on the other hand a electronic micrometer 46, the probe 47 of which presses vertically on the end of the lateral finger 28 of the load block 22.
  • the switches 44 and 45 are mounted on the slide 4 opposite the control block 10 and the latter door, in order to cooperate with the switches, a cam 50 having three bosses arranged so as to act either on the switch 44, or on the switch 45.
  • each of the switches 44 and 45 constitutes a position signal indicating whether the control unit is in relation to the slide 4 in its maximum upper position, in an intermediate position, or in its position lower.
  • These signals are transmitted by the cable connected to plug 26 of the electronic box.
  • the same is true of the signals emitted by the electronic micrometer 46.
  • the electronic box itself will include display means which can be of any type. These display means may indicate not only the value measured by the micrometer 46, depending on the height position of the finger 28, but also the duration of the time elapsed from a certain instant constituting the start of the measurement.
  • control block 10 At the start of the operation, the control block 10 is in its upper position and its surface 37 therefore supports the load block 34 and the load block 22 hooked by finger 31 to finger 41 of member 39.
  • the lower surface 20 of the plate 21 is located a few millimeters above the upper surface of the stack 19.
  • the detector 49 which emits a signal causing the start of the cycle of operations, i.e. starting the engine 12 in a direction such that the control unit 10 moves down.
  • the start of operations can be caused by pressing a key carried by the electronic unit.
  • the electronic micrometer 46 emits signals each time the probe 47 has moved a given distance, and these signals are counted in positive or negative value depending on the direction of movement.
  • the crushing of the stack of objects 19 resumes.
  • the time counter which was mentioned above, is started, so that the display means associated with the electronic box simultaneously indicate the progressively increasing difference between the upper surface of the stack of cigarettes 19 and the reference level previously reached, and on the other hand the time which has elapsed since the start of the crushing operation.
  • the value of the crushing as measured by the micrometer 46 is recorded and an acoustic signal indicating the end of the measurement cycle is engaged.
  • the measured value can, if necessary, be transmitted automatically to a computer which comprises with a predetermined standard value and indicates whether the batch of objects 19 can be considered to meet the manufacturing criteria or not.
  • FIG. 2 The sequence of operations to be carried out as just described is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2.
  • the sequential diagram represented in this figure comprises the main operations described above. It also includes other auxiliary or security operations which have proved necessary to ensure the reliability of the device, and which will not be described in detail here.
  • the electronic box includes a circuit programmed to operate according to the diagram in FIG. 2.
  • this circuit is capable of carrying out other programs, the implementation of which responds to the operation of a certain number of keys mounted on the cabinet.
  • a program has been provided for making certain information useful for the use of the apparatus appear on the display means, in particular the diameters of the products for which the control is adjusted.
  • the use of the keys makes it possible to adjust the control program by choosing for example the duration of application of the main load until the execution of the final measurement, as well as other values that can be selected at will.
  • the movements of the movable blocks ensure the distribution of the oil in the slides.
  • a perfectly reliable device has thus been produced by relatively simple means, making it possible to carry out the compressibility checks of tobacco or cellulose fibers in cigarettes or in filter sticks under the simplest possible conditions and with the least loss of time possible.

Description

Il est d'usage dans les fabriques appartenant à l'industrie du tabac de contrôler le degré de compression des matières qui sont enfermées dans une enveloppe cylindrique généralement de papier, dans certains articles tels que des cigarettes, ou des bâtonnets de filtre. Pour permettre d'effectuer des tests comparables on a établi des règles standard. Ainsi par exemple, dans l'une de ces règles standard on utilise un support présentant une gorge en queue d'aronde, dont les dimensions sont telles que 15 cigarettes réparties en trois couches peuvent être déposées dans cette gorge. Ce support étant placé sur une embase, la mesure de la compression implique que l'on fasse agir sur cet empilement de cigarettes une charge ayant un poids prédéterminé et que l'on mesure l'abaissement de la surface supérieure de l'empilement après un certain temps durant lequel la charge agit statiquement sur l'empilement pour le comprimer.It is customary in factories belonging to the tobacco industry to control the degree of compression of the materials which are enclosed in a cylindrical envelope generally of paper, in certain articles such as cigarettes, or filter sticks. To enable comparable tests to be carried out, standard rules have been established. Thus, for example, in one of these standard rules, a support is used which has a dovetail groove, the dimensions of which are such that 15 cigarettes divided into three layers can be deposited in this groove. This support being placed on a base, the measurement of the compression implies that a load having a predetermined weight is made to act on this stack of cigarettes and that the lowering of the upper surface of the stack is measured after a certain time during which the load acts statically on the stack to compress it.

Toutefois, les différents appareils qui ont été réalisé jusqu'à maintenant dans le but de permettre d'effectuer ces tests, n'étaient pas conçus de façon à ce que les tests soient absolument répétitifs. Dans de nombreux cas, le résultat de la mesure pouvait dépendre de la façon d'agir de l'opérateur, par exemple de la vitesse avec laquelle la charge était appliquée sur l'empilement des cigarettes ou des bâtonnets de filtre. Dans de nombreux cas, il arrivait que l'opérateur exerce lui-même une certaine pression en mettant en place la charge, ce qui naturellement faussait le résultat final de la mesure.However, the various devices which have been produced up to now in order to allow these tests to be carried out were not designed so that the tests are absolutely repetitive. In many cases, the result of the measurement could depend on the operator's behavior, for example the speed with which the load was applied to the stack of cigarettes or filter sticks. In many cases, it sometimes happened that the operator exerted a certain pressure by placing the load, which naturally distorted the final result of the measurement.

Le but de la présente invention est de remédier à ces défauts des appareils de contrôle déjà connus, et pour cela, on s'est fixé comme but de réaliser un appareil fonctionnant de façon aussi automatisée que possible.The object of the present invention is to remedy these shortcomings of the control devices already known, and for this, the aim has been set of making an apparatus operating as automatically as possible.

La présente invention a donc pour objet un dispositif de contrôle de la compressibilité d'articles de l'industrie du tabac, comprenant des moyens pour faire agir une charge ayant un poids prédéterminé sur une surface supérieure d'un ensemble d'articles, tout en maintenant le dit ensemble sur une embase fixe, et des moyens pour mesurer l'abaissement de la dite surface supérieure après la mise en place de la charge, caractérisé en ce que les dits moyens sont automatiques et comportent d'une part des moyens pour faire agir sur la dite surface tout d'abord une charge préalable puis en plus une charge principale, et d'autre part des moyens pour déterminer le moment où la dite surface a atteint, sous l'effet de la charge préalable seule, un niveau de référence stable, pour faire agir la charge principale après ce moment, et pour mesurer l'abaissement de la dite surface sous l'effet des charges principale et préalable, à partir du niveau de référence.The present invention therefore relates to a device for controlling the compressibility of articles from the tobacco industry, comprising means for acting on a load having a predetermined weight on an upper surface of a set of articles, while now the said assembly on a fixed base, and means for measuring the lowering of the said upper surface after the positioning of the load, characterized in that the said means are automatic and comprise on the one hand means for making act on said surface first of all a prior charge and then in addition a main charge, and on the other hand means for determining the moment when said surface has reached, under the effect of the prior charge alone, a level of stable reference, to make the main load act after this moment, and to measure the lowering of said surface under the effect of the main and prior loads, from the reference level.

On va décrire ci-après à titre d'exemple une forme d'exécution de l'objet de l'invention en se référant au dessin annexé, dont:

  • la fig. 1 est une vue en élévation schématique partiellement coupée de la dite forme d'exécution, et
  • la fig. 2 est un schéma d'opération séquentiel expliquant la façon dont le circuit de commande travaille au cours d'une opération de contrôle.
An embodiment of the subject of the invention will be described below by way of example with reference to the appended drawing, of which:
  • fig. 1 is a partially cutaway schematic elevation view of said embodiment, and
  • fig. 2 is a sequential operation diagram explaining how the control circuit works during a control operation.

Comme l'ensemble des opérations qui doivent se dérouler durant un test est automatisé, il est évident que le dispositif de contrôle comporte un circuit de commande dûment programmé qui sera logé dans un coffret électronique (non représenté).As all the operations which must take place during a test are automated, it is obvious that the control device comprises a duly programmed control circuit which will be housed in an electronic box (not shown).

La fig. 1 montre l'unité mécanique du dispositif. Elle comporte un bâti 1 avec une embase rigide 2, un pilier vertical 3, une coulisse supérieure 4 et un bras intermédiaire 5 muni à son extrémité d'une coulisse intermédiaire 6. A la coulisse supérieure 4 est fixé rigidement un bras supérieur latéral 7 qui s'étend au dessus du bras intermédiaire 5 et qui porte un élément écrou 8 d'un dispositif de déplacement vertical à vis 9 sur lequel on reviendra plus loin.Fig. 1 shows the mechanical unit of the device. It comprises a frame 1 with a rigid base 2, a vertical pillar 3, an upper slide 4 and an intermediate arm 5 provided at its end with an intermediate slide 6. At the upper slide 4 is rigidly fixed a lateral upper arm 7 which extends above the intermediate arm 5 and which carries a nut element 8 of a vertical screw displacement device 9 to which we will return later.

La coulisse supérieure 4 guide un bloc de commande 10. La liaison entre ces deux éléments est constituée par exemple par un dispositif de guidage à galets, représenté de façon schématique en 11. On utilisera pour cela des dispositifs de guidage de haute précision qui seront disposés de façon à être parfaitement verticaux, de sorte que le bloc de commande puisse se déplacer parallèlement à lui-même sans être freiné ni subir aucun contrainte. A l'intérieur du bloc de commande 10 est monté un moteur électrique 12 dont le stator est fixé et solidaire du bloc de commande, tandis que le rotor est solidaire de la partie supérieure de la vis 9. On voit que cette vis 9 débouche à l'extrémité inférieure du moteur 12 et comporte à cet endroit une collerette 13 qui constitue un élément de positionnement coopérant avec une butée supérieure et une butée inférieure 14a et 1 4b du bloc de commande 10. La vis 9 étant engagée dans l'écrou 8 solidaire du bras 7, on voit que la rotation du rotor du moteur 12 a pour effet de faire monter ou descendre le bloc de commande 10 le long de la coulisse 4 grâce au moyen de guidage 11. L'alimentation du moteur 12 sera donc liée au coffret électronique qui comportera des blocs de commande capables d'enclencher et de déclencher la rotation du moteur 12 dans un sens ou dans un autre suivant qu'il s'agit de commander la montée ou la descente du bloc 10.The upper slide 4 guides a control block 10. The connection between these two elements is constituted, for example, by a guide device with rollers, shown schematically at 11. For this, use high-precision guide devices which will be arranged so as to be perfectly vertical, so that the control unit can move parallel to itself without being braked or subjected to any constraint. Inside the control unit 10 is mounted an electric motor 12 whose stator is fixed and secured to the control block, while the rotor is secured to the upper part of the screw 9. It can be seen that this screw 9 opens out to the lower end of the motor 12 and comprises at this point a flange 13 which constitutes a positioning element cooperating with an upper stop and a lower stop 14a and 1 4b of the control unit 10. The screw 9 being engaged in the nut 8 secured to the arm 7, it can be seen that the rotation of the rotor of the motor 12 has the effect of raising or lowering the control unit 10 along the slide 4 thanks to the guide means 11. The power supply to the motor 12 will therefore be linked to the electronic box which will include control blocks capable of switching on and off the rotation of the motor 12 in one direction or another depending on whether it is to control the raising or lowering of the block 10.

Avant de parler des charges suspendues au bloc de commande 10, on décrira le support de contrôle standard 15 qui est placé sur l'embase 2. La surface supérieure de cette embase 2 présente des éléments de repérage constitué par exemple par deux rails 16 disposés parallèlement l'un à l'autre et deux butées latérales parallèles 171e tout permettant de positionner avec précision le support de contrôle 15. Ce dernier est une pièce rigide qui présente dans sa partie centrale une gorge en queue d'aronde 18 dont les dimensions sont prédéterminées et telles que par exemple un ensemble formé de 15 cigarettes 19 peut être disposé en trois couches dans la rainure en queue d'aronde. On sait que les supports standard du genre du support 15 peuvent être réalisés en fonction des dimensions des produits à fumer qu'il s'agit de tester, notamment en fonction du diamètre des cigarettes.Before talking about the loads suspended from the control unit 10, we will describe the standard control support 15 which is placed on the base 2. The upper surface of this base 2 has locating elements constituted for example by two rails 16 arranged in parallel one to the other and two parallel lateral stops 171e while allowing precise positioning of the control support 15. The latter is a rigid part which has in its central part a dovetail groove 18 whose dimensions are predetermined and such as for example an assembly formed of cigarettes 19 can be arranged in three layers in the dovetail groove. It is known that standard supports of the kind of support 15 can be produced as a function of the dimensions of the smoking products to be tested, in particular as a function of the diameter of the cigarettes.

Dans sa face inférieure, le support 15 qui est en aluminium comporte une pastille 48 de métal ferromagnétique de sorte qu'un détecteur 49 logé dans l'embase 2 peut détecter la présence du support.On its underside, the support 15 which is made of aluminum comprises a patch 48 of ferromagnetic metal so that a detector 49 housed in the base 2 can detect the presence of the support.

Entre les deux bords supérieurs de la gorge en queue d'aronde 18, l'empilement des cigarettes 19 présente une surface supérieure découverte sur laquelle peut venir reposer la face inférieure 20 d'un plateau 21 faisant partie d'un bloc de charge 22. L'embase 2 repose sur une table par l'intermédiaire d'un pied fixe 23 et d'un pied ajustable 24, de sorte qu'elle peut être réglée de façon que la surface de support définie par les rails 16 soit absolument horizontale, ce qui peut être contrôlé au moyen d'un niveau à bulle 25. A l'intérieur de l'embase sont logées des connexions de commande et d'alimentation des différents éléments électriques et électroniques que comporte l'unité mécanique décrite ici. Ces connexions sont raccordées à la prise 26.Between the two upper edges of the throat dovetail 18, the stack of cigarettes 19 has an uncovered upper surface on which the lower face 20 of a tray 21 can rest, forming part of a load block 22. The base 2 rests on a table by via a fixed foot 23 and an adjustable foot 24, so that it can be adjusted so that the support surface defined by the rails 16 is absolutely horizontal, which can be controlled by means of a spirit level 25. Inside the base are housed control and supply connections for the various electrical and electronic elements that comprise the mechanical unit described here. These connections are connected to socket 26.

Le bloc de charge 22 comporte un montant 27 solidaire du plateau 21, un doigt latéral 28 qui s'étend sous le bras intermédiaire 5, un coulisseau 29 équipé comme le bloc de commande 10 d'éléments de guidage verticaux de haute précision, capables de coopérer avec la coulisse 6, et un élément d'accrochage 30 disposé à sa partie supérieure. Tous ces éléments sont rigidement solidaires les uns des autres et sont montés de façon à pouvoir se déplacer dans un sens rigoureusement vertical sans jeu mais sans frainage non plus par rapport à la coulisse fixe 6. La course possible du bloc de charge 22 sera suffisante pour lui permettre de remplir les fonctions requises, comme on le verra plus loin. Le poids de ce bloc de charge qui est destiné à constituer une charge préalable appliquée par l'intermédiaire de la surface 20 sur la surface supérieure de l'empilement des cigarettes 19, est de 100 gr. Quant à l'élément d'accrochage 30, il présente une partie supérieure 31 en forme de doigt latéral limité par une surface supérieure 32 et par une surface inférieure 33, ces deux surfaces étant planes et rigoureusement parallèles l'une à l'autre tout en étant perpendiculaires à l'axe du bloc 22. Ces surfaces 32 et 33 servent à la liaison entre le bloc de charge 22 qui constitue la charge préalable et un bloc de charge 34 disposé à la partie supérieure de l'unité mécanique décrite. Ce bloc de charge supérieure 34 constitue une charge principale dont le poids total est de 1400 gr.The load block 22 comprises an upright 27 integral with the plate 21, a lateral finger 28 which extends under the intermediate arm 5, a slide 29 equipped like the control block 10 with high-precision vertical guide elements capable of cooperate with the slide 6, and a hooking element 30 disposed at its upper part. All of these elements are rigidly secured to one another and are mounted so as to be able to move in a strictly vertical direction without play but also without fraining relative to the fixed slide 6. The possible stroke of the load block 22 will be sufficient to allow it to perform the required functions, as will be seen below. The weight of this load block, which is intended to constitute a preliminary load applied via the surface 20 on the upper surface of the stack of cigarettes 19, is 100 gr. As for the hooking element 30, it has an upper part 31 in the form of a lateral finger bounded by an upper surface 32 and by a lower surface 33, these two surfaces being flat and strictly parallel to each other. by being perpendicular to the axis of the block 22. These surfaces 32 and 33 serve for the connection between the load block 22 which constitutes the prior charge and a load block 34 disposed at the upper part of the mechanical unit described. This upper load block 34 constitutes a main load whose total weight is 1400 gr.

Il comporte un coulisseau à élément de guidage vertical représenté schématiquement en 35, ce coulisseau coopérant avec une coulisse verticale qui est ménagé dans le bloc de commande 10 le long de sa face verticale opposée à celle qui présente les moyens de guidage 11 coopérant avec la coulisse 4. A la partie supérieure du bloc de charge 34 s'étend un doigt latéral 36 qui normalement repose sur la face supérieure plane 37 du bloc de commande 10. A partir de a surface inférieure 38 du doigt 36 les éléments de guidage 35 s'étendent vers le bas sur une distance supérieure à la hauteur totale du bloc 10, les dimensions en hauteur étant déterminées de façon que les mouvements du bloc 34 et du bloc 10 puissent s'effectuer librement.It comprises a slide with a vertical guide element shown diagrammatically at 35, this slide cooperating with a vertical slide which is formed in the control unit 10 along its vertical face opposite to that which has the guide means 11 cooperating with the slide. 4. At the upper part of the load block 34 extends a lateral finger 36 which normally rests on the flat upper face 37 of the control block 10. From the lower surface 38 of the finger 36 the guide elements 35 s extend downward over a distance greater than the total height of the block 10, the height dimensions being determined so that the movements of the block 34 and of the block 10 can be carried out freely.

Enfin, comme on le voit, le bloc de charge 34 porte normalement le bloc de charge 22 grâce à l'organe de suspension 39 qui coulisse dans une ouverture verticale 40 du bloc 34 et qui présente à sa base le doigt de suspension latéral 41. Ce doigt de suspension latéral s'étend sous le doigt d'accrochage 31 de façon que la surface inférieure 33 de ce dernier puisse reposer sur sa surface supérieure. L'organe de suspension 39 est maintenu par un ressort 42 dans une position où il est pressé par son extrémité supérieure contre un épaulement interne 43 qui limite le passage vertical 40 et la distance entre les deux doigts de l'élément d'accrochage 31 est telle que les différentes opérations qui doivent se dérouler au cours d'un programme de contrôle peuvent s'effectuer librement.Finally, as can be seen, the load block 34 normally carries the load block 22 thanks to the suspension member 39 which slides in a vertical opening 40 of the block 34 and which has at its base the lateral suspension finger 41. This lateral suspension finger extends under the attachment finger 31 so that the lower surface 33 of the latter can rest on its upper surface. The suspension member 39 is held by a spring 42 in a position where it is pressed by its upper end against an internal shoulder 43 which limits the vertical passage 40 and the distance between the two fingers of the hooking element 31 is such that the various operations which must take place during a control program can be carried out freely.

Pour permettre de régler le déroulement des opérations et effectuer les mesures nécessaires, l'unité mécanique décrite ici comporte deux dispositifs électroniques: d'une part une paire d'interrupteurs 44 et 45, fonctionnant en détecteurs de position, et d'autre part un micromètre électronique 46 dont le palpeur 47 appuie verticalement sur l'extrémité du doigt latéral 28 du bloc de charge 22. Les interrupteurs 44 et 45 sont montés sur la coulisse 4 en regard du bloc de commande 10 et ce dernier porte, afin de coopérer avec les interrupteurs, une came 50 présentant trois bossages agencés de façon à agir soit sur l'interrupteur 44, soit sur l'interrupteur 45.To make it possible to adjust the sequence of operations and carry out the necessary measurements, the mechanical unit described here comprises two electronic devices: on the one hand a pair of switches 44 and 45, operating as position detectors, and on the other hand a electronic micrometer 46, the probe 47 of which presses vertically on the end of the lateral finger 28 of the load block 22. The switches 44 and 45 are mounted on the slide 4 opposite the control block 10 and the latter door, in order to cooperate with the switches, a cam 50 having three bosses arranged so as to act either on the switch 44, or on the switch 45.

L'état d'enclenchement ou de déclenchement de chacun des interrupteurs 44 et 45 constitue un signal de position indiquant si le bloc de commande se trouve par rapport à la coulisse 4 dans sa position supérieure maximale, dans une position intermédiaire, ou dans sa position inférieure. Ces signaux sont transmis par le câble raccordé à la fiche 26 du coffret électronique. Il en est de même des signaux émis par le micromètre électronique 46. Le coffret électronique comportera lui-même des moyens d'affichage qui peuvent être de type quelconque. Ces moyens d'affichage pourront indiquer non seulement la valeur mesurée par le micromètre 46, dépendant de la position en hauteur du doigt 28, mais également la durée du temps écoulé à partir d'un certain instant constituant le début de la mesure.The on or off state of each of the switches 44 and 45 constitutes a position signal indicating whether the control unit is in relation to the slide 4 in its maximum upper position, in an intermediate position, or in its position lower. These signals are transmitted by the cable connected to plug 26 of the electronic box. The same is true of the signals emitted by the electronic micrometer 46. The electronic box itself will include display means which can be of any type. These display means may indicate not only the value measured by the micrometer 46, depending on the height position of the finger 28, but also the duration of the time elapsed from a certain instant constituting the start of the measurement.

On décrira maintenant la suite des opérations effectuées par l'unité mécanique au cours d'un contrôle d'un empilement d'objets à fumer 10 arrangés dans le support 15.We will now describe the sequence of operations carried out by the mechanical unit during a control of a stack of smoking objects 10 arranged in the support 15.

Au debut de l'operation, le bloc de commande 10 se trouve dans sa position supérieure et sa surface 37 supporte donc le bloc de charge 34 et le bloc de charge 22 accroché par le doigt 31 au doigt 41 de l'organe 39.At the start of the operation, the control block 10 is in its upper position and its surface 37 therefore supports the load block 34 and the load block 22 hooked by finger 31 to finger 41 of member 39.

La surface inférieure 20 du plateau 21 se trouve à quelques millimètres au-dessus de la surface supérieure de l'empilement 19. Dans le cas d'une réalisation entièrement automatique, c.à.d. comportant un support 1 5 prévu pour cela, la mise en place de ce support sur les rails 16 est détectée par le détecteur 49 qui émet un signal provoquant le démarrage du cycle des opérations, c.à.d. la mise en route du moteur 12 dans un sens tel que le bloc de commande 10 se déplace vers le bas.The lower surface 20 of the plate 21 is located a few millimeters above the upper surface of the stack 19. In the case of a fully automatic embodiment, i.e. comprising a support 1 5 provided for this, the establishment of this support on the rails 16 is detected by the detector 49 which emits a signal causing the start of the cycle of operations, i.e. starting the engine 12 in a direction such that the control unit 10 moves down.

Le cas échéant, le démarrage des opérations peut être provoqué par pression sur une touche portée par le coffret électronique.If necessary, the start of operations can be caused by pressing a key carried by the electronic unit.

Au cours de l'abaissement du bloc de commande 10, le plateau 21 vient reposer sur l'empilement des objets 19, de sorte que la surface 33 se sépare du doigt 41. A ce moment, un bossage de la came 50 agit sur l'interrupteur 45 signalant que la position de mi-parcours du bloc de commande 10 est atteinte. Ce signal entraîne l'arrêt du moteur 12, de sorte que le bloc 10 s'immobilise.During the lowering of the control unit 10, the plate 21 comes to rest on the stack of objects 19, so that the surface 33 separates from the finger 41. At this time, a boss of the cam 50 acts on the 45 switch signaling that the position halfway through control block 10 is reached. This signal causes the engine 12 to stop, so that the block 10 comes to a standstill.

Une force de 100 gr, correspondant au poids du bloc de charge 22, agit donc sur l'empilement 19 qui s'écrase légèrement. Le micromètre électronique 46 émet des signaux chaque fois que le palpeur 47 s'est déplacé sur une distance donnée, et ces signaux sont comptés en valeur positive ou négative selon le sens du déplacement.A force of 100 gr, corresponding to the weight of the load block 22, therefore acts on the stack 19 which crashes slightly. The electronic micrometer 46 emits signals each time the probe 47 has moved a given distance, and these signals are counted in positive or negative value depending on the direction of movement.

Différentes mesures prises à des intervalles de temps de 1 sec sont comparées de façon que le circuit de contrôle puisse déterminer le moment auquel sous l'effet du bloc de charge 22 qui constitue une charge préalable, l'empilement des objets 19 s'est stabilisé. Lorsque deux mesures successives du micromètre 46 prises à une seconde l'une de l'autre donnent la même valeur, la première phase des opérations est terminée et la mise en place de la charge principale est effectuée.Different measurements taken at time intervals of 1 sec are compared so that the control circuit can determine the moment at which, under the effect of the load block 22 which constitutes a prior charge, the stacking of the objects 19 has stabilized . When two successive measurements of the micrometer 46 taken one second apart give the same value, the first phase of the operations is completed and the main load is placed.

On a donc à ce moment un réenclenchement du moteur 12. En même temps, le micromètre 46 est remis à zéro. Au cours de la descente du bloc de commande 10 à partir de la position déterminée par l'enclenchement de l'interrupteur 45, le bloc de charge 34 vient reposer sur la surface 32 du bloc de charge 22, de sorte que dès ce moment, l'empilement des objets 19 supporte l'ensemble de la charge, c.à.d. 1500 gr. Le doigt latéral 36 cesse d'être en contact avec la surface supérieure 37 du bloc 10. Le moteur de ce dernier tourne jusqu'à ce que le bloc 10 atteigne la limite inférieure de son déplacement. Cette dernière est déterminée par le bossage supérieur de la came 50. L'enclenchement de l'interrupteur 44 provoque l'arrêt du moteur 12.There is therefore at this moment a reset of the motor 12. At the same time, the micrometer 46 is reset. During the descent of the control unit 10 from the position determined by the switching on of the switch 45, the load unit 34 comes to rest on the surface 32 of the load unit 22, so that from this moment, the stack of objects 19 supports the entire load, i.e. 1500 gr. The lateral finger 36 ceases to be in contact with the upper surface 37 of the block 10. The latter's motor turns until the block 10 reaches the lower limit of its movement. The latter is determined by the upper boss of the cam 50. The engagement of the switch 44 causes the engine 12 to stop.

Dès que le bloc de charge 34 repose sur le bloc de charge 22, l'écrasement de l'empilement des objets 19 reprend. Dès que les mesures successives effectuées par le micromètre 46 révèlent une déstabilisation, le compteur de temps dont il a été question plus haut, est mis en marche, de sorte que les moyens d'affichage associés au coffret électronique indiquent simultanément l'écart progressivement croissant entre la surface supérieure de l'empilement des cigarettes 19 et le niveau de référence atteint précédemment, et d'autre part le temps qui s'écoule dépuis le début de l'opération d'écrasement. Au terme d'un temps présélectionné qui peut être choisi à volonté, pratiquement jusqu'à 10 min par pas de 1 sec, la valeur de l'écrasement telle qu'elle est mesurée par le micromètre 46 est enregistrée et un signal acoustique indiquant la fin du cycle de mesure est enclenché. La valeur mesurée peut, le cas échéant, être transmise automatiquement à un ordinateur qui comporte avec une valeur standard prédéterminée et indique si le lot des objets 19 peut être considéré comme satisfaisant aux critères de fabrication ou non.As soon as the load block 34 rests on the load block 22, the crushing of the stack of objects 19 resumes. As soon as the successive measurements carried out by the micrometer 46 reveal a destabilization, the time counter which was mentioned above, is started, so that the display means associated with the electronic box simultaneously indicate the progressively increasing difference between the upper surface of the stack of cigarettes 19 and the reference level previously reached, and on the other hand the time which has elapsed since the start of the crushing operation. At the end of a preselected time which can be chosen at will, practically up to 10 min in steps of 1 sec, the value of the crushing as measured by the micrometer 46 is recorded and an acoustic signal indicating the end of the measurement cycle is engaged. The measured value can, if necessary, be transmitted automatically to a computer which comprises with a predetermined standard value and indicates whether the batch of objects 19 can be considered to meet the manufacturing criteria or not.

En même temps, un ordre est donné de réenclen- cher le moteur 12 afin de faire remonter les blocs de charge 34, 22 et de commande 10 jusque dans leurs positions supérieures. L'appareil est dès lors prêt pour une nouvelle mesure.At the same time, an order is given to reset the motor 12 in order to raise the load blocks 34, 22 and control 10 to their upper positions. The device is now ready for a new measurement.

La suite des opérations à effectuer telle qu'elle vient d'être décrite est représentée schématiquement par la fig. 2. Le schéma séquentiel représenté à cette figure comporte les opérations principales décrites plus haut. Il comporte encore d'autres opérations auxiliaires ou de sécurité qui se sont avérées nécessaires pour assurer le fiabilité de l'appareil, et qui ne seront pas décrites en détail ici.The sequence of operations to be carried out as just described is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2. The sequential diagram represented in this figure comprises the main operations described above. It also includes other auxiliary or security operations which have proved necessary to ensure the reliability of the device, and which will not be described in detail here.

Dans une forme d'éxécution de l'objet de l'invention, le coffret électronique comporte un circuit programmé de façon à fonctionner selon le schéma de la fig. 2. En outre, ce circuit est capable d'effectuer d'autres programmes, dont la mise en oeuvre répond à la manoeuvre d'un certain nombre de touches montées sur le coffret.In one embodiment of the object of the invention, the electronic box includes a circuit programmed to operate according to the diagram in FIG. 2. In addition, this circuit is capable of carrying out other programs, the implementation of which responds to the operation of a certain number of keys mounted on the cabinet.

Ainsi par exemple on a prévu un programme destiné à faire apparaître sur les moyens d'affichage certains renseignements utiles pour l'utilisation de l'appareil, notamment les diamètres des produits pour lesquels le contrôle est ajusté.Thus, for example, a program has been provided for making certain information useful for the use of the apparatus appear on the display means, in particular the diameters of the products for which the control is adjusted.

Dans un autre programme, également incorporé à l'appareil, la mise en oeuvre des touches permet d'ajuster le programme de contrôle en choisissant par exemple la durée d'application de la charge principale jusqu'à exécution de la mesure définitive, ainsi que d'autres valeurs susceptibles d'être sélectionnées à volonté.In another program, also incorporated in the device, the use of the keys makes it possible to adjust the control program by choosing for example the duration of application of the main load until the execution of the final measurement, as well as other values that can be selected at will.

Un autre programme (autotest) permet d'effectuer automatiquement un contrôle du bon fonctionnement de l'unité mécanique en réalisant les opérations suivantes:

  • - test de la fin de course supérieure,
  • - test du point d'application de la charge préalable,
  • - test de la fin de course inférieure,
  • - affichage de la course totale et du temps de remontée,
  • - test du détecteur de démarrage.
Another program (self-test) allows you to automatically check the proper functioning of the mechanical unit by performing the following operations:
  • - upper limit switch test,
  • - test of the point of application of the prior charge,
  • - lower limit switch test,
  • - display of the total stroke and ascent time,
  • - start-up detector test.

Les déplacements des blocs mobiles assurent la répartition de l'huile dans les coulisses.The movements of the movable blocks ensure the distribution of the oil in the slides.

On a ainsi réalisé par des moyens relativement simples un dispositif parfaitement fiable et permettant d'exécuter les contrôles de la compressibilité du tabac ou des fibres de cellulose dans des cigarettes ou dans des bâtonnets de filtre dans des conditions les plus simples possibles et avec le moins de perte de temps possible.A perfectly reliable device has thus been produced by relatively simple means, making it possible to carry out the compressibility checks of tobacco or cellulose fibers in cigarettes or in filter sticks under the simplest possible conditions and with the least loss of time possible.

De plus, les tests ainsi réalisés sont parfaitement reproductibles et n'introduisent donc qu'une marge d'erreur extrêmement réduite, ce qui permet de garantir une qualité de production égale non seulement dans une usine, mais dans plusieurs usines établies à des endroits différents tout en fonctionnant selon les mêmes normes.In addition, the tests thus carried out are perfectly reproducible and therefore only introduce an extremely small margin of error, which guarantees an equal production quality not only in one factory, but in several factories established in different places. while operating according to the same standards.

Claims (10)

1. Device for checking the compressibility of articles of the tobacco industry, including means (12) for causing a load having a predetermined weight to act upon a top surface of a set of articles (19) while keeping the said set on a fixed base (2), and means (28, 46, 47) for measuring the lowering of the said top surface after placking of the load, characterized in that the said means are automatic and comprise, on the one hand, means (12) for first causing a preliminary load (22) to act upon the said surface, then in addition a main load (34), and on the other hand, means (28, 46, 47) for determining the moment when the said surface has reached a stable reference level under the effect of the preliminary load alone, in order to cause the main load to act after that moment, and for measuring the lowering of the said surface under the effect the main and preliminary loads starting from the reference level.
2. Checking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for measuring the lowering of the said surface are connected to time-measuring means, and in that they are controlled in such a way as to carry out the measurement of the lowering repeatedly during a predetermined period of time and to display the measured value.
3. Checking device according to claim 2, characterized in that the said means comprise time-display means which are actuated during the repeated measurements of the lowering of the top surface of the stack.
4. Checking device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a fixed frame (1), a single control unit (10) movable vertically relative to the frame, and motor means (12) capable of moving the control unit vertically on the frame, the main load (34) being suspended from the control unit, and the preliminary load (22) being suspended from the main load, while having a support surface (32) for the said main load, arranged so that the latter comes to rest upon the said support surface during the vertical movement of the control unit, when the preliminary load has come to rest upon the said top surface.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the main load (34) is joined to the control unit (10) by vertically oriented guide means (35).
6. Device according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the preliminary load is joined to the frame by vertically disposed guide means (29).
7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (28, 46, 47) for measuring the lowering of the top surface of the set comprises an electronic micrometer (46) borne by the frame, the feeler (47) of which micrometer is rested vertically on a lateral finger (28) integral with the preliminary load.
8. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that, of the control unit and the frame, one comprises a cam (50) and the other at least one switch capable of being actuated by the cam, the said switch or switches being arranged so as to create position signals corresponding to predetermined positions of the control unit on the frame, these predetermined positions comprising at least one upper position, a position for which the preliminary load is resting upon the stack and main load is suspended from the control unit, and a position for which both loads are resting upon the stack.
9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the motor means (12) capable of moving the control unit vertically comprises an actuator formed of a motor (12) and a screw (13) integral with the rotor of the motor, this screw being engaged in a fixed thread integral with the frame.
10. Device according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a checking support intended to contain the said set in a predetermined position, this support being detachable, and in that the said means comprise a detector of the presence of the support on the base and initiating means reacting automatically to the transmission of a signal by the detector so as to initiate a checking cycle.
EP19850810124 1985-03-22 1985-03-22 Control-device for the compressibility of tobacco-manufactory articles Expired EP0195173B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19850810124 EP0195173B1 (en) 1985-03-22 1985-03-22 Control-device for the compressibility of tobacco-manufactory articles
DE8585810124T DE3569871D1 (en) 1985-03-22 1985-03-22 Control-device for the compressibility of tobacco-manufactory articles

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19850810124 EP0195173B1 (en) 1985-03-22 1985-03-22 Control-device for the compressibility of tobacco-manufactory articles

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EP0195173A1 EP0195173A1 (en) 1986-09-24
EP0195173B1 true EP0195173B1 (en) 1989-05-03

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FR2637082B1 (en) * 1988-09-23 1993-04-16 Tabacs & Allumettes Ind DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE COMPACITY OF A DEFORMABLE OBJECT
DE3929155A1 (en) * 1989-09-02 1991-03-14 Reemtsma H F & Ph METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE FILLABILITY OF TOBACCO AND THE HARDNESS OF CIGARETTES
US5142917A (en) * 1990-06-20 1992-09-01 Fabriques De Tabac Reunies, S.A. Apparatus and method for checking movement
DE4119821A1 (en) * 1991-06-15 1992-12-17 Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE HARDNESS OF QUERAXIAL PRODUCED ROD-SHAPED ITEMS OF THE TOBACCO-PROCESSING INDUSTRY
EP0629354B1 (en) * 1993-06-16 1997-09-24 Fabriques De Tabac Reunies S.A. Method and device for forming products having variable tobacco density in the tobacco industry
DE10050297A1 (en) 2000-10-10 2002-04-11 Focke & Co Cigarette package testing method involves applying pressure to package and measuring deformations, which are compared with predetermined measurements
CN105571960B (en) * 2015-12-23 2017-12-15 中国烟草总公司郑州烟草研究院 Combustion cone falls a device for detecting performance during a kind of cigarette smoking
CN105628273B (en) * 2015-12-23 2017-12-15 中国烟草总公司郑州烟草研究院 A kind of mechanical behavior device simulated people and kick down cigarette ash process
CN111426789A (en) 2020-04-22 2020-07-17 云南中烟工业有限责任公司 Smoking path simulation system based on manipulator

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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
GB1249985A (en) * 1967-11-14 1971-10-13 Carreras Ltd Hardness testing apparatus
US3559466A (en) * 1968-06-07 1971-02-02 Liggett & Myers Inc Direct readout deflection meter
US3572101A (en) * 1969-09-24 1971-03-23 Reynolds Tobacco Co R Firmness testing apparatus
FR2430730A1 (en) * 1978-07-13 1980-02-08 Seita DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE COMPACITY OF STEM-SHAPED OBJECTS

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DE3569871D1 (en) 1989-06-08
EP0195173A1 (en) 1986-09-24

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