EP0681545A1

EP0681545A1 - Device for verifying cigarettes.

Info

Publication number: EP0681545A1
Application number: EP94906175A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Heinz Focke; Dietrich Below
Original assignee: Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1993-02-02
Filing date: 1994-01-29
Publication date: 1995-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2014-01-29
Also published as: DE59407353D1; EP0731024B1; US5675144A; EP0731024A3; DE59401267D1; WO1994018074A1; BR9405821A; EP0731024A2; EP0681545B1; DE4302777A1; JPH08506308A

Abstract

The ends of cigarettes (10) are verified in a cigarette magazine (12) by testing units (24, 25) co-ordinated with the ends of the cigarettes (10) at a testing level (20). The testing units (24, 25) consist of mutually adjacent and removable testing elements (33) with transmitters (28, 29) and planar receivers (30, 31) at the sides of the cigarettes. The testing units (24, 25) are fitted so that they can move. At least one testing unit (25) can move parallel to the axis of the cigarettes (10) relative the cigarette magazine (12), so that the testing unit (25) can be moved back in order to advance the cigarettes from the cigarette magazine (12).

Description

Device for testing cigarettes

Description;

The invention relates to a device for checking the ends of cigarettes in the area of upright test channels, in which individual rows of overlapping cigarettes with their ends directed sideways are moved from top to bottom, in particular in a cigarette magazine of a packaging machine, wherein in the area of a test level on at least one side of the test channels a test unit is arranged with sensors, namely transmitters and receivers for transmitting and receiving a test beam in the area of end surfaces of a test group of cigarettes and their adjacent side surfaces.

Such a test device is the subject of EP-A-0 338 241. It is a matter of checking the two end regions of the cigarettes with regard to correct formation, namely with regard to sufficient tobacco filling and possibly with the presence of a filter. Faulty cigarettes are identified and ejected from the cigarette magazine. There is a test unit on both sides of the cigarette magazine on one test level. This is equipped with transmitters and receivers. The transmitters direct light onto the end or end faces of the cigarettes in a test group. In an area adjacent to the end faces, receivers are arranged on both sides of the cigarettes to be tested, which receive the light passing through the side faces, that is to say through cigarette paper. A too strong light emission is an indication of the incorrect design of the cigarette. In the known device, two sensors lying one above the other are arranged as receivers on each side of each cigarette, by one to ensure as accurate a check as possible.

The object of the invention is to further develop and improve a test device of this or a similar design with regard to the arrangement and design of the sensors and with regard to the structural design of the test unit in the sense of simplified design and handling as well as reliable testing .

To achieve this object, the device according to the invention is characterized in that light-sensitive receivers each extend over the area of a test group with several, in particular two overlapping cigarettes, and receive light emanating from each of the cigarettes of a test group, preferably in the area of the side surfaces .

In the device according to the invention, the cigarettes of a test group, preferably two superimposed cigarettes each, are assigned receivers which extend as a unit or as a unitary organ over the area of the (two) cigarettes. This ensures that a larger receiving surface is available for the light emerging from the cigarettes (laterally). This makes the check more precise.

According to a further feature of the invention, the receivers are plate-shaped silicon photo-elements, which are also known as solar cells.

In the test, the procedure according to the invention is such that the test beam (light) is first applied to one and then the other cigarette during a test cycle. The flat receiver common to both cigarettes is accordingly first exposed to light from one and then the other cigarette.

Another special feature of the invention relates to the training of the test unit. Overall, this can be moved clockwise across the test channels or in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes. For the downward transport of the cigarettes after a test cycle, the test unit is withdrawn so that the cigarettes can be moved freely. For the test cycle, the test unit is moved towards the ends of the cigarettes.

Another special feature is the composition of the test unit from individual test organs, each of which is assigned to a cigarette or a test group. The test organs, which are U-shaped in plan, each with the sensors required for a test group, are assembled side by side to form a test unit, with easily detachable connecting elements. This simplifies the assembly of the test unit. Furthermore, later replacement, repair and cleaning of individual test organs is possible.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a positioning unit for the elastic and individual pressurization of the cigarettes in the longitudinal direction thereof is arranged on one side of the test channel or cigarette magazine. This makes it possible to compensate for length tolerances of the cigarettes when testing them, in that the cigarettes, namely the ends of the cigarettes, rest flatly and under slight pressure on the test unit. Gaps that can form between the cigarette and test unit due to the length tolerances and that direct extraneous light to the receiver of the test unit are suppressed or avoided with the aid of the positioning unit. The examination of the cigarettes becomes even more precise.

Further details of the invention relate to the design of the test organs and their sensors as well as the test unit and their actuation.

^'Chtungen embodiments according to the invention Prüfvorn are explained below with reference to the drawings. It shows:

1 shows a section of a cigarette magazine in the vertical cut;

2 an area of a test plane within the cigarette magazine in horizontal section, on a greatly enlarged scale,

3 shows a detail of a test device, namely a section of an elongated test unit in front view,

4 shows a cross section to the detail according to FIG. 3,

5 shows a section of the test unit in a perspective view as an exploded view, on a further enlarged scale,

6 shows an area of a test plane within the cigarette magazine in the horizontal section, on a greatly enlarged scale according to a second embodiment of the invention, and

7 shows a detail of a test device, namely a section of an elongated test unit.

The details shown in the drawings relate to the testing of cigarettes 10 with a filter 11 with regard to the correct formation of end regions. The cigarettes 10 are put into a cigarette magazine 12 in a disordered manner but aligned in parallel. In its basic structure, this corresponds approximately to the cigarette magazine according to EP-A-0 338 241. Within the cigarette magazine 12, the cigarettes pass through a test area 13 which opens the widest point is arranged within an upwardly and downwardly converging magazine housing 14. The tested and intact cigarettes 10 reach a collecting space 15 below the test area 13. From there, the cigarettes are introduced into upright magazine shafts 16. At the lower end of the magazine shafts 16 formed in groups, the cigarettes 10 are pushed out as cigarette groups in accordance with the contents of a pack.

The test area 13 also consists of a number of upright shafts or test channels 17 arranged parallel to one another, the width of which is slightly larger than the diameter of a cigarette, so that within the test channels 17 each row of cigarettes 18 consists of individual, superimposed ones i originating cigarettes are formed. The cigarettes 10 or rows of cigarettes 18 are moved downward within the test channels 17 due to their own weight. The test channels 17 are separated from one another by web-like channel walls 19.

The cigarettes 10 are checked in the area of a test level 20 of the test area 13. During a test cycle, several are stacked! i cigarettes 10 checked in each test channel 17. This test group 45 consists in the present case of two superimposed cigarettes 10. The arrangement is such that the cigarettes 10 are fixed within the test channels 17 so that the test can be carried out while the cigarettes 10 are in the exact rest position. For this purpose, holding members for the cigarettes 10 are provided in the test channels 17 below the test plane 20, namely elongated clamping members, namely clamping fingers 21. As a result, the overlying part of the rows of cigarettes 18 is also positioned. At a distance below the horizontal plane formed by the clamping fingers 21, a movable support member for the cigarettes 10 is arranged, namely a comb 22 extending across the test area 13 with webs 23 assigned to each test channel 17. The comb 22 is as one ¬ can be pushed back and forth in the horizontal plane. In one position (FIG. 1), the webs 23 are located in the region of the test channels 17. The rows of cigarettes 18 located above the comb 22 are supported on the webs 23. In this position, any defective cigarettes 10 can be ejected below the clamping fingers 21, that is to say in a region formed by two exposed cigarettes 10, by organs (not shown) which act in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes.

By moving the comb 22 into the other position, the test channels 17 are released downwards. The webs 23 are located in the region of the channel walls 19 (which have interruptions). Interspaces formed between the webs 23 lie congruently within the test channels 17. The tested and intact cigarettes 10 can now fall into the collecting space 17. The test channels 17 are extended downward beyond the level of the comb 22 by appropriately dimensioned or extended channel walls 19.

The cigarettes 10 are checked in the test plane 20 by a specially designed test unit with regard to the correct formation of the end regions. The test unit in the embodiment according to FIG. 2 consists of two test units 24, 25, which are arranged in the test plane 20 on both sides of the cigarette magazine 12. The test units 24, 25 form upright depressions or recesses 26 analogously to the device according to EP-A-0 338 241. The cigarettes 10 enter these upright recesses 26 with one end region each during the downward movement. This is then checked during a test cycle. To check the cigarettes 10, special sensors are assigned to each cigarette 10 or each cigarette end. There is a sensor adjacent to each end face 27 of the cigarettes 10, namely a transmitter 28, 29. This sends a test beam, namely a light beam, in the longitudinal direction into the cigarette 10 to be tested sensors arranged on both sides, which act as receivers 30, 31. These are designed and arranged in a special way. These are flat or plate-shaped, light-sensitive sensors, in particular silicon photo elements in planar technology. These receive light over the entire surface, so that a large measuring range is available.

Another special feature is that the two cigarettes 10 of the test group 45 have a common receiver 30, 31 on both opposite sides. The test is expediently carried out in such a way that the two cigarettes 10 of the test group 45 are tested in successive steps during a test cycle, so that the receivers 30, 31 are each available for one cigarette. This leads to a particularly precise check, namely the distinction between cigarettes which are still considered to be correct and faulty ones.

The test units 24 and 25 are structurally designed in a special way. Individual test organs 33 are detachably or removably attached to an elongated support 32, which is designed here as an uneven double T-Profi 1. Such a test device 33 is assigned to each test group 45 of (two) cigarettes. A number of test organs 33 corresponding to the number of test channels 17 is accordingly arranged next to one another on each test unit 24, 25.

The test organs 33 are U-shaped in plan or cross-section. On a body 34 are on the On the side facing cigarettes 10, two legs 35, 36 are arranged which laterally delimit the recess 26 and thus extend next to the ends of the cigarettes 10. The test organs 33 can be made of a pourable, hardened material, e.g. B. consist of plastic. The sensors, namely transmitters 28, 29 on the one hand and receivers 30, 31 on the other hand, are embedded in the test device 33. The two transmitters 28, 29 are located in the body 34 and the two receivers 30, 31 with one section in the area of the body 34 and with a further section in the area of the legs 35, 36. The material of the test organs 33 is translucent, see above that transmitter 28, 29 and / or receiver 30, 31 can be embedded with a material covering. The sensors are thereby protected against mechanical influences and in particular against contamination, without the effectiveness being impaired.

Each test unit 24, 25 is equipped with a number of test organs 33 corresponding to the number of test groups 45 to be tested simultaneously. These are attached to the carrier 32 in a row lying side by side. The test organs 33 are dimensioned such that they are formed next to one another in a sealing position taking into account the distances between the rows of cigarettes 18.

The test organs 33 are positioned with the body 34 in a recess 37 of the carrier 32. The test organs 33 are connected to one another and to the carrier 32 by releasable connecting means, specifically with an upright profile web 38 of the same. U-profiles 39 are used to connect the test organs 33 to one another. With their flanges, these each include two adjacent legs 35, 36 of adjacent test organs 39. The legs 35, 36 are provided with recesses for this purpose, so that the U -Profiles 39 are flush with the free surfaces of the legs 35, 36. The U-profiles 39 are in turn fastened to the carrier 32 by means of holding means, namely to its profile web 38. These are screws 40 which are in the Area of a parting plane between adjacent test organs 33 run from the free side of the U-profiles 39 to the profile web 38 and are anchored therein with a thread. The screws 40 are formed with a countersunk head, so that the surfaces of the U-profiles 39 facing the channel walls 19 are smooth. Two overlapping screws 40 each serve to anchor the U-profiles 39 to the profile web 38.

On the side of the carrier 32 opposite the test members 33, the carrier 32 is provided with a cavity 41 running in the longitudinal direction. This is closed on the outside by a cover 42. The channel-like cavity 41 can electrical organs, such. B. lines for connection to the leading to the sensors 28..31, embedded in the body 34 lines.

A further special feature is the movable arrangement of the test units 24, 25. At least one of the two test units, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2 the test unit 25, can be moved in the horizontal plane, specifically across the cigarette magazine 12 , that is, in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes 10. For this purpose, the carrier 32 is slidably mounted in one part of the magazine housing 14 by means of an extension at both ends with guide rods 43. The test unit 25 can be lifted or withdrawn from the cigarette magazine by an actuating element (not shown) in such a way that the ends of the cigarettes 10 are exposed. While the test unit 25 is in this position, the cigarettes 10 can be moved downward unhindered in the test channels 17. During the test of the cigarettes 10, the test unit 25 is in the position according to FIG. 2, in contact with the cigarette magazine 12, the ends of the cigarettes 10 entering the recesses 26.

The opposite test unit 24 can be arranged to be adjustable in the same way. In the present embodiment Example, however, the test unit 24 is held unchanged in the position on the cigarette magazine 12 during the operation of the device (test position 1). However, the test unit 24 is held at one end in a pivot bearing 44. The test unit 24 can be pivoted about the pivot bearing 44, that is to say it can be lifted off the cigarette magazine 12. The swivel bearing 44 is arranged on the side or at the end of the carrier 32, so that the test unit 24 can be moved completely back from the cigarette magazine 12, namely swiveled, so that all test members 33 are exposed for cleaning or repair purposes.

A further preferred exemplary embodiment of the test unit is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Only one test unit 46 is provided here. This is arranged in the test plane 20 to one side of the cigarette magazine 12 or the test channels 17. The test unit 46 is assigned to the end surfaces 47 of the cigarettes 10 that are designed without filters. The construction and the mode of operation of the test unit 46 corresponds to the test units 24, 25 of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2. The same reference numbers are therefore used.

A positioning unit 49 is arranged opposite the test unit 46, on the other side of the cigarette magazine 12. The positioning unit 49 is assigned to the end faces 48 of the cigarettes 10 provided with filters 11.

The positioning unit 49 has a plurality of elastically pressurizable pressure elements 57 arranged at a distance from one another. The pressure members 57 are designed as plungers 50. The plungers 50 are arranged in recesses 51 of a support 52 receiving the positioning unit 49. The plungers 50 cooperate with these associated springs 53 and ensure elastic, individual pressurization of the end faces 48 of the cigarettes 10 of a test group 45. The plungers are arranged such that the cigarettes 10 or their end faces 48 in the longitudinal direction of the Cigarettes 10 can be pressurized. The longitudinal middle Axes of the cigarettes 10 and the tappet 50 assigned to them coincide approximately or run approximately parallel to one another. The plungers 50 protrude through lateral openings 54 of the magazine housing 14 into the test channels 17 of the cigarette magazine 12 and thus meet the end faces 48 of the cigarettes 10.

With the help of the positioning unit 49 it is possible to compensate for length tolerances of the cigarettes 10 or to avoid measurement inaccuracies due to the length tolerances for the testing of the cigarettes 10. Due to the pressure exerted on the end faces 48 of the cigarettes 10 by means of the pressure members 57 or plunger 50, the end faces 47 rest flat and under pressure on the test unit 46. Gaps between cigarettes 10 and test unit 46 are avoided. The conduction of extraneous light to the receivers 30, 31 of the test unit 46 is suppressed due to the avoidance of the gaps between the cigarettes 10 and the test unit 46. This ensures a more precise check of the cigarettes 10, regardless of the length tolerances thereof.

Corresponding to the design of the test unit 46, the number of plungers 50 is matched to the number of test channels 17. 45 tappets 50 are provided per test channel 17 in accordance with the number of cigarettes 10 per test group. In this exemplary embodiment, these are two plungers 50 per test channel 17 (FIG. 7), which are arranged one above the other and at a distance from one another.

The positioning unit 49 can be moved in the horizontal plane, specifically transversely to the cigarette magazine 12, that is to say in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes 10. For this purpose, the carrier 52 can be displaced in one direction on both sides or ends with guide rods 55 Part of the magazine housing 14 stored. The positioning unit 49 can be lifted or withdrawn from the cigarette magazine 12 by an actuating means (not shown) such that the ends of the cigarette 10 are exposed. The counter to the positioning unit 49 The overlying test unit 46 is held in its position on the cigarette magazine 12. It is mounted in a pivot bearing 56 and can therefore be lifted off the cigarette magazine 12 by pivoting about the pivot bearing 56.

*****

Claims

Device for testing cigarettes

1. Device for testing the ends of cigarettes (10) in the area of upright test channels (17), in each of which individual rows of cigarettes (18) of stacked cigarettes (10) with their ends directed sideways from top to bottom are moved, in particular in a cigarette magazine (12) of a packaging machine, a test unit (24, 25) with sensors (28. 31) being arranged in the area of a test plane (20) on at least one side of the test channels (17), namely transmitters (28, 29) and receivers (30, 31) for transmitting and receiving a test beam in the area of end surfaces of a test group (45) of the cigarettes (10) and their adjacent side surfaces, characterized in that light-sensitive receivers (30 , 31) each extend over the area of a test group (45) with several, in particular two superimposed cigarettes (10) and originate from each of the cigarettes (10) of a test group Receive the light, preferably in the area of the side surfaces of the cigarettes (10).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cigarettes (10) of a test group (45) in the area of a common receiver (30, 31) are checked one after the other, namely with light from separate transmitters (28, 29) can be acted upon.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that f1 ächeniformi ge receiver (30, 31) with licht¬ sensitive receiver surface, in particular silicon photo elements, on both sides of the cigarettes (10) and one transmitter (28, 29) on each end face (27) are arranged.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the transmitter (28, 29)

'and / or receiver (30, 31) are arranged on a common test element (33), in particular embedded therein and covered with a translucent layer.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the test unit (24, 25) consists of a plurality of separate test organs (33) arranged next to one another for each test group of cigarettes, the test organs (33) being detachable ¬ other and connected to the test unit (24, 25) or a common carrier (32) thereof.

6. The device according to claim 5 or one of the further claims, characterized in that each test element (33) is U-shaped in plan with a body (34) for receiving the transmitter (28, 29) and itself next to the ends of the cigarettes (10) extending legs (35, 36) for receiving one receiver (30, 31).

7. The device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the test organs (33) in the region of the free ends of the legs (35, 36) are connected to one another by connecting means, in particular by U-profiles (39).

8. The device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the test organs (33) by releasable connecting means, in particular screws (40), with the carrier (32) of the test unit (24, 25) are connected, the screws (40) preferably simultaneously connecting the U-profiles (39) to the legs (35, 36).

9. The device according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that at least one test unit (24, 25) transverse to the cigarette magazine (12) is movable and is moved back from the cigarette magazine (12) during a downward movement of the cigarettes (10) and bears against the cigarette magazine (12) during a test cycle.

10. The device according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that at least one test unit (24, 25) is pivotally mounted about a laterally arranged pivot bearing (44) with a vertical axis of rotation, such that the test unit (24, 25 ) can be pivoted completely away from the cigarette magazine (12) by pivoting movement.

11. Device for testing the ends of cigarettes (10) in the area of upright test channels (17), in each of which individual rows of cigarettes (18) of cigarettes (10) lying one above the other and with their ends directed sideways from top to bottom are moved, in particular in a cigarette magazine (12) of a packaging machine, a test unit (46) having sensors (28. 31), namely transmitters (46), being arranged in the area of a test plane (20) on one side of the test channels (17) 28, 29) and receivers (30, 31) for transmitting and receiving a test beam in the region of end surfaces (47) of a test group (45) of the cigarettes (10) and their adjacent side surfaces, characterized in that on one of the test units (46) on the opposite side of the test channels (17), a positioning unit (49) for the elastic and individual pressurization of the cigarettes (10) is arranged in the longitudinal direction thereof.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the positioning unit (49) arranged at a distance from each other, elastically actable pressure elements (57), in particular plunger (50), wherein for each test group (45) the number of Pressure organs (57) is matched to the number of cigarettes (10) per test group (45).

13. The apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the positioning unit (49) on guide rods (55) is movable transversely and the test unit (46) on a rotary bearing (44) is pivoted, such that the positioning unit ( 49) and the test unit (46) can be lifted or swiveled away from the cigarette magazine (12).