EP0731024A2 - Device for checking cigarettes - Google Patents

Abstract

The tips (27) of the cigarettes (10) in a magazine (12) are tested by emission of a beam of light in the longitudinal direction from a source (28/29). Two receivers (30,31) arranged on either side are constituted by planar Si photodetectors which receive light over the entire surface to provide a large region of measurement. The two test units (24,25) are movable and at least the lower unit (25) can be displaced longitudinally for removal of cigarettes from the magazine.

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 superposed cigarettes with their ends directed sideways are moved from top to bottom, in particular in a cigarette magazine of a packaging machine, in the area A test unit with sensors, namely transmitters and receivers for emitting and receiving a test beam in the region of end surfaces of a test group of cigarettes and their adjacent side surfaces, is arranged on a test plane on at least one side of the test channels.

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 a region 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 formation of the cigarette. In the known device, two superimposed sensors are arranged as receivers on both sides of each cigarette, one to ensure as accurate a check as possible.

The invention is based on the object of further developing and improving 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 more 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 cigarettes lying one above the other, and receive light coming from each of the cigarettes in a test group, preferably in the area of the side surfaces.

In the device according to the invention, receivers are assigned to the cigarettes of a test group, preferably two cigarettes one above the other, 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 (on the side). This makes the check more precise.

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

In the test, the procedure according to the invention is such that during one test cycle the test beam (light) is first applied to one and then the other cigarette. 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 in cycles 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 U-shaped test organs, 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.

Fig. 1

einen Ausschnitt eines Zigaretten-Magazins im Vertikalschnitt,

Fig. 2

einen Bereich einer Prüfebene innerhalb des Zigaretten-Magazins im Horizontalschnitt, bei stark vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 3

eine Einzelheit einer Prüfvorrichtung, nämlich einen Abschnitt einer langgestreckten Prüfeinheit in Vorderansicht,

Fig. 4

einen Querschnitt zu der Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

einen Abschnitt der Prüfeinheit in perspektivischer Darstellung als Sprengzeichnung, in nochmals vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 6

einen Bereich einer Prüfebene innerhalb des Zigaretten-Magazins im Horizontalschnitt, bei stark vergrößertem Maßstab nach einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, und

Fig. 7

eine Einzelheit einer Prüfvorrichtung, nämlich einen Abschnitt einer langgestreckten Prüfeinheit.

Embodiments of test devices according to the invention are explained below with reference to the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a section of a cigarette magazine in vertical section,

Fig. 2

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

Fig. 3

a detail of a test device, namely a portion of an elongated test unit in front view,

Fig. 4

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

Fig. 5

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

Fig. 6

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

Fig. 7

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 disorganized but aligned position. 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 is on 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 in each case rows of cigarettes 18 are formed from individual, stacked cigarettes. 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, a plurality of cigarettes 10 lying one above the other are checked in each test channel 17. In the present case, this test group 45 consists of two cigarettes 10 lying one above the other. 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 exactly at rest. For this purpose, holding members for the cigarettes 10 are provided in the test channels 17 below the test level 20, namely elongated clamping members, namely clamping fingers 21. These are stored in lateral recesses in the channel walls 19 and each fix a cigarette 10 by pressing against the opposite channel wall 19. As a result, the overlying part of the rows of cigarettes 18 is also positioned.

A movable support member for the cigarettes 10 is arranged at a distance below the horizontal plane formed by the clamping fingers 21, namely a comb 22 extending across the test area 13 with webs 23 assigned to each test channel 17. The comb 22 extends as a unit in the horizontal plane - and slidable. 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 (intermittent) channel walls 19. Interstices formed between the webs 23 are congruent 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 elongated 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. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, the test unit 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 a respective end region 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. Furthermore, the cigarettes 10 are sensors arranged on both sides assigned, 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 available on both opposite sides. The test is expediently carried out such 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 that are still considered correct and faulty ones.

The test units 24 and 25 have a special design. Individual test organs 33 are detachably or removably attached to an elongated carrier 32, which is designed here as an uneven double T-profile. 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 Cigarette 10 facing side two legs 35, 36 which laterally limit 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 a 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, so that the transmitter 28, 29 and / or receiver 30, 31 can be embedded with a material cover. 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 in the carrier 32. The test members 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 free surfaces of the legs 35, 36 are flush. The U-profiles 39 are in turn fastened to the support 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 screws 40, one above the other, are used to anchor the U-profiles 39 to the profile web 38.

On the side of the support 32 opposite the test members 33, the support 32 is provided with a longitudinally extending cavity 41. 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 transversely to the cigarette magazine 12, i.e. 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 at both ends by means of 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 testing of the cigarettes 10, the testing 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 However, the test unit 24 is held unchanged in the position on the cigarette magazine 12 during the operation of the device (test position). However, the test unit 24 is held at one end in a rotary 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 pivot 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 pivoted, so that all test organs 33 are exposed for cleaning or repair purposes.

Another 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 structure and 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 loadable pressure elements 57 which are 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 which receives the positioning unit 49. The plungers 50 cooperate with these associated springs 53 and ensure an elastic, individual pressurization of the end faces 48 of the cigarettes 10 of a test group 45. The plungers are arranged in such a way that the cigarettes 10 or their end faces 48 can be pressurized in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes 10 . The longitudinal central axes 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 cigarettes 10 and 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 on both sides or ends with guide rods 55 in a 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 cigarettes 10 are exposed. The one opposite the positioning unit 49 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.

Reference symbol list :

10th

Cigarette

11

filter

12th

Cigarette magazine

13

Test area

14

Magazine housing

15

Gathering room

16

Magazine shafts

17th

Test channel

18th

Rows of cigarettes

19th

Canal wall

20th

Test level

21

Clamping fingers

22

Comb

23

web

24th

Test unit

25th

Test unit

26

Recess

27

End face

28

Channel

29

Channel

30th

receiver

31

receiver

32

carrier

33

Inspection body

34

body

35

leg

36

leg

37

deepening

38

Profile web

39

U profile

40

screw

41

cavity

42

cover

43

Guide rod

44

Pivot bearing

45

Test group

46

Test unit

47

End face

48

End face

49

Positioning unit

50

Pestle

51

Recess

52

carrier

53

feather

54

opening

55

Guide rod

56

Pivot bearing

57

Pressure organ

Claims (14)

Device for checking the ends of cigarettes (10) in the area of upright test channels (17), in which individual rows of cigarettes (18) of cigarettes (10) lying one above the other and with their ends pointing sideways can be moved from top to bottom, in particular in a cigarette magazine (12) of a packaging machine, a test unit (46) with sensors (28. 31), namely transmitters (28, 29) and. is arranged in the area of a test level (20) on one side of the test channels (17) Receivers (30, 31) for transmitting and receiving a test beam in the area of end surfaces (47) of a test group (45) of the cigarettes (10) and their adjacent side surfaces, characterized in that on one side of the test channels (46) opposite the test unit (46) 17) a positioning unit (49) for the elastic and individual pressurization of the cigarettes (10) is arranged in the longitudinal direction thereof. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning unit (49) has elastically pressurizable pressure members (57) which are arranged at a distance from one another for each cigarette (10) in the region of the test plane (20), in particular plunger (50), for each test group (45) the number of pressure elements (57) is matched to the number of cigarettes (10) per test group (45). Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastically loaded pressure members (57) assigned to the cigarettes (10) to be tested bear with their plungers (50) on end faces (48) of filters (11) of the cigarettes (10). Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the positioning unit (49) is mounted on guide rods (55) such that it can be moved transversely such that the positioning unit (49) can be lifted off the cigarette magazine (12). Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that light-sensitive receivers (30, 31) each extend over the area of a test group (45) with several, in particular two cigarettes (10) lying one above the other and one of each of the cigarettes (10) Receiving test group outgoing light, preferably in the area of the side surfaces of the cigarettes (10). Apparatus according to claim 5, 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 that light from separate transmitters (28, 29) can be applied to them. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that sheet-like receivers (30, 31) with light-sensitive receiver surface, in particular silicon photo elements, on both sides of the cigarettes (10) to be tested and a transmitter (28, 29) on each end surface ( 27) are arranged. Apparatus according to claim 5 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. Device according to claim 5 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 with one another and with the test unit (24, 25) or a common carrier (32) thereof are connected. Device according to claim 9 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 transmitters (28, 29) and next to the ends of the cigarettes (10 ) extending legs (35, 36) for receiving a receiver (30, 31). Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the test members (33) are connected to one another in the region of the free ends of the legs (35, 36) by connecting means, in particular by U-profiles (39). Apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the test members (33) are connected to the carrier (32) of the test units (24, 25) by releasable connecting means, in particular screws (40), the screws (40) preferably at the same time connect the U-profiles (39) to the legs (35, 36). Device according to claim 5 or one of the further claims, characterized in that at least one test unit (24, 25) can be moved transversely relative to the cigarette magazine (12) and is moved back from the cigarette magazine (12) during a downward movement of the cigarettes (10) and abuts the cigarette magazine (12) during a test cycle. Device according to claim 5 or one of the further claims, characterized in that at least one test unit (24, 25) is pivotally mounted about a laterally arranged rotary bearing (44) with a vertical axis of rotation, such that the test unit (24, 25) is completely pivoted is pivotable from the cigarette magazine (12).

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