EP1053942B1 - Method and apparatus for inspecting cigarette ends - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for testing cigarette heads, wherein at least a portion of a cigarette head Illuminated light and light reflected from the cigarette head like this is received by a detector that is irradiating and received reflected light run at an angle to each other and the irradiated area is imaged on the detector and on signal generated by the detector is evaluated. Furthermore concerns the invention a device for testing cigarette heads with a light source and optics for generating at least an area illuminated by light on a cigarette head and a detector for receiving reflected from the cigarette head Light arranged in such a way that irradiating and received reflected light run at an angle to each other and the irradiated area can be imaged on the detector.

A test method or a test device for non-contact is known Checking cigarette heads on one straight Line is blasted onto a tobacco-side cigarette head. If the cigarette is not properly filled with tobacco, the line appears - if from a different angle is considered - no longer as a straight line, but as Serpentine line or as a broken serpentine line. This Image is captured by a sensor. Finally, the pixels, the inside and outside of a narrow area lie an imaginary, theoretical straight line, counted and in put a relationship to each other. If this ratio is one Limit value is exceeded, this should indicate that a cigarette is not properly filled.

This type of testing has the disadvantage that it is inaccurate and no exact statements about the condition of a cigarette allowed. The invention is therefore based on the problem of testing of cigarettes to improve and more accurate statements about the To allow condition of a cigarette.

The method according to the invention is used to solve this problem characterized in that a possible deviation in the evaluation, especially a distance, the position of the figure of the irradiated area from an expected position of one Illustration of a corresponding area of an ideal cigarette head is determined on the detector, being from the deviation the distance of the irradiated area to a target position this range is determined. The problem is also solved characterized by a device according to the invention is by an evaluation device, the one from the detector generated signal evaluates to any deviation, in particular a distance, the position of the image of the irradiated Range from an expected position of an illustration of a corresponding area of an ideal cigarette head determine the distance of the irradiated from the deviation Determine range to a target position of this range.

By means of the invention, a cigarette head can be made contactless be measured. The light steel of a laser is preferred or other bright light source used and over a lens focused on a cigarette head. This will one or more pixels are essentially illuminated at the measuring distance. A lens focuses the reflected light on you position sensitive detector. If the illuminated area is not in its target position, this leads to a deviation of the pixel on the position sensitive Detector or a deviation in the image of the illuminated Area in relation to an expected position of the figure on the detector. From this deviation, which is at a distance expresses, results from the geometric Arrangement of the cigarette head or the desired cigarette head position, Direction of incidence of light and direction of reflected light and the distances between these positions Lens or to the optics and to the detector the distance of the irradiated Area in relation to a target position of this area.

The invention achieves very high measuring accuracy. Further A snapshot of the cigarette head is enough to cover these distances to investigate. This allows a cigarette head to move and be measured without contact. This allows a high one Operating speed of the cigarette packaging or cigarette manufacturing machine.

Several areas of a cigarette head are preferably irradiated and evaluated. This way you can get the correct one Training in particular of recess filter or Papyrossi cigarettes assess and in particular the length of a hollow section a mouthpiece sleeve of such cigarettes. Furthermore, by irradiating several points or smaller areas the correct, on the end of a mouthpiece sleeve especially round design of such mouthpiece sleeves to be controlled.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Prüfvorrichtung zum Prüfen der Köpfe einer Zigarettenformation mit einer direkt vor einem Linsen-Blenden-System angeordneten Lichtquelle;

Fig. 2

eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Prüfvorrichtung mit einer Glasfaserleitung zum Leiten von Licht von einer entfernt liegenden Lichtquelle zu einem Linsen-Blenden-System;

Fig. 3

eine weitere erfindungsgemäße Prüfvorrichtung mit einem Glasfaserbündel zum Leiten von Licht einer Lichtquelle in den Bereich der Zigarettenenden;

Fig. 4

eine Blende oder Anordnung der Glasfaserenden des Glasfaserbündels aus Fig. 3 gemäß einem Schnitt entlang der Linie IV-IV in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5

das sich bei Verwendung einer Blende oder eine Anordnung von Glasfasern gemäß Fig. 4 ergebende Lichtmuster auf einer 7/6/7-Formation von 20 Zigaretten gemäß einem Schnitt entlang der Linie V-V in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5a

die geometrische Konstruktion einer Abbildung einer korrekt ausgebildeten Zigarette auf einem Detektor;

Fig. 5b

die sich auf dem Detektor ergebende Abbildung bei einer geometrischen Anordnung gemäß Fig. 5a bei einem Schnitt gemäß der Schnittebene Vb-Vb;

Fig. 6a

die geometrische Konstruktion einer Abbildung einer zu kurzen Zigarette auf einem Detektor;

Fig. 6b

die sich auf dem Detektor ergebende Abbildung bei einer geometrischen Anordnung gemäß Fig. 6a bei einem Schnitt gemäß der Schnittebene VIb-VIb;

Fig. 7a

die geometrische Konstruktion einer Abbildung einer Zigaretten mit korrekter Länge aber fehlerhafter Füllung auf einem Detektor;

Fig. 7b

die sich auf dem Detektor ergebende Abbildung bei einer geometrischen Anordnung gemäß Fig. 7a bei einem Schnitt gemäß der Schnittebene VIIb-VIIb;

Fig. 8a

die geometrische Konstruktion einer Abbildung einer Rezeßfilterzigarette in korrekter Ausbildung auf einem Detektor;

Fig. 8b

die sich auf dem Detektor ergebende Abbildung bei einer geometrischen Anordnung gemäß Fig. 8a bei einem Schnitt gemäß der Schnittebene VIIIb-VIIIb.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the subclaims and on the basis of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a test device according to the invention for testing the heads of a cigarette formation with a light source arranged directly in front of a lens aperture system;

Fig. 2

a further test device according to the invention with a glass fiber line for guiding light from a distant light source to a lens aperture system;

Fig. 3

a further test device according to the invention with a glass fiber bundle for guiding light from a light source in the area of the cigarette ends;

Fig. 4

an aperture or arrangement of the glass fiber ends of the glass fiber bundle of Figure 3 according to a section along the line IV-IV in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5

the resulting light pattern when using an aperture or an arrangement of glass fibers according to FIG. 4 on a 7/6/7 formation of 20 cigarettes according to a section along the line VV in FIG. 1;

Fig. 5a

the geometric construction of an image of a correctly formed cigarette on a detector;

Fig. 5b

the resultant image on the detector in the case of a geometric arrangement according to FIG. 5a with a section along the section plane Vb-Vb;

Fig. 6a

the geometric construction of an image of a short cigarette on a detector;

Fig. 6b

the resultant image on the detector in the case of a geometric arrangement according to FIG. 6a in a section along the section plane VIb-VIb;

Fig. 7a

the geometric construction of an image of a cigarette with the correct length but incorrect filling on a detector;

Fig. 7b

the resultant image on the detector in the case of a geometrical arrangement according to FIG. 7a in a section along the section plane VIIb-VIIb;

Fig. 8a

the geometric construction of an image of a recess filter cigarette in correct training on a detector;

Fig. 8b

the resultant image on the detector in a geometric arrangement according to FIG. 8a in a section along the section plane VIIIb-VIIIb.

1 shows a test device 10 for testing cigarette heads with a light source in the form of a laser 11. Additionally or alternatively, other light sources with bright Light can be used that is monochromatic or non-monochromatic as well as non-coherent like bright LEDs. The light source can shine permanently or be operated in pulsed mode to generate individual flashes of light.

A light beam 12 emanating from the laser 11 strikes a lens-aperture system 13, which has a lens 14 and an aperture 15 or mask. This lens aperture system 13 converts the light beam 12 in cigarette heads 16 of a cigarette formation 17 illuminating light 18 µm. The illuminating light 18 is reflected by the cigarette heads 16. In a direction of reflection there is a detector 19, for example a CCD camera, i.e. a camera with one of several two-dimensional arranged CCD elements existing CCD chip for generation a two-dimensional image with a large number of pixels.

Reflected light 20 received by the detector 19 is in one non-zero angles to the irradiating light 18, i.e. the light rays incident on the cigarette heads 16 are in a direction different from the direction of incidence Reflected towards the detector 19. The detector 19 points in addition the CCD chip also has an optic 21, in particular an optic lens inside. This optics 21 serves to reflect the reflected Focus light rays 20 on the CCD chip. The detector 19 is connected to an evaluation device via a cable 22 connected in which the received image or images of the irradiated areas of the cigarette heads 16 are evaluated become.

The cigarette formation 17 is shown in FIG. 1 as a whole, three-layer Formation checked. Therefore, the detector 19 also detects the cigarette heads 16 are all within the cigarette formation 17 cigarettes located. The evaluation device must therefore a picture consisting of one of the number of cigarettes Formation 17 corresponding number of drawing files, namely 20, evaluate. This check of the cigarette formation 17 is preferred on the cigarette turret of a cigarette packaging machine instead of. If a faulty cigarette occurs during this test procedure is recognized, this leads to the ejection of the corresponding faulty cigarette formation 17.

Furthermore, only a single cigarette can be examined. Such a check can also be carried out in the cigarette magazine Cigarette packaging machine take place, then only individual Cigarettes are ejected and not an entire cigarette formation 17. Individual cigarettes are ejected then in accordance with DE 36 20 735 A1 described manner, in particular with one explained there Contraption.

FIG. 2 shows a further test device 23, that of the one in FIG. 1 with the following exception: The light beam 12 does not reach the lens diaphragm system directly 13, but is first of all via an optical system 24, in particular with a lens 25. This optics 24 focuses the light beam 12 onto a fiber optic line 26, the at its ends a section 27 for entry of the optics 24 coming light and a section 28 to exit of the light coming from the fiber optic line 26. The Light emerging from the exit section 28 reaches the lens aperture system 13. The test device 23 corresponds otherwise of the test device 10 according to FIG. 1 on the description thereof is hereby referred.

The glass fiber line 26 is used to have a light source 11 can also arrange in a different place than in the immediate Proximity to the lens aperture system 13. This has the advantage that some of the components of the test device 23 can be arranged there is where there is enough space. Other components, like the lens diaphragm system 13, can then in immediate Proximity to the cigarette or cigarette formation 17 housed his. Accordingly, the detector 19 can be accommodated elsewhere his. For this purpose, the detector 19 is also via a Optical fiber line optically connected to the location of the cigarette test. The reflected light 20 is then a small one Optics focused in a corresponding fiber optic line. Thereby you get more space in the area of the cigarette to be tested or cigarette formation.

Alternatively, one can instead of that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 Apertures 15 also use a hologram to create a structured Light patterns on the cigarette heads 16 of the cigarette formation 17 to generate.

Fig. 3 shows a further test device 29 which is also a Has light source 11. The outgoing from the light source 11 Light beam 12 is applied to optics 24 in a manner similar to that in FIG. 2 a lens 25 directed. This lens 25 is used to bundle the Light beam 12 on a bundle of fiber optic lines or on the individual fibers of an optical fiber line. The following will The term fiberglass bundle 30 for both variants used, i.e. for a bundle of individual fiber optic lines, as well as for a fiber optic cable with a Variety of individual glass fibers.

The glass fiber bundle 30 also has an entry section 31 for the entry of the light emerging from the optics 24, and an exit section 32 for the exit of the glass fiber bundle 30 arising light. A device 33 conducts the light emerging from the exit section 32 in the direction of the cigarette heads 16. The device 33 serves either only for receiving the outlet section 32 or only for Arranging the fibers or glass fiber lines of the glass fiber bundle 30 to a specific structured light pattern on the To produce cigarette heads 16. This is particularly true an arrangement according to that shown in FIG. 4 Way, the areas shown as larger circles each a bundle of glass fibers, while as smaller circles areas shown only a few or individual glass fibers represent.

Otherwise corresponds to the test device shown in FIG. 3 29 the test devices 10 shown in FIG. 1 or 2 and 23 to which reference is made. This applies in particular to the embodiment, not shown, of an additional fiber optic line from the cigarette heads 16 to the detector 19, i.e. to transport the reflected light 20.

Fig. 4 shows the aperture 15 according to a section along the line IV-IV in Fig. 1. This aperture 15 has three rows larger Openings 34, and one arranged around the openings 34 Number of smaller openings 35. Through this aperture is a structured light pattern created on the cigarette heads. Each larger opening 34 corresponds to the central area cigarette in a cigarette formation 17. This opening 34 serves a large part of the cigarette head to illuminate, in particular essentially 40% to 90% the area of the face of a cigarette head. This bigger one Opening 34 serves a spot of light for testing the tobacco or to generate the filter on the cigarette head 16. she for example, has a diameter of 5 mm to 6 mm, if the cigarette diameter is 8 mm, i.e. The relationship from larger opening 34 to cigarette diameter is 5-6 / 8. Alternatively, the larger opening 34 can also be polygonal as well be irregularly formed.

In the example according to FIG. 4, six are circular and concentric to the larger opening 34 arranged smaller circular Openings 35 are provided. You are essentially at a distance corresponding to the cigarette radius from Center of the larger opening 34, i.e. for a cigarette with 8 mm diameter at a distance of about 4 mm from the center of the larger opening 34. These smaller openings 35 are used for Illuminate the front of the cigarette paper or the outer Cigarette wrapper. It is either the cigarette paper yourself or around a cigarette filter surrounding paper-like section.

Furthermore, it can also be a mouthpiece sleeve of a recess filter cigarette or a papyrossi cigarette. at a recess filter cigarette is a filter cigarette, where the cigarette filter doesn't match the cigarette paper ends, but with the filter set back, so that a hollow mouthpiece forms. With a Papyrossi cigarette it is a similar cigarette, but without Filters, i.e. a filterless cigarette is also a hollow one Has mouthpiece. The formation of this hollow mouthpiece can with the device according to the invention and the invention Procedures to be checked advantageously. In particular According to the invention, the contour, i.e. especially the Scan and check the circular design of the mouthpiece. you can also determine the depth of the mouthpiece due to the advantageous arrangement of at least one illuminated Area of the center of a cigarette head (namely through the larger opening 34) and through the arrangement of a or more illuminated areas on the edge of the mouthpiece sleeve. A depth measurement is also done here distance measurement method described.

4 is also used for the explanation already mentioned above of the device 33, namely for explaining the geometric arrangement individual glass fibers of the glass fiber bundle 30 for one Testing device 29 according to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3. Here, several glass fibers are arranged in three layers larger formations corresponding to the larger opening 34 summarized. Accordingly, a smaller number of Glass fibers corresponding to a plurality of smaller formations the smaller opening 35 is arranged. Such one Bundling or grouping of glass fibers is used for production of a structured light pattern, which through a diaphragm 15 corresponds to the light pattern generated according to FIG. 4.

Fig. 5 is an illustration of the focus on the cigarette heads 16 of a light pattern 36 resulting in a cigarette formation 17 a representation of a section along the line V-V in Fig. 1. The light pattern 36 consists of a total of 20 in three layers, namely, arranged in a 7/6/7 formation, larger, circular Light spots 37. Around these larger light spots 37 six smaller light spots 38 are arranged, which are each located on the outer casing 39 of the cigarette. The bigger ones Light spots 37 serve as evaluation areas for testing the Ends of tobacco or filter ends of the cigarette heads 16. Dem in contrast, the smaller light spots 38 serve as evaluation areas for the paper ends of the mouthpiece sleeves in recess filter cigarettes or papyrossi cigarettes.

5a shows the geometric construction of a cigarette head 16 illuminating light 18, the reflected light 20 reaches a CCD chip 41 via a lens 40. The cigarette head 16 is in the position shown in Fig. 5a in its correct position and is also properly trained. With such a correct cigarette, the result is a representation 42 according to FIG. 5b corresponding to the CCD chip 41 a section along the line Vb-Vb in Fig. 5a. The representation 42 shows several irradiated areas 43, namely one larger area 44 and six smaller areas 45 in concentric Order to do so. The circular double line is one imaginary line for orientation and indication of the cigarette case 47. All areas 43 or 44 and 45 illuminate in each case a large number of CCD elements shown in small squares. These CCD elements form one of a variety of Pixel existing image of the cigarette heads or an entire one Cigarette formation.

The illustration 42 shown as an example in FIG. 5b is symmetrical arranged to the CCD chip. Furthermore, the smaller ones Areas 45 symmetrical or concentric to the larger area 44 arranged. This symmetry shows a correctly trained one The correct length of cigarette. All images irradiated Areas of a cigarette head 16 are at their expected Position, because the correct cigarette head 16 on its target position is.

In contrast, FIGS. 6a and 6b show the illustration 48 one order the length A too short cigarette. Representation 48 corresponds essentially to representation 42. It is located but in a different position, i.e. the areas 43 or 44 and 45 of illustration 42 from FIG. 5b, namely the illustrations the irradiated areas of tobacco and cigarette wrapper no longer lie in the middle of the CCD chip 41, but instead are shifted upward compared to the illustration 42 from FIG. 5b. This deviation, i.e. Shift, especially the Distance of this shift is according to the invention with the evaluation device connected to the CCD chip. From this Deviation can then depend on the distance between the irradiated areas a target position of these areas can be determined.

7a and 7b show the resulting in a corresponding manner Representation 49 of a correct length cigarette with a faulty one Filling. As shown in Fig. 7a, the cigarette is on Cigarette head 16 not up to the end of the cigarette tube 47 Tobacco 50 filled. This defective filling leads to the fact that the Representation 49 compared to representations 42 and 48 from FIGS 5b and 6b is changed. The larger area 44 of FIG. 7b is now no longer concentric with the smaller ones Areas 45 arranged. The images of the irradiated areas i.e. the smaller and larger areas are 45 and 44 no longer arranged symmetrically to each other. This leaves up close a faulty cigarette. From the deviation of the larger area 44, i.e. from shifting this area compared to the representation in Fig. 5b can also on the depth of the hole, i.e. the lack of tobacco can be closed. The Evaluation takes place in such a way that when a predetermined value is exceeded Limit values of the deviation or a cigarette in case of asymmetries is recognized as faulty, which leads to the ejection of the cigarette or who carries the cigarette group containing this cigarette.

8a and 8b finally show a recess filter cigarette 51 in correct training. This recess filter cigarette 51 has a hollow mouthpiece 50 and a back filter 53 on. The central area of the back filter 53 is shown as a larger area 44 on the CCD chip. the opposite, the smaller areas 45, which are formed by Illuminate the mouthpiece in six places, not in concentric to the larger area 44 locations. This asymmetry of smaller and larger areas 44 and 45 for recess filter cigarettes, but also for papyrossi cigarettes a normal appearance when evaluating the representation 54 is taken into account by the evaluation device.

A deviation of the representation 54 from that shown in FIG. 8b, expected position results from incorrectly trained Recess filter or Papyrossi cigarettes. Such one Deviation can also be tolerated within certain limits become. Only when predetermined limit values are exceeded becomes the corresponding cigarette or an entire cigarette formation ejected.

In a variant not shown, two of the previously explained Inspection devices are provided on both ends of the cigarettes. In this way, even with an axial displacement a correctly formed cigarette the correct one Training can be recognized because of the determined Distance of a cigarette end to its target position on each closed on both sides of a cigarette along its entire length can be. This can be done in an advantageous manner the ejection itself proper, but slightly axial prevent shifted cigarettes.

The invention opens up a variety of possibilities Checking cigarette heads so that not only tobacco defects can be recognized, but also the depth of mouthpieces with recess filter cigarettes or papyrossi cigarettes, as well as the Formation of the mouthpiece itself, i.e. whether this is actually is circular or deformed. Finally, by means of Invention also the length of a cigarette can be determined exactly.

Reference symbol list :

10

Tester

11

laser

12

beam of light

13

Lens-stop system

14

lens

15

cover

16

cigarettes head

17

cigarette formation

18

illuminating light

19

detector

20

reflected light

21

optics

22

electric wire

23

Tester

24

optics

25

lens

26

fiber optic line

27

entry section

28

exit section

29

Tester

30

glass fiber bundle

31

entry section

32

exit section

33

contraption

34

larger opening

35

smaller opening

36

light pattern

37

larger spot of light

38

smaller spot of light

39

outer shell

40

lens

41

CCD chip

42

presentation

43

Area

44

larger area

45

smaller area

46

circular double line

47

cigarette Case

48

presentation

49

presentation

50

tobacco

51

recess filter cigarette

52

hollow mouthpiece

53

previous filter

54

presentation

A

length

Claims (14)

1. Method for testing cigarette heads (16), at least one region (37, 38) of a cigarette head (16) being irradiated with light (18), and light reflected by the cigarette head (16) being received by a detector (19) in such a way that irradiating and received reflected light (18, 20) run at an angle to one another, the irradiated region (37, 38) is imaged on the detector (19) and a signal generated by the detector (19) is evaluated, characterized in that, when evaluating, a possible deviation, in particular a distance, of the position of the image (43, 44, 45) of the irradiated region (37, 38) from an expected position of an image of a corresponding region of an ideal cigarette head (16) on the detector (19) is determined, the deviation being used to determine the distance of the irradiated region (37, 38) from a desired position of this region.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that upon overshooting of a predetermined distance of the irradiated region (37, 38) from the desired position of this region the tested cigarette or the cigarette group (17) containing this cigarette is ejected.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a plurality of regions (37, 38) are irradiated and evaluated, to be precise, at least one region (37) inside the tobacco-end or filter-end cigarette end surrounded by the cigarette wrapping, in particular cigarette paper or tip sleeve, and one or more regions (38) on the cigarette wrapping.
4. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, in the case of asymmetric arrangement of the images (44, 45, 46) of irradiated regions (37, 38) of a cigarette filled up to the cigarette ends with tobacco (50) or filter (53), this cigarette or the cigarette formation (17) containing this cigarette is ejected.
5. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the case of at least one cigarette end of a cigarette not filled up to the end with tobacco (50) or filter (53), in particular a recess filter cigarette (51) or Russian cigarette, in the case of asymmetric image (44, 45, 46) of irradiated regions (37, 38) the cigarette or cigarette formation (17) containing this cigarette is ejected only if the asymmetry exceeds predetermined limiting values.
6. Method according to Claim 3 or 5, characterized in that the length of a hollow section of a tip sleeve (52) of a recess filter or Russian cigarette (51) is determined from at least one distance of an image (45) of a cigarette wrapping region from an image (44) of a region (37) inside the cigarette wrapping (47).
7. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that both ends of a cigarette are tested, and the actual cigarette length is determined from the distances of the irradiated regions (37, 38) from their respective desired positions taking account of the distance between two cigarette end desired positions, with the result that the length of a cigarette is determined even when the position of the latter is displaced in the axial direction.
8. Apparatus for testing cigarette heads (16), having a light source (11) and an optical system (13-15) for producing at least one region (37, 38), irradiated with light, on a cigarette head (16), and having a detector (19), for receiving light (20) reflected by the cigarette head (16), which is arranged in such a way that irradiating and received reflected light (18, 20) run at an angle to one another and the irradiated region (37, 38) can be imaged on the detector (19), characterized by an evaluation device which evaluates a signal generated by the detector (19) in order to determine a possible deviation, in particular a distance, in the position of the image (43, 44, 45) of the irradiated region (37, 38) from an expected position of an image of a corresponding region of an ideal cigarette head, in order to determine from the deviation the distance of the irradiated region (37, 38) from a desired position of this region.
9. Apparatus according to Claim 8, characterized by an optical system, a lens-stop system (13) and/or hologram for producing a structured light pattern on the cigarette head (16), in particular having one or more regions (37, 38) on the cigarette wrapping as well as inside the cigarette wrapping.
10. Apparatus according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized by a glass fibre line (26, 30) for guiding light, which is to be emitted, from the light source (11) in the direction of the cigarette head (16), in particular to the optical system and/or to the lens-stop system (13) and/or hologram.
11. Apparatus according to one of Claims 8 to 10, characterized by a glass fibre line for guiding reflected light to the detector (19).
12. Apparatus according to one of Claims 8 to 11, characterized by a bundle (30) of glass fibre lines for guiding light, which is to be emitted, from the light source (11) in the direction of the cigarette head (16) or a formation of cigarette heads (16), which is bundled in such a way that its ends, in particular, are widened in such a way that a structured light pattern can be produced on the head (16) and/or the heads (16).
13. Apparatus according to one of Claims 8 to 12, characterized by a CCD chip, assigned to the detector (19), having a multiplicity of two-dimensionally arranged CCD elements for producing a two-dimensional image (42) with a multiplicity of pixels.
14. Apparatus according to one of Claims 8 to 13, characterized by one light source (11) and one detector (19) each in the region of the two cigarette ends, in particular the filter-end and tobacco-end end, for testing both heads (16) of a cigarette.

Images