EP2965640B1 - Inspection of rod-shaped articles, in particular filter cigarettes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a drum assembly of a machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular drum assembly of a filter attachment machine, for transversely conveying of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter cigarettes, with a rotatable conveyor drum for the rod-shaped article.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter attachment machine, for the production of rod-shaped articles, in particular filter cigarettes.
Moreover, the invention relates to a method for checking transversely promoted rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry, in particular for checking liquid-filled capsules in filter sections of filter cigarettes.

Under the name "MAX" a filter attachment HAUNI Maschinenbau AG is known.

As filter attachment machine is a device or machine for the production of filter cigarettes understood with means for receiving tobacco rods of double length with means for cutting these double-length tobacco sticks in tobacco sticks simple length, with means for introducing filter plug double length between the tobacco sticks simple length, with means for Connecting the double-length filter plug with the two tobacco rods of simple length by wrapping with a tipping paper sheet which is severed by means of a cutter from a supplied tipping paper strip, with means for subsequently making a cut through the double-length filter plug so that filter cigarettes of normal working length are formed.

After the production of the filter cigarettes, a leak test and / or at least one head end test and / or a ventilation degree test and / or at least one optical test of the cigarettes are carried out in the filter attachment machine. In the leak test, each individual cigarette is exposed to test air on a test drum.

In addition, the products or rod-shaped articles or filter cigarettes are examined by optical testing equipment on a filter attachment machine. In an optical inspection, quality features are typically detected on the products of the tobacco processing industry such as holes, dimensions, object identification, punches, glue application, stains, the presence of filter elements, damage, and the like. In the context of the present patent application, products of the tobacco-processing industry are in particular rod-shaped Article or objects such as cigarettes, filter rods, multi-segment filter rods and the like understood.
For example, it is off DE-A-10 2004 040 912 a device for optically controlling tobacco processing industry products comprising an image capture device, wherein gradient index lenses are used to reduce the distance between the image capture device and the products to be controlled.
It is also in EP-A-0 836 809 a method of controlling the filled ends of tobacco articles is described. Here, cigarettes are conveyed on a conveyor drum, wherein the head ends of the cigarettes project from the conveyor element or the conveyor drum by a length which varies between a maximum and a minimum value. During their conveyance on the conveyor element, the free ends of the cigarettes pass through a control device with an optical unit and a receiving unit. By means of the measured by photo sensors of the receiving unit intensity of the emitted light from the optical assembly, the final filling of the cigarettes is controlled
In DE 10 2013 201 511 B3 an arrangement and a method for checking rod-shaped products of the tobacco processing industry are described. In this case, the arrangement comprises a tray conveyor with troughs for receiving and transverse axial promotion of rod-shaped articles and a microwave measuring device with a microwave resonator. This document discloses an arrangement with a single row of rod-shaped articles.

Further disclosed DE 10 2012 211 648 A1 a measuring arrangement for measuring at least one property of a rod-shaped article the tobacco processing industry. In this case, the measuring arrangement has a sensor unit in which a transmitter and a receiver which is at a distance from the transmitter and is temporarily in contactless contact with the transmitter are assigned.

Also revealed EP 2 848 133 A1 another arrangement and another method for checking rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry.

It is also in EP 2 796 061 A1 describes an apparatus and a method for measuring capsules in cigarette filters.

Starting from this prior art, the object of the present invention is to improve the quality in the production of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry on a machine, e.g. in the manufacture of filter cigarettes on a filter attachment machine.

This object is achieved by a drum assembly of a machine of the tobacco-processing industry, in particular drum arrangement of a filter attachment machine for Queraxialen conveyance of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry, especially filter cigarettes, with a rotatable conveyor drum for the rod-shaped article, wherein the conveyor drum in the circumferential direction two juxtaposed Having rows of successively arranged receiving troughs for each of a number of rod-shaped articles, wherein the conveyor drum is arranged to promote rod-shaped articles, which are accommodated in two rows next to each other and each transverse axial succession in receiving troughs of the conveyor drum, upon rotation of the conveyor drum in the transverse axial direction, wherein for each row of receiving wells in each case one, preferably stationary, measuring device is provided with a unilaterally open passageway for portions of the rod-shaped article and in the passage of each measuring device, preferably laterally projecting from the respective receiving troughs, located in the passageway sections of the rod-shaped article each traversing the unilaterally open passageways of the measuring devices each with electromagnetic waves of a measuring field Measuring device are acted upon or acted upon, which is further developed in that each measuring device for the two rows of rod-shaped articles is arranged to test sections of the rod-shaped article in a traversal of the passage of each measuring device in each case with electromagnetic waves in the range between 300 MHz ( 300 × 10 ⁶ Hz) and 30 EHz (30 × 10 ¹⁸ Hz), the measuring devices for the sections of the rod-shaped articles of the two rows between the two Rows of receiving troughs are arranged for the rod-shaped article, and wherein the conveyor drum on an outer drum body, wherein the receiving troughs of the two rows are formed offset from the peripheral surface of the drum body of the conveyor drum in the radial direction outwards.

The invention is based on the idea that a machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular Filteransetzmaschine, a drum assembly having a plurality of conveyor drums, wherein on a conveyor drum of the drum assembly, a measuring device for checking portions of the rod-shaped articles or filter cigarettes is provided. In this case, by means of the measuring device, for example, liquid-filled capsules in filter plugs of the cross-axially funded filter cigarettes checked on a Filteransetzmaschine after their preparation at the Filteransetzmaschine.

In one embodiment, for a single-row web of rod-shaped articles arranged transaxially one behind the other, a (single) measuring device with a passageway for the sections is provided provided the rod-shaped article.

According to a further embodiment, in each case one measuring device is provided in each case with two paths of rod-shaped articles arranged transaxially one behind the other, each having a passage channel for the sections of the rod-shaped articles of a row.

In this case, it is provided in particular that, for example, after an optical examination of the filter cigarettes produced and after checking the degree of ventilation of the filter cigarettes and before the delivery of simply long, ready-to-use filter cigarettes to a subsequent mass flow transport device with multi-layer filter cigarettes, the filter or filter plug of the filter cigarettes are checked. In particular, this filter or filter sections, which are provided with liquid-filled capsules, checked.

For this purpose, it is provided, for example, that a test device in the form of a microwave measuring device with a microwave resonator for the sections to be tested or filter of the filter cigarettes is provided, in which case the rod-shaped article with the respective sections to be tested by a unilaterally open lateral passage channel during rotation of the conveyor drum be and traverse the passageway of the measuring device, so that the introduced into the passageway sections, in particular filter sections of the filter cigarettes, on its conveying path through the passageway, eg a microwave measuring field to traverse in at least one microwave resonator of the measuring device.

It is thereby achieved that the rod-shaped articles or filter cigarettes transversely laterally into the microwave measuring device or Immerse a microwave resonator and there pass through the measuring field or resonant microwave measuring field excited therein. Using a microwave measuring device, the sections or filter sections to be tested completely enter a microwave measuring field which has a high field strength in the resonator.

With the longitudinally extended or transversely extended, unilaterally open lateral passageway, the measuring devices are also specially designed for this cross-axially promoted lateral passage in order to allow the corresponding passage through the microwave resonator. Here, the quality of the filter cigarettes is monitored in the production of filter cigarettes on a Filteransetzmaschine before delivering the single-layer mass flow of filter cigarettes to a mass flow conveyor with multiple layers of filter cigarettes, being discharged depending on the measurement results filter cigarettes with defective capsules in filter sections from the further production process.

According to the invention, the sections of filter cigarettes, of two side-by-side, single-layer individual streams with filter cigarettes arranged transaxially one behind the other in each case are detected on a double-web filter tying machine. The fact that in the double-lane filter cigarette each a measuring device for a web of filter cigarettes are tested, the quality of the manufacturing process of the filter cigarettes is significantly increased at the filter tufting machine, since it is checked after production of the finished filter cigarettes, whether capsules are intact in the cigarette filters.

In the context of the invention, it is provided that before the delivery of the filter cigarettes from the filter attachment machine to a Subsequent mass flow conveyor sections of the rod-shaped articles, ie the filter cigarettes, are acted upon by electromagnetic radiation of the respective measuring field, for which purpose the portions of the filter cigarettes to be tested are subjected to electromagnetic waves for testing the sections in the respective passage.

The measuring device for each row of filter cigarettes or rod-shaped articles according to the invention is formed in each case with an elongated, open on one side and in particular U-shaped passage for the sections of the rod-shaped article to be tested, wherein for performing the test, the filter cigarettes on one side with a loaded with suction with holder a receiving trough for the filter cigarettes are kept so that the portions to be tested are introduced into the fork-shaped measuring device with the open passageway respectively. In particular, the pairs of filter cigarettes of both rows are checked at the same time on the double-track filter tying machine. In particular, the paired filter cigarettes for the examination are longitudinally axially spaced from each other.

In the context of the invention, the drum assembly of the machine of the tobacco processing industry for the production of rod-shaped articles, in particular filter cigarettes, a test device, each with a measuring device for the double-lane guided and manufactured filter cigarettes, so that in each case a measuring device arranged in each case one row with queraxial successively Filter cigarettes is provided.

Characterized in that the measuring devices between the sections to be tested of the rod-shaped article of the two rows and thus are arranged between the receiving troughs for the rod-shaped article, it is achieved that the sections to be tested of the rod-shaped article of the two rows face each other. In particular, the filter sections of the filter cigarettes to be tested are arranged in pairs on the conveyor drum.

In this case, it is provided within the scope of the invention that the measuring device are suitable as sensors to be able to act on the sections of the rod-shaped articles to be tested with electromagnetic waves in the high-frequency range up to the range of X-rays depending on the application.

In particular, microwave sensors are preferred as the measuring device for the testing of liquid-filled capsules in filter rods. However, it is also possible within the scope of the invention to use, for example, capacitive high-frequency measuring devices for checking the rod-shaped articles or their sections.

In addition, it is also possible within the scope of the invention to apply the radiation to the sections to be examined from the near infrared range or with light, in particular laser light, in the wavelength range from 500 to 1500 nm. For this purpose, in particular diode lasers or solid lasers are suitable.

Thus, it is also conceivable within the scope of the invention to use X-ray steel lasers and corresponding photoreceptors for the measuring device for the sections to be tested.

For this purpose, provision must in particular be made for each measuring device for the two rows of rod-shaped articles to be arranged in such a way that sections of the rod-shaped articles to be tested are in a position Traversing the passageway of each or the electromagnetic wave measuring device in the range between 1 GHz (1 × 10 ⁹ Hz) and 20 GHz (20 × 10 ⁹ Hz) or in the range between 10 MHz (10 × 10 ⁶ Hz) and 300 MHz (300 MHz) × 10 ⁶ Hz) or in the range between 300 GHz (300 × 10 ⁹ Hz) and 300 THz (300 × 10 ¹² Hz).

In addition, an advantageous drum arrangement is characterized in that the receiving troughs for the passage of the sections of the rod-shaped article in the region of the passage channels of the measuring devices are formed opposite to the respective passage channel.

Characterized in that the conveyor drum has an outer drum body, wherein the receiving troughs of the two rows are offset from the peripheral surface of the drum body of the conveyor drum outwardly in the radial direction, the receiving troughs for the rod-shaped article relative to the drum body of the conveyor drum with an increase in the radial direction arranged, whereby it is possible that the free ends of the portions to be tested of the rod-shaped articles are introduced during rotation of the conveyor drum in the passageway.

In this case, in particular, the conveyed rod-shaped articles are arranged on one side in a predetermined section of the rod-shaped articles in the shortened receiving troughs, wherein the portion of the rod-shaped articles, which are subjected to negative pressure in the receptacles provided therefor, by the rod-shaped articles during the promotion on the conveyor drum To keep negative pressure.

For this purpose, in a further development of the drum assembly is further provided that the receiving troughs of the two rows are formed in or on radially outwardly extending, in particular disk-shaped ring bodies or in or on radially outwardly extending arms. As a result, a radial increase of the receiving wells relative to the drum body is achieved. Preferably, the distance, which is also referred to as a supernatant, between the trough bottom of the receiving wells and the drum body or the circumference of the drum body between 15 mm and 60 mm, in particular between 20 mm and 50 mm.

For this purpose, it is further provided that the length of the receiving troughs of the two rows for the rod-shaped article is between 15 mm and 40 mm, in particular between 15 mm and 35 mm or 30 mm, or that the width of the ring body or the width of the arms for the rod-shaped article in each case between 15 mm and 40 mm, in particular between 15 mm and 35 mm or 30 mm. In particular, the length of the receiving troughs for the rod-shaped articles is dimensioned or designed such that the length of the receiving troughs is, for example, between 1/6 and 2/5 of the length of the rod-shaped articles to be conveyed.

In particular, in one embodiment, the receiving troughs for the rod-shaped article in each case lateral support body for the articles to be tested in the passageways, the support bodies are made of a non-metallic material, in particular plastic, and the support body with rotation of the conveyor drum together with the testing sections of the rod-shaped article in the passage channels of the measuring device can be introduced and these traverse. Characterized in that the receiving troughs lateral and projecting support body for the rod-shaped article or has for the sections to be tested, the rod-shaped article, it is achieved that between the outer drum body of the conveyor drum and the support bodies in the radial direction is a free space, whereby the laterally arranged on the receiving troughs support body together with the arranged thereon sections of the rod-shaped article in the passageway of the measuring device can be introduced without the support body influences the measurement by means of the measuring device.

The lateral support body to the receiving wells form a kind of extension of the receiving wells, in which case the material or the plastic is selected for the support body such that the plastic has a very low dielectric constant, whereby a sufficient contrast between the support body and for example by means of Measuring device detected capsule is achieved in a filter section.

In addition, it is provided in the context of the invention that measures against environmental influences or from the environment of a machine of the tobacco-processing industry, in particular Filteransetzmaschine be realized. For example, it is possible within the scope of the invention that corresponding blowing devices or heating devices are provided in the region of the conveyor drum or on the conveyor drum or in the region of the passage channels in order to keep the surroundings of the measuring devices free of interfering particles or to achieve a predetermined humidity when carrying out the measurements and / or. or to provide a constant temperature therefor.

In addition, the object is achieved by a machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter attachment machine, for the production of rod-shaped articles, in particular filter cigarettes, which is formed with a preceding drum assembly. To avoid repetition, reference is expressly made to the above statements.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for checking transversely axially conveyed rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular for checking liquid-filled capsules in filter sections of filter cigarettes, using a previously described drum arrangement for Queraxialen conveying rod-shaped articles, wherein the rod-shaped article in two Rows are juxtaposed and each in each row are received transversely axially in each case in a series of receiving troughs of a conveyor drum and conveyed in transverse axial direction, wherein for each row of receiving wells in each case one, preferably stationary, measuring device with one, preferably longitudinally extended or transversely extended, open passageway is provided for sections of the rod-shaped article, wherein during the cross-axial promotion of the rod-shaped article sections of the rod-shaped articles each on their m conveying path pass through the unilaterally open passageway each a measuring device for the sections and the sections of the rod-shaped articles each row during their passage through the passageway each traversing an electromagnetic waves having measuring field of the respective measuring device, which is further developed by that to be tested sections of the rod-shaped article When passing through the passageway of each or the measuring device in each case with electromagnetic waves in the range between 300 MHz (300 × 10 ⁶ Hz) and 30 EHz (30 × 10 ¹⁸ Hz) are applied, the rod-shaped article of the two rows arranged on the conveyor drum such are or are, that provided for the measuring devices and to be tested sections of the rod-shaped articles of the two rows facing each other and wherein the measuring devices for the portions of the rod-shaped articles of the two rows between the two conveyed rows of rod-shaped articles are arranged.

It is provided in the context of the invention that the claimed method on a corresponding drum assembly of a piecing machine, e.g. a Filteransetzmaschine performed.

Furthermore, the method is characterized in that the rod-shaped articles in the receiving wells of each row are each arranged with laterally projecting from the receiving troughs sections, in particular filter sections, in a conveyor region and / or that the rod-shaped article of the two rows in pairs and longitudinal axial distance from each other be promoted in the receiving troughs of the conveyor drum. This makes it possible for the measuring devices to be arranged between the two rows of rod-shaped articles.

Furthermore, a further development of the method is characterized in that sections of the rod-shaped article to be tested pass through the passageway of each or the measuring device respectively with electromagnetic waves in the range between 1 GHz (1 × 10 ⁹ Hz) and 20 GHz (20 × 10 ⁹ Hz) or in the range between 10 MHz (10 × 10 ⁶ Hz) and 300 MHz (300 × 10 ⁶ Hz) or in the range between 300 GHz (300 × 10 ⁹ Hz) and 300 THz (300 × 10 ¹² Hz ).

Moreover, it is provided in the context of the invention that, depending on the measurement results after the examination of the sections of the rod-shaped article, in particular the capsule-filled filter sections filter cigarettes, filter cigarettes with a defective capsule or a non-existent capsule in the filter are discharged from the production process on a filter attachment machine.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments according to the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention may satisfy individual features or a combination of several features.

Fig. 1

schematisch eine Filteransetzmaschine in einer Vorderansicht,

Fig. 2

im Ausschnitt schematisch eine Querschnittsansicht einer Fördertrommel einer Filteransetzmaschine mit zwei Mikrowellenresonatorvorrichtun-gen für Filterzigaretten;

Fig. 3

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung von Teilen eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer An-ordnung mit einer Mikrowellenmessvorrichtung,

Fig. 4a), b)

schematische perspektivische Schnittdarstellungen durch ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer weiteren Mikrowellenmessvorrichtung,

Fig. 5a), b)

verschiedene perspektivische schematische Darstellungen und Schnittdarstellungen einer Mikrowellenmessvorrichtung,

Fig. 6

eine schematische Ansicht eines als Mikrowellenmessvorrichtung ausgebildeten Helix-Mikrowellenresonators,

Fig. 7a), b)

schematische Schnittdarstellungen durch ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Mikrowellenmessvorrichtung mit Mikrowellenmessfeldern in einem beladenen Zustand,

Fig. 8a), b), c)

Detailansichten und schematische Schnittdarstellungen durch einen Messkondensator.

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings, reference being expressly made to the drawings with respect to all in the text unspecified details of the invention. Show it:

Fig. 1

schematically a filter attachment machine in a front view,

Fig. 2

in the section schematically a cross-sectional view of a conveyor drum of a filter attachment machine with two Mikrowellenresonatorvorrichtun gene for filter cigarettes;

Fig. 3

1 is a schematic perspective view of parts of an embodiment of an arrangement with a microwave measuring device,

Fig. 4a), b)

schematic perspective sectional views through an embodiment of another microwave measuring device,

Fig. 5a), b)

various perspective schematic representations and sectional views of a microwave measuring device,

Fig. 6

1 is a schematic view of a helical microwave resonator designed as a microwave measuring device,

Fig. 7a), b)

schematic sectional views through an embodiment of a microwave measuring device with microwave measuring fields in a loaded state,

Fig. 8a), b), c)

Detailed views and schematic sectional views through a measuring capacitor.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that apart from a new idea each.

In Fig. 1 a Filteransetzmaschine is shown in fragmentary form in a front view, wherein the Filteransetzmaschine via a drum assembly T for supplying tobacco sticks from a schematically drawn cigarette rod machine P tobacco sticks of double-use length receives. A cigarette rod machine is known under the name "PROTOS" of the patent applicant.

On their conveyor to a compilation drum 21, the tobacco rods are cut twice the length of use and spread longitudinally axially. On the assembly drum 21 are transported over a further drum assembly M double-length filter plugs, which are inserted between two longitudinally spaced tobacco rods. As a result, a sequence of tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups arranged transaxially behind one another is formed on the assembly drum 21. As a filter plug while filter or filter plug between the spaced tobacco rod pairs are inserted, the liquid-filled capsules have.

The assembled article groups are transferred from the assembly drum 21 to a conveyor drum 22 and transported to a coating apparatus 10, the assembled tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups. In DE-C-39 18 137 There is described in detail a coating apparatus which is fully incorporated in the content of the present application.

A glued and conveyed tipping paper strip 11 is cut in the tipping apparatus 10 on a cutting drum 12 by the knives of a knife roller 13 in tufts or connecting laminae. The cut compound leaflets are respectively transferred to the article groups or tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups on the conveyor drum 22 or pinned.

After adhering the cut and individual bonding sheets to one article group each, the article groups are further transported to a subsequent rolling drum 26 and a rolling device 27 by which the bonding sheets are completely wrapped around the tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups be wrapped around. The rolling device 27 consists in one embodiment of a web wheel, a rolling hand with a rolling surface and the output side of a rolling roller, wherein the rolling surface and the rolling drum 26 form a rolling channel, are wrapped in the article groups with the connecting blades, with double-length filter cigarettes are formed.

The double-length filter cigarettes are subsequently transferred to a conveyor drum 28 and further below to a further conveyor drum 29 and provided for the further processing process on a filter attachment machine.

From the conveyor drum 29, the double-length filter cigarettes are conveyed via a conveyor drum 30 to a cutting drum 31, on which a cutting blade 32 is arranged, which produces from the double-length filter cigarettes by a central separating cut filter cigarettes simple use length.

The filter cigarettes are then transferred from the cutting drum 31 to a spreading drum 33. On the spreader drum 33, the pairs of filter cigarettes are spaced longitudinally from one another so that two (single-ply) rows are formed with filter cigarettes arranged transversely axially one behind the other. Subsequently, the filter cigarettes of both longitudinally axially spaced rows, i. pass the longitudinally axially spaced filter cigarettes to a test drum 34. The filter cigarettes of both rows are each provided with a filter plug, each having at least one liquid-filled capsule.

On the test drum 34, a test device 44 is arranged, which subjects the filter cigarettes of a test, for example, a head end test.

Within the scope of the invention, it is possible for the filter cigarettes produced to be subjected to a leak test and / or a head end test and / or a ventilation test on the test element 44. In addition, it is possible within the scope of the invention that an optical examination of the cigarettes on the test drum 34 is carried out by means of the test element 44 or a further test element.

Subsequently, the cigarettes are transferred from the test drum 34 to a subsequent conveyor drum 35, at which a schematically illustrated test device 45 with Mikrowellenresonatorvorrichtungen (see. Fig. 2 ) for the two spaced-apart, single-ply rows of filter cigarettes for further quality-testing the manufactured filter cigarettes and for detecting the conditions of the liquid-filled capsules in the individual filter plugs or in the filter sections of the filter cigarettes produced on the filter attachment machine before the manufactured ones Filter cigarettes are transferred from the filter attachment machine to a subsequent (not shown here) mass flow transport device for the filter cigarettes.

In Fig. 2 is a schematic section of the conveyor drum 35 of the filter attachment machine (see. Fig. 1 ) In cross-section with a test device 45 for the liquid-filled capsules in the filter plug of the conveyor drum 35 on the cross-axially funded filter cigarettes shown. The conveyor drum 35 is part of a drum assembly of a filter attachment for Queraxialen conveyance of rod-shaped articles, in particular filter cigarettes and / or their components, wherein the drum assembly comprises a plurality of conveyor drum.

The conveyor drum 35 has a drum body 36, on the outside of which two spaced-apart annular bodies 37.1, 37.2 are arranged, which each have receiving cavities 38.1, 38.2 for the filter cigarettes 50.1, 50.2 produced on the filter attachment machine. In the Fig. 2 shown individual filter cigarettes 50.1, 50.2 are each part of a series of filter cigarettes, wherein the two rows of filter cigarettes 50.1, 50.2 longitudinally spaced apart from each other. The filter cigarettes 50.1, 50.2 each have a tobacco rod 51.1, 51.2 and a filter plug 52.1, 52.2, wherein in the interior of the filter plug 52.1, 52.2 each a liquid-filled capsule 55 is introduced.

The length of the receiving wells 38.1, 38.2 is smaller than the length of the filter cigarettes 50.1, 50.2. The length of the receiving wells 38.1, 38.2 is typically between 15 mm and 40 mm, in particular between 15 mm and 30 mm. The symmetrically mutually arranged filter cigarettes 50.1, 50.2 are each arranged asymmetrically on the receiving wells 38.1, 38.2, wherein the tobacco rod 51.1, 51.2 is acted upon by means of a negative pressure provided with a holding vacuum and is held in the receiving wells 38.1, 38.2.

Characterized in that a narrow annular body 37.1, 37.2 is provided in each case for a series with filter cigarettes 50.1, 50.2 and a portion of the tobacco sticks 51.1, 51.2 of the filter cigarettes 50.1, 50.2 contact with the narrow receiving wells 38.1, 38.2 has, the filter cigarettes 50.1, 50.2 on one side held and arranged on the conveyor drum 35 so that a free space between the free, unsupported portions of the filter cigarettes 50.1, 50.2 with the respective filter plug 52.1, 52.2 and the outside of the drum body 36 is formed or formed.

This in Fig. 2 Test device 45 shown has two microwave measuring devices 60.1, 60.2, each having a passage channel 62.1, 62.2 for the free portions of the filter cigarettes 50.1, 50.2 with the unsupported, free filter plug 52.1, 52.2. The passageways 62.1 62.2 are dimensioned such that the free sections with the facing filter plugs 52.1, 52.2 each pass through an electromagnetic wave measuring field, in particular in the microwave measuring field, the two microwave measuring devices 60.1, 60.2, so that the state of the liquid-filled capsules 55 in the filter plug 52.1, 52.2 individually and simultaneously checked or monitored.

The measurement results of the microwave measurement devices 60.1, 60.2 are each sent to an evaluation device 56, e.g. Machine control, transmitted, so that by means of the evaluation device 56, the filter cigarettes with a defective capsule 55 are removed after their detection from the further production process at a corresponding point, for example, at the filter attachment machine.

The U-shaped microwave measuring devices 60.1, 60.2 are arranged between the two annular bodies 37.1, 37.2 of the conveyor drum 35, so that the passage channels 62.1, 62.2 are directed outwards, whereby upon rotation of the conveyor drum 35, the sections of the filter cigarettes 50.1, 50.2 with each one Capsule 55 having filter plug 52.1, 52.2 are conveyed through the passageways 62.1, 62.2.

In the context of the invention, it is provided in an embodiment (not shown) that on the ring body 37.1, 37.2 lateral, preferably elongated or tongue-like, supporting body or the like for the sections of the filter cigarettes 50.1, 50.2, which are introduced into the passageways 62.1, 62.2, are provided, wherein between the underside of the support body and the outside of the drum body 36, a free space is always present or formed.

In the following figures, various embodiments for the on the conveyor drum 35 in Fig.2 schematically illustrated microwave measuring devices 60.1, 60.2 explained in more detail.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of parts of an embodiment of an arrangement with a microwave measuring device 60, which is arranged on a conveyor drum of a filter attachment machine. For reasons of clarity, the marking of the conveyor drum was omitted.

The arrangement comprises a microwave measuring device 60 with a housing 72, which comprises a reflection resonator 74 with a microwave coupling 80. An aperture 84 is indicated by dashed lines and separates the Mikrowelleneinkopplungshohlraum 80 from the reflection resonator 74. In the upper area of the reflection resonator 74 is pierced by a passageway 62 which is fork-shaped. This comprises a first wall 64 and a second wall 66 and is laterally closed by means of an end wall 68. Thus, the passageway 62 in cross-section "U" -shaped. This prevents the microwave field in the interior of the resonator from escaping to a greater extent. Contributing to this is that the first wall 64 and the second wall 66 project significantly beyond the resonator cavity.

Through the passageway 62 extends a conveying path 100 of rod-shaped articles, in this case filter cigarettes 50, the one Tobacco stick 51, which is only partially shown, as well as filter plug 52 with capsules 55 include.

The resonator cavity itself is covered by means of protective shields 326, 327, which consist of a material permeable to microwaves, for example PEEK (polyether ether ketone). This prevents dirt from entering the microwave resonator. Through the shields 326, 327, the reflection resonator 74 is divided into three resonator cavity sections 325, 325 ', 325 ".

Fig. 4a) and 4b These are schematic sectional views through an embodiment of a microwave measuring device 60. These are in each case sectional views through the microwave measuring device 60, in a sectional plane which extends longitudinally through the filter plug 52 with the capsule 55, the center of their conveying path 100 in the passageway 62 is arranged in Fig. 4a ), and in a section which extends transversely to the longitudinal extent of the filter plug 52, in Fig. 4b ).

The microwave measuring device 60 comprises several parts. The microwaves are coupled in a microwave launch comprising a microwave launch cavity 330 and an antenna 336 that operates as both a launch antenna and a launch antenna. As a result, space is saved. The microwave injection cavity 330 is defined by a wall having a circular or oval aperture 84 through which microwaves penetrate into the resonator cavity 124. The aperture can also have other shapes, or multiple apertures are possible, which can be selected, for example, according to the fed-in mode of the microwave field.

The resonator cavity 124 is divided by the passageway 62 into two separate resonator cavity sections 325, 325 '. The continuation of the resonator cavity 124 in the passageway 62 itself may be considered as another resonator cavity portion 325. The shields 326, 327 separating these resonator cavity portions 325, 325 'of the resonator cavity 124 from the passageway 62 are microwave permeable, so that a common resonator cavity 124 with two or three parts, the resonator cavity sections 325, 325 ', 325 ". The middle resonator cavity section 325 "is the one that lies in the passageway 62, while the other two are protected against contamination by microwave-permeable shields 326, 327, so that a consistently high quality of the reflection resonator 121 is ensured.

The resonator cavity 124 is closed by a reflection surface 332, which opposes the aperture 84. Microwaves that pass through the aperture 84 into the resonator cavity 124 are reflected at the reflective surface 332 and pass back through the aperture 84 to the antenna 336. In doing so, they pass through the passageway 62 with filter plugs 52 and capsules 55 optionally positioned therein.

In the in Fig. 4a) and 4b ), the extension of the resonator cavity 124 in the cross-section in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped article is smaller than in the transverse direction thereto. This achieves a good resolution in the longitudinal extent of the rod-shaped article. This can also be seen in the form and arrangement of the protective covers 326, 327, which cover only the portion around the desired position of capsules 55 in the filter plug 52 of the filter cigarettes 50. It is also possible to reverse the length and width ratios, so that the queraxial promoted rod-shaped article hits the broad side of the cross-section of the resonator cavity 124. Hereby, a good spatial resolution can be achieved transversely to the longitudinal extent of the rod-shaped article. Also, a plurality of similar microwave measuring devices 60 of the former type may be staggered one behind the other to scan the entire length of, for example, a filter plug 52 of a filter cigarette 50.

At the in Fig. 4a) and 4b ), the microwave measuring field in the resonator cavity 124 is effectively prevented from leaking to the outside by the laterally projecting walls 64, 66 and the end wall 68.

The launching antenna 336 in the microwave injection cavity 330 is in FIG Fig. 4a) and 4b ) arranged laterally in the long side. The opening of the aperture 84 is oval.

In Fig. 5 In the subfigures a) and b) two different views of a corresponding waveguide resonator 134 are shown. Fig. 5a ) shows a section across the resonator 134 and the fork 137, which comprises the conveying path of the cross-axially conveyed article, not shown. In this case, the non-conductive window 142 can be seen that separate the passageway 62 of the sub-spaces 136, 136 'of the waveguide resonator 134 and protect against ingress of dust.

Fig. 5b ) shows a further perspective view of the waveguide resonator 134 with fork 137, wherein is seen in the passageway 62. It is recognizable, as well as in the cut of the Fig. 5a ), that the Duchtrittskanal 62 describes an arc section, corresponding to the conveying path on a drum trunk or conveyor drum.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a microwave measuring device 60 with the helical microwave resonator 250 in a sectional plane extending in the longitudinal direction through a cross-axially subsidized cigarette with tobacco rod 51 and projecting portion, a filter plug 52 with a capsule 55. This is conveyed transaxially through a passage 62 of the housing 260 of the measuring device. In this case, it is conveyed through the measuring range of the helical microwave resonator 250, which has an annular-cylindrical resonator space 252, in the center of which a central column 254 is arranged, similar to an open coaxial resonator. In addition, the helical microwave resonator 250 has a helical coil 256, which leads to a large increase in the quality factor of the microwave resonator. The resonator 252 is covered with a protective cap 258 of a microwave-permeable material, preferably a plastic, so that the resonator 252 does not pollute during operation. The filter plug 52 is in the closest approach to the helical microwave resonator 250.

For example, the illustrated configuration may be operated at a microwave frequency of 5.58 GHz.

Another microwave measuring device 60 is shown in FIG Fig. 7 shown schematically in detail. The microwave measuring device 60 comprises a resonator housing 432, which encloses a microwave resonator 434. The microwave resonator 434 is a cavity which is enclosed by electrically conductive walls of the resonator housing 432 and in which a microwave measuring field can form. For coupling and uncoupling of the microwave measuring field antennas 436, 436 'are provided, which protrude from the side into the microwave resonator 434.

In the Fig. 7a) and 7c ) also show parts of a coordinate system with an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis. The x-axis extends in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the rod-shaped articles 50 or cigarettes 50, the z-direction extends in the conveying direction of the rod-shaped articles 50, while the y-direction is perpendicular thereto. In Fig. 7a ), therefore, a section is shown in an xy plane of this coordinate system.

In the y-direction, the resonator housing 432 has centrally a lateral opening, which acts as a passageway 62 for the cigarettes 50. This passageway 62 extends in the z-direction, which in Fig. 7a ) into the drawing plane. The passageway 62 is separated from the interior of the microwave resonator 434 by a nonconductive window 442 enclosing the passageway 62 on three sides, so that no dust and contamination from the passageway 62 can penetrate from the cigarettes 50 into the microwave resonator 434, for example.

In Fig. 7b ) below Fig. 7a ) shows the course of a typical microwave resonance field as a function of the x-direction. The electric field 450, whose electric field E _z is oriented in the z-direction, has in the illustrated exemplary embodiment in the x-direction two antinodes and a central wave node. In this case, the two antennas 436, 436 'are arranged in the x-direction at an x-position of one of the two antinodes, so that an ideal coupling and uncoupling of the microwave measuring field by the two antennas 436, 436' takes place. Alternatively, other Einkopplungsorte and, for example, a magnetic coupling are possible. The other shaft belly is located in the x-direction at a desired position of the capsule 55 in the filter 52 of the cigarettes 50. Capsules, which are in the region of the shaft belly Therefore, they generate a large signal with respect to the change of the resonant microwave measuring field, so that their filling and quality can be measured very accurately.

In an alternative embodiment, this position of the capsule 55 could also be set to a position at which the microwave measuring field has a wave node. In this case, there is a change in the microwave measuring field only if the capsule 55 does not occupy this desired position and thus feels an electric field which is not equal to zero, that is does not have the vanishing field strength of the wave node. In this case, a difference to a signal change is considered, which is caused by filter material anyway.

Fig. 7c ) shows a cross section through the microwave measuring device 60 in a yz plane. It can be seen that the microwave resonator 434 is tapered in the central area. The intersection of the microwave resonator 434 through the passageway 62 is clearly visible in this view. It can also be seen that the passageway 62 extends in a curved manner in accordance with the curvature of the conveying path of the cigarettes 50 on a trough drum.

In the upper area it can be seen that an antenna 436 is passed through a non-conductive portion of the resonator 440 and in contact with an electronics 438, which is recessed into the resonator housing. This electronics 438 may be, for example, a transmission electronics, which generates the microwave measuring field and coupled by the antenna 436 in the microwave resonator 434. In the lower part of the picture, it can be seen that in a similar configuration, the antenna 436 'is also provided with electronics 438' outside the microwave resonator 434 connected is. This may be a measuring and evaluation electronics 438 'which registers and evaluates changes in the measuring field. The antenna 436 'is thus a coupling-out antenna.

In Fig. 7d ) shows how the electric field 452 (E _z ) extends in the y-direction. In this direction is the zero mode, which has only a wave belly and nodes on the outer walls. In this case as well, the trajectory of the capsules 55 thus runs with regard to their desired position through a wave bulge of the E field.

Like that Fig. 7b) and 7d ), it is thus already a harmonic of the fundamental mode, since there are two antinodes in the x-direction and in the y-direction an antinode.

The microwave measuring field with a higher mode could also be selected in the y-direction so that the trajectory of the capsule 55 could run through a vibration node at its desired position in order to achieve a spatial resolution for deviations from the desired position.

In Fig. 8 In the parts a) to c) various details and views of a capacitive RF measuring device 60 according to the invention are shown. Fig. 8a ) shows a cross-section which runs vertically through the conveying trajectory 519 of a cross-axially promoted cigarette 50 with filter 52 and capsule 55 in the center of the filter 52. At this point, the cigarette 50 is conveyed with its projecting portion through a passageway 62 of the capacitive RF measuring device 60. In the Fig. 8a wall surface shown above consists of an electrically conductive electrode surface 538, which is isolated by means of an insulation 537 from the likewise metallic base body 536 of the RF measuring device 60. Through the insulation 537 extends a feed line 539, via which the electrode surface 538 is acted upon by a harmonic RF signal.

The in Fig. 8a ) underneath the cigarette 50 shown part of the capacitive RF measuring device 60 comprises as bottom of the passageway 62 and the opposite side of the electrically conductive base body 536 which is held at a ground potential, and two capacitor electrodes 542, 542 ', by means of an insulation 543 , 543 'are electrically insulated from the main body 536 and are connected to an electrical circuit via supply lines 544, 544'. These capacitor electrodes 542, 542 'are held on a virtual ground. Since the potential between the virtual ground and the ground on which the base body 536 lies differs only by up to approximately 1 mV, the entire passage 62 interposes between the electrode 538 loaded with an HF measuring signal and the opposing surface. which is at ground or virtual ground, a very homogeneous RF field of view.

In Fig. 8b the same capacitive RF measuring device 60 is shown in section in a section which includes the delivery trajectory 519 of the cigarette 60 and the filter 52 with the capsule 55. Since this is conveyed in a trough on a trough drum in the exemplary embodiment, the passage channel 62 in this area has a ring-segment-shaped configuration or describes a curve whose radius of curvature corresponds to the radius of the trough drum.

Fig. 8c ) shows a plan view of the lower surface of the passageway 62, that is, the grounded side of the capacitive RF measuring device 60. Much of the area of this electrode consists of the surface of the grounded body 536 held at ground potential. Centrally along the trajectory 519 of a capsule 55 are two capacitor electrodes 542, 542 'which are held to virtual ground. The capacitor electrodes 542, 542 'are insulated from the main body 536 by a circumferential insulation 543. However, the actual potential difference is only up to one or a few mV. The capacitor electrodes 542, 542 'are arranged on the left and on the right of the trajectory 519, so that an incorrect positioning of a capsule can be recognized by an asymmetry in the measuring signals of the capacitor electrodes 542, 542'.

All mentioned features, including the drawings alone to be taken as well as individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features are considered alone and in combination as essential to the invention. Embodiments of the invention may be accomplished by individual features or a combination of several features. In the context of the invention, features which are identified by "particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

covering apparatus

11

Covering paper strip

12

cutting drum

13

knife roll

21

Assembly drum

22

conveyor drum

26

rolling drum

27

rolling device

28

drum

29

drum

30

conveyor drum

31

cutting drum

32

cutting blade

33

spreading drum

34

testing drum

35

conveyor drum

36

drum body

37.1, 37.2

ring body

38.1, 38.2

receiving trough

44

Review body

45

Review body

50, 50.1, 50.2

filter cigarette

51, 51.1, 51.2

tobacco rod

52, 52.1, 52.2

filter plug

55

capsule

56

evaluation

60, 60.1, 60.2

Microwave measuring device

62, 62.1, 62.2

Passageway

64

wall

66

wall

68

end wall

72

casing

74

Reflexionsresonator

80

microwave coupling

84

cover

100

conveying

121

Reflexionsresonator

124

resonator cavity

134

waveguide resonator

136, 136 '

subspace

137

fork

142

window

250

Helix microwave

252

resonator chamber

254

pillar

256

spiral

258

protective cap

260

casing

325, 325 ', 325 "

Resonatorhohlraumabschnitt

326, 327

shield

330

Mikrowelleneinkopplungshohlraum

332

reflecting surface

336

antenna

432

resonator

434

microwave

436, 436 '

antenna

438, 438 '

electronics

440

cavity wall

450

E-field

452

electric field

519

Fördertraktorie

536

body

537

insulation

538

electrode area

539

supply

542, 542 '

capacitor electrode

543, 543 '

insulation

544, 544 '

supply

M

Drum arrangement (filter plug)

T

Drum arrangement (Tobacco sticks)

S

suction air

P

Cigarette-making machine

Claims (10)

1. Drum arrangement of a machine of the tobacco-processing industry, in particular a drum arrangement of a filter attaching machine, for the transverse axial conveying of rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter cigarettes, having a rotatable conveying drum (35) for the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2), wherein, in circumferential direction, the conveying drum (35) has two adjacently arranged rows of successively arranged receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2), each of which is for one row of rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2), wherein the conveying drum (35) is set to convey the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2), which are accommodated in the receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2) in two rows next to one another and in each case arranged transversely axially one behind one another, in transverse axial direction as said conveying drum (35) rotates, wherein in each case one, preferably stationary, measuring apparatus (60, 60.1, 60.2) having a through channel (62, 62.1, 62.2), which is open on one side, for sections of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) is provided for each row of receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2) and, when passing through the one-sidedly open through channels (62, 62.1, 62.2) of the measuring apparatuses (60, 60.1, 60.2), the sections of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) which are present in the through channel (62, 62.1, 62.2) and preferably protrude laterally from the respective receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2) can respectively be subjected to or in each case are subjected to electromagnetic waves of a measuring field of the measuring apparatus (60, 60.1, 60.2) in the through channel (62, 62.1, 62.2) of each measuring apparatus (60, 60.1, 60.2), wherein each measuring apparatus (60, 60.1, 60.2) for the two rows of rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) in each case is set to subject sections of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) to be tested to electromagnetic waves in the range from 300 MHz (300 x 10⁶ Hz) to 30 EHz (30 x 10¹⁸ Hz) when they pass through the through channel (62, 62.1, 62.2) of each measuring apparatus (60, 60.1, 60.2), wherein the measuring apparatuses (60, 60.1, 60.2) for the sections of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) of the two rows are disposed between the two rows of receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2) for the rod-shaped articles, and wherein the conveying drum (35) has an outer drum body, wherein the receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2) of the two rows are offset in radial direction to the outside with respect to the circumferential surface of the drum body of the conveying drum (35).
2. Drum arrangement according to Claim 1, characterized in that each measuring apparatus (60, 60.1, 60.2) for the two rows of rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) is set to subject sections of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) to be tested to electromagnetic waves in the range from 1 GHz (1 x 10⁹ Hz) to 20 GHz (20 x 10⁹ Hz) or in the range from 10 MHz (10 x 10⁶ Hz) to 300 MHz (300 x 10⁶ Hz) or in the range from 300 GHz (300 x 10⁹ Hz) to 300 THz (300 x 10¹² Hz) when they pass through the through channel (62, 62.1, 62.2) of each measuring apparatus (60, 60.1, 60.2).
3. Drum arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, to allow the sections of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) to pass through, the receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2) in the region of the through channels (62, 62.1, 62.2) of the measuring apparatuses (60, 60.1, 60.2) are formed opposite the respective through channel (62, 62.1, 62.2).
4. Drum arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2) of the two rows are configured in or on radially outward extending, in particular disc-shaped, ring bodies or in or on small radially outward extending arms.
5. Drum arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the length of the receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2) of the two rows for the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) is respectively between 15 mm and 40 mm, in particular between 15 mm and 35 mm, or that the width of the ring bodies or the width of the small arms for the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) is respectively between 15 mm and 40 mm, in particular between 15 mm and 35 mm.
6. Drum arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2) for the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) in each case have lateral supporting bodies for the articles (50.1, 50.2) to be tested in the through channels (62, 62.1, 62.2), wherein the supporting bodies are made of a non-metallic material, in particular plastic and, upon rotation of the conveying drum (35), the supporting bodies can be brought into the through channels (62, 62.1, 62.2) of the measuring apparatuses (60, 60.1, 60.2) together with the sections of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) to be tested and pass through said through channels.
7. Machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular a filter attaching machine, for turning rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2), in particular filter cigarettes, having a drum arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 6.
8. Method for checking transversely axially conveyed rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) of the tobacco processing industry, in particular for checking liquid-filled capsules in filter sections of filter cigarettes, using a drum arrangement according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) are accommodated in two rows next to one another and in each row in each case transversely axially one behind the other in each case in a row of receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2) of a conveying drum (35) and are conveyed in transverse axial direction, wherein in each case one, preferably stationary, measuring apparatus (60, 60.1, 60.2) having a one-sidedly open through channel (62, 62.1, 62.2) for sections of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) is provided for each row of receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2), wherein, on their conveying path during the transverse axial conveyance of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2), sections of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) in each case pass through the one-sidedly open through channel (62, 62.1, 62.2) of one respective measuring apparatus (60, 60.1, 60.2) for the sections of the rod-shaped articles and, during their conveyance through the through channel (62, 62.1, 62.2), the sections of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) of each row in each case pass through a measuring field of the respective measuring apparatus (60, 60.1, 60.2) which has electromagnetic waves, wherein the sections of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) to be tested in each case are subjected to electromagnetic waves in the range from 300 MHz (300 x 10⁶ Hz) to 30 EHz (30 x 10¹⁸ Hz) when they pass through the through channel (62, 62.1, 62.2) of each measuring apparatus (60, 60.1, 60.2), wherein the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) of the two rows are arranged on the conveying drum (35) in such a way that the sections of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) of the two rows, which are to be tested and are provided for the measuring apparatuses (60, 60.1, 60.2), face one another and wherein the measuring apparatuses (60, 60.1, 60.2) for the sections of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) of the two rows are arranged between the two conveyed rows of rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2).
9. Method according to Claim 8, characterized in that the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) in the receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2) of each row, each of which has sections, in particular filter sections, that protrude laterally from the receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2), are arranged in a conveying region, and/or that the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) of the two rows are conveyed in the receiving troughs (38.1, 38.2) of the conveying drum (35) in pairs and spaced apart from one another in longitudinal axial direction.
10. Method according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that sections of the rod-shaped articles (50.1, 50.2) to be tested are respectively subjected to electromagnetic waves in the range from 1 GHz (1 x 10⁹ Hz) to 20 GHz (20 x 10⁹ Hz) or in the range from 10 MHz (10 x 10⁶ Hz) to 300 MHz (300 x 10⁶ Hz) or in the range from 300 GHz (300 x 10⁹ Hz) to 300 THz (300 x 10¹² Hz) when they pass through the through channel (62, 62.1, 62.2) of each measuring apparatus (60, 60.1, 60.2).

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