EP3765207A1

EP3765207A1 - Method for automatically monitoring the glue discharge of a glue valve

Info

Publication number: EP3765207A1
Application number: EP19711575.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Vincent Kral; Tim FARWICK
Original assignee: Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2018-03-16
Filing date: 2019-03-14
Publication date: 2021-01-20
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-14
Also published as: DE102018002129A1; WO2019175343A1; EP3765207B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for automatically monitoring a glue valve (11) during the operation of same, preferably as part of a production and/or packaging process of cigarettes or other smokable objects, in particular in order to detect a soiling of the outlet nozzle of the glue valve (11), wherein an electric capacitor field which is aligned transversely or substantially transversely to the movement direction of the glue portion in particular is produced below the outlet nozzle of the glue valve (11) using a capacitor (15), in particular a stationary capacitor, such that glue portions (13) exiting the glue valve (11) must pass through the capacitor field, and a measurement is taken in order to determine whether the capacitor field has interference that alters the capacitance of the capacitor (15).

Description

Method for the automatic monitoring of the glue release of a glue valve Description

The present invention relates to a method for automatically monitoring a glue valve during operation thereof. The invention further relates to a device for gluing products or material, in particular blanks or webs of material for the manufacture and / or packaging of cigarettes or other smokable objects, which can be monitored with such a monitoring method.

Glue valves or gluing devices and gluing systems with glue valves are used in the packaging industry.

During the operation of the glue valves, that is, while they usually apply cycle-wise glue portions to the respective substrates (package blanks, etc.), their glue outlet nozzles can become dirty or clogged. This can have an effect on the quality of the glue portions and go so far that in extreme cases, the glue portion delivery is completely interrupted.

It is known to test the glue portions already applied to the substrates, for example with optical systems. If defects in the glue portions are detected, it can be concluded that the glue valves are malfunctioning. However, such optical systems are error-prone and expensive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method by which a glue valve in the operation of the same can be monitored in the most reliable and cost-effective manner possible. It is another object of the present invention to provide a gluing device in which such monitoring takes place or can take place. This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a device having the features of claim 21.

Accordingly, according to the invention, during the operation of the same, preferably in the context of the manufacturing and / or packaging process of cigarettes or other smokable objects, below the outlet nozzle of the glue valve with the aid of a particularly stationary capacitor, an electric capacitor field is set up, in particular transversely or substantially transversely to the glue portion movement direction. In such a way that from the Leimventil leaking Leimportionen this condenser field on their way from the Leimventilaustrittsdüse to the substrate or to the product to which they are to be applied, must pass through or have to move through it. In this case, it is metrologically monitored whether a capacitance of the capacitor changing disturbance of the capacitor field occurs or not.

The inventive method is preferably used to detect contamination of the outlet nozzle of the glue valve. It is based on the surprising finding of the Applicant that an existing within an electric capacitor field or in such a penetrating Leimportion the capacitor field influences such that adjusts a metrologically detectable change in the capacitance of the condenser field-based capacitor.

Preferably, the abovementioned metrological monitoring of the glue delivery of the glue valve takes place after one or each transmission of an opening signal for opening the glue valve to the glue valve, in particular within a predetermined period of time after the opening signal. In the event that metrologically no such fault is detected or can be detected, an error signal is generated. Because the absence of such a disturbance indicates that - for example due to contamination of the glue valve - erroneously leaked despite the opening signal or opening of the glue valve Leimportion from the glue valve, which could have triggered such a capacitor field disturbance. Accordingly, in the context of metrological monitoring, it can preferably be determined whether the function of the glue valve is disturbed, in particular its (proper) glue delivery. Alternatively or additionally, as part of the metrological monitoring, at least one parameter characterizing the respective glue portion or the respective glue portion delivery may be determined. For example, the length of each delivered Leimportion or the speed, the direction of movement or the quality of such a Leimportion.

Appropriately, according to a further concretization of the inventive concept in the context of metrological monitoring a generated by capacitance changes of the capacitor or one of such capacitance changes influenceable measurement signal is detected and evaluated. In particular, an applied to the capacitor (electrical) (measuring) voltage.

In this connection, it is possible to apply to the capacitor, for example, an AC voltage which can be influenced by changes in the capacitance of the capacitor, the changes of which are caused by the change in the measured portion.

In particular, in order to improve the sensitivity of the measuring method, the measuring signal according to a further preferred idea of the invention can be filtered in the context of the evaluation of the same by means of a suitable electronic filter device.

Expediently, it can be determined in the context of the evaluation of the measurement signal whether a characteristic measurement signal change is contained in the measurement signal, which can be assigned to a capacity fraction of the capacitor influencing (due to the opening signal from the glue valve) Leimportion. This preferably takes place within a predetermined period of time which begins after the transmission of an opening signal for opening the glue valve to the glue valve, preferably within 3 milliseconds. In the event that such, characteristic Measurement signal change is not included in the measurement signal, then an error signal is generated.

As part of the evaluation of the measurement signal, alternatively or additionally, the time interval can be determined between an opening signal for opening the glue valve and a characteristic measurement signal change that can be assigned to the entry of a glue portion (emitted from the glue valve on the basis of the opening signal) into the capacitor field.

On the basis of this period between the opening signal and entry of the glue portion in the condenser field and on the basis of the (known) distance between Leimventilaustrittsdüse and condenser field, the speed of Leimportion can then be calculated.

As part of the evaluation of the measurement signal, alternatively or additionally, the time span can be determined between a first characteristic change in the measurement signal attributable to the entry of the glue portion into the condenser field and a second characteristic change in the measurement signal assignable to the exit of the glue portion from the condenser field.

On the basis of this time interval between entry and exit of the respective glue portion and on the basis of the determined speed of the glue portion, the length of the same can then be calculated, for example.

According to a further preferred development of the invention, at least one measured signal value of a characteristic measuring signal change in the measuring signal, which is attributable to a glue portion influencing the capacitance of the capacitor, is compared with a limit value (stored in a memory) for such a measuring signal change. If this limit value is exceeded or undershot, then an error signal can be generated.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, an inhomogeneous capacitor field generated by a ring capacitor is constructed below the Leimventilaustrittsdüse so that leaking from the glue Leimportionen these two capacitor fields must pass. In this case, the ring capacitor is preferably oriented in such a way that its center axis is aligned with the center axis of the glue outlet nozzle of the glue valve.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, at least two in the movement direction of emerging from the Leimventilaustrittsdüse Leimportionen successive, generated by pairs of (flat) capacitor plates, each constructed inhomogeneous capacitor fields, so exiting from the glue Leimportionen these two capacitor fields must pass wherein the two capacitor fields are at an angle to each other, in particular at an angle of 90 °.

The aforementioned condenser field / the aforementioned condenser fields can / can be constructed such that erroneously emerging obliquely from the Leimventilaustrittsdüse, condenser field / the condenser fields corresponding obliquely passing Leimportionen cause a significantly different characteristic measurement signal than coaxial or parallel to the (longitudinal) central axis of the Leimventilaustrittsdüse from this exiting, the condenser field / the condenser fields according to vertically passing Leimportionen.

The capacitor fields of the two pairs of capacitor plates can also be constructed such that the electric field strength of both capacitor fields increases perpendicular to the central axis of the Leimventilaustrittsdüse, but in mutually perpendicular directions.

Similarly, the capacitor field of the ring capacitor is preferably constructed such that the electric field strength increases from the (longitudinal) central axis of the ring capacitor in any radial direction perpendicular to this central axis.

As part of the evaluation of the respective measurement signal then a possible oblique to the central axis of Leimventilaustrittsdüse extending trajectory of Leimportion can be determined. In particular, by comparing the respective measured characteristic measurement signal change with a characteristic set measurement signal change (stored in a memory) of a glue portion, whose trajectory is exactly in the axial direction or not oblique to the central axis. In the event that it is determined that the characteristic measurement signal change originates from a glue portion emerging obliquely from the glue outlet nozzle, then an error signal can be generated.

It may further be provided that the condenser field below the glue exit nozzle runs transversely to the direction of movement of the glue portion and is constructed inhomogeneous such that the field strength of the condenser field in the direction of movement of the glue portions or parallel thereto (from top to bottom or from bottom to top) in particular continuously becomes stronger or weaker, so that the Leimportionen passing condenser field depending on the depth of penetration into the condenser field cause different characteristic measurement signal changes. In the context of the evaluation of the measurement signal for at least one characteristic measurement signal change, the penetration depth of the assigned or the glue fraction which has leaked out of the glue exit nozzle into the condenser field is determined.

In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention, adjacent to the glue outlet nozzle of the glue valve, a reference capacitor field of a reference capacitor assigned to the capacitor or the capacitor field underneath the glue outlet nozzle is constructed in such a way that no glue portions can pass the reference capacitor field from the glue outlet nozzle. In this case, the reference capacitor field is monitored by measurement as to whether an ambient disturbance of the reference capacitor field which alters the capacitance of the reference capacitor occurs. In the event that such an environmental disturbance is detected, this environmental disturbance is filtered out of a measurement signal which is detected at the time of occurrence of the environmental disturbance in the context of the metrological monitoring of the arranged below the glue outlet nozzle capacitor or the capacitor array.

A device according to the invention for gluing products or material has at least one glue valve for applying glue portions to the respective product or the respective material and one according to claim 21 Monitoring device for automatically monitoring the glue delivery of a glue valve during its operation. This particular, to detect contamination of the outlet nozzle of the glue valve. The monitoring device has a capacitor arranged below the outlet nozzle of the glue valve, by means of which an electric capacitor array arranged in particular transversely or substantially transversely to the glue-portion movement direction of the glue valve can be built up, so that glue portions emerging from the glue valve must pass through the condenser field. With the monitoring device is metrologically monitored whether a capacitance of the capacitor changing disturbance of the capacitor field occurs.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the appended claims, the following description of preferred embodiments and from the accompanying drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1 is an oblique view of a first embodiment of a

Gluing device with a glue valve, which with a monitoring device according to the invention the

Fig. 2 is a diagram in which the time-dependent course of one of the

Monitoring device recorded measuring signal is shown and corresponding thereto, an opening or control signal for the glue valve of the gluing device shown in Figure 1,

Fig. 3 is a gluing device according to FIG. 1, but with zoomed closer to the outlet nozzle of the glue valve

Condenser plates of the monitoring device, to a

Time at which a glue portion dispensed from the glue exit nozzle enters the condenser field established between the capacitor plates,

Fig. 4 a of the monitoring device of FIG. 3 associated

Measurement signal diagram (analogous to FIG. 2),

FIG. 5 shows the gluing device from FIG. 3 at a later point in time at which the glue portion dispensed from the glue outlet nozzle is located centrally in the condenser field, FIG. FIG. 6 shows a measurement signal diagram associated with the situation in FIG. 5 (analogous to FIG. 4), FIG.

7 shows the gluing device of FIGS. 3 and 5 at a point in time at which the glue portion has already left or has left the condenser field,

Fig. 8 is a of the situation of the gluing device in Fig. 7 associated

Measurement signal diagram (analogous to FIGS. 4 and 6),

Fig. 9 is a symbolization of a through the capacitor field of

Monitoring device of the gluing device of Fig. 4, 5, 7 extending glue proportion with associated measurement signal diagram,

10 shows a further embodiment of an inventive

Gluing device with inclined capacitor plates of the monitoring device,

FIG. 11 shows a diagram associated with the gluing device in FIG. 10, which symbolizes a location dependency of recorded measuring signals, FIG.

Fig. 12 shows a symbolization of a construction of palelloses

Capacitor plates that produce an identical capacitor field as the tilted capacitor plates of FIG. 10,

Fig. 13 shows a further embodiment of an inventive

Gluing device with two pairs of stacked capacitor plates, each with mutually perpendicular capacitor fields, wherein the capacitors of each pair are each arranged at an angle to each other or are inclined,

Fig. 14 two generated by means of two pairs of ring capacitors

Capacitor arrays,

FIG. 15 shows a diagram associated with the capacitor fields of FIG. 10, which symbolizes a position dependency of recorded measurement signals,

16 shows the representation of a typical measurement signal curve with a characteristic detected by the monitoring device of a gluing device according to the invention

Measuring signal change, which is due to a disturbance of the corresponding capacitor field by a Leimportion, by a arranged below the glue valve condenser is generated, and corresponding thereto an opening or control signal for a glue valve of the gluing device,

17 is a diagram representation of a measurement signal waveform accordingly

16, however, detected by means of a separate reference capacitor for detecting interference signals from the environment, which is arranged adjacent to the arranged below the glue valve capacitor,

18 is a diagram of a measurement waveform in which the

Measuring signal from FIG. 16 has been corrected for the interference signal from FIG. 17,

Fig. 19 to illustrate further relationships a

Diagram representation of a further exemplary measuring signal waveform and corresponding thereto an opening or control signal for a glue valve of a gluing device according to the invention.

In Fig. 1, a gluing device 10 is shown, which serves for applying individual glue portions on substrates, not shown, as on blanks or webs for the manufacture and / or packaging of cigarettes or other smokable objects.

For this purpose, the gluing device 10 comprises (at least) a glue valve 11 with glue valve outlet nozzle 12, which is controllable by means of a control device, not shown, but usually not necessarily designed as a solenoid valve.

From the glue valve outlet nozzle 12, individual glue portions can be dispensed down onto the respective substrate. For this purpose, the glue valve 11 at certain times (electrical) opening signals are given, which lead to a - for example by means of an electromagnet - movable closure member of the glue valve 11 from a closed position in which it closes a (lower) nozzle opening 12a of Leimventilaustrittsdüse 12 , moved to an open position is, in which it releases the nozzle opening, so that single Leimportionen 13 can be discharged downwards out of the opening.

By means of a return member, for example by means of a spring or by repelling permanent magnets, the closure member is then automatically moved back into the closed position and held there. The precise design of the glue valve is not important to the invention.

The gluing device 10 is usually integrated in a higher-level production process, for example in a packaging process. Accordingly, the glue valve opening signals are synchronized with the packaging process. For example, the glue valve 11 is opened or closed again synchronously with or in a higher-level machine cycle of a machine to which the glue valve 11 is assigned. Frequently, the gluing device 10 comprises a plurality of glue valves 11 arranged next to one another. However, this does not have to be the case.

During the higher-level production process, it can lead to disruption of the glue valve 11. In particular, it may happen that the Leimventilaustrittsdüse is gradually contaminated with glue residues. In this case, the output Leimportionen 13 may gradually change accordingly. In extreme cases, the pollution can lead to no more Leimportion 13 can be spent.

It is particularly important now that the gluing device 10 according to the invention has a monitoring device 14, with which the respective glue dispensing is monitored automatically in a special way during the production process.

For this purpose, the monitoring device 14 has, for one thing, a condenser 15 (open from top to bottom) arranged below the glue outlet nozzle 12, which can build up a condenser field 16 extending transversely to the glue outlet direction or oriented horizontally. For this purpose, the capacitor 15 has two spaced (parallel) or arranged in parallel vertical planes (flat) capacitor plates 15a and 15b.

The capacitor 15 or its capacitor plates 15a, 15b are positioned such that the capacitor array 16 is arranged between them so that glue portions 13, which emerge properly, from the glue valve 11 and from the glue outlet nozzle 12 on their way down to the Substrate imperatively entering the capacitor array 16, this happen and again have to emerge from this before they then fall to the arranged below the capacitor plates 15 a, 15 b or below the capacitor array 16 substrate. In this case, the capacitor array 16 is preferably aligned transversely to the Leimportionsbewegungsrichtung.

The monitoring device 14 further has a suitable measuring electronics 17, which is connected to the capacitor 15.

With the measuring electronics 17, a measuring voltage U can be applied to the capacitor plates 15a, 15b. Preferably, a suitable alternating voltage is applied for this purpose, so that the orientation of the capacitor field 16 changes accordingly. For this purpose, the measuring electronics in the present case comprises a frequency generator 17a.

The actual voltage between the capacitor plates 15a, 15b, which can be influenced by the glue portions 16 passing through the capacitor field 16, is detected as the actual measuring signal.

In the present case, the measuring electronics 17 further includes a filter circuit 17b, which processes the actual measuring signal in a suitable manner, in particular frees of alternating voltage components generated by the frequency generator 17a.

It is understood that the measuring electronics 17 can also be designed differently. For example, could be dispensed with a frequency generator 17a and be operated with DC voltage. In this case, if necessary, the filter circuit 17b would be omitted.

The person skilled in the art recognizes that there are various variants for implementing the core idea according to the invention. Decisive in each case is that the monitoring device 14, in particular the capacitor array 16 and the measuring electronics 17, is designed such that glue portions 13 which pass through the field 16 lead to a characteristic change of the measuring signal respectively detected by the measuring electronics or generate a characteristic measuring signal.

2 shows an example of an already processed measuring signal 18 over time t, namely a measuring voltage U. In the diagram, a control signal 19 or an opening signal for opening the glue valve 11 is also shown in the diagram.

As can be seen, the opening signal 19 of the glue valve 11 causes a characteristic signal change Si in the measuring signal 18 at the time h. The background is that the electromagnetic field of the electromagnet of the glue valve 11 leads to a first disturbance of the capacitor field 16, resulting in a change in capacitance of the capacitor 15 and consequently precipitates in the characteristic signal change Si.

Following the opening signal 19 or the corresponding opening of the glue valve 11, one or the glue drops 13 are released from the glue valve 11 and subsequently enter the condenser field 16.

At time t ₂ , a characteristic signal change S ₂ in the measuring signal 18 can be seen, which is due to the disturbance of the capacitor field 16 by the capacitor portion 16 passing glue proportion 13. According to the invention, this disturbance or the characteristic signal change S _{2 is} detected as part of the (automatic) evaluation of the measurement signal U. The evaluation of the measurement signal U can be carried out, for example, with a corresponding evaluation electronics (or a corresponding evaluation computer) of the monitoring device 14.

In the present case, the characteristic signal disturbance S ₂ has occurred within a predetermined time window, which is set in the monitoring device 14.

From this it can be concluded that the glue valve 11 is working properly.

If, on the other hand, no such characteristic signal change S ₂ occurs within the predetermined time window or can be determined by the monitoring device 14, it can be concluded that erroneously no glue portion 13 has emerged from the glue valve outlet nozzle 12. For example, due to an already existing blockage of the same.

In this case, the monitoring device generates an error signal that can be displayed, for example, on a screen.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the gluing device 10 has been somewhat modified from Fig. 1. Namely, inasmuch as the condenser 15 disposed below the glue discharge nozzle 12 has been moved closer to the glue valve discharge nozzle 12.

In other words, the distance between the Leimventilaustrittsdüse 12 and the nozzle opening 12a on the one hand and the capacitor 15 and the capacitor array 16 on the other hand smaller than in Fig. 1st

This leads, as shown in FIG. 4, to a changed measurement signal 18. For the glue portion 13 already enters the condenser field 16, while it is still being discharged from the glue outlet nozzle 12, that is, it is still partially connected to it. For this reason, the glue portion 13 in this case is connected to the same electrical reference potential as the frequency generator 17a. The result is a capacitive coupling, which causes a stronger disturbance of the capacitor array 16 and thus a stronger or more distinctive characteristic signal change S2 than in the embodiment according to FIG. 1.

Due to the greater proximity of the capacitor array 16 to the glue outlet nozzle 12, the signal change S ₂ naturally also occurs at an earlier point in time t ₂ than in the embodiment of FIG. 1, since the entry of the glue drop 13 into the capacitor field 16 takes place correspondingly earlier.

The gluing device 10 in FIGS. 5 and 7 corresponds to that of FIG. 3. It can be clearly seen that different spatial positions of the dispensed glue portion 13 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 relative to the condenser field 16 are assigned to corresponding measured signal values Time t ₂ correspond:

In FIG. 5, the glue drop 13 has arrived at the time t ₂ on its way through the capacitor array 16 (from top to bottom) substantially in the center of the capacitor array 16. Based on the measurement signal 18, this corresponds to a position at the end of the rising edge of the characteristic signal change S ₂ .

In contrast, in FIG. 7, the glue drop 13 has already completely passed through the capacitor array 16 at time t ₂ and has again exited from the capacitor array 16 below it. This corresponds to a correspondingly later position on the measurement signal 18 and a measurement signal value which corresponds to a measurement signal value in an undisturbed state of the capacitor 15 (outside the characteristic signal change S ₂ ).

9 symbolizes that one or the measuring signal 18 can be evaluated according to the invention in various ways. The characteristic signal change S ₂ comprises in FIG. 9, for example at times t _s and t _3, two low points which correspond to the beginning (t ₂ ) of a rising side edge of the signal change S ₂ or to the end (t ₃ ) of a falling side edge. The time t ₂ corresponds to the time of entry of the glue portion 13 in the capacitor array 16, the time t ₃ the time of the exit of the glue portion 13 from the capacitor array 16th

As part of the evaluation of the measurement signal 18, this can be compared with predetermined limits. In the present case, envelope limit curves 20a, 20b are used with which the measurement signal 18 and in particular the characteristic signal change S _{2 are} compared.

For example, it could be determined that a waveform 18 located between one or the upper envelope 20a and one or lower envelope 20b, cf. Fig. 9, is evaluated by the monitoring device 14 as correct or error-free.

If the measurement signal 18 or the characteristic measurement signal change S ₂ leaves the range between the envelope limit curves 20a, 20b or exceeds the upper envelope limit curve 20a or falls below the lower envelope limit curve 20b, this could be interpreted as an error by the monitoring device and an error signal generated. Such an error could, for example, indicate a lack of quality of the glue portion 13. For example, due to contamination of the glue outlet nozzle 12, which indeed reduces the quality of the respectively delivered glue portion 13, but does not yet result in the glue delivery of glue drops 13 coming to a complete standstill.

From the time difference between inlet t ₂ and outlet t _{3 of} the glue portion 13 from the condenser field 16, for example, the length of the respective glue portion 13 could be calculated in a further step. For this purpose, first the speed of the glue portion 13 would have to be determined. This would be easily possible because the distance between the Leimventilaustrittsdüse 12 and the capacitor array 16 is known. Furthermore, the time difference trt _{2 is} known between the actuation of the glue valve 11 and the entry of the glue portion 13 into the condenser field 16. By way of this, the speed of the glue portion 13 can then be calculated. On the basis of this speed and the time difference t2-t ₃ between entry and exit of the glue portion 13, it is then possible to deduce the respective length of the glue portion 13.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show, by way of example, a gluing device 10 in which the condenser field 16 is inhomogeneous, decreasing in thickness from top to bottom. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, this is achieved by the fact that the capacitor plates 15a, 15b are not aligned in parallel, spaced apart vertical planes, but are set at an angle to each other, so that the distance between them - in the present case - increases from top to bottom. Of course, could alternatively be provided that the distance decreases from top to bottom, so that the capacitor field strength is correspondingly larger from top to bottom.

The same effect could otherwise be achieved with a capacitor 15, as shown in FIG. 12. There, the capacitor plates 15a, 15b are arranged in parallel. However, they consist of a composite material. An electrically active capacitor material 21 of the capacitor plates 15a, 15b decreases continuously in its respective thickness from top to bottom (or vice versa from top to bottom), so that in the result the same from top to bottom weakening field as in the capacitor 15 of FIG.

The illustrated inhomogeneity of the capacitor array 16 results in each case when passing through the respective glue portion 13 characteristic signal changes of the respective measurement signal 18, which are position-dependent. In FIG. 11, the curve 23 represents the strength of the respective characteristic measurement signal change 18 or the intensity of the disturbance of the capacitor field 16 as a function of the coordinate z or the penetration depth of the glue portion 13 into the capacitor array 16 (from top to bottom). Because of these relationships, it is inventively possible to determine the respective current position of the respective glue portion 13 within the capacitor field 16 (in this case, uniaxial). FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the gluing device 10 in which, for the biaxial determination of the position of the respective dispensed glue portion 13, two condenser fields 16a, 16b below the glue exit nozzle

12 of the glue valve 11 are constructed.

The capacitor array 16a is generated by a capacitor 15 with capacitor plates 15a, 15b. The capacitor array 16b through a capacitor 24 with capacitor plates 24a, 24b.

The first capacitor array 16a extends above the second capacitor array 16b, in the present case transversely to the capacitor array 16b. Both capacitor fields 16a, 16b are constructed inhomogeneous. In such a way that the electric field strength of both capacitor fields 16a, 16b respectively increases perpendicularly to the central axis of the Leimventilaustrittsdüse 12, but in mutually perpendicular directions.

This structure can be used to detect the respective direction of flight of the respective glue portion 13 after exiting the glue valve outlet nozzle 12. In particular, deviations of the direction of flight from one or the desired direction of flight, which coincides with the center axis of the glue valve outlet nozzle 12, can be detected.

For a glue portion 13 entering or passing through the fields 16a, 16b causes a disturbance of the capacitor fields 16a, 16b or a characteristic measurement signal change, which depends on the respective current position or coordinates of the glue portion

13 perpendicular to the capacitor array 16a and perpendicular to the capacitor array 16b. Accordingly, depending on the current X / Y position of the glue position 13 with respect to planes which are perpendicular to the z axis defined by the center axis of the glue valve exit nozzle 12.

14 shows an example of a variant of a capacitor array 16 in which a pair of rings 15a ', 15b' of a ring capacitor 15 arranged in parallel, spaced-apart planes (one above the other) are used to construct the same. The capacitor rings 15a ', 15b' lie in the z-direction one above the other in spaced apart horizontal planes and are each arranged with their longitudinal central axes coaxial or parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the Leimaustrittsdüse 12. The rings 15a ', 15b' each have a conical geometry, whereby the material thickness thereof increases towards the outer edge.

The strength of the electric field 16 reaches the edge because of the larger mass there is a maximum. A glue portion 13 which penetrates such a field 16 causes a disturbance of the field 16 as a function of the radial position within the two capacitor rings 15a ', 15b'. FIG. 15 shows the strength of such a disturbance or a corresponding characteristic measurement signal change as a function of the radial distance r from the center of the respective capacitor rings 15a 'or 15b'. In this way, depending on the (time-dependent) intensity of the respective disturbance / characteristic measurement signal change which is measured, it can be determined whether and to what extent the direction of flight of the respective glue portion 13 which must pass through the two capacitor rings 15a 'or 15b' deviates from a desired flight direction that coincides with the z-axis.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, parallel to the one or more capacitors 15 and 24, which are respectively used in the gluing device 10 and the monitoring device 14, one or optionally a plurality of identically constructed reference capacitors immediately adjacent to the / respective capacitors) 15 and 24 build or arrange.

In such a way that glue portions 13, which emerge from the Leimventilaustrittsdüse 12 and are discharged from this, the reference capacitor field (s) can not happen. The reference capacitor array (s) are then used to filter out any environmental disturbances from the measurement signal 18.

FIG. 16 shows a measuring signal 18, which can be measured without such a reference capacitor in the respective capacitor 15 or 24 arranged below the glue valve 11. FIG. 17 shows a measurement signal 18 ', as would be measured at the same time in a corresponding, adjacent reference capacitor or possibly in a plurality of reference capacitors. The measurement signal 18 'forms the disturbing influences of the environment.

Finally, FIG. 18 shows a measuring signal 18 "which has been adjusted correspondingly to the disturbing influences 18 '.

Further particular relationships will be described below with reference to FIG. 19.

During operation of the glue valve 11, glue residues can deposit on the glue valve outlet nozzle 12. This can result in individual glue portions 13 later being released from the glue valve outlet nozzle 12 or emerging from it than would be the case with fault-free operation or without an uncleaned glue valve outlet nozzle 12. The value of this time delay in turn depends on the degree of contamination of the glue outlet nozzle.

FIG. 19 shows a first characteristic measurement signal change S ₂ at time t ₂ , as may occur in each case in cycles, when the glue valve 11 operates properly and is not contaminated.

In dashed lines, a signal change S ₂ · is shown, which would occur at the time t ₂ · after the glue valve 11 is in operation for a certain time. From the time difference between t ₂ and t ₂ · can be concluded with the help of stored calibration values on the degree of contamination of the glue valve 11.

Another scenario relates to the deposition of glue residues during operation of the monitoring device 14 at the respective capacitor plate / capacitor rings 15a, 15b; 15a ', 15b' and 24a, 24b, respectively. Due to the relative proximity of the capacitor plates / capacitor rings 15a, 15b; 15a ', 15b' and 24a, 24b, respectively, to the glue valve exit nozzle 12, glue spatters may be applied to the respective capacitor plate / condenser ring 15a, 15b; 15a ', 15b' and 24a, 24b arrive. In particular, also due to an oblique direction of flight of the respective glue portion 13.

In the course of operation, such pollution can lead to a change (increase or decrease) in the general signal level, cf. Measuring signal 18 'in Fig. 19 and the characteristic signal changes S ₂ and S ₂ ·. On the respective value of this increase (difference) compared to a desired value or to a value that is at unsoiled capacitor plate / capacitor rings 15a, 15b; 15a ', 15b' and 24a, 24b, respectively, can then check the degree of soiling of the capacitor plate / capacitor rings 15a, 15b; 15a ', 15b' and 24a, 24b are inferred.

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LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 gluing device t ₂ · time

11 glue valve t ₃ time

12 glue valve outlet nozzle t ₃ · time

12a nozzle opening Si signal change

13 Leimportion S ₂ Signal change

14 Monitoring device S ₂ · Signal change

15 capacitor S ₃ signal change

15a Capacitor plate S ₃ · Signal change

15b capacitor plate x / y / z coordinate

15a 'capacitor ring r distance

15b 'capacitor ring

16 capacitor field

16a capacitor array

16b capacitor field

17 measuring electronics

17a frequency generator

17b filter circuit

18 measurement signal

18 'measurement signal

18 "measurement signal

19 opening signal

20a envelope limit curve

20b envelope limit curve

21 capacitor material

23 curve

24 capacitor

24a capacitor plate

24b capacitor plate

U measuring voltage

t time

ti time

t ₂ time

Claims

claims

1. A method for automatically monitoring a glue valve (11) during its operation, preferably in the context of the manufacturing and / or packaging process of cigarettes or other smokable objects, in particular, to detect fouling of the outlet nozzle of the glue valve (11), wherein below the outlet nozzle of the glue valve (11) by means of a particular stationary capacitor (15, 24) an especially transverse or substantially transverse to Leimportionsbewegungsrichtung aligned electrical capacitor field is built so that from the glue valve (11) leaking Leimportionen (13) must pass through the capacitor field , And is monitored in the metrological, if a capacitance of the capacitor (15, 24) changing disturbance of the capacitor field occurs.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the metrological monitoring after one or each transmission of an opening of the glue valve (11) provided opening signal to the glue valve (11), in particular within a predetermined period of time after the opening signal, and that for the In the event that no such fault is detected, an error signal is generated.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is determined in the context of metrological monitoring, whether the function of the glue valve (11) is disturbed, in particular its glue delivery, and / or that within the metrological monitoring at least one respective Leimportion (13) or the respective Leportportionsabgabe characterizing parameters is determined, in particular the length of the Leportportion (13), the speed of Leimportion (13), the direction of movement of Leimportion (13) or the quality of Leimportion (13).

4. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the context of metrological monitoring by a capacitance changes of the capacitor (15, 24) generated or a detected and evaluated by such capacitance changes measurable signal, in particular a voltage applied to the capacitor (15, 24) (electric) voltage.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that to the capacitor (15, 24) by a capacitance changes of the capacitor (15, 24) influenceable AC voltage is applied.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the measurement signal is filtered during the evaluation thereof by means of a suitable electronic filter device.

7. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims 4-6, characterized in that is determined in the context of the evaluation of the measurement signal, in particular within a predetermined period of time, which begins after the transmission of a provided for opening the glue valve opening signal to the glue valve, preferably within 3 milliseconds, whether a characteristic measurement signal change is included in the measurement signal, which is attributable to the capacity of the capacitor influencing (due to the opening signal emitted from the glue valve) glue proportion (13), and that in the event that such a characteristic measurement signal change not contained in the measurement signal, an error signal is generated.

8. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims 4-7, characterized in that in the context of the evaluation of the measurement signal, the time interval is determined between an opening signal for opening the glue valve (11) and the entry of a (due to the opening signal from the glue valve (11) delivered) Leimportion (13) in the condenser field assignable, characteristic measurement signal change.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that on the basis of this period between the opening signal and entry of the glue portion (11) in the condenser field and on the basis of the distance between Leimventilaustrittsdüse (12) and condenser box, the speed of the Leimportion (13) is calculated.

10. The method according to one or more of the preceding

Claims 7 - 9, characterized in that in the context of the evaluation of the measuring signal, the time interval is determined between a first, the entry of the Leimportion (13) in the capacitor field assignable, characteristic Meßsignaländerung and a second, the outlet of the Leimportion (13) from the Condenser field assignable, characteristic measurement signal change.

11. The method according to claim 9 and 10, characterized in that in the context of the evaluation of the measurement signal based on this time between entry and exit of the Leimportion (13) and based on the speed of the Leimportion (13), the length of the Leimportion (13) determined becomes.

12. Method according to one or more of the preceding

Claims 7 - 11, characterized in that at least one measurement signal value of a characteristic measurement signal change in the measurement signal, which is attributable to a Leimportion (13) influencing the capacitance of the capacitor (15, 24), is compared with a limit value for such a measurement signal change.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that when exceeding or falling below this limit, an error signal is generated.

14. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that below the Leimventilaustrittsdüse (12) of a ring capacitor (15) generated, inhomogeneous capacitor field is built so that leaking from the glue Leimportionen this capacitor field must happen.

15. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that below the Leimventilaustrittsdüse at least two in the direction of movement emerging from the Leimventilaustrittsdüse glue portions successive, of pairs of Capacitor plates generated, each inhomogeneous capacitor fields are constructed so that leaking from the glue Leimportionen must pass through these two capacitor fields, the two capacitor fields are at an angle to each other, in particular at an angle of 90 °.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the one or more capacitor fields is constructed such that erroneously emerging obliquely from the Leimventilaustrittsdüse, the condenser (s) (s) corresponding obliquely passing Leimportionen cause a different characteristic measurement signal change than coaxial to the longitudinal center axis of the Outlet nozzle from this exiting, the condenser (s) (s) according to vertically passing Leimportionen.

17. Method according to one or more of the preceding

Claims 14, 15 or 16, characterized in that the

Capacitor fields of the pairs of capacitor plates are constructed such that the electric field strength of the capacitor fields increases perpendicular to the central axis of the Leimventilaustrittsdüse, but in mutually perpendicular directions, or that the capacitor field of the ring capacitor is constructed such that the electric field strength perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the ring capacitor (15 ) becomes larger in all radial directions.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that it is determined in the context of the evaluation of the measurement signal, whether the respective characteristic measurement signal from an obliquely emerging from the outlet nozzle Leimportion (13), especially by comparison with a characteristic desired measurement signal change, and that, in the event that the characteristic measurement signal change originates from a glue portion (13) emerging obliquely from the outlet nozzle, an error signal is generated.

19. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capacitor field below the Leimaustrittsdüse transversely to the direction of movement of the Leimportion (13) and is constructed inhomogeneous, that the field strength of the capacitor field in Movement direction of the glue portions (13) or parallel thereto in particular continuously becomes stronger or weaker, so that the condenser field passing glue portions (13) depending on the depth of penetration into the capacitor field cause different characteristic measurement signal changes, wherein in the context of the evaluation of the measurement signal for at least one characteristic measurement signal change Penetration depth of the associated or causing these, leaked from the Leimaustrittsdüse Leimportion (13) is determined in the condenser field.

20. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that adjacent to the Leimaustrittsdüse the Leimventils (13) a condenser or the capacitor field below the Leimaustrittsdüse associated reference capacitor field of a reference capacitor is constructed, in such a way that from the Leimaustrittsdüse no Glue portions (13) can pass through the reference capacitor field, that the reference capacitor field is metrologically monitored as to whether the capacitance of the reference capacitor changing ambient noise of the reference capacitor field occurs, and that in the event that such an environmental disturbance is detected, this environmental disturbance is filtered out of a measurement signal, which is detected at the time of occurrence of the environmental disturbance in the context of metrological monitoring of the capacitor or the capacitor field below the Leimaustrittsdüse.

21. A device for gluing products or material, in particular blanks or webs for the manufacture and / or packaging of cigarettes or other smokable objects, with at least one glue valve (11) for applying glue portions (13) to the product or the material with a monitoring device (14) for automatically monitoring the glue valve (11) during its operation, in particular to detect fouling of the outlet nozzle of the glue valve (11), wherein the monitoring device (14) at least one arranged below the outlet nozzle of the glue valve (11) Capacitor, with which a particular transversely or substantially transversely to the Leimportionsbewegungsrichtung of the glue valve (11) aligned, electric condenser field is buildable, so that from the glue valve (11) leaking Leimportionen (13) must pass through the condenser field, with the monitoring device (14) can be monitored whether a capacitance of the capacitor changing disturbance of the capacitor field occurs.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized by one or more features of claims 1-20.