EP3852557B1 - Appareil pour le transport et l'inspection d'un produit semi-fini de l'industrie du tabac - Google Patents

Appareil pour le transport et l'inspection d'un produit semi-fini de l'industrie du tabac Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3852557B1
EP3852557B1 EP19786869.8A EP19786869A EP3852557B1 EP 3852557 B1 EP3852557 B1 EP 3852557B1 EP 19786869 A EP19786869 A EP 19786869A EP 3852557 B1 EP3852557 B1 EP 3852557B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
suction belt
detecting
electromagnetic
semi
finished product
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EP19786869.8A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3852557A1 (fr
Inventor
Eura Trivisonno
Ivan Eusepi
Marco FRASSON
Mauro Galli
Fausto Mengoli
Massimo Sartoni
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GD SpA
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GD SpA
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/32—Separating, ordering, counting or examining cigarettes; Regulating the feeding of tobacco according to rod or cigarette condition
    • A24C5/34—Examining cigarettes or the rod, e.g. for regulating the feeding of tobacco; Removing defective cigarettes
    • A24C5/3412—Examining cigarettes or the rod, e.g. for regulating the feeding of tobacco; Removing defective cigarettes by means of light, radiation or electrostatic fields

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an apparatus for the conveying and inspection of a semi-finished product of the tobacco industry.
  • this invention is intended for making an apparatus for moving and at the same time inspecting a semi-finished product of the tobacco industry, capable of guaranteeing the correctness of the measurements performed, so as to allow an assessment of its conformity to one or more requirements of the end product to be made.
  • Prior art machines for the production of continuous rods of tobacco usually use a substantially vertical flue fed at the bottom by a continuous flow of tobacco particles, at the top end of which a suction belt is positioned, on which a continuous mass of tobacco forms.
  • That suction belt is suitable for feeding the continuous mass of tobacco along a predetermined path, at least partly defined by the suction belt itself, to a preforming device which creates a continuous ribbon and then to a forming channel for a continuous rod of tobacco in which a wrapping web, for example made of paper, is forced to wrap around the continuous ribbon of tobacco so as to form a continuous cylinder or rod of the tobacco industry, such as a cigarette rod, which will subsequently be divided into pieces by a suitable cutting device.
  • Such inspection stations comprise sensors capable of assessing the quantity of tobacco which is being conveyed along the channel in order to determine if the transfer from the ascending flue to the forming beam is happening in the desired way.
  • the suction belt also passes through the inspection station, thereby disturbing the measuring process.
  • the result obtained represents not just the properties of the semi-finished product to be measured, but also those of the suction belt.
  • Document GB781042 discloses a device for producing a stream of tobacco by release of tobacco onto a supporting belt which uses a first detector arranged on the active branch of the supporting belt and a compensating detector arranged on the return branch of the belt in order to offset the absorption by the belt.
  • Document US3127899 discloses a device for producing a stream of tobacco by releasing tobacco fibers onto a paper strip supported on a supporting belt, which includes an upper and a lower detectors arranged on opposite sides of a diverting roller and where the upper detector detects the belt, the paper strip and the tobacco fibers whilst the lower detector detects the belt only.
  • the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to propose an apparatus for the conveying and inspection of a semi-finished product of the tobacco industry which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
  • this invention shows an apparatus for the conveying and inspection of a semi-finished product of the tobacco industry which comprises a conveyor with a suction belt and at least one electromagnetic detecting device.
  • the conveyor is configured to hold and convey the semi-finished product along a conveying path and comprises at least one guide channel for the semi-finished product, delimited at the sides by two side walls and at the top by a suction belt.
  • the at least one electromagnetic detecting device defines at least one detecting channel configured to slidably receive the suction belt and at least one portion of the semi-finished product held on that suction belt.
  • the apparatus is configured to operate in a first configuration, in which the at least one electromagnetic detecting device detects at least one property of the suction belt passing through the detecting channel and generates a reference signal, and in a second configuration, in which the at least one electromagnetic detecting device detects at least one property of the semi-finished product and of the suction belt passing through the detecting channel and generates a measurement signal.
  • the conveying apparatus comprises, or is associated with, a control unit configured to receive and process the measurement signal, correcting or varying it as a function of the reference signal.
  • a control unit configured to receive and process the measurement signal, correcting or varying it as a function of the reference signal.
  • This invention also relates to a method for the conveying and inspection of a semi-finished product of the tobacco industry, which comprises the following steps:
  • that method allows the generation of a reference signal as a function of which it is possible to correct the measurement signal in order to remove the contribution which is due to the presence of the suction belt.
  • the fact that the measurement signal is corrected or varied shall be understood to mean that said measurement signal is processed while taking into account the reference signal detected.
  • the reference number 100 is used to indicate an apparatus for the conveying and inspection of a semi-finished product of the tobacco industry according to this invention.
  • the semi-finished product may be any material used in the tobacco industry for filling elements of a smoking article, such as: a mass of tobacco fibre, a ribbon of filter material, a ribbon of pieces of filter, even heterogeneous, or a crimped tobacco ribbon.
  • the apparatus 100 comprises a conveyor 10 with a suction belt and at least one electromagnetic detecting device 20.
  • the conveyor 10 is configured to hold and convey the semi-finished product along a conveying path and comprises at least one guide channel 11, delimited at the sides by two side walls 12 and at the top by a suction belt 13.
  • the suction belt 13 is permeable to air so that an air flow generated inside the apparatus 100 can pass through the belt from the bottom upwards.
  • That air flow creates a vacuum on the lower surface of the suction belt 13 and this allows the bottom of the suction belt 13 to hold the semi-finished product, received from an ascending flue, conveying it along the guide channel 11.
  • the presence of the side walls allows the definition of a cross-section of the semi-finished product sliding through the guide channel 11, at whose outfeed the semi-finished product reaches a forming station in which it will be wrapped in a wrapping material, which could even be at least partly metallic or metallized, so as to make a continuous rod of the tobacco industry.
  • the suction belt slides inside suitable guides which engage with a peripheral portion of it so as to aid its correct tensioning during use of the conveyor 10.
  • the guides are made in one piece with the side walls 12 and are therefore part of the conveyor 10.
  • the suction belt 13 is usually tensioned so that it can be pulled by a motor-driven pulley 14 of the conveyor 10.
  • the suction belt 13 is stretched, which over time reduces its effective tensioning, which therefore deviates from the desired and optimal degree of tensioning.
  • the conveyor comprises a tensioning pulley 15, which is movable in such a way as to allow suitable lengthening of the path which is followed by the suction belt 13, with the aim of guaranteeing constant application of the desired degree of tensioning.
  • the tensioning pulley 15 is associated with a suitable tensioning device 15a, for example a pneumatic cylinder or an equivalent thrust unit, movable according to a thrust motion suitable for applying to the suction belt 13 a force having an intensity and direction which are suitable for countering the stretching of the suction belt 13 over time, keeping it taut.
  • a suitable tensioning device 15a for example a pneumatic cylinder or an equivalent thrust unit, movable according to a thrust motion suitable for applying to the suction belt 13 a force having an intensity and direction which are suitable for countering the stretching of the suction belt 13 over time, keeping it taut.
  • the at least one electromagnetic detecting device 20 defines a detecting channel configured to slidably receive inside it at least one portion of the semi-finished product and of the suction belt 13.
  • the electromagnetic detecting device 20 comprises at least one electromagnetic sensor suitable for detecting at least one property of the semi-finished product and of the suction belt 13 when they pass through the detecting channel.
  • electromagnetic sensor means any sensor able to perform a non-destructive measurement through the thickness of the semi-finished product using electromagnetic waves.
  • the apparatus 100 is configured to operate in a first configuration and in a second configuration.
  • the at least one electromagnetic detecting device 20 detects at least one property of the suction belt 13 passing through the detecting channel and generates a reference signal representing that property.
  • the at least one electromagnetic detecting device 20 detects at least one property of the semi-finished product and of the suction belt 13 passing through the detecting channel and generates a measurement signal representing that property.
  • the apparatus 100 can operate in two configurations in which it is capable inspecting either only the suction belt 13, or both the suction belt 13 and the semi-finished product held by it, in both situations generating a suitable signal representing the measurement performed.
  • the apparatus 100 comprises, or is associated with, a control unit "C" configured to receive and process the measurement signal, correcting or varying it as a function of the reference signal.
  • control unit "C” is for collecting both of the signals, the measurement signal and the reference signal, and for processing them so as to obtain an effective measurement signal representing the properties of only the semi-finished product.
  • the apparatus 100 disclosed is capable of analysing and assessing the properties of the semi-finished product without being affected by any interference in the measuring process which is due to the presence and the possible imperfections of the suction belt 13.
  • the term property means one or more characteristics of interest which depend on the type of filling material and on the production step in which the detection is being performed.
  • such properties may include: weight, density, humidity, correct inclusion of additional elements.
  • the term property means one or more characteristics of the belt itself which are such that they create a disturbance in the measurement signal.
  • Detecting a property of the suction belt 13 therefore allows an assessment of the interference that the suction belt 13 creates in the process for measurement of the at least one property of the semi-finished product. Therefore, it should be taken into account that the suction belt 13 might not be homogeneous even when just installed and might have, particularly at a joint portion of it, structural characteristics or properties which vary not just over time but also spatially along its entire length.
  • the suction belt 13 has at least one distinctive element defined by a portion of the suction belt 13 which has at least one distinctive property, that is to say, a property whose value is different from the value of that same property when assessed in a different portion of the suction belt 13.
  • the term distinctive element means any lack of homogeneity in the characteristics of the suction belt 13, which may be due to particular structural characteristics (thickening, thinning, structural defects, partial breaks or others) or to additional elements applied to it (graphical signs, notches, metal plates or others).
  • the apparatus 100 comprises an electromagnetic detecting device 20 and is operated alternatively in the first configuration, in which the semi-finished product is not fed and therefore only the suction belt 13 passes through the detecting channel, for generating the reference signal, or in the second configuration, in which the semi-finished product is fed and therefore passes through the detecting channel together with the suction belt 13, for generating the measurement signal.
  • the electromagnetic detecting device 20 generates, by means of the respective electromagnetic sensor, an electromagnetic field, in particular a microwave field, which strikes the portion of suction belt 13 which is sliding through the detecting channel.
  • the presence of the suction belt 13 causes a disturbance in the electromagnetic field present in the detecting channel which the electromagnetic sensor can read.
  • the disturbance in the electromagnetic field is expressed in terms of shifting of the peak frequency and of variation of the width of the resonance curve at half amplitude.
  • control unit "C” which can use it to correct the measurement signal in such a way as to suitably assess the component of it which is due to the presence of the belt when the apparatus 100 is operated in the second configuration, thereby obtaining information about the semi-finished product alone.
  • the electromagnetic detecting device 20 therefore operates alternatively in the first configuration, generating the reference signal, or in the second configuration, generating the measurement signal.
  • the apparatus 100 In order to accurately assess any structural variations in the suction belt 13, it is possible to operate the apparatus 100 in the first configuration in a predetermined way, that is to say, at predetermined time intervals, or each time that an event occurs which could modify the properties of the suction belt 13 which is located in the apparatus 100.
  • the apparatus 100 can be associated with a suitable machine encoder "E" forming part of the machine of the tobacco sector to which it belongs.
  • the suction belt 13 slides through the detecting channel and is inspected by the electromagnetic detecting device 20, simultaneously, by means of the encoder "E", it is possible to know its angular position and therefore to generate a suitable identification signal representing the portion of the suction belt 13 which is being inspected.
  • the control unit "C" is therefore configured to use that information to associate with each individual portion of the suction belt 13 the reference signal generated by that portion.
  • control unit "C” is capable of processing the identification signal and the reference signal in such a way as to generate a map of the lacks of homogeneity of the belt, associating them with corresponding values contained in the reference signal.
  • control unit "C” is configured to receive the identification signal, associating it with the reference signal in such a way as to define a spatial and/or temporal match between the reference signal and the various portions of the suction belt 13.
  • the apparatus 100 comprises an electromagnetic detecting device 20 and a position detector 30.
  • the position detector 30 is configured to detect the presence of a distinctive element in each portion of the suction belt 13, generating the identification signal which, as well as indicating which portion of the belt is being inspected, also represents the distinctive property of any distinctive elements identified in the various portions of the suction belt 13 and a time instant at which those distinctive elements pass through the detecting channel.
  • the position detector 30 comprises an encoder, labelled with the reference number 32, installed along the path followed by the suction belt 13 and configured to monitor the position of the various portions of the suction belt in particular relative to the electromagnetic detecting device 20 with which the position detector 30 it is part of is associated.
  • the encoder 32 is directly applied to the pulley 14 of the apparatus 100.
  • the position detector 30 further comprises a discontinuity sensor 31.
  • the discontinuity sensor 31 is configured to detect the at least one distinctive property by identifying when the distinctive element passes by the position detector 30.
  • the discontinuity sensor 31 may be an optical inspection device, such as a system of photocells, image capturing device or any other vision system.
  • an optical inspection device such as a system of photocells, image capturing device or any other vision system.
  • control unit "C" is configured to modify the reference signal as a function of the identification signal.
  • control unit "C” is capable of assessing the impact that any lacks of homogeneity of the suction belt 13, which may arise during its use, have on the measuring process.
  • the position detector 30 identifies the presence or development of a distinctive element, it could communicate this to the control unit, identifying both its type and position by means of the identification signal.
  • control unit "C" may, for example by referring to the check tables, modify the reference signal (therefore, in the final analysis the signal representing how the suction belt 13 influences the semi-finished product inspection process) to take into account the altered situation. That aspect is particularly relevant for taking into account variations and/or any deterioration of the belt during its useful life.
  • the discontinuity sensor 31 may also have the function of zeroing the encoder 32.
  • the discontinuity sensor 31 may communicate to the encoder 32, preferably by means of the control unit "C", that a predetermined distinctive element is again passing through the zone of the path of the suction belt 13 observed by the discontinuity sensor 31 and proximal to the encoder 32, therefore indicating that the suction belt 13 itself has performed a full turn relative to the encoder 32.
  • the apparatus 100 may be operated alternatively in the first configuration, in which only the belt is made to slide through the detecting channel, or in the second configuration, in which the semi-finished product is fed to the apparatus 100 and then is inspected together with the portion of suction belt 13 which holds it.
  • the apparatus 100 comprises two electromagnetic detecting devices 40a, 40b and a position detector 30.
  • the apparatus 100 comprises a first electromagnetic detecting device 40a and a second electromagnetic detecting device 40b.
  • the first electromagnetic detecting device 40a defines a first detecting channel configured to slidably receive inside it at least one portion of the semi-finished product and of the suction belt 13.
  • the first electromagnetic detecting device 40a comprises at least one electromagnetic sensor suitable for detecting at least one property of the semi-finished product and of the suction belt 13 when they pass through the first detecting channel.
  • the second electromagnetic detecting device 40b defines a second detecting channel configured to slidably receive inside it at least one portion of the suction belt 13.
  • the second electromagnetic detecting device 40b comprises at least one electromagnetic sensor suitable for detecting at least one property of the suction belt 13 when it passes through the second detecting channel.
  • the first and second secondo electromagnetic detecting devices 40a, 40b are located on distinct stretches of the conveyor 10.
  • the first electromagnetic detecting device 40a for performing an overall measurement of the semi-finished product and of the belt 13, is located on an operating section of the conveyor 10, that is to say, on a stretch of the conveyor 10 where the semi-finished product is located inside the guide channel 11 and is constrained to the suction belt 13 by suction.
  • the second electromagnetic detecting device 40b for performing a measurement of only the suction belt 13, is located on a non-operating section of the conveyor 10, or more generally upstream of an entry point of the semi-finished product in the guide channel 11 from the ascending flue or downstream of its release to the subsequent processing stations.
  • the second electromagnetic detecting device 40b will always operate in the first configuration, whilst the first electromagnetic detecting device 40a will always operate in the second configuration.
  • the apparatus 100 comprises two electromagnetic detecting devices 40a, 40b and two position detectors, in particular a first position detector 50a and a second position detector 50b.
  • the first position detector 50a is located at the first electromagnetic detecting device 40a and is configured to detect the at least one distinctive element of the suction belt 13, consequently generating a first identification signal representing a time instant at which that distinctive element passes through the first detecting channel.
  • the second position detector 50b is located at the second electromagnetic detecting device 40b and is configured to detect the at least one distinctive element of the suction belt 13, consequently generating a second identification signal representing a time instant at which that distinctive element passes through the second detecting channel.
  • the first position detector 50a is positioned downstream of the first electromagnetic detecting device 40a along the conveying direction and the second electromagnetic detecting device 50b is positioned upstream of the second electromagnetic detector 40b.
  • the apparatus comprises a pair of electromagnetic detecting devices 40a, 40b one of which is for inspecting only the suction belt 13 without measuring the semi-finished product, whilst the other is positioned relative to the conveyor 10 in such a way that it can perform an overall inspection of the suction belt 13 and of the semi-finished product. Therefore, the apparatus 100 comprises a pair of position detectors 50a, 50b each associated with a respective electromagnetic detecting device 40a, 40b in such a way that it can precisely assess the effective time instant at which a predetermined portion of the suction belt 13 passes through the first and/or the second detecting channel.
  • each position detector 30, 50a, 50b is made as described above, that is to say, comprises a respective discontinuity sensor 31, 51a, 51b and/or a respective encoder 32, 52a, 52b.
  • each position detector 30, 50a, 50b comprises a discontinuity sensor 31, 51a, 51b which can identify when the distinctive element passes and/or an encoder 32, 52a, 52b for measuring the movements of the suction belt 13, in such a way that it is always possible to calculate its sliding speed and to reconstruct, by means of the information contained in the identification signal, the position of that distinctive element relative, in particular, to the portions of the apparatus 100 which are the locations of the sensors for measuring the semi-finished product and/or the suction belt 13 and how much time it will take those distinctive elements to reach and pass through the detection zones of the electromagnetic detectors 40a, 40b.
  • the distinctive element is a graphical sign, an incision or a notch or a joint on the suction belt 13 and the discontinuity sensor 31, 51a, 51b is an optical inspection device, preferably an image capturing device or a photocell suitable for detecting the passage of that type of distinctive element.
  • the distinctive element may be a metal insert and the discontinuity sensor 31, 51a, 51b is an electromagnetic sensor suitable for detecting the passage of that type of distinctive element.
  • each electromagnetic detecting device 20, 40a, 40b is an electromagnetic microwave detecting device, in particular configured to operate at between 10 8 and 10 12 Hz.
  • the conveyor 10 comprises a plurality of guide channels 11, preferably as shown in Figure 5 , two guide channels 11, each of which is couplable to respective electromagnetic detecting devices 20, 40a, 40b and position detectors 30, 50a, 50b according to the various embodiments indicated above.
  • the detecting devices 20, the first electromagnetic detecting devices 40a and the second electromagnetic detecting devices 40b are mounted on respective shared supports and are located in positions spaced from each other along the conveying direction of the semi-finished product.
  • the apparatus 100 will comprise two electromagnetic detecting devices 40a, and two second electromagnetic detecting devices 40b which are located on a shared support and in positions spaced from each other along the conveying direction of the semi-finished product.
  • this invention achieves the preset aims, overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art by providing the user with an apparatus 100 for the conveying and inspection of a semi-finished product of the tobacco industry which allows mapping of the influence of the suction belt 13 on the measuring process, so that it can be precisely removed in order to obtain final information which is associable solely with the properties of the semi-finished product to be inspected.
  • This invention also relates to a method for the conveying and inspection of a semi-finished product of the tobacco industry.
  • the method according to this invention comprises holding and conveying the semi-finished product along a guide channel 11 delimited at the sides by two side walls 12 and at the top by a suction belt 13.
  • guide channel 11 is part of a conveyor 10 made as described above.
  • the method then comprises providing at least one electromagnetic detecting device 20 which defines at least one detecting channel configured to slidably receive the suction belt 13 and at least one portion of the semi-finished product held on the suction belt.
  • the electromagnetic detecting device 20 is also preferably made with the specifications and characteristics described above.
  • the method then comprises using the electromagnetic detecting device 20 to detect at least one property of the suction belt 13 as it passes through the detecting channel and thereby generating a reference signal.
  • the electromagnetic detecting device 20 is configured to generate an electromagnetic field inside the detecting channel, the passage of the suction belt 13 through it causing a disturbance in that electromagnetic field, in particular in terms of peak frequency and variation of the width of the resonance curve at half amplitude, which is recorded by the electromagnetic detecting device 20 which generates the reference signal representing that disturbance, which depends on the properties of the suction belt 13.
  • the electromagnetic detecting device 20 is therefore configured to detect the disturbance in the electromagnetic field caused by the passage of the suction belt 13 and the semi-finished product, generating the measurement signal representing that disturbance, which depends on the properties of the semi-finished product and of the suction belt 13.
  • the method according to this invention comprises two measuring steps, which correspond to the first configuration and to the second configuration of the apparatus 100 described above.
  • the reference signal and the measurement signal are then processed in order to obtain unambiguous and precise information about the property of the semi-finished product to be measured.
  • the method comprises processing the measurement signal and correcting or varying it as a function of the reference signal so as to obtain an effective measurement signal by eliminating from the measurement signal a component which is due to the suction belt 13.
  • the single electromagnetic detecting device 20 is configured to be operated alternatively in the first configuration or in the second configuration.
  • the step corresponding to the first configuration will be performed by causing the suction belt 13 to slide through the detecting channel of the electromagnetic detecting device 20 for one full turn of the suction belt 13.
  • the expression full turn means that the suction belt 13 is made to rotate until each of its portions has passed through the detecting channel and at least one of its properties has been suitably detected by the electromagnetic detecting device 20.
  • the at least one property measured is associated with the successive portions of the suction belt 13 and in this way the reference signal is generated which, since the suction belt 13 has performed a full turn, takes into account the influence of each portion of the suction belt 13 on the measuring process.
  • the method disclosed is carried out using a pair of electromagnetic detecting devices 40a, 40b, therefore making it possible for the apparatus 100 to simultaneously operate in both the first configuration and the second configuration, since each of them is associated respectively with a different electromagnetic detecting device 40a, 40b.
  • that embodiment comprises the step of providing at least one electromagnetic detecting device.
  • step comprises preparing a first electromagnetic detecting device 40a and a second electromagnetic detecting device 40b.
  • Each of the two sensors is therefore for performing a respective inspection, that is to say, either for detecting only the suction belt 13 or for measuring both the suction belt 13 and the semi-finished product which it holds on it.
  • the method comprises detecting, by means of the second electromagnetic detecting device 40b, at least one property of the suction belt 13 as it passes through the second detecting channel.
  • the method comprises measuring, by means of the first electromagnetic detecting device 40a, at least one property of the semi-finished product and of the suction belt 13 as they pass through the first detecting channel.
  • that embodiment allows the step of detecting to be performed simultaneously with the step of measuring, since it involves the use of two different sensors, each for performing a single respective step.
  • the use of two distinct and separate sensors for performing respective inspection steps allows simultaneous generation of the reference signal and of the measurement signal.
  • the reference signal is continuously updated while the suction belt 13 slides through the second electromagnetic detecting device 40b and sent to the control unit "C", so as to allow correction of the measurement signal using a reference signal which is effectively representative of the influence that the suction belt 13 has on the inspection process at a predetermined moment.

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  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
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Claims (16)

  1. Appareil pour le transport et l'inspection d'un produit semi-fini de l'industrie du tabac, comprenant :
    - un transporteur (10) avec une courroie d'aspiration (13) configurée pour maintenir et transporter le produit semi-fini le long d'un parcours de transport, le transporteur (10) comprenant au moins un canal de guidage (11) pour le produit semi-fini, délimité sur les côtés par deux parois latérales (12) et au sommet par une courroie d'aspiration (13) ;
    - au moins un dispositif de détection électromagnétique (20, 40a, 40b) définissant au moins un canal de détection configuré pour recevoir de manière coulissante la courroie d'aspiration (13) et au moins une partie du produit semi-fini maintenu sur la courroie d'aspiration (13), le dispositif de détection électromagnétique (20, 40a, 40b) comprenant au moins un capteur électromagnétique pour détecter au moins une propriété du produit semi-fini et de la courroie d'aspiration (13) passant à travers le canal de détection ;
    l'appareil de transport étant configuré pour fonctionner dans une première configuration, dans laquelle l'unité de détection détecte au moins une propriété de la courroie d'aspiration (13) passant à travers le canal de détection et génère un signal de référence, et dans une deuxième configuration, dans laquelle l'unité de détection détecte au moins une propriété du produit semi-fini et de la courroie d'aspiration (13) passant à travers le canal de détection et génère un signal de mesure ;
    l'appareil de transport comprenant ou étant associé à une unité de contrôle (C) configurée pour recevoir et traiter le signal de mesure, en corrigeant ou en faisant varier le signal de mesure en fonction du signal de référence de manière à obtenir un élément de donnée de mesure effectif se rapportant uniquement au produit semi-fini en éliminant du signal de mesure une composante due à la courroie d'aspiration (13).
  2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la courroie d'aspiration (13) comporte au moins un élément distinctif défini par une partie de la courroie d'aspiration (13) ayant au moins une propriété distinctive et dans lequel l'appareil de transport comprend au moins un détecteur de position (30, 50a, 50b) configuré pour détecter l'au moins un élément distinctif et générant un signal d'identification représentant la propriété distinctive et l'instant où l'élément distinctif passe à travers le canal de détection.
  3. Appareil selon la revendication 2, dans lequel l'unité de contrôle (C) est configurée pour recevoir le signal d'identification et le signal de référence, en les associant l'un à l'autre pour définir une correspondance spatiale et/ou temporelle entre le signal de référence et l'élément distinctif.
  4. Appareil selon les revendications 2 ou 3, dans lequel l'unité de contrôle (C) est configurée pour modifier le signal de référence en fonction du signal d'identification.
  5. Appareil selon une ou plusieurs des revendications 1-4, dans lequel l'appareil comprend :
    - un premier dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40a) définissant un premier canal de détection configuré pour recevoir de manière coulissante au moins une partie du produit semi-fini et de la courroie d'aspiration (13), le premier dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40a) comprenant au moins un capteur électromagnétique pour détecter au moins une propriété du produit semi-fini et de la courroie d'aspiration (13) passant à travers le premier canal de détection ;
    - un deuxième dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40b) définissant un deuxième canal de détection configuré pour recevoir de manière coulissante au moins une partie de la courroie d'aspiration (13), le deuxième dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40b) comprenant au moins un capteur électromagnétique pour détecter au moins une propriété de la courroie d'aspiration (13) passant à travers le deuxième canal de détection ;
    les premier et deuxième dispositifs de détection électromagnétique (40a, 40b) étant situés sur des tronçons distincts du transporteur (10), de préférence le premier dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40a) étant situé sur une section fonctionnelle du transporteur (10) et le deuxième dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40b) étant situé sur une section non fonctionnelle du transporteur (10) ou en amont d'un point d'entrée du produit semi-fini dans le canal de guidage (11).
  6. Appareil selon la revendication 5, lorsqu'elle dépend de l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, comprenant :
    - un premier détecteur de position (50a) associé au premier dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40a) et configuré pour détecter l'au moins un élément distinctif et pour générer un signal d'identification représentant un instant où l'élément distinctif passe à travers le premier canal de détection ;
    - un deuxième détecteur de position (50b) associé au deuxième dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40b) et configuré pour détecter l'au moins un élément distinctif et pour générer un signal d'identification représentant un instant où l'élément distinctif passe à travers le deuxième canal de détection.
  7. Appareil selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le premier détecteur de position (50a) est positionné en aval du premier dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40a) le long de la direction de transport et le deuxième dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40b) est positionné en amont du premier dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40a).
  8. Appareil selon une ou plusieurs des revendications 2-7, dans lequel chaque détecteur de position comprend un encodeur (E, 32, 52a, 52b) configuré pour générer un signal de position représentant une position de chaque partie de la courroie d'aspiration (13) par rapport à l'au moins un dispositif de détection électromagnétique (20).
  9. Appareil selon une ou plusieurs des revendications 2-8, dans lequel chaque détecteur de position comprend un capteur de discontinuité (31, 51a, 51b) configuré pour détecter l'au moins une propriété distinctive en identifiant le moment où l'élément distinctif passe par le détecteur de position.
  10. Appareil selon la revendication 9, dans lequel l'élément distinctif est un signe graphique, une incision ou une encoche ou un joint sur la courroie d'aspiration (13) et le capteur de discontinuité (31, 51a, 51b) est un dispositif d'inspection optique, de préférence un dispositif de capture d'images ou une cellule photoélectrique conçue pour détecter le passage de l'élément distinctif.
  11. Appareil selon la revendication 9, dans lequel l'élément distinctif est un insert métallique et le capteur de discontinuité (31, 51a, 51b) est un capteur électromagnétique conçu pour détecter le passage de l'élément distinctif.
  12. Appareil selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'au moins un dispositif de détection électromagnétique (20, 40a, 40b) est un dispositif de détection électromagnétique à micro-ondes, de préférence configuré pour fonctionner entre 108 et 1012 Hz.
  13. Procédé pour le transport et l'inspection d'un produit semi-fini de l'industrie du tabac, comprenant les étapes suivantes :
    - maintenir et transporter le produit semi-fini le long d'un canal de guidage (11) délimité sur les côtés par deux parois latérales (12) et sur le sommet par une courroie d'aspiration (13) ;
    - prévoir au moins un dispositif de détection électromagnétique (20, 40a, 40b) définissant au moins un canal de détection configuré pour recevoir de manière coulissante la courroie d'aspiration (13) et au moins une partie du produit semi-fini maintenu sur la courroie d'aspiration (13) ;
    - détecter au moins une propriété de la courroie d'aspiration (13) passant à travers le canal de détection et générer un signal de référence ;
    - mesurer au moins une propriété du produit semi-fini et de la courroie d'aspiration (13) passant à travers le canal de détection et générer un signal de mesure ;
    - traiter le signal de mesure et le corriger ou le faire varier en fonction du signal de référence de manière à obtenir un élément de donnée de mesure effectif relatif au seul produit semi-fini en éliminant du signal de mesure une composante due à la courroie d'aspiration (13).
  14. Procédé selon la revendication 13, dans lequel l'étape de détection est effectuée avant ou après l'étape de mesure.
  15. Procédé selon la revendication 14, dans lequel l'étape de détection comprend les étapes suivantes :
    - faire coulisser la courroie d'aspiration (13) à travers l'au moins un canal de détection pendant un tour complet de la courroie d'aspiration (13) ;
    - détecter simultanément, au moyen du dispositif de détection électromagnétique (20, 40a, 40b), au moins une propriété de la courroie d'aspiration (13) coulissant à travers l'au moins un canal de détection ;
    - associer l'au moins une propriété mesurée à des parties successives de la courroie aspirante (13) et générer le signal de référence.
  16. Procédé selon la revendication 13, dans lequel l'étape de fourniture comprend les étapes suivantes :
    - fournir un premier dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40a) définissant un premier canal de détection configuré pour recevoir de manière coulissante la courroie d'aspiration (13) et au moins une partie du produit semi-fini maintenu sur la courroie d'aspiration (13) ;
    - prévoir un deuxième dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40b) définissant un deuxième canal de détection configuré pour recevoir de manière coulissante la courroie d'aspiration (13) ;
    l'étape de détection comprenant l'étape de :
    - détecter, au moyen du deuxième dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40b), au moins une propriété de la courroie d'aspiration (13) passant à travers le deuxième canal de détection ; et l'étape de mesure comprenant l'étape de :
    - mesurer, au moyen du premier dispositif de détection électromagnétique (40a), au moins une propriété du produit semi-fini et de la courroie d'aspiration (13) passant à travers le premier canal de détection ;
    l'étape de détection étant réalisée simultanément à l'étape de mesure.
EP19786869.8A 2018-09-21 2019-09-19 Appareil pour le transport et l'inspection d'un produit semi-fini de l'industrie du tabac Active EP3852557B1 (fr)

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IT201800008802 2018-09-21
PCT/IB2019/057907 WO2020058897A1 (fr) 2018-09-21 2019-09-19 Appareil pour le transport et l'inspection d'un produit semi-fini de l'industrie du tabac

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Citations (10)

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GB781042A (en) 1951-08-15 1957-08-14 Desmond Walter Molins Improvements in or relating to machines for manipulating cut tobacco
US3127899A (en) 1958-07-17 1964-04-07 Philip Morris Inc Cigarette making machine
WO1991012518A1 (fr) 1990-02-10 1991-08-22 Tews Elektronik Procede d'evaluation de l'humidite d'un produit a l'aide de micro-ondes et dispositif d'execution du procede
US5103086A (en) 1989-05-19 1992-04-07 Korber Ag Method of and apparatus for ascertaining the density of a stream of fibrous material
DE102012200158A1 (de) 2012-01-06 2013-07-11 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Saugband einer Maschine der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie
DE102015105353A1 (de) 2015-04-09 2016-10-13 Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh Saugbandförderer und Strangmaschine der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie, Verwendung und Verfahren zum Messen von Materialeigenschaften eines Materialstrangs der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie
WO2019170725A1 (fr) 2018-03-06 2019-09-12 Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh Convoyeur à bande d'aspiration et machine à boudins de l'industrie de traitement du tabac et utilisation d'un équipement de mesure dans un convoyeur à bande d'aspiration d'une machine à boudins de l'industrie de traitement du tabac
EP3593653A2 (fr) 2018-07-09 2020-01-15 Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH Dispositif de mesure pour un convoyeur à bande aspirante et convoyeur à bande aspirante doté d'un dispositif de mesure
WO2021008745A1 (fr) 2019-07-15 2021-01-21 Tews Elektronik Gmbh & Co. Kg Confectionneuse de cigarettes pourvue d'une bande transporteuse d'aspiration
EP3768099B1 (fr) 2018-03-19 2022-05-04 G.D S.p.A. Station pour le transport et l'inspection d'un produit semi-fini de l'industrie du tabac

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB781042A (en) 1951-08-15 1957-08-14 Desmond Walter Molins Improvements in or relating to machines for manipulating cut tobacco
US3127899A (en) 1958-07-17 1964-04-07 Philip Morris Inc Cigarette making machine
US5103086A (en) 1989-05-19 1992-04-07 Korber Ag Method of and apparatus for ascertaining the density of a stream of fibrous material
WO1991012518A1 (fr) 1990-02-10 1991-08-22 Tews Elektronik Procede d'evaluation de l'humidite d'un produit a l'aide de micro-ondes et dispositif d'execution du procede
DE102012200158A1 (de) 2012-01-06 2013-07-11 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Saugband einer Maschine der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie
DE102015105353A1 (de) 2015-04-09 2016-10-13 Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh Saugbandförderer und Strangmaschine der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie, Verwendung und Verfahren zum Messen von Materialeigenschaften eines Materialstrangs der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie
WO2019170725A1 (fr) 2018-03-06 2019-09-12 Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh Convoyeur à bande d'aspiration et machine à boudins de l'industrie de traitement du tabac et utilisation d'un équipement de mesure dans un convoyeur à bande d'aspiration d'une machine à boudins de l'industrie de traitement du tabac
EP3768099B1 (fr) 2018-03-19 2022-05-04 G.D S.p.A. Station pour le transport et l'inspection d'un produit semi-fini de l'industrie du tabac
EP3593653A2 (fr) 2018-07-09 2020-01-15 Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH Dispositif de mesure pour un convoyeur à bande aspirante et convoyeur à bande aspirante doté d'un dispositif de mesure
WO2021008745A1 (fr) 2019-07-15 2021-01-21 Tews Elektronik Gmbh & Co. Kg Confectionneuse de cigarettes pourvue d'une bande transporteuse d'aspiration

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KHAN FAREED, SOLANKI VINOD: "Paper Moisture Sensor Based On Microwave Resonator", INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND RESEARCH, 1 January 2015 (2015-01-01) - 11 April 2015 (2015-04-11), pages 321 - 324, XP093191055, ISSN: 2319-7064
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