ES2225382T3 - PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR THE VERIFICATION OF CIGARETTES. - Google Patents

Abstract

The checking process involves positioning a transmitter (light source) (23) on one side of the pocket chain (13) and a light-sensitive receiver (28) on the other. The light source produces a checking light which is received by the receiver. If any cigarettes are missing, the intensity of the light is correspondingly higher.

Description

Procedure and device for verification of cigarettes

The invention relates to a method for the verification of groups of cigarettes with respect to the correct configuration with the help of verification bodies optoelectronics, ahead of which the group of moves cigarettes as a unit, with the ends of cigarettes directed towards the verification bodies and that are connected preferably with a central computer unit. Besides, the invention refers to a device for carrying out the process.

Groups are formed during cigarette packaging of cigarettes according to the contents of a package of cigarettes It is about verifying the correct composition of the groups of cigarettes as content of a pack of cigarettes to short term and in a reliable way with respect to the correct number and to placement within the group of cigarettes.

The invention has the task of proposing measures for the verification of groups of cigarettes, through which is possible a verification during test cycles short with the help of simple verification bodies and reliable.

For the solution of this task, the method according to the invention is characterized in that on one of the sides of the group of cigarettes is arranged at least one emitter for the emission of verification beams, especially a light source for the generation of check light and envelope the opposite side of the same group of cigarettes is arranged a receiver for the emitter's verification rays, especially a photosensitive receiver, the verification beam being directed or the verification light in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes

For the solution of the task, the device according to the invention it is characterized by the characteristics of the claim 5.

Verification of the integrity of the group of cigarettes and the correct training is done therefore applying the principle of transmitted light in the form of a optical barrier In the case of absence of a cigarette inside the group of cigarettes, the light beam or the check light can pass in the area of the resulting gap without obstacles through of the group of cigarettes in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes to the opposite receiver.

As a light source a lamp is contemplated (individual). But in a preferred way a plurality of light sources distributed on the surface corresponding to the group of cigarettes, especially diodes bright.

As receiver for the verification light is provided, according to the invention, a CCD camera. This one can recognize exactly on the surface different values of light and at from them you can recognize the formation of the group of cigarettes

Alternatively, according to the invention, sensors may be placed on the receiver side photosensitive, especially photodiodes. One more way convenient, several photodiodes are arranged distributed in a area that corresponds to the group of cigarettes.

A particularity of the invention consists in that can be verified at the same time in a group of cigarettes the correct number and formation of cigarettes and, in addition, cigarette ends, especially the presence and / or the correct configuration of filters (of cigarettes). In this case, proceed in such a way that the group of cigarettes is verified according to the principle of transmitted light and the filters are verified according to the principle of reflection, being arranged in the area of the verification light receivers light sources, which direct the reflective light on the ends of the cigarettes directed towards them. In one way More convenient, the transmitted light and the reflection light are received by the same verification bodies, especially by a CCD camera, which reacts in a sensitive way to differences of clarity and in this way you can accurately identify the absence of a cigarette and the configuration or the presence of The filters.

Below are explained in particular others Details of checking cigarette groups with the help of the embodiments shown in the drawings. In this case:

Figure 1 shows an area of a machine cigarette pack in schematic side view.

Figure 2 shows a fragment of a cigarette group conveyor container machine according to figure 1, on an enlarged scale.

Figure 3 shows a group of cigarettes in correct configuration.

Figure 4 shows a group of cigarettes that It is set incorrectly.

Figure 5 shows the fragment according to figure 2 in top plan view in V.

Figure 6 shows a representation similar to Figure 5 for another embodiment.

Figure 7 shows a verification body, a know, an emitter unit on top floor view agree with the vision plane VII-VII in figure 5.

Figure 8 shows a detail of a unit of receiver in top plan view according to the plane of vision VIII-VIII in figure 6.

Figure 9 shows a representation similar to Figure 7 of another exemplary embodiment of a unit of transmitter.

Figure 10 shows a representation similar to Figures 5 and 6 of another exemplary embodiment of an installation of checking groups of cigarettes.

Figure 11 shows a top plan view on a verification body in the vision plane XI-XI of Figure 10.

Figure 12 shows a graphic representation of the verification procedure.

The drawings show the verification of cigarettes 10 or groups of cigarettes 11 in connection with a cigarette packaging machine, namely with a packaging machine soft for the manufacture of cigarette packages of the type of soft cup Figure 1 schematically shows a warehouse of cigarettes 12, a conveyor of groups of cigarettes 11, to know, a chain of bags 13, a folding revolver 14, a drying revolver 15 and a packet conveyor 16 for the Package transport 17 finishes.

The cigarette store 12 forms a reserve limited cigarette Below, in the area of the boxes of cigarettes, groups of cigarettes 11 are extracted from the cigarette store 12, and in particular through expulsion of a number of cigarettes 10, which corresponds to the group of cigarettes 11, from the cigarette boxes directly to the adjacent bag 18 of bag chain 13. Bags 18 are linked together by means of articulated joints 19 transversely for the formation of the bag chain 13. Each bag 18 contains a chamber 20 open on both sides, in which find the group of cigarettes 11. The space inner chamber 20 is adapted to the external dimensions from the group of cigarettes 11. The ends of cigarettes 21 are freely visible on both sides of the bag chain 13.

From example 3 an example follows preferred from a correct group of cigarettes 11. Cigarettes 10 are arranged in three series. The two outer series are constituted in each case by seven 10 cigarettes, the series Central consists of six cigarettes. Cigarettes the central series are displaced, that is, they are placed in "seating position" with respect to the series outside

Figure 4 also shows a camera 20 with an incomplete group of cigarettes 11. In the outer series or superior and in the central series a cigarette is missing in each case 10. This deficiency of the group of cigarettes 11 is determined during verification and specifically with the help of the light of verification, which is conducted in the longitudinal direction of the 10 cigarettes through the group of cigarettes 11. The light of verification received allows conclusions about the training from the group of cigarettes under different zones clarity.

Verification of cigarette groups 11 it is done in the area of a conveyor, and specifically in the area of the bag chain 13. In the present embodiment, in the area of a lower branch of the bag chain 13 a continuation of the cigarette store 12 is installed a verification station 22. This station consists of a emitter on one side of the movement trajectory of the groups of 11 cigarettes and a receiver on the opposite side. This receiver is connected to a computer unit for evaluation of the verification result. As a emitter serves a light source, which directs homogeneous light on the side of the group of cigarettes 11 which is directed towards it, that is, on the ends of 21 cigarettes that are aimed at her. The issuer and the receiver may be configured differently, as It represents.

In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 5, the emitter 23 has a plurality of light emitting diodes 24. The figure 7 shows the emitter 23 in a view according to figure 5. In a rectangular mounting bracket 25 diodes are mounted luminous 24, and specifically in this example in a distribution irregular. In the central zone three parallel series are planned of light-emitting diodes 24. Laterally, that is, in areas marginal, a larger number of LEDs 24 is placed in higher density, namely two vertical series, which are arranged closely adjacent to each other.

Figure 9 shows an alternative for configuration of a transmitter 23 of this type, in connection with the exemplary embodiment according to figure 6. Here the LEDs 24 are distributed on a regular basis in narrow formation on the fixing bracket 25, namely in four series aligned.

The surface of the emitter 23, which is occupied with LEDs 24, corresponds essentially to the surface directed from the group of cigarettes 11 or from the ends of the 21 cigarettes, so that the light is directed on the 10 cigarettes in an intensity and distribution that corresponds to the  grouping of the light-emitting diodes 24. The fixing bracket 25 it is mounted in a housing 26. A connection cable 27 feeds power to the emitter 23.

On the side of the conveyor or the bag chain 13, which is placed opposite the emitter 23, is find a receiver 28. This receiver may also be configured differently. Receiver 28 receives the light from verification that passes through bag 18 or through group of cigarettes 11 and evaluates it. Receiver 28 is configured so that they can be recognized and identified or Well associate zones of different clarity. Therefore in principle you can recognize the absence of cigarettes 10 but also under spatial association.

Figure 5 shows a receiver 28, which is especially sensitive to different areas of light and, therefore, You can react exactly. In this case it is a CCD camera 29. This camera receives the light emitted by the transmitter 23 or well by the light emitting diodes 24 on the opposite side, being recognized absent cigarettes under high light intensity

In an alternative way to the CCD camera 29, the receiver 28 may be equipped with photosensitive semiconductors, namely, with 30 photodiodes. These are mounted on a stand of fixing or on a plate 31, in a manner similar to the configuration of sensors 23 with LEDs 24. It is not it is necessary that the number of photodiodes 30 on the side of the receiver 28 matches the number and placement with the light emitting diodes 24 of the opposite emitter 23. In the example of embodiment according to figures 6 and 8 are provided, by way of For example, two series of 30 photodiodes with five each. Do not However, diodes 30 must be in the area of the group of cigarettes 11.

The photosensitive organs of the receiver 28 or of the plate 31 are connected with a housing 32. In this one connect a line 33, which leads in a more convenient way To a central computer.

A particularity is the example of realization shown in figures 10, 11 and 12. This is a verification multiple of the group of cigarettes 11, namely, with respect to a plurality of exterior appearance characteristics. In the present example, it is verified, as described, the group of cigarettes 11 regarding the correct number and disposal of cigarettes 10. Additionally, the ends of the cigarettes are verified 21, and specifically especially with respect to the presence and / or the correct configuration of a filter (cigarette).

For the verification of the group of cigarettes 11 a transmitter 23 and a receiver are provided, as described 28. The latter is equipped with a CCD camera 29, as in the exemplary embodiment according to figure 5.

Rays of the receiver 28 emit rays of additional verification or verification light is emitted towards the ends of the cigarettes 11 directed towards them. The light of verification is issued in this case by light emitting diodes 34, which they are arranged in the receiver area 28. A particularity is the arrangement of these light emitting diodes 34, which surround as a crown the input side or optics 35 of the CCD camera 29. With this finally, an elongated support 36 is provided, which surrounds the side of CCD camera inlet 29 and having an elongated hole 37, that is, oval. The light is directed on the ends of the 21 cigarettes, distributed through the provision of light emitting diodes 34, and is received and evaluated by a common receiver 28, namely the CCD camera 29. The bracket 36 is provided with a funnel-shaped retention surface 38 for the diodes luminous 34. The light is thus directed in a selective manner on the ends of cigarettes 21.

The receiver 28, in this case the CCD camera 29, is suitable to react very accurately to different values of color or clarity or to shades of light gray transmitted and reflected light. The emitted light is adapted for the different verification features of the 10 cigarettes, so that also the reflected light has a value of clarity or different color than transmitted light of the issuer 23. Figure 12 shows a graph, in which on the vertical axis represents the light intensity of the emitters and, therefore, also the intensity of the light received by the receiver 28 or by the CCD camera 29. Another zone 39 is formed, it is that is, the light received with reduced intensity, during reflection through the filters, indeed, present, but poorly configured. Therefore, the receiver can recognize the presence of poor filters in the intensity of the light 39.

A high intensity light zone 40 is received by the receiver when (all) the filters of the group of 11 cigarettes are set up in a correct way. By Finally, an area with high intensity 41 of the light appears, in effect, when a cigarette 10 is missing from the group of cigarettes 11 and a correspondingly intensive transmitted light is received from the issuer 23.

The solution according to figures 10, 11 can be also perform in such a way that the characteristics Individual verification are associated, such as receivers, photodiodes, which react at different light intensity or the evaluate.

The verification of cigarettes is done, in the embodiments shown, during a cycle of bag chain transport 13. In addition, when the organs of verification work slowly, you can also use the phases of stopping the bag chain to perform the check. For the rest, the solution presented is adequate also for checking cigarettes or training of cigarettes in other areas, for example in the boxes of cigarettes (vertical) from a cigarette store.

List of reference signs

10

Cigarette

eleven

Group of cigarettes

12

Cigarette Store

13

Bag chain

14

Folding revolver

fifteen

Drying revolver

16

Package transporter

17

Package

18

Bag

19

Joint

twenty

Camera

twenty-one

Cigarette end

22

Verification station

2. 3

Transmitter

24

Diode luminous

25

Fixing bracket

26

Case

27

Cable of connection

28

Receiver

29

CCD camera

30

Photodiode

31

Platen

32

Case

33

Line

3. 4

Diode bright

35

Optics

36

Support

37

Orifice

38

Retention surface

39

Intensity

40

Intensity

41

Intensity

Claims (12)

1. Procedure for the verification of groups of cigarettes (11) with respect to the correct configuration with the help of optoelectronic verification bodies, in front of which the group of cigarettes (11) moves as a unit, with the ends of the cigarettes (21) directed towards the verification bodies and which are preferably connected to a central computer unit, characterized in that at least one emitter (23) is arranged on one of the sides of the cigarette group (11) for the emission of verification rays, especially a light source for the generation of verification light and on the opposite side of the same group of cigarettes (11) a receiver (28) is provided for the verification rays of the emitter (23), especially a receiver ( 28) photosensitive, the verification beam being directed or the verification light in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes (10). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface formed by the ends of the cigarettes (21) of the group of cigarettes (11), is detected by the receiver (28) in relation to received verification rays, especially verification light , and because zones of intensity or clarity of the highest verification light are recognized as hollow by virtue of the absence of a cigarette (10) in the group of cigarettes (11). Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that several optically detectable characteristics of the group of cigarettes (11) or of the individual cigarettes (10) are verified at the same time, on the one hand, with the help of transmitted light and, on the other hand, with the help of the reflection of the light, reacting the receiver (28) to clarity values or to gray tones of the received verification light and associated these different characteristics with respect to the appearance outside the group of cigarettes (11). 4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the presence and / or the correct configuration of cigarette filters is determined by means of reflection of the verification light, being associated to the missing filters or to the filters configured in a deficient manner a lower value of clarity or gray tone than the filters correctly configured or present and also presenting the light reflected by the ends of the cigarettes (21) a clarity or a intensity of the light smaller than the light transmitted when cigarettes (10) are missing from a group of cigarettes (11). 5. Device for the verification of groups of cigarettes (11) with respect to the correct configuration with the help of optoelectronic verification bodies, which are placed in the area of a verification station (22) and in front of which they can be move the groups of cigarettes through a conveyor, especially a chain of bags (13), characterized by the following characteristics:

to)

in the zone of the verification station (22) on one side of the cigarette carrier or bag chain (13) is arranged at least one emitter (23) for the emission of lightning verification, especially verification light, and on the side opposite a receiver (28) is arranged for the reception of the verification rays or the verification light,

b)

the verification rays emitted through the issuer, especially the check light, can be conducted through the group of cigarettes (11) in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes (10),

C)

he receiver (28) is equipped with optoelectronic sensors, which detect areas of different intensity of verification rays, especially check light, they associate them spatially

Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the receiver (28) is a CCD camera, which is directed on the ends of the associated cigarettes (21) of the group of cigarettes (11), which is preferably connected to a unit of central evaluation Device according to claim 5, characterized in that a plurality of photosensitive sensors, especially photodiodes (30) are placed in the receiver area (28), these being distributed over an area corresponding to the formation of the group of cigarettes (11) . Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the emitter (23) is a light source, preferably with a plurality of light emitting diodes (24) that are distributed over the area of the group of cigarettes (11) or of the ends of cigarettes (21). Device according to claim 8, characterized in that in the emitter zone (23) the light emitting diodes (24) are unevenly distributed over the defined surface through the group of cigarettes (11), especially in such a way that in Lateral areas there is a greater number or a greater density of LEDs (24). Device according to claim 5 or one of the other claims, characterized in that at the same time as the group of cigarettes (11), the ends of the cigarettes (21) can be verified with respect to their correct configuration, especially the filters of the cigarettes, the ends of the cigarettes (21) being verifiable through additional optoelectronic sensors according to the reflection principle, such that additional light sources, especially light diodes (especially light-emitting diodes) are placed in the receiver area (28). 34), which direct the verification light on the ends of the cigarettes (21), the light reflected by special receivers or by the receivers that are installed for the verification of the group of cigarettes (11) being received. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that a plurality of light emitting diodes (34) are placed in the receiver area (28) distributed in correspondence with the formation of the group of cigarettes (10), preferably along a placement annular or oval and because the light reflected by the ends of the cigarettes (21) can be received by a CCD camera (29) arranged in the center, preferably at the same time as the light transmitted by virtue of the opposite emitter (23). Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the receiver (28), especially the CCD camera (29) is adjusted to different light intensity or to different gray tones of the received verification light, especially of such such that a lower intensity of light is associated with an absent filter or an incorrectly configured filter of a cigarette (10), a higher or medium intensity of light with correct present filters of the group of cigarettes (11) and an intensity of the light still higher to the transmitted light for the verification of the integrity of the group of cigarettes (11).