GB1089764A - Improvements in or relating to continuous rod cigarette-making machines and control systems therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

1,089,764. Cigarette making machines. MOLINS ORGANISATION Ltd., D. T. N. WILLIAMSON and M. A. PYM. May 8, 1964 [May 9, 1963], No. 18422/63. Heading A2C. A cigarette making machine of the continuous rod type comprises means for forming a tobacco filler and means for apply adhesive to one edge of a paper strip folded round the tobacco filler, means for heating the seam of the paper strip, the adhesive applying means and the heating means being independently movable between operative and inoperative positions, control means operable to move the heating means into operative position and a predetermined time thereafter to cause operation of rod breaking means and a detector device to give a warning whenever the rod is not properly sealed wherein the control means is arranged to bring the detector device into operation a predetermined further time after operation of the rod breaking means. Tobacco conveyed by the lower run of an overhead suction conveyer 1 is formed into the tobacco filler, is enfolded in cigarete paper and passes to the adhesive applying device 4 and to a heater 5 to secure the seam. The tobacco filler travels past a rod breaking device 6, through a unit 7 detecting tobacco density and controlling a trimmer 8 for the tobacco feed, is cut into cigarette lengths by a cut off device 9 and is conveyed by a suction wheel 10 to a fluted drum 11 and to an output machine. The detector device associated with the wheel 10 responds to pressure variations in the suction system due to missing or improperly sealed cigarettes. In operation, the main switch is closed, the master relay operates and starts tobacco and paper feed then brings the adhesive applicator into operation and operates a further switch. A second relay is energized closing two pairs of contacts which energize a solenoid controlling the heater. A micro switch closes before the heater reaches the operative position to energize a relay the action of which is delayed by a capacitor. When a further pair of contacts close, a further solenoid is energized controlling the rod breaking means. Two further pairs of contacts of the first relay open and close respectively to remove the short circuit from the detector device which is either pneumatic or photo-electric. In an alternative circuit an additional solenoid retains the heater in operation and the switch for the rod breaking circuit is controlled by a cam driven by the solenoid controlling the heater.