GB1103741A - A device for separating imperfect cigarettes from a procession of cigarettes - Google Patents

Abstract

1,103,741. Cigarette making machines. MOLINS ORGANISATION Ltd. and G. F. W. POWELL. 25 June, 1965 [20 July, 1964], No. 29482/64. Heading A2C. A device for separating imperfect cigarettes from a series of cigarettes delivered to a fluted suction drum comprises means operative in response to the detection of imperfect cigarettes to cut off suction to the flutes containing the imperfect cigarettes at a position different to that at which suction is normally cut off so that the imperfect cigarettes are delivered at a different position to that at which normal cigarettes are delivered. The fluted drum 10 is provided at one end with a stationary valve body 16 and a stationary valve plate 17. The flutes are provided with suction holes 12 which communicate with the valve assembly 16, 17 through passages 14 and holes 29. Suction is applied through a pipe 15 under the control of a piston 23 slidable in the valve body 16 and which is operated from a normal position to that shown in Fig. 1 in response to the detection of imperfect cigarettes by a rod 31. For satisfactory cigarettes suction is applied to the holes 12 from the pipe 15 through holes 29, port 17A in the valve plate 17, a depression 18 in the valve plate 17, port 22A in the valve body 26 and recessed part 33 of the piston 23. As the drum rotates suction continues through port 21 and depression 20 in the valve plate, 17, port 22B in the valve body 16 and recessed part 34 of the piston 23. Thereafter suction continues through port 17B in the valve plate 17 which is in direct communication with pipe 15 through an oblique port 22C in valve body 16. Further rotation of the drum puts the holes 12 in communication with the atmosphere through a hole in the valve body, which is open to the atmosphere, and hole 19 and shallow port 17C in plate 17. The cigarettes are thus discharged from the drum on to a catcher band. When an imperfect cigarette is detected rod 31 operates piston 23 and moves it to the position shown in Fig. 1. Port 17A, which communicates with the holes 12, is thus put into communication with the atmosphere through depression 18, the recess 33 in the piston 23 and a hole 30 in the valve body 16 which is open to the atmosphere. The imperfect cigarette is thus allowed to fall away from the drum.