GB2156987A

GB2156987A - Cigarette making machine

Info

Publication number: GB2156987A
Application number: GB08508530A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Graham-Troll
Original assignee: Molins Ltd
Current assignee: Mpac Group PLC
Priority date: 1984-04-04
Filing date: 1985-04-02
Publication date: 1985-10-16
Also published as: GB8508530D0; GB2156987B; GB8408607D0

Abstract

A cigarette making machine includes means 28, 30, 34 for monitoring the vibration or noise produced by one of more parts 20, 22 in or in the vicinity of the garniture of the machine. The part involved may be a tongue 22 which compresses the tobacco stream and shapes the upper surface thereof; and the machine may include a detection circuit 30 which responds to a predetermined vibration of the tongue to automatically adjust the height of the tongue or produce a warning signal or switch off the machine. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cigarette making machine Cigarette making machines commonly operate by forming a filler stream of tobacco on the underneath surface of a suction conveyor which deposits the filler stream, normally after trimming, on a continuous wrapper web. A continuous cigarette rod is formed by wrapping the web around the filler stream in what is commonly termed a "garniture". In the garniture, the filler stream is compressed by a tongue to the cross-section of the finished cigarette before the web is sealed around the filler stream. Associated with the garniture there is commonly a shoe which assists in removing the filler stream from the suction tape and which begins the operation of shaping and compressing the filler stream.

We have found that faulty operation of the machine can result in a noise being transmitted to the shoe or tongue and that detection of the noise is a means of monitoring the operation of the machine.

For example, if the shoe or tongue has been incorrectly set in position, the operator can be warned by the resulting characteristic noise, and can take appropriate remedial action.

In general we have observed that a correctly operating machine produces a substantially uniform hissing sound at the shoe and tongue. Instead, when the machine is operating imperfectly, the hissing sound can be replaced by a knocking or banging noise.

According to one aspect of this invention, a cigarette making machine includes means for monitoring the vibration or noise produced by one or more parts in the vicinity of the garniture. For example, vibration sensors may be mounted on the shoe and/or on the tongue, or alternatively either or both of those parts may be supported via vibration-sensing parts.

Detection of an abnormal noise can be used as a means of stopping the machine automatically, or may be displayed as an indication that the garniture area of the machine requires particular attention when the next convenient opportunity arises.

One or more parts of the garniture, for example the tongue, may be vertically adjusted by means of a servo-motor so as to minimise automatically the detected noise.

An example of a machine according to this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a portion of the machine in the region of the garniture.

The drawing shows a portion of a machine which is similar to the Molins Mark 8, 9, or 10 cigarette making machine. It includes an air-pervious tape 10 which receives a cigarette filler stream 12 and is arranged to deposit the filler stream on a continuous wrapper web 14. While it is being carried by the tape 10, the filler stream is held by suction applied through the tape from a suction chamber 16.

Suction ceases to be applied through the tape 10 as it begins to return around a pulley 18. At the same time, a shoe 20 assists in removing the filler stream from the tape so as to deposit the stream on the wrapper web 14. The underneath surface 20A of the shoe 20 converges slightly towards the tape 14 in the direction of movement of the filler stream and changes progressively in cross-section from a flat shape to a concave shape so as to compress the filler stream slightly while beginning the shaping of the upper surface of the filler stream.

The downstream end of the surface 20A of the shoe is slightly below the adjacent part of the underneath surface 22A of a tongue 22 which continuous the progressive compression of the filler stream. The lower surface of the filler stream is shaped with the aid of a garniture tape 24 which runs along a garniture bed 25 and pulls the web 14 and tobacco stream through the garniture. The tape, and hence also the wrapper web, assume a trough-shaped configuration just before receiving the cigarette filler stream, i.e. upstream of the pulley 18.

The shoe 20 is carried by an arm 20B which in turn is mounted on a member 26 on the machine frame. A vibration detector 28 mounted on the member 26 (or close to the shoe itself) and is electrically connected to a detection circuit 30. Similarly, the tongue 22 is carried by a member 22B which is mounted on a carrier member 32; a second vibration detector 34 is mounted on the member 32 and is electrically connected to the detection circuit 30.

Abnormal vibration detected by either of the detectors 28 and 34 causes the detection circuit 30 to emit a signal which may be used for any of the purposes already described.

Downstream of the tongue 22 there is a folder 36 which folds the web 14 completely around the filler stream to form a continuous wrapped rod, the edges of the web 14 being secured by adhesive. A vibration detector may alternatively (or in addition) be mounted on one or more parts of the folder 36.

1. A method of making cigarettes in which vibration or noise of or associated with at least one part of the cigarette making machine in or in the vicinity of the garniture is continuously monitored while the machine is in operation, and a signal is generated by a detection circuit responsive to the vibration or noise.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which, in response to the detection of a predetermined type or level of noise or vibration, the machine is automatically adjusted or stopped or a warning signal is displayed.

3. A cigarette making machine including means for monitoring the vibration or noise produced by one or more parts in the vicinity of the garniture.

4. A cigarette making machine according to claim 3 including a detection circuit responsive to the vibration or noise and arranged, in response to the detection of a predetermined type or level of noise or vibration, to automatically adjust or stop

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Cigarette making machine Cigarette making machines commonly operate by forming a filler stream of tobacco on the underneath surface of a suction conveyor which deposits the filler stream, normally after trimming, on a continuous wrapper web. A continuous cigarette rod is formed by wrapping the web around the filler stream in what is commonly termed a "garniture". In the garniture, the filler stream is compressed by a tongue to the cross-section of the finished cigarette before the web is sealed around the filler stream. Associated with the garniture there is commonly a shoe which assists in removing the filler stream from the suction tape and which begins the operation of shaping and compressing the filler stream. We have found that faulty operation of the machine can result in a noise being transmitted to the shoe or tongue and that detection of the noise is a means of monitoring the operation of the machine. For example, if the shoe or tongue has been incorrectly set in position, the operator can be warned by the resulting characteristic noise, and can take appropriate remedial action. In general we have observed that a correctly operating machine produces a substantially uniform hissing sound at the shoe and tongue. Instead, when the machine is operating imperfectly, the hissing sound can be replaced by a knocking or banging noise. According to one aspect of this invention, a cigarette making machine includes means for monitoring the vibration or noise produced by one or more parts in the vicinity of the garniture. For example, vibration sensors may be mounted on the shoe and/or on the tongue, or alternatively either or both of those parts may be supported via vibration-sensing parts. Detection of an abnormal noise can be used as a means of stopping the machine automatically, or may be displayed as an indication that the garniture area of the machine requires particular attention when the next convenient opportunity arises. One or more parts of the garniture, for example the tongue, may be vertically adjusted by means of a servo-motor so as to minimise automatically the detected noise. An example of a machine according to this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a fragmentary sectional elevation of a portion of the machine in the region of the garniture. The drawing shows a portion of a machine which is similar to the Molins Mark 8, 9, or 10 cigarette making machine. It includes an air-pervious tape 10 which receives a cigarette filler stream 12 and is arranged to deposit the filler stream on a continuous wrapper web 14. While it is being carried by the tape 10, the filler stream is held by suction applied through the tape from a suction chamber 16. Suction ceases to be applied through the tape 10 as it begins to return around a pulley 18. At the same time, a shoe 20 assists in removing the filler stream from the tape so as to deposit the stream on the wrapper web 14. The underneath surface 20A of the shoe 20 converges slightly towards the tape 14 in the direction of movement of the filler stream and changes progressively in cross-section from a flat shape to a concave shape so as to compress the filler stream slightly while beginning the shaping of the upper surface of the filler stream. The downstream end of the surface 20A of the shoe is slightly below the adjacent part of the underneath surface 22A of a tongue 22 which continuous the progressive compression of the filler stream. The lower surface of the filler stream is shaped with the aid of a garniture tape 24 which runs along a garniture bed 25 and pulls the web 14 and tobacco stream through the garniture. The tape, and hence also the wrapper web, assume a trough-shaped configuration just before receiving the cigarette filler stream, i.e. upstream of the pulley 18. The shoe 20 is carried by an arm 20B which in turn is mounted on a member 26 on the machine frame. A vibration detector 28 mounted on the member 26 (or close to the shoe itself) and is electrically connected to a detection circuit 30. Similarly, the tongue 22 is carried by a member 22B which is mounted on a carrier member 32; a second vibration detector 34 is mounted on the member 32 and is electrically connected to the detection circuit 30. Abnormal vibration detected by either of the detectors 28 and 34 causes the detection circuit 30 to emit a signal which may be used for any of the purposes already described. Downstream of the tongue 22 there is a folder 36 which folds the web 14 completely around the filler stream to form a continuous wrapped rod, the edges of the web 14 being secured by adhesive. A vibration detector may alternatively (or in addition) be mounted on one or more parts of the folder 36. CLAIMS

4. A cigarette making machine according to claim 3 including a detection circuit responsive to the vibration or noise and arranged, in response to the detection of a predetermined type or level of noise or vibration, to automatically adjust or stop the machine or to display a warning signal.

5. A machine according to claim 4 including a servo-motor arranged to provide at least part of the adjustment in that it adjusts the position of the tongue.

6. A machine according to claim 5 in which the servo-motor adjusts the position of the tongue vertically.

7. A machine according to any one of claims 3 to 6 in which the monitoring means comprises a vibration sensor mounted on the tongue of the machine or on a shoe upstream of the tongue.

8. A machine according to claim 7 in which the tongue or shoe is supported via a vibration-sensing part.

9. A method according to claim 1 and substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

10. A machine according to claim 3 and substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing.