GB331333A - Process and apparatus for regulating the quantity of tobacco fed in cigarette machines - Google Patents

Abstract

331,333. Schunemann, H., and Neuerburgsche Verwaltungsges. May 21, 1929. Cigarette-making machines. - Tobacco is fed to cigarette machines in excess of that required in the form of a curtain or film, the amount of excess diverted being controlled according to the thickness or density of the curtain or film. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the tobacco falls from a conveyer 1 in front of a reflecting-surface 3, and light proceeding from a source 4 is reflected through the curtain of tobacco on to a photo-electric cell 5, the intensity of light falling thereon producing a corresponding energization of an electromagnet 7 which controls an oscillating channel 6 which diverts more or less of the tobacco back to the feeding-devices. In another form, the tobacco falls between the two plates of a condenser connected in circuit with an induction coil and an amplifier, changes in current affecting the electromagnet controlling the diverting- channel. In the form shown in Fig. 3, the tobacco is conducted around a suction roller 18 having a cutaway portion 19 connected to a central pipe 20, the variation in suction in which is conveyed to a piston 25 controlling the diverting channel 26. Fig. 5 shows another device in which an electrostatic charge is applied to the tobacco by means of a brush 29 and roller 27. The charged tobacco then falls on to a plate 30 in circuit with a hightension source 32, transformer 31, 33, amplifier 34, and magnet 36, which becomes more or less energized so as to actuate a diverting-plate 38 which varies the amount of tobacco directed on to a spiked roller 41 carrying away the excess; or the amount of tobacco diverted may be regulated according to the position at which the charged tobacco leaves the roller 27 and falls on to an inverted V-shape surface. In other modifications, the impact of the tobacco falling on to a spring-controlled pivoted deflecting plate or channel is used to regulate the feed by altering the inclination of the plate or channel in relation to a spiked roller. In the device shown in Fig. 10, the tobacco fed by a conveyer 50 is thrown against a resilient plate 51 connected to microphone diaphragms 55 in circuit with a source of current 61, transformer 62, amplifier 63, and electromagnet 64 which controls a diverting-plate 67 arranged in connection with a spiked roller 70. The plate 52 and microphone are mounted on springs 59, and the microphone casing contains wadding and a spring to protect from external shocks. Several microphones may be arranged to act in succession. In another form, a beam of light directed on to a reflecting-band conveying the tobacco is reflected on to a photoelectric cell which controls a throttle valve so as to regulate an air blast or suction device arranged to divert excess tobacco.