JP2002058464A - Cigarette inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cigarette inspection device capable of measuring air-flow resistance of a cigarette on-line, and capable of allowing the air-flow resistance and the accuracy of the measurement in a production line of the cigarette to be understood. SOLUTION: This cigarette inspection device has a function of displaying the air-flow resistance of the cigarette measured one by one by an on-line measuring means in the production line of the cigarette as a graph formed by exposing the detected values on a prescribed time axis, and further displaying the air-flow resistance of the-cigarette measured by an assistant measuring means comprising a measuring system different from the on-line measuring system according to the timing of sampling the cigarette so as to overlap with the graph, so that the reliability of the measuring system may be evaluated by the comparison of these measured data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cigarette inspection apparatus having a function of displaying the ventilation resistance of a filter-equipped cigarette continuously measured in a graph.

[0002]

2. Related Background Art The ventilation characteristics (ventilation resistance; ventilation) of a cigarette is one of the factors that affect the quality of the cigarette, such as the taste. Therefore, conventionally, in general, a predetermined number of cigarettes are sampled and extracted from the cigarette manufacturing process, and the ventilation resistance of the cigarettes is measured one by one using a cigarette inspection device (ventilation measuring device) as shown in FIG. And control its quality.

[0003] By the way, the ventilation measurement device is
Schematically, there is provided a container 1 for holding a cigarette C by partitioning the tobacco winding part T and the filter part F in an airtight manner. The container 1 includes a tip portion (filter-side end portion) of a filter portion F which is a mouth portion of a cigarette C, a boundary portion between the filter portion F and the tobacco winding portion T, and a tobacco winding portion T.
Each of the supporting portions 3a, 3b, 3c, 3c, holds the cigarette C by pressing against the tip portion (ignition side end portion; upper end portion) of the container 1 from the outer peripheral surface thereof, and partitions the inside of the container 1 into three airtight chambers 2a, 2b, 2c. 3b and 3c are provided coaxially. Then, the cigarette C held in the container 1 is sucked at a constant flow rate Vc from the front end portion (filter side end portion; lower end portion) of the filter section F via the airtight chamber 2a, and at this time, via the airtight chamber 2b. The amount of air Vf flowing from the side surface of the filter portion F and the airtight chamber 2c
Of air flowing from the side of the tobacco winding part T through the
Is obtained, and the ventilation resistance is measured.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 4 denotes an airtight chamber 2a, 2 in a container 1.
The shutters b and 2c are formed. When the shutter 4 is opened, the cigarette C whose ventilation resistance has been measured is discharged. 5 is a guide for guiding the cigarette C supplied from the upper end opening side of the container 1 to the center of the support 3c, and 6 is a guide for connecting the cigarette C to the support 3b.
It is a guide that leads to the center. Further, a stopper 7 provided in the airtight chamber 2a and selectively positioned at the lower central portion of the support portion 3a abuts on the filter side end of the cigarette C inserted from the upper end side of the container 1 and is provided in the container 1. It plays a role in defining the holding position of the cigarette C.

[0005]

By the way, the airflow resistance of all the cigarettes with filters manufactured continuously in the cigarette manufacturing process is continuously inspected.
It is considered that cigarettes determined to be of poor quality in accordance with the inspection result are excluded from the production line, and when there are many cigarettes of poor quality, the production itself is controlled to be stopped.

However, when managing the production quality of cigarettes in this way, it is a problem whether or not the inspection (measurement) accuracy of the ventilation resistance is sufficiently guaranteed. If the inspection (measurement) accuracy is poor, cigarettes with poor production quality may be overlooked, or cigarettes satisfying a predetermined quality standard may be rejected as defectives. Is a factor that hinders efficient production. Therefore, it is desirable to have a function capable of grasping in some form the measurement accuracy of the ventilation resistance that is continuously inspected in synchronization with the manufacture of the cigarette.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to grasp the measurement accuracy while sequentially measuring the ventilation resistance of a cigarette with a filter manufactured continuously. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cigarette inspection device capable of effectively utilizing the obtained ventilation resistance of a cigarette for production control.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a cigarette inspecting apparatus according to the present invention is incorporated in a cigarette production line, and the cigarette is continuously manufactured according to the quality of the cigarette in terms of airflow resistance. Control manufacturing
It is suitable for controlling, and is incorporated in a manufacturing line of a cigarette with a filter. The cigarettes with a filter are held one by one in a plurality of holding portions provided on a peripheral surface of an inspection drum and conveyed to a predetermined inspection position. Air is introduced into the filter-equipped cigarette carried by the on-machine measuring means for sequentially determining the air-permeation resistance of the filter-equipped cigarette; A measurement data display unit that expands on a time axis to display a graph, and an auxiliary that measures a ventilation resistance of the filter-attached cigarette sampled and extracted from the production line of the filter-attached cigarette by a measurement system independent of the on-machine measurement unit. The ventilation resistance determined by the measuring means is compared with the cigarette with a filter that has detected the ventilation resistance. The measurement data display according to the sampling time. And a superimposing means for superimposing and displaying the time axis on the graph displayed by the means.

That is, the cigarette inspection apparatus according to the present invention develops a graph of the ventilation resistance of the cigarette sequentially measured by the on-machine measuring means on a predetermined time axis and displays the graph. By displaying the ventilation resistance of the cigarette measured by the auxiliary measuring means composed of a different measuring system on the graph in accordance with the sampling time of the cigarette, it is possible to grasp the ventilation resistance of the sequentially measured cigarette. It is characterized in that the measurement accuracy is easily grasped.

[0010] Preferably, the graph of the ventilation resistance is graphed using the measurement timing of the cigarette with a filter as a time axis. In addition, as described in claim 3, the auxiliary measuring means comprises, for example, a conventional general off-line type cigarette inspection means which is independent of the production line of the cigarette with a filter.

Further, the cigarette inspection device according to the present invention comprises:
As described in claim 4, the measurement performance of the on-machine measurement unit is further evaluated by the measurement data display unit and the overlap display unit from the measurement data of the airflow resistance superimposed and displayed together with the time axis. It is characterized by comprising means.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A cigarette inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a cigarette inspection device.
Reference numeral 0 denotes a transport mechanism that is incorporated in the cigarette manufacturing apparatus (manufacturing process) and transports the filter-equipped cigarettes continuously manufactured by the cigarette manufacturing apparatus and uses them for measurement of airflow resistance. The transport mechanism 10 includes a transport drum (inspection drum) 11 that holds and transports a cigarette with a filter on a peripheral surface thereof. The transport drum 11 is provided with a plurality of (for example, 40) groove-shaped cigarette holders 12 in parallel at an equal pitch on a peripheral surface thereof. Are transported in the circumferential direction while being sucked and held one by one and guided to a measuring unit 13 provided at a predetermined rotation position of the transport drum 11.

In the figure, reference numeral 14 denotes an end checker drum for supplying the filter-attached cigarettes one by one onto the transport drum 11 while checking the direction of the filter end of the filter-attached cigarette.
1 is a carrier drum that receives the cigarette with a filter conveyed through the measuring unit 13 and sends it out to the next process. Reference numeral 16 in the figure denotes a position reference sensor for detecting a rotation reference position of the transport drum 11.

The measuring unit 13 provided at a predetermined rotational position in the circumferential direction of the transport drum 12 is provided with a filter-attached cigarette held and transported by each of the holding units 12 of the transport drum 11. As will be described later, there is provided an air introduction mechanism for sandwiching the filter-attached cigarette from both ends thereof and introducing air from its ignition side end. Then, the pressure P1 of air introduced from the ignition side end of the filter-attached cigarette and the pressure P2 generated at the filter side end, which is the suction port, by the introduced air are converted into the first and second pressure transducers 17,18. , Respectively.

Incidentally, the air introduction mechanism is, for example, shown in FIG.
As shown schematically in FIG. 1, first and second testing rings 21 and 22 are provided at both ends of the transport drum 12 and rotate integrally with the transport drum 12. The first testing ring 21 is provided with a plurality of air introduction holes (air blowing portions) 23 provided corresponding to the cigarette holding portions 12, respectively. With rotation, it selectively communicates with a funnel 24 provided in the measuring unit 13.
Then, it plays a role of introducing air supplied from an air source such as a compressor (not shown) through the funnel 24 from the ignition side end of the cigarette C with a filter held by the cigarette holding unit 12. The above-described first pressure transducer 17 is provided in such a funnel 24 or is provided in the air introduction path thereof through a cheese (not shown), so that the pressure of the air introduced into the cigarette C with a filter is increased. (Inlet side air pressure) A role of detecting P1 is provided.

The second testing ring 22 includes a plurality of mouthpieces 25 provided corresponding to the cigarette holders 12, respectively. (In the longitudinal direction of the filter-equipped cigarette held by the cigarette holder 12). These mouthpieces 25 are moved by the cam mechanism 26 provided in the measuring unit 13 with the rotation of the transport drum 12 to the first position.
Is provided so as to be displaced at a predetermined pressure toward the testing ring 21 side, and functions as a pressing means for pressing the filter-equipped cigarette C and bringing its ignition side end into contact with the air introduction hole 23. I do. The mouthpiece 25 presses and displaces the filter-equipped cigarette C held by the cigarette holder 12 from its filter-side end, and holds the cigarette C between the cigarette C and the first testing ring 21. And plays the role of connecting the ignition side end to the air introduction hole 23.

The mouthpiece 25 is made of a metal having a flat surface in contact with the filter-side end of the filter-attached cigarette C. The center of the mouthpiece 25 is the filter-side end of the filter-side cigarette C. A through hole 27 communicating with the end face is provided. The through hole 27 is selectively coupled to a funnel 29 provided in the measuring unit 13 through a communication hole 28 provided in the second testing ring 22. The second pressure transducer 18 described above is
By being provided in such a funnel 29, the pressure (outlet-side air pressure) generated at the filter-side end of the cigarette C by the air introduced into the cigarette C with a filter.
The role of measuring P2 is given. In particular, the second pressure transducer 18 is connected to the mouthpiece 2 via a funnel 29.
5 is provided so as to detect the pressure P2 generated at the filter side end in a state in which the air introduced into the filter cigarette C is prevented from flowing out from the filter side end by closing the through hole 27 of the filter. Can be

The above-described galette holding section 12
As shown in a schematic cross-sectional structure in FIG. 2, a plurality of semi-ring-shaped projections 1 that lightly contact and hold the peripheral surface of the filter-attached cigarette C at a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction.
2a. A small-diameter suction hole 12b communicating with the inside of the transport drum 11 is provided at the bottom of the groove-shaped cigarette holding portion 12 composed of the plurality of protrusions 12a. The cigarette holder 12 sucks the filter-attached cigarette C placed on each of the protrusions 12a with a light force using the negative pressure applied through the suction hole 12b, and substantially removes the peripheral surface of the filter-attached cigarette C. The cigarette C is configured to be held in an open state.

While the cigarette C with the filter is being conveyed by the conveying drum 12 as described above, the inspection section 1
3, air was introduced into the filter-attached cigarette C, and the pressure (inlet-side air pressure) P1 of the introduced air detected using the first and second pressure transducers 17 and 18 was generated at the filter-side end. A detection signal indicating the pressure (outlet air pressure) P2, that is, each output signal of the first and second pressure transducers 17 and 18 is given to the electronic board 30 shown in FIG. 1 described above. The electronic board 30 includes a data processing unit 31 and a display / operation unit 32 including a touch panel and the like. Basically, the air pressure P1 on the inlet side of the cigarette C with a filter and the cigarette C are opened. A function is provided for determining the ventilation resistance of the cigarette C according to the outlet side air pressure P2 (atmospheric pressure) at the filter side end.

The electronic board 30 collects the airflow resistance calculated for each filter-equipped cigarette C in cooperation with an external device 40 such as a personal computer, or, as described later, the airflow characteristics and the holding section 12. And a function for evaluating the holding characteristics and the like of the cigarette C in the above. In accordance with the evaluation result, for example, a function of giving a command to stop the production or the like to the production control unit 50 for controlling the operation of the cigarette production apparatus or giving an exclusion command to the cigarette with a filter determined to be defective is provided. It also has.

By the way, the electronic board 30 which plays the above-mentioned role
Is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. This electronic board 3
The analog input unit 33 provided at 0 is an interface with the first and second pressure transducers 17 and 18 for detecting the inlet-side air pressure P1 and the outlet-side air pressure P2 of the cigarette C with a filter described above. Things
A low-pass filter (LPF) 34 for filtering the output of each of the pressure transducers 17 and 18 is provided.

The low-pass filter 34 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
At a predetermined cutoff frequency fcut as shown in
It has a high-order filter characteristic A for sharply filtering the outputs of the pressure transducers 17 and 18 and is mixed with a detection system (analog signal system) including the pressure transducers 17 and 18 to be filtered. It plays a role of sharply cutting only the external noise of the high frequency component superimposed on the output voltage waveform 18. In other words, the low-pass filter 34 has a role of eliminating only the external noise (high-frequency component) without impairing the frequency components of the original output signals of the pressure transducers 17 and 18. The cutoff frequency fcut
Depends on the frequency of the high-frequency noise component generated with the operation of the cigarette manufacturing apparatus.
It is set as kHz.

Incidentally, when the filter characteristics of the low-pass filter 34 are broad as shown as a characteristic B in FIG. 4, the high frequency components themselves of the outputs of the pressure transducers 17 and 18 are also impaired. As a result, it cannot be denied that the filtering output becomes a broad one (a dull one), for example, as if the output signals of the pressure transducers 17 and 18 were smoothed. In order to prevent such a problem and maintain the measurement accuracy sufficiently high, here, a low-pass filter 34 having a high-order sharp filter characteristic A is used.
Only high-frequency noise components mixed into the signal system are sharply removed.

The first and second pressure transducers 17, 18 taken in through the low-pass filter 34
Output (inlet air pressure P1 and outlet air pressure P2
Is converted into digital data via the AD converter 35 and is taken in via the interface 36 into the CPU constituting the data processing section 31 described above. The CPU (data processing device) 31 is provided with information on the rotation reference position of the transport drum 11 detected by the position reference sensor 16 via the interface 36. Further, an encoder pulse indicating a cigarette production timing in a cigarette production device (not shown) obtained from the production control unit 50 is supplied from the synchronization control unit 37 to the CPU 31 via the interface 36.

The CPU (data processing device) 31 counts the encoder pulses with reference to the rotation reference position information of the transport drum 11 obtained from the position reference sensor 18, so that the measurement unit 13 can provide ventilation. The cigarette C with a filter for which the resistance measurement is performed
It manages whether the cigarette is held in the cigarette holding unit 12. At the same time, the CPU 31 sets the ventilation resistance measurement timing for the cigarette with the filter according to the encoder pulse.

Incidentally, the measurement timing of the ventilation resistance is determined by displacing the mouthpiece 25 by operating the cam mechanism 26 with respect to the filter-attached cigarette C held on the peripheral surface of the transport drum 11 and transported to the measuring section 13. After the filter-attached cigarette C is sandwiched between the mouthpiece 25 and the first testing ring 21, the flow (air flow) of a predetermined flow of air (air flow) introduced from the value-price-side end of the cigarette C is stabilized. Is set as

The CPU (data processing device) 31 detects the inlet side air pressure detected via the first and second pressure transducers 17 and 18 at the measurement timing and obtained via the low-pass filter 34, respectively. P1
And the outlet side air pressure P2 are taken as the measurement data. Then, the ventilation resistance of the filter-attached cigarette C is determined according to these measurement data (the inlet-side air pressure P1 and the outlet-side air pressure P2) as described later. Then, the measurement data, the ventilation resistance, and the like are presented to a manager (operator) via the operation / display unit 32, and the quality of the cigarette C with a filter is evaluated from the ventilation resistance. .

If a result of judging that the quality of the cigarette C with a filter is poor is obtained according to the information on the ventilation resistance, the CPU 31 sends a machine stop command to the production control unit 50 via the output unit 38. And then stop producing cigarettes or use the filter-equipped cigarette C
Issue a command to remove the product from the production line. The CPU 31 also controls the manufacturing control unit 50 via the input unit 39.
, And performs the above-described measurement processing function.

The above-mentioned CPU (data processing device)
The principle of measuring the ventilation resistance based on the above-described inlet-side air pressure P1 and outlet-side air pressure P2 at 31 will be described. In this device, as described above, air is introduced from the ignition side end of the filter-attached cigarette C, and the inlet-side air pressure P1 and the outlet-side air pressure P2 at that time are converted into the first and second pressure converters 17. , 18 respectively. At this time, a part of the flow of air in the filter-attached cigarette C leaks from the cigarette winding portion T of the cigarette C and also leaks from the filter portion F, as schematically shown in FIG. In the conventional cigarette detecting device shown in FIG. 10, the amount of air leaking from the cigarette winding part T and the filter part F is sucked at a constant flow rate Vc from the filter-side end of the filter-equipped cigarette C. At this time, they correspond to the air amounts Vp and Vf flowing from the tobacco winding portion T and the filter portion F, respectively.

Incidentally, in the conventional cigarette inspection apparatus shown in FIG. 10, the air leakage ratio at that time is measured as [leakage ratio] = (Vp + Vf) / Vc * 100 (%), and the quality of the cigarette is measured. It is required as a ventilation resistance for evaluation.

On the other hand, in the present apparatus, attention is paid to the pressure drop Pt generated in the tobacco winding section T and the pressure drop Pf generated in the filter section F due to the above-mentioned air leakage. The pressure of the air introduced from the ignition side end of the cigarette C with a filter (the air pressure on the inlet side) to the extent that the pressure drops Pt and Pf caused by the leakage of the air are generated.
It is noted that P1 decreases and appears at the filter side end as an outlet air pressure P2, that is, a pressure relationship of P1 = P2 + Pt + Pf is established.

Therefore, in the present apparatus, basically, by determining what percentage of the inlet-side air pressure P1 has a pressure drop due to air leakage, the ventilation resistance is evaluated. Specifically, the leak ratio of air in the cigarette C is calculated as follows: [leak ratio] = [pressure drop] / [inlet-side air pressure] * 100 (%) = (Pt + Pf) / P1 * 100 (%) = (P1-P2) / P1 * 100 (%), which is obtained as a ventilation resistance in evaluating the quality of cigarettes.

When there is no air leakage in the cigarette C, no air flows through the cigarette C and no pressure drops Pt and Pf occur in the cigarette winding part T and the filter part F. The outlet air pressure P2 at the filter side end is equal to the inlet air pressure P1 (P1 = P2). Therefore, the leakage ratio at that time is Is required.

However, in many actual cigarettes C with filters, the filter portion F is intentionally provided with vent holes for ventilation. Is determined. If there is a gap due to poor bonding at the seam of the wrapping paper in the tobacco winding section T, or if there is a defect such as a scratch hole in the tobacco winding section T or the filter section F, a large gap is formed through the gap or the scratch hole. Air leakage occurs. Then, since a large pressure drop occurs due to the air leakage, the required leakage ratio increases as described above. Therefore, if this leakage ratio is compared with a standard leakage ratio determined by the product specifications of the cigarette C, it is possible to accurately evaluate the quality related to the airflow resistance.

In the cigarette C with a normal filter, the amount of air leakage in the cigarette winding part T is extremely small compared to the amount of air leakage intentionally set in the filter part F. The standard leakage ratio determined by the product specification can be considered to be determined solely by the amount of air leakage in the filter portion F. Therefore, when the air leakage ratio required as described above is much larger than the standard leakage ratio of the cigarette C, it is considered that the cause is mainly due to a winding defect (winding hole) of the wrapping paper in the tobacco winding portion T. Can be considered.
Therefore, as described above, the airflow resistance (leakage ratio) is measured by paying attention to the pressure drop in the cigarette C, and if this is evaluated, the quality related to the airflow resistance of the cigarette C is determined with high accuracy, and the production failure of the cigarette C is determined. Can be reliably detected.

By the way, in the cigarette inspection apparatus according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
5 has a flat shape, and the first testing ring 21 also has a flat surface. Then, air is introduced into the cigarette C while the cigarette C with the filter is lightly sandwiched between the testing ring 21 and the mouthpiece 25, and the pressure of the air introduced through the testing ring 21 (the inlet side). (Air pressure) P1 is detected by the first pressure transducer 17. Mouthpiece 2
On the fifth side, the pressure (outlet air pressure) P2 introduced into the through-hole 27 is measured using the second pressure transducer 18 that closes the through-hole 27 of the mouthpiece 25.

Therefore, unlike a conventional cigarette inspection apparatus that sucks air from the filter end of the cigarette C using a cup-shaped mouthpiece, air is not generated at the contact portion between the mouthpiece 25 and the filter side end of the cigarette C. Leakage may occur. However, the second pressure transducer 18 does not allow the air introduced into the cigarette C to flow, but only detects the pressure (outlet air pressure) P2 generated at the filter side end by the introduced air.
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6 showing an equivalent circuit of the measurement system configured as described above, the second pressure detector 18 is substantially equivalent to the pressure drop due to the air leakage generated in the cigarette winding part T and the filter part F. It will detect itself.

In brief, the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 6 will be described. The resistance Rt is the airflow resistance in the tobacco winding part T, the resistance Rf is the airflow resistance in the filter part F, and the resistance Rd is the overall airflow in the cigarette C. Leakage resistance. The resistance R1 is the air leakage resistance (leak resistance) at the ignition side end of the cigarette C, the resistance R2 is the air leakage resistance (leak resistance) at the filter side end of the cigarette C, and I is the resistance of the cigarette C. The flow rate of the introduced air is shown.

Since the first pressure transducer 17 for detecting the pressure P1 of the air introduced into the cigarette C measures the pressure based on the atmospheric pressure, as shown in FIG. The resulting pressure drop [Rt · I]
Then, the sum [(Rt + Rd) · I] of the pressure drop [Rd · I] caused by the leakage of the air from the cigarette C is detected. Further, the second pressure transducer 18 detects the pressure P2 at the filter side end of the cigarette C,
Since the air does not flow there and the pressure generated by the air leakage in the cigarette C is transmitted, the above-mentioned pressure drop [Rd · I] is detected as it is. That is, even if there is a leak (resistor R2) at the filter side end, no pressure drop occurs due to the leak, so that the pressure transducer 18 is affected by the leak at the filter side end. Without this, it is possible to detect the pressure drop [Rd · I] due to air leakage in the cigarette C.

Thus, as described above, air is introduced from the ignition side end of the cigarette C with the filter, and the pressure P1 of the introduced air at the ignition side end and the pressure P2 generated at the filter side end are detected. According to the present apparatus for measuring the air leakage ratio (ventilation resistance) in the cigarette C,
The measurement can be performed simply and accurately. Moreover, the filter-equipped cigarette C is easily held between the first testing ring 21 and the mouthpiece 25 having a flat contact portion with the filter side end, and air is introduced into the cigarette C. To measure the ventilation resistance,
As described above, even when a plurality of cigarettes C are continuously transported using the transport drum 11, the measurement can be performed simply and efficiently.

In this case, as described above, in synchronization with the transport of the cigarette C by the transport drum 11, the first and second pressure transducers 17, 1 at a predetermined measurement timing.
8 may be extracted. That is, FIG.
Shows the change in the output voltage corresponding to the pressure detected by the pressure transducers 17 and 18, the output voltage of which is
Fluctuates over time with the transport of When the measuring unit 13 holds the cigarette C and introduces air into the cigarette C, the detection pressure increases. When the holding of the cigarette C is released and the cigarette C is transferred from the measuring unit 13, the pressure converters 17 and 18 are used. Output voltage will decrease. At this time, the air outlet 22 of the testing ring 21 and the through hole 27 of the mouthpiece 25 are opened, so that the pressure transducers 17 and 18 measure the atmospheric pressure.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the change in the output voltage of the pressure transducers 17 and 18 is shown in an enlarged manner, the measuring period by the measuring unit 13 is specified in synchronization with the transport timing of the cigarette C, and The measurement data may be sampled at a time when the introduced air becomes stable. As for the measurement timing, it is sufficient to set the measurement timing in synchronization with the transport timing of the cigarette C by the transport drum 11 based on the encoder pulse obtained from the production control unit 50 as described above. Then, when the air leakage ratio obtained from the measurement data falls below a predetermined determination value, this may be determined as a defective product.

According to the above-described embodiment, since the metal mouthpiece 25 having a flat surface in contact with the filter side end is used, the conventional cup-shaped mouthpiece made of synthetic resin is used. Unlike the above, the damage to the filter side end of the cigarette C is small, and there is almost no possibility that the cigarette C may be damaged due to a holding mistake. In addition, the life of the mouthpiece 25 itself can be prolonged, and the effect of reducing the frequency of replacing the mouthpiece 25 and sufficiently improving the inspection efficiency can be obtained.

As described above, the present apparatus has a function of sequentially measuring the ventilation resistance of the cigarette C with a filter manufactured continuously by the cigarette manufacturing apparatus and evaluating the production quality thereof. A function (measurement data display means) for displaying measurement data as a graph is provided. Further, with respect to the filter-equipped cigarette C sampled from the cigarette production line, measurement data of the airflow resistance, which was inspected off-line using, for example, the conventional cigarette inspection device shown in FIG. A function (overlapping display means) for superimposing and displaying on a graph is provided.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the processing concept of this apparatus measures the cigarette C with a filter continuously manufactured in the cigarette manufacturing process 50 using the transport drum 11 as described above. An on-line measuring function 51 for guiding the airflow resistance to the section 13 and sequentially measuring the airflow resistance is provided. The measurement data (ventilation resistance) for each cigarette C measured by the online measurement function 51 is
The measurement data is sequentially stored in the measurement data storage (memory) 52 in synchronization with the measurement timing. The measurement data (ventilation resistance) stored in the memory 52 is developed using the above measurement timing as a time axis (time axis adjusting means 53), and is displayed as a characteristic X in FIG. Measurement data display means 54). The graph display of the measurement data is performed using the display / operation unit (touch panel) 32 of the electronic board 30 described above.

On the other hand, as described above, the cigarette manufacturing process 5
The cigarette C with a filter continuously manufactured at 0 is extracted from the transport line at every predetermined sampling timing (evaluation sample extracting means 55), and is independent of the ventilation resistance measuring unit 13 incorporated in the apparatus. It is led to, for example, a conventional general off-line cigarette inspection device 56 shown in FIG. 10, which is a ventilation resistance measuring means of the measurement system. In the off-line type cigarette inspection device (auxiliary measuring means) 56, the measurement of the ventilation resistance of the cigarette C with the filter is locally performed.
The ventilation resistance (measurement data) of the cigarette C measured by the cigarette inspection device 56 is managed according to the timing at which the cigarette C is sampled and extracted from the production line.

As described above, the ventilation resistance (measurement data) of the cigarette C measured using the off-line type cigarette inspection device 56, which is an auxiliary measuring means independent of the present device, is displayed on the display / operation unit (touch panel). The data is input to the CPU 31 incorporated in the electronic board 30 of the apparatus by a key input operation at 32 or automatically. Then, the CPU 31 develops the off-line measurement data (airflow resistance) on a predetermined time axis according to the sampling time of the cigarette C described above. At this time, the online measurement data and the offline measurement data are synchronized by adjusting the timing to the time axis of the measurement data measured online and displayed as a graph (time axis adjustment means 53). Then, by overlaying these measurement data on the same display screen, a graph is displayed as shown in FIG. In other words, the characteristic Y on the online measurement data of the ventilation resistance shown as the characteristic X in FIG.
, The offline measurement data is superimposed and displayed with its time axis coincident.

In this way, the independent 2
System measurement system (online measurement system / offline measurement system)
According to the graph in which the airflow resistance of the cigarette C measured in each is superimposed and displayed along with its time axis,
It is possible to easily and visually grasp the production quality related to the ventilation resistance of the cigarettes C with filters manufactured continuously. Moreover, the airflow resistance (measurement data) measured online in synchronization with the production of the cigarette C and the cigarette C selectively sampled and extracted from the production line are measured off-line using another measurement system. The measured airflow resistance (measurement data) is superimposed on the time axis set based on the production timing, so that the airflow resistance measured online and the airflow resistance measured offline for the same cigarette C are displayed. Can be easily compared. As a result, effects such as that it is easy to visually determine the measurement accuracy and the measurement reliability in the above-described two measurement systems by comparing these measurement data are obtained.

When evaluating the measurement reliability of the cigarette inspection apparatus according to the present invention incorporated in the cigarette manufacturing apparatus from these measurement data (evaluation means 57),
For example, in FIG. 9, the average value Xave of the online measurement data (airflow resistance) shown as the characteristic X and the average value Ya of the offline measurement data (airflow resistance) shown as the characteristic Y
ve, respectively, and the difference (opening degree) from these average values Xave, Yave may be obtained as the determination index. In this case, for example, measurement data obtained by an off-line cigarette inspection apparatus generally used in the related art may be taken as its standard value. Then, according to the evaluation result, the measurement characteristics in the online measurement system may be corrected, or maintenance for the online measurement system may be performed.

As described above, a function is provided for displaying the measured data of the ventilation resistance obtained in synchronization with the production of the cigarette as a graph and for superimposing and displaying the measured data measured using the off-line type cigarette inspection device. According to the present apparatus, it is possible to easily monitor the operation reliability and the like of the inspection system, and to accurately grasp the status of cigarette production management itself. Moreover, practically significant effects can be achieved, such as being able to easily and accurately grasp the situation visually.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, when the measurement data is expanded on a predetermined time axis and displayed as a graph, the measurement data is aggregated for each predetermined period, and the range of the variation of the measurement data in the set is calculated to indicate the range of the variation. It is also possible to expand the information on the time axis and display it in a graph. In addition, the evaluation method for the measurement data displayed in the form of a graph is not limited to the standardization based on the above-described calculation of the average value, and it is of course possible to employ an evaluation method in consideration of the dispersion of the measurement data. In addition, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, the measurement data of the ventilation resistance of the cigarette, which is incorporated into the cigarette production line and measured online, is developed on a predetermined time axis and displayed as a graph. At the same time, the measurement data of the ventilation resistance obtained by using another measurement system for the cigarette sampled and extracted from the above production line is superimposed and displayed along with its time axis, so that the ventilation of the continuously manufactured cigarette is Not only production quality related to resistance,
The measurement reliability of the measurement system can be visually easily and accurately grasped. As a result, the cigarette manufacturing apparatus can be operated efficiently while grasping the status of the production management and control of the cigarettes and judging the reliability of the measurement system, performing appropriate maintenance as needed. A great effect can be obtained in practical use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a cigarette inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a transport drum and a measuring unit in the cigarette inspection device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic board in the cigarette inspection device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view showing characteristics of a low-pass filter incorporated in the electronic board shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the principle of measuring the ventilation resistance (air leakage ratio) in the cigarette inspection device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an equivalent circuit of a measurement system for explaining the pressure detected by the pressure transducer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing sample timing of measurement data in the cigarette inspection device shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a processing procedure for executing graph display of measurement data in the cigarette inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a graph display of measurement data developed on a predetermined time axis.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional cigarette inspection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 C Cigarette with filter T Cigarette winding part F Filter part 11 Conveying drum 12 Cigarette holding part 17 Pressure transducer 18 Pressure transducer 21 Testing ring 25 Mouthpiece 30 Electronic board 31 Data processing device (CPU) 32 Operation / display part 33 Low pass Filter 34 Online measurement unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An inspection drum that is incorporated in a manufacturing line of a cigarette with a filter and that holds and transports each of the cigarettes with a filter in a plurality of holding portions provided on a peripheral surface, and a predetermined inspection by rotation of the inspection drum. On-machine measuring means for introducing air into the filter-equipped cigarette carried to the position, and sequentially determining the airflow resistance of the filter-equipped cigarette from the difference in air pressure between the ignition side end and the filter-side end of the filter-equipped cigarette; A measurement data display unit that expands the ventilation resistance of the plurality of filter-equipped cigarettes sequentially obtained by the measurement unit on a predetermined time axis and displays the graph; and a filter-equipped cigarette sampled and extracted from a production line of the filter-equipped cigarette. Measures airflow resistance using a measurement system independent of the on-machine measurement means Auxiliary measuring means, and the ventilation axis obtained by the auxiliary measuring means is overlapped with its time axis on the graph displayed by the measurement data display means in accordance with the sampling time of the cigarette with a filter which has detected the ventilation resistance. A cigarette inspecting device comprising: a superimposing means for displaying the cigarette. 2. The cigarette inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the graph of the ventilation resistance is displayed in a graph with the measurement timing of the filter-equipped cigarette as a time axis. 3. The cigarette inspecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary measuring means comprises an off-line type cigarette inspecting means independent of a production line of the cigarette with a filter. 4. The cigarette inspection device according to claim 1, further comprising: the measurement data display means and the superimposed display means, from the airflow resistance superimposed and displayed along a time axis,
A cigarette inspection device, comprising: means for evaluating the measurement performance of the on-machine measuring means.