JP7042985B2 - Inspection device for rod-shaped tobacco products - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an inspection device for rod-shaped tobacco products.

Various rod-shaped tobacco products such as cigarettes, filter rods, cigarettes, and heat-not-burn tobacco are known. In this type of rod-shaped tobacco product, in order to obtain a variety of flavors, adding a fragrance to the tobacco raw material (tobacco chopped, etc.), adding a fragrance to the reconstituted tobacco, and adding a fragrance to the fiber material constituting the filter. May be added. In this case, if the amount of the fragrance added to the tobacco raw material or the filter of the rod-shaped tobacco product varies, the taste and aroma quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product may become unstable.

Further, in the fiber material constituting the filter in the rod-shaped tobacco product, a so-called fragrance capsule in which the fragrance liquid is filled in the seamless fragile film may be embedded. When this type of fragrance capsule is intentionally destroyed by a smoker or consumer, the filled fragrance liquid is released to the surrounding fiber material, and the fragrance components / compounds contained in the fragrance liquid volatilize. do. Smokers or consumers can inhale the scent. On the other hand, if the perfume capsule is destroyed or the coating is cracked before the rod-shaped tobacco product is shipped from the factory, especially during manufacturing, the perfume liquid leaks unintentionally. May be done.

In connection with this, a filter inspection device using a microwave cavity that detects a perfume capsule that has been broken or cracked in the manufacturing process of a rod-shaped tobacco product is known (for example, Patent Document 1). See). In addition, an inspection device for detecting components and compounds contained in a perfume liquid by analyzing a gas sample that has passed through the inside or the surroundings of a rod-shaped tobacco product with a sensor has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ..

JP-A-2015-19664 Special Table 2018-506271

However, in an inspection device using a microwave cavity, accurate detection is performed when the perfume liquid leaked due to the unintentional destruction of the perfume capsule diffuses to the fiber material constituting the filter or the filter winding paper. However, there is a problem that the detection accuracy of capsule cracking is low immediately after the perfume capsule is cracked or when the capsule is slightly damaged (for example, pinhole) and the leaked perfume liquid is small. There is. Further, in an inspection device using a microwave cavity, a large amount of inspection is required with high responsiveness and sensitivity, so that the allowable accuracy range of the inspection device tends to be narrow and the maintenance frequency tends to be high. ..

Further, in the manufacturing process of rod-shaped tobacco products, rod-shaped tobacco products are often transported along a predetermined path in a state of being close to each other and laminated in multiple stages, that is, in the form of so-called mass flow, and various drums and the like. Even if they are individually transported, they are often transported at high speed. Therefore, if the entire number of rod-shaped tobacco products is to be inspected in the manufacturing process, it is necessary to inspect with a device or method suitable for the actual situation. Although the device and method itself for detecting aroma components and flavor compounds are disclosed in Patent Document 2, a case where all rod-shaped tobacco products transported along a predetermined route in the form of so-called mass flow are inspected. There is no disclosure of specific aspects, and there is room for further improvement.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an inspection device suitable for 100% inspection of the quality of rod-shaped tobacco products that are sequentially transported in large quantities along a transport path on a production line. The purpose is to do.

The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an inspection device for inspecting a rod-shaped tobacco product on a production line, in which a suction source, a suction passage communicating with the suction source, and the middle of the suction passage or the suction. An odor sensor arranged at a position communicating with the passage, and each rod communicating with the suction passage and being sequentially conveyed along a transport path extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rod-shaped tobacco product. When the shaped tobacco product is located at a predetermined inspection position provided in the middle of the transport path, the suction pressure generated by the suction source is applied to the end of each rod-shaped tobacco product, and the inside of the rod-shaped tobacco product is applied. Alternatively, it is characterized by comprising a suction portion having a suction port for sucking the gas existing in the surroundings as an inspection gas into the suction passage.

Further, the inspection device inspects the rod-shaped tobacco product that is conveyed in a state of being received in each holding groove formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the outer peripheral portion of the transfer drum in the filter chip attachment device. At both ends of each holding groove in the transport drum, there is a pair of holder members that rotate together with the holding groove in synchronization with the rotation of the transport drum, and the rod-shaped tobacco product received in the corresponding holding groove. A pair of holder members that can reciprocate between the resting position separated from both ends and the operating position that holds the rod-shaped tobacco product by sandwiching it so as to be in close contact with both ends of the rod-shaped tobacco product. The suction is arranged so that one holder member is formed as the suction portion and the suction portion faces the end face of the rod-shaped tobacco product to be held when the one holder member is controlled to the operating position. The mouth may be arranged. In this case, the inspection device applies the suction pressure generated by the suction source to the end of each rod-shaped tobacco product, and uses the gas existing inside or around the rod-shaped tobacco product as the inspection gas in the suction passage. It is characterized by having a suction portion having a suction port for sucking.

Further, the inspection device targets rod-shaped tobacco products conveyed in a mass flow form by a belt conveyor section, and the belt conveyor section uses the rod-shaped tobacco products mounted in a mass flow form as the rod-shaped tobacco products. It has a belt conveyor that conveys along a conveying direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the above, and a pair of wall bodies that are erected on both sides of the belt conveyor with the belt conveyor sandwiched and extend along the conveying direction. However, the separation dimension of the pair of walls is defined as a dimension corresponding to one axial dimension of the rod-shaped tobacco product, and an opening window is formed in at least one of the walls. The belt conveyor section conveys the rod-shaped tobacco product sideways and the ends of the rod-shaped tobacco product are aligned and laminated in one direction by the belt conveyor, and the suction section is opened. The suction port may be arranged so as to face the transport space of the rod-shaped tobacco product through the window. In this case, the inspection device applies the suction pressure generated by the suction source to the end of each rod-shaped tobacco product, and uses the gas existing inside or around the rod-shaped tobacco product as the inspection gas in the suction passage. It is characterized by providing a suction portion having a suction port for sucking.

Further, the opening window may extend vertically along the wall body, and the suction port may extend vertically along the opening window. As a result, when the rod-shaped tobacco product in the form of mass flow crosses the opening window, it is located from the lowest layer to the uppermost layer laminated on the belt conveyor regardless of the thickness (height) of the laminated mass flow. Suction pressure can be applied to the ends of each rod-shaped tobacco product at the same time.

Further, the suction portion is fixed in a state of being housed in a cylindrical rotary roller that can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction, and the rotary roller moves the rotary roller in the member thickness direction. It has a large number of ventilation holes that penetrate and rotates by contacting the end of the rod-shaped tobacco product conveyed by the belt conveyor, and the inspection gas passes through the ventilation holes from the suction port into the suction passage. It may be sucked.

Further, the inspection device is a rod-shaped product that is conveyed downward in a hopper for supplying a rod-shaped tobacco product to a packaging machine that wraps a rod-shaped tobacco product bundle composed of a plurality of rod-shaped tobacco products with an encapsulating material. For tobacco products, the hopper has a pair of vertical plates that define the depth of the hopper and a pair of side plates that define the width of the hopper. The dimensions correspond to one axial dimension of the rod-shaped tobacco product, and an opening window is formed in at least one of the vertical plates, and the hopper turns the rod-shaped tobacco product sideways. Further, by aligning the ends of the rod-shaped tobacco products in one direction and allowing them to flow downward in a laminated state, the rod-shaped tobacco products are conveyed toward the discharge port located on the lower end side of the hopper. The suction unit may be arranged so that the suction port faces the transport space of the rod-shaped tobacco product through the opening window.

Further, the opening window extends horizontally to the vertical plate, the suction port extends horizontally to the opening window, and the inside of the hopper extends to the discharge port. When the rod-shaped tobacco product flowing down toward the door crosses the opening window, suction pressure may be simultaneously applied to the end portion of each rod-shaped tobacco product crossing the opening window.

Further, in the lower region of the hopper, there are a plurality of discharge passages adjacent to each other in the width direction of the hopper so that the rod-shaped tobacco products can flow down individually, and a plurality of discharge passages are partitioned from each other by a plurality of partition walls extending in the vertical direction. A discharge duct portion having the discharge passage of the above is provided, and the discharge port is formed at the lower end of each discharge passage in the discharge duct portion, and the opening window is the discharge duct of the vertical plate. It may be provided at a position corresponding to the portion.

Further, the suction portion is fixed in a state of being housed in a cylindrical rotary roller that can rotate around a rotation axis extending along the horizontal direction, and the rotary roller moves the rotary roller in the member thickness direction. It has a large number of ventilation holes that penetrate and rotates by contacting the end of the rod-shaped tobacco product that flows down in the hopper, and the inspection gas is sucked from the suction port into the suction passage through the ventilation holes. May be done.

Further, the inspection device sequentially discharges rod-shaped tobacco products from a hopper discharge port for supplying rod-shaped tobacco products to a packaging machine that wraps a rod-shaped tobacco product bundle composed of a plurality of rod-shaped tobacco products with an encapsulating material. A plurality of discharge passages adjacent to each other in the width direction of the hopper for allowing the rod-shaped tobacco products to flow down individually in the lower region of the hopper for inspection of the shaped tobacco products, and a plurality of partition walls extending in the vertical direction. A discharge duct portion having a plurality of discharge passages partitioned by each other is provided, and the discharge port is formed at the lower end of each discharge passage in the discharge duct portion, and below the discharge duct portion. A bottom plate is arranged to receive a plurality of rod-shaped tobacco products discharged from each discharge port, and the suction portion is adjacent to the bottom plate so as to be reciprocating between a predetermined retracting position and a pushing position. A pusher for pushing a plurality of rod-shaped tobacco products received by the bottom plate into the pocket of the pocket conveyor in the process of moving from the retracted position to the pushed position, and a process of moving from the retracted position to the pushed position. Has a contact portion that comes into contact with the end face of the rod-shaped tobacco product, and the suction port is provided at the contact portion, and when the contact portion comes into contact with the end face of the rod-shaped tobacco product, the suction is made to the end face. The test gas may be sucked by applying the suction pressure generated by the source.

Further, the contact portion is arranged above the pusher in the suction portion, and in the process of moving the suction portion from the retracted position to the pushing position, the contact portion comes into contact with the end face of the rod-shaped tobacco product located in the discharge passage. A suction pressure may be applied to the end face of the rod-shaped tobacco product located in the discharge passage from the suction port.

Further, the contact portion may be an elastic member.

Further, the contact portion may be expandable and contractable along the reciprocating direction of the suction portion.

The means for solving the problems in the present invention can be adopted in combination as much as possible.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inspection device suitable for 100% inspection of the quality of rod-shaped tobacco products that are sequentially conveyed in large quantities along a transfer path on a production line.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an inspection device 1 for inspecting the quality of a rod-shaped tobacco product according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an inspection device 1 for inspecting the quality of a rod-shaped tobacco product according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view showing an outline of the belt conveyor portion according to the first embodiment. It is a figure. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a suction portion in the inspection device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a top view showing an outline of the belt conveyor portion according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a front view of the hopper according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an installation mode of a suction portion and a rotating roller in the discharge duct portion according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a suction portion according to a modified example of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a transfer device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a transfer device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a top view of the suction portion according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the suction unit in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a top view of the suction portion according to the modified example of the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing a part of a drum row included in the filter chip attachment device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a side view of the inspection drum according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an inspection device according to the fourth embodiment.

Here, an embodiment of an inspection device for a rod-shaped tobacco product according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described in the present embodiment are not intended to limit the technical scope of the invention to those, unless otherwise specified. do not have.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an inspection device 1 for inspecting the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R according to the first embodiment. Here, as a rod-shaped tobacco product R whose quality is inspected by the inspection device 1, a filter cigarette in which a filter F is connected to an end of a tobacco rod T via a chip paper will be described as an example. The filter F contains a destructible perfume capsule C containing a perfume solution. The perfume capsule C of the filter F may be embedded in, for example, a filter material which is a bundle of acetate fibers, or may be arranged in a hollow cavity formed in the filter F.

The inspection device 1 in the present embodiment is an device for inspecting the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R on the production line during the manufacturing process, and is incorporated in the manufacturing device for manufacturing the rod-shaped tobacco product R. The inspection device 1 communicates with the suction source 30, the suction passage 20 communicating with the suction source 30, the odor sensor 40 arranged in the middle of the suction passage 20 or at a position communicating with the suction passage 20, and the suction passage 20. Each rod-shaped tobacco product R, which is sequentially transported in a state of being aligned along a transport path extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rod-shaped tobacco product R, is located at a predetermined inspection position provided in the middle of the transport path. At this time, the suction pressure generated by the suction source 30 is applied to the end of each rod-shaped tobacco product R, and the gas existing inside or around the rod-shaped tobacco product is sucked into the suction passage 20 as the inspection gas G. A suction unit 12 having a suction port 123 for the purpose is provided. In the present embodiment, the odor sensor 40 is arranged in the sensor chamber 21 formed in the middle of the suction passage 20, and detects the fragrance component contained in the inspection gas G sucked in the suction passage 20.

In the present embodiment, a belt conveyor unit 100 installed at the rear stage of a drum row in a filter chip attachment device that connects a tobacco rod T manufactured by a tobacco rod manufacturing device and a filter F manufactured by a filter manufacturing device by a chip paper. An aspect of inspecting a rod-shaped tobacco product R transported in a mass flow form will be described. The rod-shaped tobacco product R conveyed by the belt conveyor unit 100 is supplied to the hopper of the packaging machine for packaging the rod-shaped tobacco product bundle with the encapsulating material, or is once packed in a packing material such as corrugated cardboard. ..

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outline of the belt conveyor unit 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view showing an outline of the belt conveyor unit 100 according to the first embodiment. The belt conveyor unit 100 conveys the rod-shaped tobacco product R on both sides of the belt conveyor 110 sandwiching the belt conveyor 110 and the belt conveyor 110 that conveys the rod-shaped tobacco product R along the conveying direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rod-shaped tobacco product R. It is provided with a pair of wall bodies, a front wall 120 and a rear wall 130, which are erected and extend along the transport direction.

The belt conveyor unit 100 is arranged, for example, after the filter chip attachment device for manufacturing the rod-shaped tobacco product R. The belt conveyor unit 100 is configured to convey the rod-shaped tobacco product R manufactured in the filter chip attachment device in a mass flow form by the belt conveyor 110. Then, the belt conveyor unit 100 conveys the rod-shaped tobacco product R sideways and by the belt conveyor 110 in a state where the ends of the rod-shaped tobacco product R are aligned and laminated in one direction. In the present embodiment, the rod-shaped tobacco product R is conveyed by the belt conveyor 110 with the end face on the filter F side facing the front wall 120. Reference numeral CS shown in FIG. 3 is a transport space for the rod-shaped tobacco product R formed between the front wall 120 and the rear wall 130. In FIG. 3, the rod-shaped tobacco product R conveyed by the belt conveyor 110 is not shown. Further, the front wall 120 and the rear wall 130 may have light transmission so that the operator can visually recognize the inside of the transport space CS in the belt conveyor portion 100, and may be formed of, for example, a transparent plate.

Here, the separation dimension of the front wall 120 and the rear wall 130 is defined as a dimension corresponding to one axial dimension of the rod-shaped tobacco product R. More specifically, the separation dimension of the front wall 120 and the rear wall 130 is defined as the length of one axial dimension of the rod-shaped tobacco product R plus a slight clearance dimension. As a result, the end portion (end face) on the filter F side in each rod-shaped tobacco product R is guided by the front wall 120, and the end portion (end face) on the tobacco rod T side in the rod-shaped tobacco product R is guided by the rear wall 130. As a result, the rod-shaped tobacco product R in the form of mass flow is conveyed in one direction in the transfer space CS in a state of being laminated on the belt conveyor 110. In the examples shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the belt conveyor 110 conveys the rod-shaped tobacco product R in the mass flow form in the direction of the white arrow (direction from the right side to the left side in the figure).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the belt conveyor portion 100 in the present embodiment is provided with an opening window 140 on at least one of the front wall 120 and the rear wall 130. The opening window 140 is an opening for inspection provided at a predetermined inspection position provided in the middle of the transport path in the belt conveyor portion 100, and in the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the opening window 140 is provided only on the front wall 120. Is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the opening window 140 extends in the vertical direction from the lower end to the upper end of the front wall 120. In the present embodiment, the suction portion 12 of the inspection device 1 is provided in the opening window 140 formed in the front wall 120. Note that FIG. 3 illustrates the vicinity of the inspection position on the belt conveyor unit 100.

The suction unit 12 in the inspection device 1 is housed in a cylindrical rotary roller 11 that can rotate around a rotation axis (not shown) extending along a vertical direction (vertical direction), for example, a belt conveyor. It is fixed to the base 150 of the portion 100. Further, the rotary roller 11 has a large number of ventilation holes 111 that penetrate the rotary roller 11 in the member thickness direction. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the suction unit 12 in the inspection device 1 according to the first embodiment. The suction portion 12 has a case body 121 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a suction port 123 elongated in the vertical direction is opened in a slit shape on the suction surface 122 which is one side surface of the case body 121. The inside of the case body 121 of the suction portion 12 is hollow, and the internal space forms a part of the suction passage 20. That is, in the suction unit 12, a slit-shaped suction port 123 extending vertically communicates with the suction passage 20, and the inspection gas is sucked from the suction port 123 by using the suction pressure generated by the operation of the suction source 30. , Can be guided into the suction passage 20.

Here, in the suction unit 12, the suction surface 122 is positioned so as to face the inside of the transport space CS of the rod-shaped tobacco product R through the opening window 140 of the front wall 120, and the suction port 123 of the suction surface 122 is always open. It is fixed in a posture facing the inside of the transport space CS through the window 140. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the suction surface 122 of the suction portion 12 housed in the rotary roller 11 is formed as a curved surface having substantially the same curvature as the curvature of the inner peripheral surface 112 of the rotary roller 11. .. Then, the suction surface 122 of the suction unit 12 forms a slight clearance with the inner peripheral surface 112 of the rotary roller 11 or is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 112 so as to face the inner peripheral surface 112. Have been placed.

In the inspection device 1 configured as described above, when the rod-shaped tobacco product R transported in the mass flow form through the transport space CS of the belt conveyor unit 100 passes (crosses) the predetermined inspection position (opening window 140). , The end of the filter F in the rod-shaped tobacco product R is configured to be in contact with the rotary roller 11. Rotational torque is generated when the end of the rod-shaped tobacco product R comes into contact with the rotary roller 11, and the rotary roller 11 rotates (counterclockwise in FIG. 4). Further, the rotary roller 11 is arranged so as to be in contact with the end of each filter F from the rod-shaped tobacco product R located on the lowermost layer to the rod-shaped tobacco product R located on the uppermost layer on the belt conveyor 110.

The inspection device 1 in the present embodiment operates the suction source 30 shown in FIG. 1 while the rod-shaped tobacco product R is being conveyed in the mass flow form in the transfer space CS in the belt conveyor unit 100. The suction source 30 may be a known decompression source or a vacuum source. The suction pressure generated by the suction source 30 is the end face of the filter F in each rod-shaped tobacco product R that comes into contact with the rotary roller 11 through the suction passage 20, the suction port 123 in the suction unit 12, and the ventilation hole 111 of the rotary roller 11. Acts on. As a result, the gas (for example, air) existing inside or around the filter F passes through the ventilation hole 111 of the rotating roller 11 and is sucked as the inspection gas G from the suction port 123. As a result, the inspection gas G sucked from the suction port 123 is sucked into the suction passage 20 toward the suction source 30, and is inspected by the odor sensor 40 arranged in the sensor chamber 21 formed in the middle of the suction passage 20. The fragrance component contained in the gas G is detected.

Here, the odor sensor 40 is a sensor for detecting a specific fragrance component contained in the inspection gas, and an electric signal corresponding to the magnitude of the adhesion amount of the fragrance component contained in the inspection gas G adhering to the sensor element is transmitted. Output as a response signal. As the odor sensor 40, various known sensors can be used, and for example, a metal oxide sensor (MOS) or a crystal oscillator type sensor may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection device 1 includes a controller 50 that receives a response signal (electrical signal) from the odor sensor 40. The controller 50 obtains whether or not the inspection gas G contains a specific fragrance component or the concentration of the fragrance component by performing a process of comparing the response signal acquired from the odor sensor 40 with, for example, a reference signal. can do. Based on the inspection result of the inspection gas G using the odor sensor 40, the controller 50 starts from the perfume capsule C due to cracking of the perfume capsule C in the filter F of the rod-shaped tobacco product R passing through the inspection position. It is possible to accurately detect whether or not the fragrance liquid is leaking.

Here, the rod-shaped tobacco product R determined to have leaked the perfume liquid from the perfume capsule C is removed by an appropriate automatic exclusion device (not shown) before being packed in the hopper of the packaging machine or the packing material. May be done. Specifically, a group of rod-shaped tobacco products R determined to have leaked the perfume liquid from the perfume capsule C (specifically, a group of rods crossing the inspection position, that is, the opening window 140 at the same time. When the shaped tobacco product R) reaches the end of the belt conveyor 110, for example, the group of rod-shaped tobacco products R may be removed from the transport line by an automatic removal device. The automatic exclusion device for eliminating the defective rod-shaped tobacco product R may be controlled based on the exclusion signal output by the controller 50 in the inspection device 1. Further, the belt conveyor unit 100 in the present embodiment does not have to be provided with an automatic exclusion device that automatically eliminates the defective rod-shaped tobacco product R. For example, when the controller 50 in the inspection device 1 detects a defective rod-shaped tobacco product R based on the response signal of the odor sensor 40, the controller 50 provides information that can identify the defective rod-shaped tobacco product R by an operator (for example, for example). The operator of the inspection device 1) may be notified.

In the present embodiment, the suction port 123 of the suction unit 12 extends vertically along the opening window 140, and the vertical length of the suction port 123 extending in the vertical direction is conveyed in the transport space CS. When the rod-shaped tobacco product R in the form of mass flow crosses the opening window 140, suction pressure is simultaneously applied to the ends of the rod-shaped tobacco products R located on the bottom layer to the top layer stacked on the belt conveyor 110. It is set to a size that can be used. Thereby, the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R in the mass flow form transported in the transport space CS can be suitably inspected in 100%.

As described above, according to the inspection device 1 in the present embodiment, the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R in which a large amount of the belt conveyor unit 100 is sequentially transported along the transport path in a mass flow mode is determined on the production line. 100% can be inspected. In particular, the inspection device 1 in the present embodiment displays the end of the rod-shaped tobacco product R at the timing when the end of the rod-shaped tobacco product R passing (crossing) the inspection position in the transport path comes into contact with the rotating roller 11. Since the inspection gas G sucked by the suction unit 12 and sucked from the suction port 123 into the suction passage 20 is inspected, the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R is good or bad (in this embodiment, the perfume liquid from the perfume capsule C). Can be inspected accurately.

Further, according to the inspection device 1 in the present embodiment, the fragrance component contained in the inspection gas G is detected by the odor sensor 40 arranged in the middle of the suction passage 20 or at a position communicating with the suction passage 20. , Unlike the inspection device using a microwave cavity, the capsule cracks immediately after the fragrance capsule C cracks or even when the capsule is damaged very little (for example, a pinhole) and the leaked fragrance liquid is a small amount. It has the advantage of excellent detection accuracy.

Here, the inspection using the microwave cavity has a strong non-destructive inspection property of all products, and a large amount of inspection is required with high responsiveness and sensitivity, so that the allowable accuracy range of the inspection device tends to be narrowed. As a result, when trying to inspect the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R, which is sequentially transported in large quantities along the transport path, on the production line using an inspection device using a microwave cavity, the maintenance frequency. Maintenance costs tend to increase due to the high cost. On the other hand, according to the inspection device 1 in the present embodiment, the odor sensor 40 detects the fragrance component in the inspection gas G. As described above, the inspection device 1 detects the fragrance compound and the solvent compound which are encapsulated in the coating film in the fragrance capsule C and do not leak to the outside unless the coating film of the fragrance capsule C is destroyed or cracked. Since the method is adopted, there is no background noise, and therefore the specificity is high. Also, the detection of such compounds strongly correlates with the destruction or cracking of the destructive capsule coating, resulting in a rod-shaped tobacco product containing such suspected perfume capsule C. R can be widely detected. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an inspection device 1 suitable for an application in which 100% of the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R, which is sequentially conveyed in large quantities along the transfer path, is inspected on the production line.

Further, according to the inspection device 1 in the present embodiment, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to adjust the inspection device 1 for each brand of the rod-shaped tobacco product R manufactured on the production line and the type of the filter F. For example, when the perfume capsule C contained in the filter F is common, or when the detection target by the odor sensor 40 is a chemical structure common to the contents of the perfume capsule C, for example, an ester of a fatty acid or a perfume compound as a solvent. It may be a compound having. By doing so, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to adjust the inspection device 1 for each brand of the rod-shaped tobacco product R and the filter F to be applied.

<Modification 1 of Embodiment 1>
In the first embodiment, an example of detecting cracks in the perfume capsule C arranged in the filter F of the rod-shaped tobacco product R by using the inspection device 1 has been described, but the inspection target is not limited to this. For example, the belt conveyor portion 100 in the first modification of the first embodiment is the end portion of the rod-shaped tobacco product R so that the end portion (end face) on the tobacco rod T side of the rod-shaped tobacco product R faces the front wall 120. The rod-shaped tobacco product R in the form of mass flow may be conveyed in a state where the tobacco products R are aligned in one direction. Then, when the end portion (end face) on the tobacco rod T side of the rod-shaped tobacco product R passing (crossing) the inspection position of the transport path comes into contact with the rotary roller 11, the tobacco rod T is provided by the suction port 123 of the suction portion 12. The side end (end face) may be sucked. In this way, the gas existing inside or around the tobacco rod T in the rod-shaped tobacco product R is guided from the suction port 123 into the suction passage 20 as the inspection gas G, and is guided by the odor sensor 40 arranged in the sensor chamber 21. The concentration of a specific fragrance component contained in the test gas may be detected. Thereby, for example, it can be suitably determined whether or not the amount of the fragrance added to the tobacco chopped portion of the tobacco rod T is appropriate.

<Modification 2 of Embodiment 1>
As shown in FIG. 5, the inspection device 1 forms an opening window 140 on both the front wall 120 and the rear wall 130 of the belt conveyor portion 100, and installs the suction portion 12 and the rotary roller 11 in each opening window 140. Is also good. FIG. 5 is a top view showing an outline of the belt conveyor unit 100 according to the second modification of the first embodiment. The suction portions 12 installed on the front wall 120 and the rear wall 130 communicate with the suction passages 20 of different systems, and the odor sensor 40 is connected to the suction passages 20 of each system connected to the suction passages 12. And the suction source 30 may be arranged respectively. According to the embodiment of the second modification according to the first embodiment, the inspection gas G and the tobacco rod sucked from the end of the rod-shaped tobacco product R on the filter F side in which the transport space CS of the belt conveyor portion 100 is conveyed in the mass flow form. Based on the inspection gas G sucked from the end on the T side, the quality of the filter F in the rod-shaped tobacco product R and the quality of the tobacco rod T can be inspected at the same time. In other words, the cracking of the perfume capsule C arranged in the filter F of the rod-shaped tobacco product R and the suitability of the amount of the perfume added to the tobacco chopped of the tobacco rod T can be inspected at the same time.

The inspection device 1 does not have to be provided with the rotating roller 11. For example, in the opening window 140 formed on the front wall 120 and the rear wall 130 of the belt conveyor portion 100, the suction portion 12 is installed so that the suction port 123 faces the inside of the transport space CS through the opening window 140, and the suction surface 122 is used. The inspection gas G may be sucked from the suction port 123 by applying a suction pressure to the end of the rod-shaped tobacco product R that comes into contact with the suction port 123 through the suction port 123.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, the second embodiment will be described. The inspection device 1 according to the second embodiment is incorporated in a hopper 200 for supplying a rod-shaped tobacco product R to a packaging machine for packaging a rod-shaped tobacco product bundle with an encapsulating material. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a front view of the hopper 200 according to the second embodiment. The hopper 200 has a pair of vertical plates 201 that define the depth of the hopper 200 and a pair of side plates 202 that define the width of the hopper 200. The pair of vertical plates 201 are arranged to face each other, and the left and right ends thereof are connected to each other by the respective side plates 202. Further, the separation dimension of the pair of vertical plates 201 is defined as a dimension corresponding to one axial dimension of the rod-shaped tobacco product R. More specifically, the separation dimension of the pair of vertical plates 201 is defined as the length of one axial dimension of the rod-shaped tobacco product R plus a slight clearance dimension. The hopper 200 is located on the lower end side of the hopper 200 by causing the rod-shaped tobacco product R to flow sideways and downward with the ends of the rod-shaped tobacco product R aligned in one direction and laminated. The rod-shaped tobacco product R is conveyed toward the discharge port 204.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the upper region A1 of the hopper 200, a plurality of spindle-shaped flow guides 203 are provided at intervals from each other. Each flow guide 203 distributes the rod-shaped tobacco product R flowing downward in the upper region A1 of the hopper 200 to the left and right in the lateral width direction of the hopper 200, and each rod-shaped tobacco product R toward each discharge duct portion 210 described later. Make the flow of cigarettes uniform. Further, an opening 205 for supplying the rod-shaped tobacco product R into the hopper 200 is provided at the upper end of the upper region A1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of (four in the example shown in FIG. 6) discharge duct portions 210 are provided in the lower region A2 of the hopper 200. Each of the plurality of discharge duct portions 210 is arranged adjacent to each other in the lateral width direction of the hopper 200. Each discharge duct portion 210 is partitioned by a plurality of partition walls 211 arranged in the lateral width direction of the hopper 200, and these partition walls 211 extend in the vertical direction (vertical direction of the hopper 200). The adjacent partition walls 211 cooperate to form a discharge passage 212, and these discharge passages 212 guide the rod-shaped tobacco products R in the hopper 200 in a row in a sideways posture, and the rod-shaped tobacco products R are directed downward. Let it flow down while guiding. The discharge passage 212 formed between the pair of partition walls 211 can allow the rod-shaped tobacco product R to flow downward individually, and the discharge port 204 is individually formed at the lower end of each discharge passage 212. ing. In the example shown in FIG. 6, each discharge duct portion 210 is provided with seven discharge passages 212 adjacent to each other with the partition wall 211 interposed therebetween.

In the hopper 200 configured as described above, the rod-shaped tobacco product R supplied from the opening 205 is sequentially conveyed downward with the axial direction oriented sideways (horizontally). More specifically, it is appropriately distributed to the left and right by the flow guide 203 in the upper region A1 of the hopper 200, and is guided to any discharge duct portion 210 provided in the lower region A2. Then, the rod-shaped tobacco product R guided to any of the discharge duct portions 210 is discharged from the discharge port 204 at the lower end portion through the discharge passage 212 in the discharge duct portion 210. Each discharge duct portion 210 in the hopper 200 may have a discharge control shutter (not shown) capable of opening and closing the discharge port 204, and by controlling the opening / closing operation of the discharge control shutter, each discharge port The discharge timing of the rod-shaped tobacco product R from 204 can be controlled.

In the discharge port 204 of the hopper 200 in the present embodiment, a bottom plate 220 for receiving the rod-shaped tobacco product R discharged from each discharge port 204 in the discharge duct portion 210 is provided below each discharge duct portion 210. Has been done. The plurality of rod-shaped tobacco products R received by the bottom plate 220 are transferred to the packaging machine by a transfer device (not shown). The transfer device includes a pocket conveyor having a large number of pockets for accommodating a bundle of rod-shaped tobacco products R for transfer to the packaging machine, and a bundle of rod-shaped tobacco products R placed in a row with respect to the bottom plate 220. Can include a pusher for accommodating a bundle of rod-shaped tobacco products R in the pocket by extruding horizontally.

Next, the inspection device 1 incorporated in the hopper 200 in the present embodiment will be described. In the hopper 200 of the present embodiment, the opening window 140 is formed in at least one of the pair of vertical plates 201. The opening window 140 formed in the vertical plate 201 is provided with a suction portion 12 of the inspection device 1. Further, as in the first embodiment, the suction portion 12 is housed inside the rotary roller 11, and the end portion of the rod-shaped tobacco product R that flows downward toward the discharge port 204 in the hopper 200 is the rotary roller 11. The structure is such that the rotary roller 11 rotates when it comes into contact with the cigarette. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the opening window 140 is provided at a position corresponding to the discharge duct portion 210 in the vertical plate 201 in the hopper 200, and the suction portion 12 and the rotating roller 11 are installed in the opening window 140.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an installation mode of the suction portion 12 and the rotary roller 11 in the discharge duct portion 210 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 shows an outline of a vertical cross section of the discharge duct portion 210. Reference numeral 201A is a front plate portion of the vertical plate 201 that covers the front side of the discharge duct portion 210. Reference numeral 201B is a back plate portion of the vertical plate 201 that covers the back side of the discharge duct portion 210. In the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the opening window 140 is provided on the front plate portion 201A of the vertical plate 201 extending along the horizontal direction (horizontal width direction of the hopper 200). More specifically, the opening window 140 is provided corresponding to each discharge duct portion 210, and extends between the left and right end portions (from the left end to the right end) of each discharge duct portion 210.

Here, the suction unit 12 and the rotary roller 11 installed in the opening window 140 have substantially the same structure as those described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In the present embodiment, the suction unit 12 is installed in such a posture that the suction port 123 formed in a slit shape on the suction surface 122 is horizontally extended along the opening window 140. Then, the suction unit 12 is fixed to the frame or the like of the hopper 200 so that the suction port 123 faces the inside of the transport space CS of the rod-shaped tobacco product R transported through the discharge passage 212 in the discharge duct portion 210 through the opening window 140. There is. Further, the suction portion 12 in the present embodiment is installed so that the suction port 123 faces all the discharge passages 212 in each discharge duct portion 210. Even in the inspection device 1 in the present embodiment, the connection mode between the suction unit 12 and the suction passage 20 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

The inspection device 1 in the second embodiment corresponds to the rod-shaped tobacco product R that sequentially flows down toward the discharge port 204 in the discharge passage 212 of the discharge duct portion 210 in the hopper 200 when the rod-shaped tobacco product R crosses the opening window 140 (inspection position). The quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R is inspected by simultaneously applying a suction pressure to the end portion of each rod-shaped tobacco product R that crosses the opening window 140. More specifically, in the present embodiment, since the rotation axis of the rotary roller 11 extends in the horizontal direction (horizontal width direction of the hopper 200), the discharge passage 212 of each discharge duct portion 210 is conveyed downward. The rotary roller 11 rotates when the end of the filter F in each rod-shaped tobacco product R sequentially contacts the rotary roller 11.

The inspection device 1 operates the suction source 30 shown in FIG. 1 while the rod-shaped tobacco product R is being transported through the transport space CS in the hopper 200. For example, when the rod-shaped tobacco product R is conveyed with the end on the filter F side facing the vertical plate 201 located on the front side of the hopper 200 in which the contact portion 10 of the inspection device 1 is installed, suction is performed. The suction pressure generated by the source 30 passes through the suction passage 20, the suction port 123 in the suction unit 12, and the ventilation hole 111 of the rotary roller 11 to the end face of the filter F in each rod-shaped tobacco product R that comes into contact with the rotary roller 11. It works.

The suction pressure generated by the suction source 30 is the end face of the filter F in each rod-shaped tobacco product R that comes into contact with the rotary roller 11 through the suction passage 20, the suction port 123 in the suction unit 12, and the ventilation hole 111 of the rotary roller 11. Acts on. As a result, the gas (for example, air) existing inside or around the filter F passes through the ventilation hole 111 of the rotating roller 11 and is sucked as the inspection gas G from the suction port 123, and is formed in the middle of the suction passage 20. A specific fragrance component contained in the inspection gas G is detected by the odor sensor 40 arranged in the sensor chamber 21 (see FIG. 1). As a result, it is possible to accurately inspect cracks and the like in the perfume capsule C in the filter F of the rod-shaped tobacco product R that has passed (crossed) the inspection position. Further, since the suction unit 12 in the present embodiment is installed so that the suction port 123 faces all the discharge passages 212 in each discharge duct portion 210, the rod-shaped tobacco product R to which each discharge duct portion 210 is conveyed is provided. 100% quality can be inspected.

The orientation of the rod-shaped tobacco product R conveyed by the hopper 200 of the present embodiment is not particularly limited. For example, the rod-shaped tobacco product R may be conveyed with the end portion on the tobacco rod T side facing the vertical plate 201 located on the front side of the hopper 200 in which the suction portion 12 of the inspection device 1 is installed. .. In that case, the end portion (end face) on the tobacco rod T side is sucked by the suction port 123 of the suction portion 12, and the gas existing inside or around the tobacco rod T is used as the inspection gas G from the suction port 123 into the suction passage 20. You may guide it. Then, for example, by detecting the concentration of the fragrance component contained in the inspection gas G by the odor sensor 40 arranged in the sensor chamber 21 of the suction passage 20, the fragrance added to the tobacco chopped portion of the tobacco rod T is added. Whether or not the amount is appropriate can be suitably determined.

Further, the inspection device 1 in the present embodiment may also be provided with a pair of suction units 12 as in the modification 2 according to the first embodiment. That is, the opening window 140 may be provided on both the front side and the back side vertical plates 201 of the hopper 200, and the suction portion 12 and the rotating roller 11 may be provided in the opening window 140, respectively. Thereby, the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R transported in the transport space CS of the hopper 200 in the filter F and the quality of the tobacco rod T can be inspected at the same time.

In the inspection device 1 of the present embodiment, the suction port 123 in the suction unit 12 does not have to be formed in a slit shape on the suction surface 122. For example, the suction surface 122 of the suction unit 12 may be individually provided with a suction port 123 for sucking the end portion of the rod-shaped tobacco product R carried through each discharge passage 212 in the discharge duct portion 210. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, since each discharge duct portion 210 has seven discharge passages 212, even if seven suction ports 123 for communicating with each discharge passage 212 are formed on the suction surface 122. good. Also in such an aspect, the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R carried downward through the discharge duct portion 210 of the hopper 200 can be inspected 100%.

Further, as described in the first embodiment, the inspection device 1 does not necessarily have to include the rotating roller 11. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the suction surface 122 (suction port 123) is sucked into the opening window 140 formed in the vertical plate 201 of the hopper 200 so as to face the inside of the transport space CS in the hopper 200 through the opening window 140. The inspection gas G may be sucked from the suction port 123 by installing the portion 12 and applying suction pressure to the end of the rod-shaped tobacco product R in contact with the suction surface 122 through the suction port 123.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the suction portion 12 and the rotary roller 11 of the inspection device 1 are installed at positions corresponding to the discharge duct portions 210 provided in the lower region A2 of the hopper 200, but the present invention is not limited thereto. .. For example, in the vertical plate 201 of the hopper 200, the opening window 140 may be formed at a position corresponding to the upper region A1, and the suction portion 12 and the rotating roller 11 of the inspection device 1 may be arranged in the opening window 140. In this case, the opening window 140 extends horizontally from the left end to the right end of the upper region A1 of the hopper 200, and the suction port 123 of the suction portion 12 extends from the left end to the right end of the upper region A1. It is good to extend it horizontally. As a result, the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R flowing downward in the upper region A1 of the hopper 200 can be inspected 100%.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, the third embodiment will be described. The inspection device 1 according to the third embodiment is a transfer device for transferring the rod-shaped tobacco product R sequentially discharged from the discharge port 204 of the discharge duct portion 210 in the hopper 200 described in the second embodiment toward the packaging machine. The rod-shaped tobacco product R, which is incorporated and is sequentially discharged from the discharge port 204 of the hopper 200, is targeted for inspection.

9 and 10 are views for explaining the transfer device 300 provided below the discharge port 204 in the discharge duct portion 210 of the hopper 200 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a state in which a plurality of rod-shaped tobacco products R discharged from each discharge port 204 in the discharge duct portion 210 of the hopper 200 (7 in the illustrated example) are placed in a row on the bottom plate 220. Is shown. Hereinafter, the rod-shaped tobacco products R placed in a row on the bottom plate 220 will be referred to as "discharge rod R1". In FIG. 9, the vertical plate 201 (front plate portion 201A) is not provided on the front side of the discharge duct portion 210.

As shown in FIG. 10, a pocket conveyor is located on the back side of the hopper 200 (discharge duct portion 210) adjacent to the bottom plate 220 located below the discharge port 204 located at the lower end of the discharge duct portion 210 (hopper 200). 310 is arranged. The pocket conveyor 310 has a conveyor belt 320 and a large number of pockets 330 attached to the surface of the conveyor belt 320. The conveyor belt 320 may be, for example, an endless belt, and is driven in one direction by rotational driving of a pulley or the like (not shown). The conveyor belt 320 is arranged along the lateral width direction of the discharge duct portion 210 (hopper 200). Further, the pockets 330 in the pocket conveyor 310 are provided at regular intervals along the stretching direction of the conveyor belt 320, and the drive of the pocket conveyor 310 is controlled by a control device (not shown) of the hopper 200.

As shown in FIG. 10, on the front side of the hopper 200 (discharge duct portion 210), a suction portion 12A in the inspection device 1 is provided adjacent to the bottom plate 220. FIG. 11 is a top view of the suction unit 12A according to the third embodiment. The suction portion 12A integrally includes a rectangular parallelepiped case main body 121A, a pusher 124 projecting forward from the front surface 1211 of the case main body 121A, a contact portion 125, and the like. The case body 121A has a hollow inside and is connected to the suction passage 20 in the inspection device 1.

The pusher 124 in the suction portion 12A is a flat plate-shaped member for pushing the discharge rod R1 into the pocket 330. The suction unit 12A can reciprocate within a predetermined range along the direction of the white arrow shown in FIG. 10, that is, the axial direction of the discharge rod R1, and is driven by a drive means (not shown). In the present embodiment, the suction unit 12A is located at a predetermined retracted position where the position of the suction unit 12A is relatively separated from the discharge duct portion 210 (pocket 330), and at the discharge duct portion 210 (pocket 330) as compared with the retracted position. It can be displaced to a predetermined pushing position to approach. Note that FIG. 10 shows a state in which the suction portion 12A is displaced to the retracted position.

In the plane of the suction unit 12A (case body 121A) shown in FIG. 11, the direction parallel to the reciprocating direction of the suction unit 12A is defined as the "depth direction", and the direction orthogonal to the depth direction is defined as the "horizontal width direction". do. The front surface 1211 of the case body 121A is a rectangular surface extending along the lateral width direction of the suction portion 12A. As shown in FIG. 11, the flat plate-shaped pusher 124 projecting forward from the front surface 1211 of the suction portion 12A pushes out a plurality of discharge rods R1 mounted in a row on the bottom plate 220. It has a possible width dimension. However, the pusher 124 is not limited to the flat plate member, and may be formed as, for example, a rod-shaped member. In this case, a number of rod-shaped pushers corresponding to the discharge port 204 (discharge passage 212) in the discharge duct portion 210 are provided on the front surface 1211 of the suction portion 12A at regular intervals along the lateral width direction of the front surface 1211, and each pusher is provided. It is preferable that the axis of the above is parallel to the reciprocating direction of the suction portion 12A. When the pusher is a rod-shaped member, the distance between the axes of each pusher may be the same as the distance between the axes of the discharge rods R1 placed in a row on the bottom plate 220.

Further, a contact portion 125 is provided on the front surface 1211 of the suction portion 12A at the upper part of each pusher 124. The suction unit 12A has a number (here, seven) of contact portions 125 corresponding to the discharge ports 204 in the discharge duct portion 210. Here, each contact portion 125 in the suction portion 12A is a tubular member formed of an elastic member, and is attached to the outer peripheral portion of the tubular boss 126 projecting forward from the front surface 1211 in the suction portion 12A. Has been done. The boss 126 has an internal passage 126a that penetrates the boss 126 in the axial direction, and the internal passage 126a of the boss 126 communicates with the internal space of the case body 121A. The contact portion 125 has an internal passage 125a that penetrates the contact portion 125 in the axial direction, and a suction port 123 that communicates with the internal passage 125a is formed on the tip surface 125c of the contact portion 125. In the suction portion 12A formed as described above, the suction port 123 of the contact portion 125 communicates with the suction passage 20 via the internal passage 125a of the contact portion 125, the internal passage 126a of the boss 126, and the internal space of the case body 121A. is doing. Further, the contact portion 125 has a stretchable portion 125b having a bellows shape as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and is expandable and contractible along the reciprocating direction of the suction portion 12A.

Next, the operation of the suction unit 12A in the third embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the discharge rods R1 discharged from each discharge port 204 of the discharge duct portion 210 are placed in a row on the bottom plate 220, and the pockets 330 in the pocket conveyor 310 are arranged on the back surface of the discharge rod R1. In this state, the suction unit 12A located at a predetermined retracted position is driven in a direction approaching the discharge rod R1 by a drive means (not shown). FIG. 12 shows a state in which the suction portion 12A is displaced to the pushing position. In the process of moving (displacement) the suction portion 12A from the retracted position to the pushing position, the tip 124a of the pusher 124 of the suction portion 12A hits the end surface of the filter F in each discharge rod R1 placed in a row on the bottom plate 220. Upon contact, each discharge rod R1 is pushed into the pocket 330.

As described above, when the discharge rod R1 on the bottom plate 220 is pushed into the pocket 330 by the pusher 124, the tip surface 125c of the contact portion 125 in the suction portion 12A is placed one step above each discharge rod R1. It abuts on the end face of the filter F in the rod-shaped tobacco product R (hereinafter referred to as “undischarged rod R2”) located in the located discharge passage 212. In the example here, the undischarged rod R2 is positioned in the vicinity of the discharge port 204 in the discharge duct portion 210. Here, the contact portion 125 is formed of an elastic member (for example, rubber or the like), and has a bellows-shaped telescopic portion 125b that can be expanded and contracted along the reciprocating direction of the suction portion 12A. Therefore, in the process of moving the suction portion 12A from the retracted position to the pushing position, the tip surface 125c of the contact portion 125 abuts on the end surface of the filter F in the undischarged rod R2, so that the contact portion 125 contracts in the axial direction and the contact portion 125. The tip surface 125c of 125 can be brought into close contact with the end surface of the filter F in the undischarged rod R2.

The inspection device 1 in the present embodiment operates the suction source 30 while the discharge rod R1 on the bottom plate 220 is pushed into the pocket 330. The suction pressure generated by the suction source 30 is not discharged through the suction passage 20, the internal passage 126a of the boss 126, the internal passage 125a of the contact portion 125, and the suction port 123, to which the tip surface 125c of the contact portion 125 is in close contact. It acts on the end face of the filter F on the rod R2. As a result, the gas (for example, air) existing inside the filter F is sucked as the inspection gas G from the suction port 123 and guided to the suction passage 20 via the internal passage 125a and the internal passage 126a. Then, a specific fragrance component contained in the inspection gas G is detected by the odor sensor 40 arranged in the sensor chamber 21 formed in the middle of the suction passage 20. As a result, it is possible to accurately inspect the cracking of the perfume capsule C in the filter F of the rod-shaped tobacco product R located at the predetermined inspection position (in the present embodiment, the position near the discharge port 204 in the discharge passage 212). Further, since the suction portion 12A in the present embodiment has a number of contact portions 125 corresponding to the number of discharge passages 212 in the discharge duct portion 210, the suction portion 12A flows down each discharge passage 212 in the discharge duct portion 210. The quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R can be inspected 100%.

When the pushing operation is completed and the discharge rod R1 is housed in the pocket 330, the suction portion 12A is driven from the pushing position to the retracting position, and is in the state shown in FIG. In this state, the rod-shaped tobacco product R whose quality has been inspected by the inspection device 1 one cycle before is placed in a row on the bottom plate 220 as the discharge rod R1. Then, the discharge rod R1 is pushed by the pusher 124 and is accommodated in the new pocket 330.

As described above, according to the inspection device 1 in the present embodiment, the transfer device 300 for transferring the rod-shaped tobacco product R sequentially discharged from the discharge port 204 of the discharge duct portion 210 in the hopper 200 to the subsequent packaging machine. The quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R can be sequentially inspected at each timing of accommodating the rod-shaped tobacco product R in the pocket 330 of the pocket conveyor 310 in the transfer device 300.

Further, according to the suction portion 12A in the present embodiment, since the contact portion 125 is formed by the elastic member and has the bellows-shaped expansion / contraction portion 125b that can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction, the suction portion 12A is in the retracted position. After the tip surface 125c of the contact portion 125 abuts on the end surface of the filter F in the rod-shaped tobacco product R in the process of moving from the pushing position to the pushing position, the suction portion 12A moves from the pushing position to the retracting position of the contact portion 125. It is possible to increase the contact time until the tip surface 125c separates from the end surface of the filter F. In this way, the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R is accurately inspected by gaining time for applying the suction pressure from the suction port 123 of the suction unit 12A to the end portion (end face of the filter F) of the rod-shaped tobacco product R. be able to.

Further, by forming the contact portion 125 of the suction portion 12A with an elastic member and providing the stretchable bellows-shaped telescopic portion 125b on the contact portion 125, the tip surface 125c of the contact portion 125 is provided with a rod-shaped tobacco product during the pushing operation. It can be brought into close contact with the end face of the filter F in R. Therefore, the suction pressure can be efficiently applied to the end face of the filter F in the rod-shaped tobacco product R from the suction port 123 of the suction unit 12A. As a result, the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R can be inspected with high accuracy. Further, by forming the contact portion 125 of the suction portion 12A with an elastic member and providing the stretchable bellows-shaped telescopic portion 125b on the contact portion 125, the tip surface 125c of the contact portion 125 becomes a rod-shaped cigarette during the pushing operation. The impact when colliding with the end face of the filter F in the product R can be reduced. However, the contact portion 125 of the suction port 123 in the present embodiment does not necessarily have to be an elastic member, and the expansion / contraction portion 125b may not be provided.

Further, in the present embodiment, the suction section 12A provided with the pusher 124 is provided for each discharge duct section 210 in the hopper 200, and the suction passage 20, the odor sensor 40, and the suction source 30 of different systems are provided for each suction section 12A. May be provided. Specifically, the inside of each discharge duct portion 210 is divided into a plurality of discharge passages 212 extending downward by a partition wall 211, and each discharge passage 212 holds a rod-shaped tobacco product R such as a filter cigarette in the hopper 200 in a sideways posture. Can be discharged in one row. As a result, a bundle of rod-shaped tobacco products R is formed in a bale state on the bottom plate 220 below each discharge duct portion 210. After that, the rod-shaped tobacco product R bundle is pushed out from the filter end face side by the pusher 124, and is transferred from the bottom plate 220 toward the pocket 330 in the pocket conveyor 310. The transfer device 300 may have a transfer device that can be raised and lowered between the pocket conveyor 310 and the bottom plate 220, and a supply device in which a transfer side pusher is interposed.

Further, in the above example, the mode of inspecting the quality of the filter F in the rod-shaped tobacco product R has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this as in the other embodiments. For example, the rod-shaped tobacco product R may flow down along the discharge passage 212 with the end surface of the filter F facing the back plate portion side of the discharge duct portion 210. As a result, the quality of the tobacco rod T may be inspected by applying suction pressure to the end face of the tobacco rod T from the suction port 123 in the contact portion 125 of the suction portion 12A during the pushing operation.

Here, a modified example of the suction unit 12A in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a top view of the suction unit 12A according to the modified example of the third embodiment. In the suction portion 12A shown in FIG. 13, a contact portion 125 is integrally provided at the tip 124a of the pusher 124. More specifically, a plurality of bosses 126 are projected from the tip 124a of the pusher 124, and the contact portion 125 is attached to the boss 126. The structure of the boss 126 and the contact portion 125 is as described with reference to FIG. Also in this modification, the number of bosses 126 corresponding to the discharge ports 204 in the discharge duct portion 210 (here, seven) are arranged at regular intervals along the lateral width direction of the suction portion 12A (pusher 124).

The suction portion 12A in this modification is provided at the tip 124a of the pusher 124 when the rod-shaped tobacco product R (discharge rod R1) placed in a row on the bottom plate 220 is pushed into the pocket 330 by the pusher 124. The contact portion 125 is brought into contact with the end face of the discharge rod R1. Then, the inspection gas is applied to the discharge rod R1 from the suction port 123 of the contact portion 125 while the tip surface 125c of the contact portion 125 in the suction portion 12A is in contact with the end surface of the discharge rod R1. G is sucked from the suction port 123. Even in this way, the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R can be sequentially inspected at each timing of accommodating the rod-shaped tobacco product R in the pocket 330 of the pocket conveyor 310 in the transfer device 300.

<Embodiment 4>
Next, the fourth embodiment will be described. The inspection device 1 according to the fourth embodiment is incorporated in a transport drum included in a filter chip attachment device for integrally connecting a filter and a tobacco rod supplied from the tobacco rod manufacturing device and the filter manufacturing device by chip paper.

FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically showing a part of a drum row included in the filter chip attachment device 400 according to the fourth embodiment. The filter chip attachment device 400, for example, cuts the double tobacco rod DR (twice the length of the tobacco rod T) received from the tobacco rod manufacturing device into two tobacco rods T in the process of transporting the double tobacco rod DR (twice the length of the tobacco rod T) by a drum or the like (not shown). do. After that, the two tobacco rods T obtained by cutting the double tobacco rod DR are axially separated to form a cigarette row.

The filter tip attachment device 400 has a transport drum 401 for transporting the double filter rod DF. The double filter rod DF is a filter rod having twice the length of the filter F, and is formed so that two filters F can be obtained by being bisected at the center. The double filter rod DF is conveyed to the hopper drum 402 by the transfer drum 401.

In the above-mentioned cigarette row, a gap that can accept the double filter rod DF is formed between the two tobacco rods T, and the cigarette rods are supplied to the hopper drum 402 while maintaining this gap. At this time, the cigarette row accepts the double filter rod DF between the tobacco rods T and arranges them on the same axis as the double filter rod DF. The hopper drum 402 is provided with a pair of floating discs (not shown) on both sides in the direction of rotation, and each tobacco rod T is sandwiched between the floating discs as the hopper drum 402 rotates, and the distance between them is reduced in the axial direction. Be done.

The filter chip attachment device 400 applies glue to one side of a web of chip paper wound into a bobbin in a roll shape (hereinafter referred to as “chip paper web”) while continuously feeding the web (hereinafter referred to as “chip paper web”), and then the chip paper. Cut the web from the beginning into chip papers of predetermined length. The cut chip paper is supplied to the hopper drum 402 and is attached to the outer surfaces of the tobacco rod T and the double filter rod DF on the hopper drum 402 so as to straddle them. Then, the two tobacco rods T, the double filter rod DF sandwiched between them, and the chip paper attached to their outer surfaces are supplied to the rolling drum 403 close to the hopper drum 402.

In the rolling drum 403, the tobacco rod T or the like is rolled on the outer peripheral surface of the rolling drum 403, and the tip paper is made to follow the rolling, so that the double filter rod DF and the two cigarettes arranged at both ends thereof are rolled. Wrap the chip paper around the outer surface of the rod T. When the winding of the chip paper is completed, the base ends of the double filter rod DF and the tobacco rods T on both sides thereof are glued so as to be integrally wrapped by the chip paper, and the tobacco rods T are connected to both sides of the double filter rod DF. The double-wound DS is obtained.

The double-wound DS is transferred from the rolling drum 403 to the cutting drum 404 as the next step. On the cutting drum 404, the double-wound DS is bisected at the center position of the double filter rod DF by a cutting knife (not shown), thereby separating into two rod-shaped tobacco products R.

The rod-shaped tobacco product R separated into two from the double-wound DS is delivered from the cutting drum 404 to the inspection drum 405. The inspection drum 405 is a drum for inspecting the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R, and the details will be described later. The rod-shaped tobacco product R, which has been inspected for quality on the inspection drum 405, is delivered from the inspection drum 405 to the turning drum 406. In the turning drum 406, one of the pair of rod-shaped tobacco products R received while facing each other is reversed, and the other rod-shaped tobacco products R are positioned in the same row on the outer peripheral surface thereof. After being displaced to, the rod-shaped tobacco product R is delivered to the transport drum 407 in the subsequent stage. In the transfer drum 407, the rod-shaped tobacco product R received from the turning drum 406 is appropriately conveyed by a transfer drum row connected to the transfer drum 407, and then, for example, by the belt conveyor unit 100 described in the first and second embodiments. Transported to 200.

Here, the inspection drum 405 will be described. FIG. 15 is a side view of the inspection drum 405 according to the fourth embodiment. Reference numeral CL in FIG. 15 is a rotation axis of the inspection drum 405. The inspection drum 405 rotates in one direction around the rotation axis CL to transport the rod-shaped tobacco product R received from the cutting drum 404 over a predetermined transport section (conveyance rotation angle), and then turns in the subsequent stage. This is a transport drum for delivering the rod-shaped tobacco product R to the drum 406. The reference numeral CD in FIG. 15 indicates the rotation direction of the inspection drum 405.

The inspection drum 405 has a first transport drum portion 405A and a second transport drum portion 405B. The first transport drum portion 405A and the second transport drum portion 405B have substantially the same structure, and rotate in the same direction in synchronization with the rotation axis CL. Here, the first transport drum portion 405A is a drum for transporting one rod-shaped tobacco product R separated from the double-wound DS in the cutting drum 404. On the other hand, the second transport drum portion 405B is a drum for transporting the other rod-shaped tobacco product R separated from the double-wound DS in the cutting drum 404.

The first transport drum portion 405A and the second transport drum portion 405B have a large number of holding grooves 4051 on the outer peripheral surface of the drum that can receive one rod-shaped tobacco product R one by one. The holding groove 4051 can be held by sucking the received rod-shaped tobacco product R. A suction hole 4052 leading to a suction passage (not shown) is opened at the bottom of the holding groove 4051, and the suction force is applied to the rod-shaped tobacco product R through the suction hole 4052 to be received by the holding groove 4051. The rod-shaped tobacco product R can be held in the holding groove 4051.

The holding grooves 4051 in the first transport drum portion 405A and the second transport drum portion 405B are provided at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the drum outer peripheral surface 4050, and the axial direction of the rod-shaped tobacco product R is parallel to the rotation axis CL. The rod-shaped tobacco product R can be held in this posture.

Here, a pair of holder members 4053 and 4054 are provided on both ends of each holding groove 4051 in the first transport drum portion 405A and the second transport drum portion 405B. In other words, a pair of holder members 4053 and 4054 are provided on both ends of all the holding grooves 4051 in the first transport drum portion 405A and the second transport drum portion 405B.

The pair of holder members 4053, 4054 rotates together with the corresponding holding groove 4051 in synchronization with the first transport drum portion 405A and the second transport drum portion 405B. Further, the first transport drum section 405A and the second transport drum section 405B are provided with a cam mechanism (not shown), and the cam mechanism works in synchronization with the rotation of the first transport drum section 405A and the second transport drum section 405B. , The pair of holder members 4053, 4054 are brought into contact with and separated from both ends of the rod-shaped tobacco product R received in the holding groove 4051.

More specifically, the pair of holder members 4053, 4054 is a rod-shaped tobacco while the rod-shaped tobacco product R is transported in the transport section (conveyance rotation angle) by the first transport drum portion 405A and the second transport drum portion 405B. Reciprocating motion between the resting position separated from the product R and the operating position where the rod-shaped tobacco product R is approached from the resting position toward both ends and is sandwiched in close contact with both ends to hold both ends. do.

Then, among the transport sections in the first transport drum section 405A and the second transport drum section 405B, the transport including the time when the first transport drum section 405A and the second transport drum section 405B receive the rod-shaped tobacco product R from the cutting drum 404. In the transport end section including the start section and the time when the rod-shaped tobacco product R is delivered from the first transport drum section 405A and the second transport drum section 405B to the turning drum 406, the pair of holder members 4053 and 4054 are in the operating positions. It is controlled to a position that is not. Further, of the transport sections in the first transport drum section 405A and the second transport drum section 405B, the pair of holder members 4053 and 4054 are controlled to the operating positions in the inspection section sandwiched between the transport start section and the transport end section. To. The pair of holder members 4053 and 4054 are configured to slide back and forth between the resting position and the operating position along the rotation axis CL by a combination mechanism (not shown) of the cam rail and the slider.

Here, a mode in which the rod-shaped tobacco product R is transported by the first transport drum section 405A and the second transport drum section 405B will be described. The rod-shaped tobacco product R is held in the holding groove 4051 by being sucked through the suction hole 4052 when the pair of holder members 4053 and 4054 are not in the operating position (including when they are in the resting position). On the other hand, the rod-shaped tobacco product R is held in the holding groove 4051 by being held by the pair of holder members 4053, 4054 at both ends when the pair of holder members 4053, 4054 is in the operating position. The rod-shaped tobacco product R is not sucked through the suction hole 4052 when the pair of holder members 4053 and 4054 are in the operating position.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the inspection device 1 according to the fourth embodiment. The elements common to the above-described embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 16, the inspection device 1 incorporated in the first transport drum portion 405A will be illustrated and described, but the second transport drum portion 405B also has substantially the same structure. Note that FIG. 16 shows a state in which the pair of holder members 4053 and 4054 are in the operating position, that is, the pair of holder members 4053 and 4054 hold the rod-shaped tobacco product R while being in close contact with both ends of the rod-shaped tobacco product R. It shows the state of being. The pair of holder members 4053 and 4054 are formed of an elastic material such as rubber or silicone rubber, and move from a resting position to an operating position by a mechanism combining a cam rail and a slider (not shown) to form a rod-shaped tobacco product R. It can be held in close contact with both ends from the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 16, the pair of holder members 4053 and 4054 have holding surfaces 4053A and 4054A facing the end faces of the rod-shaped tobacco product R in a state of being accepted by the holding groove 4051. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the holding surface 4053A of the holder member 4053 is in close contact with the end surface of the tobacco rod T, and the holding surface 4054A of the holder member 4054 is in close contact with the end surface of the filter F to hold the rod-shaped tobacco product R. There is.

Reference numeral 4055 shown in FIG. 16 is a ring-shaped holder installation portion for holding the base end portions of a large number of holder members 4053 arranged in a ring shape in the first transport drum portion 405A (second transport drum portion 405B). The holder installation portion 4055 has a holder installation surface 4055A facing the transport region side of the rod-shaped tobacco product R, and a base end portion of the holder member 4053 is installed on the holder installation surface 4055A. Further, reference numeral 4056 is a ring-shaped holder installation portion for holding the base end portions of a large number of holder members 4054 arranged in a ring shape in the first transport drum portion 405A (second transport drum portion 405B). The holder installation portion 4056 has a holder installation surface 4056A facing the transport region side of the rod-shaped tobacco product R, and the base end portion of the holder member 4053 is installed on the holder installation surface 4056A. As shown in FIG. 16, the holder installation surface 4055A of the holder installation unit 4055 and the holder installation surface 4056A of the holder installation unit 4056 are arranged so as to face each other. Further, reference numeral 4055B shown in FIG. 16 is an outer surface of the holder installation portion 4055 located on the opposite side of the holder installation surface 4055A. Further, reference numeral 4056B is an outer surface of the holder installation portion 4056 located on the opposite side of the holder installation surface 4056A. Further, the base end portion of the holder members 4053 and 4054 is an end portion of the holder members 4053 and 4054 on the side opposite to the side on which the holding surfaces 4053A and 4054A are formed.

Each holder member 4053 in the present embodiment has an internal passage 4053B that penetrates the holder member 4053 in the axial direction, and a pressure port 4053C is formed at the tip of the internal passage 4053B. The pressurizing port 4053C opens at the center of the holding surface 4053A in the holder member 4053. Further, in the holder installation portion 4055, an internal passage 4055C is formed at a position corresponding to the internal passage 4053B of each holder member 4053. The internal passage 4055C of the holder installation portion 4055 has one end communicating with the internal passage 4053B and the other end side opening as an opening port 4055D on the outer surface 4055B of the holder installation portion 4055. Each opening port 4055D formed on the outer surface 4055B of the holder installation portion 4055 is arranged at a position on a virtual circle centered on the rotation axis CL of the inspection drum 405, and is arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the virtual circle. Is located in. That is, each opening port 4055D in the holder installation portion 4055 is arranged in a ring shape at regular intervals with respect to the outer surface 4055B.

Similarly, each holder member 4054 has an internal passage 4054B that penetrates the holder member 4054 in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the holder member 4054 is formed as a suction portion of the inspection device 1. A suction port 123 is provided at the tip of the internal passage 4054B in the holder member 4054, and the suction port 123 opens at the center of the holding surface 4054A in the holder member 4054. Further, in the holder installation portion 4056, an internal passage 4056C is formed at a position corresponding to the internal passage 4054B of each holder member 4054. The internal passage 4056C of the holder installation portion 4056 has one end side communicating with the internal passage 4054B and the other end side opening as an opening port 4056D on the outer surface 4056B of the holder installation portion 4056. Each opening port 4056D formed on the outer surface 4056B of the holder installation portion 4056 is arranged at a position on a virtual circle centered on the rotation axis CL of the inspection drum 405, and is arranged at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the virtual circle. Is located in. That is, each opening port 4056D in the holder installation portion 4056 is arranged in a ring shape at regular intervals with respect to the outer surface 4056B.

The separation distance (radius of the virtual circle) between each opening port 4055D and the rotation shaft CL in the holder installation portion 4055 is the separation distance (radius of the virtual circle) between each opening port 4056D and the rotation shaft CL in the holder installation portion 4056. Is set to the same dimension as. Further, the distance between the adjacent opening ports 4055D in the holder installation portion 4055 is set to the same dimension as the distance between the adjacent opening ports 4056D in the holder installation portion 4056.

Reference numeral 4057 shown in FIG. 16 is a pressure box installed on an immovable frame member (not shown) or the like, which does not rotate in synchronization with the first transport drum portion 405A (second transport drum portion 405B). , Is arranged adjacent to the outer surface 4055B of the holder installation portion 4055 that rotates in synchronization with the first transport drum portion 405A (second transport drum portion 405B). The pressurizing box 4057 is a housing member that houses a pressurizing source 61 that generates a gas of a predetermined pressure (for example, pressurized air), a pressurized gas supply passage 62, a pressure gauge 63, and the like. The pressure box 4057 has a facing surface 4057A facing the outer surface 4055B of the holder installation portion 4055 that rotates in synchronization with the first transport drum portion 405A (second transport drum portion 405B) with a minute clearance. Alternatively, the facing surface 4057A may be formed as a sliding contact surface that is in sliding contact with the outer surface 4055B of the holder installation portion 4055 that rotates in synchronization with the first transport drum portion 405A (second transport drum portion 405B). An opening port 4057B is formed on the facing surface 4057A of the pressure box 4057, and the tip of the pressurized gas supply passage 62 is connected to the opening port 4057B. Here, the opening port 4057B that opens to the facing surface 4057A in the pressure box 4057 is each opening port 4055D in the holder installation portion 4055 that is displaced in synchronization with the rotation of the first transport drum portion 405A (second transport drum portion 405B). It is placed on the trajectory of. As a result, the opening port 4055D that is planarly overlapped with the opening port 4057B in the pressure box 4057 can be sequentially changed as the first transport drum portion 405A (second transport drum portion 405B) rotates.

Further, the pressure gauge 63 is provided in the pressurized gas supply passage 62, and is a device for measuring the pressure of the pressurized gas generated by the pressurizing source 61. The controller 50 is electrically connected to the pressure gauge 63 via electrical wiring or the like, and the controller 50 can acquire the pressure of the pressurized gas based on the signal output by the pressure gauge 63.

Reference numeral 4058 shown in FIG. 16 is a suction box installed on an immovable frame member (not shown) or the like, which does not rotate in synchronization with the first transport drum portion 405A (second transport drum portion 405B). It is arranged adjacent to the outer surface 4056B of the holder installation portion 4056 that rotates in synchronization with the first transport drum portion 405A (second transport drum portion 405B). The suction box 4058 is a housing member that houses the suction passage 20, the suction source 30, the odor sensor 40, the pressure gauge 70, and the like in the inspection device 1. The suction passage 20, the suction source 30, and the odor sensor 40 are as described above. The suction box 4058 has a facing surface 4058A facing the outer surface 4056B of the holder installation portion 4056 that rotates in synchronization with the first transport drum portion 405A (second transport drum portion 405B) with a minute clearance. Alternatively, the facing surface 4057A may be formed as a sliding contact surface that is in sliding contact with the outer surface 4056B of the holder installation portion 4056 that rotates in synchronization with the first transport drum portion 405A (second transport drum portion 405B). The tip of the suction passage 20 opens as an opening port 4058B on the facing surface 4058A of the suction box 4058. Here, the opening port 4058B is arranged on the locus of each opening port 4056D in the holder installation portion 4056 that is displaced in synchronization with the rotation of the first transport drum portion 405A (second transport drum portion 405B). As a result, the opening port 4058B is displaced on or against the outer surface 4056B or the facing surface 4058A with each opening port 4056D displaced in synchronization with the rotation of the first transport drum portion 405A (second transport drum portion 405B). It can overlap on the contact surface.

Further, the pressure gauge 70 is provided in the suction passage 20 and is a device for measuring the pressure of the inspection gas G flowing through the suction passage 20 toward the suction source 30. The controller 50 is electrically connected to the pressure gauge 70 via electrical wiring or the like, and the controller 50 can acquire the pressure of the inspection gas G based on the signal output by the pressure gauge 70.

Next, the operation of the inspection drum 405 and the inspection device 1 incorporated therein will be described. In the inspection device 1, the rod-shaped tobacco product R held in the holding grooves 4051 of the first transport drum portion 405A and the second transport drum portion 405B in the inspection drum 405 is transported in the inspection section along a predetermined transport path. While in the meantime, quality inspection is performed on each rod-shaped tobacco product R. While the first transport drum portion 405A and the second transport drum portion 405B of the inspection drum 405 transport the rod-shaped tobacco product R, the inspection device 1 operates the pressurizing source 61 and the suction source 30. The pressurizing source 61 and the suction source 30 may be controlled by the controller 50 or by a control device different from the controller 50.

As described above, as the first transport drum portion 405A and the second transport drum portion 405B rotate, the opening port 4055D that overlaps with the opening port 4057B in the pressure box 4057 is sequentially replaced, and the opening that overlaps with the opening port 4058B in the suction box 4058. Ports 4056D are sequentially replaced.

In the present embodiment, the opening port 4057B in the pressure box 4057 and the opening port 4058B in the suction box 4058 are both sides of a predetermined inspection position included in each inspection section of the first transport drum portion 405A and the second transport drum portion 405B. It is located on the inspection drum 405 and is arranged to face each other so as to be located on a straight line parallel to the rotation axis CL of the inspection drum 405.

As a result, the opening port 4055D and the opening port 4056D corresponding to the set of holder members 4053 and 4054 holding the rod-shaped tobacco product R (hereinafter, also referred to as “inspection target rod”) passing through the predetermined inspection position are simultaneously provided. The opening port 4057B and the opening port 4058B can be opposed to each other so that the opening ports can communicate with each other.

That is, among the set of holder members 4053 and 4054 that sandwich the rod-shaped tobacco product R (inspected rod) when the rod-shaped tobacco product R conveyed in the inspection section passes the predetermined inspection position, the holder. The internal passage 4053B in the member 4053 communicates with the opening port 4057B of the pressure box 4057, and the internal passage 4054B in the holder member 4054 communicates with the opening port 4058B of the suction box 4058. That is, the pressurized gas supply passage 62 in the pressure box 4057, the internal passage 4055C corresponding to the holder member 4053 holding the inspection target rod, and the internal passage 4053B are in communication with each other. Further, the suction passage 20 in the suction box 4058, the internal passage 4056C corresponding to the holder member 4054 holding the rod to be inspected, and the internal passage 4054B are in communication with each other. As a result, the pressurized gas generated by the pressurizing source 61 passes through the pressurized gas supply passage 62, the internal passage 4055C, and the internal passage 4053B, and is to be inspected from the pressurizing port 4053C of the holder member 4053 holding the inspection target rod. It is supplied to the end face of the tobacco rod T in the rod.

The pressurized gas supplied to the end face of the tobacco rod T in the rod to be inspected passes through the inside of the tobacco rod T and the filter F in the rod to be inspected and flows out from the end face of the filter F. Then, the suction pressure generated by the suction source 30 is from the suction port 123 of the holder member 4054 that sandwiches the inspection target rod through the suction passage 20, the internal passage 4056C corresponding to the holder member 4054 that sandwiches the inspection target rod, and the internal passage 4054B. By acting on the end face of the filter F in the rod to be inspected, the pressurized gas flowing out from the end face of the filter F in the rod to be inspected is sucked as the inspection gas G from the suction port 123. In this way, the inspection gas G sucked from the suction port 123 of the holder member 4054 holding the inspection target rod is guided to the suction passage 20 through the internal passage 4054B and the internal passage 4056C of the holder member 4054, and is guided to the suction passage 20. The presence or absence of a fragrance component is detected by the odor sensor 40 of the sensor chamber 21 formed in. As a result, based on the detection result of the odor sensor 40, the controller 50 cracks the perfume capsule C in the filter F of the rod-shaped tobacco product R (inspection target rod) passing through the inspection position included in the inspection area, and the perfume capsule C. It is possible to inspect the cracks and the like generated in the coating film with high accuracy.

In the present embodiment, the inspection drum 405 has a position reference sensor (not shown) for detecting the rotation reference position of the inspection drum 405 (first transport drum section 405A, second transport drum section 405B). The controller 50 sequentially acquires the output signal of the position reference sensor. Since the inspection position where the quality inspection is performed on the rod-shaped tobacco product R (inspection target rod) is known, the controller 50 is based on the rotation reference position information of the inspection drum 405 acquired from the position reference sensor. , The holding groove 4051 for holding the rod-shaped tobacco product R (rod to be inspected) that has been inspected for quality can be specified. Therefore, when the controller 50 detects the defective rod-shaped tobacco product R based on the response signal of the odor sensor 40, the controller 50 may notify the operator of information that can identify the defective rod-shaped tobacco product R. Alternatively, the controller 50 may automatically remove the defective rod-shaped tobacco product R from the transport line by using an automatic exclusion mechanism provided in any of the transport drum rows arranged after the inspection drum 405. .. Since this kind of automatic exclusion mechanism is known, detailed explanation here is omitted.

Further, the inspection device 1 in the present embodiment may inspect whether the ventilation resistance of the rod to be inspected is appropriate in addition to the inspection for detecting the cracking of the perfume capsule C in the filter F. Specifically, the pressure of the pressurized gas is measured by the pressure gauge 63 arranged in the pressurized gas supply passage 62. Further, the pressure of the inspection gas G is measured by the pressure gauge 70 arranged in the suction passage 20. The controller 50 acquires the pressure P1 of the pressurized gas and the pressure P2 of the inspection gas G measured by the pressure gauges 63 and 70, and the ventilation resistance of the rod-shaped tobacco product R based on the acquired measured values of the pressures P1 and P2. Ask for. Although the method of obtaining the ventilation resistance itself is known, for example, the ventilation resistance for evaluating the quality of the rod-shaped tobacco product R may be obtained based on the following formula.
Ventilation resistance (%) = (P1-P2) / P1 × 100

As described above, in the inspection device 1 of the present embodiment, in addition to the presence or absence of capsule cracking of the filter F in the inspection target rod, it is also possible to inspect whether or not the ventilation resistance of the inspection target rod is appropriate. .. Further, the inspection device 1 may perform an air permeability inspection as to whether or not the air permeability of the rod to be inspected is appropriate in addition to the air flow resistance. It is well known in the art that when the air permeability of the rod-shaped tobacco product R is not normal, it suggests that the chip paper is poorly glued in the rod-shaped tobacco product R.

The inspection device 1 in the present embodiment does not necessarily have to include the pressure box 4057. That is, without supplying the pressurized gas to the inspection target rod transported in the inspection section, the suction pressure generated by the suction source 30 is applied to the end face of the inspection target rod to the inspection gas G sucked from the suction port 123. The contained fragrance component may be detected by the odor sensor 40. Further, in the present embodiment, the end portion of the rod to be inspected to be transported in the inspection section on the tobacco rod T side is held by the holder member 4053, and the suction pressure generated by the suction source 30 is sucked to the end surface of the tobacco rod T. It may act from the mouth 123. Then, by detecting the concentration of the fragrance component contained in the inspection gas G sucked from the end face side of the tobacco rod T, it is inspected whether or not the amount of the fragrance added to the tobacco chopped of the tobacco rod T is appropriate. May be.

Although the embodiments and modifications according to the present invention have been described above, the inspection device for rod-shaped tobacco products according to the present invention is not limited to these, and these can be combined as much as possible.

1 ... Inspection device 11 ... Rotating roller 12 ... Suction unit 20 ... Suction passage 30 ... Suction source 40 ... Odor sensor 50 ... Controller 100 ... Belt conveyor unit 110 ...・ ・ Belt conveyor 123 ・ ・ ・ Suction port 124 ・ ・ ・ Pusher 140 ・ ・ ・ Opening window 200 ・ ・ ・ Hopper 210 ・ ・ ・ Discharge duct part 400 ・ ・ ・ Filter chip attachment device 405 ・ ・ ・ Inspection drum

Claims (11)

An inspection device that inspects rod-shaped tobacco products on the production line.
With a suction source,
A suction passage that communicates with the suction source,
An odor sensor arranged in the middle of the suction passage or at a position communicating with the suction passage,
Each rod-shaped tobacco product that communicates with the suction passage and is sequentially transported in a state of being aligned along a transport path extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rod-shaped tobacco product is provided in the middle of the transport path. The suction pressure generated by the suction source is applied to the end of each rod-shaped tobacco product when it is located at the inspection position of the rod-shaped tobacco product, and the gas existing inside or around the rod-shaped tobacco product is used as the inspection gas in the suction passage. A suction part having a suction port for sucking inside,
Equipped with
The inspection device targets rod-shaped tobacco products transported in a mass flow form by a belt conveyor unit.
The belt conveyor section is
A belt conveyor that transports the rod-shaped tobacco product mounted in the mass flow form along a transport direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rod-shaped tobacco product.
A pair of wall bodies that are erected on both sides of the belt conveyor with the belt conveyor in between and extend along the transport direction.
Have,
The separation dimension of the pair of walls is defined as a dimension corresponding to one axial dimension of the rod-shaped tobacco product, and an opening window is formed in at least one of the walls.
The belt conveyor unit conveys the rod-shaped tobacco products sideways and by the belt conveyor in a state where the ends of the rod-shaped tobacco products are aligned and laminated in one direction.
The suction portion is arranged so that the suction port faces the transport space of the rod-shaped tobacco product through the opening window.
Inspection device for rod -shaped tobacco products. The opening window extends vertically along the wall body.
The suction port extends vertically along the opening window, and when the rod-shaped tobacco product in the form of mass flow crosses the opening window, the bottom layer to the top layer laminated on the belt conveyor. Suction pressure is applied to the ends of each rod-shaped tobacco product located at the same time.
The inspection device for rod-shaped tobacco products according to claim 1 . The suction portion is fixed in a state of being housed in a cylindrical rotating roller that can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction.
The rotating roller has a large number of ventilation holes penetrating the rotating roller in the thickness direction of the member, and rotates by coming into contact with the end portion of the rod-shaped tobacco product conveyed by the belt conveyor, and the inspection gas is discharged. It is sucked into the suction passage from the suction port through the ventilation hole.
The rod-shaped tobacco product inspection device according to claim 1 or 2 . An inspection device that inspects rod-shaped tobacco products on the production line.
With a suction source,
A suction passage that communicates with the suction source,
An odor sensor arranged in the middle of the suction passage or at a position communicating with the suction passage,
Each rod-shaped tobacco product that communicates with the suction passage and is sequentially transported in a state of being aligned along a transport path extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rod-shaped tobacco product is provided in the middle of the transport path. The suction pressure generated by the suction source is applied to the end of each rod-shaped tobacco product when it is located at the inspection position of the rod-shaped tobacco product, and the gas existing inside or around the rod-shaped tobacco product is used as the inspection gas in the suction passage. A suction part having a suction port for sucking inside,
Equipped with
The inspection device is a rod-shaped tobacco product that is conveyed downward in a hopper for supplying a rod-shaped tobacco product to a packaging machine that wraps a rod-shaped tobacco product bundle composed of a plurality of rod-shaped tobacco products with an encapsulating material. To be inspected
The hopper has a pair of vertical plates that define the depth of the hopper and a pair of side plates that define the width of the hopper.
The separation dimension of the pair of vertical plates is defined by the dimension corresponding to one axial dimension of the rod-shaped tobacco product, and at least one of the vertical plates is formed with an opening window.
The hopper is located on the lower end side of the hopper by causing the rod-shaped tobacco product to flow downward in a state where the rod-shaped tobacco products are oriented sideways and the ends of the rod-shaped tobacco products are aligned and laminated in one direction. Transport the rod-shaped tobacco product toward the outlet and
The suction portion is arranged so that the suction port faces the transport space of the rod-shaped tobacco product through the opening window.
Inspection device for rod -shaped tobacco products. The opening window extends horizontally along the vertical plate.
The suction port extends horizontally along the opening window, and when the rod-shaped tobacco product flowing down the hopper toward the discharge port crosses the opening window, the opening window is opened. Simultaneously apply suction pressure to the ends of each rod-shaped tobacco product that crosses.
The inspection device for rod-shaped tobacco products according to claim 4 . In the lower region of the hopper, there are a plurality of discharge passages adjacent to each other in the width direction of the hopper for allowing the rod-shaped tobacco products to flow down individually, and a plurality of discharges partitioned from each other by a plurality of partition walls extending in the vertical direction. A discharge duct portion having a passage is provided, and the discharge port is formed at the lower end of each discharge passage in the discharge duct portion.
The opening window is provided at a position corresponding to the discharge duct portion of the vertical plate.
The rod-shaped tobacco product inspection device according to claim 4 or 5 . The suction portion is fixed in a state of being housed in a cylindrical rotating roller that can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the horizontal direction.
The rotating roller has a large number of ventilation holes penetrating the rotating roller in the thickness direction of the member, and rotates by coming into contact with the end portion of the rod-shaped tobacco product flowing down in the hopper, and the inspection gas is said. It is sucked into the suction passage from the suction port through the ventilation hole.
The rod-shaped tobacco product inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6 . An inspection device that inspects rod-shaped tobacco products on the production line.
With a suction source,
A suction passage that communicates with the suction source,
An odor sensor arranged in the middle of the suction passage or at a position communicating with the suction passage,
Each rod-shaped tobacco product that communicates with the suction passage and is sequentially transported in a state of being aligned along a transport path extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the rod-shaped tobacco product is provided in the middle of the transport path. The suction pressure generated by the suction source is applied to the end of each rod-shaped tobacco product when it is located at the inspection position of the rod-shaped tobacco product, and the gas existing inside or around the rod-shaped tobacco product is used as the inspection gas in the suction passage. A suction part having a suction port for sucking inside,
Equipped with
The inspection device sequentially discharges rod-shaped tobacco from a hopper discharge port for supplying rod-shaped tobacco products toward a packaging machine that wraps a rod-shaped tobacco product bundle composed of a plurality of rod-shaped tobacco products with an encapsulating material. Inspect the product
In the lower region of the hopper, there are a plurality of discharge passages adjacent to each other in the width direction of the hopper for allowing the rod-shaped tobacco products to flow down individually, and a plurality of discharges partitioned from each other by a plurality of partition walls extending in the vertical direction. A discharge duct portion having a passage is provided, and the discharge port is formed at the lower end of each discharge passage in the discharge duct portion.
Below the discharge duct portion, a bottom plate for receiving a plurality of rod-shaped tobacco products discharged from each discharge port is arranged.
The suction portion is arranged adjacent to the bottom plate so as to be able to reciprocate between a predetermined retracting position and a pushing position.
A pusher for pushing a plurality of rod-shaped tobacco products received on the bottom plate into the pocket of the pocket conveyor in the process of moving from the retracted position to the pushed position.
It has a contact portion that comes into contact with the end face of the rod-shaped tobacco product in the process of moving from the retracted position to the pushed position.
The suction port is provided in the contact portion, and when the contact portion comes into contact with the end face of the rod-shaped tobacco product, the suction pressure generated by the suction source is applied to the end face to generate the inspection gas. Suck ,
Inspection device for rod -shaped tobacco products. The contact portion is arranged above the pusher in the suction portion, and in the process of moving the suction portion from the retracted position to the pushing position, the contact portion contacts the end face of the rod-shaped tobacco product located in the discharge passage, and the suction portion is sucked. A suction pressure is applied to the end face of the rod-shaped tobacco product located in the discharge passage from the mouth.
The inspection device for rod-shaped tobacco products according to claim 8 . The rod-shaped tobacco product inspection device according to claim 8 or 9 , wherein the contact portion is an elastic member. The rod-shaped tobacco product inspection device according to claim 10 , wherein the contact portion can be expanded and contracted along the reciprocating direction of the suction portion.

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