INSPECTION SYSTEM

Abstract: An inspection system detects the presence or absence of both an internal filter component (104b) and an end filter component (104a) of an assembled cigarette after tipping paper (106) has been applied. A transport (20) moves the assembled cigarettes (12) along a high speed path of travel, and a first inspection station (26) directs a transverse detection beam (32) through each cigarette in the area of the internal filter component (104b). A second inspection station (42) directs a longitudinal detection beam (46) toward the end filter component (104a) along a path substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. Control circuitry allows an assembled cigarette to continue along the high speed path of travel when the second inspection station detects the presence of an end filter component unless beforehand the first inspection station fails to detect the presence of an internal filter component in which case the second inspection is interrupted and the defective cigarette is removed from the high speed path of travel.

Description: INSPECTION SYSTEM Background of the Invention The present invention relates to an inspection system, and more particularly to a cigarette inspection system for primarily detecting the presence or absence of internal and end filter components after the tipping paper has been applied. In today's cigarette manufacturing machinery, inspection devices have been proposed that inspect for missing cigarette filters and missing filter segments on cigarettes that require combined or multiple component filters. For the most part these inspection systems either inspect for the filter segment prior to application of the tipping paper or inspect only the exposed visible filter end of a completely assembled cigarette. However, once the tipping paper is applied, internal filter components are sandwiched between the tobacco rod and the outer filter component, and these internal filter components are not visible. Inspecting for the presence or absence of internal filter components after the tipping paper has been applied is the only way to achieve 100% confidence that internal filter components are in fact in place. Inspection sensors earlier in the filter inspection process fail to provide such confidence because missing internal filter components may occur during the process of applying the tipping paper. Accordingly, inspecting for internal filter components after being surrounded by the tipping paper is the only way of assuring 100% confidence that no cigarette with a missing component is forwarded downstream of the cigarette-making machinery. Summary of the Invention Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is an inspection system that primary inspects for the presence or absence of an internal filter component after the tipping paper has been applied. Another object of the present invention is an inspection system which is simple in operation but highly effective and reliable in removing defective cigarettes from a very high speed stream of cigarettes during production thereof. Another object of the present invention is a cigarette inspection system that uses infrared sensors to inspect through the tipping paper for the presence or absence of internal filter components on a completely assembled cigarette. Still another object of the present invention is an inspection system that inspects for the presence or absence of a visible end filter component as well as an internal filter component. Brief Description of the Drawings Novel features and advantages of the present invention in addition to those mentioned above will be readily apparent from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette transport drum and an inspection system for detecting missing filter components, according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a schematic view illustrating an electronic control for the inspection system shown in Figure 1 , according to the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention Referring in more particularity to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates an inspection system 10 for detecting the presence or absence of both internal and end filter components of an assembled cigarette 12 after tipping paper 14 has been applied. For purposes of illustration, the filter components of cigarette 12 are shown as comprising an internal charcoal component 16 and an end component 18 of cellulose acetate. However, other filter arrangements may be tested on the inspection system 10 where such filters include both internal and end components. Assembled cigarettes 12 travel along a high speed path that includes the exterior surface of a rapidly rotating transport drum 20. The outer surface of the drum includes a plurality of closely spaced grooves 22, and cigarettes rest within these grooves. Suction applied through ports 24 holds the cigarettes within the grooves, as is well known. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, inspection system 10 includes a first inspection station 26 comprising an infrared emitter 28 and an infrared receiver 30 on opposite sides of the high speed path of travel of the assembled cigarettes 12. Emitter 28 directs a transverse detection beam 32 through each cigarette in the area of the internal charcoal filter component 16 to detect the presence or absence of that filter component. A mounting 34 and pivotable connection 36 function to adjustably secure emitter 28 in place, and a similar mounting plate 38 and pivotable connection 30 function to adjustably secure receiver 30 in place. A second inspection station 42 is positioned slightly downstream from first inspection station 28. Second inspection station 42 comprises a optical sensor 44 which directs a longitudinal detection beam 46 toward the end filter component 18 along a path substantively parallel to the longitudinal axis of the assembled cigarette being inspected. A control arrangement 50 is used to operate the first and second inspection stations and to remove defective cigarettes from the high speed path of travel when the absence of at least one filter component is detected. In the illustrated embodiment, control 50 collectively comprises signal conditioning 52 max electrics 54 and accuracy data collection 56. Control 50 allows an assembled cigarette 12 to continue along the high speed path of travel when optical sensor 44 of the second inspection station detects the presence of end filter component 18 unless beforehand first inspection station 26 located slightly upstream fails to detect the presence of internal filter component 16. Under those conditions, the second inspection for the end filter component is interrupted, and the defective cigarette is removed from the high speed path of travel. Basically, if the optical sensor 44 detects the presence of end filter component 18, a signal is generated which maintains the finished cigarette in the transport drum and ultimately permits the cigarette to remain in the high speed path of travel. On the other hand, if optical sensor 44 does not detect end filter component 18, a signal is generated which ultimately leads to removal of the cigarette from the transport drum. Both the first and second inspection stations operate independently of one another expect when the first inspection station 26 determines that assembled cigarette 12 does not have an internal charcoal filter component. Under these conditions, the control 50 interrupts the signal from the optical sensor 44 which would otherwise permit the cigarette to remain on its high speed path of travel. When control 50 fails to receive a signal from the optical sensor, the defective cigarette is rejected. It is significant that the first inspection station does not generate a signal that directly interfaces with the control that rejects a cigarette. Instead, the first inspection station causes the rejection of a defective cigarette indirectly by interrupting any signal from the optical sensor 44 of the second inspection station 42. This particular approach has advantages in that the amount of reprogramming or alteration to control 50 is significantly minimized. Additionally, this approach permits the first inspection station to be positioned only approximately four degrees upstream and away from optical sensor 44. With the first inspection station positioned so close to the point on transport drum 20 at which the defective cigarette is rejected, there would not be enough time to sense a defective cigarette and reject that cigarette before being transported downstream. Another advantage is that this approach eliminates the need for a separate control that would activate the cigarette rejection system of the transport drum responsive to an appropriate signal from the first inspection station.

Claims: We claim: 1. An inspection system for detecting the presence or absence of both internal and end filter components of an assembled cigarette after tipping paper has been applied, the inspection system comprising a transport for moving assembled cigarettes along a high speed path of travel, a first inspection station constructed and arranged to direct a transverse detection beam through each cigarette in the area of the internal filter component, a second inspection station constructed and arranged to direct a longitudinal detection beam toward the end filter component along a path substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cigarette, and control means for allowing an assembled cigarette to continue along the high speed path of travel when the second inspection station detects the presence of an end filter component unless beforehand the first inspection station fails to detect the presence of an internal filter component in which case the second inspection is interrupted and the defective cigarette is removed from the high speed path of travel. 2. An inspection system as in claim 1 wherein the first inspection station includes an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver on opposite sides of the high speed path of travel. 3. An inspection system as in claim 1 wherein the second inspection station includes an optical sensor. 4. An inspection system as in claim 1 wherein the transport includes a rotating drum with cigarette receiving grooves on the exterior thereof. 165314

Inventors: BELCASTRO MARC D, COOPER RENEE R, DUVEKOT LOREN, EDWARDS NATHAN C, WIDENHOUSE MARK, BELCASTRO, MARC, D., COOPER, RENEE, R., DUVEKOT, LOREN, EDWARDS, NATHAN, C., WIDENHOUSE, MARK
Applicants: BELCASTRO MARC D, COOPER RENEE R, DUVEKOT LOREN, EDWARDS NATHAN C, PHILIP MORRIS PROD, WIDENHOUSE MARK, BELCASTRO, MARC, D., COOPER, RENEE, R., DUVEKOT, LOREN, EDWARDS, NATHAN, C., PHILIP MORRIS PRODUCTS, INC., WIDENHOUSE, MARK
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A24C5
IPC codes: A24C5, B07C5, G01N21