Patent GB-1196163-A (GB)
Title: Device for Combining Tobacco Streams in Correctly Proportioned Amounts
Inventor: WOCHNOWSKI WALDEMAR
IPC: A24B3/08
Filed: 1967-05-03
Abstract: 1,196,163. Combining tobacco streams. HAUNI-WERKE KORBER & CO. K.G. 3 May, 1967 [4 May, 1966; 13 May, 1966; 17 May, 1966], No. 29285/69. Divided out of 1,196,162. Heading A2C. [Also in Division B1] An arrangement for combining tobacco streams being treated in at least one tobacco preparation device and supplied to a combining point in separate feed paths in a definite ratio on a batch basis, is characterized by the provision of detectors responsive to the presence or absence of tobacco which control adjuster means for the tobacco preparation device or devices. As shown in Fig. 1, a tobacco preparation plant comprises sections 1002, 1003, 1004 of a treatment train for Virginia tobacco, feed path 1001, and sections 1072, 1073, 1074 of a treatment train for oriental tobacco, feed path 1071. The outputs of the feed paths 1001, 1071 are subsequently combined, precise proportioning being effected by a regulator such as that disclosed in Figs. 5, 6 of Specification 1,196,162. Section 1003 is divided into subsections 1003a, 1003b, 1003c, comprising moistening, stripping and saucing devices 1026, 1025, 1006 respectively, with conveyer belts 1088, 1089, 1091. A regulator 1011 controls the drive motor 1007 for the conveyer belt 1091, a sauce supply valve 1009 and a saucing drum 1006d. A moisture measuring device 1012 senses the degree of saucing for the regulator 1011. A tobacco flow presence or absence detector 1013, e.g. a photo-electric unit, feeds a signal via a controller 1014 to a switch device 1018, 1019 to actuate a change over switch 1021. The switch 1021 connects the regulator 1011 to either a cut-off device 1024 when no tobacco is detected, or to an adjuster means 1022 (for presetting a standard value for the regulator) when tobacco is detected on the conveyer belt 1091. The cut-off operation may be delayed by a device 1020 to allow for the travel time of the tobacco between the detector 1013 and the exit of the saucing drum 1006d. The moistening device 1026 operates similarly to the saucing device 1006. The various drive motors of the stripping device 1025 are started and stopped in response to detection or the presence or absence of tobacco on the conveyer belt 1089. The section 1073 comprises a moistening device 1076 for the oriental tobacco which operates in a similar manner to the saucing device 1006 except that its starting and stopping are controlled by the presence or absence of Virginia tobacco on the conveyer 1091 of the saucing device 1006. Figs. 2-4 (not shown) illustrate, in block diagram form, a number of signal time delay systems used to compensate for the travel times of tobacco within the treatment devices. A mechanical tobacco feed delay device, Fig. 6, suitable for compensating for different tobacco treatment times in different flow paths, comprises an elongated box 401 with a bottom belt 403 run on rollers 404, 405, and rake wheels 416, 417, 425 that deliver tobacco to a take-off belt 419. The roller 405 and the wheels 416, 417, 425 are all driven by a common direct current motor (406) the speed of which motor is controlled by a thyristor control unit. Thus the speed of the belt 403, and hence the delay period, may be continuously varied.