Patent GB-1235261-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for cigarette inspection
IPC: A24C5/34
Filed: 1969-03-21
Abstract: 1,235,261. Testing cigarettes. AMF Inc. 21 March, 1969 [3 April, 1968; 2 Jan., 1969], No.15001/69. Heading A2C. An apparatus for testing the integrity of an individual finished cigarette, comprises a pneumatic pressure chamber 112; means for inserting one end of a cigarette to be tested in the chamber 112; means for applying a pressurized fluid to the chamber 112 to pass through the cigarette, the pressure residing in the chamber 112 being dependent upon the integrity of the cigarette; means for comparing the pressure residing in the chamber 112 with a predetermined pressure level and fluid logic means responsive to the comparison means for obtaining a signal indicative of the integrity of the cigarette, the fluid logic circuit comprising a Schmitt Trigger type fluidic component A, a NOR gate type fluidic component B and a pneumo-electric transducer C, the main inputs of these components being connected to a common pressurized air feed line through respective adjusting valves for adustment to the required operating values; and means for rejecting a cigarette when the pressure in the chamber 112 varies from the predetermined pressure level. Mechanical arrangement. Cigarettes SF travelling on a chain conveyer 4 are transferred to an inspecting device comprising drums 6, 12 and a sprocket wheel 2 all mounted for rotation about a fixed shaft 1 and driven in synchronism with the chain conveyer 4. The wheel 2 comprises a sleeve 302 having two co-axial spaced discs 102, 202 fastened thereto. Circumferential teeth, formed in -the discs 102, 202, together form a plurality of pockets 402 for individual cigarettes SF. For each pocket 402 in the wheel 2 there is provided, in axial alignment therewith, a plunger 9 in the drum 6 and a mouthpiece 14 in the drum 12. The plungers 9, which each includes a button 309 on its forward end 209, are advanced against the action of a spring 24 by a stationary circular cam 11 to shift each cigarette SF axially in turn to firmly seat one end (preferably the filter end if a filter cigarette) into its respective mouthpiece 14 against a sprung plug 15. One end of each cigarette SF is thus sealed by the button end of its associated plunger 9 while its other end is sealingly connected to a bore in its associated plug 15. Chambers 112, communicating with the bores in the plugs 15, are connected in turn in known manner via a distributing block 18 to the fluidic logic circuit. The cigarettes SF are held to the pockets 402 while travelling therein by suction applied through radial holes 21 in the teeth of the discs 102, 202, the suction being cut off during the period when the cigarettes SF are being shifted axially. The position of the drum 12 on the shaft 1 is adjustable in an axial direction to accommodate cigarettes of various lengths. Logic Circuit. In the pneumatic logic circuit disclosed (Fig. 3, not shown), the actual pressure obtaining in the appropriate chamber 112 for the particular cigarette SF being tested is applied to an inspection input (A4) of the Schmitt Trigger (A) to obtain a pressure output in either one or other of two outputs (A<SP>1</SP>6, A<SP>1</SP>5) according to the detected state of the inspected cigarette. Output (A<SP>1</SP>6) corresponding to a satisfactory cigarette is vented to atmosphere, whereas output (A<SP>1</SP>5) corresponding to a faulty cigarette is fed to the NOR gate (B) which acts as a timing circuit in conjunction with a perforated timing disc 19 mounted for rotation in synchronism with the second drum 12 and which intermittently vents to atmosphere a fluid pressure input to the NOR gate (B) during periods lying between the testing periods of successive cigarettes SF. The pneumatic pulse output from the NOR gate (B) is fed to the transducer (C) for conversion into electric signals which are transferred to a memory for the subsequent rejection of faulty cigarettes.