Abstract A system is provided for detecting loose ends of cigarettes either at the discharge end of a cigarette maker or filter tip attachment machine or at the entrance of a cigarette packaging machine. This system includes a probe in the form of a split fiber optics bundle located adjacent a conveyor or other transport means for cigarettes which travel along the conveyor with their axes substantially normal to the direction of travel of the conveyor. The fibers of the bundle are divided randomly and one branch extends to a light source and the other to a detector. In this fashion, light will be directed from the probe towards the tobacco end of the traveling cigarettes. The reflected light is transmitted through the other branch to the detector which is coupled with a bridge circuit for measuring the level of intensity of the reflected light. This circuit will not respond to the higher intensity light level of an acceptable firmly packed cigarette end. However, the reflected light will be substantially reduced if the tobacco in the cigarette end is loose or cavitated. When a loose cigarette end is detected, either a memory circuit or wheel is actuated in order that the cigarette having the detected loose end will be eventually rejected by an ejection mechanism.
A system for detecting defective ends of cigarettes comprising: conveyor means having an axis for conveying cigarettes in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the cigarettes thereon; a probe in the form of a split fiber optics bundle having one consolidated end adjacent the conveying means and cigarettes thereon and at which the fibers are divided randomly and its other end split into a pair of divergent branches, the probe consolidated end having an approximate cross sectional size in order of that of a cigarette; means for mounting the probe consolidated end adjacent the ends of the cigarettes traveling on the conveyor so that the fibers of the probe consolidated end are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of such cigarettes and normal to the axis of the conveying means; a light source adjacent the end of one of the fiber optics branches; means for connecting the light source to an electrical power supply; a detector adjacent the end of the other fiber optics branch; and response means for responding to the light intensity detected by the detector, whereby light from the light source is transmitted through the one branch to the consolidated end and is directed against the adjacent ends of the traveling cigarettes, light reflected from the ends of the traveling cigarettes is transmitted from the consolidated end to the other branch and is directed to the detector, the intensity of the light reflected and sensed by the detector causes the response means to respond thereto in such a manner that defective ends of the traveling cigarettes will be distinguished from acceptable ends of such cigarettes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
271 words
A system for detecting defective ends of cigarettes comprising: conveyor means having an axis for conveying cigarettes in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the cigarettes thereon; a probe in the form of a split fiber optics bundle having one consolidated end adjacent the conveying means and cigarettes thereon and at which the fibers are divided randomly and its other end split into a pair of divergent branches, the probe consolidated end having an approximate cross sectional size in order of that of a cigarette; means for mounting the probe consolidated end adjacent the ends of the cigarettes traveling on the conveyor so that the fibers of the probe consolidated end are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of such cigarettes and normal to the axis of the conveying means; a light source adjacent the end of one of the fiber optics branches; means for connecting the light source to an electrical power supply; a detector adjacent the end of the other fiber optics branch; and response means for responding to the light intensity detected by the detector, whereby light from the light source is transmitted through the one branch to the consolidated end and is directed against the adjacent ends of the traveling cigarettes, light reflected from the ends of the traveling cigarettes is transmitted from the consolidated end to the other branch and is directed to the detector, the intensity of the light reflected and sensed by the detector causes the response means to respond thereto in such a manner that defective ends of the traveling cigarettes will be distinguished from acceptable ends of such cigarettes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the conveyor is at the discharge end of a cigarette maker.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the conveyor is at the discharge end of a cigarette filter tip attachment machine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the conveyor is at the entrance end of a cigarette packaging machine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the response means includes a bridge circuit for responding to the level of intensity of the reflected light sensed by the detector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the response means includes a cigarette rejection mechanism for ejecting cigarettes having defective ends.