Method and arrangement for measuring the quantity of moisture in smoking goods

Claim 2

Method for generating a measurement signal indicative of the moisture content of a predetermined quantity of smoking goods at a measuring station, said smoking goods having a measuring surface, comprising, in combination, the steps of creating a high-frequency electrical field at said measuring station, said high-frequency electrical field having lines of force entering and leaving said smoking goods through said measuring surface; pressing said predetermined quantity of tobacco with a force substantially exceeding the weight thereof; and monitoring said high-frequency electrical field to derive therefrom an electrical signal having a characteristic varying as a function of said moisture content, said electrical signal constituting said measurement signal.

Claim 3

A method as set forth in claim 1; further comprising the step of transporting said smoking goods in a continuous stream past said measuring station.

Claim 4

Arrangement for furnishing a measurement signal indicative of the quantity of moisture in a predetermined quantity of smoking goods at a measurement station, comprising in combination, support means supporting said smoking goods at said measuring station, said support means creating a first surface in said smoking goods, said smoking goods further having a second surface opposite said first surface; high-frequency oscillator means for creating a high-frequency electrical signal; tuned circuit means connected to said high-frequency oscillator means for creating a high-frequency electrical field having lines of force in response to said high-frequency electrical signal, said tuned circuit means comprising first and second electrode means for directing said lines of force into and out of said smoking goods through a selected one of said first and second surfaces; pressing means for pressing said smoking goods against said support means with a predetermined force; frequency control means connected to said tuned circuit means for controlling the resonant frequency of said tuned circuit means in such a manner that said tuned circuit means is in resonance with said high-frequency electrical signal; and measurement circuit means connected to said tuned circuit means for furnishing an electrical signal during said resonance, said electrical signal having a characteristic varying as a function of said moisture content of said smoking goods.

Claim 5

Arrangement for furnishing a measurement signal indicative of the quantity of moisture in a predetermined quantity of smoking goods at a measurement station, comprising in combination, support means supporting said smoking goods at said measuring station, said support means creating a first surface in said smoking goods, said smoking goods further having a second surface opposite said first surface; high-frequency oscillator means for creating a high-frequency electrical signal; tuned circuit means connected to said high-frequency oscillator means for creating a high-frequency electrical field having lines of force in response to said high-frequency electrical signal, said tuned circuit means comprising first and second electrode means for directing said lines of force into and out of said smoking goods through a selected one of said first and second surfaces; pressing means for pressing said smoking goods against said support means with a predetermined force; frequency control means connected to said tuned circuit means for controlling the resonant frequency of said tuned circuit means in such a manner that said tuned circuit means is in resonance with said high-frequency electrical signal; and measurement circuit means connected to said tuned circuit means for furnishing an electrical signal during said resonance, said electrical signal having a characteristic varying as a function of said moisture content of said smoking goods.

Claim 6

An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first electrode means comprise a plurality of interconnected first electrode elements for guiding said lines of force into said smoking goods, and wherein said second electrode means comprise second electrode means for guiding said lines of flux out of said smoking goods.

Claim 7

An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said plurality of first electrode elements is arranged in one plane with said second electrode means.

Claim 8

An arrangement as set forth in claim 5, wherein said second electrode means comprise a plurality of interconnected second electrode elements.

Claim 9

An arrangement as set forth in claim 6, wherein said plurality of first electrode elements is arranged in a sequence in a given plane; and wherein each of said second electrode elements is arranged adjacent to a corresponding one of said first elements in said plane.

Claim 10

An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein said support means comprise endless belt conveyor means.

Claim 11

An arrangement as defined in claim 8, wherein said support means further comprise isolating plate means supporting said endless belt conveyor means.

Claim 12

An arrangement as set forth in claim 3, wherein said pressing means comprise carrier means; roller means mounted on said carrier means; reinforcing plate means connected to said carrier means; conveyor belt means passing over said roller means and said reinforcing plate means.

Claim 13

An arrangement as defined in claim 10; further comprising transport means transporting said smoking goods past said measuring station; and wherein said pressing means comprises drum means pressing said smoking goods; and spaced plate means following said drum means in the direction of transport of said smoking goods, for maintaining said smoking goods in said pressed condition.

Claim 14

An arrangement as set forth in claim 4, wherein said frequency-varying means comprises frequency-varying means for periodically varying the resonant frequency of said tuned circuit means over a predetermined frequency range.

Claim 15

An arrangement as defined in claim 12, wherein said predetermined frequency range includes the frequency of said high-frequency electrical signal furnished by said high-frequency oscillator means.

Claim 16

Arrangement for furnishing a measurement signal indicative of the quantity of moisture in a predetermined quantity of smoking goods at a measurement station, comprising in combination, support means supporting said smoking goods at said measuring station, said support meanS creating a first surface in said smoking goods, said smoking goods further having a second surface opposite said first surface; high-frequency oscillator means for creating a high-frequency electrical signal; tuned circuit means connected to said high-frequency oscillator means for creating a high-frequency electrical field having lines of force in response to said high-frequency electrical signal, said tuned circuit means comprising first and second electrode means for directing said lines of force into and out of said smoking goods through a selected one of said first and second surfaces; frequency control means connected to said tuned circuit means for controlling the resonant frequency of said tuned circuit means in such a manner that said tuned circuit means is in resonance with said high-frequency electrical signal; and measurement circuit means connected to said tuned circuit means for furnishing an electrical signal during said resonance, said electrical signal having a characteristic varying as a function of said moisture content of said smoking goods.

Claim 17

Arrangement for furnishing a measurement signal indicative of the quantity of moisture in a predetermined quantity of smoking goods at a measurement station, comprising in combination, support means supporting said smoking goods at said measuring station, said support meanS creating a first surface in said smoking goods, said smoking goods further having a second surface opposite said first surface; high-frequency oscillator means for creating a high-frequency electrical signal; tuned circuit means connected to said high-frequency oscillator means for creating a high-frequency electrical field having lines of force in response to said high-frequency electrical signal, said tuned circuit means comprising first and second electrode means for directing said lines of force into and out of said smoking goods through a selected one of said first and second surfaces; frequency control means connected to said tuned circuit means for controlling the resonant frequency of said tuned circuit means in such a manner that said tuned circuit means is in resonance with said high-frequency electrical signal; and measurement circuit means connected to said tuned circuit means for furnishing an electrical signal during said resonance, said electrical signal having a characteristic varying as a function of said moisture content of said smoking goods.

Claim 18

An arrangement as set forth in claim 14, further comprising temperature-compensating circuit means connected to said measurement circuit means.

Claim 19

An arrangement as set forth in claim 15, wherein said temperature-compensating circuit means comprise a Wheatstone bridge circuit.