US 4,243,054 A · Method and apparatus for forming an equalized tobacco stream

Abstract

A continuous stream of tobacco leaves is equalized on the endless belt of a weighing device which receives an unequalized stream from a carded conveyor forming part of a tobacco feeding device. The belt is pivotable with an arm of the weighing device in response to changes in the weight of successive increments of tobacco thereon. Such changes in weight are ascertained by a potentiometer and signals denoting the weight are transmitted to a function generator by way of an adding circuit as well as to a multiplying circuit which further receives signals denoting the speed of successive increments on the belt. Signals which are transmitted by the multiplying circuit are used to regulate the speed of the belt so that the product of signals denoting the weight and of corresponding signals denoting the speed of successive increments of tobacco on the belt remains constant. The speed of the conveyor in the feeding device is regulated in response to signals which are transmitted by the function generator and denote the extent and duration of deviation of changes of the signals denoting the weight of successive increments from a given value. Signals denoting the speed of the conveyor can be modified in dependency on signals denoting the speed and/or weight of successive increments to regulate the operation of one or more devices for the processing of tobacco in the equalized stream which leaves the belt of the weighing device.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method of building an equalized tobacco stream wherein the weight of each unit length at least approximates a predetermined weight, comprising the steps of respectively conveying successive unit lengths of a tobacco stream at variable first and second speeds along first and second portions of an elongated path;

weighing successive unit lengths in said second portion and generating a first series of signals denoting the weight of the respective unit lengths;
monitoring said second speed and generating a second series of signals denoting the speed of successive unit lengths in said second portion;
utilizing said first and second signals for the generation of third signals which vary as a function of changes in the weight and/or speed of successive unit lengths;
varying said second speed when the characteristics of said third signals deviate from a predetermined value;
and varying the ratio of said first and second speeds as a function of the extent and duration of deviation of the characteristics of signals of one of said series from a preselected value.

2 more elements

Apparatus for building an equalized tobacco stream wherein the weight of each unit length at least approximates a predetermined weight, comprising means for feeding an unequalized tobacco stream from a first to a second portion of an elongated path, including a first conveyor defining said first portion;

and a weighing device including a second conveyor defining said second portion of said path and receiving successive unit lengths of the unequalized stream from said first conveyor, variable-speed prime mover means for said second conveyor, first signal generating means including means for monitoring said second portion of said path and for transmitting a first series of signals denoting the weight of successive unit lengths of the tobacco stream on said second conveyor, second signal generating means including means for monitoring the speed of said second conveyor and for transmitting a second series of signals denoting the speed of successive unit lengths of the tobacco stream on said second conveyor, means for modifying the characteristics of signals of one of said series in dependency on the characteristics of corresponding signals of the other of said series to generate third signals, means for changing the speed of said prime mover means, when necessary, in response to deviation of characteristics of said third signals from a given value, and means for varying the speed of said first conveyor to thereby change the ratio of speeds of said first and second conveyors, said speed varying means including means for generating fourth signals denoting the extent and duration of deviation of the characteristics of signals of one of said first and second series from a preselected value and means for evaluating said fourth signals to vary the speed of said second conveyor accordingly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for forming an equalized tobacco stream

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for forming an equalized tobacco stream

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22