Filter rod manufacture
AssigneeMolins Limited
InventorHugh M. Arthur
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The application of fluid additive to a moving filter tow for production of filter rod for cigarettes, is controlled by a system which provides monitoring of rate of application of the additive by weight. Fluid additive, such as plasticizer, is pumped from a measuring cylinder to an applicator booth, excess additive draining back to the cylinder. Pressure in the cylinder is monitored by a transducer and a control circuit is provided to compare the rate of loss of additive from the cylinder (as measured by change in pressure) with a required value and adjust the supply pump by way of a motor and gearbox accordingly. Fluid additive is periodically supplied to the cylinder from a flask and reservoir.
Claims34
Apparatus for making filter rod from filter tow, comprising applicator means for applying fluid additive to a moving filter tow, means defining an endless flow path for fluid additive, said applicator means being located in said path, means for supplying fluid additive to said applicator means at a controlled rate along said flow path, means for measuring the flow rate in said path downstream of said applicator means and upstream of said supplying means, means for determining a characteristic of the filter rod or tow, and control means for varying the rate of application of fluid additive in accordance with signals derived from said measuring means and said determining means.
Apparatus for making filter rod from filter tow, comprising applicator means for applying fluid additive to a moving filter tow, means for measuring flow rate indicative of the rate of retention of fluid additive by the tow in a first portion of an endless flow path including said applicator means, first means for determining a first characteristic of the filter rod or tow, second means for determining a second characteristic of the filter rod or tow, and control means responsive to said measuring means and to said first and second determining means for varying the rate of application of fluid additive by varying the flow rate in a second portion of said endless flow path so that said rate has a predetermined relationship with said characteristics.
Apparatus for making filter rod from filter tow, including applicator means for applying fluid additive to a moving filter tow, a reservoir for fluid additive, means for supplying fluid additive from the reservoir to the applicator means, means for returning to the reservoir fluid additive supplied by said supplying means but not retained by the tow, means for measuring the rate of loss of fluid additive from the reservoir, means for determining a characteristic of the filter rod or tow, and control means for varying the rate of application of fluid additive in accordance with signals derived from the measuring means and the determining means, wherein said control means includes means for varying the flow from said applicator means by varying the flow from said supplying means.
Apparatus for making filter rod from filter tow, comprising applicator means for applying fluid additive to a moving filter tow;
- a reservoir for fluid additive;
- means for supplying fluid additive from the reservoir to the applicator means;
- means for returning to the reservoir fluid additive supplied by said supplying means but not retained by the tow;
- means for measuring the rate of loss of fluid additive from the reservoir;
- and control means for varying the rate of application of fluid additive in response to the output of said measuring means by varying the flow from said supplying means, including generating means for generating sequential timing signals, first storage means responsive to said timing signals from said generating means for storing the output of said measuring means, second storage means responsive to said timing signals from said generating means for storing the contents of said first storage means, arithmetic means responsive to said timing signals from said generating means for comparing the contents of said first and second storage means, and means responsive to said arithmetic means for controlling the rate of supply of fluid additive to said applicator means by said supplying means.
Apparatus for making filter rod from filter tow, comprising applicator means for applying fluid additive to a moving filter tow;
- a reservoir for fluid additive;
- means for supplying fluid additive from the reservoir to the applicator means;
- means for returning to the reservoir fluid additive supplied by said supplying means but not retained by the tow;
- means for measuring the rate of loss of fluid additive from the reservoir;
- and control means for varying the rate of application of fluid additive in response to the output of said measuring means, including generating means for generating sequential timing signals, first storage means responsive to said timing signals from said generating means for storing the output of said measuring means, second storage means responsive to said timing signals from said generating means for storing the contents of said first storage means, arithmetic means responsive to said timing signals from said generating means for comparing the contents of said first and second storage means, and means responsive to said arithmetic means for controlling the rate of supply of fluid additive to said applicator means by said supplying means, wherein said first storage means includes a first register and first gate means connected to said first register for transferring the output of said measuring means to said first register a first predetermined delay time after generation of a timing signal by said generating means, and said second storage means includes a second register and second gate means connected to said first and second registers for transferring the contents of said first register to said second register upon generation of a timing signal and before the output of said measuring means is transferred to said first register.
Apparatus for making filter rod from filter tow, including applicator means for applying fluid additive to a moving filter tow, a reservoir for fluid additive, means for supplying fluid additive from the reservoir to the applicator means, means for returning to the reservoir fluid additive supplied by said supplying means but not retained by the tow, means for measuring the rate loss of fluid additive from the reservoir, means for determining a characteristic of the filter rod or tow, and control means for varying the rate of application of fluid additive in accordance with signals derived from the measuring means and the determining means, wherein said measuring means includes means for delivering signals at spaced intervals and said intervals are determined by the speed of the tow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.