Method and apparatus for ascertaining the density of wrapped tobacco fillers and the like

The method of claim, wherein said first step includes directing against the body of fibrous material several mutually inclined beams of radiation, said second step including individually monitoring the one characteristic of each of said beams subsequent to penetration of the beams through a portion at least of the body of fibrous material, said third step including generating discrete signals each of which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of a different beam and further comprising the step of converting said discrete signals into a single signal.

Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including a stream of fibrous material, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising means for transporting the stream along a predetermined path;

• means for guiding the stream in a portion of said path;
• a source of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum including means for directing a plurality of discrete beams of such radiation into the stream of fibrous material so that the beams penetrate through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of their characteristics is influenced by the density of the stream, said directing means including means for directing the beams substantially transversely of said portion of said path;
• and means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beams subsequent to their emergence from the stream of fibrous material, including means for generating at least one signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beams.

Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body of fibrous material, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising a source of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum including means for directing at least one beam of such radiation into the body of fibrous material so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the body and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of the body;

• means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its emergence from the body of fibrous material, including means for generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beam;
• and means for influencing said source including means for generating reference signals denoting at least one characteristic of radiation at least a portion of which does not penetrate through said body and means for transmitting such reference signals to said source.

Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including a stream of fibrous material whose exterior reflects some electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising means for transporting the stream along a predetermined path;

• means for guiding the stream in a portion of said path;
• a source of said radiation including means for directing a plurality of discrete beams against said portion of said path so that the beams penetrate through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of their characteristics is influence by the density of the stream, said directing means including a pair of radiation sources disposed substantially diametrically opposite each other with reference to said predetermined path;
• and means for monitoring the one characteristic of said beams subsequent to their emergence from the stream of fibrous material, including a plurality of means for generating discrete signals each of which is indicative of the monitored characteristics of radiation that has passed through a portion at least of the stream, said signal generating means being located outside of the path of propagation of radiation which is reflected by the exterior of the stream.

Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including a stream of fibrous material whose exterior reflects some electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum, particularly a wrapped rod-like filler which contains particles of tobacco, comprising a source of said radiation including means for directing at least one beam of such radiation toward the stream at an oblique angle with reference to the longitudinal direction of the stream so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of the stream;

• and means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its emergence from the stream of fibrous material, including means for generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beam, said signal generating means including at least one optoelectronic transducer disposed in the path of radiation which has penetrated through a portion at least of the stream and outside of the path of propagation of reflected radiation.

Apparatus for ascertaining the density of a body including an unwrapped stream of fibrous material, comprising means for transporting the stream along a predetermined path in a cigarette maker;

• means for guiding the stream in a portion of said path including a channel having a bottom wall and sidewalls and being open between said sidewalls, at least one of said walls being permeable to electromagnetic radiation in one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared ranges of the spectrum;
• a source of said radiation including means for directing at least one beam of such radiation into the stream of fibrous material so that the beam penetrates through at least a portion of the stream and at least one of its characteristics is influenced by the density of the stream, said directing means being arranged to direct said at least one beam of radiation through said at least one wall;
• and means for monitoring the one characteristic of the beam subsequent to its emergence from the body of fibrous material, including means for generating a signal which is indicative of the monitored characteristic of the beam.