US 5,347,853 AGranted

Method of and apparatus for ascertaining the hardness of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry

AssigneeHorber AG

InventorsReinhard Hoppe, Rolf Lindemann, Henning Moller

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Abstract

The reliability of mechanical testing of the hardness of cigarettes with one or more pivotable weights is enhanced by modifying the results of such testing on the basis of signals which are obtained by optically scanning the diameters of successive cigarettes prior to mechanically induced deformation. Optical scanning is carried out by triangulation with a fixedly mounted measuring head. The signals which are obtained with mechanical testing can be further influenced by taking into consideration the moisture content and/or the temperature of tobacco in tested cigarettes.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method of ascertaining the hardness of elastically deformable elongated substantially cylindrical articles of the tobacco processing industry, the articles having different thicknesses deviating to different extents from a desired thickness and each article having an external surface and a longitudinal axis, comprising the steps of advancing a series of articles in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path wherein the longitudinal axes of the articles are at least substantially normal to said direction;

subjecting the articles of said series to elastic deformation in a first portion of said path, including applying to the articles a predetermined deforming force radially of the articles whereby the articles develop depressions and the extent of elastic deformation is indicative of the hardness of deformed articles;
monitoring the extent of elastic deformation and generating first signals denoting the monitored deformation;
determining the deviation of the thickness of the articles of said series from the desired thickness in a second portion of said path upstream of said first portion and generating second signals denoting the extent of deviation of determined thickness from the desired thickness;
and modifying said first signals in dependency on the respective second signals so that the thus modified first signals are indicative of the hardness of the respective articles irrespective of the thickness thereof.

1 more element

Apparatus for ascertaining the hardness of elastically deformable elongated substantially cylindrical articles of the tobacco processing industry, the articles having different thicknesses deviating to different extents from a desired thickness and each article having an external surface and a longitudinal axis, comprising means for advancing a series of articles in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path wherein the longitudinal axes of the articles are at least substantially normal to said direction;

a deforming device having means for subjecting the articles of said series to elastic deformation in a first portion of said path, including means for applying to the articles a predetermined deforming force radially of the articles whereby the articles develop depressions and the extent of elastic deformation is indicative of the hardness of deformed articles;
means for determining the deviation of the thickness of the articles of said series from the desired thickness in a second portion of said path upstream of said first portion, including means for generating second signals denoting the extent of deviation of determined thickness from the desired thickness;
and signal processing means including means for modifying said first signals in dependency on the respective second signals so that the thus modified first signals are indicative of the hardness of the respective articles irrespective of the thickness thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/127,887Filed 27 Sep 1993 · continuation
Priority: DE 411982115 Jun 1991
Granted: 20 Sep 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

G01N 3/068
Special adaptations of indicating or recording means: with optical indicating or recording means
A24C 5/3412
Examining cigarettes or the rod, e.g. for regulating the feeding of tobacco; Removing defective cigarettes: by means of light, radiation or…
A24C 5/343
Examining cigarettes or the rod, e.g. for regulating the feeding of tobacco; Removing defective cigarettes: by mechanical means, e.g. feelers
G01N 3/42
Investigating hardness or rebound hardness: by performing impressions under a steady load by indentors, e.g. sphere, pyramid

Family

Serial894,060Parent of this continuation · filed 5 Jun 1992
US 5,347,853 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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