Method of compensation of momentary lack of filter segments in multi-segment filter manufacturing line, and device enabling compensation of momentary lack of filter segments in multi-segment filter manufacturing line

A device enabling a compensation of a lack of filter segments in a manufacturing line of multi-segment filters used in tobacco industry, comprising:

• a plurality of modules, each of said modules equipped with
• a cutting drum with cutters situated below a container with filter rods,
• an out-feeding unit with pushers removing cut filter segments of flutes from the cutting drum along an out-feeding path, and
• a delivery unit that is configured to transfer transferring sets of filter segments to a separating device that is configured to arrange segments of particular modules appropriately onto a grouping tape, wherein
• the delivery unit has the form of a gripper holding a set of filter segments after transfer from the out-feeding unit,
• at least one first sensor is situated close to the cutting drum that detects a lack of a filter rod in one of the flutes of the drum, situated
• in a zone of an out-feeding path of the out-feeding unit for sets of filter segments, at least one second sensor is situated that confirms the correctness of the readings of the first sensor,
• wherein said device is configured to detect an occurrence of a gap on said out-feeding path caused by the lack of a filter rod in the one of the flutes of the drum, and to slow down the operation of units situated downstream of the gap, while simultaneously accelerating the operation of units situated upstream of the gap, until detecting a moment of an elimination of the gap, including said device slowing down the delivery unit, the separating device, and the grouping tape and accelerating the cutting drum with cutters and the out-feeding unit.