U.S. patent application number 15/733013 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-23 for apparatus and method for rejection of defective rod-like articles from a mass flow of rod-like articles of the tobacco industry.
The applicant listed for this patent is International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. z o.o.. Invention is credited to Radoslaw Owczarek.
Application Number | 20200022402 15/733013 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 63713373 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-23 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200022402 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Owczarek; Radoslaw |
January 23, 2020 |
Apparatus and method for rejection of defective rod-like articles
from a mass flow of rod-like articles of the tobacco industry
Abstract
An apparatus of the tobacco industry for the rejection of
defective rod-like articles from a mass flow of rod-like articles,
comprising a monitoring unit (100) adapted to optically determine
geometrical parameters of rod-like articles (R), and at least one
rejecting unit (200) adapted to remove a rod-like article from the
mass flow (M) of rod-like articles (R), wherein the mass flow (M)
being transported on the conveyor (10), such unit (200) being
situated behind the monitoring unit (100) with reference to the
direction (T) of the mass flow (M) of rod-like articles (R). The
apparatus is characterised in that the monitoring unit (100) has
optical recorders (101) recording images of opposite side surfaces
of the mass flow (M) of rod-like articles (R) on a conveyor (10)
wherein said side surfaces are formed by front surfaces or rod-like
articles (R). The apparatus comprises the controller (300) which
basing on the recorded images, using the criteria concerning
geometrical parameters of the opposite front surfaces of rod-like
articles (R), identifies defective rod-like articles (Rd) in the
mass flow (M), and determines the position of the defective
rod-like articles (Rd) in the mass flow (M), and the rejecting unit
(200) comprises at least one rejecting element (201, 203, 204, 205,
205') adapted to reject the defective rod-like article (Rd), the
rejection unit (200) being mounted in such a way that it moves
along together with the mass flow (M) in a position enabling it to
reject the defective rod-like article (Rd).
Inventors: |
Owczarek; Radoslaw; (Radom,
PL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. z o.o. |
Radom |
|
PL |
|
|
Family ID: |
63713373 |
Appl. No.: |
15/733013 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
April 6, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2018/052402 |
371 Date: |
September 25, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 19/04 20130101;
G01N 21/952 20130101; A24C 5/3412 20130101; A24C 5/35 20130101;
A24C 5/345 20130101; B65G 2201/0226 20130101; B65B 19/28
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24C 5/34 20060101
A24C005/34; A24C 5/345 20060101 A24C005/345 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 7, 2017 |
EP |
17165546.7 |
Aug 30, 2017 |
PL |
PL422692 |
Dec 20, 2017 |
PL |
PL423965 |
Claims
1-23. (canceled)
24. An apparatus of the tobacco industry for rejection of defective
rod-like articles from a mass flow of rod-like articles, comprising
a monitoring unit (100) adapted to optically determine geometrical
parameters of rod-like articles (R), and at least one rejecting
unit (200) adapted to remove a rod-like article from the mass flow
(M) of rod-like articles (R), wherein the mass flow (M) being
transported on the conveyor (10), moreover the rejecting unit (200)
being placed behind the monitoring unit (100) with reference to the
direction (T) of the mass flow of rod-like articles (R)
characterized in that the monitoring unit (100) has optical
recorders (101) adapted to recording images of opposite side
surfaces of the mass flow (M) of rod-like articles (R) on a
conveyor (10), wherein said side surfaces are formed by front
surfaces or rod-like articles (R) moreover the apparatus comprises
a controller (300) adapted to identify defective rod-like articles
(Rd) in the mass flow, and determine the position of the defective
rod-like articles (Rd) in the mass flow, basing on the recorded
images, using criteria concerning the geometrical parameters of the
opposite front surfaces of rod-like articles (R), and determine the
speed of the mass flow (M), moreover the controller (300) adapted
to generate the rejecting unit (200) control signals based on a
position of the defective rod-like articles (Rd) in the mass flow
and the speed of the mass flow (M), and the rejecting unit (200)
comprises at least one rejecting element (201, 203, 204, 205, 205')
adapted to reject the defective rod-like article (Rd), the
rejection unit being adopted to move downstream of the mass flow
(M) in relation to the monitoring unit (100) into a position
enabling it to reject the defective rod-like article (Rd) and
reject the defective rod-like article (Rd) as a response for
control signals from the controller (300).
25. The apparatus of claim 24 characterized in that the rejecting
element (201, 203, 204, 205, 205') is adapted that during the
course of rejection it moves along together with the mass flow (M)
with the same speed as the defective rod-like articles (Rd) in the
mass flow (M) as a response for control signal from the controller
(300).
26. The apparatus of claim 24 characterized in that the rejecting
element (201, 203, 204, 205, 205') is adapted that during the
course of rejection it moves whereas mass flow (M) of rod-like
articles (R) on a conveyor (10) stops, as a response for control
signal from the controller (300).
27. The apparatus of claim 24 characterized in that the rejecting
element (201, 203, 204, 205, 205') is mounted adopted that during
the course of rejection it stops whereas mass flow (M) of rod-like
articles (R) on a conveyor (10) moves with defective rod-like
articles (Rd), as a response for control signal from the controller
(300).
28. The apparatus of claim 24 characterized in that the rejecting
element (201, 203, 204, 205, 205') is adopted that during the
course of rejection it stops together with mass flow (M) of
rod-like articles (R) on a conveyor (10), as a response for control
signal from the controller (300).
29. The apparatus of claim 24 characterized in that the rejecting
unit (200) further comprises at least one restraining element (202,
202'), disposed on the opposite side of the mass flow (M) relative
to the rejecting element (201, 203, 204, 205, 205'), the
restraining element (202, 202'), being adapted to reject the
defective rod-like article (Rd) and to restrain the rod-like
articles (R) situated around the defective rod-like article (Rd) to
be rejected.
30. The apparatus of claim 24 characterized in that the monitoring
unit (100) is adapted to optically determine the geometrical
parameters of the front surfaces of the rod-like articles (R), in
particular symmetricity, regularity of shape of the front surface
of a rod-like article, continuity of the wrapper, wrappings of the
wrapper, and symmetricity of insert elements visible from the front
side of the rod-like article (R).
31. The apparatus of claim 24 characterized in that the rejecting
element (201, 203, 204, 205, 205') can be a pusher, a compressed
air, a gauge pressure, a pulling element such as a pliers or
extraction needle with hooked end.
32. A method of rejection of defective rod-like articles from a
mass flow of rod-like articles on a conveyor, comprising the steps
of: recording images of opposite front surfaces of the mass flow
(M) of rod-like articles (R) by means of optical recorders (101);
identifying defective rod-like articles (Rd) in the mass flow (M)
based on images of the side surfaces of the mass flow (M) using the
criteria relating to geometrical parameters of the opposite front
surfaces of rod-like articles (R), and determining a position of
defective rod-like articles (Rd) in the mass flow (M) on the
conveyor (10); and determining a speed of the mass flow (M), and
further generating control signals for rejecting unit (200) to move
the rejecting element to rejecting position determined based on the
position of the defective rod-like articles (Rd) identified in the
mass flow (M) on the conveyor (10) and the speed of the mass flow
(M), moving the rejecting element of the rejecting unit (200) to
the rejecting position and rejected identified defective rod-like
article (Rd) from the mass flow (M) of rod-like articles (R) in a
response to control signals from the controller (300).
33. The method of claim 32 characterized in that by means of the
controller (300), basing on the relative position of the selected
defective rod-like articles (Rd) in the mass flow (M) of rod-like
articles (R), the sequence of rejection of the defective rod-like
articles (Rd) from the mass flow (M) is determined.
34. The method of claim 33 characterized in that the sequence of
rejection of the defective rod-like articles (Rd) from the mass
flow (M) is such that the defective rod-like articles (Rd) are
rejected beginning from the uppermost layer of the mass flow.
35. The method of claim 32 characterized in that at the time of
rejection of the defective rod-like articles (Rd), the speed of the
rod-like articles (R) in the mass flow (M) is reduced.
36. The method of claim 32 characterized in that at the time of
rejection of the defective rod-like article (Rd) the conveying of
the rod-like articles (R) in the mass flow (M) is halted.
37. The method of claim 32 characterized in that at the time of
rejection of the defective rod-like article (Rd) the speed of the
rejecting unit (200) is reduced.
38. The method of claim 32 characterized in that at the time of
rejection of the defective rod-like article (Rd) the rejecting unit
(200) is halted.
39. A system for determining quality of rod-like articles in the
tobacco industry comprising a first apparatus (1) for the rejection
of defective rod-like articles (Rd) from mass flow (M) of rod-like
articles (R) on a conveyor (10), as in claim 24, at least one
intermediate rod-like article apparatus (3), and/or a rod-article
handling apparatus placed downstream of the first apparatus for
rejection of defective rod-like articles, at least one monitoring
apparatus placed downstream of the intermediate rod-like articles
handling apparatus and/or a rod-handling transport apparatus, while
monitoring apparatus comprising a monitoring unit (100) having
optical recorders (101') recording images of the opposite side
surfaces of the mass flow (M) of rod-like articles (R) on the
conveyor (10), and a controller (300) adopted to identify defective
rod-like articles (Rd) in the mass flow based on the recorded
images, using a criteria concerning the geometrical parameters of
the opposite front surfaces of rod-like articles (R), which basing
on the recorded images, using criteria concerning geometrical
parameters of the opposite front surfaces of rod-like articles (R),
identifies defective rod-like articles (Rd) in the mass flow (M),
to establish the change in the quality of the rod-like articles in
the mass flow after passing the intermediate rod-like articles
handling apparatus and/or a rod-handling transport apparatus.
40. The system of claim 39 characterized in that the controller of
the monitoring apparatus (300') further determines the position of
the defective rod-like articles (Rd) in the mass flow (M) on the
conveyor (10), and determines the speed of the mass flow (M), then
generates rejecting unit (200) control signals, and the system is
further provided with a rejecting unit (200') comprising a
rejecting element and a restraining element adapted to reject the
defective rod-like article (Rd), adopted to move downstream of the
mass flow (M) to a position enabling it to reject the defective
rod-like article (Rd) in a response to control signals from the
controller (300').
41. The system of claim 39 characterized in that the system
comprises a second apparatus for the rejection of the defective
rod-like articles (Rd) from the mass flow of rod-like articles (R)
on the conveyor (10), as in claim 24.
42. The system of claim 39 characterized in that the intermediate
apparatus (3) is an apparatus selected from a group comprising in
particular a loader, a tray, an unloader, a band conveyor, and a
buffer store.
Description
[0001] The object of the invention is apparatus and method for the
rejection of defective rod-like articles from a mass flow of
rod-like articles of the tobacco industry.
[0002] The devices for rejecting improperly filled cigarettes are
known from the documents EP 0'853'045 A1 and GB 2'228'176 A. In
both solutions the cigarettes are placed in a gravitational feeder
and are fed one at a time before a filling sensor disposed on the
tobacco side which checks the correctness of cigarette filling.
Based on a signal from the sensor, a controller decides on the
removal of a selected cigarette by a rejecting unit situated in the
further part of the feeder. In the disclosed solutions, the
selected cigarettes are removed by means of pneumatic devices. The
cigarettes which have not been rejected are pushed out one by one
at the end of the feeder, which ensures a stepwise nature of the
cigarette flow in the gravitational feeder.
[0003] A method and an apparatus for removal of rod-like articles
of the tobacco industry from mass flow are known from the document
EP 2'399'465 A1. The apparatus uses a variable volume chamber.
Before the removal of a rod-like article the chamber is enlarged to
form an area in which a group of rod-like articles in the chamber
leaves the mass flow. An individual, randomly selected rod-like
article may be removed from such group by a robot arm.
[0004] A cigarette package coding system is known from the document
EP 2'768'734 B1. A printing device imprints cigarette packages
transported on a conveyor before the head of the printing device.
Further on the conveyor there is situated an imprint correctness
checking device, and behind it there is an apparatus rejecting
selected cigarette packages. The selection of a cigarette package
to be rejected is based on a signal from an apparatus checking the
imprint correctness sent in the case of imprint error
detection.
[0005] An apparatus for receiving and removal of individual
rod-like articles from the mass flow is known from the document GB
2'241'865 A. The rod-like articles are randomly removed to check
the quality. The apparatus consists of a semi-cylindrical element
immersed in the mass flow and having a casing in the shape of a
cradle. When the casing is retracted, the rod-like articles flow in
the mass flow through the semi-cylindrical element. Pulling out the
casing isolates a rod-like article in the apparatus and enables
extracting it from the mass flow.
[0006] An apparatus for the rejection of defective cigarettes is
known from the document U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,374 A. The apparatus
has the form of an intermediate store in the bottom part of which
the cigarettes are arranged in columns. The movement of cigarettes
in the columns is stepwise. Sensors checking the cigarette
production quality are adapted to test one cigarette on both
mouthpiece and filter sides. The rejection of a defective cigarette
is effected by means of a special extraction needle which at the
first step is inserted inside a defective cigarette, and at the
next step extracts the defective cigarettes. The full defective
cigarette extraction cycle is coupled with an element removing the
cigarettes at the end of the column.
[0007] An apparatus checking the ends of cigarettes situated in
trays and extracting defective cigarettes is known from the
document U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,544 A. The apparatus is provided with
a camera recording an image of one side of a cigarette group in a
tray. The apparatus comprises further a unit rejecting a selected
cigarette from the tray.
[0008] The object of the invention is an apparatus of the tobacco
industry for rejection of defective rod-like articles from a mass
flow of rod-like articles, a monitoring unit adapted to optically
determine geometrical parameters of rod-like articles, and at least
one rejecting unit adapted to remove a rod-like article from the
mass flow of rod-like articles, such unit being situated behind the
monitoring unit with reference to the direction of the mass flow of
rod-like articles. The apparatus according to the invention is
characterised in that the monitoring unit has optical recorders
recording images of opposite side surfaces of the mass flow of
rod-like articles on a conveyor, wherein the side surfaces are
formed by front surfaces of rod-like articles. The apparatus
comprises a controller which basing on the recorded images, using
criteria concerning the geometrical parameters of the opposite side
surfaces of rod-like articles (R), identifies defective rod-like
articles (Rd) in the mass flow and determines the position of the
defective rod-like articles (Rd) in the mass flow, and the
rejecting unit comprises at least one rejecting element adapted to
reject the defective rod-like article, the rejection unit being
mounted in such a way that it moves along together with the mass
flow in a position enabling it to reject the defective rod-like
article (Rd).
[0009] The apparatus according to the invention is characterised in
that the rejecting element is mounted in such a way that during the
course of rejection it moves along together with the mass flow with
the same speed as the defective rod-like articles in the mass
flow.
[0010] The apparatus according to the invention is characterised in
that the rejecting element is mounted in such a way that during the
course of rejection it moves whereas mass flow of rod-like articles
on a conveyor stops.
[0011] The apparatus according to the invention is characterised in
that the rejecting element is mounted in such a way that during the
course of rejection it stops whereas mass flow of rod-like articles
on a conveyor moves with defective rod-like articles.
[0012] The apparatus according to the invention is characterised in
that the rejecting element is mounted in such a way that during the
course of rejection it stops together with mass flow of rod-like
articles on a conveyor.
[0013] The apparatus according to the invention is characterised in
that the rejecting element is mounted in such a way that during the
course of rejection it moves along together with the mass flow with
the same speed as the defective rod-like articles in the mass flow,
whereas the speed of the defective rod-like articles in the mass
flow is constant and/or variable.
[0014] The apparatus according to the invention is characterised in
that the rejecting unit further comprises at least one restraining
element, disposed on the opposite side of the mass flow relative to
the rejecting element, such restraining element being adapted to
reject any defective rod-like article and to restrain the rod-like
articles situated around the defective rod-like article to be
rejected.
[0015] The apparatus according to the invention is characterised in
that the monitoring unit is adapted to optically determine the
geometrical parameters of the front surfaces of the rod-like
articles, in particular the symmetricity, the regularity of shape
of the front surface of a rod-like article, the continuity of the
wrapper, the wrappings of the wrapper, and the symmetricity of
insert elements visible from the front side of the article.
[0016] The apparatus according to the invention is characterised in
that the monitoring unit comprises at least two cameras situated on
the opposite sides of the mass flow of rod-like articles.
[0017] The apparatus according to the invention is characterised by
comprising two rejecting units situated on the opposite sides of
the mass flow.
[0018] The apparatus according to the invention is characterised in
that rejecting unit comprises at least two rejecting elements
situated on the opposite sides of the mass flow or on the same side
of the mass flow.
[0019] The apparatus according to the invention is characterised in
that the rejecting elements can be a pusher, a compressed air, a
gauge pressure, a pulling element such as a pliers or extraction
needle with hooked end.
[0020] A method of rejection of defective rod-like articles from
the mass flow of rod-like articles on the conveyor, characterised
by comprising steps at which: the images of opposite side surfaces
of the mass flow of rod-like articles are recorded by means of
optical recorders; by means of a controller, basing on the image of
the side surfaces of the mass flow using the criteria relating to
geometrical parameters of the opposite front surfaces of rod-like
articles, defective rod-like articles are identified in the mass
flow, and the position of defective rod-like articles in the mass
flow on the conveyor is determined and then by means of a rejecting
unit the selected defective rod-like article is rejected from the
mass flow of rod-like articles.
[0021] The method according to the invention is characterised in
that by means of the controller, basing on the relative position of
the selected defective rod-like articles in the mass flow of
rod-like articles, the sequence of rejection of the defective
rod-like articles from the mass flow is determined.
[0022] The method according to the invention is characterised in
that the sequence of rejection of rod-like articles from the mass
flow is determined on the basis of the smallest influence on the
position of successive defective rod-like article in the mass flow
of rod-like articles, in particular the defective rod-like articles
are rejected beginning from the uppermost layer.
[0023] The method according to the invention is characterised in
that at the time of rejection of the defective rod-like article the
speed of the rod-like articles in the mass flow is reduced.
[0024] The method according to the invention is characterised in
that at the time of rejection of the defective rod-like article the
conveying of the rod-like articles in the mass flow is halted.
[0025] The method according to the invention is characterised in
that at the time of rejection of the defective rod-like article the
speed of the rejecting unit is reduced.
[0026] The method according to the invention is characterised in
that at the time of rejection of the defective rod-like article the
rejecting unit is halted.
[0027] A system for determining the quality in the tobacco industry
comprising a first apparatus for the rejection of defective
rod-like articles from the mass flow of rod-like articles on a
conveyor, according to the invention at least one intermediate
apparatus, in particular a transport chain apparatus, a monitoring
apparatus comprising a monitoring unit having optical recorders
recording images of opposite side surfaces of the mass flow of
rod-like articles on the conveyor, and a controller which basing on
the recorded images, using criteria concerning geometrical
parameters of the opposite front surfaces of rod-like articles,
identifies defective rod-like articles in the mass flow.
[0028] The system according to the invention is characterised in
that the controller of the monitoring apparatus further determines
the position of the defective rod-like articles in the mass flow on
the conveyor, and the system is further provided with a rejecting
unit comprising a rejecting element adapted to reject the defective
rod-like article, mounted in such a way that they move along
together with the mass flow in a position enabling it to reject the
defective rod-like article
[0029] The system according to the invention is characterised in
that the system constitute a second apparatus for the rejection of
the defective rod-like articles from the mass flow of rod-like
articles on the conveyor, according to the invention.
[0030] The system according to the invention is characterised in
that the transport chain apparatuses include in particular a
loader, a tray, an unloader, a band conveyor, and a buffer
store.
[0031] The main advantage of the apparatus for rejection of
defective rod-like articles according to the invention is the
elimination of rod-like articles directly from the mass flow
without disturbing the mass flow. The apparatus according to the
invention may be placed in existing systems using the mass flow of
rod-like articles not only to increase the production quality, but
also to test the influence of devices in the production line on the
production quality.
[0032] The object of the invention was shown in detail in a
preferred embodiment in a drawing in which:
[0033] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus according to the invention in a
first embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 2 shows the apparatus according to the invention in the
first embodiment when a rejecting unit has moved to a position at
which it may begin pushing out a defective rod-like article;
[0035] FIG. 3 shows the apparatus according to the invention in the
first embodiment when the rejecting unit has moved to a position at
which pushing out of the defective rod-like article has ended;
[0036] FIG. 3a shows the apparatus according to the invention in
the first embodiment when the rejecting unit has moved to a
position at which blowing out of the defective rod-like article has
ended;
[0037] FIG. 3b shows the apparatus according to the invention in
the first embodiment when the rejecting unit has moved to a
position at which suction of the defective rod-like article has
ended;
[0038] FIG. 3c shows the apparatus according to the invention in
the first embodiment when the rejecting unit has moved to a
position at which pulling out by means pliers, of the defective
rod-like article has ended;
[0039] FIG. 3d shows the apparatus according to the invention in
the first embodiment when the rejecting unit has moved to a
position at which pulling out by means extraction needle, of the
defective rod-like article has ended;
[0040] FIG. 4 shows the apparatus according to the invention in a
second embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 5 shows the apparatus according to the invention in a
third embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 6 shows the rejecting unit of the apparatus according
to the invention in a top view;
[0043] FIG. 7 shows a method for determining the position of a
defective rod-like article in the mass flow;
[0044] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a system according to the
invention in a preferred embodiment;
[0045] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a side view of the mass flow containing
defective rod-like articles, presenting various defects of the
rod-like articles.
[0046] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 1 for rejection of defective
rod-like articles comprising a monitoring unit 100 and a rejecting
unit 200 situated together around a mass flow of rod-like articles
R. The mass flow M of rod-like articles R is effected on a conveyor
10 in the direction T.
[0047] The monitoring unit 100 comprises optical recorders 101
situated on two sides of the mass flow of rod-like articles R. The
optical recorders 101 may be video cameras, photographic cameras or
other devices able to record an image representing the side
surfaces of the mass flow of rod-like articles R. The monitoring
unit 100 has a controller which is adapted to optically determine
geometrical parameters of rod-like articles R, in particular to
determine the geometrical parameters of the front surface of
rod-like articles R forming the mass flow M on the conveyor 10.
[0048] The rejecting unit 200 comprises a pushing element 201 and a
restraining element 202. Both the pushing element 201 and the
restraining element 202 are moved by means of actuators, whereas
the actuator moving the pushing element 201 is adapted to make a
travel being greater than the length of the rod-like articles R so
that the rod-like article to be pushed out leaves the mass flow M
of rod-like articles. The restraining element 202 makes movements
in the axis of the rod-like articles R with a relatively small
travel. The function of the restraining element 202 is to restrain
the rod-like articles R situated directly around the defective
rod-like article Rd to be pushed out. Due to the friction among
individual articles R in the mass flow M, pushing out a defective
article Rd may cause slipping out of the rod-like articles R having
correct parameters. This is why the restraining element 202 has
been applied.
[0049] The pushing element 201 preferably has the form of a rod
having a diameter smaller than or equal to the diameter of the
rod-like article R, or the form of a rod provided with a pushing
tip with a corresponding diameter smaller than or equal to the
diameter of the rod-like article R. The restraining element 202
preferably has the form of a plate having a hole 208 with a
diameter greater than the diameter of the rod-like article R.
Optionally, the restraining element 202 may have the form of a ring
or a set of restraining rods which make it impossible for the
rod-like articles R adjacent to a defective rod-like article Rd to
slip out. In other variants of the first embodiment (FIG. 3b, 3c,
3d) the restraining element 202 may have the form of a plate
without hole, or other element to restrain the defective rod-like
article Rd during pulling out or suction from the mass flow M of
rod-like articles.
[0050] A significant feature of the rejecting unit 200 is that it
is mounted in such a way that it moves along together with the mass
flow M of rod-like articles R. The rejecting unit 200 can be
mounted on movable arms 209, 209' driven separately one from
another, moved on rails 210, 201' in direction parallel to the
direction of the of the mass flow of rod-like articles on a
conveyor 10 consistent with the axis X. The first end of arms 209,
209' driven by motor 211, 211' moves on the rail 210, 210' while
the other end of arms are connected by pivot. By changing spacing
between arms 209, 209', the height of the pushing element 201 and
the restraining element 202 are changed. In order to align the
pushing element 201 with the rejecting hole 208 located in the
restraining element 202, the spacing between arms 209, 209' should
have the same value. In other embodiment of the rejecting unit
drive the pushing element 201 and the restraining element 202 of
rejecting unit 200 can be mounted on the manipulator arm. Due to
the movable mounting of the rejecting unit 200, the process of
pushing out defective rod-like articles Rd from the mass flow is
effected without the need of dedicated stopping of the mass flow.
In a situation where the mass flow stops, the rejecting unit 200
also stops and may carry out the procedure of pushing out a
defective rod-like article Rd from the stopped mass flow M.
Optionally, the mass flow of rod-like articles R may be stopped at
the time of performance of the operation of pushing out a defective
rod-like article Rd by movable the rejecting unit 200. It is
possible to stopped the rejection unit 200 at the time of
performance of the operation of pushing out a defective rod-like
article Rd from the moving mass flow M. Preferably the movable
mounting of the rejecting unit 200 is adapted in such way that at
the time of performance of the operation of pushing out a defective
rod-like article Rd is moving while the mass flow M with conveyor
are stopped. In other embodiment mounting of the rejecting unit 200
is adapted in such way that at the time of performance of the
operation of pushing out a defective rod-like article Rd, whereas
mass flow M of rod-like articles R on a conveyor moves with
defective rod-like articles Rd. In this embodiment the working
speed of the rejecting unit 200 is high enough and the rejection
time is short enough that the mass flow M remain undisturbed.
Furthermore in other embodiment mounting of the rejecting unit 200
is adapted in such way that at the time of performance of rejection
of the defected rod-like article Rd, is stopped together with the
mass flow M.
[0051] FIG. 1 also shows a controller 300 constituting an integral
part of the apparatus 1. Its function is to identify a defective
rod-like article Rd basing on received data from the monitoring
unit 100, and to determine its exact position in order to enable
the rejecting unit 200 to push out a proper rod-like article Rd
from the mass flow of rod-like articles R. The controller 300,
basing on the recorded images using the criteria concerning
geometrical parameters of the opposite front surfaces of rod-like
articles R, identifies defective rod-like articles Rd in the mass
flow M, and determines the position of defective rod-like articles
Rd in the mass flow. The positioning of the recorders 101 on both
sides of the mass flow M of rod-like articles R enables detecting
articles whose defects occur on a single front surface. Using the
recording of two images it is also possible to eliminate errors in
location of defective rod-like articles caused by skewed rod-like
articles R in the mass flow M.
[0052] In the embodiment shown, the image of each side of the mass
flow of rod-like articles R is recorded by means of at least one
camera 101. It is also possible to use two cameras on each side of
the mass flow. Two cameras may be arranged at a different angle to
the source of light. Such solution enables recording both reflected
and scattered light. Two cameras may be also cameras of different
type. The use of a colour camera allows obtaining more detailed
information concerning the shape and colour of the rod-like
articles, while the monochromatic cameras are considerably faster
and enable more accurate tracking of changes during the flow of the
rod-like articles.
[0053] FIG. 2 shows the apparatus 1 during the operation. The
monitoring unit 100 has identified a defective rod-like article Rd
in the mass flow M of rod-like articles R on the conveyor 10. The
controller 300, basing on the data from the monitoring unit 100,
has determined the position of the defective rod-like article Rd in
the mass flow M and has sent control signals to the rejecting unit
200 which has moved the pushing element 201 and the restraining
element 202 to a position enabling them to push out the defective
rod-like article Rd from the mass flow M. In the embodiment shown,
the rejecting unit 200 moves along together with the mass flow M of
rod-like articles R in the direction T. The movement of the
rejecting unit 200 is adjusted to the speed of the mass flow M so
that during the operation of pushing out a defective rod-like
article Rd the pushing element 201, the restraining element 202,
and the defective rod-like article Rd do not move relative to one
another in the XY-plane. The constant reciprocal position between
the rejecting unit 200 and the defective rod-like article Rd in the
mass flow M is maintained in the follow-up mode regardless of
whether the mass flow M moves with a constant speed or whether its
speed varies or the mass flow M is stopped.
[0054] Furthermore, the pushing element 201 and the restraining
element 202 may independently make movements in the perpendicular
direction to the front surfaces of rod-like articles R in the mass
flow M. The independent movement of the restraining element 202
towards the axis Z is effected before pushing out the defective
rod-like article Rd, until a position is reached in which the front
surfaces of rod-like articles R situated around the defective
rod-like article Rd to be rejected are pressed by the restraining
element 202. Such position of the restraining element 202 is
maintained relative to the rod-like articles R until the moment of
pushing out the defective rod-like article Rd from the mass flow M.
The independent movement of the pushing element 201 is effected
when the defective rod-like article Rd is being pushed out and
consists in pushing the restraining element 202 of the defective
rod-like article Rd through the rejection hole 208. The function of
the pushing element 201 is to push out an individual defective
rod-like article Rd from the mass flow M.
[0055] FIG. 3 shows the apparatus 1 according to the invention when
the rejecting unit 200 has rejected a defective rod-like article
Rd. The pushing element 201 of the rejecting unit 200 has pushed
out the defective rod-like article Rd in the direction Z, outside
the mass flow M, whereas the restraining element 202 during pushing
out of the defective rod-like article Rd restrains the rod-like
articles R adjacent to the defective rod-like article Rd. Having
pushed out the defective rod-like article Rd, the restraining
element 202 returns to its initial position or may move to a point
at which another defective rod-like article Rd to be rejected is
positioned.
[0056] FIG. 3a shows the apparatus 1 according to the invention
when the rejecting unit 200 has rejected a defective rod-like
article Rd. In the embodiment shown the rejecting element 203 is a
compressed air nozzle connected to compressed air supply of pump
206. The compressed air stream 207 of the rejecting element 203 has
corresponding diameter, blowing time and power, to blow out the
defective rod-like article Rd from the mass flow M, without
damaging adjacent rod-like article R. The rejecting element 203 of
the rejecting unit 200 has blown out the defective rod-like article
Rd in the direction E, outside the mass flow M, whereas the
restraining element 202 during blowing out the defective rod-like
article Rd restrains the rod-like articles R adjacent to the
defective rod-like article Rd. Having blown out the defective
rod-like article Rd from the mass flow M, the restraining element
202 together with the rejecting element 203 returns to its initial
position or may move to a point at which another defective rod-like
article Rd to be rejected is positioned.
[0057] FIG. 3b shows the apparatus 1 according to the invention
when the rejecting unit 200 has rejected a defective rod-like
article Rd. In the embodiment shown the rejecting element 204 is a
suction nozzle to sucked out the defective rod-like article Rd from
the mass flow M. The diameter of suction nozzle is much bigger that
the diameter of the defective rod-like article Rd. The rejecting
element 204 is connected to gauge pressure supply 206, which suck
out the defective rod-like article Rd in the direction E outside
the mass flow M, without disturbing the mass flow M. Having sucked
out the defective rod-like article Rd from the mass flow M, the
restraining element 202 together with the rejecting element 204
returns to its initial position or may move to a point at which
another defective rod-like article Rd to be rejected is
positioned.
[0058] FIG. 3c shows the apparatus 1 according to the invention
when the rejecting unit 200 has rejected a defective rod-like
article Rd. In the embodiment shown the rejecting element 205 is a
pulling out element in a form of pliers to pulled out the defective
rod-like article Rd from the mass flow M. Having pulled out the
defective rod-like article Rd from the mass flow M, the restraining
element 202 together with the rejecting element 205 returns to its
initial position or may move to a point at which another defective
rod-like article Rd to be rejected is positioned.
[0059] The rejecting element 205 to pulling out the defected
rod-like article Rd from the mass flow M, may have form of
extraction needle 205' with hooked end, showed at cross-section A
in FIG. 3d. The defective rod-like element Rd is pierced deep
enough by the rejecting element 205', to hooked the defective
rod-like article
[0060] Rd and to pulled out the defective rod-like article Rd from
the mass flow M without disturbing the mass flow
[0061] M.
[0062] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the apparatus 1
according to the invention wherein the rejecting unit 200 in a
double configuration was used. The rejecting unit 200 according to
the second embodiment is provided with a first rejecting element
201 and a second rejecting element 201', and with a first
restraining element 202 and a second restraining element 202'. In
this embodiment of the invention, the controller 300 by identifying
the position of the defective rod-like articles Rd and Rd' controls
the rejecting unit 200 so that the first rejecting element 201
rejects the first defective rod-like article Rd, and the second
rejecting element 201' rejects the second defective rod-like
article Rd'. The controller 300 is adapted to optimise the sequence
of rejection of defective rod-like articles by minimising the time
needed to remove all defective rod-like articles Rd, Rd' from the
mass flow of rod-like articles R.
[0063] It is possible to apply other optimisation techniques, for
example techniques taking into consideration not only the time
needed to remove all the defective rod-like articles Rd, Rd', but
also the degree of damage, the number of defective rod-like
articles Rd, Rd', their position and distance relative to one
another. Preferably the sequence of rejection of defective rod-like
articles from the mass flow is determined on the basis of the
smallest influence on the position of the next defective rod-like
article Rd, Rd' in the mass flow M of rod-like articles R, in
particular the defective rod-like articles Rd, Rd' are rejected
beginning from the uppermost layer.
[0064] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the apparatus 1 according
to the invention. In this embodiment, the rejecting unit 200 has a
double configuration similar to the configuration of the embodiment
shown in FIG. 4, modified in such a way that the rejection of
defective rod-like articles Rd, Rd' is possible on both sides of
the mass flow M. In this embodiment, the restraining element 202'
is situated on the same side of the mass flow M of rod-like
articles R as the pushing element 201. Similarly, the pushing
element 201' is situated on the same side of the mass flow M of
rod-like articles R as the restraining element 202.
[0065] Double configurations of the rejecting unit are used when
the number of defective rod-like articles Rd, Rd' in the mass flow
M of rod-like articles R is considerable or the speed of movement
of the mass flow is high, i.e. in any situation where due to
mechanical limitations the use of a single rejecting unit does not
ensure a sufficient efficiency.
[0066] FIG. 6 shows the rejecting unit 200 of the apparatus 1
according to the invention in a top view. The restraining element
202 is shown in a cross-section taken at a level corresponding to
the centre of the rejection hole 208.
[0067] The pushing element 201 and the restraining element 202 are
positioned in one axis with the defective rod-like article Rd. The
positioning in one axis is to be understood in such a way that the
axis of the element 201 and the centre of the rejection hole 208 of
the element 202 overlap the axis of the defective rod-like article
Rd.
[0068] FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic side view of the mass flow M of
rod-like articles R with marked position of the defective rod-like
article Rd. The coordinates x and y in the local coordinate system
related to the monitoring unit 100 are determined based on the
image 110 of the side surface of the mass flow M, comprising the
view of the front surfaces of rod-like articles R among which the
defective rod-like article Rd is situated. The system of local
coordinates x', y' related to the rejecting unit 200 is situated at
the distance L from the local coordinate system related to the
monitoring unit 100. Preferably the mass flow M between the
monitoring unit 100 and the rejecting unit 200 moves along with a
constant speed, horizontally, therefore the information about the
distance between the systems and the speed of movement of the mass
flow M is sufficient to connect local coordinate systems and
determine the position of the defective rod-like article Rd in the
local coordinate system of the rejecting unit x', y'. However, also
such positioning of the rejecting unit 200 relative to the
monitoring unit 100 is possible where in order to determine the
position of the defective rod-like article Rd in the local
coordinate system the translation by a vector L comprising all
components in all axes of the global coordinate system and the
function of change of speed of the mass flow M in time and space
will be required.
[0069] In the preferred embodiment, the position of a defective
rod-like article Rd on the conveyor 10 may be defined by the
position y and the position x in the local coordinate system,
whereas the local coordinate system is preferably positioned in
such a way that its axis y overlays the front surface of rod-like
articles R situated on the conveyor 10 so that the position y is
the distance from the longitudinal axis of the defective rod-like
article Rd to the base of the mass flow M formed by the band of the
conveyor 10. Since in the preferred embodiment the mass flow M of
rod-like articles R is effected on the horizontal band conveyor 10,
the position y does not change during the transport from the area
of the monitoring unit 110 to the area of the rejecting unit 120.
The position x is determined in relation to the origin of the local
coordinate system being an arbitrarily selected point in the area
of the monitoring unit 110. The local coordinate system related to
the rejecting unit is determined in the space in a similar way.
Having such a definition of local coordinate systems, the
information about the distance between the origins of local
coordinate systems is sufficient to determine the position of the
defective rod-like article Rd. In the preferred embodiment of the
apparatus 1 wherein the defective rod-like article Rd is being
pushed out during the movement of the mass flow M, the distance L
between the local coordinate systems changes with the movement of
the rejecting unit 200.
[0070] The speed of movement of the mass flow M may be determined
by means of a separate speed sensor (not shown) or based on the
data coming from the images collected by the monitoring unit
100.
[0071] FIG. 8 shows a system for determining the quality of
rod-like articles in the tobacco industry comprising the first
apparatus 1 according to the invention for the rejection of
defective rod-like articles from the mass flow of rod-like
articles, and at least one intermediate apparatus 3, in particular
a transport chain apparatus.
[0072] The system is further provided with the second apparatus 1'
which is provided either only with the monitoring unit 100 or also
with the rejecting unit 200 like the first apparatus 1. So
preferably, in the system there are two apparatuses 1 according to
the invention determining the quality of rod-like articles R at the
beginning of the transport chain and at the end of the transport
chain or transport chain fragment.
[0073] The apparatus 1' may constitute a truncated version of the
apparatus 1 wherein the monitoring apparatus comprises the
monitoring unit 100' and has optical recorders 101' recording the
images of opposite side surfaces of the mass flow M of rod-like
articles R on the conveyor, and the controller 300 which basing on
the recorded images, using the criteria concerning geometrical
parameters of the opposite front surfaces of the rod-like articles
R, identifies defective rod-like articles Rd in the mass flow M.
The second apparatus 1' may be further provided with the rejecting
unit 200'.
[0074] The comparison of the number of defective rod-like articles
Rd in the mass flow M at two points of the transport chain allows
determining the influence of apparatuses 3 situated between the
apparatuses 1 and 1' on the quality of the rod-like articles. The
intermediate apparatuses 3 whose influence on the quality of the
rod-like articles R may be determined include for example a loader,
a tray, an unloader, a band conveyor, and a buffer store.
[0075] The system being situated between a delivery unit 2, to
deliver the rod-like articles R to the system and a receiving unit
2', to receive the rod-like articles R from the system.
[0076] FIGS. 9 and 10 show an example fragment of the mass flow M
of rod-like articles R in the area of the monitoring unit 110
recorded by one of the optical recorders. The shown example
fragment comprises a group of rod-like articles R among which a
defective rod-like article Rd is situated. FIG. 10 shows examples
of defects of the rod-like articles R which may be detected in the
apparatus according to the invention, these include circumferential
deformations Rd, tears Rd', squashings Rd'', burrs Rd''' and the
like, being visible on any of the front surfaces of the defective
rod-like article R, in particular the symmetricity, the regularity
of shape of the front surface of a rod-like article R, the
continuity of the wrapper, the wrappings of the wrapper, and the
symmetricity of insert elements visible from the front side of the
article.
[0077] An advantage of the method, the apparatus and the system
according to the invention is that they may be installed in
existing transport systems, they do not affect the mass flow M and
the process of transport of the rod-like articles R, in addition,
all the rod-like articles R flowing in the mass flow M are
analysed, enable detecting defects occurring on both sides or on
one side regardless of the side on which such defects occurs.
* * * * *