Television – Special applications – Flaw detector
Reexamination Certificate
1997-06-10
2001-01-30
Kelley, Chris S. (Department: 2713)
Television
Special applications
Flaw detector
C131S280000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181372
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of verifying the external integrity of cigarettes.
In particular, the invention is pertinent to a method of the aforementioned type such as can be employed, preferably, in cigarette manufacturing machines.
It is standard practice in the art field of cigarette manufacture to verify the external integrity of the finished cigarettes by causing the single cigarettes to advance in succession, with their respective axes disposed transversely to the direction of movement, along a predetermined monitoring path extending past an optical quality control device located following a manufacturing unit in the feed direction.
The quality control device in question is designed to sample a limited number of generators delineating the outer surface of each cigarette produced, by reading images of these same sample generators and comparing each registered image with a model or reference image, to the end of indicating any superficial defects of manufacture that might be present (e.g. badly formed and/or obstructed ventilation holes, edges not gummed, incorrect positioning and/or strength of print, etc.) and thus establishing whether or not the cigarette is of acceptable quality.
The quality control device consists generally in a solid state camera with a CCD array, familiar to those skilled in the art as a Line Scan Camera, which as the name implies is designed to read an object by scanning a single line. In operation, the scan line falls on a sample generator of the outer surface presented by the cigarette passing in front of the camera at a given moment.
It is the usual practice to scan a plurality of sample generators per single cigarette, utilizing a plurality of cameras ranged along the monitoring path: accordingly, the cigarette is made to rotate around its own longitudinal axis while progressing from one camera to the next, so that a different generator will be presented to each camera in turn.
A monitoring method of the type outlined above betrays the drawback that in the event of foreign matter (such as specks of dust, particulates, tobacco filler, etc.) occupying the space in between the cigarette and the optical device during the reading operation, this is interpreted by the device as a flaw and the cigarette will be rejected even though perfectly good. In other words, it cannot be guaranteed a priori that an error signal generated by the device effectively indicates a defective cigarette on every occasion.
The drawback in question is highlighted especially in dusty surroundings, such as those in which a cigarette manufacturing machine will typically operate.
The object of the invention is to provide a method of monitoring the external integrity of cigarettes such as will remain free of the drawback described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The stated object is realized according to the present invention in a method for monitoring the external integrity of cigarettes that comprises the steps of advancing cigarettes in a predetermined feed direction by means of a conveyor, each accommodated within a respective seat afforded by the conveyor and following a path of which one section is a monitoring path, and examining each cigarette in respect of its external characteristics while in movement along the monitoring path.
In the method disclosed, the step of examining the external characteristics of the cigarettes is effected using at least one set of multiline optical scanning means positioned along the monitoring path, such as will execute a plurality of pulsed optical scans at successive intervals. Each scan coincides with one of a cluster of corresponding parallel lines disposed one alongside another, and each cigarette is examined by scanning a given generator of its cylindrical surface more than once on different lines succeeding one another sequentially and synchronously with the movement of the cigarette along the monitoring path in the feed direction.
The stated object is realized similarly, according to the invention, in a device for implementation of the method described above.
A device according to the invention for monitoring the external integrity of cigarettes comprises a conveyor affording a plurality of seats caused to advance in a feed direction along a predetermined path, of which one section is a monitoring path, each accommodating a respective cigarette disposed with its longitudinal axis transverse to the feed direction, and at least one set of optical scanning means located along the monitoring path and designed to examine the external characteristics of at least one generator presented by each cigarette advancing along the monitoring path.
To advantage, the optical scanning means are of a multiline type such as will execute a plurality of discrete scans on a respective plurality of lines disposed parallel with and alongside one another in a cluster; also, the device comprises timing means by which the operation of the optical scanning means is synchronized with the movement of the conveyor so that the plurality of scans will fall on one and the same generator of each advancing cigarette.
In a preferred embodiment, optical scanning means will comprise at least one solid state camera using a CCD array and capable of multiline scanning (referred to conventionally as a Time Delay and Integration Line Scan Camera).
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Chini Stefano
Di Stefano Giuseppe
Neri Armando
G.D S.p.A.
Kelley Chris S.
Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP
Vo Tung
LandOfFree
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