Method of, and device for, checking cigarettes

US6508138B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Focke & Co. · DE

Inventors

• Heinz Focke · Verden, DE
• Kurt Meyer · Kirchlinteln, DE
• Dietrich Below · Gardelegen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 27, 2000
• Grant date: Jan 21, 2003
• Expiry date: Apr 27, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65B19/32
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of, and to a device for, checking cigarettes (12) during the production or packaging of the cigarettes (12), a push rod (35) being displaced axially in the direction of a cigarette end, with the result that, in the event of the incorrect formation or absence of a cigarette (12), the push rod (35) assumes a position other than an ideal position. The invention is based on the problem of improving the operation of checking cigarettes and of configuring this operation such that it is less susceptible to malfunctioning.This problem is solved by a method according to the invention in that an electric, magnetic or electromagnetic field assigned to a sensor (32, 53) is influenced in dependence on the position of the push rod (35), a signal which corresponds to the push-rod position being generated as a result of said field being influenced. The invention also relates to a device for implementing said method.