Method of and apparatus for ascertaining the transverse dimensions of rod-shaped articles

US7262868B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• HAUNI MASCHINENBAU GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Siegfried Hapke · Geesthacht, DE
• Dirk Sacher · Bargteheide, DE
• Dierk Schröder · Ahlhorn, DE
• Peter Straube · Hamburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 5, 2004
• Grant date: Aug 28, 2007
• Expiry date: Nov 19, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01B11/105
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of and to an apparatus for ascertaining the transverse dimensions, such as diameters, of one or more rod-shaped articles, for example, continuous or finite-length cigarette rods and/or other rod-shaped smokers' products. When the method and/or the apparatus is utilized to ascertain the transverse dimensions of a single rod-shaped article, such as a continuous cigarette rod-which is stationary, which turns about its longitudinal axis and/or which is moved lengthwise, the apparatus can employ at least one radiation source which emits a beam of radiation against the stationary or moving article whereby the article intercepts a first portion of the beam and permits the remaining portion to impinge upon a device which evaluates the non-intercepted portion of the beam and generates signals denoting the diameter of the article. The apparatus also employs an arrangement, such as a motor and a belt-and-pulley device, for selectively altering the orientation of the beam and the article relative to each other; this enables the evaluating device to furnish signals which can be processed to indicate whether or not the article is round or out of round.