EP1176092B1 - Method and apparatus for inspecting cigarette ends - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for inspecting cigarette ends Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1176092B1
EP1176092B1 EP20010118002 EP01118002A EP1176092B1 EP 1176092 B1 EP1176092 B1 EP 1176092B1 EP 20010118002 EP20010118002 EP 20010118002 EP 01118002 A EP01118002 A EP 01118002A EP 1176092 B1 EP1176092 B1 EP 1176092B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cigarette
light
image
regions
detector
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EP20010118002
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1176092A1 (en
Inventor
Heinz Focke
Franz Parzefall
Winfried Niebler
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Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG
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Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/32—Separating, ordering, counting or examining cigarettes; Regulating the feeding of tobacco according to rod or cigarette condition
    • A24C5/34—Examining cigarettes or the rod, e.g. for regulating the feeding of tobacco; Removing defective cigarettes
    • A24C5/3412—Examining cigarettes or the rod, e.g. for regulating the feeding of tobacco; Removing defective cigarettes by means of light, radiation or electrostatic fields
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
    • B65B19/28—Control devices for cigarette or cigar packaging machines
    • B65B19/30—Control devices for cigarette or cigar packaging machines responsive to presence of faulty articles, e.g. incorrectly filled cigarettes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for testing cigarette heads, wherein a Cigarette head is irradiated with light and reflected light from the cigarette head is received by a detector, wherein irradiating and receiving reflected light at an angle, in particular triangulation angle, to each other run, and the received light is evaluated to be in the presence of a not to produce a proper signal to reject a cigar. Further
  • the invention relates to a corresponding device for testing Cigarettes heads.
  • a test method or a test device for non-contact is known Check cigarette heads with a straight line on a tobacco side Cigarette head is blasted. If the cigarette is not working properly with tobacco filled, the line appears - when viewed from another angle becomes - no more than a straight line, but as a snake line or as interrupted Schlangeline. This image is captured by a sensor. Finally, the pixels that are inside and outside a narrow Area around an imaginary, theoretical straight line lie, counted and in Set relation to each other. If this ratio is a limit This should indicate that a cigarette is not working properly is filled.
  • This type of checking has the disadvantage that it is inaccurate and not exact Statements about the condition of a cigarette allowed.
  • From DE 40 00 658 A1 is an optical test method of cigarette ends in which a picture taken by illuminated cigarette ends is known is processed. The brightness values of individual pixels are examined. The Number of pixels with the same brightness is added and added to a coordinate system applied to a histogram. There are three in this histogram characteristic maxima. The number of pixels belonging to one of the maxima becomes counted. If the number of pixels in this maximum within given Limits, the respective cigarette is evaluated as correct and the next one Examined cigarette. This is an irradiation of an area of the Cigarette head, namely its complete face, known after only a criterion, namely the number of "almost black" pixels, evaluated becomes.
  • EP 0 843 974 A2 is an optical test method of cigarette ends known, in which the cigarette end by light directed by light guide illuminated and the reflection at different angles by means of two another light guide is led to each one (brightness) sensor. From the Difference of the brightnesses detected by both sensors is on the Correctness of the respective cigarette closed. It will only be one area of the Cigarette end irradiated. Because the reflected light only from one sensor is recorded, only the average brightness of the two reflections related to each other, so the evaluation also after only a criterion takes place.
  • EP 0 630 586 A2 describes an optical test method of cigarette ends, in which by means of a linear sensor, a brightness curve from the reflection of the lit cigarette end and to a contrast curve and finally a contrast index is processed.
  • the contrast index is with a predetermined reference value and then on the correctness of the closed each cigarette.
  • the invention is therefore based on the problem of testing To improve cigarettes.
  • Fig. 1 shows a test apparatus 10 for testing cigarette heads 11 of a cigarette formation 12.
  • the testing device 10 preferably checks the tobacco-side ends of cigarettes, they However, it can also be used to check filter-side cigarette heads be used.
  • the test apparatus 10 has a light source 13 which has a plurality of preferably three, individual light sources, in particular laser diodes, having.
  • the individual light sources 14 are each with Light pipes 15 connected, that of the individual light sources 14 outgoing light to a lens aperture system 16, comprising one or more lenses 17 and a diaphragm 18, which are housed in particular in a housing 19.
  • That of the lens aperture system 16 facing ends of Light pipes 15 outgoing light is substantially parallel aligned and has one shown in Fig. 1a respectively circular cross-section on. That of the individual light sources 14 emitted light thus occurs in a substantially columnar in the lens aperture system 16 a.
  • the light becomes such herein widened by the lenses 17 and formed by the aperture 18, that it is on the opposite side - the exit side -
  • the lens aperture system 16 in turn substantially parallel, columnar structured and uniformly shaped, exit. Through this structuring, different Areas of a cigarette head 11 sharply delineated illuminated become. That a cigarette head 11 is within a one Area delimiting perimeter line evenly with light irradiated. A cigarette head 11 is in several such Divided areas. The areas cover the largest overall Part of the face of a cigarette head.
  • the light is on the cigarette heads 11 facing the end of the lens aperture system 16 non-parallel, but converging or diverging out.
  • the Light source 13 and the lens aperture system 16 and the detector 20 are spatially spaced apart at an angle, in particular triangulation angle 21, arranged. To this The way the cigarette heads 11 radiate also run way and the reflected light rays received by the detector 20 in this triangulation angle to each other.
  • the triangulation angle 21 is in the range between 10 ° and 80 °, preferably 20 ° and 60 °, more preferably 20 ° to 30 °, and is preferably essentially 25 °.
  • the detector 20 has an output line 22, which with a (not shown) evaluation unit connected by means of those generated by the detector mappings the irradiated areas are evaluated. The evaluation unit generated in the presence of an improper Cigarette a reject signal. Such a reject signal leads to the rejection of the recognized as defective cigarette or cigarette formation.
  • the individual light sources 14 are connected to a (not shown) Connected control unit, by means of which the individual light sources 14 can be switched on and off individually.
  • This control unit is so operable that in each case only one light source can be turned on while the rest are turned off stay. That way, those on the cigarette heads selected area are irradiated successively, so that interference between the areas is excluded are. This is particularly advantageous when the areas are so are selected so that they partially overlap.
  • the control unit can also be operated in this way be that the individual light sources simultaneously and be turned off.
  • the test takes place in such a way that every area of a cigarette head of a cigarette formation each time only irradiated. This can be during a current one Standstill phase of the cigarette formation take place.
  • Fig. 2 shows the aperture 18 in an enlarged view.
  • the aperture 18 each has a cigarette of the cigarette formation 12 associated opening 23, unhindered by the light can pass through.
  • the arrangement of the openings 23 corresponds the arrangement of the cigarettes within the cigarette formation 12th
  • FIG. 3 shows the front side of the cigarette formation 12 with 20 Cigarette heads 11.
  • Each cigarette head 11 are several, namely three, uniform, in particular circular Areas 24 assigned consecutively or simultaneously with Be irradiated light. These areas 24 arise in the same On each cigarette head 11 of the cigarette formation 12 thanks to the plurality of individual light sources 14 and the lens aperture system 16.
  • the emanating from a single light source 14 Light is widened by the lenses 17 and through the Aperture 18 structured such that on each cigarette head the cigarette formation a circular illuminated area 24th is produced. Due to the expansion, there is an overlap the areas 24 of different individual light sources 14 according to the manner shown in Fig. 3. At a lower level at widening, an overlap of the areas can be avoided so that the regions 24 are spaced apart or tangent are arranged together.
  • Fig. 4 shows a single cigarette head 11 in enlarged Presentation. Of the three areas to be irradiated is only the upper, black area 24 momentarily illuminated, while the other two areas are unlit and only schematic are shown. All three areas 24 are partial arranged overlapping. There will only be one of these areas 24 irradiated with light.
  • Fig. 5 shows a spaced arrangement of the regions 24 a cigarette head 11. In this arrangement, all three Area are irradiated simultaneously with light. alternative For example, the areas may be arranged to contact each other just touch the edges.
  • FIG. 6 shows an image 25 generated by the detector 20 from several, namely three sub-areas 26. Due to the angular arrangement of light source 13 and detector 20, in particular in triangulation angle 21, as well as the unevenness of the Surface of a cigarette head 11 is formed in the detector 20th an illustration of the example. Irradiated as shown in Fig. 4 Area 24 with a plurality of partial surfaces 26, between which apparently unlighted areas 27 are. These seemingly unlit areas 27 arise due to shadows, that of the unevenness of the tobacco structure or filter structure be generated. The stronger these bumps are formed are, the larger the seemingly unlit areas or the more unlit areas arise. hereby increases the length of the perimeter of Figure 25 or the total length of all peripheral lines of all partial surfaces 26.
  • the invention has recognized that the length of the circumferential line A measure of the quality of the surface of a cigarette head 11 is.
  • the circumferential line is still the length of the connecting lines between the centroids of the faces 26th added, with preferred only the lengths of the connecting lines the largest partial area 26 is taken into account to the other partial areas become.
  • Fig. 7 shows a cigarette head 11 with a compared to Fig. 6 more uniform surface, i. a surface with less roughness.
  • Figure 25 only exists in this case from a single surface, however, is the circular structure the illuminated area of an irregular border.
  • the cigarette heads 11 are circular shown. In fact, however, would be at a complete Illumination of the cigarette heads 11 an elliptical border the cigarette heads are imaged by the detector 20.
  • FIG. 7 shows illustration 25 in several, for example, in FIG. 6 shown partial surfaces 26, it lacks parts of Figure 25 or the outline of Figure 25 is less smooth.
  • a binarization of the received from the detector image signal Around To evaluate these phenomena, a binarization of the received from the detector image signal. The so binarized Illustration then becomes based on the criteria described in more detail below evaluated.
  • FIGS. 8A to 8 show eight different criteria of the evaluated ones Pictures and their results for every 25 cigarettes.
  • the 25 cigarettes are each plotted on the abscissa, while each determined values of a criterion plotted on the ordinate.
  • the cigarettes are 1 to 10 properly formed cigarettes while the cigarettes 11 to 25 are not properly trained cigarettes.
  • FIG. 8B illustrates as a criterion the total area of an image 25, possibly taking into account its partial areas 26. If the total area lies above a limit value GR B , then a cigarette is found to be good. Accordingly, a cigarette is considered bad if the value of the total area is below this limit GR B.
  • FIG. 8D illustrates the maximum diameter of an image, which may be measured over a plurality of sub-areas 26.
  • the maximum diameter can also be determined as the diameter of the convex circumference.
  • the convex circumference refers to the curve with the shortest length that encloses all faces of an image. A cigarette is judged to be correct if a limit GR D for the maximum diameter is undershot. Accordingly, a cigarette is found to be improper if this limit GR D is exceeded.
  • FIG. 8H similarly illustrates the minimum diameter of an image or through the partial areas of an image or the minimum diameter of the structure enclosed by the convex circumferential line. If the determined minimum diameter exceeds a limit GR H , a cigarette is deemed to be correct. Accordingly, a cigarette is found to be abnormal if this limit GR H is exceeded.
  • Figure 8C illustrates the mean diameter of a map that can be determined as the average of minimum and maximum diameters. Alternatively, this diameter can also be determined as the average of all the diameter resulting with respect to the convex circumferential line. If the mean diameter exceeds a limit GR C , a cigarette is judged to be correct. Accordingly, a cigarette will be deemed improper if this limit is exceeded.
  • Fig. 8E illustrates the so-called elongation, which is determined as the ratio of maximum diameter to minimum diameter. If the elongation falls below a threshold GR E , a cigarette is judged to be proper, and accordingly a cigarette will be deemed to be improper if this limit is exceeded.
  • Fig. 8G illustrates the so-called compactness of an image.
  • the compactness is a measure that is calculated from the squared length of the circumference, which is divided by the product "4 ⁇ total area".
  • the length of the circumferential line of an image is calculated if necessary, taking into account the lengths of the peripheral lines of the individual partial areas belonging to an image, in particular taking into account the lengths of the connecting lines of the centroids from the largest partial area to the remaining partial areas. If the value of compactness falls below a limit GR G , a cigarette is judged to be proper, accordingly a cigarette will be deemed to be improper if this limit is exceeded.
  • fracture Another criterion is the so-called "fracture" of an image.
  • the fracture is determined by the length of the circumference in the sense of one of the above definitions in proportion to the length of the convex circumference.
  • the optically measured cigarette length can be from a triangulation measurement be won. This is useful if that of the Lens iris system directed to the cigarette heads light is formed in parallel. This is a possible deviation, in particular a distance, the position of the image of a irradiated area from an expected position of a Illustration of a corresponding area of an ideal cigarette head determined and from the deviation the length of the tested Cigarette calculated. In another method is from the size or area of an image the length of the cigarette calculated. Prerequisite for this procedure is that that of the lens aperture system 16 on the cigarette heads emitted light non-parallel, but diverging or is converging.
  • FIG. 9 shows a table of the evaluation of the examinations illustrated in FIGS. 8A to H.
  • a dot in this table identifies a cigarette that has been found to be improper by the criterion associated with the corresponding column.
  • a reject signal is generated by the evaluation unit when at least one such point has been assigned to a cigarette, ie has been found to be improper by at least one criterion.
  • the limit values of the criteria GR A to GR H are generously selected, ie a cigarette is tended to be more likely to be good than bad.
  • At least two become one another combined to produce a reject signal if necessary. It but can also be three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more criteria for forming a reject signal with each other be combined. The larger the number combined with each other Criteria is, the higher the degree of reliability when detecting an improper cigarette.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Manufacturing Of Cigar And Cigarette Tobacco (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Prüfen von Zigarettenköpfen, wobei ein Zigarettenkopf mit Licht bestrahlt wird und vom Zigarettenkopf reflektiertes Licht von einem Detektor empfangen wird, wobei bestrahlendes und empfangenes reflektiertes Licht in einem Winkel, insbesondere Triangulationswinkel, zueinander verlaufen, und das empfangene Licht ausgewertet wird, um bei Vorliegen einer nicht ordnungsgemäßen Zigarette ein Ausschusssignal zu erzeugen. Ferner betrifft die Erfindung eine korrespondierende Vorrichtung zum Prüfen von Zigarettenköpfen.The invention relates to a method for testing cigarette heads, wherein a Cigarette head is irradiated with light and reflected light from the cigarette head is received by a detector, wherein irradiating and receiving reflected light at an angle, in particular triangulation angle, to each other run, and the received light is evaluated to be in the presence of a not to produce a proper signal to reject a cigar. Further The invention relates to a corresponding device for testing Cigarettes heads.

Bekannt ist ein Prüfungsverfahren bzw. eine Prüfvorrichtung zum berührungslosen Prüfen von Zigarettenköpfen, bei dem eine gerade Linie auf einen tabakseitigen Zigarettenkopf gestrahlt wird. Falls die Zigarette nicht ordnungsgemäß mit Tabak befüllt ist, erscheint die Linie - wenn sie von einem anderen Blickwinkel betrachtet wird - nicht mehr als gerade Linie, sondern als Schlangenlinie bzw. als unterbrochene Schlangelinie. Dieses Bild wird von einem Sensor erfasst. Schließlich werden die Bildpunkte, die innerhalb und außerhalb eines schmalen Bereichs um eine gedachte, theoretische gerade Linie liegen, gezählt und in ein Verhältnis zueinander gesetzt. Falls dieses Verhältnis einen Grenzwert überschreitet, soll dies darauf hindeuten, dass eine Zigarette nicht ordnungsgemäß befüllt ist. A test method or a test device for non-contact is known Check cigarette heads with a straight line on a tobacco side Cigarette head is blasted. If the cigarette is not working properly with tobacco filled, the line appears - when viewed from another angle becomes - no more than a straight line, but as a snake line or as interrupted Schlangelinie. This image is captured by a sensor. Finally, the pixels that are inside and outside a narrow Area around an imaginary, theoretical straight line lie, counted and in Set relation to each other. If this ratio is a limit This should indicate that a cigarette is not working properly is filled.

Diese Art des Prüfens hat den Nachteil, dass sie ungenau ist und keine exakten Aussagen über den Zustand einer Zigarette erlaubt.This type of checking has the disadvantage that it is inaccurate and not exact Statements about the condition of a cigarette allowed.

Aus der DE 40 00 658 A1 ist ein optisches Prüfverfahren von Zigarettenenden bekannt, bei dem ein von beleuchteten Zigarettenenden aufgenommenes Bild verarbeitet wird. Dabei werden die Helligkeitswerte einzelner Pixel untersucht. Die Anzahl Pixel mit gleicher Helligkeit wird addiert und in ein Koordinatensystem zu einem Histogramm aufgetragen. In diesem Histogramm ergeben sich drei charakteristische Maxima. Die zu einem der Maxima gehörende Anzahl Pixel wird gezählt. Wenn die Anzahl Pixel in diesem Maximum innerhalb vorgegebener Grenzen liegt, wird die jeweilige Zigarette als korrekt ausgewertet und die nächste Zigarette untersucht. Damit ist eine Bestrahlung eines Bereichs des Zigarettenkopf, nämlich dessen komplette Stirnfläche, bekannt, die nach nur einem Kriterium, nämlich der Anzahl "fast schwarzer" Bildpunkte, ausgewertet wird.From DE 40 00 658 A1 is an optical test method of cigarette ends in which a picture taken by illuminated cigarette ends is known is processed. The brightness values of individual pixels are examined. The Number of pixels with the same brightness is added and added to a coordinate system applied to a histogram. There are three in this histogram characteristic maxima. The number of pixels belonging to one of the maxima becomes counted. If the number of pixels in this maximum within given Limits, the respective cigarette is evaluated as correct and the next one Examined cigarette. This is an irradiation of an area of the Cigarette head, namely its complete face, known after only a criterion, namely the number of "almost black" pixels, evaluated becomes.

Aus der EP 0 843 974 A2 ist ein optisches Prüfverfahren von Zigarettenenden bekannt, bei dem das Zigarettenende durch mittels Lichtleiter gerichtetes Licht beleuchtet und die Reflexion unter unterschiedlichen Winkeln mittels zweier weiterer Lichtleiter zu jeweils einem (Helligkeits-)Sensor geführt wird. Aus dem Unterschied der durch beide Sensoren detektierten Helligkeiten wird auf die Korrektheit der jeweiligen Zigarette geschlossen. Es wird nur eine Fläche des Zigarettenendes bestrahlt. Da das reflektierte Licht nur von jeweils einem Sensor aufgenommen wird, wird nur die mittlere Helligkeit der beiden Reflexionen zueinander in Beziehung gesetzt, so dass die Auswertung ebenfalls nach nur einem Kriterium erfolgt.From EP 0 843 974 A2 is an optical test method of cigarette ends known, in which the cigarette end by light directed by light guide illuminated and the reflection at different angles by means of two another light guide is led to each one (brightness) sensor. From the Difference of the brightnesses detected by both sensors is on the Correctness of the respective cigarette closed. It will only be one area of the Cigarette end irradiated. Because the reflected light only from one sensor is recorded, only the average brightness of the two reflections related to each other, so the evaluation also after only a criterion takes place.

Die EP 0 630 586 A2 beschreibt ein optisches Prüfverfahren von Zigarettenenden, bei dem mittels eines linienartigen Sensors eine Helligkeitskurve aus der Reflexion des beleuchteten Zigarettenendes ermittelt und zu einer Kontrastkurve und schließlich einem Kontrastindex verarbeitet wird. Der Kontrastindex wird mit einem vorgegebenen Referenzwert verglichen und danach auf die Korrektheit der jeweiligen Zigarette geschlossen. EP 0 630 586 A2 describes an optical test method of cigarette ends, in which by means of a linear sensor, a brightness curve from the reflection of the lit cigarette end and to a contrast curve and finally a contrast index is processed. The contrast index is with a predetermined reference value and then on the correctness of the closed each cigarette.

Der Erfindung liegt daher das Problem zugrunde, das Prüfen von Zigaretten zu verbessern.The invention is therefore based on the problem of testing To improve cigarettes.

Gelöst wird dieses Problem mit einem Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1. Ferner wird dieses Problem gelöst durch eine Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 9.This problem is solved by a method according to claim 1. Furthermore, this problem is solved by a device according to claim 9.

Im Gegensatz zum Stand der Technik werden nicht linienartige Bereiche ausgewählt, sondern flächenartige. Dies hat einerseits den Vorteil, dass größere Bereiche eines Zigarettenkopfs geprüft werden können. Andererseits bietet ein flächenhaftes Abtasten die Möglichkeit verschiedenartige Untersuchungsmethoden bzw. Kriterien heranzuziehen, die nur aufgrund der flächenhaften Ausbildung der einzelnen Bereiche möglich sind, nicht jedoch bei linienartiger Ausbildung der bestrahlten Bereiche. Beispielsweise wird die Größe der Fläche, deren Umfang, Durchmesser, Flächenschwerpunktsabstände, sowie hieraus abgeleitete Größen, wie Elongation und Kompaktheit der vom Detektor erzeugten Abbildung eines bestrahlten Bereichs untersucht. Hierdurch ergibt sich auf vorteilhafte Weise die Möglichkeit verschiedene Kriterien zu definieren, mittels derer entschieden werden kann, ob eine Zigarette ordnungsgemäß oder nicht-ordnungsgemäß ausgebildet ist. Die Verwendung mehrerer unterschiedlicher Kriterien zum Prüfen einer Zigarette bietet somit eine wesentlich höhere Zuverlässigkeit, nur nicht-ordnungsgemäße Zigaretten auszusondern und ordnungsgemäß ausgebildete Zigaretten im Produktionsprozess zu belassen. Durch die erfindungsgemäße Kombination von flächenhafter Ausbildung bestrahlter Bereiche und Anwendung mehrerer unterschiedlicher Kriterien bei der Auswertung der vom Detektor erzeugten Abbildungen kann das Prüfen von Zigaretten erheblich verbessert werden.In contrast to the prior art are not linear Selected areas, but area-like. This has one hand the advantage of having larger areas of a cigarette head tested can be. On the other hand, offers a planar scanning the possibility of different methods of investigation or criteria based solely on the areal Training the individual areas are possible, but not with linear formation of the irradiated areas. For example, the size of the surface, its circumference, diameter, Centroid distances, and derived therefrom Magnitudes, such as elongation and compactness of the detector generated Figure of an irradiated area examined. hereby results in an advantageous way the possibility different Define criteria by which to decide whether a cigarette is proper or not-proper is trained. The use of several different Criteria for testing a cigarette thus provides a substantial higher reliability, only non-proper cigarettes weed out and properly trained cigarettes in the Production process. By the combination according to the invention of areal education of irradiated areas and Application of several different criteria in the evaluation The images generated by the detector may be for testing Cigarettes are significantly improved.

Bevorzugte Ausführungsformen der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen und anhand der in der Zeichnung dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiele. In der Zeichnung zeigen:

Fig. 1
eine Prüfvorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung zum Prüfen der Köpfe einer Zigarettenformation mit einer Lichtquelle mit Linsen-Blenden-System und einem Detektor;
Fig. 1a
einen Querschnitt durch von Einzellichtquellen ausgesandtem Licht gemäß einem Schnitt entlang der Linie IA-IA in Fig. 1;
Fig. 2
eine in dem Linsen-Blenden-System gemäß Fig. 1 verwendete Blende;
Fig. 3
die Stirnseite einer Zigarettenformation mit jeweils drei bestrahlten Bereichen auf jedem Zigarettenkopf;
Fig. 4
einen Zigarettenkopf, bei dem nur einer von drei sich einander überlappenden Bereichen aktuell bestrahlt ist (schwarz hervorgehoben);
Fig. 5
einen Zigarettenkopf mit drei voneinander beabstandeten bestrahlten Bereichen;
Fig. 6
eine Abbildung eines bestrahlten Bereichs, wie sie von Detektor bei einer nicht-ordnungsgemäßen Zigarette erzeugt wird;
Fig. 7
eine Abbildung eines bestrahlten Bereichs mit nur einer Teilfläche, wie sie vom Detektor bei einer ordnungsgemäßen Zigarette erzeugt wird;
Fig. 8 A bis H
die Auswertung von 25 Zigaretten jeweils anhand eines anderen Kriteriums; und
Fig. 9
die Ergebnisse der Auswertung der verschiedenen Kriterien gemäß Fig. 8.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. In the drawing show:
Fig. 1
a test device according to an embodiment of the invention for testing the heads of a cigarette formation with a light source with lens aperture system and a detector;
Fig. 1a
a cross section through light emitted by individual light sources according to a section along the line IA-IA in Fig. 1;
Fig. 2
a shutter used in the lens shutter system of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3
the face of a cigarette formation, each with three irradiated areas on each cigarette head;
Fig. 4
a cigarette head in which only one of three overlapping areas is currently irradiated (highlighted in black);
Fig. 5
a cigarette head with three spaced-apart irradiated areas;
Fig. 6
an image of an irradiated area as generated by the detector in the case of an improper cigarette;
Fig. 7
an image of an irradiated area with only a partial area, as it is generated by the detector in a proper cigarette;
Fig. 8 A to H
the evaluation of 25 cigarettes, each based on a different criterion; and
Fig. 9
the results of the evaluation of the various criteria according to FIG. 8.

Fig. 1 zeigt eine Prüfvorrichtung 10 zum Prüfen von Zigarettenköpfen 11 einer Zigarettenformation 12. Die Prüfvorrichtung 10 prüft bevorzugt die tabakseitigen Enden von Zigaretten, sie kann jedoch auch zum Prüfen von filterseitigen Zigarettenköpfen eingesetzt werden.Fig. 1 shows a test apparatus 10 for testing cigarette heads 11 of a cigarette formation 12. The testing device 10 preferably checks the tobacco-side ends of cigarettes, they However, it can also be used to check filter-side cigarette heads be used.

Die Prüfvorrichtung 10 weist eine Lichtquelle 13 auf, die mehrere, bevorzugt drei, Einzellichtquellen, insbesondere Laserdioden, aufweist. Die Einzellichtquellen 14 sind jeweils mit Lichtleitungen 15 verbunden, die das von den Einzellichtquellen 14 ausgehende Licht zu einem Linsen-Blenden-System 16 leiten, das eine oder mehrere Linsen 17 sowie eine Blende 18 umfasst, die insbesondere in einem Gehäuse 19 untergebracht sind.The test apparatus 10 has a light source 13 which has a plurality of preferably three, individual light sources, in particular laser diodes, having. The individual light sources 14 are each with Light pipes 15 connected, that of the individual light sources 14 outgoing light to a lens aperture system 16, comprising one or more lenses 17 and a diaphragm 18, which are housed in particular in a housing 19.

Das von den dem Linsen-Blenden-System 16 zugewandten Enden der Lichtleitungen 15 ausgehende Licht ist im wesentlichen parallel ausgerichtet und weist einen in Fig. 1a dargestellten jeweils kreisrunden Querschnitt auf. Das von den Einzellichtquellen 14 ausgesandte Licht tritt somit im wesentlichen säulenartig in das Linsen-Blenden-System 16 ein. Das Licht wird hierin derart durch die Linsen 17 aufgeweitet und durch die Blende 18 geformt, dass es auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite - der Austrittsseite - des Linsen-Blenden-Systems 16 wiederum im wesentlichen parallel, säulenartig strukturiert und gleichmäßig geformt, austritt. Durch diese Strukturierung können verschiedene Bereiche eines Zigarettenkopfs 11 scharf abgegrenzt beleuchtet werden. D.h. ein Zigarettenkopf 11 wird innerhalb einer einen Bereich begrenzenden Umfangslinie gleichmäßig mit Licht bestrahlt. Ein Zigarettenkopf 11 ist in mehrere derartige Bereiche aufgeteilt. Die Bereiche decken insgesamt den größten Teil der Stirnfläche eines Zigarettenkopfs ab. That of the lens aperture system 16 facing ends of Light pipes 15 outgoing light is substantially parallel aligned and has one shown in Fig. 1a respectively circular cross-section on. That of the individual light sources 14 emitted light thus occurs in a substantially columnar in the lens aperture system 16 a. The light becomes such herein widened by the lenses 17 and formed by the aperture 18, that it is on the opposite side - the exit side - The lens aperture system 16 in turn substantially parallel, columnar structured and uniformly shaped, exit. Through this structuring, different Areas of a cigarette head 11 sharply delineated illuminated become. That a cigarette head 11 is within a one Area delimiting perimeter line evenly with light irradiated. A cigarette head 11 is in several such Divided areas. The areas cover the largest overall Part of the face of a cigarette head.

Bei einem alternativen Ausführungsbeispiel tritt das Licht an dem den Zigarettenköpfen 11 zugewandten Ende des Linsen-Blenden-Systems 16 nicht-parallel, sondern konvergierend oder divergierend aus.In an alternative embodiment, the light is on the cigarette heads 11 facing the end of the lens aperture system 16 non-parallel, but converging or diverging out.

Von den Zigarettenköpfen 11 reflektiertes Licht wird von einem Detektor 20, insbesondere einer CCD-Kamera, empfangen. Die Lichtquelle 13 bzw. das Linsen-Blenden-System 16 und der Detektor 20 sind räumlich beabstandet voneinander in einem Winkel, insbesondere Triangulationswinkel 21, angeordnet. Auf diese Weise verlaufen auch die die Zigarettenköpfe 11 bestrahlenden und die vom Detektor 20 empfangenen reflektierten Lichtstrahlen in diesem Triangulationswinkel zueinander. Der Triangulationswinkel 21 liegt im Bereich zwischen 10° und 80°, bevorzugt 20° und 60°, weiter bevorzugt 20° bis 30° und beträgt vorzugsweise im wesentlichen 25°. Der Detektor 20 weist eine Ausgangsleitung 22 auf, die mit einer (nicht dargestellten) Auswerteeinheit verbunden ist, mittels derer von dem Detektor erzeugte Abbildungen der bestrahlten Bereiche ausgewertet werden. Die Auswerteeinheit erzeugt bei Vorliegen einer nicht-ordnungsgemäßen Zigarette ein Ausschusssignal. Ein derartiges Ausschusssignal führt zum Aussondern der als fehlerhaft erkannten Zigarette bzw. Zigarettenformation.From the cigarette heads 11 reflected light is from a Detector 20, in particular a CCD camera received. The Light source 13 and the lens aperture system 16 and the detector 20 are spatially spaced apart at an angle, in particular triangulation angle 21, arranged. To this The way the cigarette heads 11 radiate also run way and the reflected light rays received by the detector 20 in this triangulation angle to each other. The triangulation angle 21 is in the range between 10 ° and 80 °, preferably 20 ° and 60 °, more preferably 20 ° to 30 °, and is preferably essentially 25 °. The detector 20 has an output line 22, which with a (not shown) evaluation unit connected by means of those generated by the detector mappings the irradiated areas are evaluated. The evaluation unit generated in the presence of an improper Cigarette a reject signal. Such a reject signal leads to the rejection of the recognized as defective cigarette or cigarette formation.

Die Einzellichtquellen 14 sind mit einer (nicht dargestellten) Steuereinheit verbunden, mittels derer die Einzellichtquellen 14 einzeln ein- und ausgeschaltet werden können. Diese Steuereinheit ist derart betreibbar, dass jeweils nur eine Lichtquelle eingeschaltet werden kann, während die übrigen ausgeschaltet bleiben. Auf diese Weise können die auf den Zigarettenköpfen ausgewählten Bereich nacheinander bestrahlt werden, so dass Interferenzen zwischen den Bereichen ausgeschlossen sind. Dies ist insbesondere vorteilhaft, wenn die Bereiche derart ausgewählt sind, dass sie sich teilweise überschneiden. Falls die Bereiche jedoch beabstandet voneinander oder tangierend ausgewählt sind, kann die Steuereinheit auch derart betrieben werden, dass die Einzellichtquellen gleichzeitig ein- und ausgeschaltet werden. Die Prüfung findet derart statt, dass jeder Bereich eines Zigarettenkopfs einer Zigarettenformation jeweils nur einmal bestrahlt wird. Dies kann während einer momentanen Stillstandsphase der Zigarettenformation erfolgen. The individual light sources 14 are connected to a (not shown) Connected control unit, by means of which the individual light sources 14 can be switched on and off individually. This control unit is so operable that in each case only one light source can be turned on while the rest are turned off stay. That way, those on the cigarette heads selected area are irradiated successively, so that interference between the areas is excluded are. This is particularly advantageous when the areas are so are selected so that they partially overlap. However, if the areas are spaced apart or tangent are selected, the control unit can also be operated in this way be that the individual light sources simultaneously and be turned off. The test takes place in such a way that every area of a cigarette head of a cigarette formation each time only irradiated. This can be during a current one Standstill phase of the cigarette formation take place.

Aufgrund einer schnellen Reaktionszeit der Einzellichtquellen ist es jedoch auch möglich, die Prüfung während einer Bewegung der Zigarettenformation an der Prüfvorrichtung 10 vorbei durchzuführen.Due to a fast reaction time of the individual light sources However, it is also possible to take the exam during a movement the cigarette formation past the test apparatus 10 over.

Fig. 2 zeigt die Blende 18 in einer vergrößerten Darstellung. Die Blende 18 weist je eine einer Zigarette der Zigarettenformation 12 zugeordnete Öffnung 23 auf, durch die Licht ungehindert hindurchtreten kann. Die Anordnung der Öffnungen 23 entspricht der Anordnung der Zigaretten innerhalb der Zigarettenformation 12.Fig. 2 shows the aperture 18 in an enlarged view. The aperture 18 each has a cigarette of the cigarette formation 12 associated opening 23, unhindered by the light can pass through. The arrangement of the openings 23 corresponds the arrangement of the cigarettes within the cigarette formation 12th

Fig. 3 zeigt die Frontseite der Zigarettenformation 12 mit 20 Zigarettenköpfen 11. Jedem Zigarettenkopf 11 sind mehrere, nämlich drei, gleichförmig, insbesondere kreisförmig ausgebildete Bereiche 24 zugeordnet, die nacheinander oder gleichzeitig mit Licht bestrahlt werden. Diese Bereiche 24 entstehen in gleicher Weise auf jedem Zigarettenkopf 11 der Zigarettenformation 12 dank der Mehrzahl der Einzellichtquellen 14 und des Linsen-Blenden-Systems 16. Das von einer Einzellichtquelle 14 ausgehende Licht wird durch die Linsen 17 aufgeweitet und durch die Blende 18 derart strukturiert, dass auf jedem Zigarettenkopf der Zigarettenformation ein kreisförmig beleuchteter Bereich 24 erzeugt wird. Durch die Aufweitung kommt es zu einer Überlappung der Bereiche 24 verschiedener Einzellichtquellen 14 gemäß der in Fig. 3 dargestellten Weise. Bei einem geringeren Maß an Aufweitung kann eine Überlappung der Bereiche vermieden werden, so dass die Bereiche 24 beabstandet zueinander bzw. tangierend aneinander angeordnet sind.3 shows the front side of the cigarette formation 12 with 20 Cigarette heads 11. Each cigarette head 11 are several, namely three, uniform, in particular circular Areas 24 assigned consecutively or simultaneously with Be irradiated light. These areas 24 arise in the same On each cigarette head 11 of the cigarette formation 12 thanks to the plurality of individual light sources 14 and the lens aperture system 16. The emanating from a single light source 14 Light is widened by the lenses 17 and through the Aperture 18 structured such that on each cigarette head the cigarette formation a circular illuminated area 24th is produced. Due to the expansion, there is an overlap the areas 24 of different individual light sources 14 according to the manner shown in Fig. 3. At a lower level at widening, an overlap of the areas can be avoided so that the regions 24 are spaced apart or tangent are arranged together.

Fig. 4 zeigt einen einzelnen Zigarettenkopf 11 in vergrößerter Darstellung. Von den drei zu bestrahlenden Bereichen ist nur der obere, schwarz dargestellte Bereich 24 momentan beleuchtet, während die anderen beiden Bereiche unbeleuchtet und nur schematisch dargestellt sind. Alle drei Bereiche 24 sind teilweise überlappend angeordnet. Es wird jeweils nur einer dieser Bereiche 24 mit Licht bestrahlt.Fig. 4 shows a single cigarette head 11 in enlarged Presentation. Of the three areas to be irradiated is only the upper, black area 24 momentarily illuminated, while the other two areas are unlit and only schematic are shown. All three areas 24 are partial arranged overlapping. There will only be one of these areas 24 irradiated with light.

Fig. 5 zeigt eine beabstandete Anordnung der Bereiche 24 auf einem Zigarettenkopf 11. Bei dieser Anordnung können alle drei Bereich gleichzeitig mit Licht bestrahlt werden. Alternativ können die Bereiche derart angeordnet werden, dass sie sich an den Rändern nur berühren.Fig. 5 shows a spaced arrangement of the regions 24 a cigarette head 11. In this arrangement, all three Area are irradiated simultaneously with light. alternative For example, the areas may be arranged to contact each other just touch the edges.

Fig. 6 zeigt eine vom Detektor 20 erzeugte Abbildung 25 bestehend aus mehreren, nämlich drei Teilflächen 26. Aufgrund der winkligen Anordnung von Lichtquelle 13 und Detektor 20, insbesondere im Triangulationswinkel 21, sowie der Unebenheit der Oberfläche eines Zigarettenkopfs 11 entsteht im Detektor 20 eine Abbildung des bspw. gemäß der Darstellung in Fig. 4 bestrahlten Bereichs 24 mit mehreren Teilflächen 26, zwischen denen scheinbar unbeleuchtete Bereiche 27 liegen. Diese scheinbar unbeleuchteten Bereiche 27 entstehen aufgrund von Verschattungen, die von der Unebenheit der Tabakstruktur bzw. Filterstruktur erzeugt werden. Je stärker diese Unebenheiten ausgebildet sind, desto größer sind die scheinbar unbeleuchteten Bereiche bzw. desto mehr unbeleuchtete Bereiche entstehen. Hierdurch erhöht sich die Länge der Umfangslinie der Abbildung 25 bzw. die Gesamtlänge aller Umfangslinien aller Teilflächen 26. Die Erfindung hat erkannt, dass die Länge der Umfangslinie ein Maß für die Güte der Oberfläche eines Zigarettenkopfs 11 ist. Bevorzugt wird der Umfangslinie noch die Länge der Verbindungslinien zwischen den Flächenschwerpunkten der Teilflächen 26 hinzugerechnet, wobei bevorzugt nur die Längen der Verbindungslinien der größten Teilfläche 26 zu den übrigen Teilflächen berücksichtigt werden.FIG. 6 shows an image 25 generated by the detector 20 from several, namely three sub-areas 26. Due to the angular arrangement of light source 13 and detector 20, in particular in triangulation angle 21, as well as the unevenness of the Surface of a cigarette head 11 is formed in the detector 20th an illustration of the example. Irradiated as shown in Fig. 4 Area 24 with a plurality of partial surfaces 26, between which apparently unlighted areas 27 are. These seemingly unlit areas 27 arise due to shadows, that of the unevenness of the tobacco structure or filter structure be generated. The stronger these bumps are formed are, the larger the seemingly unlit areas or the more unlit areas arise. hereby increases the length of the perimeter of Figure 25 or the total length of all peripheral lines of all partial surfaces 26. The invention has recognized that the length of the circumferential line A measure of the quality of the surface of a cigarette head 11 is. Preferably, the circumferential line is still the length of the connecting lines between the centroids of the faces 26th added, with preferred only the lengths of the connecting lines the largest partial area 26 is taken into account to the other partial areas become.

Fig. 7 zeigt einen Zigarettenkopf 11 mit einer im Vergleich zu Fig. 6 gleichmäßigeren Oberfläche, d.h. einer Oberfläche mit weniger Rauhigkeit. Die Abbildung 25 besteht in diesem Fall nur aus einer einzigen Fläche, jedoch ist die kreisförmige Struktur des beleuchteten Bereichs einer unregelmäßigen Umrandung gewichen. Zwar sind in Fig. 6 und 7 die Zigarettenköpfe 11 kreisrund dargestellt. Tatsächlich würde jedoch bei einer vollständigen Ausleuchtung der Zigarettenköpfe 11 eine elliptische Umrandung der Zigarettenköpfe von dem Detektor 20 abgebildet werden.Fig. 7 shows a cigarette head 11 with a compared to Fig. 6 more uniform surface, i. a surface with less roughness. Figure 25 only exists in this case from a single surface, however, is the circular structure the illuminated area of an irregular border. Although in Fig. 6 and 7, the cigarette heads 11 are circular shown. In fact, however, would be at a complete Illumination of the cigarette heads 11 an elliptical border the cigarette heads are imaged by the detector 20.

Fehlt an einem Zigarettenkopf 11 Tabak, zerreißt eine bspw. in Fig. 7 dargestellte Abbildung 25 in mehrere bspw. in Fig. 6 dargestellte Teilflächen 26, es fehlen Teile der Abbildung 25 oder die Umrisslinie der Abbildung 25 ist weniger glatt. Um diese Erscheinungen auszuwerten, erfolgt eine Binarisierung des vom Detektor empfangenen Bildsignals. Die derart binarisierte Abbildung wird dann anhand nachfolgend näher beschriebener Kriterien ausgewertet.Is missing on a cigarette head 11 tobacco, tears an example. In FIG. 7 shows illustration 25 in several, for example, in FIG. 6 shown partial surfaces 26, it lacks parts of Figure 25 or the outline of Figure 25 is less smooth. Around To evaluate these phenomena, a binarization of the received from the detector image signal. The so binarized Illustration then becomes based on the criteria described in more detail below evaluated.

Die Fig. 8A bis H zeigen acht verschiedene Kriterien der ausgewerteten Abbildungen sowie deren Ergebnisse für jeweils 25 Zigaretten. Die 25 Zigaretten sind jeweils an der Abszisse aufgetragen, während die jeweils ermittelten Werte eines Kriteriums an der Ordinate aufgetragen sind. Die Zigaretten 1 bis 10 sind ordnungsgemäß ausgebildete Zigaretten, während die Zigaretten 11 bis 25 nicht-ordnungsgemäß ausgebildete Zigaretten sind.FIGS. 8A to 8 show eight different criteria of the evaluated ones Pictures and their results for every 25 cigarettes. The 25 cigarettes are each plotted on the abscissa, while each determined values of a criterion plotted on the ordinate. The cigarettes are 1 to 10 properly formed cigarettes while the cigarettes 11 to 25 are not properly trained cigarettes.

Fig. 8B stellt als Kriterium die Gesamtfläche einer Abbildung 25, ggf. unter Berücksichtigung deren Teilflächen 26, dar. Liegt die Gesamtfläche oberhalb eines Grenzwerts GRB, wird eine Zigarette für gut befunden. Entsprechend wird eine Zigarette für schlecht befunden, wenn der Wert der Gesamtfläche unterhalb dieses Grenzwerts GRB liegt.FIG. 8B illustrates as a criterion the total area of an image 25, possibly taking into account its partial areas 26. If the total area lies above a limit value GR B , then a cigarette is found to be good. Accordingly, a cigarette is considered bad if the value of the total area is below this limit GR B.

Fig. 8F stellt jeweils die Summe der mit den Teilflächen gewichteten Abstände der Flächenschwerpunkte der Teilflächen 26 zum Schwerpunkt der größten Teilfläche 26 dar, und zwar ohne Normierung auf die Gesamtfläche gemäß Fig. 8B. Unterschreitet diese gewichtete Abstandssumme einen Grenzwert GRF wird die jeweilige Zigarette für gut befunden. Entsprechend wird eine Zigarette für schlecht befunden, wenn der Grenzwert GRF überschritten wird.8F respectively represents the sum of the weights weighted by the partial areas Distances of the centroids of the partial surfaces 26 to the center of gravity of the largest surface 26, without Normalization to the total area according to FIG. 8B. falls below this weighted distance sum a limit GRF will be the respective Cigarette good. Accordingly, a cigarette found to be bad if the limit exceeded GRF becomes.

Fig. 8A zeigt eine aus Fig. 8F abgeleitete Darstellung der gewichteten Abstandssumme der Flächenschwerpunkte der Teilflächen gemäß den vorstehenden Erläuterungen, jedoch normiert auf die Gesamtfläche gemäß der Darstellung in Fig. 8B. Wird ein Grenzwert GRA für die gewichtete Abstandssumme mit Normierung auf die jeweilige Gesamtfläche unterschritten, wird eine Zigarette für gut befunden. Entsprechend wird eine Zigarette für schlecht bewertet, wenn dieser Grenzwert GRA überschritten wird.8A shows a representation, derived from FIG. 8F, of the weighted distance sum of the area centroids of the subareas as explained above, but normalized to the total area as shown in FIG. 8B. If a limit value GR A for the weighted distance sum with normalization to the respective total area is undercut, a cigarette is found to be good. Accordingly, a cigarette is considered poor if this limit GR A is exceeded.

Fig. 8D veranschaulicht den maximalen Durchmesser einer Abbildung, der ggf. über mehrere Teilflächen 26 gemessen wird. Der maximale Durchmesser kann auch als Durchmesser des konvexen Umfangs ermittelt werden. Der konvexe Umfang bezeichnet die Kurve mit der kürzesten Länge, die alle Teilflächen einer Abbildung umschließt. Eine Zigarette wird für ordnungsgemäß bewertet, wenn ein Grenzwert GRD für den maximalen Durchmesser unterschritten wird. Entsprechend wird eine Zigarette für nicht-ordnungsgemäß befunden, wenn dieser Grenzwert GRD überschritten wird.FIG. 8D illustrates the maximum diameter of an image, which may be measured over a plurality of sub-areas 26. The maximum diameter can also be determined as the diameter of the convex circumference. The convex circumference refers to the curve with the shortest length that encloses all faces of an image. A cigarette is judged to be correct if a limit GR D for the maximum diameter is undershot. Accordingly, a cigarette is found to be improper if this limit GR D is exceeded.

Fig. 8H veranschaulicht in entsprechender Weise den minimalen Durchmesser einer Abbildung bzw. durch die Teilflächen einer Abbildung bzw. den minimalen Durchmesser des von der konvexen Umfangslinie umschlossenen Gebildes. Übersteigt der ermittelte minimale Durchmesser einen Grenzwert GRH, wird eine Zigarette für ordnungsgemäß befunden. Entsprechend wird eine Zigarette für nicht-ordnungsgemäß befunden, wenn dieser Grenzwert GRH unterschritten wird.FIG. 8H similarly illustrates the minimum diameter of an image or through the partial areas of an image or the minimum diameter of the structure enclosed by the convex circumferential line. If the determined minimum diameter exceeds a limit GR H , a cigarette is deemed to be correct. Accordingly, a cigarette is found to be abnormal if this limit GR H is exceeded.

Fig. 8C veranschaulicht den mittleren Durchmesser einer Abbildung, der als Mittelwert von minimalem und maximalem Durchmesser ermittelt werden kann. Alternativ kann dieser Durchmesser auch als Mittelwert aller sich bezüglich der konvexen Umfangslinie ergebenden Durchmesser ermittelt werden. Überschreitet der mittlere Durchmesser einen Grenzwert GRC, wird eine Zigarette für ordnungsgemäß befunden. Entsprechend wird eine Zigarette für nicht-ordnungsgemäß befunden, wenn dieser Grenzwert überschritten wird.Figure 8C illustrates the mean diameter of a map that can be determined as the average of minimum and maximum diameters. Alternatively, this diameter can also be determined as the average of all the diameter resulting with respect to the convex circumferential line. If the mean diameter exceeds a limit GR C , a cigarette is judged to be correct. Accordingly, a cigarette will be deemed improper if this limit is exceeded.

Fig. 8E veranschaulicht die sog. Elongation, die als Verhältnis von maximalem Durchmesser zu minimalem Durchmesser ermittelt wird. Unterschreitet die Elongation einen Grenzwert GRE, wird eine Zigarette für ordnungsgemäß befunden, entsprechend wird eine Zigarette für nicht-ordnungsgemäß befunden, wenn dieser Grenzwert überschritten wird.Fig. 8E illustrates the so-called elongation, which is determined as the ratio of maximum diameter to minimum diameter. If the elongation falls below a threshold GR E , a cigarette is judged to be proper, and accordingly a cigarette will be deemed to be improper if this limit is exceeded.

Fig. 8G veranschaulicht die sog. Kompaktheit einer Abbildung. Die Kompaktheit ist ein Maß das errechnet wird aus quadrierter Länge der Umfangslinie, die durch das Produkt "4 π Gesamtfläche" geteilt wird. Dabei errechnet sich die Länge der Umfangslinie einer Abbildung ggf. unter Berücksichtigung der Längen der Umfangslinien der einzelnen zu einer Abbildung gehörenden Teilflächen, insbesondere unter Berücksichtigung der Längen der Verbindungslinien der Flächenschwerpunkte von der größten Teilfläche zu den übrigen Teilflächen. Unterschreitet der Wert der Kompaktheit einen Grenzwert GRG, wird eine Zigarette für ordnungsgemäß befunden, entsprechend wird eine Zigarette für nicht-ordnungsgemäß befunden, wenn dieser Grenzwert überschritten wird.Fig. 8G illustrates the so-called compactness of an image. The compactness is a measure that is calculated from the squared length of the circumference, which is divided by the product "4 π total area". In this case, the length of the circumferential line of an image is calculated if necessary, taking into account the lengths of the peripheral lines of the individual partial areas belonging to an image, in particular taking into account the lengths of the connecting lines of the centroids from the largest partial area to the remaining partial areas. If the value of compactness falls below a limit GR G , a cigarette is judged to be proper, accordingly a cigarette will be deemed to be improper if this limit is exceeded.

Neben den in den Fig. 8A bis H dargestellten Kriterien können folgende weitere Kriterien zur Untersuchung herangezogen werden: Die Länge der Umfangslinie einer Abbildung, ggf. unter Berücksichtigung der Längen der Umfangslinien von Teilflächen der Abbildung. Bevorzugt wird ferner die Länge der Verbindungslinien der Flächenschwerpunkte der größten Teilflächen zu den übrigen Teilflächen berücksichtigt.In addition to the criteria shown in Figs. 8A to H can the following further criteria are used for the investigation: The length of the perimeter of an image, if necessary considering the lengths of the peripheral lines of partial surfaces of Illustration. Furthermore, the length of the connecting lines is preferred the centroids of the largest partial areas taken into account for the remaining partial areas.

Als weiteres Kriterium dient die sog. Zerklüftung einer Abbildung. Die Zerklüftung ermittelt sich aus der Länge der Umfangslinie im Sinne einer der vorstehenden Definitionen im Verhältnis zur Länge des konvexen Umfangs.Another criterion is the so-called "fracture" of an image. The fracture is determined by the length of the circumference in the sense of one of the above definitions in proportion to the length of the convex circumference.

Ein weiteres Kriterium ist die optisch gemessene Zigarettenlänge. Hierzu stehen insbesondere zwei Verfahren zur Verfügung. Einerseits kann die Zigarettenlänge aus einer Triangulationsmessung gewonnen werden. Diese bietet sich an, wenn das von dem Linsen-Blenden-System auf die Zigarettenköpfe gerichtete Licht parallel ausgebildet ist. Hierbei wird eine etwaige Abweichung, insbesondere ein Abstand, der Position der Abbildung eines bestrahlten Bereichs von einer erwarteten Position einer Abbildung eines entsprechenden Bereichs eines idealen Zigarettenkopfs ermittelt und aus der Abweichung die Länge der geprüften Zigarette errechnet. Bei einem anderen Verfahren wird aus der Größe bzw. der Fläche einer Abbildung die Länge der Zigarette errechnet. Voraussetzung für dieses Verfahren ist, dass das von dem Linsen-Blenden-System 16 auf die Zigarettenköpfe ausgesandte Licht nicht-parallel, sondern divergierend oder konvergierend ist.Another criterion is the optically measured cigarette length. In particular, two methods are available for this purpose. On the one hand, the cigarette length can be from a triangulation measurement be won. This is useful if that of the Lens iris system directed to the cigarette heads light is formed in parallel. This is a possible deviation, in particular a distance, the position of the image of a irradiated area from an expected position of a Illustration of a corresponding area of an ideal cigarette head determined and from the deviation the length of the tested Cigarette calculated. In another method is from the size or area of an image the length of the cigarette calculated. Prerequisite for this procedure is that that of the lens aperture system 16 on the cigarette heads emitted light non-parallel, but diverging or is converging.

Alle der genannten Kriterien können für jede Abbildung eines bestrahlen Bereichs angewendet werden. Bei drei bestrahlten Bereichen je Zigarettenkopf wäre daher jedes der genannten Kriterien drei mal anzuwenden. Die Ergebnisse können dann bspw. gemittelt werden.All of the above criteria can be used for each illustration of a irradiate area to be applied. At three irradiated areas each cigarette head would therefore each of the above criteria apply three times. The results can then be averaged, for example become.

Fig. 9 zeigt eine Tabelle der Auswertung der in den Fig. 8A bis H dargestellten Untersuchungen. Ein Punkt in dieser Tabelle kennzeichnet eine Zigarette, die von dem der entsprechenden Spalte zugeordneten Kriterium als nicht-ordnungsgemäß befunden worden ist. Ein Ausschusssignal wird von der Auswerteeinheit dann erzeugt, wenn einer Zigarette wenigstens ein derartiger Punkt zugeordnet ist, d.h. von wenigstens einem Kriterium als nicht-ordnungsgemäß befunden worden ist. Die Grenzwerte der Kriterien GRA bis GRH sind dabei großzügig gewählt, d.h. eine Zigarette wird tendenziell eher für gut als für schlecht befunden.FIG. 9 shows a table of the evaluation of the examinations illustrated in FIGS. 8A to H. A dot in this table identifies a cigarette that has been found to be improper by the criterion associated with the corresponding column. A reject signal is generated by the evaluation unit when at least one such point has been assigned to a cigarette, ie has been found to be improper by at least one criterion. The limit values of the criteria GR A to GR H are generously selected, ie a cigarette is tended to be more likely to be good than bad.

Von den erläuterten Kriterien werden wenigstens zwei miteinander kombiniert, um ggf. ein Ausschusssignal zu erzeugen. Es können aber auch drei, vier, fünf, sechs, sieben, acht oder mehr Kriterien zum Bilden eines Ausschusssignals miteinander kombiniert werden. Je größer die Anzahl miteinander kombinierter Kriterien ist, desto höher ist der Zuverlässigkeitsgrad beim Erkennen einer nicht-ordnungsgemäßen Zigarette.Of the explained criteria, at least two become one another combined to produce a reject signal if necessary. It but can also be three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more criteria for forming a reject signal with each other be combined. The larger the number combined with each other Criteria is, the higher the degree of reliability when detecting an improper cigarette.

Durch das Auswerten von Abbildungen bestrahlter Zigarettenkopfbereiche, insbesondere innerhalb der vom Zigarettenpapier umschlossenen Stirnfläche eines Zigarettenkopfes, anhand mehrerer unterschiedlicher Kriterien kann eine sehr hohe Erkennungsrate nicht-ordnungsgemäßer Zigaretten erreicht werden. Mittels der Erfindung wird daher das Prüfen von Zigaretten erheblich verbessert. By evaluating images of irradiated cigarette head areas, especially within the area enclosed by the cigarette paper Face of a cigarette head, based on several different criteria can be a very high detection rate not to be achieved with improper cigarettes. By means of The invention therefore considerably improves the testing of cigarettes.

Bezugszeichenliste:LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1010
PrüfvorrichtungTester
1111
Zigarettenkopfcigarettes head
1212
Zigarettenformationcigarette formation
1313
Lichtquellelight source
1414
EinzellichtquelleSingle light source
1515
Lichtleitunglight line
1616
Linsen-Blenden-SystemLens-stop system
1717
Linselens
1818
Blendecover
1919
Gehäusecasing
2020
Detektordetector
2121
Triangulationswinkeltriangulation
2222
Ausgangsleitungoutput line
2323
Öffnungopening
2424
BereichArea
2525
AbbildungIllustration
2626
Teilflächesubarea
2727
scheinbar unbeleuchteter Bereichapparently unlit Area
GRA:GR A :
Grenzwert für gewichtete Abstandssumme mit Normierung auf GesamtflächeLimit for weighted Distance total with Standardization on total area
GRB:GR B :
Grenzwert für GesamtflächeLimit for total area
GRC:GR C :
Grenzwert für mittleren DurchmesserLimit for medium diameter
GRD:GR D :
Grenzwert für maximalen DurchmesserLimit for maximum diameter
GRE:GR E :
Grenzwert für ElongationLimit for elongation
GRF:GR F :
Grenzwert für gewichtete AbstandssummeLimit for weighted golden handshake
GRG:GR G :
Grenzwert für KompaktheitLimit for compactness
GRH:GR H :
Grenzwert für minimalen DurchmesserLimit for minimum diameter

Claims (11)

  1. Method for inspecting cigarette ends (11), a cigarette end (11) being irradiated with light and light reflected by the cigarette end (11) being received by a detector (20), irradiating and received reflected light running at an angle (21) to each other, in particular a triangulation angle, and the received light being evaluated in order to generate a reject signal in the event of an improper cigarette being present, characterized in that, of the cigarette end (11), a plurality of regions (24) of the cigarette end (11) are irradiated one after another with light structured in accordance with these regions (24), in that the irradiated regions (24) are imaged on the detector (20) and in each case an image (25) generated by the detector (20) and associated with the region (24) is evaluated in order to generate the reject signal, and in that the irradiated regions (24) are in each case two-dimensional and each image (25) is evaluated by using a plurality of different criteria.
  2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the following are used as criteria:
    the total area of an image (25), if appropriate taking into account a plurality of subareas (26) of the image (25);
    the sum of the distances between the individual area centres of gravity, weighted with the subareas (26), of the subareas from the area of centre of gravity of one of the subareas (26), in particular of the largest subarea (26), with or without normalization to the total area;
    the minimum, maximum and/or average diameter of an image (25);
    the elongation of an image (25), in particular the ratio of maximum to minimum diameter;
    the length of the circumferential line of an image, if appropriate taking into account the lengths of the circumferential lines of the subareas of the image (25);
    the compactness, in particular the ratio of the square of the circumferential line to the total area, and/or
    the fissuring, in particular the ratio of the length of the circumferential line to the length of the convex circumference of a length of the shortest line enclosing all the subareas.
  3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the regions (24) are arranged to some extent intersecting, adjoining one another or spaced apart from one another.
  4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the regions (24) are irradiated one after another over time, in particular in the case of partial intersection, or simultaneously, in particular in the case of a mutually adjacent or spaced-apart arrangement.
  5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the regions (24) in each case have a uniform, in particular circular, contour.
  6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reject signal is generated if at least one of the criteria is not satisfied, in particular a limiting value (GRA - H) is violated.
  7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that any deviation, in particular a spacing, of the position of the image (25) of an irradiated region (24) from an expected position of an image (25) of a corresponding region (24) of an ideal cigarette end (11), is determined and the length of the cigarette inspected is calculated from the deviation.
  8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the regions (24) are irradiated with non-parallel light, in particular divergent or convergent light, and the length of the corresponding cigarette is calculated from the dimensions, in particular a diameter, of an image.
  9. Apparatus for inspecting cigarettes (11), in particular for carrying out a method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, having a light source (13) for irradiating the cigarette end (11), a detector (20) for receiving light reflected from the cigarette end (11), light source (13) and detector (20) being arranged spaced apart from each other and at an angle to each other, in particular a triangulation angle (21), and an evaluation unit for evaluating light received by the detector (20) in order to generate a reject signal when an improper cigarette is detected, characterized in that the light source (13) is provided to generate structured light for irradiating a plurality of regions (24) of the cigarette end (11) one after another, in that the radiating regions (24) can be imaged on the detector (20) and in each case an image (25) generated by the detector (20) and assigned to a region (24) can be evaluated in order to generate the reject signal, in that the light source (13) irradiates the regions (24) two-dimensionally in each case, and the evaluation unit is constructed in such a way that each image (25) can be evaluated by using a plurality of different criteria.
  10. Apparatus according to Claims 9, characterized in that the light source (13) has a plurality, in particular three, of individual light sources (14), which are in each case connected to a light line (15) in order to lead light to a lens-aperture stop system (16), which is constructed in such a way as to irradiate the same regions (24) on each cigarette end (11) of a cigarette formation (12) located in the region of the inspection apparatus (10).
  11. Apparatus according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized by a control unit for switching the individual light sources (14) on and off cyclically, in particular for switching on only one individual light source (14) in a cyclically alternating manner.
EP20010118002 2000-07-28 2001-07-25 Method and apparatus for inspecting cigarette ends Expired - Lifetime EP1176092B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE2000137098 DE10037098A1 (en) 2000-07-28 2000-07-28 Method and device for checking cigarette heads
DE10037098 2000-07-28

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EP1176092A1 EP1176092A1 (en) 2002-01-30
EP1176092B1 true EP1176092B1 (en) 2005-09-28

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DE (2) DE10037098A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

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DE102012203579B3 (en) * 2012-03-07 2013-06-06 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Measuring device and measuring method for determining a measured variable at one end of a rod-shaped product of the tobacco processing industry
DE102012210031A1 (en) 2012-06-14 2013-12-19 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Apparatus and method for evaluating an end face of a rod-shaped product of the tobacco processing industry
DE102013209816A1 (en) * 2013-05-27 2014-11-27 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Method and device for determining and / or evaluating the distribution of an additive in a rod-shaped article of the tobacco processing industry

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GB0306468D0 (en) * 2003-03-20 2003-04-23 Molins Plc A method and apparatus for determining one or more physical properties of a rolled smoking article or filter rod
DE102012210037A1 (en) * 2012-06-14 2013-12-19 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Measuring device and method for optical inspection of an end face of a cross-axially conveyed rod-shaped product of the tobacco processing industry

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GB1112687A (en) * 1965-03-12 1968-05-08 Schmermund Alfred Improvements in or relating to arrangements for testing blocks of cigarettes
IT1189535B (en) * 1985-06-11 1988-02-04 Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg DEVICE, TO OPTICALLY CONTROL THE ENDS OF TOBACCO-SHAPED ARTICLES
IT1233298B (en) * 1989-01-13 1992-03-26 Gd Spa SYSTEM FOR THE CONTROL OF END OF CIGARETTE GROUPS
US5235649A (en) * 1991-06-13 1993-08-10 Videk Corporation Cigarette inspection method
IT1263446B (en) * 1993-06-28 1996-08-05 Gd Spa OPTICAL CONTROL METHOD FOR CIGARETTE FILLING.
DE4424045A1 (en) * 1994-07-11 1996-01-18 Focke & Co Testing cigarettes regarding correct formation of end regions esp. correct filling of tobacco
IT1288494B1 (en) * 1996-11-20 1998-09-22 Sasib Spa METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE CONTROL WITHOUT DIRECT CONTACT OF THE HEADS OF THE CIGARETTES, OR SIMILAR.
IT1299838B1 (en) * 1998-02-12 2000-04-04 Gd Spa OPTICAL PRESENCE CONTROL DEVICE.

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102012203579B3 (en) * 2012-03-07 2013-06-06 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Measuring device and measuring method for determining a measured variable at one end of a rod-shaped product of the tobacco processing industry
EP2636320A1 (en) 2012-03-07 2013-09-11 HAUNI Maschinenbau AG Measuring device and measuring method for determining a measurement parameter at one end of a rod-shaped product of the tobacco processing industry
DE102012210031A1 (en) 2012-06-14 2013-12-19 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Apparatus and method for evaluating an end face of a rod-shaped product of the tobacco processing industry
EP2679950A1 (en) 2012-06-14 2014-01-01 Hauni Maschinenbau AG Device and method for evaluating a front surface of a rod-shaped product of the tobacco processing industry
CN103504471A (en) * 2012-06-14 2014-01-15 豪尼机械制造股份公司 Device and method for evaluating an end surface of a rod-shaped product of the tobacco processing industry
CN103504471B (en) * 2012-06-14 2016-06-08 豪尼机械制造股份公司 For assessment of the equipment of end face of bar shaped article and the method for the tobacco industry
DE102013209816A1 (en) * 2013-05-27 2014-11-27 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Method and device for determining and / or evaluating the distribution of an additive in a rod-shaped article of the tobacco processing industry

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DE50107548D1 (en) 2006-02-09
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