GB1144740A - Sampling device particularly suitable for filter tip cigarettes - Google Patents

Abstract

1,144,740. Cigarette sampling device. AMERICAN MACHINE & FOUNDRY CO. 29 Jan., 1968 [2 Feb., 1967], No. 4426/68. Heading A2C. An automatic sampling device for the periodical collection of cigarettes issuing from a cigarette-making machine as two sets S1, S2 on an endless conveyer 1 alternating as shown, comprises a rotating suction drum 4 by means of which one set S1 is transferred to one collecting box C1 and the other set S2 is transferred to another collecting box C2. The row of cigarettes S1 S2 may comprise the single row formed by bisecting double length cigarettes to form two rows, turning one of these two rows and interposing the cigarettes in the turned row between the cigarettes in the unturned row. Suction is fed to opening H1 in alternate flutes in the drum 4, controlled in conventional manner to apply suction over the sector A-B, to pick up cigarettes in set S1 and transport them to a suction transfer drum 14 which deposits them in the box C1 Similarly suction is applied to openings H2 over the sector A-D to transfer cigarettes of set S2 to the box C2, the position of D being adjustable by means of a valve sector 15. A valve piston 17, in one position, interrupts the supply of suction to the openings H1 H2 in the section A-L of the sectors A-B, A-D. The piston 17 is electromagnetically operated to successively open and close a suction intercepting valve (12) in response to actuation of a micro switch (30) by two cams (31, 32) mounted on the drum 4 and spaced 180 degrees apart. Thus, when suction is applied to the drum 4 for sampling, cigarettes are normally only picked up during a half revolution of the drum 4. By means of suitable control circuitry the number of cigarettes picked up may be varied, in multiples of the number picked up in one half revolution of the drum 4, by closing the valve (12) only after a predetermined number of pulses from the micro switch (30).