GB1061984A - Apparatus for manipulating rod-shaped articles - Google Patents

Abstract

1,061,984. Control of A.C. motors. K. KÍRBER. Oct. 22, 1964 [Oct. 25, 1963], No. 42185/63. Heading H2J. [Also in Divisions B8 and F2] In apparatus for manipulating rod-shaped articles, e.g. cigarettes (see Division B8), a magazine 1, Fig. 1, having a variable articlereceiving chamber comprises a fixed portion 1a and a movable portion 3, the latter being moved to vary the volume of the chamber by an automatic control unit, Fig. 3, in dependence upon a plurality of variable factors. The movable portion 3 has a tapped bore which receives a threaded spindle 110 (see also 10 Fig. 1), the latter being rotatable in either direction by a reversible motor 41 through a transmission 40. The apparatus comprises two cigarette machines 130, 131 (see also 30, 31, Fig. 1), and a packing machine 134 ,(see also 34,.Fig. 1), the machines 130, 131, 134 respectively driving tachometer generators 32, 33, 35, the output of which is fed to a bridge circuit 60 controlling a polarized relay 36. The latter comprises a contact arm 36a which is normally maintained in a. neutral central position but which will swing to connect a conductor 37 with either of two conductors 38 or 39, connected in the circuit of the motor 41, to effect clockwise or anticlockwise rotation of the spindle 110. A power source is connected to the conductor 37 and to a conductor 42 leading to the motor 41. When the arm 36a contacts the conductor 39 the spindle 110 is rotated to decrease the volume of the chamber and when the arm 36a contacts the conductor 38 the spindle 110 is rotated to increase the volume, the movable portion 3 following the exact level of the cigarettes in the magazine. If due to one of the cigarette machines stopping the movable portion 3 descends to the level 17, Fig. 1, a member 43 on the portion 3 closes a normally open limit switch 44 which is connected in the circuit of a reversible adjusting motor 45, Fig. 3, for the packing machine 134. A transmission 48 is interposed between the motor 45 and the machine 134, the speed of which is reduced by the closing of the switch 44. The latter opens automatically after a predetermined time interval. The circuit 60 is balanced at the lower position of the portion 3. If the other cigarette machine is then stopped the portion 3 is further lowered until it reaches the level 7 when a limit switch 49 is operated to stop the packing machine 134. The cigarette machines 130, 131 may also be stopped. When the cigarette machines are again started the resultant upward movement of the portion 3 due to the arm 36a contacting the conductor 38 first releases the switch 49 to start the packing machine 134 at the previously reduced speed thereof and then the switch 44 is again operated to cause the motor 45 to adjust the machine 134 to its normal speed. If the cigarette machines are operated at temporarily higher than normal speeds the portion 3 rises further to the level 16 to trip a switch 52 which causes the motor 45 to adjust the speed of the packing machine 134 to its maximum. The switch 52 opens automatically after a predetermined time interval and the circuit 60 is balanced at the higher position of the portion 3. If for any reason the latter rises still further to the level 8 a limit switch 53 is tripped which stops the cigarette machines 130 131. Push-buttons 55, 56 are provided for manual operation of the reversible motor 41. Since the number of cigarettes actually delivered to the magazine 1 may be more or less than those being supplied by the cigarette machines 130, 131, e.g. by the removal and replacement of cigarettes by the operator, two electronic counters 61, 62 are provided which determine the discrepancy between the expected number of cigarettes and are connected to two relays 63, 64 for further control of the motor 41. The relays 63, 64 are adjusted to operate the motor 41 for a time period which corresponds to the discrepancy, account being taken of the time delay necessary to allow the cigarettes to advance from the counters to the magazine. The counters may be replaced by a sensing device which scans the level of cigarettes in the magazine and which may be a mechanical sensing element or a photo-electric cell. A plurality of sensing devices may be provided. There may be more or less than two cigarette machines and more than one packing machine.