Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for collecting, visualising and/or modifying operating data of at least one machine (10) pertaining to the tobacco processing industry. The method involves calling up the operating data by at least one computer (14, 17-20), and a bus system (15, 16) is provided for the system and the device, by which means the operating data can be transferred between at least one control system (13) and at least one computer (14, 17). The inventive method is characterised in that at least some of the operating data is placed on a web server (18) and can be called up via the Internet (21, 31) and/or at least one intranet (16, 32) by at least one other computer (19, 20) which can be connected to the Internet (21, 31) and/or intranet (16, 32). The inventive device is characterised by a data connection (21) enabling at least some of the operating data to be collected, visualised and/or modified via the Internet (21, 31) and/or at least one intranet (16, 32).

Abstract: Apparatus for optically scanning a moving cigarette rod for the presence of defects in its external surface has two annularly arranged groups of diodes which emit green light in the wavelength range of between 0.49 and 0.58.mu. and direct such light from the opposite sides of a plane that is normal to the moving rod so that the incident light is reflected by successive annular portions of the external surface of the rod into the aforementioned plane. The reflected light is focused by systems of lenses upon discrete photosensitive transducers through discrete slit diaphragms on the transducers themselves or on a thin metallic ring which is adjustably mounted on the support for the diodes and the systems of lenses.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing the contents of successive cells in a chain which transports arrays of cigarettes in or to a packing machine has a support for reciprocable sensing pins, each of which is caused to engage a discrete cigarette when the support is moved toward a cell. The pins are shifted relative to the support as the latter continues to move toward the array whereby the shanks, heads or collars of the pins at least partially seal openings which connect a pneumatic monitoring unit with the atmosphere. If all of the openings are properly sealed or nearly sealed, the array of cigarettes which are engaged by the pins contains a requisite number of articles and all of the cigarettes have satisfactory tobacco-containing ends.