Abstract: A machine for filling and capping cartridges for electronic-cigarettes includes a transport line for feeding cartridges; a transfer unit for transferring the cartridges from a feeding line to the transport line; a station for dispensing a predetermined quantity of product into the cartridges; a station for applying a cap to each cartridge filled with product; a system for feeding caps to the cap application station including a conveyor for transporting the caps thereto according to a pre-established formation, and a unit for detecting the caps transported by the conveyor; a control unit for checking possible empty spots in the formation of the transported caps, based on detection data provided by the detection unit, and for transmitting a stop signal to at least one among the transfer unit, the product dispensing unit and the cap application station, if an empty spot is identified in the formation of the caps.

Abstract: A method of checking cigarettes, whereby cigarettes are fed in steps along a gravity channel in the outlet of a hopper, and are successively arrested substantially at a checking station where a checking device determines the density of the open ends of the cigarettes and emits at least one control signal indicating the density; and the control signal is optimized by determining the position of the cigarette in the checking station with respect to the checking device.

Abstract: A method of detecting and rejecting poorly filled cigarettes, whereby cigarettes, arranged along a gravity channel forming part of an outlet of a feedbox, are fed successively past a detecting device facing one end of the cigarettes; the detecting device, as the cigarettes file past, emits a continuous signal having a succession of minimum values indicating the passage past the detecting device of a succession of gaps, and a succession of maximum values indicating the passage past the detecting device of respective cigarettes; and a receiving central control unit emits a reject signal on receiving a maximum value below a given threshold value.