Abstract: A pick-up unit for withdarwing sample cigarettes from a mass of cigarettes traveling perpendicularly to the cigarette axes; each cigarette occupying random positions within the mass as the latter travels in the aforementioned direction. The unit presents a mobile head for withdrawing at least one cigarette at a time from the aforementioned mass which head presents a suction seat connected to a pneumatic suction circuit and is moved along a given route, between a given release position and a pick-up position located at a random point along the aforementioned route, by reversible actuating elements controlled by a sensor connected to the aforementioned pneumatic circuit and designed to reverse the aforementioned actuating elements in response to a sharp fall in pressure inside the aforementioned pneumatic circuit.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the standard weight deviation of cigarettes on a machine having at least two manufacturing lines for producing continuous cigarette rods in which mean values and standard deviations are determined periodically relative to test measurements involving weighing a given number of cigarettes produced on a first line and an equal number of cigarettes produced on the second line with the standard deviations being compared to identify the test measurement having the highest standard deviation so that shavers on each line can be contolled such that the mean weight values of the two test measurements equal a given value selected as a function of the test measurement having the highest standard deviation.

Abstract: A system for automatically feeding stacks of blanks on to the input conveyor of a hard-pack cigarette packing machine whereby a transfer cage designed to receive the stack is moved to and from a surface supporting a number of stacks and between the supporting surface and the input conveyor by optical control elements designed to detect the position of each stack on the supporting surface, the aforementioned cage being defined by rods, each designed to engage a respective hole formed through the supporting surface and each fitted with a respective engaging element designed to move inside the respective hole in such a manner as to fit beneath the base of the respective stack.

Abstract: A system for feeding production and/or packing material onto manufacturing lines, which system has compartment for storing the material; guide tapes for mobile trucks traveling between a storage area and manufacturing lines. The guide tapes define routes selectively traveled along, in use, by the mobile trucks for transporting and feeding the material to the manufacturing lines. A computer controls the position and operation of the mobile trucks; and a number of mobile trucks having an independent electricity supply and designed to supply operating-arm units are connected at least temporarily to the mobile trucks.

Abstract: A device for piercing holes in rod-shaped items particularly cigarettes, on which the items are housed inside respective recesses mounted so as to rotate around their own axes on a conveyor moving cross wise in relation to the recesses. A focusing lens is associated with each respective recess. When the conveyor is operated, the focusing lenses are struck successively by a pulsating laser beam and reflected by a reflecting device located between the laser source and the route travelled by the focusing lenses. The beam is then focused by the focusing lenses on to the periphery of the relative items as they turn.

Abstract: In a strip guide device for the automatic feed of a strip of paper (8) along a bench (1) for the formation of a continuous cigarette roll, the bench (1) is bounded at the top by a belt (4) which has above it a supply device (9) for a continuous carpet (10) of tobacco, and the sstrip guide device comprises a suction pulley (5) at the upper branch (3) and an idler wheel (22) for the return of the strip of paper (8) above the bench (1). The idler return wheel (22) mounted on a rotational axle (23) which moves along a predetermined path between a position in which it is substantially tangential to the plane in which the bench (1) lies, and a position which is disengaged with respect to this plane and is assumed by the roller (22) in the case of breakage of the strip (8).

Abstract: An automatic system for changing the electricity supply source on a mobile unit with an operating arm the system comprising a station for storing the electricity supply sources, means for prearranged positioning of the mobile unit in relation to the station, and means for activating the arm for picking up the rundown electricity supply source and replacing it with a new electricity supply source withdrawn from the storage station.

Abstract: The dustproof cabinet disclosed features a lattice framework in which a plurality of members are interconnected via their ends in sets of three, at least, by way of modular joints which, together with the members, create frames around the external openings of the lattice; each opening is then enclosed closed by a dustproof panel. The joints exhibit ribs or channels which, together with similar ribs or channels incorporated into the members, provide each frame with the mounting for a seal that occupies the entire periphery of the relative frame and offers a frontal abutment to the panel covering the relative opening.

Abstract: The device disclosed comprises at least two optical detectors, each of which having two optical assemblies, diametrically opposed in relation to the rod exiting from a cigarette making machine, and a light-sensitive component consisting of an array of charge-coupled devices of the type used for scanning images. With each scan, the detectors emit signals reflecting the transverse dimensions of the rod which are first compared with a threshold signal reflecting the nominal diameter of the rod, and then utilized in conjunction with stepping motors to control devices which correct the transverse dimensions of the rod.

Abstract: A piercing device for piercing holes in cigarettes or similar smoking commodities, in which a laser beam emitted by a continuous laser source is directed, by a mobile reflecting and focusing unit, mounted in a rotary manner around an axis. A fixed reflecting member is arranged on the axis and the beam is reflected, on to each cigarette for piercing, the latter being arranged essentially coaxial with the axis and being carried crosswise in relation to it on a rotary drum. The mobile unit receives the laser beam in a direction coaxial with the axis and diverts it first outwards and then inwards to a fixed point on the axis. The focused beam is diverted on to each cigarette by the fixed reflecting member which is provided with two rings of fixed mirrors.

Abstract: A method by which bar-shaped articles, in particular cigarettes, are transferred transversely to their axis by three rollers, of which one is disposed in an intermediate position between the other two and is tangential to these latter at two separate points defining a perforation arc therebetween, and are advanced along said perforation arc supported by respective cradles which are rotated about their axes relative to said intermediate roller at a constant angular speed equal to a whole multiple of the angular speed of said intermediate roller; a pulsed laser beam rotatable about the axis of the intermediate roller being used to form at least one ring of perforations in each article during the time used by said article to traverse said perforation arc.

Abstract: In a conveyor system for conveying articles, such as a system for conveying cigarettes from a cigarette-manufacturing machine along a plurality of channels to a packaging machine, the level of cigarettes in one or more of the channels is measured by an analog-type level detector which generates a continuous output signal used to continuously control the speed of the conveyor system.

Abstract: A piercing device for piercing holes in cigarettes or similar smoking commodities, in which a laser beam emitted by a continuous laser source is directed, by a mobile reflecting and focusing unit, mounted in a rotary manner around an axis a fixed reflecting member is arranged on the axis and the beam is reflected on to the cigarettes for piercing, while the latter turn round their own axis and travel crosswise in relation to the axis of the beam.The mobile unit receives the laser beam in a direction coaxial with the axis and diverts it first outwards and then towards the latter. The focused beam is derived on to the cigarettes by a ring of mirrors with which the reflecting member is provided.

Abstract: There is described a system for monitoring the operation of output transducers of a central control and monitoring unit for machines usable in production and/or product packaging lines. The main characteristic of this system lies in the fact that it includes a detector for detecting the passage of current in the transducer without relying on a voltage drop detection system.

Abstract: A device for supplying webs of wrapping material to a cigarette making machine of the two rod type is constituted by a device for cutting a web of wrapping material into a first and a second web of identical width, and by deviation devices associated with each of the webs for the displacement thereof in a direction crosswise to that in which the webs move forward. Connected to the first and second web are detector devices provided for operating, through circuit elements, a motor for each of the three deviation devices in such a way as to cancel, moment by moment, any possible differences in width between the first web and the second web and any deflection thereof with respect to a given sliding position.

Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring a manufacturing or packaging line. The system includes a plurality of input circuits of identical configuration, each being able to provide either: (a) an integrator for eliminating disturbing signals fed to the input circuit, (b) a high pass filter for passing AC signals to the input circuit, or (c) a rectifier for rectifying AC signals fed to the input circuit. Each of the circuit configurations includes a plurality of terminals arranged for connection to devices for controlling or monitoring the manufacturing or packaging line. The connections between the terminals and the devices are selected in accordance with the type of device employed. The system also includes a central control unit connected to the input circuits and a detection circuit connected to the input circuits to detect defects in the operation of the input circuit.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the operation of an input transducer of a central control unit for machines employed in production and product packaging lines, the system having a first circuit for detecting operating defects of the input transducer including a first subcircuit for producing a change in the operating condition of the transducer to produce a corresponding change in the logic signal of the transducer, and a second subcircuit for detecting the change in the logic signal and operating a control alarm based upon the detected change in the logic signal, the system also including a second circuit for providing a signal from the transducer to the central control and monitoring unit based upon the operating condition of the transducer.

Abstract: Piercing device for piercing holes in cigarettes or similar smoking commodities, in which a laser beam emitted by a continuous laser source is "pulsated" by a mobile reflecting element, assembled in rotary manner round a fixed axis, and a fixed reflecting element optically connected to the said mobile reflecting element and provided with a faceted reflecting body in the shape of an irregular pyramid designed to define, for each "pulse", a focus on the surface of the said cigarette being pierced, and endowed, in relation to the latter and throughout the length of the pulse, with relatively zero speed.

Abstract: Method for sampling cigarettes on a filter assembly machine whereby a cigarette is picked out of a respective recess at a first point on a line feeding the cigarettes through the filter assembly machine and, after being fed to at least one checking station, is fed back on to the line at a second point on the same, downstream from the first point. Such feedback is performed when an empty recess, from which another cigarette for inspection has been removed at the first point, passes through the second point.

Abstract: A device for forming perforations in bar-shape articles, in which the articles are pierced during their translation through a piercing station by means of bundles of focused laser rays emitted by laser diodes, disposed in fixed positions and distributed in such a way that the distance between each diode and the associated perforation on each said article is, at the instant of emission of the bundle of rays identical to the focal length thereof.