Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the individual distribution of small stick-shaped objects (7), this device (1) making use of: a conveyor (2) comprising an endless conveyor belt (3) circulating around at least two pulleys or rollers (4, 4?), the outer side of this belt (3) being provided with transversal separators (5) which delimit a succession of compartments (6); a hopper (9) wherein the small stick-shaped objects (7) contained in compartments (6) are successively dumped; an individual distributor (10) arranged in the base of hopper (9) and wherein the small stick-shaped objects (7) become engaged via gravity, and comprising: a support and guide casing (8) comprising a semi-cylindrical form, substantially coaxial to the downstream pulley (4?), this casing (8) being oriented in such a way that it maintains the small stick-shaped objects (7) inside their respective compartments (6) during the passing of the belt (3) on said pulley (4?); a flexible vertical partition (11) separating the internal s

Abstract: A method for analysing cigarette smoking, which includes equipping a smoker with a portable assembly including a cigarette holder equipped with a detector to detect smoking-related parameters and a processor connected to the detectors. The processing module includes memory with date/time recording of the detected parameters and transfer devices for transferring data related to these parameters. A smoking test is performed during which the smoker equipped with the assembly smokes cigarettes with the cigarette holder over a period of time. Real-time detection is performed by the detectors and the results are stored so as to obtain a smoking profile specific to the smoker over the time period. The above data is then transferred to a processing center including a smoking machine, and the smoking machine is controlled using the transferred data so as to obtain the mechanical reproduction (duplication) of smoking in accordance with the smoking profile.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the filling of a cigarette by using a sinusoidal mathematical model representing the density of tobacco along the longitudinal axis of the cigarette and by conducting experimental measurements of density and of moisture at a plurality of points along this longitudinal axis, calculating a regression determination coefficient from the measured values, calculating the position of the strengthened tip from the phase ? and the parameters of the model and from experimentally determined constants, calculating the shift of the strengthened tip relatively to the cut and calculating the strengthening index from the values of these constants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the individual distribution of small stick-shaped objects (7), this device (1) making use of: a conveyor (2) comprising an endless conveyor belt (3) circulating around at least two pulleys or rollers (4, 4?), the outer side of this belt (3) being provided with transversal separators (5) which delimit a succession of compartments (6); a hopper (9) wherein the small stick-shaped objects (7) contained in compartments (6) are successively dumped; an individual distributor (10) arranged in the base of hopper (9) and wherein the small stick-shaped objects (7) become engaged via gravity, and comprising: a support and guide casing (8) comprising a semi-cylindrical form, substantially coaxial to the downstream pulley (4?), this casing (8) being oriented in such a way that it maintains the small stick-shaped objects (7) inside their respective compartments (6) during the passing of the belt (3) on said pulley (4?); a flexible vertical partition (11) separating the internal spac

Abstract: A method and device for using a permeameter comprising a measuring head (2) opposite which the sheet or strip (1) is displaced step by step. The method and device can comprise a registration including the determination of the permeability profile of the strip (1) over a period T including two different successive permeability ranges, determination of a sinusoid from said profile, the of two extremes of said sinusoid, centering the measuring head (2) on the second extreme, and moving the strip step by step by T/2 and, at each step, performing a permeability measurement.

Abstract: A method for analysing cigarette smoking, which includes equipping a smoker with a portable assembly including a cigarette holder equipped with a detector to detect smoking-related parameters and a processor connected to the detectors. The processing module includes memory with date/time recording of the detected parameters and transfer devices for transferring data related to these parameters. A smoking test is performed during which the smoker equipped with the assembly smokes cigarettes with the cigarette holder over a period of time. Real-time detection is performed by the detectors and the results are stored so as to obtain a smoking profile specific to the smoker over the time period. The above data is then transferred to a processing center including a smoking machine, and the smoking machine is controlled using the transferred data so as to obtain the mechanical reproduction (duplication) of smoking in accordance with the smoking profile.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sample-holder (1) for measuring parameters of porous objects, comprising a draft cell including a microwave frequency (C), through which the object passes so as to be able to measure moisture content before and/or after measuring draft.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method using a permeameter comprising a measuring head (2) opposite which the sheet or strip (1) is displaced step by step. It comprises a registration including the determination of the permeability profile of the strip (1) over a period T including two different successive permeability ranges, determination of a sinusoid from said profile, then of two extrema of said sinusoid, centering the measuring head (2) on the second extremum, and moving the strip step by step by T/2 with, at each step, a permeability measurement.

Abstract: The permeameter embodying the invention comprises, on the one hand, a measuring head comprising two chambers opening onto two sides of the test piece, one of these chambers being connected to a measuring circuit successively comprising at least one flow meter and a pumping means capable of generating pressure or a partial vacuum in the circuit, an adjusting means being provided to maintain the circuit at a given pressure, and, on the other hand, an electronic circuit comprising plural calibrated amplifiers of which the inputs are connected to the output of the flow meter and of which the outputs are connected to the inputs of a multiplexer whose output is connected to a processor via an analog-to-digital converter. The invention applies notably to the measurement of air permeability of cigarette paper.

Abstract: At least one dimension of the transverse cross-section of an object is measured in a predetermined direction by scanning the cross-section at constant speed with a laser beam which is moved in the plane of the cross-section but remains perpendicular to this direction. Successive pulses are generated representing the times, opto-electronically detected, at which the downstream side beam disappears and reappears. An electronic window is generated from said pulses during each of the time intervals of interception of the beam by the object. Clock pulses are counted during each of the windows and each of the counts obtained is compared with a predetermined digital threshold to validate the respective measurement.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring the flow-pressure characteristics of gas passing through a product sample with two faces, for example for measuring the permeability of a sample of air permeable material such as cigarette paper. A sample holder allows the external face of the paper to be exposed to atmospheric pressure and the internal face to a sub-atmospheric pressure created by a pump, whereas the value of this pressure difference and of the air flow passing through the sample is measured. A control system comprising a continuously controlled control valve and an electronic circuit controlled by a reference signal and a signal representative of the real pressure difference or of the real flow rate allows measurement conditions to be obtained rapidly in conformity with the requirements of certain standards and recommendations.