Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting the selecting out of winnowings in the manufacture of smokable products, in particular cigarettes, wherein the current size distribution of a stream of tobacco particles passing a measuring point, per unit of time, is detected and compared with a settable nominal size distribution, and wherein an arrangement for separating the winnowings is continually adjusted, depending on the result of said comparison, and to a corresponding device comprising a sensor for detecting the current size distribution, an arrangement for inputting a nominal size distribution, an arrangement for comparing said current size distribution with said settable nominal size distribution, and lastly an adjusting arrangement for setting the arrangement for separating the winnowings, depending on the output signal of said comparing arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting the selecting out of winnowings in the manufacture of smokable products, in particular cigarettes, wherein the current size distribution of a stream of tobacco particles passing a measuring point, per unit of time, is detected and compared with a settable nominal size distribution, and wherein an arrangement for separating the winnowings is continually adjusted, depending on the result of said comparison, and to a corresponding device comprising a sensor for detecting the current size distribution, an arrangement for inputting a nominal size distribution, an arrangement for comparing said current size distribution with said settable nominal size distribution, and lastly an adjusting arrangement for setting the arrangement for separating the winnowings, depending on the output signal of said comparing arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting the particles of a tobacco particle stream in the production of smokable articles by scanning by means of a fine-beam light barrier, the diameter of which is smaller than the dimensions of the tobacco particles, and from the distribution of the dimensions of the tobacco particles determined by darkening of the fine-beam light barrier.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for controlling the physical properties of a rod of smokable material the actual values of at least two physical properties, in particular resistance to draw and hardness or deformation of the tobacco rod or of the smokable article, are detected; the differences between said actual values and predetermined desired values are determined and control signals derived therefrom; said control signals are compared with each other and the particular instantaneously largest control signal is supplied to a single actuator, that is an ecreteur or a hopper. An auto-selector circuit with maximum selection is used to compare the control signals.

Abstract: In a process for determining the resistance to draw and the gas permeability of a test piece, for example a cigarette or a cigarette paper, a linearly increasing or decreasing volumetric flow is conveyed through the test piece. The volumetric flow and the pressure drop at the test piece are measured continuously and compared with predetermined reference values. When there is equality between at least one measured value and a reference value, the measured value pair under consideration, volumetric flow/pressure drop, is detected. It is thus possible, on the one hand, to determine the characteristic curve of the test piece, i.e. the change in the pressure drop with the volumetric flow, over a greater range of the volumetric flow, and, on the other hand, to measure pairs of values for accurately defined values of the volumetric flow and/or the pressure drop.

Abstract: To determine the force acting on a test piece and the resultant change in parameters, the test piece is subjected to linearly increasing force. The resultant change in parameters and the force needed for this purpose are measured continuously and compared with predetermined reference values for these two variables. As soon as equality is determined between at least one measured value and its associated reference value, the value pair under consideration, force/change in parameters, is detected. This process can be used for the measurement of various mechanical variables.