Abstract: An apparatus for checking the authenticity of bank notes in unprotected areas, has a sensor assembly containing a light source which produces light of a first wavelength with which the bank notes to be checked are illuminated; whereupon one or more feature substances present in and/or on the bank notes produces light of a second wavelength which is detected by the sensor assembly. A control device evaluates data from the sensor assembly about the light of the second wavelength and compares them with reference data to determine the authenticity of the bank notes. The structure and operation of the sensor assembly and/or the control device permit conclusions to be drawn only with difficulty on the feature substance or substances contained in the bank notes.

Abstract: Successive packets of cigarettes or the like are monitored to ascertain the integrity or absence of integrity of their outer envelopes by conveying them across at least one curtain of radiation so that a packet having an improperly glued flap or tuck or label or an analogous defect affecting the acceptability of its outline intercepts a greater amount of radiation than a packet having an outline matching that of a prototype. First signals denoting the amount of radiation intercepted by successive packets are compared with a reference signal denoting the amount of radiation intercepted by the prototype and, when the difference between a first signal and the reference signal is outside of a permissible range, the corresponding packet is segregated from other packets.

Abstract: An IC device to be inspected is received in a chamber, and an IC tester Judges performance of the IC device. An electrical connection device is arranged outside the chamber and has a conductive passage electrically connecting between the IC tester and the IC device. An IC socket is retained on the electrical connection device, for having the IC device inserted therein. A magnetometric sensor is arranged close to the conductive passage of the electrical connection device, for detecting a magnetic field generated when electric current is supplied to the IC device. A temperature control device controls a temperature of the IC device. A control unit controls the temperature control device based on a signal delivered from the magnetometric sensor, to maintain the temperature of the IC device within a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: In an IC tester comprising a tester part and a handler which includes two test stations or an IC tester comprising a tester part and two handlers, useless waiting times wasted by the tester part are eliminated. Means (SO) is provided for inputting a simultaneous measurement mode into the handler 2, and when the simultaneous measurement mode is inputted, the handler waits, in case the test preparation in the first test station 15a is completed and the test preparation in the second test station 15b is not completed, till the test preparation in the second station is completed, and when the test preparation in the second station is completed, the handler transmits the test preparation complete signals of both the stations to the tester part 1.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting and eliminating cigarettes having loose filter tips whereby the tobacco rod end of a filter cigarette is held in place and a pre-set separating force is exerted on the filter to see if the filter is secured properly to the tobacco rod; and, if not, the filter and tobacco rod are rejected. A rotatable, splitable drum assembly is provided with a first and second vacuum source and the rotatable, splitable drum assembly is splitable into first and second segments. The drum is provided with longitudinally extending grooves therein which continually extend onto the first and second segments. Each groove is sized to receive a filter tip cigarette therein and each groove is also in vacuum communication with the first and second vacuum source. The first segment of the drum is coupled with the tobacco rod end of a filter tip cigarette by the first vacuum and the second segment of the drum is coupled with the filter of the filter tip cigarette by the second vacuum.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting open longitudinal seams in the continuous wrapper of cigarette or cigarette filter rod produced by a continuous rod-making machine relies on detection by a microphone (54) of disturbance caused by the defective seam to an air stream. The air stream is generated from a narrow slot (44) and normally follows a fixed, preferably flat, surface (40) closely adjacent to the longitudinal path of a rod (12). The surface (40) is part of a body (22) which contains the microphone (54) and connecting leads (56, 58), together with a passage (36) allowing sound to reach the microphone. Air is bled through a small bore (52) and through a further bore (30) containing a sound-insulating filter (66) to provide a purging air flow in the passage (36).

Abstract: The testing of cigarettes before their packaging is appropriately carried out in the region of magazine shafts (13, 14) of a cigarette magazine (10). To bring a layer (38) of cigarettes of a cigarette group (16) into an exact position for carrying out testing, they are temporarily received in a transverse slide (29) which causes the cigarettes to be aligned as a result of a transverse movement.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for the temporary attachment of a testing air line to the end of a cigarette has an essentially hollow cylindrical sealing body with flanges projecting radially to the inside and outside of the sealing end. The other end of the sealing body is held firmly. The outside edge of the outwardly projecting flange of the sealing body is inserted into a coaxial annular groove of the bore of a supporting body movable axially toward the held end to elastically deform the sealing body, permitting insertion or removal of the cigarette. In its undeformed state the sealing body seals against the cigarette end.

Abstract: Apparatus for the automatic removal of a sample from a production line comprises a rotary removal arm connected to a vacuum source for bringing the sample into a position opposite a diametral bore in a rotary disc. The disc is intended to bring the sample into a transfer position. The disc may be associated with devices for checking the pressure drop and weight of the sample. The sample may be reintroduced back into the production line.

Abstract: Selected or successive cigarettes of a series of cigarettes which are conveyed in a making and/or processing machine are acted upon by ejecting, perforating and/or other cigarette influencing instrumentalities during travel along a selected section of their path. A pulse generating system transmits a series of timing pulses during each interval of advancement of a cigarette along a unit section of the path, and a selected timing pulse of the series of pulses is used to apply a control signal to the influencing instrumentality while the cigarette to be influenced is located in a predetermined position with respect to such instrumentality. An additional timing pulse of the same series is used to terminate the application of the control signal. The pulses which are used for application and/or termination of application of control signals can be changed in response to changing speed of the prime mover of the machine or machines.