Method and a system for the manufacture of tobacco products

Abstract

Tobacco products are manufactured by a system including at least a first production machine turning out the tobacco products and at least one user machine in receipt of the products, connected together in cascade. In the event of a stoppage at the user machine, the speed of the first machine is reduced to a first level, lower than that of the normal operating speed, whereupon the lower speed is maintained for a programmed length of time during which the tobacco products that continue to be turned out by the first machine are ejected at an outfeed station, and thus prevented from reaching the user machine.

1 . A method for the manufacture of tobacco products in a system comprising at least a first production machine turning out tobacco products, and at least one user machine in receipt of such tobacco products, including the steps of: 
 adjusting the speed of the first machine to a first level, slower than normal operating speed, at least in the event of a break in the operation of the user machine;    causing tobacco products turned out in the course of the first step to be ejected at the outfeed of the first machine.    
   
   
       2 . A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a first machine equipped with means for the production of at least one continuous rod of a tobacco product, means by which the continuous rod is cut into sticks, and a second user machine in receipt of the sticks, comprising the steps of: 
 adjusting the speed of the first machine to a first level, slower than normal operating speed, at least in the event of a break in the operation of the second user machine;    ejecting the sticks turned out in the course of the first step.    
   
   
       3 . A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in  claim 2 , wherein the first machine consists in a cigarette maker turning out cigarette sticks, and the user machine consists in a filter tip attachment machine by which filters are applied to the cigarette sticks.  
   
   
       4 . A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a filter maker turning out filter plugs, and a filter tip attachment machine by which filter plugs are applied to cigarette sticks, comprising the steps of: 
 adjusting the speed of the filter maker to a first level, slower than normal operating speed, at least in the event of a break in the operation of the filter tip attachment machine;    ejecting the filter plugs turned out in the course of the first step.    
   
   
       5 . A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a packer machine and/or a cellophaner machine turning out packets, connected in cascade to a cartoner machine by which the packets are assembled in multiple packs.  
   
   
       6 . A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a cartoner machine by which the packets are assembled in multiple packs, connected in cascade to a cellophaner machine.  
   
   
       7 . A method as in  claim 1 , including the further step of maintaining the speed of the first machine at the first level for a predetermined length of time.  
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 1 , including the further step of adjusting the speed of the first machine to the first level when the system is started up.  
   
   
       9 . A method as in  claim 1 , including the steps of measuring the duration of the break in operation of the second user machine, comparing the duration of the break with a predetermined time reference value, and suspending the operation of the first machine when the duration of the break matches the predetermined time reference value.  
   
   
       10 . A system for the manufacture of tobacco products, comprising: 
 at least a first production machine turning out tobacco products;    at least one user machine in receipt of the tobacco products;    drive means to which the first machine is coupled;    a master control unit by which the drive means are caused to operate at least at a lower first level of speed and at a higher second level of speed, assumed in normal operation;    ejector means interposed between the outfeed of the first machine and the infeed of the user machine and interlocked to the master control unit;    first sensing means connected on the output side to the master control unit and generating signals to indicate a break in operation of the user machine.    
   
   
       11 . A system as in  claim 10 , comprising second sensing means connected on the output side to the master control unit and generating signals to indicate the start-up of the first machine.  
   
   
       12 . A system as in  claim 10 , wherein the master control unit is programmed to generate a signal serving to adjust the speed of the drive means to the lower first level, and a signal serving to activate the ejector means, in response to a signal received from the first sensing means or the second sensing means.  
   
   
       13 . A system as in  claim 10 , wherein the master control unit comprises means by which to measure the duration of the break in operation of the user machine, also means by which to compare the duration of the break in operation with a predetermined time reference value, and is designed to generate: 
 a signal serving to adjust the speed of the drive means to the lower first level and a signal serving to activate the ejector means, in response to a signal received from the first sensing means;    a signal serving to adjust the speed of the drive means to the higher second level of normal operating speed and a signal serving to deactivate the ejector means, when the signal generated by the first sensing means ceases within an interval of time less than the predetermined reference value;    a signal serving to shut down the drive means in the event that the duration of the break in operation of the user machine persists for a time equal to that of the reference value.    
   
   
       14 . A system as in  claim 10 , wherein the first machine consists in a cigarette maker turning out cigarette sticks for assembly into cigarettes, and the user machine consists in a filter tip attachment machine by which filters are applied to the cigarette sticks.  
   
   
       15 . A system as in  claim 10 , wherein the first machine consists in a filter maker turning out filter plugs, and the user machine consists in a filter tip attachment machine by which filters are applied to cigarette sticks.  
   
   
       16 . A system as in  claim 10 , wherein the first machine consists in a packer machine and/or a cellophaner machine turning out packets, connected in cascade to a user machine consisting in a cartoner machine by which the packets are assembled in multiple packs.  
   
   
       17 . A system as in  claim 10 , wherein the first machine consists in a cartoner machine by which the packets are assembled in multiple packs, connected in cascade to a cellophaner machine for overwrapping cartons.  
   
   
       18 . A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in  claim 2 , wherein the system comprises a filter maker turning out filter plugs, and a filter tip attachment machine by which filter plugs are applied to cigarette sticks, comprising the steps of: 
 adjusting the speed of the filter maker to a first level, slower than normal operating speed, at least in the event of a break in the operation of the filter tip attachment machine;    ejecting the filter plugs turned out in the course of the first step.    
   
   
       19 . A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in  claim 2 , wherein the system comprises a packer machine and/or a cellophaner machine turning out packets, connected in cascade to a cartoner machine by which the packets are assembled in multiple packs.  
   
   
       20 . A method for the manufacture of tobacco products as in  claim 2 , wherein the system comprises a cartoner machine by which the packets are assembled in multiple packs, connected in cascade to a cellophaner machine.