US3793512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for monitoring the operation of tobacco processing machines or the like
Assignee: Körber AG
•
Filing: 1971-03-17
•
Granted: 1974-02-19
•
Expires: 1991-03-17
Abstract
Abstract The operation of parts or groups of parts in discrete machines or groups of cooperating machines for the treatment, processing and/or transport of plain or filter-tipped smokers'' products and/or their components is monitored by discrete detectors. The detectors produce signals in response to detection of malfunctions of the respective parts or groups of parts. Such signals are utilized to stop one or more machines as well as to operate circuits or devices which count and record the number of malfunctions of each part or group of parts within a selected period of time, and which also record the length of intervals of idleness of one or more machines as a result of malfunctioning of each part or group of parts as well as the ratio of intervals of idleness to the length of a selected period, such as a day''s shift or a week.
Inventors
- 👤 H Lorenzen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:41
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24C; A24C5/00; A24C5/14; A24C5/31; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S131/00; Y10S131/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit which is prone to malfunction, said one processing unit forming part of a machine for the production and transport of an at least substantially continuous stream of commodities; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of irregularities in said stream, said irregularities being the result of pileups of said commodities; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit which is prone to malfunction, said one processing unit forming part of a machine for the production and transport of an at least substantially continuous stream of commodities; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of irregularities in said stream, said irregularities being the result of pileups of said commodities; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit which is prone to malfunction, said one processing unit forming part of a machine for the production and transport of an at least substantially continuous stream of commodities; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of irregularities in said stream, said irregularities being the result of periodic absence of commodities; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit which is prone to malfunction, said one processing unit forming part of a machine for the production and transport of an at least substantially continuous stream of commodities; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of irregularities in said stream, said irregularities being the result of periodic absence of commodities; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit which is prone to malfunction, said one processing unit forming part of a machine for the production and transport of an at least substantially continuous stream of commodities; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means arranged to produce signals in response to detection of a predetermined number of irregularities in said stream; counter means for counting the number of signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit which is prone to malfunction, said one processing unit forming part of a machine for the production and transport of an at least substantially continuous stream of commodities; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means arranged to produce signals in response to detection of a predetermined number of irregularities in said stream; counter means for counting the number of signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' prOducts, a combination comprising at least one processing unit which is prone to malfunction and includes at least one element which is subject to wear; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of a predetermined wear upon said one element; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' prOducts, a combination comprising at least one processing unit which is prone to malfunction and includes at least one element which is subject to wear; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of a predetermined wear upon said one element; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco or other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit including at least one element which is subject to breakage; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to breakage of said one element counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco or other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit including at least one element which is subject to breakage; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to breakage of said one element counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit forming part of a machine for the production of rod-shaped articles and being prone to malfunction; automatic detectors means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of irregularities in the production, quality and/or transport rod-shaped articles; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit forming part of a machine for the production of rod-shaped articles and being prone to malfunction; automatic detectors means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of irregularities in the production, quality and/or transport rod-shaped articles; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit forming part of a machine for the production of filter-tipped smokers'' products and being prone to malfunction; automatic detectors means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of malfunctions of said one processing unit; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit forming part of a machine for the production of filter-tipped smokers'' products and being prone to malfunction; automatic detectors means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of malfunctions of said one processing unit; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit forming part of a machine for stacking of rod-shaped tobacco-containing articles in containers and being prone to malfunction; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of malfunctions of said one unit; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit forming part of a machine for stacking of rod-shaped tobacco-containing articles in containers and being prone to malfunction; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of malfunctions of said one unit; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit forming part of a conveying machine for transporting commodities between a pair of additional machines and being prone to malfunction; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detecTion of malfunctions of said one unit; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit forming part of a conveying machine for transporting commodities between a pair of additional machines and being prone to malfunction; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detecTion of malfunctions of said one unit; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit forming part of a packing machine for tobacco-containing articles and being prone to malfunction; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of malfunctions of said one processing unit; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit forming part of a packing machine for tobacco-containing articles and being prone to malfunction; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of malfunctions of said one processing unit; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit forming part of a tobacco cutting machine and being prone to malfunction; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of malfunctions of said one processing unit; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in a machine or production line for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit forming part of a tobacco cutting machine and being prone to malfunction; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit and having signal generating means for producing signals in response to detection of malfunctions of said one processing unit; counter means for counting the signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in at least one machine or in a production line for the treatment of tobacco or other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit which is prone to malfunction; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit to detect malfunctions thereof; signal generating means for producing malfunction signals in response to detection of malfunctions by said automatic detector means; counter means for counting said malfunction signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted malfunction signals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
109 words
In a structure of the character indicated, particularly in at least one machine or in a production line for the treatment of tobacco or other commodities employed in connection with the manufacture of smokers'' products, a combination comprising at least one processing unit which is prone to malfunction; automatic detector means arranged to monitor the operation of said one processing unit to detect malfunctions thereof; signal generating means for producing malfunction signals in response to detection of malfunctions by said automatic detector means; counter means for counting said malfunction signals produced by said signal generating means; and recording means for recording the number of the thus counted malfunction signals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
50 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said one processing unit comprises means for feeding a commodity at a predetermined rate and said detector means comprises means for producing signals in response to detection of a deviation of the rate of feed of said commodity from said predetermined rate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said one processing unit comprises means for transporting a series of commodities at a predetermined frequency and said detector means comprises means for producing signals in response to detection of a deviation of the frequency of transport of said series of commodities from said predetermined frequency.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
52 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said one processing unit forms part of a machine for the production and transport of an at least substantially continuous stream of commodities and said detector means comprises signal generating means for producing said signals in response to detection of irregularities in said stream.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein said one processing unit forms part of a production line which further comprises at least one additional processing unit, and further comprising additional automatic detector means, signal generating means and counter means for said additional processing unit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination as defined in claim 16, further comprising additional recording means for said additional processing unit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
61 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, further comprising means for automatically arresting the machine which embodies said one processing unit in response to said malfunction sigNals to allow for elimination of causes of malfunction of said one processing unit, and timer means actuatable by said signals and operative to measure the length of the intervals of idleness of said machine.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
62 words
A combination as defined in claim 18, wherein said timer means includes means for transmitting second signals representing the length of said intervals of idleness of said machine and said recording means comprises summing means for making in response to said second signals a record of the sum of said intervals of idleness of said machine within a predetermined period of time.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
A combination as defined in claim 19, further comprising ratio forming means operatively connected with said summing means of said recording means for comparing the sum of said intervals of idleness of said machine within said predetermined period of time with the length of said predetermined period.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of supervising one or more processing units of a plurality of processing units which are prone to malfunction, particularly one or more processing units of a plurality of processing units which constitute components of one or more machines for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in the manufacture of smokers'' products and form part of a production line, comprising the first step of automatically separately monitoring the operation of several of said plurality of processing units to detect the malfunctions of said one processing unit and generating a malfunction signal in response to each of said detected malfunctions; the second step of automatically separately counting the number of the thus generated malfunction signals, and the third step of thereafter automatically recording the number of said thus counted malfunction signals of each of said several processing units.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of supervising one or more processing units of a plurality of processing units which are prone to malfunction, particularly one or more processing units of a plurality of processing units which constitute components of one or more machines for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in the manufacture of smokers'' products and form part of a production line, comprising the first step of automatically separately monitoring the operation of several of said plurality of processing units to detect the malfunctions of said one processing unit and generating a malfunction signal in response to each of said detected malfunctions; the second step of automatically separately counting the number of the thus generated malfunction signals, and the third step of thereafter automatically recording the number of said thus counted malfunction signals of each of said several processing units.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of supervising one or more processing units of a plurality of processing units which are prone to malfunction, particularly one or more processing units of a plurality of processing units which constitute components of one or more machines for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in the manufacture of smokers'' products, comprising the first step of automatically monitoring the operation of at least one of said plurality of processing units to detect the malfunctions of said one processing unit and generating a malfunction signal in response to each of said detected malfunctions; the second step of automatically counting the number of the thus generated malfunction signals; the third step of automatically recording the number of said malfunction signals; and the step of arresting the machine which embodies said one processing unit in response to detection of each malfunction for an interval of time which is needed to eliminate the cause of malfunction, and recording the length of each interval.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
163 words
A method of supervising one or more processing units of a plurality of processing units which are prone to malfunction, particularly one or more processing units of a plurality of processing units which constitute components of one or more machines for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in the manufacture of smokers'' products, comprising the first step of automatically monitoring the operation of at least one of said plurality of processing units to detect the malfunctions of said one processing unit and generating a malfunction signal in response to each of said detected malfunctions; the second step of automatically counting the number of the thus generated malfunction signals; the third step of automatically recording the number of said malfunction signals; and the step of arresting the machine which embodies said one processing unit in response to detection of each malfunction for an interval of time which is needed to eliminate the cause of malfunction, and recording the length of each interval.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 22, further comprising the step of recording the combined length of intervals of idleness of the machine due to malfunctions within a predetermined period of time.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 23, further comprising the step of automatically comparing the combined length of said intervals with the length of said period.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of supervising at least two machines for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in the manufacture of smokers'' products which form part of a production line, each of said machines including at least one processing unit which is prone to malfunction, comprising the steps of automatically monitoring the operation of at least one processing unit of one of said machines to detect the malfunctions of said one processing unit and generating a malfunction signal in response to each of said detected malfunctions; automatically monitoring the operation of at least one processing unit of another of said machines to detect the malfunctions of said last mentioned processing unit and generating a malfunction signal in response to each of said detected malfunctioNs of said last mentioned processing unit; automatically counting the number of the thus detected malfunction signals; and automatically recording the number of said thus automatically detected and counted malfunction signals.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of supervising at least two machines for the treatment of tobacco and other commodities employed in the manufacture of smokers'' products which form part of a production line, each of said machines including at least one processing unit which is prone to malfunction, comprising the steps of automatically monitoring the operation of at least one processing unit of one of said machines to detect the malfunctions of said one processing unit and generating a malfunction signal in response to each of said detected malfunctions; automatically monitoring the operation of at least one processing unit of another of said machines to detect the malfunctions of said last mentioned processing unit and generating a malfunction signal in response to each of said detected malfunctioNs of said last mentioned processing unit; automatically counting the number of the thus detected malfunction signals; and automatically recording the number of said thus automatically detected and counted malfunction signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-18 | 1977-08-20 | 1978-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-18 | 1981-08-20 | 1982-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-18 | 1985-08-20 | 1986-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |