A cigarette mouthpiece flavor capsule detection and grading device

Abstract

This invention provides a device for detecting and grading cigarette mouthpiece capsules, comprising a frame with a horizontally mounted conveyor belt. Above the conveyor belt, from one end to the other, are sequentially arranged a cigarette mouthpiece feeding mechanism, a hyperspectral detection mechanism, a laser pointer, and a cigarette mouthpiece gripping mechanism. The feeding mechanism feeds cigarette mouthpieces at a constant speed to the beginning of the conveyor belt. The detection ports of the hyperspectral detection mechanism and the laser pointer face downwards. A photoelectric sensor and an incremental encoder, with their detection ports facing the cigarette mouthpieces on the conveyor belt, are also located on one side of the conveyor belt. Two horizontal tracks are positioned above the end of the conveyor belt, and the cigarette mouthpiece gripping mechanism controls the flow of cigarette mouthpieces onto the designated tracks. The device also includes a control unit mounted on the frame and electrically connected to other electrical components. This invention uses a hyperspectral detection mechanism to detect cigarette mouthpiece capsules, achieving non-destructive testing while maintaining high speed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tobacco material analysis technology, and in particular to a device for detecting and grading cigarette mouthpiece capsules. Background Technology

[0002] The addition of flavor capsules to cigarette filters reduces the impact of the external environment on the taste and aroma loss, allowing for the controlled release of distinctive aromas during cigarette smoking. This plays a crucial role in improving the cigarette's flavor, enhancing and complementing its aroma, and highlighting its unique style. Therefore, the development and research of flavor capsules are of great significance to the development of cigarette companies. Traditional methods for detecting flavor capsules mainly rely on manual sampling, which is not only labor-intensive and inefficient but also lacks standardization, resulting in low reliability. Therefore, the market urgently needs a device that can quickly detect flavor capsules, which can not only improve the efficiency of industrial production but also better protect consumer safety within a reasonable range. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cigarette holder capsule detection and grading device. It uses a hyperspectral detection mechanism to detect cigarette holder capsules, and distinguishes between intact capsules and broken capsules by utilizing the unique reflective properties of different objects to the spectrum. The device judges whether the product is qualified by the transmittance of the detection band, thus achieving non-destructive testing while ensuring the speed of testing.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: a cigarette holder capsule detection and grading device, comprising a frame, a conveyor belt horizontally mounted on the frame, and a cigarette holder feeding mechanism, a hyperspectral detection mechanism, a laser pointer, and a cigarette holder gripping mechanism sequentially mounted above the conveyor belt from the first end to the last end. The cigarette holder feeding mechanism is used to feed cigarette holders at a constant speed to the first end of the conveyor belt. The detection ports of the hyperspectral detection mechanism and the laser pointer face downwards. A photoelectric sensor and an incremental encoder with their detection ports facing the cigarette holders on the conveyor belt are also provided on one side of the conveyor belt. Two tracks are horizontally mounted above the last end of the conveyor belt, and the cigarette holder gripping mechanism is used to control the flow of cigarette holders on the conveyor belt to the designated tracks. The device also includes a control unit mounted on the frame and electrically connected to other electrical components.

[0005] Preferably, the cigarette holder gripping mechanism includes a cigarette holder suction device, a horizontal slide, and a vertical slide. The bottom of the vertical slide is located on the horizontal slide, and the tail end of the cigarette holder suction device is located on the vertical slide. The cigarette holder suction device includes a curved surface. Multiple suction cups are provided on the inner side of the curved surface, and multiple suction cup ventilation columns and a main air intake column are provided on the outer side of the curved surface. The suction cup ventilation columns are connected by a communicating vessel, which has two layers. The main air intake column controls the air pressure of each suction cup ventilation column.

[0006] Preferably, the end of the conveyor belt is provided with two mouthpiece grooves for receiving mouthpieces with different popping conditions discharged from the two tracks; between the mouthpiece grooves and the frame, there is an N-shaped hanger, and directly below the hanger, there are two mouthpiece gripping mechanisms that match the track positions.

[0007] Preferably, the cigarette holder feeding mechanism includes a storage device and a feeding wheel arranged from top to bottom. Both the storage device and the feeding wheel are suspended and fixed directly above the beginning of the conveyor belt by a bracket. The feeding wheel is evenly provided with a plurality of grooves for storing cigarette holders, and the depth of the grooves is half the diameter of the cigarette holder. The discharge port at the bottom of the storage device matches the feeding wheel.

[0008] Preferably, the discharge port of the storage device is provided with an inclined feeding slide plate to block the discharge port. The feeding slide plate is also provided with a matching feeding rail. The storage device is also provided with a slide plate motor. The output end of the slide plate motor is connected to the top of the feeding slide plate through a transmission chain. When the slide plate motor works, it drives the feeding slide plate to slide on the feeding rail.

[0009] Preferably, the bottom of the feeding slide plate is equipped with a vibration motor.

[0010] Preferably, the laser spear includes four laser marking machines corresponding to the four popping beads inside the mouthpiece, and the laser marking machines are fixedly mounted directly above the conveyor belt.

[0011] Preferably, three directional air holes are provided at equal intervals on both sides of the track, and the position of the cigarette nozzle is controlled by blowing air. A photoelectric sensor is provided on the inner side of the track.

[0012] Preferably, the front end of the track is provided with a flexible deflecting stop.

[0013] Preferably, a conveyor belt motor is provided on one side of the conveyor belt to drive its rotation.

[0014] Beneficial Effects: This invention employs a hyperspectral imaging mechanism to detect the burst beads in cigarette holders. It utilizes the unique reflective properties of different objects to distinguish between intact and broken burst beads. The transmittance of the detected wavelength band determines product quality, achieving non-destructive testing while maintaining speed. A laser mark is used to mark the corresponding burst bead positions, simplifying and reducing complex operations. An incremental encoder encodes each cigarette holder and calculates its displacement, providing the rejection device with position data and indicating whether it is a cigarette holder containing broken burst beads.

[0015] The designed cigarette holder suction device consists of a curved surface and multiple small suction cups. The suction cups are evenly distributed within the curved surface, increasing the contact area with the cigarette holder surface. When the suction cups contact the cigarette holder surface, they create a good airtight seal, making the gripping process more stable, reducing mechanical damage to the cigarette holder, and improving industrial efficiency. A deflecting baffle is installed at the front end of the track, contacting the flexible deflecting baffle at one end of the cigarette holder, acting as an obstacle to facilitate gripping by the cigarette holder suction device. The use of deflecting air holes further reduces mechanical damage to the cigarette holder, making the cigarette flavor capsule safer. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a detailed internal view of the storage device of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cigarette holder inhaler of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the location of the directional air vent of the present invention.

[0020] In the diagram, 1. Frame, 2. Conveyor belt, 3. Cigarette mouthpiece feeding mechanism, 4. Hyperspectral detection mechanism, 5. Laser spear, 6. Photoelectric sensor, 7. Incremental encoder, 8. Track, 9. Cigarette mouthpiece suction device, 91. Curved surface, 92. Suction cup, 93. Suction cup ventilation column, 94. Main air intake column, 95. Communicator, 10. Horizontal slide, 11. Vertical slide, 12. Cigarette mouthpiece groove, 13. Hanger, 14. Storage container, 15. Feeding wheel, 16. Support, 17. Discharge port, 18. Feeding slide plate, 19. Feeding slide rail, 20. Slide plate motor, 21. Conveyor chain, 22. Fixing frame, 23. Directional air hole, 24. Directional stop, 25. Conveyor belt motor. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0022] The structures, proportions, sizes, etc., shown in the accompanying drawings of this specification are only for the purpose of assisting those skilled in the art in understanding and reading the content disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to limit the conditions under which the present invention can be implemented. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in the proportions, or adjustments to the size, without affecting the effects and objectives that the present invention can produce, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in the present invention.

[0023] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more; the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front end," "rear end," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of the present invention.

[0024] It should be noted that any parts not described in detail in this application are prior art.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, this invention provides a cigarette holder capsule detection and grading device, including a frame 1, a conveyor belt 2 horizontally mounted on the frame 1, and a conveyor belt motor 25 driving the conveyor belt 2 to rotate on one side. Above the conveyor belt 2, from the first end to the last end, are sequentially arranged a cigarette holder feeding mechanism 3, a hyperspectral detection mechanism 4, a laser spear 5, and a cigarette holder gripping mechanism. The cigarette holder feeding mechanism 3 is used to feed cigarette holders at a constant speed to the first end of the conveyor belt 2.

[0026] The cigarette holder feeding mechanism 3 includes a storage container 14 and a feeding wheel 15 arranged from top to bottom. Both the storage container 14 and the feeding wheel 15 are suspended and fixed directly above the beginning of the conveyor belt 2 by a bracket 16. The feeding wheel 15 has a plurality of grooves evenly arranged around it for storing cigarette holders. The depth of the grooves is half the diameter of the cigarette holder. The discharge port 17 at the bottom of the storage container 14 matches the feeding wheel 15.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the discharge port 17 of the storage device 14 is inclinedly provided with a feeding slide plate 18 to block the discharge port 17. The feeding slide plate 18 is also provided with a matching feeding rail 19. The storage device 14 is also provided with a slide plate motor 20. The output end of the slide plate motor 20 is connected to the top of the feeding slide plate 18 through a transmission chain 21. When the slide plate motor 20 works, it drives the feeding slide plate 18 to slide on the feeding rail 19. When the slide plate motor 20 rotates, it drives the feeding slide plate 18 to move upward. The gap in the movement can only pass through one cigarette holder. The cigarette holder falls downward. The rotation speed of the feeding wheel 15 and the descent speed of the cigarette holder are adjusted so that each groove in the feeding wheel 15 can only store one cigarette holder. The rotation of the feeding wheel 15 transports the cigarette holder to the transmission belt. The bottom of the feeding slide plate 18 is provided with a vibration motor to prevent the cigarette holders from squeezing against each other inside the storage device 14 during feeding and forming an arch bridge, which would cause the cigarette holder to be tested to get stuck in the storage device.

[0028] The hyperspectral detection mechanism 4 and the laser spear 5 have their detection ends facing downwards. The hyperspectral detection mechanism 4 is used to detect the position of the popping beads, and the laser spear 5 is used to make laser marks at the corresponding popping bead positions in the cigarette holder. The laser spear 5 includes four laser marking machines corresponding to the four popping beads in the cigarette holder, and the laser marking machines are mounted directly above the conveyor belt 2 via a fixing frame 22.

[0029] The hyperspectral detection mechanism 4 consists of a hyperspectral camera and a support 16, with the hyperspectral camera positioned directly above the cigarette holder for measuring cigarette holder data. The hyperspectral detection mechanism 4 is used to detect the transmittance data of the normal flavor capsule, the burst flavor capsule, and the sponge in the cigarette holder.

[0030] One side of the conveyor belt 2 is also equipped with a photoelectric sensor 6 and an incremental encoder 7, with the detection end port facing the cigarette holders on the conveyor belt 2; the incremental encoder 7 is used to encode each cigarette holder and calculate the displacement of the cigarette holder. The photoelectric sensor 6 is used to detect whether a cigarette holder is passing by and to count the number of cigarette holders.

[0031] Two horizontal tracks 8 are provided above the tail end of the conveyor belt 2. The cigarette holder gripping mechanism is used to control the flow of cigarette holders on the conveyor belt 2 to the designated tracks 8. The cigarette holder gripping mechanism includes a cigarette holder extractor 9, a horizontal slide 10, and a vertical slide 11. The bottom of the vertical slide 11 is located on the horizontal slide 10, and the tail end of the cigarette holder extractor 9 is located on the vertical slide 11. The vertical slide 11 is used to control the height position of the cigarette holder extractor 9, and the horizontal slide 10 is used to control the horizontal position of the cigarette holder extractor 9.

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown, the cigarette holder suction device 9 includes a curved surface 91. Multiple suction cups 92 are provided on the inner side of the curved surface 91, and multiple suction cup ventilation columns 93 and a main air intake column 94 are provided on the outer side of the curved surface 91. The suction cup ventilation columns 93 are connected to each other through a connecting device 95, which has two layers. The main air intake column 94 controls the air pressure of each suction cup ventilation column 93.

[0033] By employing multiple suction cups 92 in coordination, the smaller suction cups 92 can achieve a large effective area, resulting in more efficient suction of the cigarette holder surface and less loss during suction. Traditional clamping methods can easily bend the cigarette holder, causing damage or damaging the normal flavor capsule. If a single suction cup 92 is used, it needs to have a large area, resulting in poor airtightness and easy leakage. Moreover, when a single suction cup 92 is used to hold long cylindrical objects, it can easily cause the object to become unbalanced, causing it to fall off and damage the cigarette holder. In summary, using multiple suction cups 92 avoids these problems, making the suction of the cigarette holder safer and more stable.

[0034] A photoelectric sensor 6 is provided on the inner side of the track 8. A flexible deflector post 24 is provided at the front end of the track 8. As the cigarette holder moves with the conveyor belt 2, when the cigarette holder reaches the flexible deflector post 24, an angle is formed between the cigarette holder and the track 8, which provides the premise for the subsequent airflow from the air hole to change the cigarette holder from horizontal to vertical.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, three directional air holes 23 are provided at equal intervals on both sides of the track 8, which control the position of the cigarette nozzle by blowing air. The air holes release airflow to make the direction of the cigarette nozzle change to vertical, which is convenient for subsequent grasping.

[0036] At the end of the conveyor belt 2 are two mouthpiece grooves 12, each receiving mouthpieces with different menthol-like conditions discharged from the two tracks 8. The bottom of the mouthpiece grooves 12 is controlled by the conveyor belt 2 to maintain their position. An "N"-shaped hanger 13 is provided between the mouthpiece grooves 12 and the frame 1. Directly below the hanger 13 are two mouthpiece gripping mechanisms that match the positions of the tracks 8, used to grip the mouthpieces flowing out of the two tracks 8 and place them into the corresponding mouthpiece grooves 12.

[0037] It also includes a control unit mounted on the frame 1 and electrically connected to other electrical components. The control unit controls the overall operation of the detection and grading device. During operation, in the storage tank 14, the sliding plate motor 20 drives the feeding slide plate 18 to slide on the feeding rail 19, ensuring the gap is only the width of one cigarette holder. The sliding plate motor 20 stops, and the speed of the feeding wheel 15 is adjusted to match the speed at which the cigarette holders fall from the storage tank 14, placing the cigarette holders onto the conveyor belt 2. When a cigarette holder passes the photoelectric sensor 6, the photoelectric sensor 6 counts the number of cigarette holders and transmits this data to the control unit. When a cigarette holder passes the hyperspectral detection mechanism 4, the mechanism detects the cigarette holder's smoke level. The cigarette holder collects spectral data on the popping beads and surface of the cigarette holder and transmits the data to the control unit. The control unit analyzes the data to detect whether each cigarette holder has popping beads. The cigarette holder passes through an incremental encoder 7, which encodes each cigarette holder and calculates the displacement, and transmits the data to the control unit. When the cigarette holder passes through a laser piercing gun 5, it marks the position of the detected popping beads. When there are popping beads in the cigarette holder, the cigarette holder suction device 9 picks up the cigarette holder and places it into the corresponding track 8. The air outlet 23 in the track 8 releases airflow, changing the direction of the cigarette holder to vertical. When the cigarette holder passes the end of the track 8, the cigarette holder suction device 9 picks up the cigarette holder and places it into the corresponding cigarette holder groove 12.

[0038] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for detecting and grading cigarette flavor capsules, characterized in that: The system includes a frame (1), on which a conveyor belt (2) is horizontally mounted. Above the conveyor belt (2), from the first end to the last end, are arranged a cigarette holder feeding mechanism (3), a hyperspectral detection mechanism (4), a laser spear (5), and a cigarette holder gripping mechanism. The cigarette holder feeding mechanism (3) is used to discharge cigarette holders at a constant speed to the first end of the conveyor belt (2). The detection ports of the hyperspectral detection mechanism (4) and the laser spear (5) face downwards. On one side of the conveyor belt (2), there is also a photoelectric sensor (6) and an incremental encoder (7) with their detection ports facing the direction of the cigarette holders on the conveyor belt (2). Above the last end of the conveyor belt (2), there are two horizontal tracks (8). The cigarette holder gripping mechanism is used to control the flow of cigarette holders on the conveyor belt (2) to the designated tracks (8). The system also includes a control unit mounted on the frame (1) and electrically connected to the electrical components. The track (8) has three equidistant air holes (23) on both sides, which control the position of the mouthpiece by blowing air. The air holes (23) release air to make the direction of the mouthpiece change to longitudinal. The track (8) has a photoelectric sensor (6) on the inside and a flexible deflector (24) at the front end of the track (8). When the mouthpiece reaches the flexible deflector (24), an angle is formed between the mouthpiece and the track (8), which provides a prerequisite for the subsequent air holes to release air to make the mouthpiece change from horizontal to longitudinal.

2. The cigarette holder capsule detection and grading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cigarette holder gripping mechanism includes a cigarette holder suction device (9), a horizontal slide (10), and a vertical slide (11). The bottom of the vertical slide (11) is located on the horizontal slide (10), and the tail end of the cigarette holder suction device (9) is located on the vertical slide (11). The cigarette holder suction device (9) includes a curved surface (91). Multiple suction cups (92) are provided on the inner side of the curved surface (91), and multiple suction cup ventilation columns (93) and a main air intake column (94) are provided on the outer side of the curved surface (91). The suction cup ventilation columns (93) are connected to each other through a connecting device (95). The connecting device (95) has two layers. The main air intake column (94) controls the air pressure of each suction cup ventilation column (93).

3. The cigarette holder capsule detection and grading device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The end of the conveyor belt (2) is provided with two mouthpiece grooves (12) that respectively hold mouthpieces with different conditions of popping beads discharged from the two tracks (8); between the mouthpiece grooves (12) and the frame (1), there is a hanger (13) with an overall shape of "N"; directly below the hanger (13) are two mouthpiece gripping mechanisms that match the position of the tracks (8).

4. The cigarette holder capsule detection and grading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cigarette holder feeding mechanism (3) includes a storage container (14) and a feeding wheel (15) arranged from top to bottom. The storage container (14) and the feeding wheel (15) are both suspended and fixed above the head of the conveyor belt (2) by a bracket (16). The feeding wheel (15) is evenly provided with a plurality of grooves for storing cigarette holders, and the depth of the grooves is half the diameter of the cigarette holder. The discharge port (17) at the bottom of the storage container (14) matches the feeding wheel (15).

5. The cigarette holder capsule detection and grading device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The storage device (14) has an inclined feeding slide plate (18) at the discharge port (17) to block the discharge port (17). The feeding slide plate (18) is also equipped with a matching feeding slide rail (19). The storage device (14) is also equipped with a slide plate motor (20). The output end of the slide plate motor (20) is connected to the top of the feeding slide plate (18) through a transmission chain (21). The operation of the slide plate motor (20) drives the feeding slide plate (18) to slide on the feeding slide rail (19).

6. The cigarette holder capsule detection and grading device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The bottom of the feeding slide plate (18) is equipped with a vibration motor.

7. The cigarette holder capsule detection and grading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The laser spear (5) includes four laser marking machines corresponding to the four popping beads in the mouthpiece. The laser marking machines are mounted directly above the conveyor belt (2) via a fixing frame (22).

8. The cigarette holder capsule detection and grading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A conveyor belt motor (25) is provided on one side of the conveyor belt (2) to drive its rotation.

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