Molins Plc

Robert J Hudson

John G Dowding

Peter R Turner

Cigarette-rod weight monitoring system in which the signals from a scanner, e.g. a nucleonic device such as Molins 'MODIC', are processed and stored in a memory in a digitized form, and the memory contents are used to drive an analog display device. These signals, which represent the individual cigarettes, or short lengths, are accumulated in the memory over a period which is sufficiently long for a statistically significant distribution pattern to be achieved, so that the shape of the distribution curve can be observed to determine whether it is 'normal' or whether any skews or other irregularities are present. In addition the accomulated signals can be analyzed in various ways to provide quantitative measurements of overall standard deviation, or effective standard deviation either side of the mean to show whether any 'skews' exist. S.D. can be calculated for whole cigarettes or short lengths for different diagnostic purposes.

Cigarette weight monitoring system

A bistable circuit comprises a light-emitting diode connected in series with a phototransistor and so disposed as to illuminate the latter. When current is flowing--i.e. when the phototransistor conducts--light from the LED keeps the phototransistor conductive, and the circuit can be switched to the non-conductive (OFF) state by interrupting the light path between the LED and the phototransistor. When the circuit is OFF it can be switched to the ON state by external light. A data-storage device embodying such bistable circuits is also disclosed; a rotatable disc carries a plurality of such circuits at regular spacings adjacent its periphery, and several setting devices at different positions are each operable to illuminate one of the circuits passing the setting device to switch that circuit to the ON state. After passing the several setting devices, each circuit is carried past a sensing device which detects whether the circuit is ON (by detecting whether light is being emitted from the circuit) and thereafter past a stationary shutter so placed as to interrupt the light path of the circuit and hence reset any circuit which is ON to the OFF state.

Growing community of inventors

London, United Kingdom

Robert J Hudson