Apparatus for automatically controlling the initiation and/or

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling the initiation or termination of at least one function in timed relationship to the occurrence of an event. The invention is particularly useful in conjunction with the operation of a cigarette making machine, for example, where it is desired that the supply of cork-tipped paper and filter plugs, for example, be held off after the machine has started until such time as they are in fact required to be introduced in order to make the finished cigarette. A clock pulse generator provides a train of clock pulses which occur one after the other in sequential, spaced apart relationship. The clock pulse generator is activated in response to the occurrence of an event. Means are provided having a plurality of output terminals that translate the train of clock pulses into a plurality of pulse signals derivable from individual ones of the output terminals, one such pulse signal being derivable at each of the output terminals, and the pulses of different ones of the pulse signals occurring at different points in time. At least one network is connectable or is connected to at least one of the output terminals and includes a two state device which controls the initiation or termination of and initiates or terminates the function when the state thereof changes from one state to a second state. The network is responsive to the occurrence of a pulse at the output terminal to which the network is connected for changing the state of the two state device from its one state to its second state thereof.