Cigarette filling machine tube sensing and positioning apparatus

Abstract

A braking apparatus and a sensing apparatus for locating the position of and for positioning a filling tube holder. The apparatus comprises a movable filling tube holder capable of holding a plurality of filling tubes and a filling tube having a first end, a second end, an inside diameter, and an outside diameter disposed in said filling tube holder. A braking body having a contact portion communicates with the filling tube holder and provides a resistance to the movement of the filling tube holder. Also disclosed is a sensing apparatus that determines the position of a filling tube holder.

1 . A braking apparatus for positioning a filling tube holder of a cigarette filling machine, said apparatus comprising:
 a movable filling tube holder capable of holding a plurality of filling tubes,   a filling tube having a first end, a second end, an inside diameter, and an outside diameter disposed in said filling tube holder, and   a braking body having a contact portion communicating with the filling tube holder and capable of providing a resistance to the movement of the filling tube holder.   
     
     
         2 . The braking apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said contact portion further comprises a friction pad. 
     
     
         3 . The braking apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the braking body further comprises a spring, wherein the spring applies a force to push the contact portion against the filling tube holder. 
     
     
         4 . The braking apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the position of the friction pad of the contact portion of the braking body changes relative to the filling tube holder during operational rotation of the filling tube holder. 
     
     
         5 . The braking apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said braking body further comprises an engagement mechanism wherein the engagement mechanism locates the filling tube holder at any one of a plurality of predetermined positions. 
     
     
         6 . A sensing apparatus for determining the position of a filling tube holder of a cigarette filling machine, said apparatus comprising:
 a movable filling tube holder capable of holding a plurality of filling tubes,   a filling tube having a first end, a second end, an inside diameter, and an outside diameter disposed in said filling tube holder, and   a sensing mechanism communicating with said filling tube holder.   
     
     
         7 . The sensing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said sensing mechanism further comprises a proximity sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The sensing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein a signal from the sensing mechanism indicates the position of the filling tube holder. 
     
     
         9 . A sensing apparatus for determining the position of a filling tube holder of a cigarette filling machine, said apparatus comprising:
 a movable filling tube holder capable of holding a plurality of filling tubes,   a filling tube having a first end, a second end, an inside diameter, and an outside diameter disposed in said filling tube holder, and   a sensing mechanism communicating with the filling tube.   
     
     
         10 . The sensing apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said sensing mechanism further comprises a proximity sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The sensing apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein a signal from the sensing mechanism indicates the position of the filling tube holder.