DE102019000128A1 - Storage device for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates, inter alia, to a storage device (10) for storing rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods.
The storage device (10) has a receiving memory (20) for the rod-shaped articles and an article feed device provided on the receiving memory (20), a working memory (30) which can be adjusted in terms of its storage volume for the rod-shaped articles being provided underneath the receiving memory (20) the rod-shaped articles can be introduced into the working memory (30) or inserted into the receiving memory (20).

Description

The invention relates to a storage device for storing rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods, and to a machine in the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rod processing machine.

The invention further relates to a method for operating a storage device for storing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods.

The term "rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry" includes filter rods, e.g. also understood cigarettes, cigarillos or cigars with and without filters, to which the invention is equally applicable.

In the manufacture or processing of rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, these rod-shaped articles or parts thereof are conveyed from a production machine to a further processing machine via pneumatic conveying lines. Here, e.g. Filter rods are transported via a conveyor line to a storage magazine, for example a filter attachment machine.

In DE 35 38 660 C2 describes a storage magazine of a filter attachment machine in which filter rods are conveyed transversely axially through a shaft into a magazine, the filter rods then being fed from this magazine to a consumer (filter attachment machine). When the filter rods are fed in, they are pushed into the magazine from below against the weight of the filter rods already present in the magazine.

Also revealed US 5,452,984 a tray that is filled on a filling device through an opening. When the tray is filled, the filter rods are filled into an expanding flexible band that encloses the filter rods in the tray. One end of the tape is attached to an opening and the other end is wound on a drum. To remove the filter rods from the incline, the incline is guided to a removal station, in which the filter rods are emptied through the same opening through which the filling was carried out. Here, the tape that encloses the filter rods in the slope is wrapped again.

Furthermore, in EP 1 310 178 B2 a magazine for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry is known, rod-shaped articles, for example filter rods, being introduced into a storage space of the magazine via an inlet. In this case, a filter loading device is arranged on the side of the magazine, via which a connected delivery line receives filter rods which are conveyed along the longitudinal axis from a filter transmission station and introduces the received filter rods transversely axially into the storage space via outlets of the filter loading device.

In addition, in EP 2 570 038 A1 describes a filter rod loading device for a permanent magazine of a filter rod further processing device of the tobacco processing industry, the filter rod loading device being arranged above the permanent magazine.

Furthermore, a system from Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH with a filter loading device and a filter sending station is known under the name "FILTROMAT".

An object of the invention is to store or temporarily store rod-shaped articles in e.g. enable a mass storage device to treat the filter rods supplied to the storage volume in a gentle manner, the design effort for this being kept as low as possible.

This object is achieved by a storage device for storing rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods, the storage device having a receiving memory for the rod-shaped articles and an article feed device provided on the receiving memory, with a working memory for the rod-shaped memory having an adjustable storage volume below the receiving memory Article is provided and the rod-shaped articles can be inserted into or inserted into the working memory from the receiving memory.

The invention is based on the idea that when rod-shaped articles such as e.g. in the case of filter feeding or filter rod feeding, on a machine in the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter attachment machine or multi-segment filter manufacturing machine, a working memory which is spatially separate from the receiving memory and is adaptable in its storage volume is provided below the receiving memory. In this case, the reception store, which preferably has a constant volume for the rod-shaped articles, is loaded with filter rods or rod-shaped articles from an article feed device. For example, in one configuration, the article feed device is designed as a single article feed device or with a plurality of single article feed devices, so that the rod-shaped articles are introduced transversely axially into the receiving memory by means of the single article feed device.

For this purpose, according to a further aspect of the invention it is provided that a constriction is provided between the receiving memory and the working memory, so that the rod-shaped articles can be introduced or introduced into the working memory from the receiving memory via the constriction provided between the receiving memory and the working memory.

According to the invention, a working memory which can be adjusted in terms of its storage volume is provided below the receiving memory and is preferably designed as an actively operable working memory, a narrowing being provided between the receiving memory and the working memory, as a result of which the working memory is filled with rod-shaped articles from the working memory via a narrowing between the receiving memory and the working memory are introduced into the working memory by gravity.

By providing a storage volume that can be adjusted in its storage volume below the receiving memory, it is achieved that the supplied rod-shaped articles are not inserted into the receiving memory against the weight of the rod-shaped articles already present in the receiving memory. In particular, the gentle treatment of shock-sensitive rod-shaped articles, such as Filter rods, thin-walled hollow filters or filters crimped from foil, reached. In addition, according to the invention, the transverse transport of the rod-shaped articles is decoupled from the insertion force that is applied in order to insert the rod-shaped articles against the weight of the rod-shaped articles already present in the receiving memory. In contrast, it is provided in the prior art that in the case of a filter loading device with single article feed device (s) on the single article loading device, the rod-shaped articles inserted into a magazine must build up a force during transverse transport with which the package of rod-shaped articles in the store moves upward against the weight the article already in the magazine is pushed. According to the prior art, the rod-shaped articles are stressed, so that the rod-shaped articles are damaged.

In particular, a constriction is provided between the lower-side outlet of the receiving memory and the upper-side inlet of the working memory, through which the rod-shaped articles are introduced from the receiving memory into the working memory. The storage volume of the working memory can be changed or adapted between a minimum volume and a maximum volume. In particular, the adaptation of the memory volume of the main memory is achieved by an actively operated mode of the main memory.

In the receiving memory and in the working memory, the rod-shaped articles are arranged and aligned in such a way that the longitudinal axes of the rod-shaped articles are aligned parallel, and in particular horizontally, as a result of which the rod-shaped articles are present in a kind of package or in a hexagonal arrangement or the like. This results in a compact arrangement of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory and in the working memory.

The minimum volume of the working memory is designed in such a way that rod-shaped articles are always present in the working memory when it is being formed during operation of the storage device.

In addition, according to a further development of the storage device, it is provided that the receiving memory has at least one filling level sensor for detecting the filling level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory and that a control device is provided, so that depending on the filling level detected by the at least one filling level sensor in the receiving memory, the storage volume of the The working memory is adapted, in particular regulated, and / or depending on the level level detected in the receiving memory by the at least one fill level sensor, the feed of the rod-shaped articles is influenced, in particular regulated, by means of the article feed device.

According to the invention, the working memory is arranged below the receiving memory and thus also below the article feed device, the rod-shaped articles being removed from the article feed device, e.g. Individual article feed device, are introduced into the receiving memory or are inserted transversely axially, at least one filling level sensor being provided in the receiving memory in order to detect the filling level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory.

In one embodiment, two level sensors are preferably provided in the receiving magazine in order to detect a maximum level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory and a minimum level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory. Depending on the detected fill level of the rod-shaped articles, it is provided that the storage volume of the working memory is increased or decreased by the operation of one or more actuators of the working memory. According to the invention, the rod-shaped articles arranged in the receiving memory are introduced into the working memory due to the force of gravity, the rod-shaped articles being emptied in the Receiving memory in the article feed device, the rod-shaped articles are fed into the receiving memory with little or no insertion force, as a result of which the receiving memory is filled. In this case, the rod-shaped articles introduced are protected when the receiving store is filled.

In addition, a preferred embodiment of the storage device provides that a removal memory of a removal device is provided in the lower area of the working memory or below the working memory, a narrowing being provided between the working memory and the removal memory, so that rod-shaped articles from the working memory are provided via the narrowing be inserted between the working memory and the removal memory.

In particular, the removal device, which is arranged below the working memory, has a removal memory with a constant volume. In addition, the removal device preferably has a removal drum provided on the removal memory, so that for further processing of the rod-shaped articles, they are conveyed on the removal drum in the transverse axial direction and are removed from the removal memory.

In addition, an embodiment of the storage device is characterized in that the article feed device has at least one single article feed device, in particular two or more single article feed devices, the at least one single article feed device being arranged on the side of the receiving memory, so that rod-shaped articles are transversely axially directed into the receiving memory in relation to their longitudinal axis are supplied, and / or that the article feed device has a tray filling device, the tray filling device being arranged above the receiving memory, so that rod-shaped articles are fed from a tray into the receiving memory.

According to a further aspect, the storage device provides that for adaptation, i.e. for widening or reducing the storage volume of the working memory has one, in particular horizontally, movable side wall or two, in particular parallel and horizontally movable side walls, wherein in particular the side wall or the side walls are aligned vertically.

In order to move the side wall or the side walls in the horizontal direction, a drive is provided, which is preferably connected to the control device, so that, for example, depending on the level of the rod-shaped articles detected in the receiving memory, the control device issues a corresponding control command to the drive of the side wall or the Sidewalls submitted to move the sidewall or sidewalls. In the context of the invention it is provided that in the event that two movable side walls are provided, there is a common drive for the two side walls.

In addition, in an alternative embodiment, it is possible for one drive to be provided for each of the two side walls. This makes it possible to move or move the side walls individually in the horizontal direction. It is also possible that the side walls at the same time, i.e. synchronous, to be moved. In order to move the side wall or the side walls in the horizontal direction, horizontal guides are preferably provided for the side wall or the side walls.

In addition, one embodiment provides that a motor-driven swivel mechanism is connected to the movement of the sides or the side walls, which is connected to the side wall or the side walls. In particular, the motor-driven swivel mechanism is also connected in particular to the control device, so that the swivel mechanism receives corresponding control commands from the control device as a function of the detected fill level.

In a further embodiment it is provided that corresponding position sensors are provided for the side wall or the side walls, for example in order to detect the horizontal end positions of the side wall or the side walls.

Furthermore, an embodiment of the memory device is characterized in that, for moving a side wall or for moving the side walls, the side wall or the side walls are each connected to at least one pivotably mounted sliding plate of the working memory.

The at least one pivotable sliding plate, which is connected to at least one side wall, makes it possible to correspondingly move or shift the side wall horizontally. In particular, two sliding plates are provided for each side wall, each of which is pivotally mounted about a horizontal pivot axis, a pivot axis of a sliding plate or a sliding plate being provided in the upper region of the working memory and a pivoting axis of a sliding plate or a sliding plate being provided in the lower region of the working memory. It is also conceivable within the scope of the invention that one for each side wall Sliding plate is provided which is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis.

If, for example, two sliding plates are provided in the upper area of the working memory and / or in the lower area of the working memory, each of which is connected to a side wall, it is possible to form a funnel-shaped arrangement of the sliding plates, thereby improving the guidance of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory.

According to a further development of the storage device, provision is also made for the working memory to have one or two storage volume adjustment bands for adapting the storage volume, the length of the section of the storage volume adaptation band abutting the rod-shaped articles or the lengths of the sections of the storage volume adaptation bands abutting the rod-shaped articles being variable.

In particular, one end of the storage volume adjustment band or one end of the sections of the storage volume bands that are variable in length are fastened in the working memory, in particular in the lower region of the working memory. To vary the length of the storage volume adjustment tapes, the storage volume adjustment tapes are wound up by a motor-driven roll or unwound from the roll. In particular, the drive of the roller or rollers for the storage volume adjustment tapes is connected to the control device, which receives corresponding control commands from the control device in order to adjust the storage volume of the working memory accordingly.

A further development of the storage device is characterized in that the storage device has an article density measuring device for detecting and / or determining the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory. For example, the article density measuring device can be designed in such a way that the torques of the drives of the adjustable or movable side walls are detected by means of a torque sensor or by means of torque sensors and the density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory is determined or determined as a function of the detected torques of the drives, for example the rod-shaped articles arranged in the working memory exert a force on the side walls and, when the side walls are moved by the drives, a counterforce or a torque is applied when the working memory is reduced. The applied counterforce is a measure of the item density in the working memory. If excessive torque is required from the drives of the side walls when the working memory is reduced, this can lead to the rod-shaped articles in the working memory being damaged. In this respect, the volume of the working memory is not reduced when a too large torque of the drives to be applied is detected. If, in a further embodiment, too great a force is exerted on the side walls by the rod-shaped articles in the working memory, this force can be determined by means of the torque sensor or the torque sensors of the drives. The article density measuring device is preferably connected to the control device, so that corresponding values or signals are transmitted from the article density measuring device to the control device.

In addition, it is further provided that an article density measuring sensor for detecting the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory is provided in the working memory (as an article density measuring device), the article density measuring sensor being connected to the control device in a further development. If it is determined here that an article density setpoint is exceeded, the storage volume of the working memory is increased and / or the operation of the article feed device is regulated, in particular stopped.

The object is also achieved by a machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rod processing machine, which is designed with a storage device described above for storing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry. To avoid repetition, reference is expressly made to the above statements.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for operating a storage device for storing rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods, the storage device having a receiving memory and a working memory which can be adjusted in terms of its storage volume, the receiving memory being arranged above the working memory, wherein in rod-shaped articles are fed to the receiving memory from at least one article feed device, so that the receiving memory is or is filled with a filling level with rod-shaped articles, and the rod-shaped articles are introduced into the working memory from the receiving memory.

In a further development of the method it is provided that the rod-shaped articles are introduced into the working memory from the receiving memory via a narrowing provided between the receiving memory and the working memory.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method it is provided that in Depending on the fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory, the storage volume of the working memory for the rod-shaped articles is adapted, in particular regulated, and / or that depending on the fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory, the feed of the rod-shaped articles is influenced, in particular regulated, by the article feed device. becomes.

Furthermore, the method is characterized in that the fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory is detected by means of at least one fill level sensor, in particular two or more fill level sensors.

In particular, a fill level sensor is provided for detecting a minimum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory. Furthermore, the maximum fill level of the rod-shaped articles is provided in the receiving memory by means of a second fill level sensor. For this purpose, it is provided in particular that a maximum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory is detected by means of a first fill level sensor and a minimum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiver memory by means of a second fill level sensor. If, for example, in one configuration using a fill level sensor to detect a maximum fill level in the receiving memory, it is determined that the maximum fill level has been reached by filling with rod-shaped articles, the side walls delimiting the working memory are moved away from one another by means of one or more drives for the side walls in order to achieve this Increase the amount of RAM.

In addition, a further development of the method is characterized in that rod-shaped articles are introduced from the working memory into a removal memory of a removal device provided below the working memory, preferably via a constriction provided between the working memory and the removal memory, the rod-shaped articles in particular being removed from the removal memory can be removed from a removal drum of the removal device.

According to a further aspect, it is preferred in the method that the article feed device has at least one single article feed device, in particular two or more single article feed devices, the at least one single article feed device being arranged on the side of the reception store, so that rod-shaped articles are oriented in the transverse axial direction in relation to their longitudinal axis Receiving memory are supplied, and / or that the article feed device has a tray filling device, the tray filling device being arranged above the receiving memory, so that rod-shaped articles are fed from a tray into the receiving memory.

According to a preferred aspect of the method, it is further provided that the storage volume of the working memory is adjusted by means of at least one horizontally movable, in particular vertically oriented, side wall by moving the at least one horizontally movable side wall in the horizontal direction.

In particular, two side walls are provided for adapting the memory volume of the main memory, the side walls being horizontally movable and laterally spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction, the side walls being moved individually or simultaneously to adapt the memory volume of the main memory.

For this purpose, in one embodiment of the method it is further provided that the at least one horizontally movable side wall is moved by means of a sliding plate or by means of several sliding plates, the sliding plate or the sliding plates being connected to the at least one side wall and each being pivotably mounted about a horizontal pivot axis, so that when the slide plate or the slide plates is pivoted about the respective pivot axis, the horizontally movable side wall is moved in the horizontal direction.

In particular, it is provided here that the pivot axis of the sliding plate or the pivot axes of the sliding plates are provided in the upper region and / or in the lower region of the working memory. In particular, one or two sliding plates are provided for each side wall. In addition, a horizontal guide for the side walls is provided. In addition, to detect the horizontal end positions of the side walls, it is provided that the end positions of the side walls are detected by means of position sensors.

Furthermore, the method is characterized in that the working memory has at least one storage volume adjustment band which can be varied in length for adapting the storage volume of the working memory for the rod-shaped articles, the length of the section of the storage volume adaptation band adjoining the rod-shaped articles being increased to increase the storage volume of the working memory and / or in order to reduce the storage volume of the working memory, the length of the section of the storage volume adjustment band adjoining the rod-shaped articles is reduced.

In a development of the method, it is preferred that the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory is detected and / or determined by means of an article density measuring device, for example by means of torque sensors, the torques of the drives for the side walls of the working memory. Depending on the torques recorded, it is possible to determine the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory.

Furthermore, an embodiment of the method is characterized in that an article density measuring sensor (as article density measuring device) is provided in the working memory, so that the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory is recorded by means of the article density measuring sensor, the storage volume of the working memory being increased when an article density setpoint in the working memory is exceeded is regulated and / or the operation of the article feed device is regulated, in particular stopped.

In the context of the invention, the operated storage device has features which have been described above. To avoid repetition, reference is expressly made to the above explanations.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments according to the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments according to the invention can fulfill individual features or a combination of several features.

• 1 schematisch eine Ansicht einer Speichervorrichtung mit einem Empfangsspeicher und einem Arbeitsspeicher,
• 2a bis 2c jeweils schematische Ansichten einer Speichervorrichtung gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform,
• 3a, 3b jeweils eine Ansicht einer Speichervorrichtung gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform,
• 4a, 4b schematisch jeweils eine Ansicht einer Speichervorrichtung gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform und
• 5a bis 5c jeweils schematisch eine Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Speichervorrichtung.

The invention is described below without restricting the general inventive concept on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, reference being expressly made to the drawings with regard to all details according to the invention not explained in more detail in the text. Show it:

• 1 schematically a view of a memory device with a receive memory and a working memory,
• 2a to 2c schematic views of a memory device according to a further embodiment,
• 3a , 3b in each case a view of a storage device according to a further embodiment,
• 4a , 4b schematically in each case a view of a memory device according to a further embodiment and
• 5a to 5c each schematically shows a view of a further embodiment of a storage device according to the invention.

In the context of the invention, features that are labeled “in particular” or “preferably” are to be understood as optional features.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that a renewed presentation is not made in each case.

In 1 is an embodiment of a memory device according to the invention 10th shown for rod-shaped articles. The storage device 10th has a receive memory 20 with a constant, ie unchangeable volume for rod-shaped articles, such as filter rods. Below the reception memory 20 is a memory that can be changed in its storage volume 30th provided that with the top receiving memory 20 about a narrowing 32 with the receive memory 20 connected is. The narrowing 32 can also be a type of channel or shaft in one embodiment.

Laterally in the embodiment in 1 on the right side of the receive memory 20 two individual article feed devices arranged one above the other 12th arranged, which are connected to (not shown here) conveyor lines for filter rods or rod-shaped articles, the filter rods being conveyed longitudinally axially in the respective conveyor lines and by means of deflection devices of the respective individual article feed devices, also not shown 12th be transferred in a transverse axial conveying direction, so that from the individual article feed devices 12th Filter rods or rod-shaped articles in the transverse axial direction in the receiving memory 10th be introduced. Thus, by means of the individual feed devices 12th the receive memory 20 filled.

In addition, it is possible within the scope of the invention that on the receive memory 20 a slant 14 is placed or placed above the receiving memory, so that using a slant the receiving memory 20 is also filled with rod-shaped articles from above or can be filled.

The reception memory is in the lower area 20 funnel-shaped and tapering downwards, so that the bottom outlet of the receiving memory 20 into the narrowing 32 flows out.

Below the reception memory 20 and below the constriction 32 is the RAM 30th arranged and on the entrance side with the narrowing 32 connected. The memory 30th has vertically aligned side walls 34 , 35 on, which are arranged parallel to each other. The sidewalls 34 , 35 can be moved in the horizontal plane. For this are the ends of the side walls 34 , 35 each with a top guide 44.1 or. 45.1 as well as with a bottom guide 44.2 or. 45.2 connected. The horizontal guides 44.1 , 44.2 for the side wall 34 as well as the horizontal guides 45.1 , 45.2 for the side wall 35 are aligned horizontally. The spaced guides 44.1 , 44.2 for the side wall 34 and the guides 45.1 , 45.2 for the side wall 35 are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. The guides 44.1 , 44.2 such as 45.1 , 45.2 can be designed in one embodiment, for example as guide rails or the like.

In the lower area of the working memory 30th are sliding plates 36 , 37 arranged, which is pivotable on the output side of the working memory 30th are stored. Here is the sliding plate 36 with the side wall 34 over a corresponding backdrop, such as a longitudinal guide or the like, and the sliding plate 37 with the side wall 35 also connected via a corresponding backdrop. The swivel axes of the sliding plates 36 , 37 are aligned perpendicular to the drawing plane and horizontally. By swiveling the sliding plates 36 , 37 the associated side walls 34 , 35 moved in the horizontal direction. For moving the sliding plates 36 , 37 are schematically drawn drives 46 , 47 provided so that the vertically aligned side walls 34 , 35 be moved horizontally by motor. The sliding plates 36 , 37 are arranged symmetrically to one another and form a funnel-shaped feed for the rod-shaped articles in the direction of the outlet of the working memory 30th out. The opening angle of the funnel-shaped feeder is when the sliding plates are pivoted 36 , 37 enlarged or reduced.

Furthermore, the reception memory 20 two level sensors 21 , 22 by means of which the fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory 20 is recorded. For example, using the level sensor 21 a maximum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory 20 detected while using the level sensor 22 a minimum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory 20 is recorded. The level sensors 21 , 22 are with a control unit 50 connected so that the level sensors 21 , 22 appropriate signals to the control unit 50 to transfer. The control unit 50 is also with the drives 46 , 47 for the swiveling sliding plates 36 , 37 connected so that from the control unit 50 corresponding control commands to the drives 46 , 47 be transmitted. An alternative is a common drive for the pivotable sliding plates 36 , 37 provided that with the control unit 50 connected is. By means of one drive, the sliding plates 36 , 37 pivoted synchronously.

For example, using the level sensor 21 found that a maximum level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory 20 a corresponding signal is sent to the control unit 50 transmitted so that to lower the level in the receiving memory 20 the control unit sends a control command to the drives 46 , 47 transmitted, causing the sliding plates 36 , 37 be pivoted outwards and thereby the distance between the side walls 34 , 35 is increased and the memory volume of the working memory 30th is enlarged. By increasing the memory volume of the working memory 30th the fill level in the receive memory 20 lowered.

For example, filter rods are operated by the individual article feed devices 12th in the transverse axial direction in the receiving memory 20 introduced or inserted. Then the inserted filter rods are removed from the receiving memory by gravity 20 into memory 30th through the narrowing 32 moved through.

Is by means of the level sensor 22 a minimum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory 20 is determined by the control unit 50 a corresponding control command to the drives 46 , 47 for the sliding plates 36 , 37 or for the side walls 34 , 35 transmitted, thereby the distance of the side walls 34 , 35 is reduced and thus also the memory volume of the main memory 30th is reduced.

In addition, it is provided in one embodiment that for the side walls 34 , 35 Position sensors 24th , 25th on a tour, for example a tour 44.2 , are provided to the end positions of the side wall 34 ascertain.

In the context of the invention it is provided that the side walls 34 , 35 be moved simultaneously, ie synchronized. It can also be provided in the context of the invention that the side walls 34 , 35 can be moved independently. Is by means of the position sensor 25th found that the two side walls 34 , 35 are arranged in the outer positions, and is also by means of the level sensor 21 found that a maximum level in the receive memory 20 is present, can by means of the control unit 50 a corresponding control command to those with the control unit 50 connected single article feeders 12th are transmitted, which, for example, the operation of the individual article feed devices 12th is stopped or the conveying speed of the single article feeders 12th is throttled.

In a further embodiment, it is also provided that the control unit 50 is connected to one or more transmission units, not shown here, for the rod-shaped articles, the transmission unit or the transmission units being connected to the individual article feed devices via one or more delivery lines 12th are connected to convey rod-shaped articles from the sending units to the individual article feeders. For example, there is a maximum fill level in the receive memory 20 reached, it is possible within the scope of the invention that a corresponding control command from the control unit 50 to the transmission unit or the transmission units and, if appropriate, to the individual article feed devices 12th is transmitted so that the operation of the transmitter units and, if appropriate, the operation of the individual article feed devices 12th throttled or stopped.

In a further embodiment is in the working memory 30th an item density measurement sensor 26 provided to the article density of the rod-shaped article in the working memory 30th to investigate. For example, is the density of that in memory 30th If the rod-shaped article is too large, the pressure or forces are exerted on the rod-shaped article so that it can be damaged. If the pressure is too high using the item density sensor 26 detected, the item pressure sensor 26 a corresponding signal to the control unit connected to the sensor 50 transmit, so that depending on it, for example, the memory volume of the working memory 30th is increased to the pressure on the rod-shaped article in the working memory 30th lower. At the bottom of the memory 30th the rod-shaped articles are narrowed 33 from memory 30th promoted downwards.

The storage device 10th is, for example, part of a filter attachment machine or a filter rod processing machine for the further processing of filter rods.

In the 2a , 2 B and 2c is one storage device at a time 10th shown schematically according to a further embodiment. The drawings show different positions of the side walls 34 , 35 , where in 2a the memory 30th has assumed its maximum storage volume while in 2c it is shown that the working memory 30th occupies its minimum storage volume. 2 B shows a middle position of the side walls 34 , 35 with a storage volume that depends on the movement of the side walls 34 , 25th can be enlarged or reduced.

In the upper area of the storage device 10th are on the left side of the receive memory 20 three individual article feed devices each 12th arranged so that by means of the individual article feed devices 12th rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory 20 be introduced. Then the rod-shaped articles are introduced over the narrowing 32 between the receiving memory 20 and memory 30th promoted due to gravity, so the rod-shaped articles that are in 2a are indicated schematically, from the upper reception memory 20 in the lower working memory 30th be moved. The rod-shaped articles are then removed from the working memory as a result of gravity 30th about the narrowing on the outlet side 33 of memory 30th to a removal facility 60 promoted, the removal facility 60 a removal magazine 62 with a constant volume. At the withdrawal store 62 is a removal drum 63 arranged so that in the removal memory 62 existing rod-shaped article by means of the removal drum 63 be removed.

In the embodiment in the 2a to 2c allocates the memory 30th sliding plates on the underside 36 , 37 and also sliding plates on the top 136 , 137 on that on the top input side of the memory 30th are pivotally arranged. The top sliding plates 36 , 37 form an opening that widens downwards (cf. 2a , 2 B) .

In the 1 shown further features of the storage device shown there 10th are also in a corresponding manner on the design of the storage device 10th in the 2a to 2c transferable, so that from a corresponding detailed description of further details to that in the 2a to 2c shown storage device 10th is disregarded.

To the sliding plates 36 , 37 that with the side walls 34 , 35 are connected to move, torque drives (not shown here) or drives are provided, by means of which the sliding plates 36 , 37 pivoted and thereby the side walls are moved horizontally. To the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory 30th must be recorded on the torque drives for the sliding plates 36 , 37 Torque sensors are provided, by means of which the torques of the torque drives are recorded. Based on the torque recorded by the torque drives, it can be determined whether it is in the working memory 30th there is too high or too low an article density of the rod-shaped articles. Practice, for example, those in memory 30th arranged rod-shaped articles a force on the side walls 34 , 35 off when the side walls move 34 , 35 through the drives a counterforce or torque when the working memory is reduced 30th to apply. If the torques to be applied exceed the Drives for a reduction in the volume of the working memory 30th by reducing the spacing of the side walls 34 , 35 a predetermined target value for the torques at which a predetermined article density in the working memory 30th is present, so the side walls 34 , 35 not moving towards each other. By means of the torque sensors for the torque drives of the sliding plates 36, 37, it is possible to use an article density measuring device for the storage device 10th to provide. In particular, according to a further preferred aspect, the article density measuring device with the control unit 50 (compare 1 ) connected so that appropriate values or signals from the article density measuring device to the control unit 50 be transmitted.

In the 3a and 3b is another embodiment of a memory device according to the invention 10th shown, the embodiment shown therein only a horizontally movable side wall 34 having. That of the movable side wall 34 opposite wall 38 is immovable, ie stationary. By swiveling the slide plate 36 becomes the movable sidewall 34 between those in the 3a and 3b shown end positions moved back and forth in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, too, is between the receiving memory 20 and memory 30th a narrowing 32 provided to remove the rod-shaped items from the receiving store 20 into memory 30th to convict. From memory 30th the rod-shaped articles are downwards over the outlet-side narrowing 32 for further processing from the working memory 30th promoted.

Through the horizontal movement of the side wall 34 in relation to the fixed, vertical side wall 38 becomes the volume of memory 30th enlarged or reduced accordingly.

In the 4a and 4b is another embodiment of the memory device 10th shown schematically. To the memory volume of the working memory 30th the working memory has to vary 30th instead of the horizontally movable side walls 34 , 25th (see. 1 , 2a to 2c ) two bands 64 , 65 on. The bands 64 , 65 are at their ends on the output side of the RAM 30th firmly arranged in the lower area, while on the entry side or top of the working memory 30th the bands 64 , 65 on a roll of tape 66 , 67 are or will be wound up.

The one on the tape reels 66 , 67 wound or windable tapes 64 , 65 depending on the tension of the ligaments 64 , 65 Sections of the tapes 64 , 65 to the rod-shaped articles in the article magazine 30th on. By winding or unwinding the tapes 64 , 65 become the lengths of the sections of the strips which abut the rod-shaped articles 64 , 65 varies.

In 4a is the maximum storage volume that of the tapes 64 , 65 limited volume shown while in 4b the minimum memory volume of the working memory 30th is shown schematically. The bands 64 , 65 lie down when the memory is filled 30th with rod-shaped articles on the rod-shaped articles with their sections on both sides of the working memory 30th on, to increase the storage volume of the working memory 30th the bands 64 , 65 from the tape rolls 66 , 67 be handled. The tapes are used to reduce the storage volume 64 , 65 from the tape rolls 66 , 67 wound up. To operate the tape reels 66 , 67 respective drives (not shown here) are provided.

In the 5a to 5c are different positions of the working memory 30th according to a further embodiment of the storage device 10th shown. The in the 5a to 5c shown storage device 10th has a memory 30th on, in its storage volume by means of a fixed side wall 38 and the tape 64 in memory 30th is formed. By winding and unwinding the tape 64 by means of the role 66 becomes the volume of memory 30th enlarged or reduced accordingly.

In 5a is the maximum memory volume of the working memory 30th that by the tape 64 and the side wall 38 is limited. In 5c is the minimum memory volume of the working memory 30th shown. In 5b An intermediate position is shown, depending on the feed of the rod-shaped articles from the receiving memory 20 and the removal of the rod-shaped articles from the working memory 30th in the withdrawal memory 62 the removal device 60 is enlarged or reduced.

All of the features mentioned, including those that can be seen in the drawings alone and also individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features, are considered to be essential to the invention, alone and in combination. Embodiments according to the invention can be fulfilled by individual features or a combination of several features.

Reference list

10th

Storage device

12th

Single item feeder

14

Weird

20

Receive memory

21

Level sensor

22

Level sensor

24th

Position sensor

25th

Position sensor

26

Item density sensor

30th

random access memory

32

Narrowing

33

Narrowing

34

Side wall

35

Side wall

36

Sliding plate

37

Sliding plate

38

Side wall

44.1,44.2

guide

45.1, 45.2

guide

46

drive

47

drive

50

Control unit

60

Removal device

62

Withdrawal memory

63

Removal drum

64

tape

65

tape

66

Tape roll

67

Tape roll

136

Sliding plate

137

Sliding plate

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 3538660 C2 [0005]
• US 5452984 [0006]
• EP 1310178 B2 [0007]
• EP 2570038 A1 [0008]

Claims (22)

Storage device (10) for storing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry, in particular filter rods, the storage device (10) having a receiving memory (20) for the rod-shaped articles and an article feed device provided on the receiving memory (20), below the receiving memory (20) a working memory (30) which can be adjusted in terms of its storage volume is provided for the rod-shaped articles and the rod-shaped articles can be introduced or introduced into the working memory (30) from the receiving memory (20). Storage device (10) after Claim 1 , characterized in that a narrowing is provided between the receiving memory (20) and the working memory (30), so that from the receiving memory (20) via the narrowing (32) provided between the receiving memory (20) and the working memory (30) Rod-shaped articles can be introduced or introduced into the working memory (30). Storage device (10) after Claim 1 or 2nd , characterized in that the receiving memory (20) has at least one filling level sensor (21, 22) for detecting the filling level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory (20) and in that a control device (50) is provided so that depending on the level in the receiving memory (20 ) the storage volume of the working memory (30) is adapted, in particular regulated, by the filling level level detected by the at least one filling level sensor (21, 22) and / or depending on the filling level level detected in the receiving memory (20) by the at least one filling level sensor (21, 22) Feeding of the rod-shaped articles is influenced, in particular regulated, by means of the article feed device. Storage device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 to 3rd , characterized in that a removal memory of a removal device is provided in the lower area of the working memory (30) or below the working memory (30), a narrowing (32) being provided between the working memory (30) and the removal memory, so that rod-shaped articles are formed the working memory (30) via the constriction (32) between the working memory (30) and the removal memory (20). Storage device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized in that the article feed device has at least one single article feed device (12), in particular two or more single article feed devices (12), the at least one single article feed device being arranged on the side of the receiving memory (20), so that rod-shaped articles are oriented in the transverse axial direction with respect to their longitudinal axis are fed into the receiving memory (20), and / or that the article feed device has a tray filling device, the tray filling device being arranged above the receiving memory (20), so that rod-shaped articles are fed from a tray (14) into the receiving memory (20). Storage device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that, in order to adapt the storage volume, the working memory (30) has one, in particular horizontally, movable side wall (34, 35) or two, in particular parallel, horizontally movable side walls (34, 35), in particular the side wall ( 34, 35) or the side walls (34, 35) are aligned vertically. Storage device (10) after Claim 6 , characterized in that for moving a side wall (34, 35) or for moving the side walls (34, 35) the side wall (34, 35) or the side walls (34, 35) each with at least one pivotably mounted sliding plate (36, 37 ) of the working memory (30) are connected. Storage device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that to adapt the storage volume, the working memory (30) has one or two storage volume adjustment bands (64, 65), the length of the portion of the storage volume adjustment band abutting the rod-shaped articles or the lengths of the sections of the storage volume adjustment bands abutting the rod-shaped articles being variable are. Storage device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that the storage device (10) has an article density measuring device for detecting and / or determining the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory (30). Machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rod processing machine, with a storage device (10) according to one of the Claims 1 to 9 . Method for operating a storage device (10) for storing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods, the storage device (10) having a receiving memory (20) and a working memory (30) which can be adjusted in terms of its storage volume, the receiving memory (20) is arranged above the main memory (30), wherein in rod-shaped articles are fed to the receiving memory (20) from at least one article feed device, so that the receiving memory (20) is or is filled with a filling level with rod-shaped articles, and the rod-shaped articles are introduced into the working memory (30) from the receiving memory (20) become. Procedure according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the rod-shaped articles are introduced into the working memory (30) from the receiving memory (20) via a constriction (32) provided between the receiving memory (20) and the working memory (30). Procedure according to Claim 11 or 12th , characterized in that the storage volume of the working memory (30) for the rod-shaped articles is adjusted, in particular regulated, as a function of the fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the reception memory (20) and / or that the rod-shaped articles in the reception memory (20) are dependent on the fill level. the feeding of the rod-shaped articles is influenced, in particular regulated, by means of the article feeding device. Procedure according to one of the Claims 11 to 13 , characterized in that the level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory (20) is detected by means of at least one level sensor (21, 22), in particular two or more level sensors (21, 22). Procedure according to Claim 14 , characterized in that by means of a first fill level sensor (21) a maximum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the reception memory (20) and by means of a second fill level sensor (22) a minimum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the reception memory (20). Procedure according to one of the Claims 11 to 15 , characterized in that rod-shaped articles from the working memory (30) into a removal memory (62) of a removal device (60) provided below the working memory (30), preferably via a constriction provided between the working memory (30) and the removal memory (62) (33) are introduced, the rod-shaped articles in particular being removed from the removal store (62) by means of a removal drum (64) of the removal device (60). Procedure according to one of the Claims 11 to 16 , characterized in that the article feed device has at least one single article feed device (12), in particular two or more single article feed devices (12), the at least one single article feed device (12) being arranged on the side of the receiving store (20), so that rod-shaped articles with respect to their longitudinal axis are fed in the transverse axial direction into the receiving memory (20), and / or that the article feed device has a tray filling device, the tray filling device being arranged above the receiving memory (20), so that rod-shaped articles from a tray (14) into the receiving memory (20) are fed. Procedure according to one of the Claims 11 to 17th , characterized in that the storage volume of the working memory (30) is adjusted by means of at least one horizontally movable, in particular vertically oriented, side wall (34, 35) by moving the at least one horizontally movable side wall (34, 35) in the horizontal direction. Procedure according to Claim 18 , characterized in that the at least one horizontally movable side wall (34, 35) is moved by means of a sliding plate (36, 37) or by means of several sliding plates (36, 37), the sliding plate (36, 37) or the sliding plates (36, 37) are connected to the at least one side wall and are each pivotably mounted about a horizontal pivot axis (34, 35), so that when the slide plate (36, 37) or the slide plates (36, 37) is pivoted about the respective pivot axis, the horizontally movable one Side wall (34, 35) is moved in the horizontal direction. Procedure according to one of the Claims 11 to 19th , characterized in that the working memory (30) has at least one variable in length storage volume adjustment band (64, 65) for adapting the storage volume of the working memory (30) for the rod-shaped articles, the length of the increasing the storage volume of the working memory (30) the portion of the storage volume adjustment band (64, 65) abutting the rod-shaped articles is increased and / or to reduce the storage volume of the working memory (30) the length of the portion of the storage volume adjustment band (64, 65) abutting the rod-shaped articles is reduced. Procedure according to one of the Claims 11 to 20 , characterized in that the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory (30) is detected and / or determined by means of an article density measuring device. Procedure according to one of the Claims 11 to 21 , characterized in that an article density measuring sensor (27) is provided in the working memory (30), so that the article density of the rod-shaped articles is achieved by means of the article density measuring sensor (27) is recorded in the working memory (30), the storage volume of the working memory (30) being increased and / or the operation of the article feed device being regulated, in particular stopped, when an article density setpoint in the working memory (30) is exceeded.

Images