DE1757881A1 - Automatic filling device for cigarettes or the like. - Google Patents

Description

1757381

Patent attorneys Dipl.-Ing. F.Weicmhü ». ,,

Dipl.-Ing. H. Weickmann, D1PL.-PHYS. Dr. K. Fincke Dipl.-Ing. F. A-Weickmann, Dipl.-Chem. B. Huber

8 MUNICH 27, DEN

MÖHLSTRASSE 22, CALL NUMBER 48 3921/22

MA / HI

American Machine and Foundry Company 261 Madison Avenue New York 10016 U.S.A.

Automatic filling device for cigarettes or the like

The present invention relates to a filling device for packaging machines for automatic Packaging of rod-shaped objects, in particular cigarettes, which one on an endless conveyor belt arranged a plurality of containers for receiving these objects and contains a filling funnel, of a plurality of channels arranged one behind the other for distributing a plurality of objects in one having such a container.

In an older application, a packaging " machine proposed which an endless rotatable

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conveyor belt provided with a plurality of containers .; contains, each of which is adapted to have a seamlessly arranged group of rod-shaped to be packaged Objects such as cigarettes. Each container essentially consists of a box, which is open on the outer side, i.e. opposite to the conveyor belt, and which one or more compartments contains, each of which can accommodate a stack of individually stacked fe layered objects so that they can are aligned parallel to the bottom of this box

The items are fed to the container through a hopper which extends along part of the Conveyor belt extends and contains a plurality of successive distribution channels, each of which has one Can hold stacks of stacked cigarettes · If the container has the successive distribution channels happens, one cigarette is transferred into the container at a time so that it is filled progressively, until a specified number of cigarettes is reached If the container contains two or more compartments, so these are filled one after the other through corresponding groups of distribution channels.

The present invention has the task of providing a novel filling device for filling the container to create which facilities for removing the objects from the individual distribution channels of the filling

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contains funnel and at the same time ensures that the various compartments of each container are filled one after the other. The filling device should be able to achieve very high working speeds without damaging the objects in any way _{or the like}

To solve this problem, it is provided in a filling device of the type mentioned according to the invention that a holding device Λ at the end of each channel

is provided to hold these objects on it removably and that removal devices on each container are arranged to move the container on the Kan- ':! one object from each mounting device can be removed and dropped into the container

The invention is intended to be based on the exemplary embodiment shown schematically in the figures of the drawing are explained in more detail below with further features. It shows:

Figures 1A and 1B a side view of Cigarettes I LEN

filling device according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows an enlarged section according to the arrangement Figure 1;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are a partially sectioned side view of the upper part of a container with the corresponding zi ^ arette withdrawal

Retirement in three consecutive 1 0 9 8 2 5 TO 4 1 8

BAD ORIGINAL _ ₄ _

Phases;
Figure 6 is a top view of the removal device of a

Container, with individual parts being cut; FIG. 7 shows a vertical and transverse section through a container according to section line VII-VII in Figure 6.

1 with an endless rotatable conveyor belt is referred to, which consists of a plurality of individual elements 101, each by a plurality of couplings are connected to each otherA container 8 is attached to each such element, which is designed in such a way that that it can accommodate a seamlessly arranged group of cigarettes S · As in the aforementioned earlier application As shown in more detail, the container 8 consists of a box which is attached to the outermost, i.e. the conveyor belt 1 remote side and on the side surfaces is open transversely to the conveyor belt. Pie box is divided by two partial walls 51 into three compartments 108, 208, 308, each of which is a stack on top of one another arranged cigarettes S so that they are parallel to the bottom of the box and across the conveyor belt are aligned · In the exemplary embodiment shown below, the middle compartment 208 should also be aligned nine stacked cigarettes are filled, while the other two compartments 108 and 308, respectively should accommodate eight cigarettes · It should be noted at this point that the number of counter-

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states can be varied at will and that this number is neither a critical value nor something to be striven for in any way Worth looking at «,

Each compartment 108, 208, 308 of each container 8 has a height-adjustable floor 52 which is perpendicular to the Surface of the belt 1 (Figures 1,2 and 7) is movable. The height-adjustable floor 52 is with the end of a Rod 53 connected, which is perpendicular to the conveyor ™ belt 1 in its interior, i.e. opposite to the container 8 extends. The rod 53 is slidably guided in a recess of the corresponding part 101 and has a roller 55 on its end remote from the floor 52. The recess 54 of the conveyor belt element 101 contains a helical spring 56, which acts on the rod 53 and tries to push the respective floor 52 of the compartments 108, 208 and 308 downwards. The height-adjustable floor 52 of each of the three compartments 108, 208 and 308 is |

can be moved separately and independently of the other floors.

Each container 8 is housed in a cage 57 or a similar frame, which on the corresponding Conveyor belt part 101 is slidably mounted that it can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the belt. The cage has a lid 157, which the upper openings of the corresponding container 8 covers and closes and has a slot opening 58 which extends transversely to

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The longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt extends · The length - ^ the slot opening 58 corresponds substantially to the transverse extent of each compartment 108, 208 and 308 and is consequently essentially equal to the length of a cigarette S, the width of the slot opening 58 corresponds essentially the width of the inlet opening of a compartment 108, 208 and a container 8 and, in other words, is substantially equal to the diameter of a cigarette S or slightly larger.

Each cage 57 is pivotable, ie movable relative to the conveyor belt chain with the aid of two oscillating arms 59 and 60, which are rotatably mounted with respect to the conveyor belt part 101 at points 159 and 160 and with respect to the cage 57 at points 259 and 260, in order to create an adjustable parallelogram form. One of the swivel arms, for example _e 59, is connected in one piece to a lever 359 which carries a roller 61 at its other end. The roller 61 rests on a continuously profiled cam 74 and causes the arm 59 to rotate about its axis 159 ', the cage 57 being moved forwards and backwards on the front belt part 101 in order to move its slot opening 58 so that it is selectively above the Opening of one of the compartments 108, 208 and 308 is located. The cages 57 are interconnected by flexible members 62 which, while allowing the cages to move back and forth, prevent the objects from between them

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can fall down "

As was set out in the aforementioned earlier application, the containers pass a filling device 9 _f from which a seamlessly arranged group of cigarettes is fed to each container 8 and the three compartments 108 and 308 are each filled with a fixed number of cigarettes arranged one above the other Device 9 contains a cigarette hopper which extends along a section of the conveyor belt and which is divided into three parts 110, 210 and 310 at its lower part. The funnel 10 consists of a box open at its tip, the width of which is slightly larger than the length of a cigarette. For this reason, the cigarettes distribute themselves when filling into the funnel 10 so parallel to each other that their ends lie in two vertical planes, which through the parallel side walls of the

Einiülltrichters 10 are determined. Parts 110, 210 f

and 310 of the hopper 10 are in this with Using triangular sections 63 or the like bilet.

The bottom of each of the three parts 110, 210 and 310 of the hopper consists of a plurality of individual ones Distribution channels 11, which are arranged essentially one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 1 are. In each of these channels 11 fit a certain number of cigarettes arranged one above the other, the upper ones

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BATH ORIGINAL

Inlet openings of the distribution channels 11 are limited by rollers, which are equidistant essentially in a horizontal plane and perform an oscillating reciprocating rotation about their axes can, the amplitude being adjustable depending on the diameter of the cigarette S · The rollers 64- facilitate the sliding of the cigarettes into the parts 110, 210 and 310 of the funnel 10 and support her Entering the distribution channels 11

According to the present invention, each manifold 11 is formed with a pair of shoe-shaped Hook 65 provided, which are arranged at a fixed distance from each other transversely to the conveyor belt 1 at the lower outlet opening to the stack of one above the other arranged cigarettes S within the distribution channel. The hooks 65 extend sioh from the rear end of the corresponding distribution channel 11 to forward in direction F of the movement of the conveyor belt · The distance between the leading edge of the outlet opening each Distribution channel 11 and the hook 65 corresponds essentially the diameter of a cigarette or is slightly larger than this. The rear part 66 of each hook 65 is arcuate and connected to the front edge of the outlet opening of the preceding distribution channel 11 (Figures 1 through 5) · Preferably, the top surface of hook 65 is curved slightly upward, as best seen

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Figures 3 "to 5 can be seen, so that the lowest Cigarette S in each distribution channel 11 in the rounded Part sits at the transition point between the hook 65 and the rear wall of the corresponding distribution channel 11. In order to ensure correct positioning of the lowermost cigarette of each distribution channel 11, in the upper surfaces of the hooks 65, as shown in detail in Figures 3 to 5, one or more suction openings be provided, which in the area of the ab- ^ j rounded transition points between the rear wall of the distribution channel 11 and the hook.

The cage 57 of each container 8 is provided outside its lid 157 with a removal device to to remove the cigarettes S from the distribution channels 11 and bring them to the appropriate compartments 108, 208, 308. The extraction device contains a plurality of extraction teeth 68, which on the rear edge the transverse slot opening 58 are arranged. These teeth 68 are pivotable in pairs on two pins 69 attached, which are aligned coaxially and transversely to the conveyor belt and connected to one another by a bridge 70 so that they form a single comb member 68 which can oscillate about the axis of the pins 69. These extraction teeth 68 are offset against the shoe-shaped hooks of the distribution channels that when moving A hook 65 passes under the filling funnel

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lies between two extraction teeth 68

At the front edge of the slot opening 58 is the comb part arranged opposite a pair of stop parts 71, which at the free end of an elastic leaf spring 72 are fastened, which in turn is fastened with its other end on top of the cage 57. The elastic Leaf spring 72 normally holds the stop members 71 in front of the associated extraction teeth 68, as in the figures and 5 is shown.

During the movement of the conveyor belt under the hopper 10, each of the rollers 55, which are arranged at the end of the arms 53, which are used to hold the height-adjustable floors 52, runs on a continuously profiled control cam 173, 273 and 373 _t, the respective one are assigned to individual compartments. The roller 60, which controls the movement of the cage 57, rests on a control hook 74. The control cams 173, 273, 373 and are designed so that before the start of the movement of the container under the filling funnel 10, the bases in the three compartments 108, 208 and 308 are arranged at a distance under the filling opening which corresponds to at least the diameter of a cigarette (compare, for example, the right-hand side of FIG. 2) while the cage 57 is moved into a position shown on the left-hand side of FIGS. 2 to 5, in which its slot opening

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is above the inlet opening of the first compartment 108. The extraction teeth 68 mounted on the cage are therefore arranged in the region of the rear edge of the inlet opening of the first compartment, while the inlet openings of the second and third compartments are closed by the cover 157. The extraction teeth 68 are raised about its axis 69 so that its bridge 70 rests on the lid of the cage 57, as shown in Figures 3 to 5 × m

In this position the stop parts 71 meet at Movement under the first manifold 11 first on the downwardly directed hook 65 and are of this is pressed down so that it is resiliently guided forward under the hook 65 (FIG. 3) in order to then as soon as they have passed the hooks 65 and are accordingly released from their position of engagement with them, to fold upwards under the action of the springs 72

(Figure 4). At the same time, the pairs grip the ™

Hook 65 removal teeth 68 moved past in the lowermost Cigarette S a, which rests on the hook 65 and push it forward over the front edge of the hook 65, so that it is released from its position of engagement with the hook 65. Me cigarette falls through due to gravity the slot opening 58 of the cage 57 into the underlying first compartment 108 of the container.

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At high speed the conveyor belt 1 when the Gravity alone would no longer be sufficient to cigarette in the short time available dropping into the compartment, the present invention thereby provides for the cigarette to enter the container 8 by placing the cigarette at the bottom inclined arcuate curved surface 66 of the hook. slides. As the cigarette continues to move forward of the container 8 engages in the underside 66, it must be down on her, as shown in FIG slide. Furthermore, the cigarette removed from the hooks 65 by the removal teeth 68 cannot follow too far fall forward over the slot 68 of the cage 57, as it is held back by the stop members 71, which immediately before the extraction teeth engage in the cigarette in front of the iTont edge <| er hook 65 springs upwards.

The height from which the cigarette falls into the container 8 is limited by the height-adjustable floor 52 of the compartment 108 so that the cigarette cannot be placed vertically in the compartment 108. The removal of the cigarette from the hooks 65 by the removal teeth 68 leads to the remaining cigarette stack slipping in the filling funnel, so that the cigarette placed directly above the removed cigarette automatically moves onto the hook 65 in the position previously assumed by the removed cigarette. Ib

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- 13 -ORIGINAL INSPECTED

the last portion of this free fall, this cigarette is sucked through the holes 57, what a results in very quick and correct positioning. Due to the slightly upward sloping upper surface of the Hook 65, however, prevents the cigarette from falling off the hook 65 even in cases where work is carried out without negative pressure. The repeated removal of cigarettes from the hook 65 results in a continuous one The cigarettes slide out of the filling funnel 10 into the distribution channels 11, the rate of descent the number of cigarettes in the ducts is proportional to the frequency of removal of the cigarettes. It is L immediately It can be seen that this frequency is due to the small distances, which essentially correspond to the diameter of the cigarette can be very high.

The process of removing the cigarettes described above is repeated at each distribution channel 11 of the first part 110 of the hopper 10, while the container this part happens. From each distribution channel 11 of this first section 110 of the filling funnel 10 is in each case a cigarette is removed through the extraction teeth 18, with all these cigarettes successively in the same first Compartment 108 of the container 8 fall. The bottom 52 of the compartment 108 moves as the container advances 8 progressively downwards, since, as shown in Figure 2, the spring 56 pushes the roller 55 on the corresponding

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Control cam 173 pushes, which has a descending upper edge. After passing the first section 110 of the filler funnel 10 is accordingly filled the first compartment with the specified number of cigarettes. To this Purpose it is of course necessary that the number of distribution channels at the bottom of the first section 110 of the Corresponds to the number of cigarettes that are to be filled into the first compartment 108, in the present case so 8

Moved at the end of the first hopper section 110 the roller 359 the arm 59 as a result of a step of the corresponding control cam 74 'before the container under the second section 210 arrives. In this way, the cage 57 is moved to a position in which the slot opening 58 is now arranged above the opening of the second compartment of the container, while the other two Compartments 108 and 308 are closed by the cover 157. As a result, the extraction teeth 68 and the movable stop parts 71 in the region of the inlet opening of the second compartment 208. Accordingly, in each case a cigarette is taken through the removal teeth 68 from the distribution channels 11 of the section 210 while the container 8 passes under her to gradually fill the second compartment in the same way as before the first compartment. In this case too, the floor 52 of the second compartment 208 moves as a result of a descending movement

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Part of the associated dock 273 gradually downwards, to gradually free up more space for the stripped cigarettes. In the illustrated embodiment, the second compartment 208 of the container 8 should be nine Pick up cigarettes, so that the second section 210 of the funnel 10 accordingly has nine distributor channels 11 contains.

At the end of the second section 210 of the filling funnel, a further step in the upper edge of the control cam leads to a renewed displacement of the cage 57 such that the slot opening 58 now passes through the inlet opening of the third compartment 308 of the container 8. Thus, in the same Veise ', now filled the third compartment as described above, where i ^v to the present embodiment must be brought eight cigarettes in the third compartment, as a result, since /; the third section of the hopper must contain eight distribution channels 11.

At the end of the third section 310 of the hopper 10, all three compartments 108, 208 and 308 are filled with the specified number of cigarettes. The cage 57 of the container 8 is then as a result of a final stage of the . Control cam 74 shifted again so that now all inlet openings of the compartments 108, 208 and 308 are covered by the cover 157, which can be seen on the left side of the figure.

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Any displacement of the cage 57 in relation to the associated container 8 takes place in the area in which the fixed elastic band spring is provided. The springs 75 are mounted so that they are over the inlet ports of compartments 108, 208 and 308 are arranged and therefore ensure that when pressed down any cigarette that has not been fully inserted into its associated compartment is depressed, thereby the cigarettes are prevented from being pushed out of their places by any impact.

From the above it can be seen that the container on the conveyor belt 1 when passing the filling device 9 with the fixed number of cigarettes S. be filled. If for any reason it is desired that one of the containers 8 should not be filled, for this purpose it is only necessary to lower the associated extraction teeth 68 so that they are in one position in which they cannot reach into the cigarettes which are lying on the hook 65 · For this purpose is the existing of the extraction teeth 68 comb with a Bolle 76 provided, in the way of which a stop part can be brought, which the extraction teeth 68 about their axis downwards so that they come into a position which is essentially parallel to the cover 157 of the cage 57 lies. In this lower or inactive position, the removal comb 68 is blocked by a notch holder 77, which contains spring-loaded balls that are in corresponding

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BATH ORIGINAL

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floods intervene, which is shown in more detail in Figure 6, while the bridge 70 is up over the cover of the cage 57 moves. In order to bring the removal comb 68 back into its position in which it removes the cigarettes removed from the hook 65, the bridge 70 is pressed down by a part not shown.

In operation, the present device provides an effective and safe mechanism which high ■ Packing rates at relatively low belt speeds achieved and thereby has to manipulate only a little with the objects, so preferably the cigarettes. It goes without saying it is clear that the device according to the invention is amenable to a number of structural changes, without departing from the scope of the present invention «

- patent claims -

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Claims (1)

Claims 1 · Pull device for packaging machines for automatic Packaging of rod-shaped objects which are arranged in a multiplicity on an endless conveyor belt of containers for receiving these objects and a hopper containing a large number of one behind the other arranged channels for the distribution of a large number of objects in such a container, characterized in that a holding device (65) is provided at the end of each channel (11) to hold it To hold objects detachably thereon and that removal devices (68) are arranged on each container (8), in order to move one object from each holding device (65) as the container moves past the channel (11) to be removed and dropped into the container. 2. Filling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the channels (11) are designed so that they have a Can accommodate stacks of individually stacked objects that the holding device at least a hook member (65) attached to the end of each channel and extending from the rear edge of each Channel extends in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt and so spaced from the leading edge of the channel is that it allows the removal of one object at a time 109825/0418 - 19 - 3c filling device according to claim 2, characterized in that that the hooks (65) on their lower hook (66) "arcuate formed and connected to the leading edge of the lower outlet of the preceding channel, so that it has a descending surface for guiding the object removed from the hook of the previous channel form" 4 · Filling device according to claim 2 or 3 »characterized in that that the upper surface of the hooks (65)> on which the lowermost object S of the respective Distribution channel rests slightly upwards in the direction of the conveyor belt movement. 5 'The filling apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the surface of each hook on which the lowermost object of the respective distributor channel is seated, is provided with at least eirrer connected to a suction source suction opening (67) _0% 6. Filling device according to one of claims 1 to 5j each container (8) is divided into at least two compartments (108,208,308), each of which is a stack individually Pick up objects lying one above the other parallel to the container bottom and transversely to the conveyor belt can, characterized in that the removal devices (68) are arranged to be slidable relative to each of these compartments, so that one of them is separated from the 109825/0418 - 20 - Aging device (65) optionally removed object falls into a given compartment. 7. Filling device according to claim 6, characterized in that displacement devices for moving the Removal devices provided bind, which these Hold on to the upper opening of a compartment until it has received a predetermined number of items and then automatically moves it to the top opening of another compartment 8. Filling device according to claim 7, characterized in that that the removal devices (68) can be moved forwards and backwards on a longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt Cage (57) are mounted, which has a cover (157) which closes the inlet openings of the compartments with a slot opening (58) for the passage of the articles, said slot opening (58) through Moving the cage (57) can optionally be arranged over the opening of a compartment (108, 208, 308) 9. Filling device according to claim 8, characterized in that at least two pivotable arms (59 _f 60) which form an adjustable parallelogram are provided for moving the cage, at least one of which is connected in one piece to a roller lever (359, 61) which extends to a fixed, the cage positions determining control cam (74) runs. 109825/0418 - 21 - 10 · Filling device according to one of claims 1 "to 9» characterized in that an extraction device contains two or more extraction teeth (68) which transversely at a distance from the conveyor belt, against which the hooks (65) are offset. 11. Filling device according to claim 10, characterized in that that the extraction teeth (68) pivotable so around a Axis (69) running transversely to the conveyor belt ™ are that they can optionally be placed in a raised active position. 12. Filling device according to claim 11, characterized by vertically displaceable stop parts (71) which are in one fixed distance in front of the extraction teeth (68) are to prevent forward movement of the objects as the teeth engage. 13 · Filling device according to claim 12, characterized in that that the extraction teeth (68) in the area of the rear as seen in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt Edge of the slot openings (58) and the stop parts (71) opposite them in the area of the front Edge of the üchlitzöffnungen (58) are arranged. 14 filling device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that each compartment (108, 208, 308) 109825/0418 - 22 - a movable floor (52) which moves continuously downwards as the compartment is filled. , 15 · Rinsing device according to claim 14, characterized by a movement of the base (52) controlling, continuously profiled control cam (173, 273, 373) 109825/0418