EP0210531A2

EP0210531A2 - Device for conveying batches of cigarettes

Info

Publication number: EP0210531A2
Application number: EP86109672A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Heinz Focke
Original assignee: Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 1985-08-02
Filing date: 1986-07-15
Publication date: 1987-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 2006-07-15
Also published as: DE3527741A1; DE3527741C2; CN1004802B; JPH0629056B2; BR8603647A; EP0210531A3; EP0210531B1; US4735032A; JPS6232869A; CA1302990C; CN86105642A

Abstract

A pocket conveyor (21) is used for the transport of cigarette groups (20) within or in connection with a packaging machine, in which pockets (24) holding cigarette groups (20) each play with roller bearings through connecting joints (25). and are connected to each other without wear. As a result, the pocket conveyor (21) can thus be used for high-performance conveyors for cigarette groups with precise relative positions.

Description

The invention relates to a device for conveying cigarette groups in connection with a packaging machine, the cigarette groups each being accommodated in pockets of a driven (endless) conveyor.
The transportation of cigarette groups corresponding to the contents of a cigarette pack in connection with the packaging thereof forms a particular problem of packaging technology. On the one hand, the cigarette groups should be promoted in a predetermined formation without affecting the cigarettes. On the other hand, the funding body should have exact relative positions for ensure the insertion and ejection of the cigarette groups in or out of the conveyor bags.
Pocket chains have basically proven to be effective, powerful conveyors for cigarette groups, especially because longer, even straight conveyor lines can be overcome. A disadvantage is the unsatisfactory accuracy of pocket chains in relation to the relative positions of the pockets, compared to a revolver revolving as an alternative.
The invention has for its object to improve the transport of cigarette groups with the help of bags in such a way that on the one hand the flexibility of the transport routes as with a bag chain, but on the other hand the accuracy of the relative positions of the bags are guaranteed even after a long period of operation.
To achieve this object, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the pockets are directly connected to one another by means of connecting joints which are designed to be free of play and wear and tear and form a pocket conveyor.
A major disadvantage of the bag chains previously used for the transport of cigarette groups is that they experience elongations due to the tensile forces that occur during operation and therefore do not allow the bags to be positioned relative to other organs of the packaging machine. This deficiency is eliminated by the pocket conveyor according to the invention, in which the individual pockets for receiving one cigarette group are directly and articulatedly connected to one another in such a way that exact guidance and positioning of the pockets or the pocket openings for the cigarette groups are ensured.
According to a preferred embodiment, each pocket is provided on opposite sides (front wall and rear wall) with at least one, but in particular two, spaced-apart (rigid) hinge plates, which with offset hinge plates of an adjacent pocket on a common transverse hinge axis (hinge pin) Ball bearings are stored.
A pocket conveyor designed in accordance with the invention is free of play and wear and can therefore be used as an equivalent conveying device for cigarette groups in addition to a revolving revolver. The pocket conveyor enables a variety of complex conveying routes for the cigarette groups. In the invention, the endless pocket conveyor is guided over two deflection rollers, which (together) can be moved back and forth in a (horizontal) plane. This makes it possible to drive individual conveyor sections of the pocket conveyor continuously, while other conveyor sections are driven in cycles. The movement differences are compensated for by the deflection rollers which are moved back and forth in a coordinated manner.
In a preferred application example of the pocket conveyor according to the invention, cigarette groups are inserted into several assigned pockets simultaneously in the area of a horizontal conveyor run, in particular in the area of a lower run, during a standstill phase. Another conveyor section, in particular an upper run of the pocket conveyor, is assigned to a continuously moving organ of the packaging machine, for example a continuously rotating folding turret. The upper run of the pocket conveyor is brought up to the circumference of the folding turret, so that the cigarette groups can be transferred from the pockets of the pocket conveyor to the folding turret by axial displacement, in particular with introduction, if the continuous movement corresponds in pockets of the folding revolver for wrapping in an inside wrap (tinfoil cut).
The pockets are designed in such a way that the pocket conveyor is guided in vertical and horizontal directions at least in some areas of the movement path (against sag and lateral movements). Toothed webs are attached to the top and / or bottom of the pockets, which serve on the one hand as an organ for guiding the pocket conveyor and on the other hand for positive interlocking with drive elements, with the folding turret, etc.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. It shows:

1 shows a device as part of a packaging machine with conveyor for cigarette groups in side view,
2 shows a representation analogous to FIG. 1 for another embodiment of the device,
3 shows a third embodiment in a representation corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 2,
4 shows a section of a pocket conveyor in a side view on an enlarged scale,
5 shows the section of the pocket conveyor according to FIG. 4 in plan, partially in section,
6 shows another embodiment of a pocket conveyor, also in a schematic side view,
7 is a plan view of FIG. 6, partially with horizontal section,
8 is a side view of a section of the pocket conveyor in the area of a deflection wheel,
9 shows a radial section in the region of the deflection wheel of the detail according to FIG. 8,
10 shows a cross section or vertical section in the region of an insertion station for cigarette groups in the pocket conveyor,
11 shows a (offset) vertical or radial section in the area of the insertion station of the cigarette groups including the folding turret (relating to FIG. 3),
Fig. 12 shows a detail of the guidance of the pocket conveyor, namely a pressure roller in radial section.

The exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings relate to the transport of cigarette groups 20 in the area or in connection with a cigarette packaging machine. Each cigarette group 20 corresponds in terms of the number and the formation (relative storage) of the cigarettes to the content of a cigarette packet to be produced. The cigarette groups 20 are conveyed by a conveyor in the form of a pocket conveyor 21 from an insertion station 22 to an organ of the packaging machine, namely a folding turret 23.
The focus is on the design of the (endless) pocket conveyor 21. Pockets 24 made of dimensionally stable material, in particular metal, are connected to opposite pockets 24 at opposite ends or sides via connecting joints 25 which are designed to be free of wear and play. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the connecting joints 25 are equipped with roller bearings, namely ball bearings. For this purpose are on each (front and rear) side of a pocket 24, namely on a front wall 92 and a rear wall 93, rigid, namely hinged tabs 26 and 27 or 28 and 29 formed from the material of the pocket 24 are attached. Two hinge plates 26, 29 of adjacent pockets 24 are each mounted on a common hinge axis, in the present case on a transversely extending hinge pin 30. In the present exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 4 and 5, two (external) joint brackets 26 and 27 are each rotatably mounted on the joint joint bolt 30 with ball bearings 31. The articulated brackets 28 and 29, which extend between the articulated brackets 26 and 27 and are assigned to the adjacent pocket, are non-rotatably connected to the articulated bolt 30 in the present case. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the inside, particularly wide hinge plate 28 is also fixed non-rotatably on the hinge pin 30. This configuration of the connecting joints 25 allows the pockets 24 to be moved relative to one another in a smooth-running manner. Signs of wear and thus elongation of the pocket conveyor 21 are not present even after a long period of operation.
Pocket openings 32 for receiving one cigarette group 20 each are preferably arranged centrally in the pockets 24, namely symmetrically with respect to the horizontal and vertical central plane. The pocket openings 32 therefore lie directly in the longitudinal plane of the pocket conveyor 21. This enables the pocket 24 to be designed in a simple manner with a low overall height.
The pocket opening 32 itself, namely the cavity for receiving the cigarette group 20, is formed in the exemplary embodiments shown by a cassette 33, which can be made of a suitable material, including plastic. The cassette 33 has the inner dimensions of the pocket opening 32, in each case adapted to the size and Shape of the cigarette group 20. The outer dimensions of the cassettes 33 are always of the same size, such that they can be inserted into a transverse recess 34 of the pockets 24, namely inserted. When changing the format, the cassette 33 is exchanged for another with the same external dimensions, but with a different dimension or design of the pocket opening 32, by designing the cassette walls 35 accordingly. The cassettes 33 can also have different axial dimensions, for example with an extension 36 on one side protrude from the pocket 24 when processing particularly long cigarettes. A conical inlet mouthpiece 37 is formed on the insertion side of the cassettes 33 or pocket openings 32. Here, moreover, the cassette 33 abuts the pocket 24 with a collar 38.
The pocket conveyor 21 can be supported at least in some areas against vertical movements, in particular against sagging. For this purpose, the hinge pin 30 is provided with a support end 39 at one or both ends by a corresponding extension. On this, a guide roller 40 is arranged in the design as a ball bearing and for support on corresponding guideways. End disks 41 are attached to the outer ends of the hinge pins 30 and prevent axial displacements of the hinge pin 30 or the bearing parts. 5, the guide rollers 40 are supported with respect to the adjacent ball bearings 31 by spacer rings 42. Likewise, spacer rings 43 are arranged in the region between the ball bearings 31 of adjacent link plates 26..29. This ensures a play-free mounting of the joint plates 26. 29 on the common joint pin 30 in the transverse direction.
Instead of two staggered or spaced-apart hinge plates 26..29, as shown in FIG. 7, a single, particularly wide hinge plate 28 can be provided.
The pockets 24 are further designed so that guidance against sideways movement of the pocket conveyor 21 is possible. For this purpose, increases are provided on the top (and possibly the bottom). 4 and 5, a toothed web 44 is placed on each pocket 24. In the present exemplary embodiment, this is designed with circular flanks 45 and is fastened to a fastening base 94 of the pocket 24 via a dovetail connection 46 in connection with anchoring bolts 47. The tooth bridge 44 is expediently made of plastic.
6 and 7, the pocket 24 is divided in the vertical longitudinal center plane to form two pocket halves. In the area of a dividing plane 48, a toothed web 49 designed as a disc sits clamped in a corresponding recess. This extends on the top and bottom of the pocket 24 and is circular (with an opening for the formation of the transverse pocket opening 32 or for the Passage of the cassette 33). The pocket halves are held together by the joint bolts 30 which can be loaded in the longitudinal direction.
The pocket conveyor 21 designed in the manner described is guided endlessly over deflection rollers 50 and 51. This creates an upper run 52 and a lower run 53 with different movement characteristics of the pocket conveyor 21.
In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the insertion station 22 for the cigarette groups 20 is located in the area of the lower run 53. This prevents fine tobacco, dust, etc. that accumulate in this area from reaching the areas below the pocket conveyor 21.
In this exemplary embodiment, cigarettes are fed to the introduction station 22 via a cigarette magazine 54. The lower area of the cigarette magazine 54 here consists of four exit members, namely shaft groups 55, each for the formation of a cigarette group 20. The shaft groups 55 usually consist of upright shafts, separated from one another by shaft walls, each for receiving a row of one above the other arranged cigarettes. In the lower area 56 cigarette groups 20 are ejected by transverse pushers and fed to the pocket conveyor 21 via a cigarette channel 57 (e.g. Fig. 12). In the area of the cigarette magazine 54, loosening members 58 are provided and arranged in the usual way.
The shaft groups 55 each end with the lower discharge area exactly adjacent to an assigned pocket 24 or pocket opening 32. In this exemplary embodiment, four pockets 24 of the pocket conveyor 21, which is stationary during this time, are thereby loaded simultaneously. After filling, the pocket conveyor 21 is moved further in the area of the lower run 53 by a section corresponding to four pockets 24, whereby the next group of four pockets 24 reaches the shaft groups 55 in the loading position.
The pockets 24 provided with cigarette groups 20 reach the area of a first cigarette checking device 59 and then the area of a second cigarette checking device 60. These serve to check the cigarettes in the area of the ends of the same (head control). The cigarette testing organs 59, 60 are of a suitable, known type.
The pockets 24 are then moved over the deflection roller 50 into the area of the upper run 52. This is driven continuously, i.e. continuously moved. The pocket conveyor 21 runs in the area of the upper run 52 to the circumference of the folding turret 23. The cigarette groups 20 are ejected in the area of the same in the axial direction from the pocket openings 32 and are fed to organs for wrapping the same in an inner blank (tin foil blank).
The different movement characteristics of the upper run 52 (continuous movement) and lower run 53 (cyclical movement) is achieved by a reciprocating movement of the deflection rollers 50 and 51 in the horizontal plane. For this purpose, the deflection rollers 50 and 51 are connected to one another by a rigid member, namely by a push rod 61. The movements of the deflection rollers 50, 51 are controlled by this so that a movement compensation between the upper strand 52 and the lower strand 53 is created.
The push rod 61 is moved in the present case by a cam mechanism 62, which consists of a three-armed angle lever 63, cam plates 64, 65 assigned to it and a transmission lever 66. The cams 64, 65 are rotated by a gear 67 arranged centrally and folded by the turret 23 and driven thereby.
The pocket conveyor 21 can be brought to the circumference of the folding turret 23 in various ways. In the advantageous embodiment of FIG. 1, the Pocket conveyor 21 is guided along a lower circular arc to the circumference of the folding turret 23, specifically along a quarter of the total circumference. Pressure rollers 68 and 69 are arranged in the area of the inlet to the periphery and the outlet thereof. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, these lie below the upper run 52.
The pocket conveyor 21 is driven in the present case by the folding turret 23. For this purpose, a turret disk 70 as part of the folding turret which continues in the axial direction is provided with narrow, groove-like depressions 71 along the circumference. These effect a kind of interlocking of the turret disk 70. The likewise disk-shaped toothed webs 44 of the pockets 24 enter the recesses 71 in a suitable, form-fitting manner, which are arranged as part-circular slots in the center along the circumference of the turret disk 70 with the spacings corresponding to the pockets 24. The design of the recesses 71 also ensures a certain lateral guidance and stabilization of the pocket conveyor 21 in this area. Outside of the area of the depressions 71 and the toothed webs 44, the pockets 24 are provided with arched-in curvatures 72, in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 only on the underside, in the example of FIGS. 6 and 7 on the top and bottom. These bulges 72 fit snugly on the circular circumference or on the outer surface of the turret disk 70.
While the pockets 24 are in contact with the turret disk 70, the cigarette groups 20 are transferred to the folding turret sections which are connected to the turret disk 70 in the axial direction and are not shown in detail in the drawings.
4 and 5 or 8 and 9, the circular arc-shaped concavities 72 formed on the inside of the pockets 24 are dimensioned such that the pockets 24 with this area form fit on the circumference or jacket of the deflecting rollers 50 , 51 create, whereby a special guidance and alignment of the pockets 24 takes place in this area.
2, the pocket conveyor 21 is guided in the region of the upper run 52 on the upper side of the folding turret 23 or the turret disk 70. This results in a longer wrapping area, which can be more advantageous under appropriate operating conditions. In this solution, the pressure rollers 68, 69 are necessarily attached to the top of the pocket conveyor 21.
3 shows an alternative in that the cigarette magazine 54 is arranged in the area of the upper run 52 and the folding turret 23 in the area of the lower run 53. The movement characteristics of upper run 52 and lower run 53 are corresponding.
Guides are assigned to the pocket conveyor 21 in selected areas in order to avoid lateral movements as well as vertical movements, in particular sag. 1 and 2, lateral guides in the form of an upper rail 73 and a lower rail 74 are arranged over the full length, namely between the deflection rollers 50, 51 in the region of the lower run 53. The lateral guide rollers 40 enter the guide slot 75 formed between them in the region of this upper rail 73 and lower rail 74 during the movement of the pockets 24. Guides 76, 77, 78 and 79 designed in an analogous manner are arranged in the region of the upper run 52. In the embodiment of FIG. 2 also in the area of the inlet of the pocket conveyor 21 to the order catch the turret disk 70 and in the area of the drain from this. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the guides described are arranged analogously. The guides can be formed on both sides of the pocket conveyor 21 (FIGS. 4 and 5) or only on one side (FIGS. 6 and 7).
Securing against sideways movements is effected in individual areas of the path of movement of the pocket conveyor 21 by side guides 80, 81, which extend in the region of the deflection of the pocket conveyor 21 (FIG. 8). The side guides 80, 81 are also equipped with a guide slot 82 into which the toothed web 44 enters. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 with toothed webs 49 extending on the top and bottom of the pockets 24, these enter the corresponding roller slots 83 in the region of the deflection rollers 50, 51, thereby also providing lateral guidance in this deflection region. As can be seen from FIG. 9, both lateral guide slots 75 and guide slots 82 assigned to the toothed webs 49 are formed in this deflection area of the pocket conveyor 21 in the area of a side cheek 84 which can be moved back and forth with the deflection rollers 50, 51. A pivot pin 85 for the deflection roller 50, 51 is also mounted in this. The side cheek 84 is slidably guided on slide rods 86 of the machine frame 87.
The pressure rollers 68, 69 are also designed so that - depending on the relative position - they have a slot for receiving the toothed webs 44. In addition, the pressure rollers 68, 69 are resiliently mounted, namely on an angular support arm 89 supported on a compression spring 88, which is mounted on a fixed support pin 90, namely connected to the machine frame 87. When the pocket conveyor 21 according to FIGS. 6 and 7 is designed, that is to say with toothed webs 49 extending on both sides, As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and, for example, in FIG. 10, the deflection rollers 50, 51 are provided with a circumferential slot 91 running all around, into which the toothed web 49 enters in the region of the deflection.

Claims

1. Device for conveying cigarette groups in connection with a packaging machine, the cigarette groups each being accommodated in pockets of a driven (endless) conveyor,
characterized in that the pockets (24) are directly connected to one another by means of connecting joints (25) designed to be free of play and wear and tear to form a pocket conveyor (21).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting joints (25) are designed as roller bearings (ball bearings 31).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each pocket (24) on opposite sides (front and back in the conveying direction) with at least one, in particular two spaced apart (rigid) hinge plates (26, 27) is provided, which are mounted with staggered hinge plates (28, 29) of an adjacent pocket (24) on a common transverse hinge axis (hinge pin 30) with ball bearings (31).

4. The device according to claim 3 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that the articulated brackets (28, 29) arranged on one side of a pocket (24) are fixedly and non-rotatably mounted on the articulated bolt (30) and the articulated brackets (26 , 27) on the other side with roller bearings (ball bearings 31) are rotatably mounted on the common hinge pin (30).

5. The device according to claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that a pocket opening (32) is arranged inside the pocket (24), preferably as a cross section closed, open on the sides symmetrical to the longitudinal and transverse median plane of the Bag (24).

6. The device according to claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized by (lateral) guides (76..79) for the pockets (24), in particular from at least one end of the (extended) hinge pin (30) (support end 39 ) arranged guide rollers (40) which (temporarily) enter stationary guides (guide slots 74).

7. The device according to claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that the pocket openings (32) are each formed by a cassette (33) which in a corresponding Recess (34) of the pocket (24) is inserted, the size of a pocket opening (32) being determined by the shape and / or dimensions of cassette walls (35) with uniform outer dimensions of the cassette.

8. The device according to claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized by (additional) guiding the pockets (24) against sideways movements thereof, in particular by guide webs (toothed webs 44, 49) on the top and / or bottom of the pockets (24 ), the guide webs (temporarily) entering stationary guide slots (82).

9. The device according to claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that the pockets (24) are provided on the top and / or bottom with projections which interlock with other rotating machine organs, in particular with the circumference of a folding Revolvers (23).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that on the top and / or underside of the pockets (24) toothed webs (44, 49) are arranged with flanks converging upwards or downwards, which in longitudinally matching recesses (71) of the circumference of the folding turret (23).

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the toothed ridges (44), in particular made of plastic, are placed on the top of the pockets (24), preferably by dovetail connection (46).

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the pockets (24) are divided in the longitudinal center plane, preferably a toothed web (49) extending above and below the pocket (24) as continuous (circular) disc is clamped in the area of a (central) division plane (48).

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the drive for the pocket conveyor (21) by the folding turret (23) is transferable.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the pocket conveyor (21) along a pitch circle, in particular along a in the lower region of the folding turret (23) extending pitch circle in the size of approximately a quarter circle, on the circumference of the. Folding turret (23) rests under the engagement of the toothed webs (44, 49) in the recesses (71) of the folding turret (23).

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the pocket conveyor (21) by (elastically mounted) pressure rollers (68, 69), in particular in the region of the feed to the or the outlet from the circumference of the folding turret (23) this can be pressed.

16. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the endless via at least two deflection rollers (50, 51) guided pocket conveyor (21) in the region of the upper run (52) rests on the circumference of the folding turret (23).

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that the deflecting rollers (50, 51) are provided with central circumferential slots (91) arranged along the circumference, into which the (downwardly or inwardly directed) toothed webs (49) occur.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that a plurality of pockets (24) of the pocket conveyor (21) during the standstill thereof by simultaneous Insertion of cigarette groups (20) in the area of a horizontal conveyor section, in particular in the area of a lower run (53) of the pocket conveyor (21), can be loaded.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1 and one or more of the further claims, characterized in that the deflecting rollers (50, 51) of the pocket conveyor (21) can be moved back and forth simultaneously and together, such that the pocket conveyor (21) with continuous drive in the remaining area of loading with cigarette groups (20), in particular in the area of the lower run (53), temporarily stands still.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the deflecting rollers (50, 51) interconnected by a rigid push rod (61) can be driven back and forth by the folding turret (23) via a with the push rod (61) connected gear.