EP0612481B1 - Device for the transport and supplying of cigarettes - Google Patents

Device for the transport and supplying of cigarettes Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0612481B1
EP0612481B1 EP94100480A EP94100480A EP0612481B1 EP 0612481 B1 EP0612481 B1 EP 0612481B1 EP 94100480 A EP94100480 A EP 94100480A EP 94100480 A EP94100480 A EP 94100480A EP 0612481 B1 EP0612481 B1 EP 0612481B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
filling
cigarettes
storage units
containers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP94100480A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0612481A3 (en
EP0612481A2 (en
Inventor
Heinz Focke
Harald Dr. Gosebruch
Hans-Jürgen Bretthauer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG
Publication of EP0612481A2 publication Critical patent/EP0612481A2/en
Publication of EP0612481A3 publication Critical patent/EP0612481A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0612481B1 publication Critical patent/EP0612481B1/en
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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/35—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine
    • A24C5/352—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine using containers, i.e. boats

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for transporting and storing (storing) cigarettes in a plurality of containers arranged next to one another, forming a storage unit, which can be filled in a filling station by a filling element, in particular via a filling opening formed in the region of a bottom wall.
  • the handling of cigarettes after their manufacture and before packaging causes special problems when packaging cigarettes.
  • the cigarette manufacturing machines (makers) manufacture cigarettes with high performance of e.g. B. 16,000 cigarettes per minute.
  • the relatively large number of cigarettes must be fed to the packaging machine in a reasonable manner. It must be operational Performance fluctuations of the cigarette manufacturing machine as well as the subsequent packaging machine must be taken into account. It is therefore customary to place storage devices for cigarettes in the area between these two units. Depending on the fluctuations in performance, cigarettes are fed into or released from this store.
  • So-called trays are known for storing and transporting cigarettes, namely containers that are open on two sides and serve to hold a cigarette store.
  • the trays are usually driven to the place of use on trolleys and emptied by tipping in the area of a cigarette magazine of a packaging machine.
  • a memory is also already known with a plurality of upright containers connected to a storage unit, each of which serves to hold a cigarette supply. These containers are filled with cigarettes from above and emptied through a lower removal opening (DE 29 00 778).
  • the invention has for its object to provide a device for storing and handling cigarettes, which has a considerably larger storage capacity using containers for holding a cigarette stock, and easier handling in the distribution of stored cigarettes enables.
  • the device according to the invention is characterized in that a plurality of storage units (units consisting of a plurality of containers) are accommodated in a container magazine, the storage units in the area of at least one vertical conveyor within the container magazine one above the other and possibly next to one another are arranged, wherein the storage units can be fed to the filling station one after the other and within the individual containers can be filled or emptied one after the other.
  • the device according to the invention is therefore based on storage units which each consist of a plurality of containers arranged side by side.
  • storage units which are accommodated in a container magazine.
  • the storage units can be permanently integrated in the container magazine.
  • handling in such a way that the storage units can be removed individually or in groups from the container magazine or supplied to them as required is more advantageous.
  • the individual containers are filled and / or emptied according to the invention, preferably in the area of a stationary filling station.
  • the containers of each storage unit are moved one after the other into the filling or emptying station.
  • the container magazine is equipped with cross conveyors which enable the storage units to be transported relative to a filling or emptying element.
  • Another subject of the invention is the design and handling of the containers, individually or as part of a storage unit.
  • guide elements for the cigarettes can be inserted into the container via an at least partially open side of the container during a phase of filling (or emptying) and, according to the filling or emptying process, gradually from the Container can be moved out.
  • These guide members are designed in particular so that they form a funnel-shaped movement cross section for the cigarettes leading to a lower, central removal opening within the container.
  • the guide elements are arranged in a stationary manner and only occur in the area of the filling or emptying station processed container.
  • Another special feature of the invention relates to measures in connection with the filling and emptying of the containers, namely to the processes when opening and closing a filling opening of the container.
  • closure flaps of the container are used, which form a lateral boundary of the delivery channel for the cigarettes when the filling opening is open.
  • the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings deal with the handling of cigarettes 10 or other elongated, rod-shaped objects. It is about storing a large number of cigarettes 10 and transporting them in the area between a cigarette manufacturing machine and a packaging machine (neither of which is shown).
  • Figures 1 and 2 show details of a high capacity memory device.
  • This essentially consists of a container magazine 11 which is suitable for holding a large number of containers 12. These serve to hold a larger cigarette supply 13 and to dispense the same.
  • a container 12 consists of a large front wall 14, narrow, upright side walls 15 and 16 and a bottom wall 17. On the upper side, the container 12 can, as shown, be open or alternatively closed.
  • a plurality of containers 12 are arranged next to one another to form a fixed group of containers 12, namely a storage unit 18.
  • the containers 12 are arranged such that the side walls 15, 16 run in a common plane.
  • the front walls 14 are oriented transversely and each close off the open side of an adjacent container 12. This creates a unit consisting of several cells or chambers separated from one another by partitions. The width thereof corresponds approximately to the length of a cigarette 10.
  • a storage unit 18 designed in this way consists of 15 containers 12 or cells in the present case.
  • the containers 12 are rectangular in plan.
  • the capacity of such a container 12 is approximately 6,000 cigarettes.
  • FIG. 1 Several storage units 18 are accommodated in the container magazine 11. In the present case, this consists of two sub-magazines 19 and 20.
  • a vertical conveyor for the storage units 18 is assigned to each of these sub-magazines 19, 20.
  • the vertical conveyors each consist of pairs of belt conveyors 21, 22 lying opposite one another. These are provided on the outside with drivers or support legs 23. Upright conveying strands 24, 25 of the opposing belt conveyors 21, 22 are aligned so that the support legs 23 extend in a common, horizontal plane.
  • the storage units 18 rest with edge regions on the support legs 23.
  • the coordinated drive of the belt conveyors 21, 22 of a partial magazine 19, 20 allows the storage units 18 resting on the support legs 23 to be moved up or down.
  • the storage units 18 can be moved within the container magazine 11 from one partial magazine 19 to the other partial magazine 20 and in the opposite direction.
  • a cross conveyor 26 is located in the lower area of the container magazine 11.
  • it consists of two conveyor belts 27, 28 with drivers 29 directed outwards.
  • a storage unit 18 is located on the cross conveyor for transverse transport within the container magazine 11 26 discontinued, namely on an upper conveyor run.
  • the conveyor belts 27, 28 are arranged at such a distance from one another that the storage units 18 laterally form an overhang. This extends in each case in the path of movement of the support legs 23.
  • the storage units 18 can be lifted directly from the cross conveyor 26 and lifted into one or the other partial magazine 19, 20.
  • storage units 18 can the cross conveyor 26 and are conveyed to the outside or to the other sub-magazine.
  • a transverse transport of the storage units 18 from one partial magazine to the other is also possible in the upper region of the container magazine 11.
  • the storage units 18 are received here by a head conveyor 30 and are kept movable by organs (not shown in detail).
  • the storage unit 18 is moved along conveyor rails 31, 32, in the present case by a slide 33 which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor rails 31, 32.
  • a special type of transport vehicle is provided. It is a container trolley 34, which serves to hold several - in the present embodiment three - storage units 18.
  • the container wagon 34 is provided with an upright support frame 35 for this purpose. This is here off-center, namely attached to the side of a chassis 36 equipped with rollers.
  • On the support frame 35 which acts like a support column, a telescopically movable support piece 37 is mounted so that it can be moved up and down. This can be moved like a slide on the support frame 36 and can be moved, for example, by a pressure medium cylinder (not shown) or by a chain drive.
  • On the support piece 37 laterally projecting or projecting support arms 38 are attached at a distance from each other.
  • the support arms 38 are fork-shaped here, that is to say with two spaced-apart legs on which the storage units 18 rest.
  • the container trolley 34 designed in this way, a plurality of storage units 18 can be removed from or inserted into the container magazine 11 at the same time.
  • the distances between the support arms 38 from one another correspond to the distances between successive support legs 23 of the belt conveyors 21, 22.
  • the container trolley 34 can be moved to the container magazine 11 in such a way that the storage units 18 resting on the support arms 38 can be delivered to and removed from pairs of opposite support legs 23 in the correct position.
  • the support arms 38 are lowered by moving the support piece 37 downward, so that the storage units 18 are placed on the support legs 23. The procedure for removing storage units 18 is reversed accordingly.
  • the storage units 18 and the containers 12 are filled and emptied here in the region of the container magazine 11, which is equipped with a filling station 39.
  • a filling element 40 is located in an area between the two partial magazines 19, 20, specifically in the lower area of the container magazine 11. The arrangement is such that the containers 12 with cigarettes 10 from below, namely via the bottom wall 17 be filled. The containers 12 are also emptied downwards, that is to say via the bottom wall 17.
  • a storage unit 18 is conveyed step by step by the cross conveyor 26 through the filling station 39 or over the filling member 40.
  • the individual containers 12 successively reach a position above the filling element 40 and are filled or emptied from below.
  • the cross conveyor 26 is driven in cycles.
  • the cigarettes 10 are fed to the container magazine 11 by a cigarette conveyor 41.
  • a cigarette conveyor 41 This is designed in a known manner and consists of upper and lower conveyor belts, between which a stream of cigarettes is continuously conveyed.
  • the cigarette conveyor 41 leads to a distributor unit 42.
  • a branch 43 leads down into an area below the plane of movement of the lower storage units 18.
  • a transverse strand 44 leads in the region of the transverse conveyor 26, namely between its strands, to the filling element 40, which here is an upward-facing strand of the cigarette conveyor (FIGS. 5 and 6).
  • a cigarette conveyor namely a discharge conveyor 45, leads from the distribution unit 42 to the packaging machine or another customer for the cigarettes.
  • the removal conveyor 45 runs here in the axis of the cigarette conveyor 41.
  • a cigarette buffer 46 is connected in the area of the distributor unit 42. This is also designed as a cigarette conveyor and can take up limited quantities of cigarettes at short notice for compensation purposes.
  • the cigarette buffer 46 extends above the conveyor 45 in the area between the two partial magazines 19, 20.
  • the cigarettes delivered by the cigarette conveyor 41 are deflected in the region of the distribution unit 42 into the downward branch 43, then into the transverse strand 44 and finally via the upward-pointing filling element 40 into the correspondingly positioned container 12.
  • cigarettes can also be placed under Bypassing the container magazine 11 are conveyed further via the conveyor 45 to the packaging machine.
  • the containers 12 are emptied, the flow of cigarettes is reversed accordingly.
  • Each container 12 is provided with a central filling opening 47 in the region of the bottom wall 17.
  • the filling element 40 for filling or emptying the container 12 is connected to this.
  • guide or guide elements 48, 49 can be inserted into the container 12.
  • the guide members 48, 49 on the bottom wall 17th moved into the interior of the container 12.
  • the bottom wall is provided outside the area of the filling opening 47 with recesses for the passage of the guide elements 48, 49.
  • slots 50, 51 extending in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 17 are provided.
  • the guide elements 48, 49 forming webs 52 pass through these.
  • two guide elements 48, 49 are provided, which primarily fill in lower, bottom corner areas of the container 12 and thereby cause a funnel-shaped or converging to the filling opening 47 leading to the space for the cigarettes 10.
  • Each of the two guide members 48, 49 here consists of three webs 52 which pass through assigned three slots 50, 51.
  • a guide member 48, 49 extending approximately from the filling opening 47 to the upper edges of the side walls 15, 16 is produced in the container 12.
  • This has a funnel-shaped free interior, which facilitates the filling process and also the process of emptying.
  • the guide elements 48, 49 are gradually withdrawn from the container 12 as the degree of filling of the container 12 increases, namely downward through the bottom wall 17. Conversely, the guide elements 48, 49 are gradually introduced into the container 12 during emptying.
  • guide grooves 53 for the webs 52 are formed on the inside of the side walls 15, 16.
  • An advantageous alternative to the container 12 is such that the guide elements are not introduced into the container 12 via the bottom wall 17 but from the sides, that is to say via the side walls 15, 16.
  • corresponding slots or other recesses are arranged in the side walls 15, 16.
  • the horizontally displaceable guide members can be designed analogously to those in FIG. 3.
  • the bottom wall 17 is continuous - except for the filling opening 47 - So without slots 50, 51 or other openings.
  • the guide members 48, 49 are expediently arranged only in the area of the filling station 39.
  • the guide elements 48, 49 can be actuated by suitable means, such as pressure medium cylinders or mechanical gears.
  • Fig. 4 shows a solution based on specially designed containers 12. These are formed with a funnel-shaped bottom wall 17, namely with two wall legs 54 and 55 leading in the direction of a (central) filling opening 47. The wall legs 54, 55 delimit with their lower ones Immediately border the filling opening 47.
  • the top of the container 12 can be formed in a conventional manner in this embodiment. In the case of a space-saving, nested positioning of the containers 12 with a V-shaped bottom wall 17, the top is correspondingly also V-shaped with converging tops 56, 57.
  • the container 12 can be closed in this area, but at least with grid-like covers, which allow filling up to the upper edge of the V-leg.
  • the side walls 15, 16 are provided with lugs 58 in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4. These are directed sideways and can be gripped by the support legs 23 of the vertical conveyors of the container magazine 11.
  • a container magazine 11 in the manner described is also possible in the V-shaped design of the container 12.
  • the lower cross conveyor 26 consists of two conveyor belts 27, 28 running in inclined planes upper conveyor strand lies against the inclined wall legs 54, 55 of the bottom wall 17.
  • containers 12 according to. Fig. 4 existing storage units 18 are moved and treated in the same way as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the head conveyor 30 is shown in this embodiment as a piston rod of a pressure medium cylinder, which is the transverse displacement of a partial magazine on the other hand.
  • the containers 12 in the various embodiments are formed in the area of the filling opening 47. 5 and 6.
  • the details shown there relate to a container 12 according to the embodiment.
  • Fig. 4 ie with funnel-shaped or V-shaped bottom wall 17 with wall legs 54, 55, which laterally limit the filling opening 47 with the lower edges.
  • the filling opening 47 can be closed by a closure member.
  • closing flaps are used, namely two closing flaps 58, 59 mounted on the lower edges of the wall legs 54, 55 of the bottom wall 17. In the closed position, each closing flap 58, 59 covers half of the filling opening 47.
  • the closing flaps 58, 59 are with pivot bolts 60 mounted in pivot bearings 61, 62 of the bottom wall 17.
  • the actuation namely the transmission of pivoting movements, takes place via a transversely projecting extension 63, onto which a suitable actuating member, e.g. B. acts as a pressure cylinder.
  • the closing flaps 58, 59 are directed downward, so that a distance of 90 ° is covered between the closed position and the open position.
  • the closing flaps 58, 59 serve as a lateral guide for a cigarette stream 64 which is transported through the filling element 40 to the filling opening 47.
  • the filling element 40 here consists of upright, opposing endless conveyors 65, 66.
  • Each endless conveyor 65, 66 in turn consists of several adjacent individual conveyors 67, 68, 69 and 70.
  • Each individual conveyor 67..70 is made of endless belts made of round material (rubber or plastic) educated.
  • Each individual conveyor 67..70 runs over a deflection plate 71.
  • the deflection plates 71 are arranged on a common shaft 72 at a distance from one another.
  • the cigarettes 10 are conveyed axially transversely, abutting the conveying strands of the individual conveyors 67..70 facing each other on both sides of the filling element 40.
  • the filling element 40 ends at a distance below the container 12 or the filling opening 47.
  • the cigarette stream 64 is laterally limited by the closing flaps 58, 59 pivoted into an upright position. These extend into the area of the individual conveyors 67..70.
  • the closing flaps 58, 59 are comb-shaped in the lower region (in the upright position).
  • Prong-like projections 73 enter the area between the adjacent individual conveyors 67..70.
  • a pressure plate 74 is arranged in the region of the filling opening 47.
  • the pressure plate 74 extends approximately over the full width of the filling opening 47.
  • the pressure plate 74 is against the facing ends of the cigarettes 10 pressed.
  • a number of cigarettes 10 corresponding to the size of the pressure plate 74 is fixed by clamping it on the opposite front wall 14.
  • the closing flaps 58, 59 can now be moved into the closed position. Then the pressure plate 74 is relieved.
  • a cross leg 75 is arranged on the lower edge of the pressure plate 74. This cross leg 75 comes out of the side of the container 12 and serves to actuate the pressure plate 74. The rest of the plate can also be moved up and down and is located only in the area of the filling station 39 in the container 12 being processed.
  • a special closing process can be practiced by fixing the cigarettes 10 in the lower region of the container 12. After the container 12 has been filled and the cigarettes have been fixed in place by the pressure plate 74, the cigarette stream 64 in the filling element 40 is retracted or lowered to a level outside the range of movement of the closing flaps 58, 59 by counter-driving the endless conveyors 65, 66. The control takes place via a light barrier generated by sensors 76. In the lowered position of the cigarette stream 64 shown in FIG. 5, the closing flaps 58, 59 can be moved freely.
  • FIG. 7 shows an alternative for feeding cigarettes 10 for filling the containers 12 and removing them for emptying them.
  • Each container magazine 11 has two separate conveyors, namely a first branch 77 for filling the containers 12 on the one hand and a second branch 78 assigned to emptying the container 12 on the other hand.
  • the branches 77 and 78 are each arranged on opposite sides of the container magazine 11.
  • the first branch 77 leads from the distribution unit 42 down into the area below the plane of movement of the lower storage unit 18. This is followed by a first transverse strand 79 which leads to the filling element 40.
  • the first transverse strand 79 transports the cigarettes 10 exclusively from the branch 77 to the filling element 40.
  • the branch 77 and the cross-section 79 therefore only serve to feed the cigarettes 10 to the filling element 40 and thus to fill the containers 12. Accordingly, conveyor belts of the branch 77 and the cross-section 79 can only be driven in one direction.
  • the second branch 78 leads from the area below the plane of movement of the lower storage unit 18 up to the discharge conveyor 45.
  • a second cross-section 80 leads from the filling member 40 to the second branch 78.
  • the second cross-section 80 means that the cigarettes 10 are exclusively from the filling member 40 transported to the second junction 78.
  • the second branch 78 and the second cross-section 80 are therefore only used to remove the cigarettes 10 from the filling element and thus to empty the container 12. Accordingly, the conveyor belts of the two branches 78 and the second cross-section 80 can only be driven in one direction.
  • the filling member 40 also serves in the present case both for filling and for emptying the containers 12.
  • the endless belts 65, 66 of the filling member 40 can be driven accordingly in both directions.

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  • Manufacturing Of Cigar And Cigarette Tobacco (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Einrichtung zum Transport und zur Bevorratung (Speicherung) von Zigaretten in mehreren nebeneinander angeordneten, eine Speichereinheit bildenden Behältern, die in einer Füllstation durch ein Füllorgan befüllbar sind, insbesondere über eine im Bereich einer Bodenwand gebildeten Einfüllöffnung.The invention relates to a device for transporting and storing (storing) cigarettes in a plurality of containers arranged next to one another, forming a storage unit, which can be filled in a filling station by a filling element, in particular via a filling opening formed in the region of a bottom wall.

Die Handhabung von Zigaretten nach deren Fertigung und vor der Verpackung verursacht besondere Probleme bei der Verpackung von Zigaretten. Die Zigaretten-Herstellmaschinen (Maker) fertigen Zigaretten mit hoher Leistung von z. B. 16.000 Zigaretten je Minute. Die verhältnismäßig große Anzahl von Zigaretten muß in einer sinnvollen Weise der Verpackungsmaschine zugeführt werden. Dabei müssen betriebsbedingte Leistungsschwankungen der Zigaretten-Herstellmaschine ebenso wie der nachfolgenden Verpackungsmaschine beachtet werden. Es ist deshalb üblich, im Bereich zwischen diesen beiden Aggregaten Speichereinrichtungen für Zigaretten zu plazieren. Je nach Leistungsschwankungen werden Zigaretten in diesen Speicher eingefördert oder von diesem abgegeben.The handling of cigarettes after their manufacture and before packaging causes special problems when packaging cigarettes. The cigarette manufacturing machines (makers) manufacture cigarettes with high performance of e.g. B. 16,000 cigarettes per minute. The relatively large number of cigarettes must be fed to the packaging machine in a reasonable manner. It must be operational Performance fluctuations of the cigarette manufacturing machine as well as the subsequent packaging machine must be taken into account. It is therefore customary to place storage devices for cigarettes in the area between these two units. Depending on the fluctuations in performance, cigarettes are fed into or released from this store.

Für die Bevorratung und den Transport von Zigaretten sind sogenannte Schragen bekannt, nämlich an zwei Seiten offene Behälter, die für die Aufnahme eines Zigaretten-Vorrats dienen. Die Schragen werden üblicherweise auf Wagen zum Verwendungsort gefahren und durch Kippen im Bereich eines Zigaretten-Magazins einer Verpackungsmaschine entleert.So-called trays are known for storing and transporting cigarettes, namely containers that are open on two sides and serve to hold a cigarette store. The trays are usually driven to the place of use on trolleys and emptied by tipping in the area of a cigarette magazine of a packaging machine.

Bekannt ist aber auch bereits ein Speicher mit einer Mehrzahl von zu einer Speichereinheit verbundenen aufrechten Behältern, die je zur Aufnahme eines Zigaretten-Vorrats dienen. Diese Behälter werden von oben mit Zigaretten befüllt und über eine untere Entnahmeöffnung entleert (DE 29 00 778).However, a memory is also already known with a plurality of upright containers connected to a storage unit, each of which serves to hold a cigarette supply. These containers are filled with cigarettes from above and emptied through a lower removal opening (DE 29 00 778).

Ausgehend von diesem Stand der Technik liegt der Erfindung die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Einrichtung zum Speichern und Handhaben von Zigaretten vorzuschlagen, die unter Verwendung von Behältern zur Aufnahme eines Zigaretten-Vorrats eine beträchtlich größere Speicherkapazität aufweist, und eine erleichterte Handhabung bei der Verteilung der gespeicherten Zigaretten ermöglicht.Based on this prior art, the invention has for its object to provide a device for storing and handling cigarettes, which has a considerably larger storage capacity using containers for holding a cigarette stock, and easier handling in the distribution of stored cigarettes enables.

Zur Lösung dieser Aufgabe ist die erfindungsgemäße Einrichtung dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß in einem Behälter-Magazin eine Mehrzahl von Speichereinheiten (aus mehreren Behältern bestehende Einheiten) Aufnahme findet, wobei die Speichereinheiten im Bereich von wenigstens einem Vertikalförderer innerhalb des Behälter-Magazins übereinander und ggf. nebeneinander angeordnet sind, wobei die Speichereinheiten nacheinander der Füllstation zuführbar und innerhalb derselben die einzelnen Behälter nacheinander befüll- oder entleerbar sind.To achieve this object, the device according to the invention is characterized in that a plurality of storage units (units consisting of a plurality of containers) are accommodated in a container magazine, the storage units in the area of at least one vertical conveyor within the container magazine one above the other and possibly next to one another are arranged, wherein the storage units can be fed to the filling station one after the other and within the individual containers can be filled or emptied one after the other.

Die erfindungsgemäße Einrichtung geht demnach aus von Speichereinheiten, die je aus einer Mehrzahl von nebeneinander angeordneten Behältern bestehen. Mehrere derartiger Speichereinheiten finden Aufnahme in einem Behälter-Magazin. Die Speichereinheiten können fest in das Behälter-Magazin integriert sein. Vorteilhafter ist aber eine Handhabung derart, daß die Speichereinheiten nach Bedarf einzeln und zu mehreren dem Behälter-Magazin entnehmbar oder diesem zuführbar sind.The device according to the invention is therefore based on storage units which each consist of a plurality of containers arranged side by side. Several such storage units are accommodated in a container magazine. The storage units can be permanently integrated in the container magazine. However, handling in such a way that the storage units can be removed individually or in groups from the container magazine or supplied to them as required is more advantageous.

Im Bereich des Behälter-Magazins werden die einzelnen Behälter erfindungsgemäß befüllt und/oder entleert, vorzugsweise im Bereich einer stationären Füllstation. Die Behälter jeder Speichereinheit werden dabei nacheinander in die Füll- bzw. Entleerungsstation gefahren. Zu diesem Zweck ist das Behälter-Magazin mit Querförderern ausgerüstet, die einen Transport der Speichereinheiten relativ zu einem Füll- oder Entleerungsorgan ermöglichen.In the area of the container magazine, the individual containers are filled and / or emptied according to the invention, preferably in the area of a stationary filling station. The containers of each storage unit are moved one after the other into the filling or emptying station. For this purpose, the container magazine is equipped with cross conveyors which enable the storage units to be transported relative to a filling or emptying element.

Ein weiteres Thema der Erfindung ist die Ausgestaltung und Handhabung der Behälter, und zwar einzeln oder als Teil einer Speichereinheit.Another subject of the invention is the design and handling of the containers, individually or as part of a storage unit.

Zur Erleichterung des Füllens und/oder Entleerens eines Behälters sind erfindungsgemäß während einer Phase des Füllens (oder Entleerens) Leitorgane für die Zigaretten über eine wenigstens teilweise offene Seite des Behälters in diesen einführbar und nach Maßgabe des Füll- bzw. Entleerungsvorgangs nach und nach aus dem Behälter herausbewegbar. Diese Leitorgane sind insbesondere so ausgebildet, daß sie innerhalb des Behälters einen zu einer unteren, mittigen Entnahmeöffnung führenden trichterförmigen Bewegungsquerschnitt für die Zigaretten bilden. Die Leitorgane sind stationär angeordnet und treten lediglich im Bereich der Füll- bzw. Entleerungsstation in den jeweils bearbeiteten Behälter ein.In order to facilitate the filling and / or emptying of a container, guide elements for the cigarettes can be inserted into the container via an at least partially open side of the container during a phase of filling (or emptying) and, according to the filling or emptying process, gradually from the Container can be moved out. These guide members are designed in particular so that they form a funnel-shaped movement cross section for the cigarettes leading to a lower, central removal opening within the container. The guide elements are arranged in a stationary manner and only occur in the area of the filling or emptying station processed container.

Eine weitere Besonderheit der Erfindung bezieht sich auf Maßnahmen im Zusammenhang der Befüllung und Entleerung der Behälter, nämlich auf die Vorgänge beim Öffnen und Schließen einer Füllöffnung des Behälters. Hierfür dienen erfindungsgemäß Verschlußklappen des Behälters, die bei offener Füllöffnung eine seitliche Begrenzung des Förderkanals für die Zigaretten bilden.Another special feature of the invention relates to measures in connection with the filling and emptying of the containers, namely to the processes when opening and closing a filling opening of the container. For this purpose, according to the invention, closure flaps of the container are used, which form a lateral boundary of the delivery channel for the cigarettes when the filling opening is open.

Weitere Einzelheiten der Erfindung beziehen sich auf die Ausgestaltung des Behälter-Magazins sowie der einzelnen Behälter und der Organe im Zusammenhang mit der Befüllung oder Entleerung der Behälter.Further details of the invention relate to the design of the container magazine and the individual containers and the organs in connection with the filling or emptying of the containers.

Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung werden nachfolgend anhand der Zeichnungen näher erläutert. Es zeigt:

Fig. 1
eine Einrichtung zum Fördern und Speichern und von Zigaretten mit einem Speicheraggregat, nämlich einem Behälter-Magazin, in perspektivischer Unteransicht,
Fig. 2
ein Behälter-Magazin entsprechend dem Ausführungsbeispiel gem. Fig. 1 in perspektivischer Darstellung mit einer Transportvorrichtung für Speichereinheiten,
Fig. 3
einen einzelnen Behälter für einen Zigaretten-Vorrat in vereinfachter perspektivischer Darstellung,
Fig. 4
eine Alternative für die Ausbildung eines Behälters für einen Zigaretten-Vorrat innerhalb eines Behälter-Magazins in Seitenansicht, teilweise geschnitten,
Fig. 5
eine (untere) Einzelheit eines Behälters für einen Zigaretten-Vorrat in stark vergrößertem Maßstab, teilweise geschnitten,
Fig. 6
eine um 90° versetzte Darstellung bzw. Queransicht zu der Einzelheit gem. Fig. 5,
Fig. 7
eine Alternative für das Zuführen und Abfördern von Zigaretten zu dem Behälter-Magazin gem. Fig. 4 in Seitenansicht, teilweise geschnitten.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. It shows:
Fig. 1
a device for conveying and storing cigarettes with a storage unit, namely a container magazine, in a perspective bottom view,
Fig. 2
a container magazine according to the embodiment. 1 in a perspective view with a transport device for storage units,
Fig. 3
a single container for a cigarette store in a simplified perspective view,
Fig. 4
an alternative for the formation of a container for a cigarette store within a container magazine in side view, partially cut,
Fig. 5
a (lower) detail of a container for a cigarette store on a greatly enlarged scale, partially cut,
Fig. 6
a 90 ° offset or cross-sectional view of the detail acc. Fig. 5,
Fig. 7
an alternative for the supply and removal of cigarettes to the container magazine acc. Fig. 4 in side view, partially cut.

Die in den Zeichnungen dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiele befassen sich mit der Handhabung von Zigaretten 10 oder anderen länglichen, stabförmigen Gegenständen. Es geht um die Speicherung einer großen Anzahl von Zigaretten 10 und um deren Transport im Bereich zwischen einer Zigaretten-Herstellmaschine und einer Verpackungsmaschine (beides nicht gezeigt).The exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings deal with the handling of cigarettes 10 or other elongated, rod-shaped objects. It is about storing a large number of cigarettes 10 and transporting them in the area between a cigarette manufacturing machine and a packaging machine (neither of which is shown).

Fig. 1 und 2 zeigen Einzelheiten einer Speicher-Einrichtung mit hoher Kapazität. Diese besteht im wesentlichen aus einem Behälter-Magazin 11, welches zur Aufnahme einer großen Anzahl von Behältern 12 geeignet ist. Diese dienen zur Aufnahme eines größeren Zigaretten-Vorrats 13 und zur Abgabe desselben. Ein Behälter 12 besteht im vorliegenden Falle aus einer großflächigen Vorderwand 14, schmalen, aufrechten Seitenwänden 15 und 16 sowie einer Bodenwand 17. An der Oberseite kann der Behälter 12, wie dargestellt, offen oder alternativ auch geschlossen sein.Figures 1 and 2 show details of a high capacity memory device. This essentially consists of a container magazine 11 which is suitable for holding a large number of containers 12. These serve to hold a larger cigarette supply 13 and to dispense the same. In the present case, a container 12 consists of a large front wall 14, narrow, upright side walls 15 and 16 and a bottom wall 17. On the upper side, the container 12 can, as shown, be open or alternatively closed.

Mehrere Behälter 12 sind nebeneinander angeordnet zur Bildung einer festen Gruppe von Behältern 12, nämlich einer Speichereinheit 18. Die Behälter 12 sind so angeordnet, daß die Seitenwände 15, 16 in einer gemeinsamen Ebene verlaufen. Die Vorderwände 14 sind quergerichtet und schließen jeweils die offene Seite eines benachbarten Behälters 12 ab. Es entsteht dadurch eine Einheit aus mehreren durch Trennwände voneinander abgeteilten Zellen bzw. Kammern. Deren Breite entspricht etwa der Länge einer Zigarette 10.A plurality of containers 12 are arranged next to one another to form a fixed group of containers 12, namely a storage unit 18. The containers 12 are arranged such that the side walls 15, 16 run in a common plane. The front walls 14 are oriented transversely and each close off the open side of an adjacent container 12. This creates a unit consisting of several cells or chambers separated from one another by partitions. The width thereof corresponds approximately to the length of a cigarette 10.

Eine so ausgebildete Speichereinheit 18 besteht im vorliegenden Falle aus 15 Behältern 12 bzw. Zellen. Die Behälter 12 sind im Grundriß rechteckig. Die Kapazität eines solchen Behälters 12 beträgt etwa 6.000 Zigaretten.A storage unit 18 designed in this way consists of 15 containers 12 or cells in the present case. The containers 12 are rectangular in plan. The capacity of such a container 12 is approximately 6,000 cigarettes.

Mehrere Speichereinheiten 18 finden Aufnahme in dem Behälter-Magazin 11. Dieses besteht im vorliegenden Falle aus zwei Teilmagazinen 19 und 20. Jedem dieser Teilmagazine 19, 20 ist ein Vertikalförderer für die Speichereinheiten 18 zugeordnet. Die Vertikalförderer bestehen je aus Paaren einander gegenüberliegender Gurtförderer 21, 22. Diese sind auf der Außenseite mit Mitnehmern bzw. Tragschenkeln 23 versehen. Aufrechte Fördertrume 24, 25 der einander gegenüberliegenden Gurtförderer 21, 22 sind so ausgerichtet, daß sich die Tragschenkel 23 in einer gemeinsamen, horizontalen Ebene erstrecken. Die Speichereinheiten 18 liegen mit Randbereichen auf den Tragschenkeln 23 auf. Durch aufeinander abgestimmten Antrieb der Gurtförderer 21, 22 eines Teilmagazins 19, 20 können die auf den Tragschenkeln 23 ruhenden Speichereinheiten 18 aufwärts oder abwärts bewegt werden.Several storage units 18 are accommodated in the container magazine 11. In the present case, this consists of two sub-magazines 19 and 20. A vertical conveyor for the storage units 18 is assigned to each of these sub-magazines 19, 20. The vertical conveyors each consist of pairs of belt conveyors 21, 22 lying opposite one another. These are provided on the outside with drivers or support legs 23. Upright conveying strands 24, 25 of the opposing belt conveyors 21, 22 are aligned so that the support legs 23 extend in a common, horizontal plane. The storage units 18 rest with edge regions on the support legs 23. The coordinated drive of the belt conveyors 21, 22 of a partial magazine 19, 20 allows the storage units 18 resting on the support legs 23 to be moved up or down.

Die Speichereinheiten 18 können innerhalb des Behälter-Magazins 11 von einem Teilmagazin 19 zum anderen Teilmagazin 20 und in umgekehrter Richtung bewegt werden. Im unteren Bereich des Behälter-Magazins 11 befindet sich zu diesem Zweck ein Querförderer 26. Dieser besteht hier ebenfalls aus zwei Förderbändern 27, 28 mit nach außen gerichteten Mitnehmern 29. Für einen Quertransport innerhalb des Behälter-Magazins 11 wird eine Speichereinheit 18 auf dem Querförderer 26 abgesetzt, nämlich auf einem oberen Fördertrum. Die Förderbänder 27, 28 sind in einem solchen Abstand voneinander angeordnet, daß die Speichereinheiten 18 seitlich einen Überstand bilden. Dieser erstreckt sich jeweils in der Bewegungsbahn der Tragschenkel 23. Dadurch können die Speichereinheiten 18 unmittelbar vom Querförderer 26 abgehoben und in das eine oder andere Teilmagazin 19, 20 gehoben werden. Umgekehrt können Speichereinheiten 18 auf dem Querförderer 26 abgesetzt und nach außen bzw. zum anderen Teilmagazin gefördert werden.The storage units 18 can be moved within the container magazine 11 from one partial magazine 19 to the other partial magazine 20 and in the opposite direction. For this purpose, a cross conveyor 26 is located in the lower area of the container magazine 11. Here, too, it consists of two conveyor belts 27, 28 with drivers 29 directed outwards. A storage unit 18 is located on the cross conveyor for transverse transport within the container magazine 11 26 discontinued, namely on an upper conveyor run. The conveyor belts 27, 28 are arranged at such a distance from one another that the storage units 18 laterally form an overhang. This extends in each case in the path of movement of the support legs 23. As a result, the storage units 18 can be lifted directly from the cross conveyor 26 and lifted into one or the other partial magazine 19, 20. Conversely, storage units 18 can the cross conveyor 26 and are conveyed to the outside or to the other sub-magazine.

Auch im oberen Bereich des Behälter-Magazins 11 ist ein Quertransport der Speichereinheiten 18 von einem Teilmagazin zum anderen möglich. Die Speichereinheiten 18 werden hier durch einen Kopfförderer 30 aufgenommen und durch im einzelnen nicht dargestellte Organe verfahrbar gehalten. Die Speichereinheit 18 wird entlang von Förderschienen 31, 32 bewegt, im vorliegenden Falle durch einen in Längsrichtung der Förderschienen 31, 32 bewegbaren Schieber 33.A transverse transport of the storage units 18 from one partial magazine to the other is also possible in the upper region of the container magazine 11. The storage units 18 are received here by a head conveyor 30 and are kept movable by organs (not shown in detail). The storage unit 18 is moved along conveyor rails 31, 32, in the present case by a slide 33 which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor rails 31, 32.

Für eine universelle Handhabung der Zigaretten 10 bzw. der Speichereinheiten 18, z. B. zum Transport von Speichereinheiten 18 zu einer anderen Verpackungsmaschine, ist ein Transportfahrzeug besonderer Art vorgesehen. Es handelt sich dabei um einen Behälterwagen 34, der zur Aufnahme von mehreren - bei dem vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel drei - Speichereinheiten 18 dient. Der Behälterwagen 34 ist zu diesem Zweck mit einem aufrechten Traggestell 35 versehen. Dieses ist hier außermittig, nämlich seitlich an einem mit Rollen ausgerüsteten Fahrgestell 36 angebracht. An dem wie eine Tragsäule wirkenden Traggestell 35 ist auf- und abbewegbar ein teleskopartig bewegbares Tragstück 37 gelagert. Dieses ist wie ein Schlitten am Traggestell 36 verfahrbar und beispielsweise durch einen nicht gezeigten Druckmittelzylinder oder auch durch einen Kettentrieb bewegbar. An dem Tragstück 37 sind seitlich abstehende bzw. auskragende Tragarme 38 mit Abstand voneinander angebracht. Die Tragarme 38 sind hier gabelförmig ausgebildet, also mit zwei im Abstand voneinander angeordneten Schenkeln, auf denen die Speichereinheiten 18 ruhen.For universal handling of the cigarettes 10 or the storage units 18, e.g. B. for transporting storage units 18 to another packaging machine, a special type of transport vehicle is provided. It is a container trolley 34, which serves to hold several - in the present embodiment three - storage units 18. The container wagon 34 is provided with an upright support frame 35 for this purpose. This is here off-center, namely attached to the side of a chassis 36 equipped with rollers. On the support frame 35, which acts like a support column, a telescopically movable support piece 37 is mounted so that it can be moved up and down. This can be moved like a slide on the support frame 36 and can be moved, for example, by a pressure medium cylinder (not shown) or by a chain drive. On the support piece 37 laterally projecting or projecting support arms 38 are attached at a distance from each other. The support arms 38 are fork-shaped here, that is to say with two spaced-apart legs on which the storage units 18 rest.

Mit Hilfe des so ausgebildeten Behälterwagens 34 können gleichzeitig mehrere Speichereinheiten 18 dem Behälter-Magazin 11 entnommen oder in dieses eingeführt werden. Die Abstände der Tragarme 38 voneinander entsprechen den Abständen aufeinanderfolgender Tragschenkel 23 der Gurtförderer 21, 22. Durch die auskragenden Tragarme 38 kann der Behälterwagen 34 so an das Behälter-Magazin 11 herangefahren werden, daß die auf den Tragarmen 38 ruhenden Speichereinheiten 18 positionsgerecht an Paare voneinander gegenüberliegenden Tragschenkeln 23 abgegeben bzw. von diesen abgehoben werden können. Zum Absetzen werden die Tragarme 38 durch Abwärtsbewegen des Tragstücks 37 abgesenkt, so daß die Speichereinheiten 18 auf den Tragschenkeln 23 abgesetzt werden. Für die Entnahme von Speichereinheiten 18 wird entsprechend umgekehrt verfahren.With the help of the container trolley 34 designed in this way, a plurality of storage units 18 can be removed from or inserted into the container magazine 11 at the same time. The distances between the support arms 38 from one another correspond to the distances between successive support legs 23 of the belt conveyors 21, 22. Through the cantilevered support arms 38, the container trolley 34 can be moved to the container magazine 11 in such a way that the storage units 18 resting on the support arms 38 can be delivered to and removed from pairs of opposite support legs 23 in the correct position. For setting down, the support arms 38 are lowered by moving the support piece 37 downward, so that the storage units 18 are placed on the support legs 23. The procedure for removing storage units 18 is reversed accordingly.

Die Befüllung und Entleerung der Speichereinheiten 18 bzw. der Behälter 12 erfolgt hier im Bereich des Behälter-Magazins 11. Dieses ist mit einer Füllstation 39 ausgestattet. Ein Füllorgan 40 befindet sich in einem Bereich zwischen den beiden Teilmagazinen 19, 20, und zwar im unteren Bereich des Behälter-Magazins 11. Die Anordnung ist so getroffen, daß die Behälter 12 von unten her, nämlich über die Bodenwand 17, mit Zigaretten 10 befüllt werden. Die Entleerung der Behälter 12 erfolgt ebenfalls nach unten, also über die Bodenwand 17.The storage units 18 and the containers 12 are filled and emptied here in the region of the container magazine 11, which is equipped with a filling station 39. A filling element 40 is located in an area between the two partial magazines 19, 20, specifically in the lower area of the container magazine 11. The arrangement is such that the containers 12 with cigarettes 10 from below, namely via the bottom wall 17 be filled. The containers 12 are also emptied downwards, that is to say via the bottom wall 17.

Zum Füllen oder Entleeren der Behälter 12 wird bei dem gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel eine Speichereinheit 18 durch den Querförderer 26 schrittweise durch die Füllstation 39 hindurchgefördert bzw. über das Füllorgan 40 hinweg. Die einzelnen Behälter 12 gelangen nacheinander in eine Stellung oberhalb des Füllorgans 40 und werden von unten her befüllt oder entleert. Der Querförderer 26 wird entsprechend taktweise angetrieben.For filling or emptying the containers 12, in the exemplary embodiment shown, a storage unit 18 is conveyed step by step by the cross conveyor 26 through the filling station 39 or over the filling member 40. The individual containers 12 successively reach a position above the filling element 40 and are filled or emptied from below. The cross conveyor 26 is driven in cycles.

Die Zigaretten 10 werden dem Behälter-Magazin 11 durch einen Zigaretten-Förderer 41 zugeführt. Dieser ist in bekannter Weise ausgebildet und besteht aus oberen und unteren Förderbändern, zwischen denen ein Zigarettenstrom fortlaufend gefördert wird. Der Zigarettenförderer 41 führt zu einer Verteilereinheit 42. Hier führt eine Abzweigung 43 nach unten in einen Bereich unterhalb der Bewegungsebene der unteren Speichereinheiten 18. Ein Querstrang 44 führt im Bereich des Querförderers 26, nämlich zwischen dessen Trumen, zum Füllorgan 40, welches hier ein aufwärtsgerichteter Strang des Zigarettenförderers ist (Fig. 5 und 6).The cigarettes 10 are fed to the container magazine 11 by a cigarette conveyor 41. This is designed in a known manner and consists of upper and lower conveyor belts, between which a stream of cigarettes is continuously conveyed. The cigarette conveyor 41 leads to a distributor unit 42. Here, a branch 43 leads down into an area below the plane of movement of the lower storage units 18. A transverse strand 44 leads in the region of the transverse conveyor 26, namely between its strands, to the filling element 40, which here is an upward-facing strand of the cigarette conveyor (FIGS. 5 and 6).

Von der Verteilereinheit 42 führt ein Zigarettenförderer, nämlich ein Abförderer 45, zur Verpackungsmaschine oder einem anderen Abnehmer für die Zigaretten. Der Abförderer 45 verläuft hier in der Achse des Zigarettenförderers 41.A cigarette conveyor, namely a discharge conveyor 45, leads from the distribution unit 42 to the packaging machine or another customer for the cigarettes. The removal conveyor 45 runs here in the axis of the cigarette conveyor 41.

Des weiteren schließt im Bereich der Verteilereinheit 42 ein Zigarettenpuffer 46 an. Dieser ist ebenfalls als Zigarettenförderer ausgebildet und kann zu Ausgleichszwecken kurzfristig begrenzte Mengen von Zigaretten aufnehmen. Der Zigarettenpuffer 46 erstreckt sich oberhalb des Abförderers 45 im Bereich zwischen den beiden Teilmagazinen 19, 20.Furthermore, a cigarette buffer 46 is connected in the area of the distributor unit 42. This is also designed as a cigarette conveyor and can take up limited quantities of cigarettes at short notice for compensation purposes. The cigarette buffer 46 extends above the conveyor 45 in the area between the two partial magazines 19, 20.

Bei der Füllung der Behälter 12 werden die vom Zigarettenförderer 41 gelieferten Zigaretten im Bereich der Verteilereinheit 42 umgelenkt in die abwärtsführende Abzweigung 43, sodann in den Querstrang 44 und schließlich über das aufwärtsgerichtete Füllorgan 40 in den entsprechend positionierten Behälter 12. Es können aber auch Zigaretten unter Umgehung des Behälter-Magazins 11 weitergefördert werden über den Abförderer 45 zur Verpackungsmaschine. Bei der Entleerung der Behälter 12 verläuft der Zigarettenstrom entsprechend umgekehrt.When the containers 12 are filled, the cigarettes delivered by the cigarette conveyor 41 are deflected in the region of the distribution unit 42 into the downward branch 43, then into the transverse strand 44 and finally via the upward-pointing filling element 40 into the correspondingly positioned container 12. However, cigarettes can also be placed under Bypassing the container magazine 11 are conveyed further via the conveyor 45 to the packaging machine. When the containers 12 are emptied, the flow of cigarettes is reversed accordingly.

Jeder Behälter 12 ist im Bereich der Bodenwand 17 mit einer mittigen Füllöffnung 47 versehen. An diese wird das Füllorgan 40 zum Füllen oder zum Entleeren des Behälters 12 angeschlossen.Each container 12 is provided with a central filling opening 47 in the region of the bottom wall 17. The filling element 40 for filling or emptying the container 12 is connected to this.

Um den Füllvorgang und die Entleerung der Behälter 12 zu erleichtern, sind Führungs- bzw. Leitorgane 48, 49 in den Behälter 12 einführbar. Bei dem Ausführungsbeispiel gem. Fig. 3 werden die Leitorgane 48, 49 über die Bodenwand 17 in das Innere des Behälters 12 bewegt. Die Bodenwand ist zu diesem Zweck außerhalb des Bereichs der Füllöffnung 47 mit Ausnehmungen für den Durchtritt der Leitorgane 48, 49 versehen. Bei dem gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel sind in Längsrichtung der Bodenwand 17 verlaufende Schlitze 50, 51 vorgesehen. Durch diese treten die Leitorgane 48, 49 bildende Stege 52 hindurch.In order to facilitate the filling process and the emptying of the containers 12, guide or guide elements 48, 49 can be inserted into the container 12. In the embodiment according to. 3, the guide members 48, 49 on the bottom wall 17th moved into the interior of the container 12. For this purpose, the bottom wall is provided outside the area of the filling opening 47 with recesses for the passage of the guide elements 48, 49. In the embodiment shown, slots 50, 51 extending in the longitudinal direction of the bottom wall 17 are provided. The guide elements 48, 49 forming webs 52 pass through these.

Bei dem Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 3 sind zwei Leitorgane 48, 49 vorgesehen, die vor allem untere, bodenseitige Eckbereiche des Behälters 12 ausfüllen und dadurch eine trichterförmige bzw. konvergierend zur Füllöffnung 47 führende Begrenzung des Raums für die Zigaretten 10 bewirken. Jedes der beiden Leitorgane 48, 49 besteht hier aus drei Stegen 52, die durch zugeordnete drei Schlitze 50, 51 hindurchtreten. In einer oberen Endposition wird ein sich annähernd von der Füllöffnung 47 bis zu oberen Rändern der Seitenwände 15, 16 erstreckendes Leitorgan 48, 49 im Behälter 12 erzeugt. Dieser hat dadurch einen trichterförmigen freien Innenraum, der den Füllvorgang und auch den Vorgang des Entleerens erleichtert. Die Leitorgane 48, 49 werden mit zunehmendem Füllungsgrad des Behälters 12 nach und nach aus dem Behälter 12 zurückgezogen, und zwar nach unten durch die Bodenwand 17. Umgekehrt werden die Leitorgane 48, 49 beim Entleeren nach und nach in den Behälter 12 eingeführt. Zur besseren Positionierung sind an der Innenseite der Seitenwände 15, 16 Führungsnuten 53 für die Stege 52 gebildet.In the embodiment of FIG. 3, two guide elements 48, 49 are provided, which primarily fill in lower, bottom corner areas of the container 12 and thereby cause a funnel-shaped or converging to the filling opening 47 leading to the space for the cigarettes 10. Each of the two guide members 48, 49 here consists of three webs 52 which pass through assigned three slots 50, 51. In an upper end position, a guide member 48, 49 extending approximately from the filling opening 47 to the upper edges of the side walls 15, 16 is produced in the container 12. This has a funnel-shaped free interior, which facilitates the filling process and also the process of emptying. The guide elements 48, 49 are gradually withdrawn from the container 12 as the degree of filling of the container 12 increases, namely downward through the bottom wall 17. Conversely, the guide elements 48, 49 are gradually introduced into the container 12 during emptying. For better positioning, guide grooves 53 for the webs 52 are formed on the inside of the side walls 15, 16.

Eine vorteilhafte Alternative des Behälters 12 sieht so aus, daß die Leitorgane nicht über die Bodenwand 17, sondern von den Seiten her, also über die Seitenwände 15, 16 in den Behälter 12 eingeführt werden. Bei dieser Ausführung sind entsprechende Schlitze oder andere Ausnehmungen in den Seitenwänden 15, 16 angeordnet. Die horizontal verschiebbaren Leitorgane können analog zu denjenigen der Fig. 3 ausgebildet sein. Die Bodenwand 17 ist bei dieser Alternative durchgehend - bis auf die Füllöffnung 47 - ausgebildet, also ohne Schlitze 50, 51 oder sonstige Öffnungen.An advantageous alternative to the container 12 is such that the guide elements are not introduced into the container 12 via the bottom wall 17 but from the sides, that is to say via the side walls 15, 16. In this embodiment, corresponding slots or other recesses are arranged in the side walls 15, 16. The horizontally displaceable guide members can be designed analogously to those in FIG. 3. In this alternative, the bottom wall 17 is continuous - except for the filling opening 47 - So without slots 50, 51 or other openings.

Die Leitorgane 48, 49 sind zweckmäßigerweise nur im Bereich der Füllstation 39 stationär angeordnet. Die Betätigung der Leitorgane 48, 49 kann durch geeignete Mittel, wie Druckmittelzylinder oder mechanische Getriebe erfolgen.The guide members 48, 49 are expediently arranged only in the area of the filling station 39. The guide elements 48, 49 can be actuated by suitable means, such as pressure medium cylinders or mechanical gears.

Zur Erleichterung des Füllens und Entleerens der Behälter 12 können diese auch feste Einbauten als Leitorgane aufweisen, die einen Zigarettenstrom in Richtung zur Füllöffnung 47 oder von dieser ausgehend leiten.In order to facilitate the filling and emptying of the containers 12, they can also have fixed internals as guide elements which guide a stream of cigarettes in the direction of the filling opening 47 or starting therefrom.

Fig. 4 zeigt eine Lösung auf der Grundlage besonders gestalteter Behälter 12. Diese sind mit einer trichterförmigen Bodenwand 17 ausgebildet, nämlich mit zwei in Richtung zu einer (mittigen) Füllöffnung 47 führenden Wandschenkeln 54 und 55. Die Wandschenkel 54, 55 begrenzen mit ihren unteren Rändern unmittelbar die Füllöffnung 47.Fig. 4 shows a solution based on specially designed containers 12. These are formed with a funnel-shaped bottom wall 17, namely with two wall legs 54 and 55 leading in the direction of a (central) filling opening 47. The wall legs 54, 55 delimit with their lower ones Immediately border the filling opening 47.

Die Oberseite der Behälter 12 kann bei dieser Ausführung in herkömmlicher Weise ausgebildet sein. Bei einer raumsparenden, ineinander verschachtelten Positionierung der Behälter 12 mit V-förmiger Bodenwand 17 ist die Oberseite korrespondierend ebenfalls V-förmig ausgebildet mit konvergierend zueinander verlaufenden Oberseiten 56, 57. Der Behälter 12 kann in diesem Bereich geschlossen sein, mindestens aber mit gitterartigen Abdeckungen, die eine Füllung bis zum oberen Rand der V-Schenkel ermöglichen.The top of the container 12 can be formed in a conventional manner in this embodiment. In the case of a space-saving, nested positioning of the containers 12 with a V-shaped bottom wall 17, the top is correspondingly also V-shaped with converging tops 56, 57. The container 12 can be closed in this area, but at least with grid-like covers, which allow filling up to the upper edge of the V-leg.

Die Seitenwände 15, 16 sind bei dem Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 4 mit Ansätzen 58 versehen. Diese sind seitwärts gerichtet und können von den Tragschenkeln 23 der Vertikalförderer des Behälter-Magazins 11 erfaßt werden. Somit ist auch bei der V-förmigen Gestaltung der Behälter 12 ein Behälter-Magazin 11 in der beschriebenen Weise möglich. Der untere Querförderer 26 besteht bei dieser Lösung aus zwei in schrägen Ebenen verlaufenden Förderbändern 27, 28. Deren oberer Fördertrum liegt an den schrägen Wandschenkeln 54, 55 der Bodenwand 17 an. Dadurch können aus Behältern 12 gem. Fig. 4 bestehende Speichereinheiten 18 in gleicher Weise verfahren und behandelt werden wie bei dem Ausführungsbeispiel der Fig. 1 und 2. Für den Quertransport der oberen Speichereinheiten 18 ist der Kopfförderer 30 bei diesem Ausführungsbeispiel als Kolbenstange eines Druckmittelzylinders dargestellt, der die Querverschiebung von einem Teilmagazin zum anderen vollzieht.The side walls 15, 16 are provided with lugs 58 in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4. These are directed sideways and can be gripped by the support legs 23 of the vertical conveyors of the container magazine 11. Thus, a container magazine 11 in the manner described is also possible in the V-shaped design of the container 12. In this solution, the lower cross conveyor 26 consists of two conveyor belts 27, 28 running in inclined planes upper conveyor strand lies against the inclined wall legs 54, 55 of the bottom wall 17. As a result, containers 12 according to. Fig. 4 existing storage units 18 are moved and treated in the same way as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. For the transverse transport of the upper storage units 18, the head conveyor 30 is shown in this embodiment as a piston rod of a pressure medium cylinder, which is the transverse displacement of a partial magazine on the other hand.

In besonderer Weise sind die Behälter 12 in den verschiedenen Ausführungsformen im Bereich der Füllöffnung 47 ausgebildet. Hierzu ist auf Fig. 5 und 6 zu verweisen. Die dort gezeigten Einzelheiten beziehen sich auf einen Behälter 12 in der Ausführung gem. Fig. 4, also mit trichter- bzw. V-förmiger Bodenwand 17 mit Wandschenkeln 54, 55, die mit den unteren Rändern die Füllöffnung 47 seitlich begrenzen.In a special way, the containers 12 in the various embodiments are formed in the area of the filling opening 47. 5 and 6. The details shown there relate to a container 12 according to the embodiment. Fig. 4, ie with funnel-shaped or V-shaped bottom wall 17 with wall legs 54, 55, which laterally limit the filling opening 47 with the lower edges.

Die Füllöffnung 47 ist durch ein Verschlußorgan abschließbar. Bei dem gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel dienen Verschlußklappen, nämlich zwei an den unteren Rändern der Wandschenkel 54, 55 der Bodenwand 17 gelagerte Schließklappen 58, 59. Jede Schließklappe 58, 59 bedeckt in Schließstellung eine Hälfte der Füllöffnung 47. Mit Drehbolzen 60 sind die Schließklappen 58, 59 in Drehlagern 61, 62 der Bodenwand 17 gelagert. Die Betätigung, nämlich die Übertragung von Schwenkbewegungen, erfolgt über einen quer abstehenden Ansatz 63, auf den ein geeignetes Betätigungsorgan, z. B. ein Druckmittelzylinder wirkt.The filling opening 47 can be closed by a closure member. In the exemplary embodiment shown, closing flaps are used, namely two closing flaps 58, 59 mounted on the lower edges of the wall legs 54, 55 of the bottom wall 17. In the closed position, each closing flap 58, 59 covers half of the filling opening 47. The closing flaps 58, 59 are with pivot bolts 60 mounted in pivot bearings 61, 62 of the bottom wall 17. The actuation, namely the transmission of pivoting movements, takes place via a transversely projecting extension 63, onto which a suitable actuating member, e.g. B. acts as a pressure cylinder.

In der Öffnungsstellung sind die Schließklappen 58, 59 nach unten gerichtet, so daß zwischen Schließstellung und Öffnungsstellung ein Weg von 90° zurückgelegt ist. In der Öffnungsstellung (Fig. 5 und Fig. 6) dienen die Schließklappen 58, 59 als seitliche Führung für einen Zigarettenstrom 64, der durch das Füllorgan 40 zur Füllöffnung 47 transportiert wird.In the open position, the closing flaps 58, 59 are directed downward, so that a distance of 90 ° is covered between the closed position and the open position. In the open position (FIGS. 5 and 6), the closing flaps 58, 59 serve as a lateral guide for a cigarette stream 64 which is transported through the filling element 40 to the filling opening 47.

Das Füllorgan 40 besteht hier aus aufrechten, einander gegenüberliegenden Endlosförderern 65, 66. Jeder Endlosförderer 65, 66 wiederum besteht aus mehreren nebeneinanderliegenden Einzelförderern 67, 68, 69 und 70. Jeder Einzelförderer 67..70 wird aus Endlosgurten aus Rundmaterial (Gummi oder Kunststoff) gebildet. Jeder Einzelförderer 67..70 läuft über eine Umlenkscheibe 71. Die Umlenkscheiben 71 sind auf einer gemeinsamen Welle 72 mit Abstand voneinander angeordnet. Die Zigaretten 10 werden quer axial gefördert, liegen dabei an den einander zugekehrten Fördertrumen der Einzelförderer 67..70 zu beiden Seiten des Füllorgans 40 an.The filling element 40 here consists of upright, opposing endless conveyors 65, 66. Each endless conveyor 65, 66 in turn consists of several adjacent individual conveyors 67, 68, 69 and 70. Each individual conveyor 67..70 is made of endless belts made of round material (rubber or plastic) educated. Each individual conveyor 67..70 runs over a deflection plate 71. The deflection plates 71 are arranged on a common shaft 72 at a distance from one another. The cigarettes 10 are conveyed axially transversely, abutting the conveying strands of the individual conveyors 67..70 facing each other on both sides of the filling element 40.

Das Füllorgan 40 endet mit Abstand unterhalb des Behälters 12 bzw. der Füllöffnung 47. In dem entstehenden Zwischenraum wird der Zigarettenstrom 64 seitlich durch die in eine aufrechte Position geschwenkten Schließklappen 58, 59 begrenzt. Diese erstrecken sich bis in den Bereich der Einzelförderer 67..70.The filling element 40 ends at a distance below the container 12 or the filling opening 47. In the space created, the cigarette stream 64 is laterally limited by the closing flaps 58, 59 pivoted into an upright position. These extend into the area of the individual conveyors 67..70.

Bei dem gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel sind die Schließklappen 58, 59 im unteren Bereich (bei aufrechter Position) kammartig ausgebildet. Zinkenartige Vorsprünge 73 treten in den Bereich zwischen den benachbarten Einzelförderern 67..70 ein. Bei dem vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel handelt es sich um drei Vorsprünge 73 bei einer entsprechenden Anzahl von Lücken zwischen den Einzelförderern 67..70. Dadurch wird eine stufenfreie, durchgehende Führung für den Zigarettenstrom 64 über die volle Höhe bis zur Füllöffnung 47 gewährleistet.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the closing flaps 58, 59 are comb-shaped in the lower region (in the upright position). Prong-like projections 73 enter the area between the adjacent individual conveyors 67..70. In the present exemplary embodiment, there are three projections 73 with a corresponding number of gaps between the individual conveyors 67..70. This ensures a stepless, continuous guidance for the cigarette stream 64 over the full height up to the filling opening 47.

Innerhalb des Behälters 12 und oberhalb der Füllöffnung 47 befindet sich ein Stopporgan zum zeitweiligen Fixieren von unten liegenden Zigaretten 10 beim Verschließen der Füllöffnung 47. Bei dem gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel ist eine Druckplatte 74 im Bereich der Füllöffnung 47 angeordnet. Die Druckplatte 74 erstreckt sich annähernd über die volle Breite der Füllöffnung 47. Die Druckplatte 74 wird gegen die zugekehrten Stirnenden der Zigaretten 10 gedrückt. Dadurch wird eine der Größe der Druckplatte 74 entsprechende Anzahl von Zigaretten 10 durch Festklemmen an der gegenüberliegenden Vorderwand 14 fixiert. Die Zigaretten 10 können dadurch nicht nach unten aus dem Behälter 12 herausfallen. Die Schließklappen 58, 59 können nun in die Schließstellung bewegt werden. Danach wird die Druckplatte 74 entlastet. Zur Betätigung derselben ist ein Querschenkel 75 am unteren Rand der Druckplatte 74 angeordnet. Dieser Querschenkel 75 tritt seitwärts aus dem Behälter 12 heraus und dient zur Betätigung der Druckplatte 74. Diese ist im übrigen auch auf- und abbewegbar, befindet sich nur im Bereich der Füllstation 39 in dem jeweils bearbeiteten Behälter 12.Inside the container 12 and above the filling opening 47 there is a stop element for temporarily fixing cigarettes 10 located below when the filling opening 47 is closed. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a pressure plate 74 is arranged in the region of the filling opening 47. The pressure plate 74 extends approximately over the full width of the filling opening 47. The pressure plate 74 is against the facing ends of the cigarettes 10 pressed. As a result, a number of cigarettes 10 corresponding to the size of the pressure plate 74 is fixed by clamping it on the opposite front wall 14. As a result, the cigarettes 10 cannot fall down out of the container 12. The closing flaps 58, 59 can now be moved into the closed position. Then the pressure plate 74 is relieved. To actuate the same, a cross leg 75 is arranged on the lower edge of the pressure plate 74. This cross leg 75 comes out of the side of the container 12 and serves to actuate the pressure plate 74. The rest of the plate can also be moved up and down and is located only in the area of the filling station 39 in the container 12 being processed.

Durch die Fixierung der Zigaretten 10 im unteren Bereich des Behälters 12 kann ein besonderer Schließvorgang praktiziert werden. Nach dem Füllen des Behälters 12 und dem Fixieren der Zigaretten durch die Druckplatte 74 wird durch gegenläufigen Antrieb der Endlosförderer 65, 66 der Zigarettenstrom 64 im Füllorgan 40 zurückgefahren bzw. abgesenkt bis auf ein Niveau außerhalb des Bewegungsbereichs der Schließklappen 58, 59. Die Steuerung erfolgt über eine durch Sensoren 76 erzeugte Lichtschranke. In der in Fig. 5 gezeigten abgesenkten Stellung des Zigarettenstroms 64 können die Schließklappen 58, 59 frei bewegt werden.A special closing process can be practiced by fixing the cigarettes 10 in the lower region of the container 12. After the container 12 has been filled and the cigarettes have been fixed in place by the pressure plate 74, the cigarette stream 64 in the filling element 40 is retracted or lowered to a level outside the range of movement of the closing flaps 58, 59 by counter-driving the endless conveyors 65, 66. The control takes place via a light barrier generated by sensors 76. In the lowered position of the cigarette stream 64 shown in FIG. 5, the closing flaps 58, 59 can be moved freely.

Eine Alternative für das Zuführen von Zigaretten 10 zum Befüllen der Behälter 12 und Abfördern zum Entleeren derselben zeigt Fig. 7. Jedem Behälter-Magazin 11 sind zwei gesonderte Förderer, nämlich eine erste Abzweigung 77 ausschließlich zum Befüllen der Behälter 12 einerseits und eine zweite Abzweigung 78 ausschließlich zum Entleeren der Behälter 12 andererseits zugeordnet. Die Abzweigungen 77 und 78 sind jeweils an gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Behälter-Magazins 11 angeordnet.FIG. 7 shows an alternative for feeding cigarettes 10 for filling the containers 12 and removing them for emptying them. Each container magazine 11 has two separate conveyors, namely a first branch 77 for filling the containers 12 on the one hand and a second branch 78 assigned to emptying the container 12 on the other hand. The branches 77 and 78 are each arranged on opposite sides of the container magazine 11.

Die erste Abzweigung 77 führt von der Verteileinheit 42 nach unten in den Bereich unterhalb der Bewegungsebene der unteren Speichereinheit 18. Hier schließt sich ein erster Querstrang 79 an, der zum Füllorgan 40 führt. Durch die erste Abzweigung 77 sind die Zigaretten 10 ausschließlich in Abwärtsrichtung förderbar. Durch den ersten Querstrang 79 werden die Zigaretten 10 ausschließlich von der Abzweigung 77 zum Füllorgan 40 transportiert. Die Abzweigung 77 und der Querstrang 79 dienen demnach lediglich zum Zuführen der Zigaretten 10 zum Füllorgan 40 und somit zum Befüllen der Behälter 12. Entsprechend sind Förderbänder der Abzweigung 77 und des Querstrangs 79 nur in eine Richtung antreibbar.The first branch 77 leads from the distribution unit 42 down into the area below the plane of movement of the lower storage unit 18. This is followed by a first transverse strand 79 which leads to the filling element 40. Through the first branch 77, the cigarettes 10 can only be conveyed in the downward direction. The first transverse strand 79 transports the cigarettes 10 exclusively from the branch 77 to the filling element 40. The branch 77 and the cross-section 79 therefore only serve to feed the cigarettes 10 to the filling element 40 and thus to fill the containers 12. Accordingly, conveyor belts of the branch 77 and the cross-section 79 can only be driven in one direction.

Die zweite Abzweigung 78 führt von dem Bereich unterhalb der Bewegungsebene der unteren Speichereinheit 18 nach oben zum Abförderer 45. Ein zweiter Querstrang 80 führt von dem Füllorgan 40 zu der zweiten Abzweigung 78. Durch den zweiten Querstrang 80 werden die Zigaretten 10 ausschließlich von dem Füllorgan 40 zu der zweiten Abzweigung 78 transportiert. Durch die zweite Abzweigung 78 sind die Zigaretten 10 ausschließlich in Aufwärtsrichtung von dem zweiten Querstrang 80 zum Abförderer 45 förderbar. Die zweite Abzweigung 78 und der zweite Querstrang 80 dienen demnach lediglich zum Abfördern der Zigaretten 10 vom Füllorgan und somit zum Entleeren der Behälter 12. Entsprechend sind auch die Förderbänder der beiden Abzweigungen 78 und des zweiten Querstrangs 80 nur in eine Richtung antreibbar.The second branch 78 leads from the area below the plane of movement of the lower storage unit 18 up to the discharge conveyor 45. A second cross-section 80 leads from the filling member 40 to the second branch 78. The second cross-section 80 means that the cigarettes 10 are exclusively from the filling member 40 transported to the second junction 78. Through the second branch 78, the cigarettes 10 can only be conveyed in the upward direction from the second transverse strand 80 to the discharge conveyor 45. The second branch 78 and the second cross-section 80 are therefore only used to remove the cigarettes 10 from the filling element and thus to empty the container 12. Accordingly, the conveyor belts of the two branches 78 and the second cross-section 80 can only be driven in one direction.

Das Füllorgan 40 dient auch im vorliegenden Fall sowohl zum Befüllen als auch zum Entleeren der Behälter 12. Die Endlosbänder 65, 66 des Füllorgans 40 sind entsprechend in beide Richtungen antreibbar.The filling member 40 also serves in the present case both for filling and for emptying the containers 12. The endless belts 65, 66 of the filling member 40 can be driven accordingly in both directions.

Claims (22)

  1. Apparatus for the transport and stocking of cigarettes (10) in a plurality of containers (12) which are arranged next to one another and form a storage unit (18) and which can be filled or emptied in a filling station (39) by means of a filling member (40), in particular via a filling orifice (47) formed in the region of a bottom wall (17), characterized by a container magazine (11) for receiving a plurality of storage units (18) which are mounted one above the other and, if appropriate, next to one another in the region of vertical conveyors (21, 22), the storage units (18) being capable of being fed to the filling station (39) in succession and the individual containers (12) of being filled or emptied within the latter.
  2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the storage units (18) rest with edge regions on carrier members, namely carrying legs (23) of mutually confronting conveying strands (24, 25) of the vertical conveyors (21, 22) arranged in pairs on both sides of the storage units (18), the vertical conveyors (21, 22) being jointly drivable in the upward or downward direction.
  3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least the respective lower storage units (18) in the container magazine (11) are movable transversely by means of a cross-conveyor (26), especially for transport in the region of a filling station (29) for the filling or emptying of the containers (12) in succession.
  4. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the container magazine (11) consists of at least two part magazines (19, 20) which each have at least two pairs of belt conveyors (21, 22) located opposite one another, for receiving a plurality of storage units (18) arranged one above the other, the storage units (18) being transportable from one part magazine to the other.
  5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, characterized in that the storage units (18) can be conveyed to and fro between the part magazines (19, 20) by the cross-conveyor (26) arranged in the lower region of the container magazine (11), the filling station (39) being formed in the region between the two part magazines (19, 20).
  6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterized in that, in addition to the cross-conveyor (26), there is arranged in the upper region of the container magazine (11) a head conveyor (30), by means of which storage units (18) can likewise be conveyed to and fro between the part magazines (19, 20).
  7. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that cigarette conveyors (41) for transporting the cigarettes (10) from a production machine to the container magazine (11) or to the filling station (39) and/or discharge conveyors (45) for transporting the cigarettes (10) to a packaging machine are arranged in the region between the two part magazines (19, 20).
  8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, characterized in that there leads downwards from the cigarette conveyor (41), outside the region of the storage units (18), a branch (43), to which is connected in one plane, below the lower storage units (18), a transverse track (44) which leads to an upwardly directed filling member (40) for the cigarettes (10).
  9. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that there are two separate conveyors, namely a first branch (77) solely for filling the containers (12), on the one hand, and a second branch (78) solely for emptying the containers (12), on the other hand, which are respectively arranged on opposite sides of the container magazine (11).
  10. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the container magazine (11) is assigned a transport appliance movable on rollers, namely a container carriage (34) having vertically adjustable carrying arms (38) which are arranged at a distance from one another corresponding to the distance between the storage units (18) arranged one above the other in the container magazine (11) and which each serve for receiving a storage unit (18).
  11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, characterized in that the carrying arms (38) are mounted, as overhanging arms projecting on one side, on a carrier piece (37) of the container carriage (34), the said carrier piece being movable up and down.
  12. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the containers (12) have at least one vertical front wall (14), narrow side walls (15, 16) and the bottom wall (17), and in that downwardly converging or funnel-shaped guide faces leading to the filling orifice (47) are formed inside the containers (12).
  13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, characterized in that the bottom wall (17) of the container (12) is made V-shaped or funnel-shaped, in such a way that wall legs (54, 55) of the bottom wall (17) lead to the filling orifice (47) and limit these.
  14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, characterized in that the containers (12) are as a whole of V-shaped design in vertical section, in such a way that containers (12) arranged one above the other can be nested positively in one another, especially as storage units (18) arranged one above the other.
  15. Apparatus according to Claim 12, characterized in that, during a phase of the filling and/or emptying of the container (12), separate guide members (48, 49) for the cigarettes (10) project into the container (12) via an at least partially open side of the latter and can be gradually moved out of the container (12) in conformity with the filling or emptying operation.
  16. Apparatus according to Claim 15, characterized in that the guide members (48, 49) are made triangular with oblique guide faces converging in the direction of the filling orifice (47).
  17. Apparatus according to Claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the guide members (48, 49) consisting of a plurality of webs (52) can, via the bottom wall (17) having slots (50, 51) or via side walls (15, 16) having slots, of the container (12), be introduced into the latter and can be retracted from this, especially in the region of the filling station (39).
  18. Apparatus according to Claim 12 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the filling orifice (47) can be closed by means of closing flaps, especially by means of two closing flaps (58, 59) each covering half of the filling orifice (57), the closing flaps (58, 59) being movable between a closing position and a vertical or downwardly pointing opening position by pivoting.
  19. Apparatus according to Claim 18, characterized in that, in the opening position, the closing flaps (58, 59) are adjacent to conveying members, namely to endless conveyors (65, 66) of a vertical filling member (40) underneath the filling orifice (47), and bridge an interspace between the filling member (40) and the filling orifice (47).
  20. Apparatus according to Claim 19, characterized in that the closing flaps (58, 59) are made comb-like in a region which is lower in the opening position, with a plurality of projections (73) which are arranged at a distance from one another and which penetrate into interspaces between individual conveyors (67, 68, 69, 70) of the endless conveyors (65, 66).
  21. Apparatus according to Claim 18 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the cigarettes (10) in the filling member (40), namely a cigarette stream (64), can be lowered in order to close the filling orifice (47), in such a way that the closing flaps (58, 59) can be moved freely into the closing position, whilst lower cigarettes in the container (12) are fixed above the filling orifice (47) by clamping against falling out.
  22. Apparatus according to Claim 21, characterized in that the lower cigarettes (10) in the container (12) can be pressed by a pressure member, namely by a pressure plate (74), against a front wall (14) of the container (12), in order to prevent the cigarettes (10) from falling out of the container (12).
EP94100480A 1993-02-23 1994-01-14 Device for the transport and supplying of cigarettes Expired - Lifetime EP0612481B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4305464A DE4305464A1 (en) 1993-02-23 1993-02-23 Device for transporting and storing cigarettes
DE4305464 1993-02-23

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EP0612481A2 EP0612481A2 (en) 1994-08-31
EP0612481A3 EP0612481A3 (en) 1994-10-26
EP0612481B1 true EP0612481B1 (en) 1997-06-04

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EP (1) EP0612481B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH06298215A (en)
BR (1) BR9400638A (en)
DE (2) DE4305464A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR9400638A (en) 1994-09-27
DE59402956D1 (en) 1997-07-10
EP0612481A3 (en) 1994-10-26
DE4305464A1 (en) 1994-08-25
US5567104A (en) 1996-10-22
EP0612481A2 (en) 1994-08-31
JPH06298215A (en) 1994-10-25

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