EP0673211B1 - Storage device - Google Patents

Storage device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0673211B1
EP0673211B1 EP94903799A EP94903799A EP0673211B1 EP 0673211 B1 EP0673211 B1 EP 0673211B1 EP 94903799 A EP94903799 A EP 94903799A EP 94903799 A EP94903799 A EP 94903799A EP 0673211 B1 EP0673211 B1 EP 0673211B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cigarettes
bottom wall
opening
filling
container
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
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EP94903799A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0673211A1 (en
Inventor
Harald Gosebruch
Robert George Colley
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
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Focke and Co GmbH and Co KG
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Publication of EP0673211A1 publication Critical patent/EP0673211A1/en
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    • 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
    • A24C5/358—Boat constructions
    • 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 handling of cigarettes after their manufacture and before packaging causes special problems when packaging cigarettes.
  • the cigarette manufacturing machines (maker) produce cigarettes with high performance, e.g. sixteen thousand cigarettes a minute.
  • the relatively large number of cigarettes must be fed to the packaging machine in a reasonable manner.
  • Production-related fluctuations in performance of the cigarette manufacturing machine and 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 the storage and transportation of cigarettes, which can be filled from their top or bottom.
  • the top of the trays is first closed by a sword, the trays are tilted by about 180 ° via an emptying station and then the tray is emptied into the emptying station. Due to this complicated handling of the trays, the size of a storage unit, to which several containers are combined, is limited.
  • FR-A-2 414 459 shows a device for storing and transporting cigarettes with a storage unit in which containers for holding the cigarettes can be filled or emptied through an opening in a substantially horizontal bottom wall.
  • the handling of such a device, in particular the emptying of the cuboid containers, is cumbersome and reduces performance.
  • the invention is based on the object of proposing a device for transporting and storing cigarettes which enables easier handling in the distribution of the stored cigarettes by using containers for holding a cigarette store.
  • the device according to the invention is characterized in that the bottom wall is pivotally mounted in the region of the opening and can be pivoted from an essentially horizontal normal position into an inclined position falling towards the opening with at least one leg falling towards the opening.
  • the pivotable arrangement of the bottom wall according to the invention in the region of the opening in particular facilitates the emptying of the containers. Due to the pivotable bottom wall, the container itself becomes a funnel, so that the cigarettes can be fed to the opening.
  • the bottom wall is initially in an inclined position that slopes towards the opening.
  • the bottom wall is pivoted from the sloping position towards the opening into the normal position. In this position results in a cuboid container. Dead spaces that cannot be used to store cigarettes are avoided.
  • the opening is preferably arranged in a central region of the bottom wall.
  • the bottom wall is divided into two pivotable legs which extend on both sides of the opening. In this way, even with a low height of the container in comparison to its longitudinal extent, a sufficient angle of inclination of the bottom wall can be realized in the sloping position that slopes toward the opening.
  • the two legs of the bottom wall can be pivoted in a particularly simple manner by means of an actuating member, in particular a pressure medium cylinder.
  • the side walls are pivotably attached to the bottom wall and, together with the latter, can be pivoted into the sloping position falling towards the opening.
  • the pivoting movement of the bottom wall and the side walls is controlled by sensors that detect the degree of filling of the container.
  • Another special feature of the invention relates to a cigarette conveyor for transporting the cigarettes from a manufacturing machine to the filling station and from the filling station to a packaging machine.
  • two separate delivery channels are used for this.
  • One conveying channel is only used to feed the cigarettes to the filling station, while a second conveying channel is only used to convey the cigarettes away from the filling station. This ensures a better, trouble-free transport of the cigarettes in the upward or downward direction without the risk of damage to the cigarettes.
  • the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings deal with the handling of cigarettes or other elongated, rod-shaped objects. It is about storing a large number of cigarettes and transporting them in the area between a cigarette manufacturing machine and a packaging machine (neither of which is shown).
  • a storage device 10 is shown, which is connected to a cigarette conveyor 11.
  • the cigarette conveyor 11 has a first section 12 which is connected to a cigarette manufacturing machine. Furthermore, the cigarette conveyor has a secondary storage 13 and a second section 14, which is connected to a packaging machine.
  • a plurality of sensors 15 are assigned to the secondary memory 13, and these sensors detect the degree of filling of the secondary memory 13.
  • the storage unit 10 comprises a second cigarette conveyor 16, which communicates with the secondary storage 13.
  • the cigarette conveyor 16 has endless belts 17 between which the cigarettes can be conveyed to form a stream of cigarettes.
  • the cigarette conveyor 16 has a filling station 18.
  • the endless belts 17 are directed vertically.
  • a sensor 19 is arranged in the area of the filling station 18. This sensor 19 detects whether there are 17 cigarettes in the area of the filling station.
  • a storage unit 20 works together with the cigarette conveyor 16.
  • a plurality of chambers or containers 21 are attached to the storage unit 20.
  • the storage unit 20 can be moved on wheels 22. In the area between the wheels 22, a rack 23 is arranged, which interacts with a drive system 24.
  • the storage unit 20 can hereby be moved in such a way that each of the containers 21 can be moved into the filling station 18 of the cigarette conveyor 16.
  • An opening 25 is assigned to each container 21.
  • Each opening 25 can be closed by a slide 26 which is held in the closed position by a spring 46.
  • An actuating member 27 is arranged in the area of the filling station 18, e.g. a pressure medium cylinder or an electromagnet. The slide member 26 of a container 21, which is located in the area of the filling station 18, is opened by the actuating member 27.
  • Each container 21 has a large front wall 47, a large rear wall 48, a bottom wall 28 and two narrow side walls 31, 32. These walls delimit an interior space 49 open at the top for receiving the cigarettes.
  • the width of the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 corresponds approximately to the length of the cigarettes.
  • the bottom wall 28 of the container 21 is pivotable.
  • the bottom wall 28 consists of two legs 29, 30 which are pivotally mounted in the region of the opening 25.
  • the side walls 31, 32 are pivotally attached to the legs 29, 30 of the bottom wall 28. At their upper end, the side walls 31, 32 are each between two guide rails 33 slidably and pivotably mounted. The side walls 31, 32 are thus pivoted together with the bottom wall 28 from the normal position into the V-shaped position. Actuators for pivoting the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 are arranged below the container 21. In the present case, pressure medium cylinders 34 serve as actuators. The bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 can thereby be pivoted from the normal position (solid line) into a V-shaped position (shown in dashed lines). This makes emptying the container 21 easier.
  • a conventional sensor in the form of a chain network (not shown) monitors whether single or multiple cigarettes are wrong when filling or emptying.
  • sensors 35, 36, 37 are arranged next to the container.
  • the lowest sensor 35 detects the normal position of the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32. In this normal position, the bottom wall 28 is in a horizontal position and the side walls 31, 32 in a vertical position.
  • the remaining sensors 36, 37 serve to detect the degree of filling of the container 21.
  • the sensor 36 emits a signal when the container is partially filled to a predetermined degree and the sensor 37 emits a signal when the container 21 is completely filled.
  • Additional sensors 38, 39 are assigned to one of the pressure medium cylinders 34.
  • the lower sensor 38 is also triggered when the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 are in the normal position. This thus confirms the signal from the sensor 35.
  • the upper sensor 39 is triggered when the bottom wall together with the side walls 31, 32 is in the V-shaped position.
  • the device described in this way works as follows: If the production machine produces more cigarettes than can be removed from the packaging machine, some of the cigarettes are conveyed away by the cigarette conveyor 16 and fed to the filling station 18. An empty or not yet completely filled container 21 is moved into the filling station 18 and the slide 26 is opened. The position of the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 is controlled by the sensor 36. If a predetermined degree of filling of the container 21 is reached, so that the sensor 36 is triggered, the pressure medium cylinders 34 are retracted and the base wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 are thereby pivoted into the normal position. Meanwhile, cigarettes continue to be fed into the container 21 through the filling station 18 until the sensor 37 is triggered.
  • the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 remain in the V-shaped position while cigarettes are conveyed into the container 21 until the sensor 36 is triggered.
  • the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 can also be in the normal position during the entire filling process.
  • the container 21 is completely filled when both the sensor 37 and the sensor 38 are triggered.
  • the direction of conveyance of the cigarette conveyor 16 is then reversed and the actuating member 27 is switched off, so that the slide 26 is displaced into the closed position by the spring force of the spring 46.
  • the cigarettes are fed into the secondary storage 13 until the sensor 19 is released. If necessary, another empty or not yet completely filled container can now be moved into the filling station 18.
  • cigarettes can be removed from the containers 21 and fed to the packaging machine.
  • a filled container 21 is moved into the area of the filling station 18 and the slide 26 is opened by the actuating member 27.
  • Cigarettes now pass through the opening 25 into the filling station 18.
  • the cigarette conveyor 16 feeds the cigarettes into the secondary storage 13 and from there to the packaging machine.
  • the emptying of the containers 21 is controlled by the sensors 15 of the secondary storage 13. Namely, the feed conveyor 16 is stopped when the secondary storage is completely filled.
  • the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 are pivoted into the V-shaped position.
  • the container 21 can now be completely emptied.
  • the complete emptying of the container 21 is detected by the sensor 19.
  • the slide 24 is then moved by the spring 46 in the closed position and the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 are pivoted into the normal position. This is detected by sensors 35 and 38 and, if necessary, a further, filled container 21 can be moved into the filling station 17.
  • FIG. 3 A special embodiment of the cigarette conveyor is shown in FIG. 3.
  • the cigarette conveyor 16 has two separate conveyor shafts 40 and 41.
  • the conveyor shaft 40 serves to transport the cigarettes in an upward direction, that is to say to empty a container 21.
  • the conveyor shaft 41 is used to transport the cigarettes in a downward direction, that is to say to fill a container 21
  • the endless belts 17 in the region of the conveyor shafts 40, 41 can therefore only be driven in one direction, as indicated by the arrows 42, 43 indicated. While cigarettes are fed through the feed chute 41 to the filling station 18, the endless belts 17 of the feed chute 40 stand still. The other way round, the endless belts 17 of the conveyor shaft 41 stand still when 40 cigarettes are removed from the filling station 18 through the conveyor shaft.
  • the conveyor belts 17 can be driven in both directions in accordance with the double arrow 45. This ensures a better, trouble-free transport of the cigarettes in upward and downward movements without the risk of damage to the cigarettes.
  • the spreading angle of the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 in the V-shaped position should be 90 °, ie 45 ° with respect to the horizontal plane.
  • the filling opening 25 is arranged in an edge region of the bottom wall 28.
  • the bottom wall 28 has only one pivotable leg.

Abstract

A device is disclosed for transporting and storing cigarettes. High-performance packaging machines require a correspondingly large stock of cigarettes. Several containers (21) are fixedly assembled into a storage unit (20). Each container (21) receives a large number of cigarettes. The containers (21) are filled and emptied through an opening (26) arranged in the bottom wall (28) without any change in their relative position. A conveyor (16) for filling and emptying the containers (21) is also designed in a special manner. It has two separate conveyor shafts (40, 41) for filling and emptying the containers (21).

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Vorrichtung zum Transport und zur Bevorratung von Zigaretten mit einer Speichereinheit mit folgenden Merkmalen:

  • a) die Speichereinheit (20) besteht aus mehreren nebeneinander angeordneten, fest miteinander verbundenen Behältern (21), je zur Aufnahme von Zigaretten,
  • b) ein Zuförderer (16) dient zum Zufördern der Zigaretten insbesondere von einer Herstellmaschine und Abfördern der Zigaretten insbesondere zu einer Verpackungsmaschine,
  • c) die einzelnen Behälter (21) sind nacheinander in einer Füllstation (18) durch den Zuförderer (16) befüllbar oder entleerbar,
  • d) ein Innenraum (49) jedes Behälters (21) ist durch eine großflächige Vorderwand (47), eine großflächige Rückwand (48), schmale Seitenwände (31, 32) und eine Bodenwand (28) begrenzt,
  • e) die Zigaretten sind in dem Innenraum (49) mit ihrer Längsachse quer zur Ebene der Vorderwand (47) speicherbar,
  • f) die Breite der Seitenwände (31, 32) und der Bodenwand (28) entspricht etwa der Länge der Zigaretten,
  • g) die Bodenwand (28) weist eine Öffnung (25) auf, über die jeder Behälter (21) befüllbar oder entleerbar ist,
  • h) der Querschnitt der Öffnung (25) entspricht dem Querschnitt des Zigarettenstroms im Bereich des Zigarettenförderers (16).
The invention relates to a device for transporting and storing cigarettes with a storage unit having the following features:
  • a) the storage unit (20) consists of a plurality of containers (21) arranged next to one another and firmly connected to one another, each for holding cigarettes,
  • b) a feed conveyor (16) is used to feed the cigarettes, in particular from a manufacturing machine, and to remove the cigarettes, in particular to a packaging machine,
  • c) the individual containers (21) can be filled or emptied in succession in a filling station (18) by the feed conveyor (16),
  • d) an interior (49) of each container (21) is delimited by a large front wall (47), a large rear wall (48), narrow side walls (31, 32) and a bottom wall (28),
  • e) the cigarettes can be stored in the interior (49) with their longitudinal axis transverse to the plane of the front wall (47),
  • f) the width of the side walls (31, 32) and the bottom wall (28) corresponds approximately to the length of the cigarettes,
  • g) the bottom wall (28) has an opening (25) through which each container (21) can be filled or emptied,
  • h) the cross section of the opening (25) corresponds to the cross section of the cigarette flow in the area of the cigarette conveyor (16).

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. sechzehntausend Zigaretten je Minute. Die verhältnismäßig große Anzahl von Zigaretten muß in einer sinnvollen Weise der Verpackungsmaschine zugeführt werden. Dabei müssen fertigungsbedingte 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 (maker) produce cigarettes with high performance, e.g. sixteen thousand cigarettes a minute. The relatively large number of cigarettes must be fed to the packaging machine in a reasonable manner. Production-related fluctuations in performance of the cigarette manufacturing machine and 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, die von ihrer Oberseite oder ihrer Unterseite her befüllbar sind. Zum Entleeren der Schragen wird die Oberseite derselben zunächst durch ein Schwert verschlossen, die Schragen um etwa 180° über eine Entleerungsstation gekippt und sodann die Schrage in die Entleerungsstation entleert. Aufgrund dieser komplizierten Handhabung der Schragen ist die Größe einer Speichereinheit, zu der mehrere Behälter zusammengefaßt sind, begrenzt.So-called trays are known for the storage and transportation of cigarettes, which can be filled from their top or bottom. To empty the trays, the top of the trays is first closed by a sword, the trays are tilted by about 180 ° via an emptying station and then the tray is emptied into the emptying station. Due to this complicated handling of the trays, the size of a storage unit, to which several containers are combined, is limited.

Die FR-A-2 414 459 zeigt eine Vorrichtung für die Bevorratung und den Transport von Zigaretten mit einer Speichereinheit, bei der Behälter zur Aufnahme der Zigaretten durch eine Öffnung in einer im wesentlichen horizontalen Bodenwand befüllbar oder entleerbar sind. Die Handhabung einer solchen Vorrichtung, insbesondere das Entleeren der quaderförmigen Behälter ist umständlich und leistungsmindernd.FR-A-2 414 459 shows a device for storing and transporting cigarettes with a storage unit in which containers for holding the cigarettes can be filled or emptied through an opening in a substantially horizontal bottom wall. The handling of such a device, in particular the emptying of the cuboid containers, is cumbersome and reduces performance.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Vorrichtung zum Transport und zur Bevorratung von Zigaretten vorzuschlagen, die unter Verwendung von Behältern zur Aufnahme eines Zigaretten-Vorrats eine erleichterte Handhabung bei der Verteilung der gespeicherten Zigaretten ermöglicht.The invention is based on the object of proposing a device for transporting and storing cigarettes which enables easier handling in the distribution of the stored cigarettes by using containers for holding a cigarette store.

Zur Lösung dieser Aufgabe ist die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Bodenwand schwenkbar im Bereich der Öffnung gelagert ist und von einer im wesentlichen horizontalen Normalstellung in eine zur Öffnung hin abfallende Schrägstellung schwenkbar ist mit wenigstens einem zur Öffnung abfallenden Schenkel.To achieve this object, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the bottom wall is pivotally mounted in the region of the opening and can be pivoted from an essentially horizontal normal position into an inclined position falling towards the opening with at least one leg falling towards the opening.

Die erfindungsgemäße, schwenkbare Anordnung der Bodenwand im Bereich der Öffnung erleichtert insbesondere das Entleeren der Behälter. Durch die schwenkbare Bodenwand wird der Behälter selbst zu einem Trichter, so daß die Zigaretten der Öffnung zuführbar sind.The pivotable arrangement of the bottom wall according to the invention in the region of the opening in particular facilitates the emptying of the containers. Due to the pivotable bottom wall, the container itself becomes a funnel, so that the cigarettes can be fed to the opening.

Bei der Entleerung eines solchen Behälters werden zunächst Zigaretten bei noch in der Normalstellung befindlichen Bodenwand abgefördert. Wird eine vorgegebener Füllgrad unterschritten, wir die Bodenwand in die zur Öffnung hin abfallende Schrägstellung geschwenkt. Auf diese Weise kann der Behälter vollständig entleert werden.When emptying such a container, cigarettes are first removed with the bottom wall still in the normal position. If the fill level falls below a predetermined level, the bottom wall is pivoted into the sloping position that slopes towards the opening. In this way, the container can be completely emptied.

Auch beim Befüllen eines leeren oder eines nur gering gefüllten Behälters befindet sich die Bodenwand zunächst in einer zur Öffnung hin abfallenden Schrägstellung. Ist ein gewisser Füllgrad erreicht, wird die Bodenwand von der zur Öffnung hin abfallenden Schrägstellung in die Normalstellung geschwenkt. In dieser Stellung ergibt sich ein quaderförmiger Behälter. Todräume, die nicht zur Speicherung von Zigaretten nutzbar sind, werden vermieden.Even when filling an empty or an only slightly filled container, the bottom wall is initially in an inclined position that slopes towards the opening. When a certain degree of filling is reached, the bottom wall is pivoted from the sloping position towards the opening into the normal position. In this position results in a cuboid container. Dead spaces that cannot be used to store cigarettes are avoided.

Vorzugsweise ist die Öffnung in einem mittleren Bereich der Bodenwand angeordnet. Die Bodenwand ist in diesem Fall in zwei schwenkbare Schenkel unterteilt, die sich zu beiden Seiten der Öffnung erstrecken. Hierdurch läßt sich auch bei einer geringen Höhe des Behälters im Vergleich zu seiner Längserstreckung ein ausreichender Neigungswinkel der Bodenwand in der zur Öffnung hin abfallenden Schrägstellung realisieren. Die beiden Schenkel der Bodenwand lassen sich auf besonders einfache Weise durch je eine Betätigungsorgan, insbesondere einen Druckmittelzylinder, verschwenken.The opening is preferably arranged in a central region of the bottom wall. In this case, the bottom wall is divided into two pivotable legs which extend on both sides of the opening. In this way, even with a low height of the container in comparison to its longitudinal extent, a sufficient angle of inclination of the bottom wall can be realized in the sloping position that slopes toward the opening. The two legs of the bottom wall can be pivoted in a particularly simple manner by means of an actuating member, in particular a pressure medium cylinder.

Besonders günstig ist es, wenn die Seitenwände schwenkbar an der Bodenwand angebracht sind und gemeinsam mit dieser in die zur Öffnung hin abfallende Schrägstellung schwenkbar sind. Die Schwenkbewegung der Bodenwand und der Seitenwände wird dabei durch Sensoren, die den Füllgrad des Behälters erfassen, gesteuert.It is particularly expedient if the side walls are pivotably attached to the bottom wall and, together with the latter, can be pivoted into the sloping position falling towards the opening. The pivoting movement of the bottom wall and the side walls is controlled by sensors that detect the degree of filling of the container.

Eine weitere Besonderheit der Erfindung bezieht sich auf einen Zigarettenförderer für den Transport der Zigaretten von einer Herstellmaschine zu der Füllstation und von der Füllstation zu einer Verpackungsmaschine. Hierzu dienen erfindungsgemäß zwei gesonderte Förderkanäle. Ein Förderkanal wird lediglich zum Zuführen der Zigaretten zur Füllstation verwendet, während ein zweiter Förderkanal lediglich zum Abfördern der Zigaretten von der Füllstation dient. Dadurch wird ein besserer, störungsfreier Transport der Zigaretten in Auf- bzw. Abwärtsrichtung gewährleistet ohne die Gefahr von Beschädigungen der Zigaretten.Another special feature of the invention relates to a cigarette conveyor for transporting the cigarettes from a manufacturing machine to the filling station and from the filling station to a packaging machine. According to the invention, two separate delivery channels are used for this. One conveying channel is only used to feed the cigarettes to the filling station, while a second conveying channel is only used to convey the cigarettes away from the filling station. This ensures a better, trouble-free transport of the cigarettes in the upward or downward direction without the risk of damage to the cigarettes.

Weitere Merkmale der Erfindung beziehen sich auf die Ausgestaltung der Behälter und Organe im Zusammenhang mit dem Befüllen oder Entleeren der Behälter sowie auf die Ausgestaltung des Zigarettenförderers.Further features of the invention relate to the design of the containers and organs in connection with the filling or emptying of the containers and to the design of the cigarette conveyor.

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

Fig. 1:
eine Vorderansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel,
Fig. 2:
eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1,
Fig. 3:
eine Vorderansicht einer Vorrichtung gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. It shows:
Fig. 1:
2 shows a front view of the device according to a first exemplary embodiment,
Fig. 2:
2 shows a side view of the device according to FIG. 1,
Fig. 3:
a front view of a device according to a further embodiment.

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

In den Fig. 1 und 2 ist eine Speichereinrichtung 10 gezeigt, die an einen Zigarettenförderer 11 angeschlossen ist. Der Zigarettenförderer 11 weist einen ersten Abschnitt 12 auf, der mit einer Herstellmaschine für Zigaretten verbunden ist. Desweiteren weist der Zigarettenförderer einen Sekundärspeicher 13 und einen zweiten Abschnitt 14 auf, der mit einer Verpackungsmaschine verbunden ist. Dem Sekundärspeicher 13 sind mehrere Sensoren 15 zugeordnet, die den Füllgrad des Sekundärspeichers 13 erfassen.1 and 2, a storage device 10 is shown, which is connected to a cigarette conveyor 11. The cigarette conveyor 11 has a first section 12 which is connected to a cigarette manufacturing machine. Furthermore, the cigarette conveyor has a secondary storage 13 and a second section 14, which is connected to a packaging machine. A plurality of sensors 15 are assigned to the secondary memory 13, and these sensors detect the degree of filling of the secondary memory 13.

Die Speichereinheit 10 umfaßt einen zweiten Zigarettenförderer 16, der mit dem Sekundärspeicher 13 kommuniziert. Der Zigarettenförderer 16 weist Endlosbänder 17 auf, zwischen denen die Zigaretten förderbar sind unter Bildung eines Zigarettenstroms. An dem von dem Sekundärspeicher 13 abgewandten Ende weist der Zigarettenförderer 16 eine Füllstation 18 auf. Im Bereich dieser Füllstation 18 sind die Endlosbänder 17 vertikal gerichtet. Ferner ist im Bereich der Füllstation 18 ein Sensor 19 angeordnet. Dieser Sensor 19 erfaßt, ob sich im Bereich der Füllstation 17 Zigaretten befinden.The storage unit 10 comprises a second cigarette conveyor 16, which communicates with the secondary storage 13. The cigarette conveyor 16 has endless belts 17 between which the cigarettes can be conveyed to form a stream of cigarettes. At the end facing away from the secondary storage 13, the cigarette conveyor 16 has a filling station 18. In the area of this filling station 18, the endless belts 17 are directed vertically. Furthermore, a sensor 19 is arranged in the area of the filling station 18. This sensor 19 detects whether there are 17 cigarettes in the area of the filling station.

Mit dem Zigarettenförderer 16 arbeitet eine Speichereinheit 20 zusammen. An der Speichereinheit 20 sind mehrere Kammern oder Behälter 21 angebracht. Die Speichereinheit 20 ist auf Rädern 22 verfahrbar. Im Bereich zwischen den Rädern 22 ist eine Zahnstange 23 angeordnet, die mit einem Antriebssystem 24 zusammenwirkt. Die Speichereinheit 20 kann hierduch derart bewegt werden, daß jeder der Behälter 21 in die Füllstation 18 des Zigarettenförderers 16 bewegbar ist.A storage unit 20 works together with the cigarette conveyor 16. A plurality of chambers or containers 21 are attached to the storage unit 20. The storage unit 20 can be moved on wheels 22. In the area between the wheels 22, a rack 23 is arranged, which interacts with a drive system 24. The storage unit 20 can hereby be moved in such a way that each of the containers 21 can be moved into the filling station 18 of the cigarette conveyor 16.

Jedem Behälter 21 ist eine Öffnung 25 zugeordnet. Jede Öffnung 25 ist durch einen Schieber 26 verschließbar, der durch eine Feder 46 in Schließstellung gehalten ist. Im Bereich der Füllstation 18 ist ein Betätigungsorgan 27 angeordnet, z.B. ein Druckmittelzylinder oder ein Elektromagnet. Durch das Betätigungsorgan 27 wird jeweils der Schieber 26 eines Behälters 21, der sich im Bereich der Füllstation 18 befindet, geöffnet.An opening 25 is assigned to each container 21. Each opening 25 can be closed by a slide 26 which is held in the closed position by a spring 46. An actuating member 27 is arranged in the area of the filling station 18, e.g. a pressure medium cylinder or an electromagnet. The slide member 26 of a container 21, which is located in the area of the filling station 18, is opened by the actuating member 27.

Jeder Behälter 21 weist eine großflächige Vorderwand 47, eine großflächige Rückwand 48, eine Bodenwand 28 und zwei schmale Seitenwände 31, 32 auf. Diese Wände begrenzen einen oben offenen Innenraum 49 zur Aufnahme der Zigaretten. Die Breite der Bodenwand 28 und der Seitenwände 31, 32 entspricht dabei in etwa der Länge der Zigaretten. Diese werden mit ihrer Längsachse quer zur Ebene der Vorderwand 47 in dem Behälter 21 gespeichert. Die Öffnung zum Befüllen und entleeren der Behälter 21 befindet sich in der Bodenwand 28.Each container 21 has a large front wall 47, a large rear wall 48, a bottom wall 28 and two narrow side walls 31, 32. These walls delimit an interior space 49 open at the top for receiving the cigarettes. The width of the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 corresponds approximately to the length of the cigarettes. These are stored in the container 21 with their longitudinal axis transverse to the plane of the front wall 47. The opening for filling and emptying the container 21 is in the bottom wall 28.

Die Bodenwand 28 der Behälter 21 ist schwenkbar. Im vorliegenden Fall besteht die Bodenwand 28 aus zwei Schenkeln 29, 30, die schwenkbar im Bereich der Öffnung 25 gelagert sind.The bottom wall 28 of the container 21 is pivotable. In the present case, the bottom wall 28 consists of two legs 29, 30 which are pivotally mounted in the region of the opening 25.

Die Seitenwände 31, 32 sind schwenkbar an den Schenkeln 29, 30 der Bodenwand 28 angebracht. An ihrem oberen Ende sind die Seitenwände 31, 32 jeweils zwischen zwei Führungsschienen 33 verschieb- und schwenkbar gelagert. Die Seitenwände 31, 32 werden somit gemeinsam mit der Bodenwand 28 von der Normalstellung in die V-förmige Stellung geschwenkt. Betätigungsorgane zum Schwenken der Bodenwand 28 und der Seitenwände 31, 32 sind unterhalb des Behälters 21 angeordnet. Im vorliegenden Fall dienen als Betätigungsorgane Druckmittelzylinder 34. Die Bodenwand 28 und die Seitenwände 31, 32 können hierdurch von der Normalstellung (durchgezogene Linie) in eine V-förmige Stellung (gestrichelt dargestellt) geschwenkt werden. Hierdurch wird das Entleeren des Behälters 21 erleichtert.The side walls 31, 32 are pivotally attached to the legs 29, 30 of the bottom wall 28. At their upper end, the side walls 31, 32 are each between two guide rails 33 slidably and pivotably mounted. The side walls 31, 32 are thus pivoted together with the bottom wall 28 from the normal position into the V-shaped position. Actuators for pivoting the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 are arranged below the container 21. In the present case, pressure medium cylinders 34 serve as actuators. The bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 can thereby be pivoted from the normal position (solid line) into a V-shaped position (shown in dashed lines). This makes emptying the container 21 easier.

Ein konventioneller Sensor in Form eines Kettennetzes (nicht dargestellt) überwacht, ob sich einzelne oder mehrere Zigaretten beim Befüllen oder Entleeren schiefstellen.A conventional sensor in the form of a chain network (not shown) monitors whether single or multiple cigarettes are wrong when filling or emptying.

Zur Steuerung der Schwenkbewegung der Bodenwand 28 und der Seitenwände 32, 33 sind neben dem Behälter 21 Sensoren 35, 36, 37 angeordnet. Der unterste Sensor 35 erfaßt die Normalstellung der Bodenwand 28 und der Seitenwände 31, 32. In dieser Normalstellung befindet sich die Bodenwand 28 in einer horizontalen Stellung und die Seitenwände 31, 32 in einer vertikalen Stellung. Die übrigen Sensoren 36, 37 dienen zum Erfassen des Füllgrades des Behälters 21. Der Sensor 36 gibt dabei ein Signal, wenn der Behälter zu einem vorbestimmten Füllgrad teilweise gefüllt ist und der Sensor 37 gibt ein Signal, wenn der Behälter 21 vollständig gefüllt ist.To control the pivoting movement of the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 32, 33, sensors 35, 36, 37 are arranged next to the container. The lowest sensor 35 detects the normal position of the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32. In this normal position, the bottom wall 28 is in a horizontal position and the side walls 31, 32 in a vertical position. The remaining sensors 36, 37 serve to detect the degree of filling of the container 21. The sensor 36 emits a signal when the container is partially filled to a predetermined degree and the sensor 37 emits a signal when the container 21 is completely filled.

Weitere Sensoren 38, 39 sind einem der Druckmittelzylinder 34 zugeordnet. Der untere Sensor 38 wird ebenfalls ausgelöst, wenn sich die Bodenwand 28 und die Seitenwände 31, 32 in der Normalstellung befinden. Dieser bestätigt somit das Signal des Sensors 35. Der obere Sensor 39 wird ausgelöst, wenn sich die Bodenwand gemeinsam mit den Seitenwänden 31, 32 in der V-förmigen Stellung befindet.Additional sensors 38, 39 are assigned to one of the pressure medium cylinders 34. The lower sensor 38 is also triggered when the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 are in the normal position. This thus confirms the signal from the sensor 35. The upper sensor 39 is triggered when the bottom wall together with the side walls 31, 32 is in the V-shaped position.

Die so beschriebene Vorrichtung arbeitet wie folgt: Wenn die Herstellungsmaschine mehr Zigaretten produziert, als von der Verpackungsmaschine abgenommen werden können, wird ein Teil der Zigaretten von dem Zigarettenförderer 16 abgefördert und der Füllstation 18 zugeführt. Ein leerer oder noch nicht vollständig gefüllter Behälter 21 wird in die Füllstation 18 bewegt und der Schieber 26 geöffnet. Die Stellung der Bodenwand 28 und der Seitenwände 31, 32 wird durch den Sensor 36 gesteuert. Ist ein vorbestimmter Füllgrad des Behälters 21 erreicht, so daß der Sensor 36 ausgelöst wird, werden die Druckmittelzylinder 34 eingefahren und dadurch die Bodenwand 28 und die Seitenwände 31, 32 in die Normalstellung geschwenkt. Währenddessen werden weiter Zigaretten durch die Füllstation 18 in den Behälter 21 eingefördert, und zwar bis der Sensor 37 ausgelöst wird.The device described in this way works as follows: If the production machine produces more cigarettes than can be removed from the packaging machine, some of the cigarettes are conveyed away by the cigarette conveyor 16 and fed to the filling station 18. An empty or not yet completely filled container 21 is moved into the filling station 18 and the slide 26 is opened. The position of the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 is controlled by the sensor 36. If a predetermined degree of filling of the container 21 is reached, so that the sensor 36 is triggered, the pressure medium cylinders 34 are retracted and the base wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 are thereby pivoted into the normal position. Meanwhile, cigarettes continue to be fed into the container 21 through the filling station 18 until the sensor 37 is triggered.

Ist der vorbestimmte Füllgrad noch nicht erreicht, so daß der Sensor 36 nicht ausgelöst ist, verbleiben die Bodenwand 28 und die Seitenwände 31, 32 in der V-förmigen Stellung während Zigaretten in den Behälter 21 gefördert werden, bis der Sensor 36 ausgelöst wird.If the predetermined filling level has not yet been reached, so that the sensor 36 is not triggered, the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 remain in the V-shaped position while cigarettes are conveyed into the container 21 until the sensor 36 is triggered.

Alternativ können sich die Bodenwand 28 und die Seitenwände 31, 32 auch während des gesamten Füllvorgangs in der Normalstellung befinden.Alternatively, the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 can also be in the normal position during the entire filling process.

Der Behälter 21 ist vollständig gefüllt, wenn sowohl der Sensor 37 als auch der Sensor 38 ausgelöst werden. Sodann wird die Förderrichtung des Zigarettenförderers 16 umgekehrt und das Betätigungsorgan 27 abgeschaltet, so daß der Schieber 26 durch die Federkraft der Feder 46 in Schließstellung verschoben wird. Durch die Umkehr der Förderrichtung des Zigarettenförderers 16 werden die Zigaretten in den Sekundärspeicher 13 eingefördert, bis der Sensor 19 freigegeben wird. Nun kann, wenn erforderlich, ein weiterer leerer oder noch nicht vollständig gefüllter Behälter in die Füllstation 18 bewegt werden.The container 21 is completely filled when both the sensor 37 and the sensor 38 are triggered. The direction of conveyance of the cigarette conveyor 16 is then reversed and the actuating member 27 is switched off, so that the slide 26 is displaced into the closed position by the spring force of the spring 46. By reversing the conveying direction of the cigarette conveyor 16, the cigarettes are fed into the secondary storage 13 until the sensor 19 is released. If necessary, another empty or not yet completely filled container can now be moved into the filling station 18.

Wird die Herstellmaschine gestoppt oder der Ausstoß derselben abgesenkt, können Zigaretten aus den Behältern 21 entnommen und der Verpackungsmaschine zugeführt werden. Hierfür wird ein gefüllter Behälter 21 in den Bereich der Füllstation 18 bewegt und der Schieber 26 durch das Betätigungsorgan 27 geöffnet. Zigaretten gelangen nun durch die Öffnung 25 in die Füllstation 18. Durch den Zigarettenförderer 16 werden die Zigaretten in den Sekundärspeicher 13 und von hier der Verpackungsmaschine zugeführt. Das Entleeren der Behälter 21 wird in diesem Falle durch die Sensoren 15 des Sekundärspeichers 13 gesteuert. Und zwar wird der Zuförderer 16 gestoppt, wenn der Sekundärspeicher vollständig gefüllt ist.If the production machine is stopped or its output is reduced, cigarettes can be removed from the containers 21 and fed to the packaging machine. For this purpose, a filled container 21 is moved into the area of the filling station 18 and the slide 26 is opened by the actuating member 27. Cigarettes now pass through the opening 25 into the filling station 18. The cigarette conveyor 16 feeds the cigarettes into the secondary storage 13 and from there to the packaging machine. In this case, the emptying of the containers 21 is controlled by the sensors 15 of the secondary storage 13. Namely, the feed conveyor 16 is stopped when the secondary storage is completely filled.

Wird der vorbestimmte Füllgrad des Behälters 21 unterschritten, was durch den Sensor 36 detektiert wird, werden die Bodenwand 28 und die Seitenwände 31, 32 in die V-förmige Stellung geschwenkt. Der Behälter 21 kann nun vollständig entleert werden.If the predetermined filling level of the container 21 is undershot, which is detected by the sensor 36, the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 are pivoted into the V-shaped position. The container 21 can now be completely emptied.

Die vollständige Entleerung des Behälters 21 wird dabei durch den Sensor 19 erfaßt. Der Schieber 24 wird dann durch die Feder 46 in Schließstellung bewegt und die Bodenwand 28 und die Seitenwände 31, 32 in die Normalstellung geschwenkt. Dies wird durch die Sensoren 35 und 38 erfaßt und, wenn nötig, kann ein weiterer, gefüllter Behälter 21 in die Füllstation 17 bewegt werden.The complete emptying of the container 21 is detected by the sensor 19. The slide 24 is then moved by the spring 46 in the closed position and the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 are pivoted into the normal position. This is detected by sensors 35 and 38 and, if necessary, a further, filled container 21 can be moved into the filling station 17.

Eine besondere Ausgestaltung des Zigarettenförderers ist in Fig. 3 gezeigt. Der Zigarettenförderer 16 verfügt im vorliegenden Fall über zwei gesonderte Förderschächte 40 und 41. Der Förderschacht 40 dient zum Transport der Zigaretten in Aufwärtsrichtung, also zum Entleeren eines Behälters 21. Der Förderschacht 41 dient zum Transport der Zigaretten in Abwärtsrichtung, also zum Befüllen eines Behälters 21. Die Endlosbänder 17 im Bereich der Förderschächte 40, 41 sind demnach nur in eine Richtung antreibbar, wie durch die Pfeile 42, 43 angegeben. Während Zigaretten durch den Förderschacht 41 der Füllstation 18 zugeführt werden, stehen die Endlosbänder 17 des Förderschachts 40 still. Anders herum stehen die Endlosbänder 17 des Förderschachts 41 still, wenn durch den Förderschacht 40 Zigaretten von der Füllstation 18 abgefördert werden. Im Bereich eines horizontalen Förderschachts 44 des Zigarettenförderers 16 sind die Fördergurte 17 entsprechend dem Doppelpfeil 45 in beide Richtungen antreibbar. Hierdurch wird ein besserer, störungsfreier Transport der Zigaretten in Auf- bzw. Abwärtsbewegung gewährleistet ohne die Gefahr von Beschädigungen der Zigaretten.A special embodiment of the cigarette conveyor is shown in FIG. 3. In the present case, the cigarette conveyor 16 has two separate conveyor shafts 40 and 41. The conveyor shaft 40 serves to transport the cigarettes in an upward direction, that is to say to empty a container 21. The conveyor shaft 41 is used to transport the cigarettes in a downward direction, that is to say to fill a container 21 The endless belts 17 in the region of the conveyor shafts 40, 41 can therefore only be driven in one direction, as indicated by the arrows 42, 43 indicated. While cigarettes are fed through the feed chute 41 to the filling station 18, the endless belts 17 of the feed chute 40 stand still. The other way round, the endless belts 17 of the conveyor shaft 41 stand still when 40 cigarettes are removed from the filling station 18 through the conveyor shaft. In the area of a horizontal conveyor shaft 44 of the cigarette conveyor 16, the conveyor belts 17 can be driven in both directions in accordance with the double arrow 45. This ensures a better, trouble-free transport of the cigarettes in upward and downward movements without the risk of damage to the cigarettes.

Als Sensoren können alle geeigneten Typen, wie z.B. Lichtschranken eingesetzt werden. Der Spreizwinkel der Bodenwand 28 und der Seitenwände 31, 32 in der V-förmigen Stellung sollte 90° betragen, also 45° gegenüber der Horizontalebene.All suitable types, e.g. Photoelectric sensors are used. The spreading angle of the bottom wall 28 and the side walls 31, 32 in the V-shaped position should be 90 °, ie 45 ° with respect to the horizontal plane.

Gemäß einem nicht dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel ist die Füllöffnung 25 in einem Randbereich der Bodenwand 28 angeordnet. In diesem Fall verfügt die Bodenwand 28 über lediglich einen schwenkbaren Schenkel.According to an embodiment, not shown, the filling opening 25 is arranged in an edge region of the bottom wall 28. In this case, the bottom wall 28 has only one pivotable leg.

Claims (13)

  1. Device for transporting and storing cigarettes, having a storage unit (20), with the following features:
    a) the storage unit (20) comprises several containers (21) which are arranged one beside the other, are connected fixedly to one another and are each intended for receiving cigarettes,
    b) a feed conveyor (16) serves for feeding the cigarettes, in particular, from a cigarette-making machine and conveying away the cigarettes, in particular, to a packaging machine,
    c) the individual containers (21) can be filled or emptied one after the other in a filling station (18) by the feed conveyor (16),
    d) an interior (49) of each container (21) is bounded by a large-surface-area front wall (47), a large-surface-area rear wall (48), narrow side walls (31, 32) and a bottom wall (28),
    e) the cigarettes can be stored in the interior (49) with their longitudinal axis transverse to the plane of the front wall (47),
    f) the width of the side walls (31, 32) and of the bottom wall (28) corresponds approximately to the length of the cigarettes,
    g) the bottom wall (28) exhibits an opening (25) via which each container (21) can be filled or emptied,
    h) the cross-section of the opening (25) corresponds to the cross-section of the cigarette stream in the region of the cigarette conveyor (16),
    characterized in that the bottom wall (28) is mounted pivotably in the region of the opening (25) and can be pivoted from an essentially horizontal normal position into an oblique position, sloping down towards the opening (25), with at least one leg (29, 30) sloping down to the opening (25).
  2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the opening (25) is arranged in a central region of the bottom wall (28), with the result that the bottom wall (28) is subdivided into two pivotable legs (29, 30) which extend on both sides of the opening (25).
  3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each leg (29, 30) of the bottom wall (28) is assigned an actuating member, in particular a pressure-medium cylinder (34), for pivoting said bottom wall into the oblique position, sloping down towards the opening (25).
  4. Device according to one or more of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the side walls (31, 32) are fitted pivotably on the bottom wall (28) and can be pivoted into the oblique position, sloping down towards the opening (25), together with said bottom wall.
  5. Device according to one or more of Claims 1 to 4, characterized by a sensor (36) for detecting a predetermined degree of filling of the container (21), the bottom wall (28), upon reaching the predetermined degree of filling during the filling process, being pivoted from the horizontal position into the oblique position, sloping down towards the opening (25), and, upon emptying, being pivoted from the oblique position, sloping down towards the opening (25), into the horizontal position.
  6. Device according to one or more of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that several containers (21) are assembled into a displaceable container magazine (20), in particular for transporting the containers (21) in the region of a filling station (18) for filling and emptying the containers (21) one after the other.
  7. Device according to one or more of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the opening (25) is assigned a slide (26) so that it can be closed.
  8. Device according to Claim 7, characterized in that an actuating member (27), in particular a pressure-medium cylinder (34), an electromagnet or the like, for actuating the slide (26) is arranged in the region of the filling station (18).
  9. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the slide (26) is retained in a closed position by a spring (46) and can be displaced counter to the spring force by an actuating member (27) into an opening position.
  10. Device according to one or more of Claims 1 to 9, characterized by a sensor for detecting skewed positions of individual cigarettes or a number of cigarettes.
  11. Device according to one or more of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a cigarette conveyor (16) for transporting the cigarettes from a cigarette-making machine to the filling station (18) and from the filling station (18) to a packaging machine exhibits two separate conveyor channels (40, 41) for feeding the cigarettes to the filling station (18) and for conveying the cigarettes away from the filling station (18).
  12. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that an intermediate store (13) is arranged above at least one conveyor channel (41).
  13. Device according to Claim 12, characterized in that the intermediate store (13) is assigned sensors (15) for detecting the degree of filling.
EP94903799A 1992-12-15 1993-12-15 Storage device Expired - Lifetime EP0673211B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB929226117A GB9226117D0 (en) 1992-12-15 1992-12-15 A reservoir arrangement
GB9226117 1992-12-15
PCT/EP1993/003569 WO1994013161A1 (en) 1992-12-15 1993-12-15 Storage device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0673211A1 EP0673211A1 (en) 1995-09-27
EP0673211B1 true EP0673211B1 (en) 1997-04-23

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EP94903799A Expired - Lifetime EP0673211B1 (en) 1992-12-15 1993-12-15 Storage device

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US (1) US5568856A (en)
EP (1) EP0673211B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3307938B2 (en)
DE (1) DE59306294D1 (en)
GB (1) GB9226117D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1994013161A1 (en)

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DE59306294D1 (en) 1997-05-28
US5568856A (en) 1996-10-29
JP3307938B2 (en) 2002-07-29
WO1994013161A1 (en) 1994-06-23
GB9226117D0 (en) 1993-02-10
JPH08504328A (en) 1996-05-14
EP0673211A1 (en) 1995-09-27

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