EP0722898A1 - Verfahren zum Fördern von Bogenmaterial - Google Patents

Verfahren zum Fördern von Bogenmaterial Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0722898A1
EP0722898A1 EP96830015A EP96830015A EP0722898A1 EP 0722898 A1 EP0722898 A1 EP 0722898A1 EP 96830015 A EP96830015 A EP 96830015A EP 96830015 A EP96830015 A EP 96830015A EP 0722898 A1 EP0722898 A1 EP 0722898A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
conveying
strip
sheet material
conveying device
along
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP96830015A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0722898B1 (de
Inventor
Silvano Boriani
Alessandro Minarelli
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.)
GD SpA
Original Assignee
GD SpA
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 GD SpA filed Critical GD SpA
Publication of EP0722898A1 publication Critical patent/EP0722898A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0722898B1 publication Critical patent/EP0722898B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B41/00—Supplying or feeding container-forming sheets or wrapping material
    • B65B41/02—Feeding sheets or wrapper blanks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
    • B65H5/004—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines using electrostatic force

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of conveying sheet material.
  • the method disclosed is employed to advantage in the tobacco industry, in particular for cigarette wrapping machines, to which specific reference is made herein albeit with no limitation in general scope implied. It is the conventional practice with wrapping machines of the type in question to utilize a sheet wrapping material in the form of a continuous strip decoiled from a roll and conveyed to a user or wrapping station by way of a cutting station, at which the strip is severed transversely into discrete segments or sheets each designed to envelop a relative product, in this instance a group or a packet of cigarettes.
  • the continuous wrapping material is decoiled from the relative roll by means of a set of pinch rollers located preceding the wrapping station in the conveying direction, and then advanced by one or more belt and/or roller conveyors usually of a type through which suction can be generated in such a way that the material is held and its position controlled until within the compass of the wrapping station.
  • the wrapping material remains associated with the conveyors as the result of creating a vacuum, so that a source of negative pneumatic pressure must be provided, along with complicated suction ducts that are normally difficult to incorporate and have a heavy negative impact both on the structure and therefore on the functional attributes of the machine, as well as on the cost of its manufacture.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a method of conveying sheet material such as will allow of eliminating any form of negatively pressurized pneumatic circuit employed typically to retain the material in contact with a relative conveyor, at least along a part of the feed path followed by the sheet material toward a wrapping station.
  • the stated object is realized according to the present invention in a method of conveying sheet material along a predetermined feed path and in a predetermined direction, typically comprising a step whereby the sheet material is disposed in stable association with a conveying device at least along a part of the feed path, characterized in that the association between the sheet material and the conveying device is brought about by electrostatic attraction.
  • the conveying device comprises conveyor means positioned to interact with lateral portions of the sheet material separated by a given distance one from the other and extending preferably in a direction substantially parallel with the feed direction.
  • the sheet material consists in a first material whilst the conveyor means consist in a second material, and an electrostatic charge is induced in at least one of the two materials before bringing about the association between the sheet material and the conveyor means.
  • 1 denotes an overwrapping machine, in its entirety, comprising a central section 2 by which packets 3 of cigarettes are enveloped singly and in succession by relative sheets of wrapping material denoted 4.
  • the wrapping sheets 4 in question are fashioned from an electrostatically chargeable material.
  • electrostatic chargeable material is intended here and throughout the specification as indicating a material in which an electrostatic charge can be induced whether simply by the rubbing action of a surrounding fluid such as the ambient air, by wiping with an element or pad of electrifying material, or by ionization, for example with a stream of ionized air, or by polarization under the influence of an electric field.
  • the aforementioned central section 2 of the machine comprises a first infeed line 5 and a second infeed line 6 carrying packets 3 and sheets 4 respectively, and a wrapping station 7 at which the first line 5 crosses the second line 6.
  • the first infeed line 5 is designed to advance the packets 3 singly and in succession, proceeding transversely to their own longitudinal axes, along a first feed path 8 that crosses the second infeed line 6 at the point occupied by the wrapping station 7, whilst the second infeed line 6 is designed to advance the wrapping sheets 4 along a second feed path 9 in a predetermined direction 9a that extends transversely to the first feed path 8 at the wrapping station 7, and to time the arrival of the single sheets 4 at the station 7 with the approach of the packets 3 in such a way that each sheet will be engaged, folded into a U formation and diverted forcibly by a corresponding packet away from the second line 6 onto the first line 5.
  • the first line 5 comprises two conveying devices 10 and 11 arranged in series along the relative feed path 8 on opposite sides of the second line 6, hence preceding and following the wrapping station 7, also a tubular alignment guide 12 positioned along the feed path 8 and interconnecting the initial device 10 with the wrapping station 7, of which the internal passage 13 is proportioned to admit the single packet 3.
  • the passage 13 connects with the station 7 and with the successive conveying device 11 by way of an outlet 14 substantially coinciding with the station 7, which is disposed transversely to the first feed path 8 and facing the second feed path 9.
  • the one conveying device 10 comprises a feed wheel 15 of conventional embodiment, affording a plurality of peripheral pockets or slots 16 of which one only is indicated, and an ejector device 17 of which the push rod 18 can be reciprocated along the first feed path 8 during operation in such a way as to dislodge each packet 3 in turn from the relative slot 16 and direct it through the passage 13 when the slot 16 is aligned with the guide 12 along the feed path 8.
  • the other conveying device 11 consists likewise in a wheel 19, keyed to a power driven shaft 20 rotatable about a relative axis 21 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in fig 1. This wheel 19 similarly affords peripheral pockets or slots 22, each capable of movement through the station 7 and designed to admit a single packet 3 together with the relative sheet 4 when aligned with the first feed path 8.
  • the second infeed line 6 comprises a frame 23 afforded by a stationary part of the machine 1 and consisting in two mutually parallel walls 24 which extend along the second feed path 9, flanking the area occupied by the two paths 8 and 9.
  • the second infeed line 6 further comprises a roller feed mechanism 25 carried by an upper portion of the frame 23, affording a pair of rollers 26 disposed in mutual opposition one on each side of the second feed path 9, between which a continuous strip 27 of sheet material is pinched and directed toward the wrapping station 7.
  • the line 6 also comprises a first conveying device 28, supported by an intermediate portion of the frame 23 following the roller feed mechanism 25 in the direction of the feed path 9, by which the continuous strip 27 is taken up and cut transversely into single sheets 4.
  • the second infeed line 6 comprises a second conveying device 29 mounted to a lower portion of the frame 23, by which the sheets 4 are taken up singly from the first conveying device 28, indexed along the feed path 9 and brought to a halt at the wrapping station 7.
  • the first conveying device 28 comprises a roller 30 suspended between the two flank walls 24, keyed onto a transverse drive shaft 31 supported by the walls and rotatable thus intermittently about its own axis in an anticlockwise direction, as seen in fig 1.
  • the body of the roller 30 is compassed by a cylindrical surface 32 of which the developable length is substantially equal to the length of the single sheet 4, and onto which a plurality of suction ducts 33 emerge to interact both with the continuous strip 27 and with the sheets 4.
  • the roller 30 carries a blade 34 of which the cutting edge extends lengthwise along and projects marginally from the cylindrical surface 32.
  • the second conveying device 29 in question comprises two substantially identical belt conveyors 36 and 37 disposed internally of the frame 23 adjacent to the walls 24 and on opposite flanks of the second path 9, separated one from the other by a distance marginally less than the width of the single sheet 4.
  • Each such belt conveyor 36 and 37 comprises one live pulley 38, keyed to a power driven shaft 39 disposed transversely between the walls 24 parallel with the shaft 31 of the roller 30, and rotatable thus about the axis of the shaft 39 in a clockwise direction as viewed in fig 1, also a return pulley 40 keyed to a freely revolving shaft 41 disposed parallel with the roller shaft 31 and located on the opposite side of the first path 8 from the power driven shaft 39, and a jockey wheel 42 mounted rotatably to the respective wall 24.
  • each belt conveyor 36 and 37 combine to establish a corresponding loop, of which the belt 43 is fashioned from an electrostatically chargeable material and affords a conveying branch 44 offered to the guide 12.
  • the belts 43 are disposed at a distance one from the other sufficient for a single packet 3 advancing along the first feed path 8 to pass through the resulting space and across the second feed line 6.
  • each belt 43 looped around the live pulley 38 is disposed substantially tangential to the roller 30, separated from the relative surface 32 by a relatively short distance and occupying what is in effect a transfer station 45, whilst the conveying branch 44 is disposed facing toward and substantially tangential to the outlet 14 of the alignment guide 12 and extends preferably in contact with a respective plate 46 of insulating material rigidly associated with the relative wall 24 (the plates 46 are not in fact essential, and might be omitted).
  • the strip 27 is decoiled from a roll (not illustrated) by the pinching action of the feed mechanism 25 and directed forward over the successive roller 30, clinging to the relative surface 32 as a result of the suction generated through the ducts 33 preceding the transfer station 45.
  • the roller will advance the strip 27 toward the next conveying device 29 through a distance equal to the developable length of its own circumference, whereupon the revolving blade 34 meets the fixed blade 35 and a single sheet 4 is cut.
  • the leading portion of the strip 27 will have separated from the cylindrical surface 32 at the transfer station 45 and become attached to the two conveying branches 44 of the belts 43, making contact along two longitudinal portions 47 coinciding with two respective longitudinal margins of the strip material; now separated entirely from the strip 27 by the action of the blades 34 and 35, the sheet 4 continues forward suspended between the two branches 44 of the belts 43 and draws to a halt at the wrapping station 7.
  • the sheet is caused to separate from the surface 32 of the roller 30 in conventional manner by deactivating the suction, generated hitherto through the relative ducts 33, as the ducts rotate into alignment with the transfer station 45. Suction is shut off by means of a directional control valve (conventional and therefore not illustrated), which will occupy a fixed position internally of the roller 30.
  • the leading portion of the strip 27 is caused to cling initially to the conveying branches 44 of the belts 43 without any vacuum assistance whatever, but simply by electrostatic attraction. Indeed given that both belt conveyors 36 and 27 and strip 27 are fashioned from an electrostatically chargeable material, it suffices to induce a charge in at least one of the two materials in order to bring about an electrostatically sustained association between the longitudinal portions 47 of the sheet material and the belt conveyors 36 and 37.
  • the strip 27 is fashioned from a relatively thin transparent synthetic material, there will be no need to utilize any particular device for the purpose of inducing an electrostatic charge in the sheet 4, as a charge is induced naturally through frictional contact with the surrounding air. At all events, moisture in the air could have the effect of reducing either an existing electrostatic charge or the propensity of the strip 27 to charge initially, in which case it may be advantageous to position heater elements 48 anywhere along the path followed by the strip 27 and/or the sheets 4, for example on the roller 30 and/or on the pulleys 38 and/or on the plates 46 (if fitted). Such heater elements 48 would be particularly advantageous when utilizing a strip 27 of heat-sealable material, since the time taken to heat-seal a preheated sheet 4 will be less and the operating speed of the machine 1 thus increased.
  • the heater elements 48 might be replaced by a source of hot air such as will direct a warming jet over the strip 27 and/or the sheets 4.
  • an electrostatic charge could be induced in each of the belt conveyors 36 and 37 by placing an electrifying pad 49 in contact with the belts 43.
  • strip 27 is fashioned at least in part from a suitable conductive material (foil paper, for example), would be that of charging the strip 27 and/or the conveyors 36 and 37 electrostatically by investing the relative surface with jets of an ionized fluid, such as air, delivered by respective nozzles 50 and 51.
  • a suitable conductive material foil paper, for example
  • the sheet 4 will be invested by a relative packet 3 caused forcibly by the ejector device 17 to advance along the first feed line 8, and thereupon separates from the belts 43; the sheet is now carried forward between the belt conveyors 36 and 37 and folded into a U formation around the advancing packet 3 as the two move together as one toward the relative slot 22 waiting motionless at the station 7.
  • the suction ducts 33 might be dispensed with, and the strip 27 retained on the surface 32 of the roller by electrostatic attraction.
  • the feed line 6 might usefully incorporate either a scraper blade (not illustrated) disposed in contact with the surface 32 at a point adjacent to the transfer station 45, or a nozzle 53 located near the station 45 and delivering a jet of ionizing fluid.
  • a scraper blade not illustrated
  • a nozzle 53 located near the station 45 and delivering a jet of ionizing fluid.
  • the ionizing jet will carry a charge of polarity opposite to that carried by the strip 27.
  • charges of opposite polarity might be maintained in the areas of the surface 32 respectively preceding and following the station 45; in particular, a portion of the revolving surface 32 that precedes the station 45 might carry a charge of polarity opposite to that of the charge induced in the strip 27, whilst a portion of the surface 32 following the station would carry a charge of the same polarity as the charge induced in the strip 27.
  • the sheets 4 can be rendered substantially devoid of any electrostatic charge when inside or in the region of the guide 12, by means of a conventional device such as that disclosed in DD 237 048, or by causing them to pass in close proximity to a grounded element.
EP96830015A 1995-01-17 1996-01-17 Verfahren zum Fördern von Bogenmaterial Expired - Lifetime EP0722898B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT95BO000008A IT1278159B1 (it) 1995-01-17 1995-01-17 Metodo per il convogliamento di materiale in foglio
ITBO950008 1995-01-17

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0722898A1 true EP0722898A1 (de) 1996-07-24
EP0722898B1 EP0722898B1 (de) 2000-04-26

Family

ID=11340200

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96830015A Expired - Lifetime EP0722898B1 (de) 1995-01-17 1996-01-17 Verfahren zum Fördern von Bogenmaterial

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0722898B1 (de)
JP (1) JPH08230820A (de)
DE (1) DE69607863T2 (de)
IT (1) IT1278159B1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1388514A1 (de) * 2002-08-08 2004-02-11 G.D S.p.A. Verfahren zum Prüfen von Verpackungsmaterial in einer Verpackungsmaschine

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10260712B3 (de) * 2002-12-23 2004-08-05 Tscheulin-Rothal Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Vereinzelung von Platinen
DE102022105779A1 (de) 2022-03-11 2023-09-14 Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Handhaben von Zuschnitten für eine Umhüllung von Packungen für Produkte der Zigarettenindustrie

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3690646A (en) * 1970-07-08 1972-09-12 Addressograph Multigraph Electrostatic conveyor
FR2127105A5 (de) * 1971-02-23 1972-10-13 Clark Aiken Internal Inc
EP0315241A1 (de) * 1987-11-03 1989-05-10 Sollas Holland B.V. Apparat zum Abmessen einer Folienbahn zum Einwickeln von entlang einer horizontalen Unterlage zugeführten Gegenständen
US5121170A (en) * 1989-05-12 1992-06-09 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Device for transporting sheet members using an alternating voltage

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3690646A (en) * 1970-07-08 1972-09-12 Addressograph Multigraph Electrostatic conveyor
FR2127105A5 (de) * 1971-02-23 1972-10-13 Clark Aiken Internal Inc
EP0315241A1 (de) * 1987-11-03 1989-05-10 Sollas Holland B.V. Apparat zum Abmessen einer Folienbahn zum Einwickeln von entlang einer horizontalen Unterlage zugeführten Gegenständen
US5121170A (en) * 1989-05-12 1992-06-09 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Device for transporting sheet members using an alternating voltage

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1388514A1 (de) * 2002-08-08 2004-02-11 G.D S.p.A. Verfahren zum Prüfen von Verpackungsmaterial in einer Verpackungsmaschine
US7222472B2 (en) 2002-08-08 2007-05-29 G.D S.P.A. Method of checking wrapping material in a packaging machine
CN1325334C (zh) * 2002-08-08 2007-07-11 吉地股份公司 检测在一包装机器中的包裹材料的方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69607863T2 (de) 2000-10-19
DE69607863D1 (de) 2000-05-31
EP0722898B1 (de) 2000-04-26
IT1278159B1 (it) 1997-11-17
JPH08230820A (ja) 1996-09-10
ITBO950008A0 (it) 1995-01-17
ITBO950008A1 (it) 1996-07-17

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