EP0838401A1 - Verfahren und Einheit zum Bilden von Gruppen von frustokonischen Zigaretten - Google Patents

Verfahren und Einheit zum Bilden von Gruppen von frustokonischen Zigaretten Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0838401A1
EP0838401A1 EP97830515A EP97830515A EP0838401A1 EP 0838401 A1 EP0838401 A1 EP 0838401A1 EP 97830515 A EP97830515 A EP 97830515A EP 97830515 A EP97830515 A EP 97830515A EP 0838401 A1 EP0838401 A1 EP 0838401A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cigarettes
layer
feed
pocket
tapered
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
EP97830515A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0838401B1 (de
Inventor
Bruno Belvederi
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GD SpA
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GD SpA
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GD SpA filed Critical GD SpA
Publication of EP0838401A1 publication Critical patent/EP0838401A1/de
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65BMACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B19/00Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
    • B65B19/02Packaging cigarettes
    • B65B19/04Arranging, feeding, or orientating the cigarettes
    • B65B19/10Arranging cigarettes in layers each comprising a predetermined number

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of forming tapered cigarettes into groups.
  • tapered cigarette used here and in the course of the following specification is intended to signify a cigarette of substantially frustoconical appearance with substantially circular greater and lesser bases interconnected perpendicularly by a longitudinal axis.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a method of forming tapered cigarettes into groups such as will allow of mechanizing the procedures involved and afford a simple and economic solution to the drawbacks mentioned above.
  • the stated object is realized in a method of forming tapered cigarettes into groups, characterized in that it comprises the steps of advancing at least one forming pocket in a predetermined direction and along a feed path extending through at least two loading stations arranged in series along the path; and causing the cigarettes to be distributed into the pocket at each loading station and positioned therein adjacent one to another, in such a way that a layer of mutually parallel tapered cigarettes is formed at each loading station.
  • each group comprises at least two layers of tapered cigarettes disposed mutually adjacent, each layer in its turn composed of a first half-layer and a second half-layer occupying the same plane, of which the respective single cigarettes are similarly oriented and disposed parallel one with another.
  • the tapered cigarettes of the first half-layer and the tapered cigarettes of the second half-layer will be oriented oppositely and disposed in interlocking alternation.
  • the present invention relates also to a unit for the formation of tapered cigarettes into groups.
  • a unit according to the invention for the formation of tapered cigarettes into groups is characterized in that it comprises conveying means extending along a predetermined feed path, designed to advance at least one forming pocket along the selfsame path in a predetermined feed direction and through at least two loading stations arranged in series along the path, also distribution means disposed in alignment with each loading station, of which the function is to direct the tapered cigarettes into the pocket in mutually adjacent positions and thus to bring about the formation of a layer of cigarettes, disposed parallel one with another, at each station.
  • the unit according to the invention further comprises feed means associated with each loading station, such as will supply two successions of half-layers of the tapered cigarettes to respective feed stations positioned in alignment with the loading station and on opposite sides of the feed path, each half-layer consisting in a given number of cigarettes oriented identically one with another and oppositely to the cigarettes of the remaining half-layer; also sliding means associated with the feed means, of which the function is to direct the two half-layers into the pocket and thus bring about the formation of one relative layer of the tapered cigarettes.
  • feed means associated with each loading station such as will supply two successions of half-layers of the tapered cigarettes to respective feed stations positioned in alignment with the loading station and on opposite sides of the feed path, each half-layer consisting in a given number of cigarettes oriented identically one with another and oppositely to the cigarettes of the remaining half-layer; also sliding means associated with the feed means, of which the function is to direct the two half-layers into the pocket and thus bring about the formation of one relative layer of the tapered cigarettes.
  • 1 denotes a machine, in its entirety, for fashioning packets to accommodate cigarettes 2 of tapered geometry, each presenting a greater base 3 and a lesser base 4 substantially of circular shape, and a longitudinal axis 2a perpendicular to the bases 3 and 4.
  • the machine 1 comprises a forming unit 5 by which the cigarettes 2 are ordered into groups 6 each providing the contents of one packet (not indicated) and, in the example illustrated, consisting in at least two adjacent layers 7 of cigarettes; more exactly, the single cigarettes 2 of each layer 7 are disposed with the relative axes 2a mutually parallel and with their respective tapered profiles oriented alternately in opposing directions, the cigarettes 2 of the one layer 7 also being oriented oppositely to the corresponding contiguous cigarettes 2 of the other layer 7.
  • each layer 7 is composed of six cigarettes 2 arranged with the tapered profiles oriented in alternately opposing directions and divisible, according to the orientation, into two half-layers 8 occupying the same plane and making up the single layer 7, each of which comprises three similarly oriented tapered cigarettes 2 disposed in alternation with the three similarly and oppositely oriented cigarettes 2 of the other half-layer 8.
  • the unit 5 comprises a pocket conveyor 9 affording a plurality of single pockets 10 each proportioned to accommodate a relative group 6 of cigarettes.
  • the pockets 10 are caused to advance transversely to the axis 2a of the cigarettes 2 in a predetermined feed direction D1 and along a predetermined feed path P extending through at least two loading stations 11, arranged in series along the path P, at which each pocket 10 in turn is brought to a halt in readiness to receive a layer 7 of cigarettes 2, as will become clear in due course.
  • each pocket 10 presents what is substantially a U shaped sectional profile, and comprises a horizontal bottom 12 with two side walls 13 disposed perpendicular to the bottom 12; the side walls 13 extend transversely to the feed direction D1 and combine with the bottom 12 to afford two lateral openings 14 into the pocket 10 which lie parallel to the feed direction D1.
  • the unit 5 further comprises a feed device 15, coinciding with an infeed station of the machine 1, by which the tapered cigarettes 2 are supplied to the conveyor 9.
  • the feed device 15 in its turn comprises two outlet ducts 16 serving each loading station 11, disposed on opposite sides of the path P and designed to supply respective successions 17 of half-layers 8 of the cigarettes 2 to respective feed stations 18 located on opposite sides of the path P and in alignment with each loading station 11.
  • each outlet duct 16 associated with each loading station 11 exhibit respective bottom openings 19 disposed one facing toward the other on either side of the feed path P and establishing the relative feed stations 18; each outlet duct 16 also incorporates a set of channels 20 disposed side by side, equal in number to the number of cigarettes 2 making up each half-layer 8, along which respective columns 21 of cigarettes 2 are fed by gravity to the relative opening 19.
  • the outlet ducts 16 further comprise respective horizontal bottom plates 22 positioned at increasing heights along the feed direction D1, relative to the bottoms 12 of the pockets 10, of which the function is to arrest the fall of the cigarettes 2 within the channels 20 and thus cause a respective half-layer 8 to form at the relative opening 19.
  • each outlet duct 16 are shown in the perspective of fig 1 as being separated one from the next along the feed direction D1 by a distance substantially equal to a maximum thickness of the cigarettes 2, and are offset along the selfsame feed direction D1 in relation to the channels 20 of the outlet duct 16 positioned opposite at the respective loading station 11.
  • the channels 20 of each duct 16 coincide with a first substantially rectilinear and vertical path P1 on the side facing the conveyor 9 and with a second curvilinear path P2 on the side remote from that facing the conveyor 9, and are embodied in such a way that the relative columns 21 of cigarettes 2 will descend freely with the greater bases 3 of the cigarettes 2 distributed along the second path P2 and the lesser bases 4 distributed along the first path P1.
  • each outlet duct 16 comprises at least one substantially chevron profiled portion T located immediately above the relative bottom plate 22 and serving to ensure, in operation, that the cigarettes 2 distributed along the part of each channel 20 compassed by this same portion T will remain horizontally disposed.
  • the cigarettes 2 occupying an initial stage and a terminal stage of the chevron portion T afforded by each single channel 20 will be disposed mutually parallel and oriented transversely to the feed direction D1, whilst the cigarettes 2 occupying the part of the chevron portion T between the initial and terminal stages will be oriented in respective positions angled first increasingly away from a plane transverse to the feed direction D1, when between the initial stage and a middle stage of the chevron portion T, then in respective positions angled increasingly toward a plane transverse to the selfsame feed direction D1 when between the middle stage and the terminal stage.
  • the unit 5 also comprises a distribution unit 23 by which the half-layers 8 of cigarettes 2 are ejected from the outlet ducts 16 through the openings 19 and transferred into a relative pocket 10 positioned at the respective loading station 11, by way of the two lateral openings 14.
  • the distribution unit 23 is also designed to operate in conjunction with a guide device 24 (see fig 2) favouring the insertion of the cigarettes 2 of each half-layer 8 into the relative pocket 10, and comprises a set of slide devices 25, one associated with each outlet duct 16, each in its turn comprising a fingered push rod 26 operated by an actuator (not illustrated) and capable thus of reciprocating movement through the bottom opening 19 and above the bottom plate 22 of the relative outlet duct 16 along a diverting direction D2 transverse to the feed direction D1, parallel with the axes 2a of the cigarettes 2 occupying the opening 19, in such a way as to transfer each successive half-layer 8 of cigarettes into a relative pocket 10.
  • a guide device 24 see fig 2
  • the distribution unit 23 is also designed to operate in conjunction with a guide device 24 (see fig 2) favouring the insertion of the cigarettes 2 of each half-layer 8 into the relative pocket 10, and comprises a set of slide devices 25, one associated with each outlet duct 16, each in its turn comprising a fingered push rod 26 operated by an actuator (not
  • the guide device 24 will be seen to comprise a horizontal plate 27, and more exactly one such plate to each loading station 11, associated with an actuator (not illustrated) and capable thus of movement between a raised position (indicated in fig 2) in which the plate 27 is disposed directly above a pocket 10 occupying the relative station 11, and a lowered position (not indicated) in which the open top 28 of the pocket 10 is enclosed by the plate 27.
  • the underside of the plate 27, facing the conveyor 9, presents a plurality of vertical fins 29 set skew in relation to the diverting direction D2; the adjacent fins 29 are angled oppositely relative one to another and designed to assist, when the plate 27 occupies the lowered position, in wedging the cigarettes 2 of one half-layer 8 between the cigarettes 2 of the other half-layer 8.
  • the unit 5 comprises a compactor device 30 designed to pack the cigarettes 2 of each layer 7 securely into the relative pocket 10;
  • the device 30 illustrated comprises a pair of plate-like pusher elements 31 associated with each loading station 11, disposed on opposite sides of the feed path P beyond the station 11 in the feed direction D1, and capable thus of movement through the agency of respective actuators (not illustrated) toward and away from one another and toward and away from the two relative lateral openings 14 of the single pocket 10 in such a way as to impinge axially on and thus compact the cigarettes 2 occupying the pocket 10.
  • the single pockets 10 are advanced along the feed path P by the conveyor 9 and brought to a standstill at each loading station 11 with the respective lateral openings 14 offered to the bottom openings 19 of the corresponding outlet ducts 16; at the same time, the successions 17 of half-layers 8 are directed down through the outlet ducts 16 to the feed stations 18.
  • the push rods 26 are returned to their former position outside the dimensional compass of the ducts 16 to allow the formation of two further half-layers 8 on the relative bottom plates 22, whilst the conveyor 9 indexes a further step, advancing the pocket 10 to a point between the pusher elements 31 and bringing an empty pocket 10 into the first loading station lla.
  • the pusher elements 31 are now directed inwards and toward the respective lateral openings 14 of the part-filled pocket 10, impinging axially on the cigarettes 2 of the newly formed layer 7 so as to produce the compacting action aforementioned.
  • the pocket 10 is advanced another step by the conveyor 9 and brought to the second of the two loading stations 11 (denoted llb) whereupon the relative plate 27 (not indicated, but identical to that above the first station lla), descends to the lowered position and the push rods 26 of the second station llb are directed toward one another in such a manner as to engage the cigarettes 2 by the ends affording the greater bases 3 and traverse the half-layers 8 one toward another and into the pocket 10, although not in this instance directly onto the bottom 12 of the pocket 10, rather onto and in direct contact with the layer 7 of cigarettes 2 formed at the first station lla.
  • the cigarettes 2 of the two half-layers 8 interlock when inserted into the pocket 10, assisted also by the guiding action of the fins 29 (not illustrated in the case of the second station llb), and are brought to rest on top of the half-layers 8 assembled previously in such a way that each cigarette 2 of the new layer 7 will be disposed with the relative taper oriented oppositely to the contiguous cigarette 2 of the already formed layer 7.
  • the push rods 26 are returned to their former position outside the dimensional compass of the ducts 16 to allow the formation of two further half-layers 8 on the relative bottom plates 22, whilst the conveyor 9 indexes a further step, advancing the pocket 10 to a point between the pusher elements 31 and bringing a successive pocket 10 into the second station llb.
  • the pusher elements 31 are now directed inwards and toward the respective lateral openings 14 of the pocket 10, impinging axially on the cigarettes 2 of the newly formed layer 7 in the pocket 10 so as to produce the compacting action.
  • the pocket 10 contains a group 6 of cigarettes 2 exhibiting a notably stable structure that can undergo any further mechanized operation, and in particular a wrapping operation performed by packaging machines of the type used conventionally in the tobacco industry.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
EP97830515A 1996-10-22 1997-10-10 Verfahren und Einheit zum Bilden von Gruppen von frustokonischen Zigaretten Expired - Lifetime EP0838401B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT96BO000527A IT1286269B1 (it) 1996-10-22 1996-10-22 Metodo ed unita' per la formazione di gruppi di sigarette coniche
ITBO960527 1996-10-22

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0838401A1 true EP0838401A1 (de) 1998-04-29
EP0838401B1 EP0838401B1 (de) 2004-01-21

Family

ID=11341660

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97830515A Expired - Lifetime EP0838401B1 (de) 1996-10-22 1997-10-10 Verfahren und Einheit zum Bilden von Gruppen von frustokonischen Zigaretten

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0838401B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69727276T2 (de)
ID (1) ID18559A (de)
IT (1) IT1286269B1 (de)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1136361A1 (de) * 2000-03-23 2001-09-26 Schmermund Verpackungstechnik GmbH Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Bilden von Zigarettenblöcken aus konischen Zigaretten
EP2500284A1 (de) * 2011-03-16 2012-09-19 G.D S.p.A. Maschine zum Bilden und Verschachteln von Zigarettengruppen
DE102014000350A1 (de) 2014-01-16 2015-07-16 Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Verpacken von konischen Zigaretten
WO2015155727A1 (en) 2014-04-09 2015-10-15 Sasib S.P.A. Unit for forming an ordered group of frustum-shaped cigarettes and tray for containing frustum-shaped cigarettes for feeding frustum-shaped cigarettes into said forming unit
WO2015155721A1 (en) 2014-04-09 2015-10-15 Sasib S.P.A. Unit for forming an ordered group of frustum-shaped cigarettes
EP3816056A1 (de) * 2019-10-29 2021-05-05 G.D Societa' Per Azioni Trichter für eine packermaschine zum verpacken von rauchartikeln

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0677441A1 (de) * 1994-04-15 1995-10-18 SASIB S.p.A. Vorrichtung zum Bilden und Zuführen von geordneten Gruppen von empfindlichen, stabförmigen Gegenständen, insbesondere Zigaretten

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0677441A1 (de) * 1994-04-15 1995-10-18 SASIB S.p.A. Vorrichtung zum Bilden und Zuführen von geordneten Gruppen von empfindlichen, stabförmigen Gegenständen, insbesondere Zigaretten

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1136361A1 (de) * 2000-03-23 2001-09-26 Schmermund Verpackungstechnik GmbH Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Bilden von Zigarettenblöcken aus konischen Zigaretten
EP2500284A1 (de) * 2011-03-16 2012-09-19 G.D S.p.A. Maschine zum Bilden und Verschachteln von Zigarettengruppen
DE102014000350A1 (de) 2014-01-16 2015-07-16 Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Verpacken von konischen Zigaretten
WO2015155727A1 (en) 2014-04-09 2015-10-15 Sasib S.P.A. Unit for forming an ordered group of frustum-shaped cigarettes and tray for containing frustum-shaped cigarettes for feeding frustum-shaped cigarettes into said forming unit
WO2015155721A1 (en) 2014-04-09 2015-10-15 Sasib S.P.A. Unit for forming an ordered group of frustum-shaped cigarettes
EP3816056A1 (de) * 2019-10-29 2021-05-05 G.D Societa' Per Azioni Trichter für eine packermaschine zum verpacken von rauchartikeln
EP3816056B1 (de) 2019-10-29 2023-04-05 G.D Societa' Per Azioni Trichter für eine packermaschine zum verpacken von rauchartikeln

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69727276D1 (de) 2004-02-26
ITBO960527A0 (it) 1996-10-22
ITBO960527A1 (it) 1998-04-22
ID18559A (id) 1998-04-16
IT1286269B1 (it) 1998-07-08
EP0838401B1 (de) 2004-01-21
DE69727276T2 (de) 2004-11-18

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