EP1020126A1 - Method and apparatus for conveying cigarettes - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for controlling the flow of cigarettes from a process line into containers, sorting shafts etc. The cigarettes are loaded into the main container (10) by a gravity feed and fall into the separate compartments. The cigarettes fall onto mechanical guides (23) which are moved downwards to increase the volume of the compartments in a progressive manner, to the maximum value. This ensures a controlled loading of the compartments with no damage to the cigarettes. The filled compartments are transferred to a gravity fed loading station for the packing system. An Independent claim is included for apparatus to implement the method.

Description

The invention relates to a method for inserting cigarettes or a stream of cigarettes into a chamber, a container, a room in channels or the like, the cigarettes transported by dead weight and / or by conveying bodies become. The invention further relates to a device to carry out the procedure.

The transportation of cigarettes in the field of cigarette manufacturing machines and of packaging machines is mainly done under Use of the cigarette's own weight. With a usual Set up the from the cigarette making machine or cigarettes coming from a supply into one from above Collection container inserted, then along a horizontal Conveyed route transported and then from above into a cigarette magazine promoted. This is part of the standard facility a packaging machine. The cigarette magazine goes in the lower area above in groups of side by side Manholes. At the bottom of these upright channels are the Cigarettes removed in groups, namely ejected to Handover to the packaging organs.

Starting up the packaging machine is problematic, namely the introduction of the cigarettes into the empty collection containers, conveying areas and in the cigarette magazine. Through falling movements or disorderly conveying movements, the cigarettes become mechanical impaired. It also comes in significant Scope of misalignments of individual cigarettes. The same Problem occurs when horizontal cigarettes are conveyed or upright cigarette conveyor.

The object of the invention is to introduce or Conveying cigarettes in (collecting) containers, chambers, channels or shafts etc. so that the cigarettes are under Avoidance of mechanical loads and misalignments be promoted.

The method according to the invention is used to achieve this object characterized in that the chamber or the room or container for taking up the cigarettes with regard to the free intake volume according to the supply of cigarettes continuously or is increased in cycles, so that the free Space for receiving the cigarettes essentially the one supplied Amount of cigarettes corresponds.

In the solution according to the invention, it is accordingly prevented that the cigarettes in free fall or unguided in a container reach or (horizontally and vertically) promoted or in an upright position Shafts are exposed to a free falling movement. Rather, guide elements movable according to the invention enter the Containers, chambers, channels, etc., according to the filling process are moved in the conveying direction of the cigarettes, so that there is a gradual filling process for the concerned Space results. After all rooms, chambers, Containers and channels will guide the organs into one position moved outside of these spaces. During further operation the promotion of the uninterrupted, closed takes place Cigarette stream without guide organs in the sense of the invention.

In the device according to the invention occur horizontally directed Guide plates in a cigarette container on. The cigarettes are placed in the collection container from above entered. The guide plates are made according to the filling process moved down.

In an analogous manner, a boundary element, namely a boundary wall along a horizontal conveyor line of the cigarettes moved, according to the gradual filling this conveyor line.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a cigarette magazine with from Guides for the cigarettes which can be moved up and down provided, namely with guide bars. In the area of the shafts of the magazine support fingers or support rods are provided, which in enter every shaft.

The guiding or limiting organs are predominantly comb-like trained so that the organs on appropriately comb-shaped Functional organs moved past inside the container can be.

At a cigarette conveyor for the transport of a stream of cigarettes for example from maker to packer, is according to the invention an auxiliary body is provided, which either at the beginning of a Filling process precedes the flow of cigarettes and this supports or at the end of the cigarette conveyor the end of Cigarette stream supports and guides.

Fig. 1

eine Vorrichtung zur Zuführung von Zigaretten zu einer Verpackungsmaschine in schematischer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 2

eine Einzelheit der Vorrichtung, nämlich ein Sammelbehälter, in einem vertikalen Schnitt in der Schnittebene II-II der Fig. 1, bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 3

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 2 in einem Horizontalschnitt der Schnittebene III-III der Fig. 1, ebenfalls bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 4

einen Bereich einer an den Sammelbehälter anschließenden horizontalen Förderstrecke in einem Vertikalschnitt der Schnittebene IV-IV in Fig. 1,

Fig. 5

eine Einzelheit im Bereich eines Zigarettenmagazins, nämlich ein Vertikalschnitt in der Schnittebene V-V der Fig. 1, bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 6

einen Horizontalschnitt durch den oberen Bereich des Zigarettenmagazins in der versetzten Schnittebene VI-VI der Fig. 1 bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 7

eine weitere Einzelheit im Bereich des Zigarettenmagazins, nämlich einen Horizontalschnitt in der Schnittebene VII-VII der Fig. 5,

Fig. 8

eine Einzelheit des Zigarettenmagazins im Vertikalschnitt, bei nochmals vergrößertem Maßstab, in der Schnittebene VIII-VIII der Fig. 9,

Fig. 9

ein Detail aus dem Bereich des Zigarettenmagazins, nämlich einen Schnitt in der Schnittebene IX-IX der Fig. 5, bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 10

einen Teilbereich einer Fördervorrichtung für Zigaretten in Seitenansicht bzw. im Vertikalschnitt,

Fig. 11

einen Querschnitt der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 10 in der Schnittebene XI-XI,

Fig. 12

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für eine Zigaretten-Fördervorrichtung in Seitenansicht bzw. im Vertikalschnitt,

Fig. 13

eine Darstellung ähnlich Fig. 12 für ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Zigaretten-Fördervorrichtung.

Further details of the invention relate to the design and operation of guiding and limiting members. Exemplary embodiments of the device according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a device for feeding cigarettes to a packaging machine in a schematic side view,

Fig. 2

1 shows a detail of the device, namely a collecting container, in a vertical section in the section plane II-II of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 3

2 in a horizontal section of the sectional plane III-III of FIG. 1, also on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 4

a region of a horizontal conveyor line adjoining the collecting container in a vertical section of the section plane IV-IV in FIG. 1,

Fig. 5

1 shows a detail in the area of a cigarette magazine, namely a vertical section in the section plane VV of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 6

2 shows a horizontal section through the upper region of the cigarette magazine in the offset section plane VI-VI of FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 7

a further detail in the area of the cigarette magazine, namely a horizontal section in the section plane VII-VII of FIG. 5,

Fig. 8

a detail of the cigarette magazine in vertical section, on a further enlarged scale, in the section plane VIII-VIII of Fig. 9,

Fig. 9

3 shows a detail from the area of the cigarette magazine, namely a section in the section plane IX-IX of FIG. 5, on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 10

a partial area of a conveyor for cigarettes in side view or in vertical section,

Fig. 11

10 shows a cross section of the device according to FIG. 10 in the sectional plane XI-XI,

Fig. 12

another embodiment of a cigarette conveyor in side view or in vertical section,

Fig. 13

a representation similar to FIG. 12 for a further embodiment of a cigarette conveying device.

The drawings deal with the handling of cigarettes in connection with a packaging machine (not shown). The cigarettes are - from a maker or a store coming - introduced into a collection container 10, get from this into a horizontal conveyor line 11 and finally in a cigarette magazine 12. This are cigarette groups as Packaging units removed in a known manner, namely by pushing out by means of slide 129 (FIG. 5).

The collecting container 10 is for the introduction of the cigarettes Open top. Side walls 13, 14 are at a distance from one another arranged, which is slightly larger than the length of the cigarettes. Accordingly, these are located transversely in the collecting container 10 arranged. The bottom of the collecting container 10 is through limited a belt conveyor 15. Its width corresponds approximately the length of the cigarettes. The belt conveyor corresponds in the longitudinal direction 15 approximately the length of the collecting container 10.

On one narrow side of the container 10 is by a Upright transverse wall 16 limited. On the opposite side connects the conveyor section 11 to the collecting container 10. This is limited below by a conveyor 17, a belt. Side walls 18, 19 together with the conveyor 17 form one elongated, channel-like conveying area.

In an area remote from the collecting container 10, the Conveyor line 11 into the cigarette magazine 12 or the conveyor line 11 ends at the top of the cigarette magazine 12.

The cigarettes can the device or the collection container 10 can be supplied in different ways. In the present The cigarettes are trapped by known transport containers supplied, namely so-called Schragen 20. It is around containers that are on a large surface and on the Bottom are open. Transverse cigarettes 21 fill the Schragen 20 completely. The collar 20 will be open Narrow side 22 on the open top collecting container 10 put on. The slant 20 extends over the full Length of the collecting container 10. The content, namely the cigarettes 21 reach their own weight in the collecting container 10.

While the packaging machine and the The cigarette supply described here is the total Device completely filled with cigarettes. After an empty run the system, especially when changing the cigarette brand, the cigarettes 21 must be in the 20 empty collecting container 10 are introduced. An orderly one To ensure delivery of the cigarettes 21 to the collecting container 10, are this governing bodies for the cigarettes 21 provided. These are load-bearing or supporting elements that are moved downwards with the cigarettes 21 in the collecting container 10, until the collecting container 10 is gradually completely filled is. The downward movement is set up so that impairments the cigarettes 21 or misalignments thereof be avoided.

The management bodies consist of guide plates 23. In one upper guide position (Fig. 1, Fig. 2) are the guide plates 23 on the underside of the collar 20 or on the open narrow side 22 of the same. The content of the tray 20 rests on the guide plates 23 that extend the full length of the collecting container 10 extend. The introduction of cigarettes 21 in the collecting container 10, the guide plates 23 moved downward at a reasonable speed until immediately for the lower limit of the collecting container 10, namely up to System on the belt conveyor 15. The guide plates 23 are now moved out of the area of the collecting container 10, namely below the side wall 14, which for this purpose with Distance above the level of the belt conveyor 15 ends (Fig. 2).

The guide plates 23 are through an outside of the collection container 10 arranged drive movable. For this purpose arranged in the side wall 14 upright slots 24 through pass through the correspondingly narrow webs 25. The guide plates 23 are connected to the drive via these webs 25, namely with a common cross member 26. This is with provided with a vertical drive. (Two) horizontal guide rods 27 are connected to the cross member 26. The guide rods 27 are in sleeve-shaped support bearings 28 of a support frame, namely a transverse support rail 29, mounted. This in turn can be moved up and down with the guide plates 23. Ends of the support rail 29 are with a support piece 30 connected, which has a bore with an internal thread for the inclusion of an upright spindle 31. The support piece 30 is laterally connected to a guide piece 32, which is slidably movable on an upright support rod 33 is. With the help of the (two) spindles 31 are the guide plates 23 in the collecting container 10 or outside the same can be moved up and down.

For the transverse movement of the guide plates 23 from the collection container 10 out (below) and for reintroduction in the top The area of the collecting container 10 serves a horizontal drive. It these are (two) (pressure medium) cylinders 34. These are also mounted on the mounting rail 29. Piston rods are connected to the cross member 26.

The guide element in the collecting container 10 consists of several namely four, adjoining guide plates 23. One Another specialty is that these guide plates 23 on (fixed) internals within the collection container 10 can be moved past. It is drop-shaped trained distribution members 35. These cause a for handling or transporting the cigarettes 21 favorable distribution of the same within the collecting container 10, so that it is constantly completely filled during operation is.

The distribution members 35 are comb-shaped, namely exist from a preferably centrally arranged support web 36 and from a plurality of spaced-apart transverse webs 37. These crosspieces 37 each have the contour of a drop or the shape required for the desired effect (recognizable in Fig. 1). In the present embodiment, there are three Distributing members 35 arranged in the collecting container 10, with different size or height. The support webs 36 are with one of the side walls, namely with the side wall 14 of the collecting container 10 connected.

The division of the guide plates 23 is based on the arrangement the distribution members 35 determines. For continuous support of the Cigarettes 21 must have the full length of the container 10 the guide plates 23 may be arranged so that they on the Distribution members 35 can be moved past. To this end are the areas of the guide plates facing the distribution members 35 23 formed like a comb with projections 38 and Wells 39. The projections 38 enter the between the crossbars 37 formed gaps, while vice versa Cross webs 37 of the distribution members 35 enter the depressions 39, if the guide plates 23 thus formed on the Distribution members 35 are moved past.

The delivery of the cigarettes 21 to the conveyor line 11 is also designed in a special way. The side boundaries namely the side walls 18 and 19 are expediently as Continuation of the side walls 13, 14 of the collecting container 10 is formed. The lower limit for cigarettes 21 forms the discharge conveyor 17, which is directly connected to the belt conveyor 15 of the collecting container 10 connects.

The collecting container 10 is opposite to the transverse wall 16 with provided a closure so that cigarettes 21 in the collection container 10 can be filled without the cigarettes (First) in the area of the subsequent conveyor section 11 reach. A transverse wall 40 is opposite for this purpose arranged to the transverse wall 16. A lower part of the transverse wall 40 is designed as a movable partition 41 and (above of the conveyor 17) in the direction of the conveyor path 11. This creates a side opening in the collection container 10th

The actuating wall 41 is connected to an actuating gear, namely with a drive belt 42 on which the partition 41 with a Support piece 43 is attached. The support piece 43 is on a (horizontal) Guide rail 44 slidably mounted. The drive belt 42 is one of the deflection rollers 45 in one and driven in another direction.

After filling the collecting container 10 sufficiently with cigarettes 21, the partition 41 from the closed position (Fig. 1) moved along the conveyor line 11 by the drive belt 42, in accordance with the supply of cigarettes 21, so that a continuous, uninterrupted within the conveyor line 11 Cigarette flow. The partition 41 moves thereby up to an end position above the cigarette magazine 12 (dashed lines in Fig. 1). The conveyor line 11 has a full stream of cigarettes.

The top of the cigarette stream is with a malleable, cover which can be adapted to the contour of the flow of cigarettes, namely a roller chain 46 of known design. This is mostly under its own weight on the top of the cigarette stream on. A button 47 monitors the level of the cigarette.

The roller chain 46 is movable with the partition 41 and therefore fixed at one end to the partition 41 in the upper region. The other, free end of the roller chain 46 is movable and therefore connected to a movable holding piece 48. This is attached to the drive belt 42 and on the guide rail 44 out. 1, with the partition 41 in the area of the collecting container 10, is the roller chain 46 predominantly from the area of the conveyor line 11 pulled out and extends above the same. The roller chain runs when the partition 41 is extended corresponding to the movement of the partition 41 in the conveyor line 11 as the top cover of the cigarette stream. Because the roller chain 46 does not run in a taut, straight line formation, a compensating mechanism is provided which the non-uniform Contour of the roller chain 46 allows. It is about a compensating cylinder 49. This is with a corresponding Bracket attached to the holding piece 48, that is moved back and forth with it. Depending on the desired The compensating cylinder 49 gives the contour of the roller chain 46 by extending a piston rod additional length on the roller chain 46 free.

The cigarette magazine 12 is also designed in a special way, for a gentle, guided filling with cigarettes 21 Providing provision of the same.

The cigarette magazine 12 is basically known Way from an (upper) storage part 50 and a lower Manhole part 51. The cigarette magazine 12 or its storage part 50 connects to the conveyor line 11, namely in the area a lower conveyor level so that the cigarettes 21 from be fed into the storage part 50 above. By own weight the cigarettes 21 go down into the area of the Manhole section 51. This consists of several (four) manhole groups 52 and these each consist of several, closely adjacent Manholes 53. manholes 53 of a manhole group 52 are slightly inclined (upright) to each other, namely with a decreasing distance from each other (Fig. 9). At the bottom, the shaft groups 52 each become cigarette groups pushed out the contents of a pack of cigarettes correspond. The wells 53 of a well group 52 are through Shaft walls 54 separated from one another, one decreasing downwards Have width (Fig. 9).

The storage part 50 on the one hand and the shaft part 51 on the other separate management bodies for cigarettes are assigned. For the storage part 50 there are conveyor plates 55, 56, 57 provided, similar in structure and function to the guide plates 23 of the collecting container 10. There are several, namely three such conveyor plates 55, 56, 57 arranged side by side, the form a continuous support for the cigarettes 21. The cigarette magazine 12 is in the region of the storage part 50 of opposing longitudinal walls 58, 59 and transverse walls 60, 61 limited. The longitudinal walls 58, 59 are spaced from one another, adapted to the length of the transverse cigarettes 21 is. The storage part 50 has a widening downwards Shape, i.e. with increasing distance between the transverse walls 60, 61 from each other. These are bent halfway up (Fig. 1). The longitudinal walls 58, 59 are adapted to the contour of the storage part 50.

The conveyor plates 55, 56, 57 are within the storage part 50 Movable in the downward direction with the addition of cigarettes 21. Outside the storage part 50 is a gear provided, which is also analogous to the transmission for the Guide plates 23 is formed. These are with each a common traverse 62 outside the storage part 50 connected, adjacent to the longitudinal wall 58. Each conveyor plate 55, 56, 57 is over one or two narrow webs 63 with the common Traverse connected. The webs 63 in turn kick through upright slots 64 in the longitudinal wall 58. The Crosspieces 63 are moved downward in these slots 64. The traverse 62 is connected to an up and down movable structure, namely with a crossbar 65. This is at the ends each with a support piece 66 with an internal thread on an upright Spindle 67 mounted. The spindles are rotatable, which means the structure, namely the crossbeam 65 with the attached Organs is moved up and down.

The cross member 62 is mounted on the cross bar 65 so as to be transversely displaceable namely via guide rods 68 which in on the crossbar 65 attached sleeve-shaped bearing pieces 69 slidably are. The transverse movement of the traverse 62 is caused by cylinder 70 causes which are attached to the cross bar 65 and their Piston rod 71 is connected to the cross member 62. For upright Guide rods 72 serve as guides, on which the crossbeam 65 or the support piece 66 is movably mounted with a sliding body 73 is. The webs 63 are of an angular shape (FIG. 5), so that in the lower position (Fig. 5), the cross member 62 with Positioned from the lower end portion of the storage part 50 is.

In the design of the conveyor plates 55, 56, 57 is about the height of the storage part 50 of the same non-uniform cross section considered. The edge-side conveyor plates 55, 57 are comb-like on the side facing the transverse walls 60, 61 formed with elongated support fingers 74 and between this arranged elongated recesses 75. Corresponding for this purpose the transverse walls 60, 61 are in the upper and middle Area, i.e. in the areas of the smaller transverse dimensions, comb-like, namely consist of upright, at a distance mutually arranged wall webs 76 with between them formed wall slots 77. The conveyor plates 55, 57 occur in the upper, narrower area of the storage part 50 with the Support fingers 74 through the transverse walls 60, 61, namely through the Wall slots 77 through and are outside the storage part 50. The conveyor plates 55, 57 are dimensioned and arranged so that they are completely in the lower, wide area of the storage part 50 lie within the same, i.e. within the transverse walls 60, 61. Accordingly, the transverse walls are in the lower, wider part 60, 61 closed, without wall slots 77 (Fig. 6, right).

Another peculiarity results from installations inside of the storage part 50. It is drop-shaped trained guide organs 78 for the cigarettes 21. These are positioned obliquely and cause a deflection of cigarettes 21 to the sides, i.e. in the direction of those with a greater distance transverse walls 60, 61 arranged from one another in the lower region of the storage part 50. The guide members 78 are designed analogously to the distribution members 35 in the collecting container 10. Each guide member 78 consists of an essentially upright supporting web 79, the one-sided cantilever with a longitudinal wall 58 connected is. On the support web 79 are several, transverse Molded webs 80 are spaced apart. These shaped bars 80 have the contour of the guide elements 78 (for example corresponding to Fig. 1). Between the comb-like on both sides of the support web 79 arranged shaped webs 80 become gaps 81 educated.

The conveyor plates 55, 56, 57 are in the shape of the guide members 78 adapted, namely on the pages facing them (also) provided with support fingers 82. These fit into the Gaps 81 between the mold webs 80 so that the conveyor plates 55, 56, 57 trouble-free when moving down to the Guide organs 78 can be moved past. Nevertheless, they are Cigarettes 21 through the conveyor plates 55, 56, 57 outside the Area of the guide members 78 over the full length or width of the Stock part 50 supported.

The conveyor plates 55, 56, 57 are in the lower region of the storage part moved laterally out of it and outside of it back to the upper starting position. The longitudinal wall 58 ends with a corresponding distance above the Manhole part 51, while the opposite longitudinal wall 59 extends continuously in the area of the shaft part 51.

The guide or support is in the area of the shaft part 51 of cigarettes 21 in a special way. Each Chute 53 is a movable downward within chute 53 Support or support member assigned. It is about thin support rods 83 which are located approximately in the center of the shaft 53 can be moved downwards, the respective lower cigarette 21 rests on the horizontal support rod 83.

The support rods 83 enter the shafts 53 from the outside. A Outer wall 84 - below the longitudinal wall 58 of the storage part 50 - is provided with upright slots 85 which correspond to the direction of the Shafts 53 follow and run approximately in the middle of each shaft 53. The slots 85 are slightly wider than the diameter the support rods 83.

The support rods 83 are on the outside of the shaft part 51 arranged common, transverse support member, namely a carrier 86. The support rods 83 are designed or arranged such that that the contours or the course of the shafts 53 can follow the downward movement. The support rods 83 are for this purpose can be moved transversely, namely by transverse displacement in the longitudinal direction of the carrier 86. This is designed as a hollow body. The support rods 83 are displaceable within the carrier 86 stored. Via a side slot 87 in the carrier 86 the support rods 83 emerge from this.

For transverse movement of the support rods 83, these are individually movable Support elements attached, namely on a roll holder 88 within the carrier 86. Each roll holder 88 is provided with a plurality of namely four rollers 89 stored within the carrier 86. The carrier 86 is shaped so that an upper and lower running profile 90 is formed. In this are the Rollers 89 of a roller holder 88 are positively movable. For reasons of space, the arrangement is such that the in Transverse successive support rods 83 alternately in the upper and lower running profile 90 are arranged.

The transverse compensation movements of the support rods 83 result automatically when moving within the shafts 53. The slots 85 act as guides for transmission the sideways movements on the roller holder 88.

In a lower position, a distance above the lower ends of the shafts 53, the support rods 83 become the shafts 53 pulled out (position according to FIG. 5, below - dashed).

For this purpose, the carrier 86 for the support rods 83 can be moved transversely, namely from the engaged position of the support rods 83 (Fig. 7, left) in a retracted position (Fig. 7, right). The carrier 86 is at the ends on a guide 91 attached, which in turn to fixed, in the direction of movement pointing support arms 92 is slidably mounted. On everyone Support arm 92 is attached to an actuating cylinder 93, the Piston rod 94 is connected to the guide 91 or with a Crossbar 95 that connects the guides 91 together.

For the downward movement of the carrier 86 with the support rods 83 Upright spindles 96 are provided, on which a spindle nut 97 is movable. A guide piece 98 is attached to this, which is slidable on an upright support rod 99 is. This can be a continuous continuation the support rod 72 act. With the guide piece 98 is the support device for the support rods 83 connected, namely the Carrier 86. Accordingly, the spindle 96 is turned up or down.

In the area of the transition from the storage part 50 to the shaft part 51 of the cigarette magazine 12 are arranged transverse guide elements, namely vibrating rods 100 of known design.

Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 show an example of the guided Transport of cigarettes 21 in the horizontal and vertical conveyor line. 10 shows a simplified side view one in the course of a U-shaped cigarette conveyor 101. Es can be a subsection of a transport device from a cigarette making machine to a packaging machine act.

The cigarette conveyor 101 consists of a cigarette channel 103, which is limited laterally by funding bodies or management bodies is. In the area of an upright or vertical section of the cigarette channel 103 is on two opposite Bounded by endless conveyor belts 104, 105. The outer conveyor belt 104 extends from a lower, horizontal one Area under an arc to one upper horizontal section. The inside or opposite positioned conveyor belt 105 is parallel to conveyor belt 104 positioned and also in the upper and lower areas arched. Between funding dreams facing each other 106, 107 becomes a stream of cigarettes 108 from transverse Cigarettes 21 promoted within the cigarette channel 103. The conveyor belts 104, 105 are profiled in a special way Straps attached to a suitably shaped, box-shaped Holding profile 109 are guided. The cigarette channel is on the side 103 through channel walls 110, 111 shaped according to the course limited. Outside the area of the conveyor belts 104, 105, namely in the upper and lower horizontal area of the cigarette conveyor 101, is used as the top cover and guide for the cigarette stream 108 an upper wall 112 or 113 is provided.

For handling the cigarettes 21 within the cigarette channel 103 is on the one hand the beginning of the cigarette transport, so the introduction of cigarette stream 108 is critical if namely the cigarettes 21 over the upper, horizontal section of the cigarette channel 103 and fed into the vertical section. The termination is also critical the transportation of cigarettes with upward funding, if there are no more cigarettes in the lower, horizontal Area to be supplied later, i.e. when the system is emptied.

The cigarette conveyor 101 is for ensuring one an auxiliary organ assigned to proper cigarette transport. It is a funding or take-away body, which within the cigarette channel 103 with the cigarettes 21 is moved downwards in accordance with the conveying direction thereof at the front end of the cigarette stream 108 (dashed arrow) or which ends up with a cigarette stream 108 is moved (arrow in solid lines).

As an auxiliary member, one is movable within the cigarette channel 103 Contact plate 114 provided. This fills the cross section of the cigarette channel 103 largely.

The abutment plate 114 is outside the cigarette channel 103 movably mounted, on a corresponding to the cigarette channel 103 U-shaped running track 115. One running frame 116 is on opposite pairs of rollers 117, 118 Sides of the track 115 mounted. The running track 115 is profiled (trapezoidal). The roles of the pairs of roles 117, 118 are designed accordingly to form-fit the Running track 115.

The contact plate 114 is on a support arm 119 on the bogie 116 attached. The batten 114 sits off-center, So with a corner edge on the support arm 119. A thin-walled Web 120 acts as a connection between support arm 119 and contact plate 114 through a longitudinal slot of the cigarette channel 103 in this one. The slot becomes sideways formed next to the inside conveyor belt 105.

The bogie 116 is used to drive the contact plate 114 driven, namely via a pinion 121 on the bogie 116. The pinion 121 driven by a motor 122 meshes with it a rack 123 on the running rail 115.

The contact plate 114 is movable, specifically around a bearing 124 swiveling. In an upper and lower end position, the Contact plate 114 by pivoting out of the area of the cigarette stream 118 moved out, for example to the level of Top wall 112, 113 (Fig. 10, below).

When filling the empty cigarette conveyor 101 with cigarettes 21, the contact plate 114 is in an upper position (dashed line in Fig. 10) in the region of the horizontal conveyor section. The incoming cigarettes run against the cross-directional Contact plate 114. This is supplied with the flow of cigarettes 108 moved down to the lower, in extended Position shown in lines. The cigarette channel 103 is then filled up to this position. The continuation of the transport runs in the horizontal region of the cigarette conveyor 101 without support of the contact plate 114.

Conversely, when transporting the stream of cigarettes 108 from lower horizontal part up to the upper horizontal section the cigarette supply is stopped, so the system is empty the abutment plate 114 runs at the end of the cigarette stream 108 from the lower position to the upper position.

The end of the cigarette flow through the contact plate 114 supported.

The cigarette stream 108 is in the upper horizontal section of the cigarette conveyor 101 and also in the lower horizontal Section determined by monitoring bodies, namely by optoelectronic sensors 102. These control the movement of the Contact plate 114.

12 and 13 show other examples of the Handling cigarettes when inserted into a container. Here according to the exemplary embodiment, it is a cigarette magazine 12 or the design of the (upper) storage part 50. The cigarettes 21 are in the upper area of the container or the cigarette magazine 12 by a horizontal Cigarette conveyor 130 fed. For guided and regulated Filling movement of the cigarettes within the cigarette magazine 12, especially in the downward movement, is an outside of the Container or cigarette magazine stored and movable Guide element provided in the form of a guide wall 125 or 126. As described in principle, the guide walls 125, 126 are comb-shaped and step through slits with webs through the walls of the container or cigarette magazine 12. The webs extending within the container support and guide the cigarettes during the filling process.

The guide walls 125, 126 are in an upper starting position (Fig. 12, Fig. 13) positioned so that the incoming Run cigarettes against the guide wall 125, 126. This will then appropriately according to the supply of cigarettes inside the container or cigarette magazine 12 moved with the cigarettes, in accordance with the Arrows 131 and 132. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 12 accordingly, the guide wall 125 is initially in the downward direction moved and sideways after reaching a lower end position out of the container or cigarette magazine 12, so that this then completely filled with cigarettes. In the embodiment 13 becomes the arch in the upper region designed guide wall 125 in the horizontal direction moved (arrow 132). The end position of the guide wall 125 is in dashed lines. In this position the Guide wall 126 a side wall of the container or the cigarette magazine. In this example, the container first in a partial area in vertical and then in horizontal Direction filled with cigarettes.

12 is an outer wall 127 of the container or cigarette magazine 12 with upright Slits are provided for the passage of the comb-like guide wall 125, also an upper, horizontal area of a cover. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 13, one is for Outer wall 127 opposite side wall 128 formed like a comb, so that a lower portion of the guide wall 126 during an initial phase of filling through slots in the Sidewall 128 can pass through.

Reference symbol list :

10th

Collection container

11

Conveyor line

12th

Cigarette magazine

13

Side wall

14

Side wall

15

Belt conveyor

16

Transverse wall

17th

Conveyor

18th

Side wall

19th

Side wall

20th

Weird

21

Cigarette

22

Narrow side

23

Guide plate

24th

slot

25th

web

26

Cross member

27

Guide rod

28

Support bearing

29

Mounting rail

30th

Support piece

31

spindle

32

Guide piece

33

Support rod

34

cylinder

35

Distributor

36

Supporting bridge

37

Crossbar

38

head Start

39

deepening

40

Transverse wall

41

Partition

42

Drive belt

43

Support piece

44

Guide rail

45

Pulley

46

Roller chain

47

Button

48

Holding piece

49

Compensating cylinder

50

Stock part

51

Manhole part

52

Shaft group

53

Shaft

54

Shaft wall

55

Conveyor plate

56

Conveyor plate

57

Conveyor plate

58

Longitudinal wall

59

Longitudinal wall

60

Transverse wall

61

Transverse wall

62

traverse

63

web

64

slot

65

Crossbar

66

Support piece

67

spindle

68

Guide rod

69

Stock

70

cylinder

71

Piston rod

72

Support rod

73

Sliding body

74

Tragfinger

75

Recess

76

Wall jetty

77

Wall slot

78

Lead organ

79

Supporting bridge

80

Shaped web

81

gap

82

Tragfinger

83

Support rod

84

Outer wall

85

slot

86

carrier

87

Side slit

88

Reel seat

89

Roller

90

Running profile

91

guide

92

Beam

93

Actuating cylinder

94

Piston rod

95

Crossbar

96

spindle

97

Spindle nut

98

Guide piece

99

Support rod

100

Vibrating rod

101

Cigarette conveyor

102

sensor

103

Cigarette channel

104

Conveyor belt

105

Conveyor belt

106

Funding strand

107

Funding strand

108

Stream of cigarettes

109

Holding profile

110

Canal wall

111

Canal wall

112

Top wall

113

Top wall

114

Contact plate

115

Track

116

Undercarriage

117

Pair of roles

118

Pair of roles

119

Beam

120

web

121

pinion

122

engine

123

Rack

124

camp

125

Guide wall

126

Guide wall

127

Outer wall

128

Side wall

129

Slider

130

Cigarette conveyor

131

arrow

132

arrow

Claims (19)

Method for introducing cigarettes (21) or a stream of cigarettes (108) into a chamber, a container, space, into channels or the like, the cigarettes (21) being transported under their own weight and / or by conveying means, as characterized in that the chamber, the space, the channels or the like is continuously or intermittently enlarged in terms of the free receiving volume in accordance with the supply of cigarettes (21) such that the free space for receiving the cigarettes (21) essentially corresponds to the quantity of cigarettes ( 21) corresponds. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that when cigarettes (21) are introduced from above into a container, in particular into a collecting container (10), the free interior of the same for receiving the cigarettes over the full cross section progressively increases from bottom to top in accordance with Increase in cigarette intake. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when cigarettes (21) or a stream of cigarettes (108) are transported along a horizontal or upright conveying path (11) or along a cigarette conveyor (101), the stream of cigarettes is at the front or at Termination of the cigarette transport - is limited at the back by a support member which is moved along the conveyor line in accordance with the conveyance of the cigarette stream. Device for handling cigarettes, in particular for the transport of cigarettes in connection with the manufacture and / or packaging of the same, the cigarettes being movable along upright or horizontal conveying lines, characterized by guide, support or other auxiliary members in the region of the transport route Cigarettes to support or guide the same when conveying into a free or empty area. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that for filling cigarettes from above into a (collecting) container (10), into a chamber, into shafts (53) or the like within the (collecting) container (10), the Shafts (53) or the like supporting and guiding members can be moved downwards with the support of the cigarettes (21) while supporting them, until the (collecting) container (10), the shafts (53) or the like are filled. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that for introducing the cigarettes (21) into the collecting container (10) guide plates (23) within the collecting container (10) can be moved from top to bottom, the cigarettes (21) to be filled onto the Guide plates (23) rest and the downward movement of the guide plates (23) can be controlled in accordance with the supply of cigarettes up to the filling of the collecting container (10). Device according to claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that in a cigarette magazine (12) with an upper storage part (50) for receiving cigarettes (21) within the storage part (50) support members, in particular conveyor plates (55, 56, 57 ) can be moved from top to bottom in accordance with the supply of cigarettes (21), the cigarettes (21) resting on the conveyor plates (55, 56, 57). Device according to claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that for the introduction of cigarettes (21) in a single, upright row into channels, in particular into shafts (53) of shaft groups (52) of a cigarette magazine (12) in each shaft ( 53) downwardly movable support members for the cigarettes (21) are arranged, wherein the lower cigarette (21) of a row of cigarettes rests within the shaft (53) on the support member, in particular on a support rod (83). Device according to claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the support or support members for the cigarettes (21) after filling the (collecting) container (10), the cigarette magazine (12) or the storage part (50) or the shafts (53) can be moved out of the (collecting) container (10), the storage part (50) or the shafts (53) in the lower region and can be moved back into an (upper) starting position outside the same. Device according to claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the supporting or conveying members for the cigarettes (21), in particular the guide plates (23), conveying plates (55, 56, 57) or supporting rods (83) via upright slots (24, 64, 85) directly or via connecting elements, namely webs (25, 63), are connected to guides and drives arranged outside the (collecting) container (10), the storage part (50) or the shafts (53) . Apparatus according to claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that plate-shaped support or support members for the cigarettes (21), in particular guide plates (23) or conveyor plates (55, 56, 57) are comb-shaped in areas facing one another Protrusions (38) or support fingers (82) and that inside the (collecting) container (10), the storage part (50) of the cigarette magazine (12) or the like, there are built-in parts, such as distribution members (35) or guide members (78), correspondingly comb-like are designed such that the plate-shaped supporting and guiding members can be moved past the built-in parts during the downward movement, forming a continuous support for the cigarettes (21). Apparatus according to claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that plate-like support and guide members, in particular conveyor plates (55, 57) for the cigarettes (21) in containers - storage part (50) - with the transverse dimension on the transverse walls which can vary in height (60, 61) facing areas are comb-shaped with spaced support fingers (74) and that the associated transverse walls (60, 61) are comb-shaped in the area of smaller transverse dimensions to form wall slots (77) through which the support fingers (74 ) the support members pass outwards in such a way that the cigarettes (21) are supported continuously even in the area of the larger transverse dimension of the container. Device according to claim 8 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the support members in the shafts (53), namely the supporting rods (83), can be moved transversely, in particular with the shafts (53) running obliquely, preferably the supporting rods (83). outside the cigarette magazine (12) or outside the chutes (53) can be moved transversely by means of roller holders (88) on a common support (86) by guiding the support rods (83) into the slots (85) following the course of the chutes (53) ). Device according to claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that for the introduction of cigarettes (21) into a horizontal or vertical conveying path or into a cigarette conveyor (10) within the conveying path (11) or within the cigarette conveyor (101) transverse support member is movable in accordance with the supply of cigarettes, in particular a partition (41) or a contact plate (114) and that the partition (41) at the end of the conveyor section (11) forms a boundary thereof. Apparatus according to claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that an open top conveyor section (11) for cigarettes is provided with an upper, flexible cover thereof, in particular with a roller chain (46) and that this the movements of the partition (41) follows, in particular with one end attached to it. Device according to claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that, in the case of a cigarette conveyor (101) with an upright or horizontal cigarette channel (103) within it, a supporting or guiding member can be moved, in particular an abutment plate (114), which is inserted of a cigarette stream (108) into the cigarette channel (103) as a support or support element in front of the cigarette stream (108) or when the supply of cigarettes is interrupted at the end of the cigarette stream (108) can be moved through the cigarette channel (103). Device according to claim 16 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the contact plate (114) is guided and driven outside the cigarette conveyor (101), preferably with the support of a bogie (116) on a running rail (115), the drive or a support arm (119) of the same passes over a web (120) through a slot or a groove of the cigarette conveyor (101) into the cigarette channel (103) for connection to the contact plate (114). Apparatus according to claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that for the introduction of cigarettes (21) into a container, in particular into a storage part (50) of a cigarette magazine (12) with a horizontal direction of the cigarette supply, an externally into the container or Support part (50) entering support member, namely a guide wall (125) according to the cigarette supply in the container or storage part (50) can be moved while supporting the cigarettes (21), the guide wall (125) and an outer wall of the container or storage part (50) are correspondingly comb-shaped. Device according to claim 4 or one of the further claims, characterized in that for introducing cigarettes into a container, in particular into a storage part (50) of a cigarette magazine (12), a boundary wall of the container or shaft part (51) as a guide wall (126) can be moved within the container or storage part (50) as a support and guide element for the cigarettes, the guide wall (126) being movable sideways or downwards in accordance with the supply of cigarettes until the container or storage part (50) is filled.

Images