EP1310178B1 - Store for rod-like articles of the tobacco industry, in particular filter rods - Google Patents

Abstract

The magazine (1) has at least one inlet (3) for taking at least one article supplied to an accumulator (2). At least one outlet (4) discharges at least one article contained in the accumulator which contains a belt (5) by which a fixed accumulator (6) takes a pre-set amount of articles. When the fixed accumulator is full, an operating accumulator (7) has its volume altered by the belt

Description

The invention relates to a magazine for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods, having a memory and at least one inlet for receiving at least one article fed to the memory and at least one outlet, for dispensing at least one article arranged in the memory. Furthermore, the invention relates to a machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular for the production of rod-shaped articles, in particular cigarettes or filters.

The term "rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry" in addition to filter rods, for example, cigarettes, cigarillos or cigars with and without filters understood, to which the invention is equally applicable.

In the production or processing of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, these rod-shaped articles or parts thereof are conveyed via pneumatic conveying lines from a production machine to a further processing machine. Here, e.g. Filter rods transported via a feed line to a storage magazine, for example, a filter attachment machine.

In the patent document DE 35 38 660 C2, a storage magazine of a filter attachment machine is described in which filter rods are conveyed transaxially through a shaft into a magazine. From this magazine, the filter rods are then fed to a consumer (Filteransetzmaschine). The disadvantage here is the feeding of the filter rods against the weight of the already existing in the magazine filter rods, since the filter rods must be inserted from below into the magazine. Here, the zugeförderten, shock-sensitive filter rods can be damaged or even crushed when inserted into the magazine.

The patent US 5,452,984 discloses a tray, which is filled at a filling device via an opening. When filling the tray, the filter rods are filled in an expanding flexible band, which encloses the filter rods in an oblique. One end of the tape is attached to the opening and the other end is wound on a drum. To remove the filter rods from the tray, the tray is guided to a removal station, in which the filter rods via the same opening, via which the filling takes place is, emptied. Here, the tape that surrounds the filter rods in the Schragen, wrapped again.

The patent FR-A-1545986 discloses a cigarette magazine, in front of which a buffer is arranged upstream, wherein the volume of the buffer is variable by means of a belt.

Starting from the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a magazine in which a low mechanical stress of rod-shaped articles during insertion into the magazine and during operation is ensured, the magazine a quick change of cigarette filters, e.g. to enable brand change.

The object is achieved by means of the characterizing features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

According to the invention, a magazine for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods, with a memory and at least one inlet for receiving at least one article fed to the memory and at least one outlet for dispensing at least one arranged in the memory article further characterized in that provided in the memory a band member is and that by means of the band member a fixed memory for receiving a predetermined amount of articles and after filling of the fixed memory, a main memory can be formed, the volume of which is variable by means of the band member. The fixed memory forms an article or filter stock, which is always present to avoid transverse items behind or at the receiving station. In addition, the outlet is kept filled by the fixed storage. By the band element is achieved that the arrangement of articles when filling and emptying of the magazine is completely enclosed, so that no transverse articles in the article package arise. According to the degree of filling of the memory with Articles, the band element surrounding the article can be changed in its length or size, so that the memory size during the operation of the magazine is accordingly adaptable.

The variability of the memory and the introduction of the articles in the upper part of the memory also a smooth insertion of the article (filter rods) is possible because with an increase in the number of articles in the memory of the memory increases, so that much less damage to the articles arise. The filling of the fixed memory with other Art i kel n or filter rods can be performed in a brand change within a short time by the operator by hand. It is also considered that the mechanical stress of the articles in the fixed memory is also low. Overall, a very simple, inexpensive and compact construction of the magazine is achieved, so that a simple initial filling e.g. at brand change and gentle treatment of the items in the store is achieved.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the length of the band element remains the same when the fixed memory is formed. As a result, the volume of the fixed memory is precisely defined, so that the fixed memory can accommodate a predetermined minimum amount of articles. Optimum utilization of the storage volume can be achieved by means of the fixed storage since the fixed storage volume is determined when the strip element, which is variable per se, can no longer be changed in its length or size. This is the case, for example, when the band element has reached its minimum length.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that when filling the working memory, the length of the band member is variable. The term "band element" is understood in particular to mean that portion of a band from which the articles are e.g. Filter rods are surrounded and by means of which the fixed memory or memory can be formed. Since the main memory is variable, the length of the band member changes, while the entire length of the band remains constant. For example, to allow a gentle treatment of the article, the tape element is varied in its length during the filling and emptying of the working memory, so that a compact arrangement of the articles without Querlieger is achieved in the main memory.

Furthermore, the gentle treatment of the articles is improved if the band element is elastic and / or flexible. As a result, the band element can make good contact with the outer layer or the surface of the arrangement of the article.

Moreover, it is advantageous if one end of the band element is arranged in the memory, in particular at the bottom of the memory, because in this way the articles are encompassed in the entire memory and treated gently.

In order to achieve a gentle treatment in a memory with a very large volume for all articles in the memory, it is preferable if the end of the band element is movable, in particular linearly movable, arranged in the memory. Due to the mobility of the articulation point (end of the band member), in addition, the volume of the working memory can be influenced and varied, so that by this measure, the mechanical Stress of the article can be reduced, for example, if a dense packing of the article arises at a fixed storage volume.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the end of the band element by means of a transport device, in particular conveyor belt, movable. The end of the band member is mounted on the transport means so that the end is movable. At the same time, the transport device allows entrainment of the articles located on the transport device. Thus, a larger amount of articles in the main memory can be handled gently in a larger memory.

The end of the band element can be easily guided, for example, if the transport device can be controlled and / or regulated by means of a control and / or regulating unit.

In order to achieve a gapless arrangement of the articles in the main memory, it is advantageous if the band element by means of a clamping device, in particular pulley or motor, can be tensioned. The tensioning device ensures that the band element is in contact with the outer arrangement of the articles in the memory over its entire length. Furthermore, bulges or bulges in the band element and in the working memory are prevented.

The forces for the tension of the band element can be set constant or variable, if advantageously the tensioning device can be controlled or regulated.

It is also preferable if, when forming the fixed memory, the band element has the smallest length or size.

The degree of filling of the memory or the working memory can be reliably monitored if at least one sensor device is present for the filling and / or emptying of the memory.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the sensor device is connected to the transport device and / or the tensioning device. In accordance with the degree of filling and the treatment of the articles in the store, a particularly gentle storage of the articles can thus be achieved. In addition, for example, a filtering type dependent storage of the filters can be made possible.

Furthermore, in an alternative, the insertion force for an article 1 in the memory is reduced when the inlet for feeding the article is placed in the memory in the upper region of the filling level of the memory or in the upper region of the working memory.

A safe and gentle feeding of articles can be achieved, if preferably the inlet is designed as a lateral insertion for the articles. Overall, the mechanical load on the fragile article is significantly reduced.

A further solution of the problem is carried out by means of a machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular for the production of rod-shaped articles, in particular cigarettes or filters, which is formed with a magazine described above.

Fig. 1

eine Queransicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Magazins;

Fig. 2

ein alternatives Ausführungsbeispiel eines Magazins (Figur 1);

Fig. 3

ein weiteres alternatives Ausführungsbeispiel eines Magazins (Figur 1) und

Fig. 4

eine weitere Variante eines Magazins (Figur 3).

The invention will be without. Limitation of the general inventive idea based on Exemplary embodiments described with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a transverse view of a magazine according to the invention;

Fig. 2

an alternative embodiment of a magazine (Figure 1);

Fig. 3

Another alternative embodiment of a magazine (Figure 1) and

Fig. 4

another variant of a magazine (Figure 3).

In the following figures, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, so that apart from a new idea accordingly.

In Fig. 1, a magazine 1 is shown in cross-section, which has a memory 2. In addition, the magazine 1 has a further chamber 20, which is spatially separated from the storage space 2 and in which a clamping device 10 (see below) is arranged.

In addition, a filter charging device 8 is arranged on the magazine 1 and the memory 2 on one side, the 9 receives filter rods from a Filterendestation via a connected conveyor line and the received filter rods via inlets 3 of the filter charging device 8 introduces cross-axially into the memory 2. An appendix of the applicant with a filter feed device and a filter transfer station is known by the term FILTROMAT.

At the bottom of the memory 2, one end of a band element 5 or a band 19 is fixed in place at a point of articulation 12.

The other end of the band 19 is arranged over a plurality of deflections and guides (not described further here) in the chamber 20 adjacent to the memory 2. The band 19 is held under tension by means of a tensioning device formed by a pulley 10. Are in the memory 2 no filter rods present, so a portion of the belt 19 is held between the pivot point 12 and a deflection point 21. The held between the deflection points 12 and 21 portion of the belt 19 is referred to as a band member 5. The length of the band element 5 in the memory 2 is variable due to the filling of the memory 2 with filter rods.

The held between the pivot point 12 and the deflection point 21 band element 5 divides the memory 2 into a fixed memory 6 and a memory 7. When filling the memory 2 with filter rods, the fixed memory 6 is first filled with filter rods, so that only after filling the fixed memory 6 the band element 5 increases in length by the continuous filling with filter rods and forms a main memory 7. The originally strained band element 5 is increasingly rounded.

In order to enable a safe start-up of the machine, for example, a filter attachment machine in a brand change, in which the filter type is changed, the fixed memory 6 is usually filled by hand in advance. The filling of the fixed memory 6 prevents transverse filter rods, for example via an outlet 4 be removed by a removal drum on the fixed memory 6.

By the lateral insertion of the filter rods via the inlet 3 of the filter feed device 8 in the upper region of the memory 2, the mechanical load on the inserted filter rods is significantly reduced because of the variable length of the band member 5 of the memory 7 according to the degree and the type of filter during operation a machine can be adjusted continuously. In the working memory 7, this results in a compact arrangement of the filters, as indicated by the filter pack 18 in the main memory 7. In experiments it has been found that the filter rods are moved in the main memory 7 with increasing filling, but their relative position to each other little or little change, whereby the mechanical stress is reduced. It has been shown in particular that the filter pack 18 executes a kind of rolling motion. That the filter rods in the magazine or in the working memory 7 have experienced no significant changes in position to each other.

In addition, to query the magazine level in the chamber 20 of the clamping device 10 light barriers 15 are arranged to the height of the weight or the weights of the pulley corresponding signals to a request control of a filter transmitter, which is connected via the conveyor line 9 with the magazine 1, to send.

Depending on the filter type 10 variable weights can be used on the pulley.

In an alternative embodiment of the magazine 1 of Figure 1, instead of the pulley 10, a motor 11 is used, which exerts a defined, predeterminable force on the belt 19 and the band member 5 via a torque-controlled servomotor. This force may be determined depending on the type of filter and the state of the magazine filling of the working memory 7. The filling state can be queried via an incremental measurement on the motor 11. Furthermore, movement can be brought into the filter pack 18 by means of alternating moments via a corresponding control or regulation on the motor 11 via the belt 19.

The alternative embodiment of a magazine 1 shown in FIG. 3 allows a larger storage space 2 to be filled. Instead of a fixed Anlenkpünktes 12, the one end of the belt 19 and the band member 5 is movably arranged on a conveyor belt 14.

When filling the working memory 7, the conveyor belt 14 is controlled by a light barrier 16, which is arranged along the memory 2. The light barrier 16 queries the height of the filter rods in the working memory 7. If a certain level or a predetermined level is reached, then the conveyor belt moves to the left, so that the height is reduced in the main memory 7. By the movement of the conveyor belt 14, the volume of the working memory increases 7. When emptying the main memory 7 is queried via another sensor 17, which is arranged transversely to the first sensor 16, the insertion area in the vicinity of the filter feed device 8. As soon as empty spaces in the main memory 7 are discovered or the filling level is lowered, the conveyor belt 14 is moved back (to the right). For the control or

Control of the conveyor belt 14 is a corresponding control or regulation available. The advantage of this magazine 1 shown in Figure 3 is that the storage volume in the memory 2 by extension of the working memory 7 can be expanded and reduced.

As a tensioning device for the belt 19, both a pulley 10 (Figure 3) and an incremental motor 11 (Figure 4) can be used.

By the invention it is possible that sensitive articles of the tobacco processing industry (eg filter rods) can be stored in a gentle manner in a magazine. The magazine according to the invention can be designed for filter attachment machines and also in a dual-hopper.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

magazine

2

Storage

3

Inlet

4

outlet

5

band member

6

fixed memory

7

Random access memory.

8th

Filter Feeder (Filtromat)

9

delivery line

10

pulley

11

engine

12

articulation

13

articulation

14

conveyor belt

15

photocell

16

photocell

17

photocell

18

filter pack

19

tape

20

chamber

21

turning point

Claims (16)

1. Magazine (1) for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods, comprising a reservoir (2) and at least at least one inlet (3) for receiving at least one article fed to the reservoir (2) and at least one outlet (4) for discharging at least one article arranged in the reservoir (2), characterised in that a belt element (5) is provided in the reservoir (2) and in that a fixed reservoir (6) for receiving a predetermined quantity of articles can be formed by means of the belt element (5), and after the fixed reservoir (6) has been filled a working reservoir (7), the volume of which is variable by means of the belt element (5), can be formed, the belt element (5) bearing against the articles.
2. Magazine (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that when the fixed reservoir (6) is formed the length of the belt element (5) remains the same.
3. Magazine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that when the working reservoir is filled (7) the length of the belt element (5) is variable.
4. Magazine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the belt element (5) is elastic and/or flexible.
5. Magazine (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that an end of the belt element (5) is arranged in the reservoir (2), in particular at the bottom of the reservoir (2).
6. Magazine (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that the end of the belt element (5) is arranged movably, in particular linearly movably, in the reservoir (2).
7. Magazine (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the end of the belt element (5) is movable by means of a transport device (14), in particular a conveyor belt.
8. Magazine (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the transport device (14) can be controlled and/or regulated by means of a control and/or regulating unit.
9. Magazine (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the belt element (5) can be tensioned by means of a tensioning device (10), in particular a winch or motor.
10. Magazine (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the tensioning device (10) can be controlled or regulated.
11. Magazine (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that when the fixed reservoir (6) is formed the belt element (5) has its smallest length or magnitude.
12. Magazine (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that at least one sensor device (15, 16, 17) for the filling and/or emptying of the reservoir (2) is present.
13. Magazine (1) according to claim 12 and any one of claims 7, 8 and 10, characterised in that the sensor device (15, 16, 17) is connected to the transport device and/or the tensioning device.
14. Magazine (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the inlet (3) for feeding the articles into the reservoir (2) is arranged in the upper region of the filling level.
15. Magazine (1) according to claim 1 or 14, characterised in that the inlet (3) is configured for insertion of the articles from the side.
16. Machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular for manufacturing rod-shaped articles, in particular cigarettes and/or filters, comprising a magazine (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 15.

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