EP1431184A2 - Cigarettes packaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Cigarette packing device has a cigarette magazine (11) that forms part of a packing machine and comprises an upper storage reservoir (12) together with a number of shaft units (15) for holding cigarette groups (16). At a distance above the shaft units is a transverse control unit (24) with a multiplicity of control shafts (25) that allow the passage of individual cigarettes. The content of the control shafts is measured so that misaligned cigarettes (22) can be detected and generate an error signal, so that the cigarette causing the blockage can be removed without interrupting cigarette supply to the cigarette shafts (13).

Description

The invention relates to a device for packaging ordered groups rod-shaped objects, in particular of cigarettes - cigarette groups -, the one (cigarette) magazine by pushing out of a unit of substantially upright cigarette ducts - shaft unit - are removable, wherein above the shaft unit, a cigarette supply from aligned side by side is formed overlying cigarettes.

The rod-shaped objects are in particular cigarettes, from which cigarette groups are formed as contents of a cigarette pack. The (cigarette) magazine is a standard part of a packaging machine for cigarettes. The cigarettes produced elsewhere are the magazine supplied continuously or batchwise and in an upper reservoir or magazine funnel filled. At the bottom are the usual arranged in a plurality of units or groups of upright manholes, wherein each shaft is bounded by upright shaft walls, such that each one an aligned row of stacked cigarettes in a well Recording finds. At the bottom of the shaft groups are the cigarettes pushed out by slide or pestle to form the cigarette groups.

One problem is that in the area of the stock of cigarettes malpositions individual cigarettes can occur. These lead to a disturbance, predominantly with the consequence of a machine shutdown.

The invention is based on the object, the device mentioned or the (cigarette) magazine in such a way that any interference by Malposition of cigarettes detected immediately and the removal without interruption is possible.

To solve this problem, the device according to the invention is characterized that with (clear) distance above the shafts in the range the (cigarette) supply a transversely extending over the stock series of im Essentially upright inspection shafts with guide bars relatively low altitude is formed and that the passage of individual, consecutive Cigarettes through the inspection shafts is monitored by sensors that generate a signal if in the area of at least one inspection slot the Flow of cigarettes is interrupted.

The cigarettes within the supply are due to the removal of Cigarette groups in a constant downward movement to the shafts. According to the invention within the supply is a control unit acting as a filter formed, which allows only correctly aligned, aligned cigarettes pass. A remains approximately transversely positioned or otherwise incorrectly positioned cigarette at the top of the control unit, namely the control wells and causes that the further flow is interrupted locally. This error will be instantaneous and automatically detected by the sensors triggering a Error message. The incorrectly positioned cigarette can then be picked up by a machine operator be eliminated. Of importance is that during malposition the cigarette and until the elimination of the passage of cigarettes through the "filter" continues outside the range of the failed cigarette, so that the Supply of cigarettes to the shafts is not interrupted. Other features The invention relates to the design of the inspection shafts and measures in connection with the elimination of bad cigarettes.

Fig. 1

eine Verpackungsmaschine für Zigaretten in vereinfachter Seitenansicht,

Fig. 2

ein (Zigaretten-)Magazin als Teil der Verpackungsmaschine in Ansicht bzw. in einem Vertikalschnitt der Schnittebene II-II in Fig. 1, bei vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 3

einen Ausschnitt III des Magazins gemäß Fig. 2 in nochmals vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 4

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 3 nach Entnahme einer fehlgestellten Zigarette,

Fig. 5

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 3 bei fehlerfreier Betriebsweise,

Fig. 6

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 3 in einem Querschnitt der Schnittebene VI-VI in Fig. 3,

Fig. 7

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 6 bei Beseitigung einer fehlgestellten Zigarette,

Fig. 8

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 6 während störungsfreier Betriebsweise, entsprechend Fig. 5,

Fig. 9

eine Darstellung analog zu Fig. 3 eines anderen Ausführungsbeispiels eines Zigaretten-Magazins,

Fig. 10

eine Darstellung analog Fig. 4, nämlich die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 9 nach Entnahme einer fehlgestellten Zigarette,

Fig. 11

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 9 bei ordnungsgemäßer Betriebsweise,

Fig. 12

die Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 9 in einem Vertikalschnitt entsprechend Schnittebene XII-XII in Fig. 9,

Fig. 13

ein Vertikalschnitt entsprechend Fig. 12 zu der Einzelheit gemäß Fig. 10,

Fig. 14

eine Betätigungsvorrichtung für ein Absperrorgan eines Kontrollschachts.

Further details of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment of a cigarette magazine. It shows:

Fig. 1

a packaging machine for cigarettes in a simplified side view,

Fig. 2

a (cigarette) magazine as part of the packaging machine in view or in a vertical section of the sectional plane II-II in Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 3

a section III of the magazine of FIG. 2 on a further enlarged scale,

Fig. 4

the detail according to FIG. 3 after removal of a faulty cigarette,

Fig. 5

the detail of FIG. 3 in error-free operation,

Fig. 6

the detail according to FIG. 3 in a cross section of the sectional plane VI-VI in FIG. 3,

Fig. 7

the detail according to FIG. 6 when removing a faulty cigarette,

Fig. 8

the detail according to FIG. 6 during trouble-free operation, corresponding to FIG. 5,

Fig. 9

a representation analogous to FIG. 3 of another embodiment of a cigarette magazine,

Fig. 10

4 shows an illustration analogous to FIG. 4, namely the detail according to FIG. 9 after removal of a faulty cigarette,

Fig. 11

the device according to FIG. 9 under proper operation,

Fig. 12

the detail according to FIG. 9 in a vertical section corresponding to sectional plane XII-XII in FIG. 9, FIG.

Fig. 13

a vertical section corresponding to FIG. 12 to the detail of FIG. 10,

Fig. 14

an actuator for a shut-off device of a control shaft.

1 shows an application example of a packaging machine for cigarettes 10. Specifically, it is about the production of cigarette packs of the type folding box. A cigarette magazine 11 is an indispensable part of a packaging machine for cigarettes 10. In the area of this cigarette magazine 11 The otherwise manufactured cigarettes 10 in the packaging process introduced.

The cigarette magazine 11 is in the upper part as a storage container 12 for cigarettes 10 trained. Down close to the reservoir 12 cigarette shafts 13 on. These are narrow, essentially upright channels, in the cigarettes 10 in upright rows, each one above the other, be promoted down. The cigarette shafts 13 are from Chute walls 14 limited, which is a wedge-shaped downward wall thickness exhibit.

Each several cigarette shafts 13 form a shaft group or a Pit unit 15. From each of these pit units 15 will be at the bottom a cigarette group 16 is ejected in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette. The Cigarette groups 16 are in a directly to the shaft units 15th inserted adjacent cigarette conveyor, in the present example in a pocket of a cigarette turret 17. The cigarette magazine shown in Fig. 1 11 is formed so that four shaft units 15 are provided, ie four cigarette groups 16 are simultaneously ejected.

The cigarette shafts 13 are open at the top, ie on the reservoir 12th facing inlet side for cigarettes 10. In the reservoir 12 is by feeding of cigarettes in the open-topped reservoir 12 constantly a cigarette supply 18 maintained. In the area of this cigarette storage 18 are the Cigarettes 10 aligned next to each other, but without forming a specific Formation. Under dead weight, the cigarettes 10 and after into the area of cigarette shafts 13 and enter each one individually of cigarette shafts 13. To the introduction of the cigarettes 10 in the cigarette shafts 13 are at the upper ends of the shaft walls 14 distribution organs attached, namely about its own longitudinal axis rotating, profiled vibrating bars 19.

The reservoir 12 is bounded by side walls 20, which are down in Direction of the shaft units 15 converging, so funnel-shaped, run. The shaft units 15 and outer walls 21 of the same are in continuation the side walls 20 are arranged.

Within the cigarette supply 18, it can lead to malposition of cigarettes 10th come, especially to transverse positions. In the drawings is an example shown a transverse cigarette, hereinafter referred to as Fehlzigarette 22 is. Alternatively, parts of cigarettes, for example, filter 23 a Cause interference.

If the cigarette supply 18 with a Fehlzigarette 22, a (single) filter 23 or the like is conveyed down to the entrance side of the cigarette ducts 13 results in a number of cigarette shafts 13 because of the transverse Fehlzigarette 22 are not supplied. This then leads that no or incomplete cigarette groups 16 are formed in this area become. To avoid this is by far above the cigarette shafts 13 in the range of the cigarette stock 18, a control unit 24 installed. These preferably extends over the entire width of the storage container 12, over the full width of the cigarette stock 18. The control unit 24 forms a plurality of upright manholes 25, through the correctly aligned Cigarettes 10 can pass during the downward movement. A transverse one Missing cigarette 22, a filter 23, or about an upright mis-cigarette 22 can not pass through the inspection shaft 25, so stay lie before or above the control unit 24. This situation becomes an error signal derived and as a result of the Fehlzigarette 22 and the filter 23rd eliminated. During the action of the Fehlzigarette 22 or the filter 23 can the cigarettes 10 in the reservoir 12 outside the range of the Fehlzigarette 22 and the filter 23 unhindered continue to be moved down. One below the control unit 24 formed partial supply 26 is therefore replenished unchanged and is across the full width of the cigarette magazine 11 the cigarette ducts 13 available. Despite a mistake situation, therefore, the cigarette shafts 13 continues to be fully supplied with cigarettes 10.

The control unit 24 consists of a series of parallel guide webs 27. These are arranged at equal distances from each other and lying side by side and extend across the cigarette magazine 11 and through the Reservoir 12 in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes 10. The cigarette magazine 11th is transverse to the cigarettes 10 through a front wall 28 and a rear wall 29th limited. The distance between front wall 28 and rear wall 29 is something greater than the length of a cigarette 10. The guide webs 27 of the control unit 24 are completely attached to the rear wall 29.

The guide webs 27 limit the essentially upright inspection shafts 25, whose width or free passage cross section is slightly larger as the diameter of a cigarette 10. The aligned cigarettes 10 can therefore individually, successively slide through a control shaft 25 for partial stock 26. A cigarette 10 in misalignment, for example a transverse miss cigarette 22 or a single filter 23, however, a Control shaft 25 does not happen, but is above the control unit 24th retained by this (Fig. 2, Fig. 3). The guide webs 27 are angled or arched, so that due to the parallel arrangement of the guide webs 27 curved control shafts 25 arise. The height of the inspection shafts 25 and the guide webs 27 is limited, namely chosen so that in each case about three to ten cigarettes 10 in a control shaft 25 recording find, in the embodiment of FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, three and a half cigarettes 10th

A special feature is the monitoring of the inspection shafts 25. If due a failed cigarette 22 a number of inspection slots 25 - or at least a single inspection bay 25 - does not allow cigarette flow, the Vacancy of the inspection shaft 25 detected and derived from this a signal. To For this purpose, each inspection pit 25 is equipped with at least one sensor 31. This is arranged laterally, namely on the rear wall 29. The sensor 31, in particular a reflection light barrier, each observed a control shaft 25 along its (horizontal) longitudinal extent.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 3 to 5, the sensors 31 are in FIG upper portion of the inspection bays 25 arranged. When the sensor 31 or the Photocell is free - because of missing cigarettes 10 - this will be an information signal derived. In the embodiment shown, the failed cigarette 22 and / or the filter 23 eliminated by hand. For this purpose, the Front wall 28 of the cigarette magazine 11, a flap 32, located in the area the control unit is located and manual access to the failed cigarette 22 - immediately above the control unit 24 - allows. After removing the Fehlzigarette 22 and closing the flap 32, the unobstructed outflow of the Cigarettes 10 continue in the area of the inspection shafts 25.

The sensors 31 are shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 within the inspection wells 25 arranged eccentrically, namely at the edge of a control shaft 25 or directly on a control shaft 25 limiting guide bar 27. The sensors 31 are thus in the range of lateral, wedge-shaped gaps 33 between successive cigarettes 10 within the inspection slot 25. As a result, the sensors 31 are cyclically moved by the cigarettes passed by 10 applied or released the photocell intermittently, namely if a Gap 33 is formed in the area of the light barrier. This becomes a dynamic one Image of cigarettes 10 moved past in the correct position. In case of permanent interruption of the light barrier or cover of the sensors 31 and / or permanently exposed sensor 31 a malposition is detected.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 9 to 11, inspection shafts 25 are formed on the basis of a corresponding configuration of the guide webs 27 a greater height, so that about six to seven cigarettes 10 in one Inspection slot 25 Recording. The guide webs 27 consist of two at an obtuse angle to each other directed web legs 36, 37 different Length. The upper, shorter web leg 36 forms by bevel 38 a widened funnel-like entry area for the cigarettes 10. Form and arrangement of the guide webs 27 also causes in this embodiment, that only correctly aligned cigarettes 10 through the inspection wells 25th can flow through (Fig. 11). An example, upright positioned bad cigarette 22 is fixed in the entry area of a control shaft 25 (FIG. 9).

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 9 to 11 (and FIGS. 12, 13), the Sensors 31 positioned approximately in the middle of the inspection wells 25, namely approximately in the region of the rounded transition from the upper web leg 36 to lower bridge leg 37.

Another special feature is that the control shafts 25 on their lower outlet end are shut off, by a movable closure member in the form of a rod or a plunger 34. Each Inspection shaft 25 is associated with such a closure plunger 34. In recognition of an error will be the affected inspection bay 25 or the affected Control shafts 25 shut off (Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 9, Fig. 10).

The plungers 34 remain in this position until the fault is eliminated and release of affected control bays 25. The correctly positioned cigarettes 10 get into the free inspection shafts 25 and rest first on the Locking plungers 34 (FIGS. 4, 10) until they are in the initial position (FIG. 8, FIG. Fig. 11) are moved back. Now the cigarettes 10 can flow freely, and while filling a funnel-shaped free space 35 below that of the Missing cigarette 22 affected inspection shafts 25.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 3 to 8, the closure tappets 34 (individually, individually) movable in the longitudinal direction, by mechanical or pneumatic actuation. The shutter plungers 34 are over the rear wall 29 of the cigarette magazine 11 inserted into the respective inspection slot 25. The rear wall 29 is provided with openings for the passage of the closing plunger 34 provided.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 9 to 13, the closing tappets are 34 transversely to the cigarettes 10 movable. In the initial position is every shutter plunger 34 below the associated guide web 27 (Fig. 11). By Transverse movement reaches the shutter plunger 34 in the region of the associated Inspection slot 25 (Figures 9, 10).

For transverse movement of each shutter plunger 34 is attached to a pivot web 39. This is moved along a pivot angle 39, whereby a corresponding Transverse movement of the plunger 34 (along a circular arc) arises. The pivot bar 39 is attached to a pivot 40, which in turn is rotatable by an actuator, in the present case by a transversely directed finger 41, on the free end of an actuator acts, namely a (pneumatic) plunger 42. This causes the Pivoting movement of the finger 41 by extension movement and thus the transverse movement of the plunger 34. The opposite movement, namely the Return to the starting position, is here by an elastic return organ executed, namely by a tension spring 43.

The actuating device with pivot web 39, pivot 40, finger 41, Plunger 42 and tension spring 43 is attached to a bracket 44 which on the Rear wall 29 of the cigarette magazine 11 is attached.

Above the guide webs 27 each distributor bodies are arranged, namely rotatable about a longitudinal axis, in this case hexagonal jar 30th These ensure an orderly introduction of the cigarettes 10 in one of the inspection shafts 25. The Rüttelstäbe 30 are at a small distance each exactly above a guide web 27 is arranged.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Cigarette

11

Cigarette magazine

12

reservoir

13

Cigarette shaft

14

shaft wall

15

tray unit

16

Cigarette group

17

Cigarette turret

18

Cigarette stock

19

jogging rod

20

Side wall

21

outer wall

22

faulty cigarette

23

filter

24

control unit

25

inspection chamber

26

part stock

27

guide web

28

front wall

29

rear wall

30

jogging rod

31

sensor

32

flap

33

gap

34

locking plunger

35

free space

36

web leg

37

web leg

38

bevel

39

swing bridge

40

pivot

41

finger

42

pushrod

43

mainspring

44

bracket

Claims (11)

Apparatus for packaging ordered groups of rod-shaped objects, in particular cigarettes (10) - cigarette groups (16) - which extend to (cigarette) magazine 11 by pushing out at least one unit of substantially upright cigarette shafts (13) - shaft unit (15) - are removable, wherein above the shaft unit (15) is a cigarette supply (18) of aligned juxtaposed and superimposed cigarettes (10) is formed, characterized in that with (clear) distance above the cigarette shafts ( 13) in the region of the cigarette supply (18) is a transversely extending control unit (24) of a series of substantially upright inspection shafts (25) is formed and that the passage of individual, successive cigarettes (10) through the inspection shafts (25 ) is monitored by sensors (31) which generate a signal when the flow of cigarettes (10) is interrupted in the region of at least one inspection slot (25) hen is. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the dimension or height of the inspection wells (25) dimensions (diameter) of a few, successive cigarettes (10), in particular from three to ten consecutive cigarettes (10). Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inspection shafts (25) are formed by corresponding shaping of the control shafts (25) limiting guide webs (27) arcuate or angled, such that a passage of upright cigarettes (10) or filters ( 23) is excluded by a control shaft (25) due to the geometric shape of the same. Apparatus according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the inspection shafts (25) form a funnel-like, upper inlet region for the cigarettes (10), in particular by bevel (38) on the guide webs (27). Apparatus according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that each control shaft (25) is associated with a sensor (31), in particular a longitudinal direction of the cigarette (10) acting light barrier for detecting the contents of the inspection slot (25). Device according to Claim 5 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the sensor (31) or the light barrier is positioned eccentrically within a control shaft (25), such that the sensor (31) or its test beam is in the region of between one another the following cigarettes (10) formed edge-side gaps (33) is effective, wherein from a sensor (31) an error signal is generated when the test beam over a longer, defined period is not interrupted (by cigarettes 10). Device according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that in the absence of flow of successive, orderly positioned cigarettes (10) through a check shaft (25) this can be shut off in the region of a lower outlet mouth, in particular by a movable closing plunger (34). for each inspection shaft (25), the barrier of the inspection slot (25) being repealed if, after elimination of an error, there are cigarettes (10) in an orderly position within the relevant inspection slot (25). Device according to Claim 7 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the closure plungers (34) are movable in the longitudinal direction thereof or in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes (10) from a position outside a control shaft (25) into a shut-off position within the relevant inspection shaft ( 25). Apparatus according to claim 7 or one of the further claims, characterized in that the closure plunger (34) in its initial position below an associated guide web (27) arranged pointing in the longitudinal direction thereof and by transverse movement in the region of the relevant inspection shaft (25) are movable. Device according to claim 9 or one of the further claims, characterized in that each closing plunger (34) is arranged on a pivoting web (39) and can be moved transversely by pivotal movement of the pivoting web (39). Apparatus according to claim 1 or one of the further claims, characterized in that an upright wall of the cigarette magazine (11), in particular a front wall (28) in the region of the control unit (24) has a flap (32) operable at an error signal is for removing bad cigarettes (22) or individual filters (23).

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