EP1452100B1 - Multifunctional conveyor drum - Google Patents

Abstract

A cigarette processing equipment has two streams of cigarettes fed onto a processing drum (10) where they are held by suction with axes parallel to the drum axis and with pairs of cigarettes (15) coaxial on support segments (14). The segments are moved axially by a spreader drive comprising thrust rods (21) spring loaded to press cam follower arms (22) onto a cam (30). The ends of the cam follower are fitted with rollers with one roller on the cam and the other on the rim of the cam. The relative position of the cam is rotationally adjustable to cater for different size of product with a minimum of downtime. The pairs of rolled tobacco stubs are separated by the spreader system to allow filter stubs to be inserted before the product is passed to the wrapping stage.

Description

The invention relates to a conveyor drum for articles the tobacco processing industry with a lifting means for longitudinally axially aligned and in at least a series queraxial conveyed the conveyor drum Articles. Such a conveyor drum is for example made EP-A-1 138 215. Furthermore, the invention relates to a Machine of the tobacco processing industry.

Among items of the tobacco processing industry will be understood in the present context such objects, in one or more layers by suction on conveyors, e.g. on conveyor drums in filter or cigarette making machines held and promoted by these. Such articles are filter cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos as well Filter rods, filter segments, etc. If in the following the For the sake of simplicity, only cigarettes or filtering is spoken, so the said applies completely accordingly also for other articles to be promoted aforementioned type such. Filter segments.

In cigarette machines, cigarettes are right across their longitudinal axial alignment on conveyor drums in which It is primarily about drums of cigarette making machines or of filter attachment machines traded, held with suction. On the conveyor drums can be side by side in two substantially parallel Rows of cigarettes arranged and on the conveyor drums moved at right angles with respect to the cigarette axes become. For example, a double filter between two axially insert aligned cigarettes are sliced double long tobacco sticks on the conveyor drum longitudinally spread and a double-length Filter rod inserted.

During the spreading of the tobacco sticks on the conveyor drum the tobacco sticks learn a predetermined Hub, so that the tobacco rods spaced longitudinally axially become.

In addition, sliding drums are known in which in parallel rows, offset from one another Filter rods, on the sliding drum to a series of pushed together filter rods arranged one behind the other become.

In the known spreading drums and sliding drums learn the articles on these conveyor drums one predetermined longitudinal axial stroke. Here is the hub or the longitudinal axial displacement on the conveyor drum firmly specified.

For example, from the document DE-A-41 34 663 a Device for axially displacing a row of cigarettes relative to a parallel, continuous row of cigarettes described. The recordings for the to be moved Cigarette series are at the ends of cranked crank arms arranged, which are mounted in a parallel disc drive are. The axes of the parallel disc drive are to the axes of a continuous row of cigarettes promotional drum inclined.

Based on this prior art, it is the task the present invention to provide a conveyor drum, in the article to be promoted the tobacco-processing Industry during a longitudinal axial displacement experience a low mechanical stress, being other existing facilities of a machine the tobacco processing industry continues be used.

This problem is solved by a conveyor drum for Article of the tobacco processing industry with a Lifting means for longitudinally axially aligned and in at least one row queraxial the conveyor drum zugeförderten articles in that as a lifting means a Cam mechanism provided with an adjustable stroke is. By means of an appropriate design of the curve laws is in the cam gear according to the invention a low stress of the articles in the axial direction achieved so that the articles during transport be spared. In addition, the invention has Solution the advantage that the cam gear little Space required and at the same time high forces for longitudinal axial displacement of the article exercises. Furthermore it is by means of the cam gear according to the invention possible, the passing between drums whose Angular position can differ significantly from 180 °, too realize. Advantageously, the cam mechanism as a multi-membered (or multi-jointed) gearbox educated.

The invention is based on the idea that the longitudinal axial Hub of an article on the invention Conveyor drum is changeable, so that the conveyor drum the tobacco processing industry easily to different Production conditions for the articles. This results in an advantageous flexibility reached the produced article or format. By the infinitely adjustable or adjustable cam gear is the longitudinal axial stroke of the article at one Spreader drum or a sliding drum individually adjusted and adjusted. By means of the infinitely adjustable Hubes will be a wide range of formats conveyed on the conveyor drum. The inventive Adjustability of the lifting means affects both the size of the stroke, i. the length as well as the end positions of the Stroke. This makes it possible with the same conveyor drum different lengths strokes according to the to carry out promotional articles. Due to the adjustability the stroke is the assembly effort and downtime a machine significantly reduced, since the hub easily adapt the conveyor drum according to the invention is without replacing parts on the conveyor drum Need to become.

In particular, the cam mechanism is by means of a Cam, one lever arm and one with the lever arm formed connected sliding element.

To perform different lengths of strokes is Cam mechanism at least with a Hubänderungsmittel Mistake.

Preferably, the Hubänderungsmittel means formed at least one lever arm.

Moreover, it is advantageous if at least one Lever length of the lever arm is changeable.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention proposed that a means for adjusting the Hubänderungsmittel is provided.

For this purpose, it is provided that the adjusting means as a setting ring is trained.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the lever arm movable is stored so that different lengths of strokes Change of leverage laws are executed.

In particular, the lever arm by means of at least one Rolling element, in particular a support roller, movable stored and / or by means of at least one other Rolling element, in particular a cam roller, drivable.

Further, when the lever arm rotatable with the sliding element connected, are different lengths of strokes Change in leverage laws easily adjusted.

The wear and the mechanical loads or Tensions in different components of the conveyor drum are lowered when the axis of rotation of the rolling element, in particular the support roller or the cam roller, axially parallel to the axis of rotation of the lever arm is guided. For this purpose, the cam roller rotational axis cuts the drum rotational axis or runs at a small distance at this past. In this way, permanently high conveying speeds can be achieved the conveyor drum according to the invention be achieved.

With changes in the stroke, i. when changing the gear ratios the lever arm, is a compensation device for the axis of rotation of the rolling element, in particular the support roller, provided so that the mechanical loads and stresses in the support roller and the role wear are reduced.

Advantageously, the compensation device by means of a guide device or a linkage educated.

To provide several cigarettes, for example, with the same stroke, The cigarettes are placed on a drum segment arranged, wherein advantageously the sliding element of the cam gear with a segment for the recordings the article is connected.

In addition, in a preferred development proposed the invention that the sliding element longitudinally axial with pressure, in particular by means of a compression spring, is applied, so that the cam roller daurhaft abuts the curved path.

Preferably, the conveyor drum is a sliding drum or spreading drum formed.

The object of the invention is further achieved by a Machine of the tobacco processing industry, with at least one inventive, described above Conveyor drum. The use of the conveyor drum is particularly suitable in cigarette making machines or filter-making machines, since in These machines preferred spreading drums and / or Sliding drums are available.

Fig. 1

eine Fördertrommel in schematisierter, perspektivischer Darstellung unter Weglassung unwesentlicher Elemente der Trommel;

Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b

jeweils eine Draufsicht auf die Fördertrommel (Fig. 1) in zwei verschiedenen Arbeitspositionen;

Fig. 3

eine alternative Anordnung von einem Hebel und Rollen;

Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b

schematisierte Querschnittsansichten des erfindungsgemäßen Kurvengetriebes bei unterschiedlichen Hebelverhältnissen;

Fig. 5

eine schematisierte Darstellung zur Kompensation der Stützrollenorientierung und

Fig. 6

ein alternatives Ausführungsbeispiel zur Kompensation der Stützrollenorientierung.

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and without limitation of the general inventive concept, with all the details of the invention not described in detail in the text is expressly made to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a conveyor drum in a schematic, perspective view, omitting nonessential elements of the drum;

Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b

each a plan view of the conveyor drum (Figure 1) in two different working positions.

Fig. 3

an alternative arrangement of a lever and rollers;

Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b

schematic cross-sectional views of the cam gear according to the invention at different lever ratios;

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of the compensation of the support roller orientation and

Fig. 6

an alternative embodiment for compensating the support roller orientation.

In the following drawings are the same or similar elements or parts with the same reference numerals provided so that of a corresponding will be refrained from showing again.

In Figure 1 is a perspective view a conveyor drum 10 with a cam gear 20th represented, wherein the representation of minor Components of the conveyor drum 10 was apart. to better representation was in each case only one copy of the essential elements shown.

The conveyor drum 10 carries on a rotary body a series of sliders 21 on which segments 14 are attached, each having a plurality of cigarettes 15th take up. From the o.g. For clarity in Fig. 1, only a slider 21 with the associated Segment 14 shown. Segment 14 with cigarettes 15 is longitudinally between two drum elements 11, 12 slidably arranged. During the longitudinal axial Promotion of the cigarette or the segment 14 rotates the conveyor drum 10 about its axis of rotation A.

In the following, the cam gear 20 will be described in detail described: The slider 21 is not by means of a illustrated compression spring on one side with a pressure D charged. At the other sliding end is the slider 21 connected to a rotatably mounted lever 22. Of the Lever 22 has one end in the lever 22 at one end rotatably mounted cam roller 25. The cam roller 25th runs on a curved path 26 of a cam. Out For clarity, the curved path 26 in Fig. 1 and the other figures only schematically as Line shown. The cam itself is fixed with a transmission housing 27 connected.

On the cam roller 25 side facing away from the lever 22, the lever 22 is supported against a support roller 24, which is rotatably mounted in a setting ring 30. Of the Adjustment ring 30 is clamped on the conveyor drum 10, so that during operation no relative movement between the conveyor drum 10 and the adjusting ring 30 is possible.

The slider 21 is using a, not shown here Pressure spring constantly loaded in the axial direction, so that the lever 22 is pressed against the support roller 24 and at the same time the cam roller 25 against the curved path 26 is pressed. As a result, the position of the lever arm 22nd and the slider 21 in each gear position of the Cam mechanism clearly defined.

Since the lever arm 22 is rotatably mounted on the slider 21 is, the slider 21 upon rotation of the conveyor drum 10 about its axis of rotation A due to the cam roller movement on the curved path 26 perform a lifting movement. The Lifting movement is in the longitudinal axial direction to the longitudinal axial aligned cigarettes 15 executed.

The movement of the slider 21 is determined by the stroke of Curved track 26 and by means of the support roller 24th Lever ratio set on the lever arm 22 to each other certainly. In a development not shown here the curved path is groove-shaped, so that the Cam roller in the groove on both sides of the cam track or the groove flanks is guided. This will be a exact guidance even at high speeds of the conveyor drum guaranteed.

FIGS. 2a and 2b each show a working position shown schematically in a plan view. By the rolling of the cam roller 25 on the line shown cam track 26 of the cam body 23 is during the rotation of the segment 14 a longitudinal axial Hub executed. By changing and setting the Leverage on the lever 22 by means of the adjusting ring 30, the stroke is varied.

The stroke can be varied in particular by the fact that the lever length between the pivot point of the axis of rotation of Lever arm 22 on slide 21 and the support point of the Support roller on the lever arm 22 is changed (see Fig .. 4a, 4b). In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2a and 2b, respectively is the axis of rotation of the lever 22 between the two roles of the lever arm 22 is formed.

In Fig. 3 is a variant of the lever-roller assembly shown schematically. The axis of rotation of the Lever arm 22 disposed at one end of the lever arm 22. The cam roller 25 is between the lever rotation axis and the support roller 24 is disposed and in connection with guided the cam. The support roller 24 comes at the Lever pivot axis opposite end of the lever to Edition. By varying the lever length by means of adjustment of the adjusting ring, becomes a different gear ratio the lever lengths a and b chosen so that for the same cam body different lengths strokes can be executed. The illustrated in Fig. 3 Variant in the arrangement of the rollers 24, 25 leads to another force distribution of the acting forces.

In particular, this arrangement has the advantage that a high wear resistance is achieved.

In Figures 4a and 4b are two different settings of the cam gear in cross-sectional views shown schematically. In Fig. 4b is the adjustment ring 30 and also mounted therein support roller 24 to a predetermined angle, in the present case about 15 °, im Clockwise with respect to that shown in Fig. 4a Setting twisted. The lever distance a is through the Rotation of the adjusting ring 30 has been shortened. By the shortening of the lever distance a at constant Lever distance b, the stroke of the segment 14 is changed, so that by changing the gear ratio on the lever arm 22, the stroke of the segment 14 is changed. For the change of the segment stroke it is only required, the clamping of the adjusting ring 30 on the To solve conveyor drum 10 and the adjusting ring 30 relative to rotate to the conveyor drum 10. After twisting the adjusting ring 30 is again on the drum 10th clamped.

In the embodiments shown are to be adjusted Parts or support rollers mounted in the adjusting ring 30. This is clamped on the drum body 11, in which also all slides are stored. As part of the Invention, it is of course possible that each Segment of the conveyor drum connected to a slider is such that all segments execute strokes. Furthermore is at two mutually parallel segments on the conveyor drum on each side of the conveyor drum a stroke adjustment by means of a cam gear educated. Alternatively, the start of several parallel arranged segments with several Cam gears from one side of the conveyor drum respectively. Then the associated sliders move, Levers, cam rollers etc. at different radii the drum axis A.

The illustrated embodiments require a very little adjustment effort. For example, through the release of two clamping screws of the adjustment solved and after turning the adjusting ring through Tighten the screws to be clamped. The attitude of the adjusting ring or the strokes can be stepless respectively.

The illustrations in Fig. 4a and 4b show that with the Turning the adjusting ring 30 also a change in orientation the support roller 24 is connected. In order to the lever arm 22 friction and wear support the support roller 24 and roll on this can, it is necessary that the lever rotation axis 28 and the support roller rotation axis always parallel to each other are directed. When changing or twisting the Adjustment ring 30, on which the support roller 24 is arranged It is necessary that by twisting the Adjustment ring 30 associated orientation change of Support roller 24 to compensate.

In Fig. 5, the principle of compensation of the rotation the support roller 24 in a schematic Illustration shown. The adjusting ring 30 is made of a Position I by the angle α in the dashed lines Position II turned. One with the support roller pickup connected guide arm 31 has a pin 32nd on, which is guided in a groove 33 of the conveyor drum 10 becomes. Upon rotation of the adjusting ring 30 relative to Conveying drum 10 causes the groove 33 in the drum a constant orientation of the support roller 24. The Rotary axes of the support roller 24 in the position I and the Position II remain aligned parallel to each other. In addition, the center of the support roller 24 remains on a predetermined radius of the adjusting ring 30th

In Fig. 6 is an alternative embodiment for compensation the orientation of the support roller during rotation of the Adjusting ring 30 shown. The compensation of Support roller orientation is by means of a multi-membered Coupling gear 35 realized. This points that Coupling gear 35 guide arms 36, 37, so that the Rotation axis of the support roller 24 in the position I parallel to the axis of rotation of the support roller 24 in the dashed line position II remains.

It is by the object of the present invention possible, the hub of segments of a spreading or Sliding drum by turning an adjusting ring infinitely variable to the desired filter format adjust without replacing the cam body must become. This will increase the format flexibility reached. By using a cam gear is It also makes it possible to protect the promoted items gently handle, with flexible transfer angles are possible. In addition, the cam mechanism requires little space.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

conveyor drum

11

drum member

12

drum member

14

segment

15

Cigarette

20

cam gear

21

pusher

22

lever arm

23

cam

24

supporting role

25

follower

26

cam track

27

gearbox

28

Lever pivot axis

30

adjustment

31

guide

32

pen

33

groove

35

coupling gear

36

guide

37

guide

A

axis of rotation

D

print

a

lever length

b

Lever length I position I

II

Position II

α

angle

Claims (17)

1. Conveyor drum (10) for articles of the tobacco-processing industry (15) comprising a lifting means (20) for articles (15), which are aligned longitudinally axially relative to one another and conveyed in at least one row transversely axially to the conveyor drum (10), characterized in that as lifting means (20) a cam gear (20) with an adjustable lift is provided.
2. Conveyor drum 10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cam gear (20) is formed by means of a cam body (23), a lever arm (22) and a sliding element (21) connected to the lever arm (23).
3. Conveyor drum (10) according to claim 1 to 2, characterized in that the cam gear (20) is provided with at least one lift-varying means (22).
4. Conveyor drum (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the lift-varying means (22) is formed by means of at least one lever arm (22).
5. Conveyor drum (10) according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that at least one lever length (a, b) of the lever arm (22) is variable.
6. Conveyor drum (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a setting means (30) for the lift-varying means (22) is provided.
7. Conveyor drum (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the setting means (30) takes the form of a setting ring (30).
8. Conveyor drum (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lever arm (22) is movably supported.
9. Conveyor drum (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the lever arm (22) is movably supported by means of at least one roller element (24, 25), in particular a support roller (24), and/or is drivable by means of at least one further roller element, in particular a cam roller (25).
10. Conveyor drum (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the lever arm (22) is rotatably connected to the sliding element (21).
11. Conveyor drum (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the axis of rotation of the roller element (24, 25), in particular of a support roller (24) or a cam roller (25), extends paraxially relative to the axis of rotation of the lever arm (22).
12. Conveyor drum (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a compensation device (31, 32, 33; 35) is provided for the axis of rotation of the roller element (24), in particular support roller (24).
13. Conveyor drum (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the compensation device (31, 32, 33; 35) is formed by means of a guide device (31, 32, 33) or a coupler mechanism (35).
14. Conveyor drum (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the sliding element (21) is connected to a segment (14) for receivers of the articles (15).
15. Conveyor drum (10) according to one or more of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that the sliding element (21) is loaded with longitudinal axial pressure, in particular by means of a compression spring.
16. Conveyor drum (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the conveyor drum (10) takes the form of a sliding drum or spreading drum.
17. Machine of the tobacco-processing industry comprising at least one conveyor drum (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 16.

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