EP1492422B1 - Device for dividing a continuous sequence of articles and corresponding method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dividing a continuous sequence of articles (12), especially of the tobacco-processing industry, especially cigarettes. Said device comprises an especially continuous conveying device (10) with a plurality of receptacles (13) for receiving a sequence of articles (12) and at least two take-off conveyors (14) downstream of the conveying device (10) for taking off parts (17) from the continuous sequence of articles (12). The invention further relates to a method for adjusting the position of at least one take-off conveyor (14) which is mounted downstream of an especially continuous conveying device (10) for conveying a continuous sequence of articles (12) and which is used to take off parts from the sequence of articles (12). A number n of articles (12) is taken off from the sequence by means of at least two take-off conveyors (14) to be inserted into one pouch (22) each of a collecting conveyor (19), whereby the number n of articles (12) defines the length of a block. The inventive device is characterized in that the at least two take-off conveyors (14) are spaced from each other by a distance that is variable and adjustable. The inventive method is characterized in that the center distance (40) of the at least two take-off conveyors (14) corresponds to an integer multiple of the two-fold block length plus or minus the number of articles (12) to be taken off by the take-off conveyor (14) whose position is adjusted.

Description

The invention relates to a device for dividing a continuous series of articles, in particular the tobacco-processing industry, in particular of cigarettes, with a particular endless conveyor, on which the sequence of articles is arranged, and with at least two subordinate to the conveyor removal conveyors for removing parts the consecutive series of articles. The invention further relates to a method for adjusting the position of at least one particular endless conveyor for conveying a continuous series of articles downstream take-off conveyor, are removed by means of parts of the sequence of articles, wherein a number n of articles for insertion into a respective pocket of a collecting conveyor be removed from the sequence by means of at least two pickup conveyor and wherein the number n of articles defines a block length.

A corresponding device is known from DE-OS 1 632 205, which corresponds to US 3,603,445 known. From this document various methods and devices are known, by means of which blocks of cigarettes from a consecutive series of cigarettes are assembled and can be converted into corresponding pockets of a pocket conveyor. Here, the consecutive series of cigarettes should be taken without gaps to form blocks of cigarettes.

It is desired to design corresponding devices and methods for dividing a continuous sequence of articles or for blocking articles of the tobacco processing industry in such a way that it is possible to change the packaging format, ie the number of cigarettes per package. This is in accordance with the facilities and procedures. The prior art only associated with a considerable effort.

In the case of DE-OS 1 632 205, for example, the counting drum, which is designated by the reference numerals 402 to 404 in FIG. 9, continuously runs at the same circumferential speed as the feed conveyor (reference numeral 401). The positions of the layers to be removed is determined by the distances between the counting drums and the relative angles of rotation. However, these parameters also determine the transfer times to the block conveyor. If a format adjustment is necessary, the distances of the block pockets must be changed, which is a considerable amount of time.

In contrast, the task of further developing the generic device and the generic method such that the switching to another packaging format, in particular starting from a previously used packaging format, can be made as simple as possible, in particular minimizing the time and the mechanical complexity as possible should be. It is another object of the invention to provide a simple and fast to implement block cigarettes from a continuous To allow episode of cigarettes.

This object is achieved by a device for dividing a continuous series of articles, in particular the tobacco processing industry, in particular cigarettes, with a particular endless conveyor, comprising a plurality of receptacles for receiving the sequence of articles, and at least two downstream of the conveyor Picking conveyors for picking up parts of the continuous train of articles, which is further developed by the pickup conveyors being non-uniform or intermittently drivable. As a result, a particularly simple position synchronization is given when switching from one package size to the next pack size.

In this way, a decoupling of the time points of the decrease of a layer from the feed conveyor or from the conveyor and the delivery of the layer to a collecting conveyor made in that the pickup conveyor, preferably the counting conveyors, in particular the Zähltrommeln are driven non-uniformly. Within each cycle, each counting drum or each pickup conveyor is accelerated from standstill, being synchronized to the desired position of the position, which means in the embodiment of cigarettes as a continuous sequence of articles that, for example, about a synchronization to +/- 5 Cigarettes take place. Thereafter, the take-off conveyor or the take-off conveyor is stopped again as soon as the next layer segment of the counting drum or the take-off conveyor is in the transfer position on the collecting conveyor or block conveyor.

For transferring the accommodated position of cigarettes, each pickup conveyor with corresponding receptacles in which the cigarettes are located, from a lower position to an upper position rotates where the respective pickup conveyor is stopped, in a position in which the products located in the receptacles are aligned with a bag located on the collecting conveyor. The articles and in particular cigarettes are then introduced into the pockets of the collecting conveyor at standstill of the collecting conveyor and at standstill of the removal conveyor in the longitudinal axial direction of the articles or cigarettes. For this purpose, further explanations are given below.

When changing the package format, the corresponding pickup conveyor must be moved or adjusted only to another position. If there are two collecting conveyors or block forming units for a two-lane packing machine, preferably one of the units is displaced relative to the particularly endless conveying means such that the necessary change of the synchronization is minimal. This is, for example, as described above, the case when the distance is as described above. A particularly simple synchronization is given when the transfer point to a further block conveyor is kept constant by the displacement of a collecting conveyor by a collecting conveyor is moved only halfway compared to the travel of belonging to this Blockblldeelnheit counting drum or the associated removal conveyor ,

When changing the package format, it is also advantageous if the number of removable by at least one counting conveyor article can be specified. A particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is given when the or each counting conveyor is a counting drum, which has at least one segment, each having a plurality of receptacles for removing the articles from the sequence, wherein an odd number of segments is provided.

Preferably, the at least two removal conveyor at a distance from each other, which is variable and adjustable.

By means of this further development of the generic device, it is possible to set the removal conveyor to other positions only when changing the packing format without adjusting or varying the positions of pockets of a collecting conveyor to which the corresponding removed parts of the continuous series of articles are fed would have to be.

The articles, in particular cigarettes, are preferably located on the receptacles of the particular endless conveyor. In this case, openings can be provided in the receptacles by means of which suction air can act on the articles. It can also be provided mechanical elements for opening or closing the recordings. Preferably, the receptacles are wells.

If at least two groups of acceptance conveyors are provided, whose distance from each other is variable and adjustable, a particularly quick and effective division of the articles is possible. Preferably, if each group comprises three pickup conveyors, three-layered blocks of articles are easily divisible or formable. Preferably, the removal conveyor counting conveyor and in particular preferably Zähltrommein. By means of these counting conveyors, it is possible in a simple manner to take different lengths of parts of the consecutive series of articles or different numbers of articles in a continuous sequence, so that the change from one package size to the next package size is even easier.

Preferably, at least one accumulation conveyor is provided, in or on which the parts of the string removed by the pickup conveyors are collectable. By this preferred embodiment of the invention, it is possible in a simple manner, in particular to form blocks. If a collecting conveyor is preferably provided for each group, a particularly effective and rapid division of the consecutive sequence of articles is given. It is then particularly preferably possible to simultaneously transfer two or more blocks into a pocket conveyor.

Preferably, a pocket conveyor is provided, wherein the collected parts of the sequence can be transferred in the form of a block, in particular of the at least one collecting conveyor on the pocket conveyor. In the event that the articles are cigarettes, this is a particularly effective transfer to two-lane cigarette packaging machines possible.

Preferably, the number of removable from the at least one counting conveyor article can be specified. This is preferably done by entering in a keyboard of a control device to the device according to the invention. If, for example cigarette packs are to be made from blocks of 19 cigarettes, which should be two-ply, it is possible to enter the number 19 in a keyboard, after which then one of the counting conveyor takes 9 items and a second conveyor 10 items. However, other sizes of the layers may be specified accordingly. This can also be transmitted via a keyboard to a control system.

Preferably, if the or each counting conveyor is a counting drum having at least one segment with a plurality of receptacles each for taking the articles from the sequence with an odd number of segments, one is particular Quick distribution of articles from the sequential series possible. If preferably at least one pickup conveyor or a group of pickup conveyors is arranged on a movable carrier element, a change from one pack size to another pack size is possible even faster.

Preferably, at least one accumulation conveyor is arranged on a movable carrier element, which further simplifies the adjustment work or adjustments in the transition from one pack size to another pack size. Preferably, the at least one collecting conveyor is detachably fixable connected to the movable support member.

Preferably, the center distance of the pickup conveyors or of two predeterminable pickup conveyors or the group of pickup conveyors is as large as an integer multiple of twice the block length, the block length being a distance corresponding to the removal of the outermost picks of the number m of articles on the conveyance which are needed to form a block in a pocket plus or minus the removal of the outermost receptacles used to receive the articles to be removed by the at least one pickup conveyor.

By means of this preferred embodiment of the invention, it is possible to divide all articles of the consecutive series of articles without substantial expenditures, so that no article, for example, remains on the conveyor. In the context of the invention, m is a natural number and corresponds to the number of articles in one Block. Preferably, the significant distance is the pitch between the middle counting drums of two groups of counting drums. The center distance is, in particular, the distance from an axis of rotation of a counting drum to the axis of rotation the other counting drum.

The object is also achieved by a method for assembling rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular of cigarettes, in particular for forming blocks of these articles, wherein taken from a continuously fed sequence of articles a number of n particular successive articles by means of at least one pickup conveyor in which the articles are conveyed into the effective region of at least one pocket of a collecting conveyor by means of the at least one removal conveyor, and subsequently the n articles are dispensed into the at least one pocket, the method being further developed in that the movement of the removal conveyor is nonuniform or is intermittent.

By the non-uniform or intermittent movement of the take-off conveyor or the at least one take-off conveyor, it is possible to convert a continuous movement into a discontinuous movement, so that layers can be taken from the continuous series of articles provided, for example, for forming blocks of these articles are, the blocks are then clocked or intermittently or discontinuously promoted. The movement of the pickup conveyor is achieved by a non-uniform or intermittent drive of the or, the pickup conveyor.

When the at least one pickup conveyor is synchronized to the speed of the sequence of articles for the removal of the n articles from the continuously fed sequence of articles, a secured acceptance of the articles from the continuously fed sequence is possible. To deliver the n articles into the at least one pocket, the at least one removal conveyor is preferably axially aligned with the at least one bag stopped, so that the articles can be pushed axially into the pocket. If it is preferable to provide a group of pickup conveyors each to form a block, it is possible to simultaneously produce a plurality of blocks. In this case, only one pickup conveyor can be provided per group of pickup conveyors. If at least two pickup conveyors are provided per group, which are synchronized differently, it is possible to provide at least two layers per block. The natural number n can vary in size per location.

A particularly simple adaptation of the block size or the number of articles per block or the number of articles per layer in a block is given when the distance between the groups is changed. In this case, it is not necessary to change the distance of the pockets on the accumulation conveyor or the pocket conveyor, whereby a quick adaptation to different block or layer sizes is possible. If only two groups are provided, it is only necessary to move one group, with the transfer locations not having to be changed from the accumulation conveyor being moved to another pocket conveyor.

If, by means of controllable suction air, a prescribable number of articles are fixed in each intake conveyor by the continuous series of articles in the effective range of a bag of a collecting conveyor, a particularly simple adaptability to the number of articles per block or per layer is possible , A control by means of suction air is known per se to those skilled in the art. For this purpose, at least one suction air opening per intake is provided, into which suction air can be emptied, in order to hold the corresponding articles by negative pressure. For recording is sucked in accordance with suction or air through these openings. For delivery, the suction air supply is interrupted. For this purpose, mechanical closure elements may be provided or else the entire intake air supply may be interrupted for a segment of recordings. Preferably, the promotion of the article happens by means of the pickup conveyor upwards, in particular, preferably a transverse axial promotion is provided.

Preferably, the inventive method is further developed in that for adjusting the position of at least one particular endless conveyor for promoting a continuous series of articles downstream pickup conveyor, are removed by means of parts of the sequence of articles, wherein a number m of articles for introduction into in each case one pocket of a collecting conveyor is removed from the sequence by means of at least two removal conveyors and wherein the number m of articles defines a block length which corresponds to the spacing of m juxtaposed receivers on the conveyor, wherein the center distance of the at least two removal conveyors is an integer multiple of twice Block length plus or minus the number of articles to be accepted by the pickup conveyor whose position is set.

In the context of this invention, block length means, in particular, the length or the path taken by a corresponding number of cigarettes on the conveying means or the removal of the outermost receptacles into which the number of cigarettes can be introduced on the endless conveying means. If this is an endless conveyor with corresponding troughs arranged at equidistant intervals, the block length is the distance of the troughs multiplied by the number of troughs required for the cigarettes less a trough. In the context of this invention m and n are a natural number.

Preferably, a contiguous portion of the sequence of articles is removed so that no article remains on the conveyor. Preferably, two groups are provided, each with three removal conveyors, being used as the relevant center distance of the center distance of the respective middle pickup conveyor. By means of this preferred embodiment of the method, it is particularly easy to form two blocks in parallel, each with three layers of cigarettes.

Preferably, to adjust the position from a first block length to a second block length, the position of transferring a collected block from the accumulation conveyor to a pocket conveyor remains constant, whereas the element carrying the accumulation conveyor is displaced half as much as that associated with the removal conveyor associated group of acceptance conveyors.

Preferably, when a method for blocking articles of the tobacco processing industry is provided, wherein a part of the sequence of articles is removed from a continuous sequence of articles by means of at least one pickup conveyor and transferred to a block, further wherein the at least one pickup conveyor is at least one endless conveyor , which is driven non-uniformly or intermittently, a particularly simple synchronization to changed package sizes is possible. In particular, there is a decoupling of the times of acceptance of a layer from the feed conveyor and the delivery of the layer to a collecting conveyor.

Preferably, the at least one removal conveyor is in each case a counting drum. Further preferably, the at least one pickup conveyor to the sequence of articles and / or a block image unit, which in particular comprises a collection conveyor, which in particular has bags for blocking, synchronized.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht eines Teiles einer Zigarettenpackmaschine mit einer Einrichtung zum Bilden von Zigarettenblöcken,

Fig. 2a) bis 2c)

einen Ausschnitt aus der Fig. 1 gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel, bei der im fortlaufenden Verfahrensstadium eine Lage von 6 Zigaretten in eine Tasche überführt wird,

Fig. 3a) bis 3c)

einen Ausschnitt aus Fig. 1 gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel, bei der eine Lage von 7 Zigaretten in eine Tasche eines 1. Taschenförderers überführt wird,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung der Positionen von entsprechenden Zähltrommeln im Verhältnis zu einem Zuförderer-Förderband für unterschiedliche Blocklängen,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts aus Fig. 1 gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel, bei der eine Lage von 7 Zigaretten in eine Tasche eines ersten Taschenförderers oder eines zweiten Taschenförderers überführt wird, wobei die Überführungselemente zur besseren Veranschaulichung in einer beabstandeten Lage dargestellt sind, und

Fig. 6

in einer schematischen Darstellung ein Block von Zigaretten in einer längsaxialen Betrachtungsrichtung.

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive concept by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings, which is expressly referred to in the rest with respect to all unspecified in the text details of the invention. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of a portion of a cigarette packaging machine with a device for forming cigarette blocks,

Fig. 2a) to 2c)

1 shows a detail of FIG. 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment, in which a layer of 6 cigarettes is transferred into a pocket in the continuous method stage,

Fig. 3a) to 3c)

1 shows a detail of FIG. 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment, in which a layer of 7 cigarettes is transferred into a pocket of a first pocket conveyor, FIG.

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of the positions of corresponding Zähltrommeln in relation to a feed conveyor belt for different block lengths,

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of a detail of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment, in which a layer of 7 cigarettes in a pocket of a first pocket conveyor or a second pocket conveyor, wherein the transfer elements are shown for better illustration in a spaced position, and

Fig. 6

in a schematic representation of a block of cigarettes in a longitudinal axial viewing direction.

In the following figures, the same reference numerals have been used for similar elements, so that a new idea is omitted.

1 shows a part of a packaging machine for packaging cigarettes according to a first embodiment of the invention in a schematic side view. An endless stream of cigarettes 12 in the form of a cigarette sequence 50 is fed to a feed belt 10 by means of a feed drum 11, in which the cigarettes are deposited in corresponding troughs. Also on the feed belt 10 wells 13 are shown, but only in the upper area. Also in the lower area hollows should be present. However, these are not shown in FIG. From the gapless single-ply cigarette stream, cigarettes 12 are transferred layer by layer cigarettes 12 into two clocked pocket conveyors 19 and 20 by intermittently or uniformly running counting drums 14 to form pack blocks or cigarette blocks 52 for packaging in a two-lane packing machine from the continuously running feed conveyor, namely the feed belt 10 where they are put together into blocks 52. In this case, the cigarettes are introduced into depressions 15 of the counting drums 14, whereby depending on the size of the pack a differently sized portion 17 of the cigarette sequence 50 is removed.

The counting drums 14 have layer segments 16 which in this embodiment could theoretically receive a sequence or a part of the sequence of a maximum of 9 cigarettes. The arrows, which are shown on the Zähltrommeln 14, to indicate the direction of movement and that they are moved intermittently. In the course of the movement phase, a corresponding layer segment 16 is synchronized with the conveyance of the cigarette stream on the conveyor belt 10 for the removal of a portion 17 of the cigarette sequence from the gapless single-layer cigarette stream. It is then, for example, given suction air to those wells, in which the cigarettes are to be included.

The feeding belt 10 conveys the cigarette stream, for example, continuously. After the removal of the part 17 of the cigarette sequence, the ply segments 16 of the counting drums 14 are transferred into the region of a few pockets 22 of the first pocket conveyor 19 and the second pocket conveyor 20. Arrived in this position, the rotational movement of the respective counting drum 14 is stopped and by means of a lifter 27, 27 ", 27 '' 'the cigarettes are conveyed to the desired height and then by means of a plunger (see Fig. 5) in the bag The conveyor belt 34 of the first pocket conveyor 19 and the second pocket conveyor 20 is moved via a respective deflection roller 24, which is driven, and otherwise passes over a further deflection roller 25th

In a first transfer point 28 and a second transfer point 29, the finished shaped blocks of cigarettes are transferred longitudinally into pockets 23 of a third pocket conveyor 21. The conveying movement of the first pocket conveyor 19, the second pocket conveyor 20 and the third pocket conveyor 21 is in the direction the arrows shown on the pulleys 24 and discontinuously. In this embodiment, the movement of the first pocket conveyor and the second pocket conveyor is intermittent with step lengths corresponding to the simple distance of the pockets 22 disposed on the conveyor 34, ie, there is a respective intermittent conveyance in a length of one pitch. The promotion of the blocks on the third pocket conveyor 21 is done with twice the distance of the pockets 23 on the third pocket conveyor 21 and a double division. At the transfer station 30 two blocks of cigarettes for further packaging are passed on a twin-lane packing machine.

An important criterion for the acceptance of a packaging machine on the market Is the possibility to easily change the packaging format, ie the number of cigarettes per package. Reference is made in particular to the aforementioned DE-OS 1 632 205, the disclosure of which is to be incorporated by reference into this application.

In a format adjustment acc. DE-OS 1 632 205 it is necessary to change the distances of the block pockets, which is a considerable expense. Gem. According to the invention. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the time points of the decrease of a layer from the feed conveyor and the delivery of the layer to the block conveyor are decoupled that the counting drums are driven non-uniformly. Within one cycle, each counting drum is accelerated from standstill, while synchronized to the desired position of the position to be removed and stopped again when the next layer segment of the counting drum is in the transfer position to the block conveyor. It is preferred that the counting drum only an odd number of layer segments 16th have, so that they do not collide at standstill of the counting drum 14 upon transfer of a portion 17 of the cigarette sequence In a bag 22 with other cigarettes, which are located on the feed belt 10.

If one now wants to change the packing format, it is only necessary to synchronize the counting drums 14 to other positions. For this purpose, in the case of two block image units, as shown in FIG. 1, in the case of a two-lane packing machine, one of the units is displaced relative to the feed conveyor such that the necessary change in the synchronization is minimal. For this purpose, a first movable support 18, on which the counting drums 14 of a first group 47 'are arranged, is preferably provided, and a second movable support 26, on which the drums 24 and 25 of the first pocket conveyor 19 are arranged. The group 47 of counting drums 14 and the second pocket conveyor 20 may then remain in their position. A particularly simple adjustment or change of the device according to the invention to a new package size is given when the position of the pocket 22 in the transfer position 28 remains constant, whereas the guide roller 24 and the guide roller 25 is moved halfway to the left or right A correct adjustment is given when the distance of the middle or other counting drums of the two block image units is an integer multiple of twice the block length plus or minus the length of the layers to be taken from these drums. In FIG. 4, these distances or the respective synchronizations are indicated schematically for two different distances 40. In the upper case of Fig. 4, the block length is n = 20, and in the lower case, the block length n = 25. That is, in the upper case, blocks of 20 cigarettes are formed, and in the lower case blocks of 25 cigarettes are formed. The corresponding parts 17 of the cigarette series, which are indicated on the conveyor belt 34 are in the first case 6 cigarettes (s) and 7 cigarettes (r) and in the second case 9 cigarettes (x) and 8 cigarettes (m). Corresponding parts 17 of the cigarette sequence are still present at the hatched areas, whereas the places which are not hatched indicate a removed position 43.

A first part 41 of the sequence is taken from the counting drums 14, which are indicated on the right in FIG. 4, and a second part 42 from the counting drums 14, which are indicated on the left. The counting drums 14 each have a layer segment 16 of a maximum of 9 wells for cigarettes. In Fig. 4 also parts 17 of the cigarette sequence are shown, at the point where they are arranged in the layer segment 16 of the respective counting drum 14. Thus, for example, in the layer segment 16, a part 17 of the cigarette sequence is shown exactly in the center of the counting drum 14 at the top left in FIG. The counting drum, to the right of it, has a subset of 6 cigarettes, with two troughs left and one trough to the right of them. In the lower example, the counting drum 14 has on the left a part 17 of the cigarette sequence, which is arranged on the left in the layer segment 16, whereby 8 cigarettes can be accommodated and a trough on the right remains free. In the counting drum, which is located to the right of the leftmost Zähltrommel below, all troughs are filled.

The distance 40 of the centers, the respective average Zähltrommein 14 is in the upper case 127 cigarettes, which corresponds to 3 x (2 n) + 7 (n = 20). In the lower case, the distance is 109 cigarettes, which is 2 x (2 n) + 9 (n = 25). Here, the drum center is the reference point. The bars leading to the indicated ply segments 16 from the counting drums 14 indicate to what extent in relation to the above example to the lower example With the counting drum at the bottom left, a leading synchronization or assignment of four cigarettes takes place, the counting drum arranged to the right is synchronized, one cigarette at a time, and the counter drum arranged further to the right is followed by 8 cigarettes synchronized, the counting drum arranged to the right is advanced by 7 cigarettes, the subsequent counting drum is synchronized neither before nor after lagging and the rightmost counting drum is synchronized by 5 cigarettes nacheilend. The spacing of the counting drums from a group of counting drums remains constant in this embodiment.

In FIGS. 2 a) to 2 c), the transfer of a part 17 of the series of cigarettes 12 to a pocket 22 of the conveyor belt 34 is shown in greater detail. In Fig. 2a), the state is shown in which there is no overlap of the cigarette sequence and the bag prevails. In Fig. 2b) there is almost a corresponding overlap. In this embodiment, a lift 27 has been moved upwards. This lifter takes the cigarettes 12, wherein by means of a nose 33, the two cigarettes arranged on the left are separated somewhat spatially from the cigarettes arranged on the right. To lift 27 an abutment 31 is provided. In Fig. 2c) there is a corresponding overlap between the group of cigarettes or a cigarette layer 51 and the pocket. The overlap of the cigarette layer 51 with the pocket means that the cigarette layer is axially aligned with the position in the pocket in which the cigarette layer 51 is to be inserted.

By means of the slide 32, the cigarettes are pulled further apart, so that a filling of the bag with the placeholder 36 is possible. Below, the cigarettes are then replaced by a not shown in Figures 2a) to 2c) and 3a) to 3c), acting perpendicular to the plane plunger 44 (see Fig. 5) transferred into the bag.

In FIGS. 3 a) to 3 c), a corresponding transition or a corresponding transfer is shown, although in this example not 6 cigarettes but 7 cigarettes are transferred. In this embodiment, by means of the slide 32, 32 ', the cigarette group or cigarette layer 51 is printed together just before the transition or handover, so that it can be inserted into the bag. In order to form corresponding blocks of cigarettes, the respective groups of cigarettes or cigarette layers are moved correspondingly higher in relation to the respective pocket on further counting drums, which are shown for example in FIG. 1, in particular by means of the slide 27. so that a layer-by-layer filling of the bag is possible.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the transfer of cigarette layers 51 from the cigarette sequence 50 into a pocket 22. The arrows show the directions of movement. Cigarettes 12 are conveyed continuously into receiving troughs, which are not shown, on a conveyor belt 10 in the effective range of a counting drum 14. On the counting drum 14, which is also shown only schematically in Figure 5, the cigarettes 12 are received in the corresponding receptacles, which are not shown to simplify the drawing, and held accordingly, for example. By suction. After transferring a cigarette layer 51 or in this example of 7 consecutive cigarettes 12 in the upper position of the counting drum 14 they are conveyed by means of a lift 27 upwards, against an abutment 31. Subsequently, the position of the cigarette by means of a left adjusting element 45th and a right adjusting element 46 whose width of movement is controllable, pushed together in a transverse axial direction, to be subsequently transferred by means of a plunger 44 longitudinal axial in a pocket 22. In forming a block of two cigarette layers 51, this process step is carried out twice, with the second layer being introduced slightly above the first layer.

FIG. 6 schematically shows, in a longitudinal-axial view, a block 52 of cigarettes 12, the block 52 comprising three cigarette layers 51.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Feed belt r = 7 cigarettes

11

Feeding drum s = 6 cigarettes

12

Cigarette m = 8 cigarettes

13

Trough x = 9 cigarettes

14

counts drums

15

trough

16

Worth segment

17

Part of the cigarette series

18

1. mobile carrier

19

1. Pocket conveyor

20

2. Pocket conveyor

21

3. Pocket conveyor

22

Bag (from the 1st or 2nd pocket conveyor)

23

Bag (from the 3rd pocket conveyor)

24

idler pulley

25

idler pulley

26

2. mobile carrier

27, 27 ', 27 "

lifter

28

1st transfer point

29

2nd transfer point

30

Transfer station

31

thrust bearing

32, 32 '

pusher

33

nose

34

conveyor belt

35

trough

36

placeholder

40

distance

41

1st part position

42

2. Talliage

43

removed location

44

tappet

45

left adjusting element

46

right adjusting element

47, 47 '

Group of Taming Drums

50

cigarette result

51

cigarette rest

52

cigarette block

Claims (26)

1. Apparatus for dividing a continuous succession (50) of articles (12), in particular of the tobacco-processing industry, in particular cigarettes (12), having an in particular endless conveying means (10) comprising a plurality of receptacles (13) for receiving the succession (50) of articles (12) and having at least two take-off conveyors (14), arranged downstream of the conveying means (10), for taking off parts (17) of the continuous succession (50) of articles (12), characterised in that the take-off conveyors (14) are drivable non-uniformly or intermittently.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised in that the at least two take-off conveyors (14) have a spacing from one another which is variable and adjustable.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least two groups (47, 47') of take-off conveyors (14) are provided, of which the spacing (40) with respect to one another is variable and adjustable.
4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterised in that each group (47, 47') comprises three take-off conveyors (14).
5. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that at least one collecting conveyor (19, 20) is provided, in which or on which those parts (17) of the succession (50) taken off by the take-off conveyors (14) are collectable.
6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, characterised in that one collecting conveyor (19, 20) is provided per group.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, characterised in that a pocket conveyor (21) is provided, the collected parts (17) of the succession (50) being transferable in the form of a block.
8. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that at least one take-off conveyor (14) or a group (47, 47') of take-off conveyors (14) is arranged on a movable support element (18).
9. Apparatus according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterised in that at least one collecting conveyor (19, 20) is arranged on a movable support element (26).
10. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the centre distance (40) of the take-off conveyors (14) or of the group (47, 47') of take-off conveyors (14) is an integral multiple of twice a block length, the block length being a distance which corresponds to the distance between the outermost neighbouring receptacles on the conveying means (10) which serve to receive m articles for the formation of a block in a pocket (22) of a collecting conveyor (19, 20), plus or minus the distance between the outermost receptacles (13) which serve to receive the articles (12) to be taken off by the at least one take-off conveyor (14).
11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, characterised in that the determining distance (40) is the centre distance between the central counting drums (14) of two groups (47, 47') of counting drums (14).
12. Apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the take-off conveyors (14) are counting conveyors, in particular counting drums.
13. Apparatus according to Claim 12, characterised in that the number of articles (12) removable by the at least one counting conveyor (14) is predeterminable.
14. Apparatus according to Claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the or each counting conveyor (14) is a counting drum which has at least one segment (16) with in each case a plurality of receptacles for taking off the articles (12) from the succession (50), an odd number of segments (16) being provided.
15. Method for bringing together rod-shaped articles (12) of the tobacco-processing industry, in particular cigarettes, in particular for forming blocks (52) of these articles (12), in which method a number of n in particular successive articles (12) are removed from a continuously supplied succession (50) of articles (12) by means of at least one take-off conveyor (14), the n articles (12) are conveyed by means of the at least one take-off conveyor (14) into the working region of at least one pocket (22) of a collecting conveyor (19, 20), and then the n articles (12) are delivered into the at least one pocket (22), characterised in that the movement of the take-off conveyor (14) is non-uniform and/or intermittent.
16. Method according to Claim 15, characterised in that, to remove the n articles (12) from the continuously supplied succession (50) of articles (12), the at least one take-off conveyor (14) is synchronised with the speed of the succession (50) of articles (12).
17. Method according to Claim 15 or 16, characterised in that, to deliver the n articles (12) into the at least one pocket (22), the at least one take-off conveyor (14) is stopped axially in line with the at least one pocket (22).
18. Method according to one of Claims 15 to 17, characterised in that in each case one group (47, 47') of take-off conveyors (14) is provided for the formation of a block (52).
19. Method according to Claim 18, characterised in that per group (47, 47') at least two take-off conveyors (14) are provided, which are differently synchronised.
20. Method according to Claim 18 or 19, characterised in that, to vary the number of articles (12) per block (52) or to vary the number of articles (12) per layer (51) in a block (52), the distance between the groups (47, 47') is altered.
21. Method according to one of Claims 15 to 20, characterised in that a predeterminable number of articles (12) are fixed in receptacles (15) by means of each take-off conveyor (14) by controllable suction air during the conveyance of the continuous succession (50) of articles (12) into the working region of a pocket (22) of a collecting conveyor (19, 20).
22. Method according to one of Claims 15 to 21, characterised in that the conveyance of the articles (12) by means of the take-off conveyors (14) takes place upwardly.
23. Method according to one of Claims 15 to 22, characterised in that, to adjust the position of at least one take-off conveyor (14) which is arranged downstream of an in particular endless conveying means (10) for conveying a continuous succession (50) of articles (12) and by means of which parts of the succession (50) of articles (12) are taken off, a number m of articles (12) for introducing into in each case one pocket (22) of a collecting conveyor (19) being taken off from the succession (50) by means of at least two take-off conveyors (14) and the number m of articles (12) defining a block length which corresponds to the distance of m receptacles lying side by side on the conveying means, the centre distance (40) of the at least two take-off conveyors (14) corresponds to an integral multiple of twice the block length plus or minus the number of articles (12) to be taken off by the take-off conveyor (14) whose position is being adjusted.
24. Method according to Claim 23, characterised in that a continuous part of the succession (50) of articles (12) is taken off.
25. Method according to Claim 23 or 24, characterised in that two groups with in each case three take-off conveyors (14) are provided, the determining centre distance (40) being the distance between the centres of the respective central take-off conveyors (14).
26. Method according to one of Claims 23 to 25, characterised in that, to adjust the position from a first block length to a second block length, the position of the transfer of a collected block from the collecting conveyor (19) to a pocket conveyor (21) remains constant, and in that the element (26) supporting the collecting conveyor (19) is displaced half as far as the element (18) supporting the associated take-off conveyor (14) or the associated group of take-off conveyors (14).

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