EP1516546A1 - Apparatus and method for transferring rod-like articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The tobacco sticks (19, 20, 21, 22) are moved in two staggered twin lines (17, 18) first to a cutting device (26, 27) in order to be cut to cigarette length (28) and transferred to a disk (12, 13) rotating around a vertical axle (30, 31). The distance between the cutting units (26, 27) located at each of the twin lines (17, 18) is equivalent to the distance between the axles (30, 31) of the rotating disks (12, 13). The cigarettes (28) are transferred to a transversally positioned rotating unit (14, 15) in a second step.

Description

The invention relates to a device for transferring rod-shaped articles, in particular cigarettes, from a longitudinal conveyor for longitudinal axial promotion of Article on a cross conveyor for Queraxialen promotion of the article, the Transport directions of the longitudinal conveyor and the transverse conveyor transversely to each other run, comprising a conveyor with receptacles for receiving a plurality of articles from the longitudinal conveyor and for delivering the recorded items on the cross conveyor. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for transferring rod-shaped articles, in particular cigarettes, from a longitudinal conveyor for longitudinal axial promotion of Article on a cross conveyor for Queraxialen promotion of the article, the Transport directions of the longitudinal conveyor and the cross conveyor transversely to each other comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality of rod-shaped articles from Longitudinal conveyor by means of a conveyor, rotating the conveyor and thus Move the article by a predetermined angle, and submit the article to the Cross conveyor.

Such devices and methods are particularly useful in the tobacco processing industry used. Become in a cigarette rod machine Strands made of tobacco, usually in single or double-length Tobacco sticks are cut up. The tobacco stems are conveyed in their longitudinal direction and for further processing, e.g. to attach a filter to a Filter attachment be handed over. For this purpose, the tobacco stumps usually from its longitudinal axial transport direction in a transverse axial transport direction be transferred, the transport directions even across each other run.

There are a variety of devices for transferring the rod-shaped article of a longitudinal conveyor on a cross conveyor. Known devices have a Conveyor on, the several juxtaposed articles or tobacco sticks from the longitudinal conveyor and delivers it to the cross conveyor. All known However, devices of this type are only suitable for evenly handed over tobacco stems arranged side by side. The tobacco sticks are for this purpose from evenly side by side conveyed from a cigarette rod machine Strands separated and performed for further processing to the transfer device. However, particularly advantageous is the pairwise production of the strands in exposed the cigarette rod machine. So far, however, only one Cigarette rod making machine for producing a single double strand known so that the device for transfer only for the transfer of a single item pair were trained. However, there are efforts to cigarette rod machines which are capable of at least two double strands simultaneously to produce.

It is therefore an object of the invention, a simply constructed and compact device to provide for the transfer of rod-shaped articles with increased performance. Of Another object of the invention is to propose a method which is simple and cost-effective and yet more powerful over known methods Handover guaranteed.

This object is firstly by a device with the aforementioned Characteristics solved in that the conveying means for receiving at least two made up of two articles each formed article pairs, each of which article pair up a separate web of the longitudinal conveyor is fed, and for dispensing the article pairs is formed on two separate tracks of the cross conveyor. With this training according to the invention ensures a performance doubling, so that in particular also a combination with a cigarette rod machine for Preparation of two by two strands, each promoted as a double strand, is possible.

Advantageously, the conveyor comprises two separate drum for receiving each of an article pair of one of the webs of the longitudinal conveyor and to the delivery each of an article pair are formed on one of the tracks of the cross conveyor. This creates a particularly cost-effective and flexible option, more as an article pair to pass. For one thing, namely on standard parts be used, which lowers the cost of such devices. To the Another is an independent recording of the articles of each web of the longitudinal conveyor and dispensing of the articles onto the cross conveyor, whereby e.g. different Tobacco types can be processed on a device.

In a preferred embodiment, the two drums in the transport direction of the Longitudinal conveyor arranged one behind the other, so that a particularly simple way Delivery to two parallel tracks of the cross conveyor is possible.

In a further preferred embodiment, the longitudinal conveyor is in the range both tracks that run parallel to each other and each to promote a Double strands serve, in each case a release agent for pairwise separation of the articles assigned by the double strands. This facilitates the pairwise removal of the Article from longitudinal conveyor.

Another embodiment is characterized by a cross conveyor, the two comprising separate transfer drums forming the webs, each one Transfer drum is in operative connection with one of the drums. With this Arrangement ensures a flexible and compact transfer.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, one of the drums of Conveyor below the track and the other drum above the track arranged and the distance A between the two separating means in the transport direction of the longitudinal conveyor is equal to the distance B between the two central axes of the Drums in the transport direction of the longitudinal conveyor and equal to the distance C between the two transfer drums transversely to the transport direction of Cross conveyor. This can create a particularly space-saving arrangement.

On the other hand, the object is achieved by a method with the aforementioned Steps solved in that at least two consisting of two articles Article pairs, each of which article pair on a separate web of the Longitudinal conveyor is fed, taken, and the article pairs at two separate tracks of the cross conveyor are delivered. Through this combination of Procedural steps, a simple and inexpensive method is proposed which has a high performance.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung in Transportrichtung der längsaxial geführten Artikel mit in der Höhe und seitlich versetzten Trommeln,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer ersten Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung, und

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Vorrichtung.

Further advantageous features and embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments and the method will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of the device in the transport direction of the longitudinal axial guided article with height and laterally offset drums,

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the device,

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of another embodiment of the device,

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of another embodiment of the device, and

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of another embodiment of the device.

The devices shown and the method serve to pass two times two articles, in particular two times two double-length tobacco sticks of one Cigarette rod machine to a filter attachment machine.

FIG. 1 shows the basic principle of the invention. The device 10 comprises a conveyor 11, which is formed of two separate drums 12 and 13. The drums 12, 13, also called spiders, each according to the principle of DE 412 96 72 C2 work, have in the usual way several (not shown) recordings, the recordings each for simultaneous Recording two parallel to each other and in the longitudinal axial direction on a train supplied article, e.g. Cigarettes in single or double working length, are formed. The photographs are also on poorly illustrated arms usually attached and movable such that the receptacles, e.g. on suction air to hold the articles connected, at least during transport from Recording to the point of delivery parallel to a horizontal plane, in which also the Be promoted. In the transport direction behind the drums 12, 13 is a transverse conveyor 14 (transport direction of the longitudinal conveyor is transverse to Transport direction of the cross conveyor) arranged, the two transfer drums 15, 16 comprising the webs 37, 38 for transporting the articles. each Transfer drum 15, 16 is in operative connection with a drum 12, 13 and has in the usual way recordings for receiving the article. The pictures are on Scope of each Übemahme drum 15, 16 alternately fixed and on a pivot lever movably arranged, wherein a fixed and a movable receptacle each one Form a unit for receiving an item pair. The device according to the invention 10 generally has two receiving means, namely the drums 12, 13, for receiving the articles from the longitudinal conveyor and two receiving means, namely the Takeover drums 15, 16, for receiving the articles from the drums 12, 13 on.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the device 10 in which the Conveyor 11 with two double strands 17, 18, each of two individual Strands 19, 20; 21, 22 are formed, is supplied. Each double strand 17, 18 is on a separate track 23, 24, wherein the tracks 23, 24 in a plane or on different levels can be arranged. The tracks 23, 24 form the Longitudinal conveyor 25 and parallel to each other and each have a Separating means 26, 27 for separating single or multiple-length tobacco sticks 28 from the strands 19 to 22. Each separating means 26, 27 serves to separate two Tobacco sticks 28 on a track 23 and 24 simultaneously. In the transport direction 29 of the Webs 23, 24 behind the separating means 26, 27, each web 23, 24 one of the drums 12, 13 associated with both drums 12, 13 above the tracks 23, 24th are arranged.

The web 23 is arranged offset in the transport direction 29 to the web 24, such that the Drums 12, 13 are also arranged one behind the other in the transport direction 29, wherein the distance A between the separating means 26, 27 the distance B between the Central axes 30 and 31 of the drums 12, 13 corresponds. The drums 12, 13 are driven synchronously. Transverse to the tracks 23, 24 of the longitudinal conveyor 25 are the Takeover drums 15, 16 of the cross conveyor 14 for Queraxialen removal of the Tobacco sticks 28 arranged. The transport angle or the angle of rotation of the drums 12, 13 between the reception of the tobacco sticks 28 from the longitudinal conveyor 25 and the Delivery of the tobacco sticks 28 to the cross conveyor 14 is at both drums 12, 13 90 °. The transfer drums 15, 16 are arranged side by side, such that the Central axes 32, 33 of the transfer drums 15, 16 parallel but in the transport direction 34 of the transfer drums 15, 16 offset from each other. The Takeover drums 15, 16 are formed in the same direction in this embodiment. The distance C between the two transfer drums 15, 16, namely the distance between the middle movement axes 35, 36 corresponds to the distances A and B. With this arrangement, a particularly compact design of the conveyor 11 itself guaranteed. The transfer drums 15, 16 are in the transport direction 29 of the webs 23, 24 respectively behind the corresponding and operatively connected Drums 12, 13 arranged.

The embodiment according to FIG. 3 is similar to that shown in FIG Embodiment formed so that the same reference numerals for the same parts be used. However, the transfer drums 15, 16 are in opposite directions driven, while the drums 12, 13 are driven synchronously. The Rotation angle of the drums 12, 13 are formed differently, namely for the Drum 12 is provided a rotation angle of 90 ° between recording and delivery, during the rotation angle between recording and delivery of the drum 13 270 ° is. The two transfer drums 15, 16 are located between the drums 12, 13 so that the distance C between the transfer drums 15, 16 is smaller than that Distances A and B, which correspond. This arrangement is a special compact design of the device following the conveyor 11, e.g. of the Filter attachment machine, guaranteed. However, the distances A, B and C vary in the embodiment of Figure 3 in size of the distances A, B and C in the Embodiment according to FIG. 2

A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. It will turn for same parts used the same reference numerals. The one described in this figure Device 10 differs from the previously described device 10 in that that both the drums 12, 13 and the takeover drums 15, 16 in opposite directions are driven. Furthermore, the drum 12 is arranged below the track 23, while the drum 13 is disposed above the track 24. The angle of rotation is for both drums 12, 13 from the reception to the delivery of the tobacco sticks 28 90 °. The transfer drums 15, 16 are as in the embodiment according to FIG. 2 again in the transport direction 29 behind the drums 12, 13, so that with respect to the distances A, B and C, the state results, already to the figure 2 was explained. The size of the distances A, B, C corresponds to those of Figure 2.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, in turn, the drum 12 is below the Web 23 and the drum 13 are arranged above the web 24. However, the Takeover drums 15, 16 of the cross conveyor 14 both between the drums 12, 13th arranged so that the state with respect to the distances (A = B, A, B> C) according to Figure 3 repeats, which also applies to the size of the distances. In this Embodiment, however, the drums 12, 13 are driven in opposite directions while the transfer drums 15, 16 are driven synchronously. The rotation angle of Drum 12 is 90 °. The angle of rotation of the drum 13 is 270 °.

Beim Verfahren mit der Vorrichtung 10 gemäß Figur 2 werden zwei Doppelstränge 17, 18 aus Tabak oder dergleichen mit dem Längsförderer 25 längsaxial an das Fördermittel 11 geführt. Jeder Doppelstrang 17, 18 wird auf einer separaten Bahn 23, 24 geführt. Von den Doppelsträngen 17, 18 werden mittels der Trennmittel 26, 27 Tabakstöcke 28 von den Strängen 19, 20 bzw. 21, 22 abgetrennt. Da die Bahnen 23, 24 in Transportrichtung 29 versetzt zueinander sind, erfolgt auch das Trennen der Tabakstöcke 28 orts- und damit zeitversetzt. Der Doppelstrang 17 auf der Bahn 23 wird örtlich und zeitlich vor dem Doppelstrang 18 auf der Bahn 24 getrennt. Die Tabakstöcke 28 werden dann paarweise jeweils einer Trommel 12, 13 zugeführt. Die rotierenden Trommeln 12, 13 nehmen jeweils ein Artikel-Paar auf, wobei die Aufnahme von der Oberseite der Bahnen 23, 24 erfolgt. Da aber entsprechend des Versatzes der Trennmittel 26, 27 auch die Trommeln 12, 13 versetzt sind, also der Abnahmepunkt für die Tabakstöcke 28 von der Trommel 12 örtlich und zeitlich vor dem Abnahmepunkt für die Tabakstöcke 28 von der Trommel 13 liegt, erfolgt das Aufnehmen beider Artikel-Paare gleichzeitig. Beide Trommeln 12, 13 rotieren mit den aufgenommenen Artikelpaaren, nämlich den insgesamt vier Tabakstöcken 28, um 90° und geben die vier Tabakstöcke 28 dann zeitgleich an die jeweils korrespondierende Übernahmetrommel 15 bzw. 16 ab. Die Übernahmetrommeln 15, 16 transportieren die Artikel-Paare queraxial auf den Bahnen 37, 38 zur nächsten Bearbeitungsstation, z.B. zur Filteransetzmaschine. Dazu drehen die Übernahmetrommeln 15, 16 gleichläufig , so daß die Artikel-Paare parallel nebeneinander und in die gleiche Transportrichtung 34 auf den beiden Bahnen 37, 38 abtransportiert werden.

The following describes the method based on the individual embodiments:

In the method with the device 10 according to FIG. 2, two double strands 17, 18 made of tobacco or the like are guided longitudinally axially to the conveying means 11 with the longitudinal conveyor 25. Each double strand 17, 18 is guided on a separate web 23, 24. Of the double strands 17, 18 tobacco rods 28 are separated from the strands 19, 20 and 21, 22 by means of the separating means 26, 27. Since the tracks 23, 24 are offset in the transport direction 29 to each other, the separation of the tobacco sticks 28 takes place spatially and thus with a time delay. The double strand 17 on the web 23 is separated locally and in time from the double strand 18 on the web 24. The tobacco sticks 28 are then fed in pairs to a respective drum 12, 13. The rotating drums 12, 13 each receive an article pair, wherein the recording from the top of the webs 23, 24 takes place. However, since according to the offset of the separating means 26, 27 and the drums 12, 13 are offset, so the acceptance point for the tobacco sticks 28 of the drum 12 is located locally and temporally before the acceptance point for the tobacco sticks 28 of the drum 13, the recording takes place both Article pairs at the same time. Both drums 12, 13 rotate with the recorded pairs of articles, namely the four tobacco rods 28, by 90 ° and then give the four tobacco sticks 28 at the same time to the respective transfer drum 15 and 16 respectively. The transfer drums 15, 16 transport the article pairs transaxially on the tracks 37, 38 to the next processing station, eg for the filter attachment machine. For this purpose, the transfer drums 15, 16 rotate in the same direction, so that the article pairs are transported parallel next to each other and in the same direction of transport 34 on the two tracks 37, 38.

The method with the device according to FIG. 3 runs in principle similarly. However, the drums 12, 13 rotate due to the different arrangement of the Takeover drums 15, 16 at different angles. The drum 12 rotates Receiving the tobacco sticks 28 by 90 ° and then gives the tobacco sticks 28 to the Übemahme drum 15 on. The drum 13 rotates with the tobacco sticks 28 270 ° before it passes the tobacco sticks 28 to the transfer drum 16. The Takeover drums 15, 16, however, rotate for transport in the transport direction 34 in opposite directions.

With the device 10 according to Figure 4, the tobacco sticks 28 on different sides (top and bottom) of the longitudinal conveyor 25th added. The drum 12 takes the pair of articles from the underside of the web 23 while the drum 13 decreases the pair of articles from the top of the web 24. The counter-rotating drums 12, 13 both rotate at an angle of 90 ° and then pass the article pairs to the counter-rotating ones as well Takeover drums 15, 16 from the article pairs then parallel in the transport direction 34 transversely promote.

The method with the device 10 according to FIG. 5 essentially corresponds to FIG Process with the embodiment described in connection with FIG. However, the drums 12, 13 rotate in opposite directions by a different Angle. The drum 12 rotates with the tobacco rods 28 by 90 °. The drum 13 rotates with the tobacco sticks 28 by 270 °. After the simultaneous delivery of the two article pairs on the concurrently driven takeover drums 15, 16 are the Aricle pairs in the transverse axial direction parallel to one another in the transport direction 34 promoted.

Other constellations are obtained by varying the position of the separating means 26, 27, Variation of the position of the drums 12, 13, variation of the transfer drums 15, 16 As well as arrangement of the tracks 23, 24 to each other also possible. It is crucial that the conveyor 11 has two receiving points for at least two article pairs as well has two delivery points for the same.

Claims (15)

Device for transferring rod-shaped articles, in particular cigarettes, from a longitudinal conveyor (25) for longitudinal axial conveying of the articles to a transverse conveyor (14) for transversely conveying the articles, wherein the transport directions (arrow 29 or arrow 34) of the longitudinal conveyor (25) and the Transverse conveyor (14) extend transversely to each other, comprising a conveyor (11) with receptacles for receiving a plurality of articles from the longitudinal conveyor (25) and for delivering the recorded articles on the transverse conveyor (14), characterized in that the conveying means (11) for receiving at least two pairs of articles formed from two articles, each pair of articles being fed on a separate web (23, 24) of the longitudinal conveyor (25) and for delivering the article pairs to two separate webs (37, 38) the transverse conveyor (14) is formed. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying means (11) for simultaneous recording and simultaneous delivery of a plurality of article pairs is formed. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the conveying means (11) comprises two separate drums (12, 13) for receiving in each case an article pair of one of the webs (23 or 24) of the longitudinal conveyor (25) and for dispensing each one pair of articles on one of the tracks (37, 38) of the transverse conveyor (14) are formed. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the two drums (12, 13) in the transport direction (arrow 29) of the longitudinal conveyor (25) are arranged one behind the other. Device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the drums (12, 13) are selectively driven in opposite directions or concurrently. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that both drums (12, 13) are arranged above the longitudinal conveyor (25). Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that one of the drums (12) is arranged below the web (23) and the other drum (13) is arranged above the web (24) or vice versa. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the longitudinal conveyor (25) in the region of both tracks (23, 24), which run parallel to each other and each serve to convey a double strand (17, 18), respectively a release means (26 , 27) for pairwise separating the articles from the double strands (17, 18). Device according to one of Claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the transverse conveyor (14) comprises two separate transfer drums (15, 16) forming the webs (37, 38), each transfer drum (15, 16) being connected to one of the drums (15, 16). 12 or 13) is in operative connection. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the two transfer drums (15, 16) are selectively driven in opposite directions or concurrently. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the distance A between the two separating means (26, 27) in the transport direction (arrow 29) of the longitudinal conveyor (25) equal to the distance B between the two central axes (30, 31) of the drums (12 , 13) in the transport direction (arrow 29) of the longitudinal conveyor (29) equal to the distance C between the two central axes of movement (35, 36) of the transfer drums (15, 16) transversely to the transport direction (arrow 34) of the transverse conveyor (14). Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the distances A and B are equal and the distance C is smaller than the distances A and B. Method for transferring rod-shaped articles, in particular cigarettes, from a longitudinal conveyor (25) for longitudinally conveying the articles to a transverse conveyor (14) for transversely conveying the articles, wherein the transport directions (arrow 29 or arrow 34) of the longitudinal conveyor (25) and the Cross conveyor (14) transverse to each other, comprising the steps: Receiving a plurality of rod-shaped articles from the longitudinal conveyor (25) by means of a conveying means (11), Rotating the conveyor (11) and thereby moving the articles by a predetermined angle, and Delivering the articles to the cross conveyor (14), characterized in that at least two article pairs consisting of two articles, each pair of articles being fed on a separate web (23, 24) of the longitudinal conveyor (25), and the article pairs are delivered to two separate webs (37, 38) of the cross conveyor (14). A method according to claim 13, characterized in that a plurality of article pairs of a plurality of separate webs (23, 24) are simultaneously picked up and delivered to a plurality of separate webs (37, 38) simultaneously. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that each of the two article pairs is picked up with a separate drum (12, 13) of the conveying means (11) and delivered to a separate transfer drum (15, 16) of the transverse conveyor (14).

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