EP1591024A1 - Method and system to follow up product data of a mass flow of products in a transport and storage section in the tobacco processing industry - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves producing product data sets, where each set corresponds to approximately equal portions of a product mass flow entering a transport section (12). The product data sets are written into corresponding memory units of a first-in-first-out stack memory. The product data sets corresponding to the product mass flow emerging from the transport section are read from the memory. An independent claim is also included for a system for tracking product data for a product mass flow in a transport storage section of a tobacco-processing industry.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a system for tracking product data, for example, quality data, brand information, production machine identifier, Production time, in a transport storage line of the tobacco processing industry.

DE 102 16 069 A1 discloses a method and a device for tracking Product data of individual products in a machine of the tobacco processing industry known that works with a specific machine cycle, i. a certain number processed by individual products per minute. The assignment of product data to The individual products are based on the exact knowledge of the machine cycle and the path length traveled by the product in the machine. This method can not be relied on a product mass flow with a plurality of disordered individual Transfer products such as in a conveyor line between a Cigarette production machine and a packing machine, since the assignment of the Product data for each product is lost. Reinforces this problem, when the path length in the transport storage path is variable, such as when using a variable cigarette storage.

The object of the invention is to provide a method and system for tracking of product data of a product mass flow in a transport storage line of the tobacco industry.

The invention solves this problem in particular by the following steps and corresponding Device features: Generation of product data sets, each about uniform successive portions of the transport storage section correspond to incoming product mass flow, writing the product data records in corresponding memory units of a data memory, and reading the from the Transport storage line emerging product mass flow corresponding product data sets from the data store. The invention is based in particular on the virtual Portioning of the product mass flow and the generation and storage of product data sets, which correspond to the individual product portions. By means of this subdivision According to the invention, tracking is via a product portion of averaged product data possible.

The data memory has a memory input and a memory output, wherein the product data records are written into the memory means via the memory input and stored there in a fixed order, and stored in the storage means written product records in an order that matches the order of the corresponding Product portions in the transport storage section corresponds, from the storage means be read out via the output.

The transport storage section is a system for automatic transport and / or storing the product mass flow. Preferably, the data memory forms Logically the transport memory section. For example, if the transport memory line a pure transport path or a FIFO memory, wherein the product mass flow entering at an entrance and at an exit in the same order exits, the data storage expediently includes a corresponding FIFO data storage (first in-first out principle). For example, if the transport memory line a bag store, in which the product mass flow enters and out The product mass flow in the reverse order exits the data memory expediently a corresponding FILO or LIFO data memory (first-in-last-out or last-in-first-out).

A preferred implementation of a FIFO data memory is a ring memory with, respectively a movable read and write pointer. Preferably, their position is after the writing of a product data record or after the leakage of a product portion moved from the transport path to a logically adjacent storage unit. More preferably, the position of the read or write pointer becomes at an interruption of the product mass flow entering the transport path or of the Recorded transport route exiting product mass flow.

Another preferred implementation of a FIFO data memory is a FIFO stack (FIFO stack). Product data sets of product mass flow entering the transport path are written to the FIFO stack and product records from emerging from the transport line product mass flow are from the FIFO stack read.

A preferred implementation of a FILO data memory is accordingly a FILO stack (FILO stack).

The invention is not based on the above-mentioned implementations of FIFO or FILO data memories limited. Also, for example, the use of shift registers is encompassed by the invention.

The portioning is preferably carried out in uniform lengths of the product mass flow in the transport direction, as this size is particularly easy from the conveying speed is determinable. However, other types of portioning are also conceivable, for example, in portions with an approximately equal number of individual products, or in portions of about the same weight.

Preferably, the length, or more generally the size, of the product portions is adjustable, to allow adaptation to different requirements. Preferably are the product records for storing the length of the product portion in Transport direction set up. This can especially for transport storage routes with several conveyor sections of different conveying speed appropriate be, because here the length of the product portions varies. Preferably, the product records are set up to store a product occupancy label indicating whether the transport section corresponding to the product data record is filled with product is. This may be appropriate to a missing or other occupancy of To mark transport sections.

For the detection of entering or leaving the transport storage section Product mass flow preferably includes the product data tracking system corresponding input or output sensors.

In a plurality of conveying sections or conveying devices in the conveying path It may be appropriate, each conveyor section or each conveyor a Assign partial data storage. For example, each sub store may be as above described be a ring memory with a read and write pointer. Each partial storage For example, it can also be designed as a FIFO or FILO stack.

Fig. 1:

eine schematische Übersicht eines Produktdatenverfolgungssystems für eine Förderstrecke zwischen einer Zigarettenproduktionsmaschine und einer Pack-maschine;

Fig. 2:

eine schematische Darstellung eines Produktdatensatzes;

Fig. 3A:

eine schematische Darstellung eines durch die Transportstrecke transportierten Zigarettenmassenstroms zu unterschiedlichen Zeitpunkten;

Fig. 3B:

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ringspeichers als Datenspeicher zu den Zeitpunkten gemäß Fig. 3A; und

Fig. 3C:

eine schematische Darstellung eines FIFO-Stapelspeichers als Datenspeicher zu den Zeitpunkten gemäß Fig. 3A.

Further advantageous features will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of advantageous embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1:

a schematic overview of a product data tracking system for a conveyor line between a cigarette production machine and a packing machine;

Fig. 2:

a schematic representation of a product data record;

Fig. 3A:

a schematic representation of a transported through the transport path cigarette mass flow at different times;

Fig. 3B:

a schematic representation of a ring memory as a data memory at the times shown in FIG. 3A; and

3C:

a schematic representation of a FIFO stack as data storage at the times shown in FIG. 3A.

From a cigarette production machine 10 cigarettes come out and get in shape a disordered cigarette stream 11 with, for example, on the order of 1000 cigarettes per meter conveyor line in the direction of arrow by means of a conveyor line 12th promoted to a packing machine 13. The conveyor line 12 comprises a plurality of Conveyors 14-17, drawn in the figures purely schematically as conveyor belts are, but are not limited thereto. The conveyor line 12 includes including a FIFO cigarette storage 16 with a conveyor 18, whose Length is variable depending on memory requirements, as indicated in Fig. 1 by dashed lines.

In the cigarette production machine 10, product data are the produced cigarettes present, such as cigarette quality data, brand information, a Marking of the production machine 10, date and time of production etc. The product data tracking system comprises a data processing unit 20 having a Control means 21 and a storage means 22. The control means 21 requests Production data from the cigarette production machine 10 and writes periodically corresponding production data records 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, ... in the storage means 22 is the product mass flow 11 virtually in product portions 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, ... divided, as indicated in Fig. 1 by the dotted lines. When the conveying speed the cigarette mass flow 11 through the conveyor line 12, for example 20 cm / s and the control means 21 once per second from the cigarette production machine 10 requested production data as production records 30a, 30b, 30c, ... writes into the storage means 22, this corresponds to a virtual portioning the product mass flow 12 in product portions 11a, 11b, 11c, ... with a certain length, in this example a portion length of 20 cm. The production record expediently contains production data averaged over a storage period.

An exemplary format of a production data set 30 is shown in FIG. One For example, production record 30 includes a field 31 for storing the cigarette mark. a field 32 for storing the label of the cigarette production machine 10, a field 33 for storing production date and time, a field 34 for storing the portion length (here in cm), and fields 35, 36, ... for storage Cigarette quality data, such as mean weight, mean weight standard deviation etc. The marking "1" in the product occupancy label field 40 indicates that the record 30 is a product serving and not, for example, a Empty portion due to an interruption of the product mass flow 11 corresponds.

Preferably, a writing of production data sets into the storage means takes place 22 only in the conveyor line 12 incoming product. For this purpose, the input sensor 23 is provided, the in with the conveyor line 12 eintretendem product sends corresponding signal to the control means 21 to activate the write operation or, in the event of an interruption of the product mass flow entering the conveyor line 12, to interrupt the writing process by means of an appropriate signal.

The storage means 22 comprises in a preferred embodiment at least one FIFO stack 26, in which the product data sets 30a, 30b, 30c, ... in fixed Order to be saved in the form of a stack, the first on the stack stored product data sets 30a, 30b, 30c, ... in the same order 30a, 30b, 30c, ... are read out again by ablation of the stack (FIFO principle).

At the exit end of the conveyor line 12 is preferably an output sensor 24th provided to determine emerging from the conveyor line 12 product. At from the Conveyor 12 exiting product may, if necessary, the control means 21 the associated Read out the product data record from the storage means 22 and for further use provide, for example, to the packing machine 13 transmit. This happens at Using a FIFO stack simply by periodically removing a Product data set from the stack. Due to the specified order within the Stacks and the FIFO principle ensures that the product data sets 30a, 30b, 30c, ... the product portions 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d emerging from the conveyor line 12, ... are assigned correctly, regardless of the length of the transport route 12, for example, in the cigarette memory 16. The readout period is expediently to the exit period of the exiting product portions 11 a, 11b, 11c, 11d, ..., which corresponds to the length of the exiting product portions 11 a, 11b, 11c, 11d, ... is related. At constant length of the exiting product portions 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, 11 d, ... and unchanged conveying speed over the entire Transport path 12 corresponds to the read-out period expediently the storage period.

It is not necessarily a separate input sensor 23 may be provided. The information about entering the conveyor line 12 product may, for example, from one of the conveyor section 12 upstream component, here the cigarette production machine 10, if there is a product serving characterizing Information is available. The same applies to the output sensor 24, the unnecessary may be, for example, if the information characterizing a product serving from one of the conveyor section 12 downstream component, here the packing machine 13th can be obtained. This can be the case, for example, if instead of the length of Product Portions in Transport Direction The number of individual products per serving for definition a product portion is used.

It is not excluded, even with an interruption in the conveyor line 12th incoming product mass flow product records into the storage means 22 write. These then expediently have a corresponding identification, for example, "0" in a product occupancy tag field 40 of the production record 30 (see Fig. 2).

Figs. 3A to 3C are explanatory of the storing and reading operation for one Ring memory and a FIFO stack. In Fig. 3A is the passage through schematically a cigarette mass flow through the conveyor line 12, wherein from above are shown below successive times. The vertical line "E" denotes the input, the vertical line "A" the output of the conveyor line 12th A product portion arranged above the line "E" is received by the input sensor 23, a detected on the line "A" arranged product portion of the output sensor 24. In Fig. 3B is the respective memory state of a ring memory 25 in the memory means 22 for storing the product data sets 30a, 30b, 30c, ... shown. In Fig. 3C is alternatively the respective memory state of a FIFO stack 26 in the storage means 22 for storing the product data sets 30a, 30b, 30c, ... shown. The memory units 25a, 25b, 25c,... Of the ring memory 25 or the memory units 26a, 26b, 26c, ... of the FIFO stack 26 are each for storage a product data record 30. The ring memory 25 has a write pointer 27th and a read pointer 28. The FIFO stack 26 has a stack input 50 and a stack output 51.

First, the embodiment of FIG. 3B will be described with a ring memory. At the time t1, for example when the conveyor line 12 is put into operation, the product mass flow is 11 has not yet entered the conveyor line 12. Write pointer 27 and read pointers 28 are set to the same memory unit 25a of the ring memory 25. At the time t2 is in the conveyor line 12 incoming product of the Input sensor 23 detects a corresponding product data set "1" from the control means 21 and into the memory unit indicated by the write pointer 27 25a written. Thereafter, the write pointer 27 becomes a storage unit shifted while the read pointer 28 is held, as none of the conveyor line 12 leaking product is detected. At time t3 is in the conveyor line 12th incoming product detected by the input sensor 23, a corresponding product data set "2" generated by the control means 21 and in the of the write pointer 27th Thereafter, the write pointer 27 is written again shifted by one storage unit. Analogously, at time t4, the product data record corresponding to the product portion "3" in the of the write pointer 27th and the write pointer 27 is written again shifted by one storage unit. At time t5, the input sensor 23 determines that the product mass flow 11 entering the transport path 12 is interrupted is, and therefore interrupts the writing of product records in the ring buffer 25. At time t6, the output sensor 24 detects that product from the Transport route 12 exits. Therefore, he reads the product record "1" to which the read pointer points 28 refers, from the ring memory 25, which of the exiting product portion "1" corresponds. Thereafter, the read pointer 28 is shifted by a memory unit. At time t7, the product data set "4" becomes the one indicated by the write pointer 27 Memory unit 25d written and the write pointer 27 to a memory unit shifted, as well as the product data set "2" from that indicated by the read pointer 28 Memory unit 25b read and the read pointer 28 to a memory unit postponed. At time t8, the product record "3" becomes the one from the read pointer 28, and the read pointer 28 is read by one Storage unit moved. At time t9, the output sensor 24 determines that the product mass flow 11 emerging from the transport path 12 is interrupted, and therefore interrupts the reading of product data sets from the ring memory 25. Zum At time t10, the output sensor 24 detects that product from the transport path 12 exits. Therefore, the product record "4" becomes the one indicated by the read pointer 28 Memory unit 25d read and the read pointer 28 to a memory unit postponed. At time t11, the transport path 12 is empty and the ring memory 25th is in a state as at time t1. Because the read and write pointers 27, 28 are shifted along the storage units in this embodiment the memory is designed as a ring memory 25, so that after a certain final memory unit the read and write pointers 27, 28 are moved to an initial memory unit be (see time t11).

In one embodiment with FIFO stack 26 of FIG. 3C, the stack is memory 26 empty at time t1. The stack memory 26 has a stack input 50 and a stack output 51. At time t2 12 incoming in the conveyor line Product detected by the input sensor 23, a corresponding product data set "1" generated by the control means 21 and placed on the stack, i. through the stack entrance 50 written in the stack 26. At time t3 is in the conveyor line 12 incoming product detected by the input sensor 23, a corresponding Product data set "2" generated by the control means 21 and in the stack memory 26 written. Analogously, at time t4, the product data set "3" corresponding the product portion "3" written in the stack 26. At time t5 the input sensor 23 determines that the product mass flow entering the transport path 12 11 is interrupted, and therefore interrupts the writing of product records into the stack memory 26. At time t6, the output sensor 24 determines that product exits the transport path 12. Therefore, he takes the product record "1" from the stack, i. it reads the product record "1" from the stack output 51 of the stack 26 from. At time t7, the product record "4" in the Stack memory 26 written, as well as the product record "2" from the stack 26 read. At time t8, the product data set "3" is output from the stack memory 26 read. At the time t9, the output sensor 24 detects that from the transport path 12 leaking product mass flow 11 is interrupted, and interrupts therefore reading product records from the stack 26. At time t10 the output sensor 24 detects that product exits the transport path 12. Therefore the product record "4" is read from the stack memory 26. At the time t11 is the transport path 12 and therefore also the stack 26 empty.

Each conveyor 14-17 of the transport path 12 may have its own partial data memory, in particular a ring memory 25 each with write and read pointers 27, 28, or each one FIFO (or optionally FILO) stack memory 26, be assigned. This allows a transfer of product data records from one part store to one next partial storage when transferring the corresponding product portions of one Conveying device to the next conveyor. In particular, the product records be changed appropriately at their delivery. This can be especially true at Occurrence of different conveying speeds in the transport path 12 advantageous be.

In the example of Fig. 1 it is assumed that the conveyor 14 with 20 cm / s, the conveyor 15 but moved at 25 cm / s and the product portions when entering the conveyor line 12 have a length L of 20 cm. After the transition of the product portions from the conveyor 14 to the conveyor 15, these are due to the increase in speed longer and flatter; more precisely, they have one by the ratio of the conveyor speeds certain length of 25 cm. If now, for example, by means of a transfer sensor between the conveyors 14, 15 is determined that a certain product portion exits the conveyor 14, then the corresponding product data set from the conveyor 14 corresponding partial memory of the storage means 22 read out the length specification in box 34 of the product data set accordingly changed the ratio of conveyor speeds and the changed product data set written in the sub-memory of the subsequent conveyor 15.

However, it is not absolutely necessary that with several conveyors 14-17 or when different conveyor speeds occur in the transport route 12 each conveyor or each transport section has its own partial data storage assigned. This is dispensable, for example, if instead of the Length of the product portions independent of the conveying speed size determining the product portions, for example the number of individual products per product serving is used. A single data store for the entire transport memory section can be enough then.

Claims (20)

Method for tracking product data of a product mass flow (11) in a transport storage section (12) of the tobacco processing industry, with the Steps: Generation of product data sets (30a, 30b, 30c, ...), each about equal portions (11a, 11b, 11c, ...) of entering the transport memory section Product mass flow rate, writing the product data sets (30a, 30b, 30c, ...) into corresponding memory units (25a, 25b, 25c, ...; 26a, 26b, 26c, ...) of a data memory (25; 26), and reading the from the transport memory section (12) exiting product mass flow corresponding product data sets from the data memory (25; 26). Product data tracking method according to claim 1, characterized in that the generated product data sets (30a, 30b, 30c, ...) each correspond approximately to a certain length of the product mass flow (11) in the transport direction. Product data tracking method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the length of the product portions (11a, 11b, 11c, ...) is adjustable. Product data tracking method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the product data sets (30a, 30b, 30c, ...) comprise a field (34) for storing the length of the product portion (11a, 11b, 11c, ...) in the transport direction exhibit. Product data tracking method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the product data sets (30a, 30b, 30c, ...) have a field (40) for storing a product occupancy identifier. Product data tracking method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the product data sets (30a, 30b, 30c, ...) in each case in a displaceable by a write pointer (27) in e storage unit (25a, 25b, 25c, ...; 26a, 26b, 26c, ...) are written. Product data tracking method according to claim 6, characterized in that after writing a product data set (30a, 30b, 30c, ...) the write pointer (27) to a logically adjacent memory unit (25a, 25b, 25c, ...; 26a, 26b, 26c, ...) is moved. Product data tracking method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that in the event of an interruption of the product mass flow (11) entering the transport storage section (12), the write pointer (27) is retained. Product data tracking method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the product data sets (30a, 30b, 30c, ...) respectively identified from a by a displaceable read pointer (28) en memory unit (25a, 25b, 25c, ...; 26a, 26b, 26c, ...). Product data tracking method according to claim 9, characterized in that after the exit of a product portion (30a, 30b, 30c, ...) from the transport storage section (12) the read pointer (28) to a logically adjacent memory unit (25a, 25b, 25c, .. . 26a, 26b, 26c, ...) is shifted. Product data tracking method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that in the event of an interruption of the product mass flow (11) emerging from the transport storage section (12), the read pointer (28) is retained. Product data tracking method according to claims 6 and 9, characterized in that upon start-up of the transport memory section (12) the write pointer (27) and the read pointer (28) to the same memory unit (25a, 25b, 25c, ...; 26a, 26b, 26c , ...) are set. Product data tracking system according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the data memory (25; 26) logically maps the transport memory section (12). Product data tracking system according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the data memory (25; 26) comprises at least one FIFO data memory. Product data tracking system according to claim 14, characterized in that the FIFO data memory is a ring memory (25). Product data tracking method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the FIFO data memory is a FIFO stack (26). Product data tracking system according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the data memory (25; 26) comprises at least one FILO data memory. System for tracking product data of a product mass flow (11) in one Transport storage line (12) of the tobacco processing industry, with a one Data storage (25; 26) comprising storage means (22) for storing the product data, a write control means (21) for controlling the writing of product data of the product mass flow entering the transport storage section (12) in the data memory (25; 26), and a reading control means (21) for controlling reading product data from the transport memory section (12) Product mass flow (11) from the data memory, wherein the write control means (21) for generating product data sets (30a, 30b, 30c, ...), each approximately equal portions (11a, 11b, 11c, ...) of the transport memory section (12) corresponding product mass flow (11) and to write the product data records (30a, 30b, 30c, ...) in the data memory (25; 26) is set up. Product data tracking system according to claim 18, characterized in that an input sensor (23) is provided for detecting a product portion (11a, 11b, 11c, ...) entering the transport storage section (12). Product data tracking system according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that an output sensor (24) is provided for detecting a product portion (11a, 11b, 11c, ...) emerging from the transport storage section (12).

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