EP1741351B1 - A method for batch handling and transfer of tobacco products - Google Patents
A method for batch handling and transfer of tobacco products Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1741351B1 EP1741351B1 EP06116470A EP06116470A EP1741351B1 EP 1741351 B1 EP1741351 B1 EP 1741351B1 EP 06116470 A EP06116470 A EP 06116470A EP 06116470 A EP06116470 A EP 06116470A EP 1741351 B1 EP1741351 B1 EP 1741351B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- container
- hopper
- magazine
- conveyor
- cigarettes
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
- A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
- A24C5/35—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine
- A24C5/352—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine using containers, i.e. boats
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
- A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
- A24C5/35—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine
- A24C5/352—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine using containers, i.e. boats
- A24C5/356—Emptying the boats into the hopper of the packaging machine
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method for the handling and transfer of tobacco products in batches.
- the invention finds application to advantage in complete lines for manufacturing tobacco products, cigarettes in particular, and is utilized for the purpose of feeding such products from a maker to a wrapping machine, or packer.
- cigarettes are fed to the packer adopting two distinct methods.
- the first consists in connecting the cigarette maker directly to a hopper of the packer by way of a conveyor, along which the cigarettes are directed en masse.
- cigarettes emerging from the maker are ordered in containers, known as trays, which are stored in readiness and then emptied at the hopper of the packer when required.
- the trays must be filled, transferred and stored at a relatively fast rate, in order to keep up with the production tempo of the cigarette maker, and at the same time exercising particular care, in order to ensure that the cigarettes will not be disturbed from their orderly arrangement and suffer damage in the process.
- the object of the present invention is to provide a method for batch handling and transfer of tobacco products in accordance with the second method aforementioned, by which the trays and the products contained in them can be processed with extreme care and at high speed.
- the object of the invention is to devise a method for batch handling and transfer of tobacco products that will be compatible with high speed operation and allow the management of a considerable quantity of cigarettes for loading into containers.
- a further object of the invention is to provide a method allowing surplus tobacco products to be stored temporarily when the demand at the packer falls below the output from the cigarette maker, and thereafter supplied to the packer when demand at the packer exceeds the output of the cigarette maker.
- the invention relates to equipment denoted 1 in its entirety, by which tobacco products 2, cigarettes in particular, are handled in batch mode using containers 3 known as trays, or feedboxes, and transferred thus from a cigarette maker 4 to a cigarette packer 5.
- containers 3 known as trays, or feedboxes
- Both machines 4 and 5 are of familiar type and therefore illustrated only in schematic outline.
- the equipment 1 comprises a main conveyor 6 by which cigarettes 2 are directed from the cigarette maker 4 toward the packer 5; the conveyor 6 operates in conjunction with a unit 7 for managing the movement of the containers 3, each of which is able to hold a plurality of cigarettes 2 arranged in ordered alignment.
- Each container 3 presents a rectangular bottom 8, of which the shorter side is matched substantially to the length of a single cigarette 2 and the longer side compasses several tens of cigarettes 2 disposed side by side, also a main wall 9, likewise rectangular, set at right angles to the bottom 8 and joined along one longer side to a corresponding longer side of the bottom 8.
- the cigarettes 2 lie with one end offered in contact to the main wall 9, which presents a shorter side compassing several tens of cigarettes 2 disposed side by side; thus, the container 3 will accommodate several thousand cigarettes, ordered quincuncially.
- the container 3 also presents two mutually opposed and parallel side walls 10 perpendicular to the bottom 8 and to the main wall 9, combining to delimit an opening 11 on the side opposite from the bottom 8, through which the container 3 can be filled and emptied, and an auxiliary opening 12 on the side opposite from the main wall 9.
- the main conveyor 6 presents a filler opening 13 communicating with a main loading hopper 14, placed beneath the selfsame opening 13, from which empty containers 3 are filled.
- the main conveyor 6 comprises a first transport belt 15 looped around pulleys 16, extending between the cigarette maker 4 and the hopper 14 and presenting a top branch 17 on which cigarettes 2 emerging from the maker 4 are carried, lying side by side.
- the first and second belts 15 and 18 present respective ends 21 and 22 positioned facing one another and combining to delimit the opening 13 aforementioned.
- the hopper 14 comprises a back wall 23a, also two side walls 23b extending downward divergently from the ends 21 and 22 of the belts 15 and 18 to a distance marginally less than the width of one container 3, and thereafter descending parallel.
- Each side wall 23b is also of width approximately equal to the length of one cigarette 2, so that the hopper 14 presents a bottom discharge opening 24 substantially identical in terms of outline and dimensions to the bottom 8 of a single container 3; the opening 24 is closed by a movable shutter 24a.
- the container management unit 7 comprises a device 25 by which empty containers 3 are fed to and filled at the loading hopper 14, and by which filled containers 3 are distanced from the hopper, also a device 26 by which cigarettes 2 are unloaded from the full containers 3 onto the main conveyor 6 at a point downstream of the filler opening 13.
- the feeding, filling and distancing device 25 serves to bring empty containers 3 stored in a first magazine 27 to the loading hopper 14, where they will be filled.
- This first magazine 27 consists in a first belt conveyor looped over respective pulleys 28 and extending transversely to the main conveyor 6.
- the first belt conveyor 27 terminates at one end 29 adjacent to the loading hopper 14, alongside the bottom opening 24, and is of width less than that of the single container 3.
- the empty containers 3 are positioned each with the bottom 8 resting on a top branch 30 of the belt conveyor 27, projecting beyond the longitudinal edges of the belt on either side, and with the auxiliary opening 12 facing toward the hopper 14.
- the first conveyor 27 is capable of movement in two opposing directions so as to carry the containers 3 toward or away from the hopper 14.
- the device 25 in question also comprises a second magazine 31 in which containers 3 are placed and stored after being filled at the loading hopper 14.
- the second magazine 31 consists in a second belt conveyor looped over respective pulleys 32 (one of which shown in figure 3 ), extending parallel with and alongside the first belt conveyor 27 and with one end 33 lying near the corresponding end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27.
- the second conveyor 31 is capable of movement likewise in two opposing directions and presents a top branch 34 on which the containers 3 are carried, each resting on the bottom 8 with the auxiliary opening 12 facing away from the end 33 of the belt located near the main conveyor 6 ( figures 1 and 3 ).
- the feeding, filling and distancing device 25 comprises a rotary carrier assembly 35 installed at the ends 29 and 33 of the first and second belt conveyors 27 and 31, by which single containers 3 filled at the loading hopper 14 are transferred to the second belt conveyor 31.
- the rotary carrier assembly 35 lies beneath the aforementioned ends 29 and 33 of the first and second belt conveyors 27 and 31 and comprises a frame 36, mounted on a platform 36a and rotatable about a vertical axis 37 located virtually between these same two conveyors.
- the frame 36 presents an elongated appearance and is equipped at one end 38, the end remote from the fulcrum established by the vertical axis 37, with a first vertical track 39 engaged slidably by a cantilevered first horizontal carrier plate 40 serving to support a respective container 3.
- the frame 36 is equipped similarly at a second end 41 with a second vertical track 42 rotatable, relative to the frame, about the vertical axis 37.
- a second cantilevered horizontal carrier plate 43 is associated slidably with the second track 42. Both plates 40 and 43 can be made thus to rotate independently about the axis 37 and to traverse vertically on the relative tracks 39 and 42 through the agency of suitable motors (not illustrated).
- each carrier plate 40 and 43 is capable of movement between a first position, lying beneath the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27 (plate 40 on the right in figure 9 ), a second position, associated with the bottom opening 24 of the hopper 14 (plate 40 on the right in figure 10 ), a third position, lying beneath and distanced from the hopper 14 (plate 40 on the right in figure 12 ), a fourth position, lying beneath and distanced from the end 33 of the second conveyor 31 (plate 40 on the left in figure 14 ), a fifth position, lying alongside the end 33 of the second conveyor 31 (plate 43 on the left in figure 12 ), and a sixth position, lying beneath the end 33 of the second conveyor 31 (plate 43 on the left in figure 13 ).
- each horizontal carrier plate 40 and 43 presents gripping means 44 able to lay hold on one of the containers 3 occupying the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27, when the plate 40 or 43 is in the first position, and place the container 3 on the end 33 of the second belt conveyor 31, when between the fifth and the sixth position.
- the single plate 40 and 43 is joined rigidly to a linear guide member 45 cantilevered in part from the plate 40 and 43 and extending in a horizontal direction Z perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the selfsame plate.
- the linear member 45 slides in a shoe 46, which is mounted in turn to a carriage 47 capable of movement along the respective vertical track 39 and 42, consisting in this instance of two rails.
- the gripping means 44 comprises a gripper composed of two jaws 48 positioned at opposite ends of the carrier plate 40 and 43, each pivotable on a hinge pin 48a disposed parallel to the linear guide member 45 between an open position and a closed position.
- the single plate 40 and 43 also presents a pair of spacers 49, each mounted adjacent to a relative jaw 48, which are set apart at a distance greater than the width of the belt conveyors 27 and 31 so that the container 3 can be supported and held clear of a top surface 50 presented by the relative plate 40 and 43, in accordance with the method of operation described in due course.
- Figures 15 to 22 show an alternative embodiment of the rotary carrier assembly 35, which is again positioned below the aforementioned ends 29 and 33 of the first and second belt conveyors 27 and 31.
- the rotary carrier assembly 35 comprises a first cross member 101 mounted on a platform 102 and able to rotate about a vertical axis 103 located substantially between the first and second belt conveyors 27 and 31.
- the carrier assembly 35 also comprises a second cross member 104 positioned below the hopper 14 and slidable on a first track 105, along a vertical axis 105a parallel to the vertical pivot axis 103 of the rotatable first cross member 101.
- the second cross member 104 is capable thus of movement between an elevated position and a lowered position, in such a way that an empty container 3 can be filled from the hopper 14 during the downward movement.
- the second cross member 104 serves to pick up an empty container 3 from the first belt conveyor 27 and, in the elevated position, place it beneath the hopper 14 so that it can be filled with cigarettes 2.
- the filled container 3 is released to the rotatable first cross member 101 and transferred by this same member to a position of alignment with the second belt conveyor 31.
- the assembly 35 further comprises a pivoting plate 106 mounted to the platform 102 and centred on a vertical fulcrum axis 107 passing through the hopper 14.
- the pivoting plate 106 presents a first end 106a coupled hingedly to a connecting rod 108 driven by an electric motor 109 and a relative crank 110. The plate 106 is thus caused by the motor 109 to pivot to and fro on its fulcrum.
- the first track 105 is mounted slidably on ways 112 anchored rigidly to the platform 102, and translatable thus in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the first belt conveyor 27.
- the second cross member 104 is also rendered capable of movement along a direction parallel to the transport direction of the first belt conveyor 27, thereby ensuring that the empty container 3 taken up by the second cross member 104 at the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27 can be traversed toward and positioned under the hopper 14 in readiness to be filled.
- the rotary carrier assembly 35 further comprises a third cross member 113 slidable on a second vertical track 114 along a axis 115 parallel to the axis 103 of rotation of the first cross member 101.
- the third cross member 113 is mounted to the platform 102 and capable of movement beneath the second belt conveyor 31, between a lowered position and an elevated position, in such a way that a full container 3 can be taken up from the rotatable first cross member 101 and released onto the end 33 of the second belt conveyor 31.
- the second vertical track 114 is also traversable along a direction parallel to the transport direction of the second belt conveyor 31, so that when the third cross member 113 is brought into alignment with the end 33 of the second belt conveyor 31, it can move toward the conveyor 31 and release the full container 3 directly onto the top branch 34 of the relative belt.
- the translational movement of the second track 114 in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the second belt conveyor 31 is induced by a motor 109a and occurs along ways 116 at the base of the selfsame track 114.
- the rotary carrier assembly 35 further comprises a fourth cross member 117 which, like the second, is positioned under the hopper 14 and slidable on a third track 118 along a vertical axis 119 parallel to the axis 103 of rotation of the first cross member 101.
- the fourth cross member 117 is substantially identical to the second cross member 104 and capable of movement between an elevated position and a lowered position, in such a way that an empty container 3 can be filled from the hopper 14 during the downward movement.
- the fourth cross member 117 is able to pick up an empty container 3 from the first belt conveyor 27 and, in the elevated position, place it beneath the loading hopper 14 in readiness to be filled with cigarettes 2.
- the filled container 3 is released to the rotatable first cross member 101 and transferred by this same member to a position of alignment with the second belt conveyor 31.
- the two operate in mutually opposite phase.
- a second end 106b of the pivoting plate 106 or rather the end on the side of the fulcrum axis 107 remote from the first end 106a, carries a connecting rod 120 coupled to the third track 118.
- the third track 118 is mounted slidably on ways 121 anchored rigidly to the platform 102, and translatable in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the first belt conveyor 27.
- the alternating motion of the pivoting plate 106 thus causes the third track 118 to travel along the ways 121, its movement phased oppositely to and induced in the same direction as that of the first track 105, so that the second and fourth cross members 104 and 117 will always operate in mutually parallel planes distanced one from another.
- the carrier assembly 35 is equipped with gripping means 122 installed on each of cross member 101, 104, 113 and 117, serving to lay hold on and retain a single container 3 stably during the handling steps.
- the unloading device 26 will be seen to comprise an auxiliary conveyor 51 that presents a bearing surface 51a capable of translational movement along a predetermined feed direction X, with a discharge end 52 lying above the main conveyor 6.
- the unloading device 26 also comprises a first manipulator 53a operating above the feeding, filling and distancing device 25, such as will overturn and position full containers 3 above the bearing surface 51a of the auxiliary conveyor 51 with the opening 11 directed toward the selfsame conveyor 51, and a second manipulator 53b by which emptied containers 3 are distanced from the auxiliary conveyor 51.
- the auxiliary conveyor 51 consists in a belt 54 looped around two pulleys 55, extending parallel with and above the main conveyor 6 and straddling the filler opening 13.
- a top branch 56 of the auxiliary conveyor 51 provides the aforementioned bearing surface 51a and is set motion continuously along the same direction as the main conveyor 6, so that the cigarettes 2 are caused to drop onto the top branch 20 of the second transport belt 18.
- the first manipulator 53a comprises a first arm 57 installed above the second belt conveyor 31 and serving to transfer each container 3 filled with cigarettes 2 from this same conveyor 31, that is, from the second magazine storing full containers, to a position above the auxiliary conveyor 51.
- the first arm 57 presents a first end 58 hinged about a horizontal axis 59 extending parallel to the feed direction X of the bearing surface 51a and that of the main conveyor 6, and a second end 60 equipped with a gripper 61 designed to engage the side walls 10 of a single container 3.
- the first arm 57 is capable of movement between a position allowing a container 3 to be picked up, in which the gripper 61 lies above the second belt conveyor 31 ( figure 5 ), and a position allowing cigarettes 2 to be unloaded, in which the gripper 61 lies above the auxiliary conveyor 51 ( figures 1 , 2 and 7 ).
- the first arm 57 incorporates two plates 62 of "S" outline, parallel with and distanced from one another, set at right angles to the horizontal axis 59 and presenting first ends 58 hinged along this same axis 59 to a mounting 63 stationed above the second belt conveyor 31 and forming part of a frame 64 associated with the equipment 1, illustrated only in part.
- Two jaws 65 forming part of the gripper 61 extend from respective second ends 60 of the plates 62 and are capable of movement along a direction parallel to the horizontal axis 59 toward and away from one another so as to grip or release a container 3.
- a closure wall 66 capable of movement between an extended position ( figures 1 , 3 , 5 , 6 and 7 ) of alignment with the gripper 61, in which the opening 11 of the container 3 held between the jaws 65 is closed off, and a retracted position ( figure 4 ) set back from the gripper 61, in which the opening 11 of the container 3 is left unobstructed.
- the first arm 57 In the position where a container 3 is picked up ( figure 5 ), the first arm 57 extends cantilevered from the mounting 63 and away from the auxiliary conveyor 51, whereas in the unloading position ( figures 1 and 3 ) the arm 57 extends toward the auxiliary conveyor 51.
- the second manipulator 53b comprises a pivoting second arm 67 installed above the first belt conveyor 27 and serving to transfer the single containers 3, when empty, from the auxiliary conveyor 51 to the aforementioned conveyor 27, that is to say the magazine storing empty containers.
- the second arm 67 presents a first end 68 hinged about a horizontal axis 69 extending parallel to the feed direction X of the bearing surface 51a and that of the main conveyor 6, and a second end 70 equipped with a respective gripper 71 designed to engage the side walls 10 of a single container 3; the gripper 71 is also rotatable relative to the second arm 67 about a further axis 72 perpendicular to the horizontal axis 69.
- the second arm 67 is capable of movement between a position allowing a container 3 to be picked up, in which the gripper 71 lies above the auxiliary conveyor 51 ( figures 1 , 3 and 7 ), and a position allowing the container 3 to be unloaded onto the magazine 27, in which the gripper 71 lies above the first belt conveyor 27 ( figure 5 ), rotated through 180° about its axis 72 from the pick-up position.
- the second arm 67 incorporates two plates 73 of "L" outline, parallel with and distanced from one another, set at right angles to the horizontal axis 69 and presenting first ends 68 hinged along this same axis 69 to a mounting 74 stationed above the first belt conveyor 27 and forming part of the frame 64 aforementioned.
- a shaft 75 mounted rotatably at a point between the two plates 73 is aligned on the aforementioned axis 72 perpendicular to the horizontal axis 69 and carries two jaws 76 belonging to the gripper 71 of the second arm 67.
- the jaws 76 are capable of motion along a direction parallel to the horizontal axis 69 toward and away from one another so as to grip or release a container 3.
- the second arm 67 extends toward the auxiliary conveyor 51, whereas in the unloading position ( figure 5 ) the arm 67 extends cantilevered from the mounting 74 in the opposite direction, away from the auxiliary conveyor 51, with the gripper shaft 75 perpendicular to the top branch 30 of the first belt conveyor 27 and the jaws 76 of the gripper 71 directed toward the auxiliary conveyor 51.
- the equipment 1 further comprises a rectilinear track 77 located above the auxiliary conveyor 51, fitted to a member of the aforementioned frame 64 and extending parallel to the top branch 56 of the conveyor 51, also a carriage 78 mounted to the track 77, lying above the selfsame top branch 56 of the auxiliary conveyor 51 and consequently above the bearing surface 51a.
- the carriage 78 glides on the track 77, set in motion by suitable means not shown in the drawings, alternating between a first station 79 and a second station 80 located one next to the other on the auxiliary conveyor 51.
- the carriage 78 consists in a movable hopper presenting a top opening 81 alignable with the opening 11 of the container 3, and a bottom opening 82 offered to the bearing surface 51a.
- the hopper 78 presents a vertical back wall 83 associated with the track 77, by way of a glide for example (not illustrated), a first side wall 84 directed toward the first station 79 and presenting a bottom edge 85 distanced from the bearing surface 51a, and a second side wall 86 directed toward the second station 80 and presenting a bottom edge 87 in close proximity to the bearing surface 51a.
- the side walls 84 and 86 extend parallel from two opposite ends of the back wall 83 and delimit a passage 88 offered to the cigarettes 2 dropping from the container 3, which is set on a top edge 89 of the carriage 78 by the first arm 57 of the first manipulator 53a when in the unloading position, with the opening 11 directed toward the passage 88.
- cigarettes 2 dropping from the container 3 can be distributed along the auxiliary conveyor 51, as will described in due course.
- the carriage 78 is also equipped with a plurality of flow dividers 90 mounted to the back wall 83 and occupying the passage 88 filled by the cigarettes 2 dropping from the container 3 onto the auxiliary conveyor 51, of which the function is to separate the cigarettes 2 descending through the hopper 78 into a plurality of ordered streams and ensure they are not turned skew.
- each flow divider 90 comprises a box-like body 91 with a wedge portion 92 uppermost, hinged along a relative vertex 93 to a pivot 94 extending parallel to the vertex 93 and anchored orthogonally to the back wall 83, and a parallelepiped portion 95 beneath, thereby appearing as a "gabled hut".
- the descending cigarettes 2 thus slide down inclined surfaces 96 presented by the wedge portions 92, thence through channels 97 delimited by the dividers 90 and by the first side wall 84 and the second side wall 86 of the hopper 78.
- Three such flow dividers 90 are shown in the example illustrated, positioned side by side and spaced apart one from the next so as to combine with the side walls 84 and 86 of the carriage 78 in defining four flow channels 97, and presenting respective parallelepiped portions 95 of dissimilar vertical proportions. More exactly, the height of the single flow divider 90 increases progressively, and its clearance from the bearing surface 51a is reduced correspondingly, departing from the divider 90 nearest the first side wall 84 of the hopper 78; each flow divider 90 is also free to swing on the relative pivot 94.
- cigarettes 2 coming from the cigarette maker 4 can be stored in the containers 3 and supplied to the packer 5 as and when required, and in accordance with a method that will now be described.
- the method in question includes a step of filling empty containers 3 with cigarettes 2 turned out by the cigarette maker 4, invoked in particular when the infeed capacity of the cigarette packer 5 drops below the output of the cigarette maker 4.
- cigarettes 2 advance on the top branch 17 of the first transport belt 15 as far as the opening 13, and on the top branch 20 of the second transport belt 18 up to the cigarette packer 5.
- empty containers 3 lying in storage on the first conveyor 27 are fed toward the hopper 14, filled one at a time with cigarettes 2 from the selfsame hopper 14, then distanced and stored ( figures 9 to 14 ).
- a container 3 is offered to the hopper 14 with the top opening 11 directed upwards and the auxiliary opening 12 facing the hopper 14 (container 3 on the right in figure 9 ), and placed with the bottom 8 beneath the bottom discharge opening 24 of the hopper 14, so that the hopper 14 is effectively positioned inside the container 3 (container 3 on the right in figure 10 ).
- the cigarettes 2 contained in the hopper 14 are released by a movement of the shutter 24a, and will drop through the bottom opening 24 onto the bottom 8 of the container 3, the container itself also being lowered gradually to free more space (container 3 on the right in figure 11 ).
- This latter step will be effected preferably by rotating the container 3 through 180° about the aforementioned axis 37, which lies parallel to the side walls 10 and to one side of the container 3, and thereupon elevating the container.
- one of the carrier plates 40 or 43 for example the first plate 40, is elevated to a level beneath the end 29 of the conveyor so that the spacers 49, projecting beyond the first belt conveyor 27 on either side, will make contact with and support the container 3 (first position of the plate, figure 9 ).
- the second plate 43 will be carrying an already full container 3 beneath the end 33 of the second belt conveyor 31, ready to be elevated to this same end 33 ( figures 9 and 10 ).
- the carriage 47 slides downward on the vertical track 39 and the first carrier plate 40 carries the container 3 into the third position as it is filled with cigarettes 2 ( figures 11 and 12 ).
- the second plate 43 is elevated with the container 3 full of cigarettes 2, bringing the bottom 8 of the container 3 into alignment with the top branch 34 of the second belt conveyor 31 ( figure 12 ), whereupon the linear guide member 45 slides relative to the shoe 46, positioning the second plate 43 below the end 33 of the belt conveyor 31 and the bottom 8 of the container 3 above the end 33 of the belt 31.
- the end 33 of the second belt conveyor 31 slips between the plate 43 and the container 3, which rests on the spacers 49 ( figure 13 ).
- the carriage 47 slides downward on the vertical track 39 so that the container 3 settles on the second conveyor 31, by which it is transported to a storage location with the auxiliary opening 12 directed away from the main conveyor 6 and the opening 11 directed upwards ( figure 14 ).
- the frame 36 together with the first vertical track 39 and the first carrier plate 40, is caused to turn on the axis 37 of rotation through 180°, bringing the container 3 into the fourth position ( figure 14 ).
- the second vertical track 42 and the second carrier plate 43 currently positioned higher than the first plate 40, rotate through 180° in the opposite direction and into a position of alignment with the end 29 of the first conveyor 27, ready to receive another container 3 ( figure 14 ).
- This further empty container 3 can be offered to the hopper 14, lowered and filled, at the same time as the container 3 filled previously, carried by the first plate 40, is being rotated or elevated toward the end 33 of the second belt conveyor 31.
- the first plate 40 is elevated following the same steps as described previously in respect of the second plate 43.
- a container 3 reaches the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27 at the same time as either the second cross member 104 or the fourth cross member 117, and for example the second 104, is elevated to a position of alignment with the end 29 of the conveyor 27, at which point the container 3 can be engaged and supported by the gripping means 122 of the selfsame cross member ( figure 17 ) .
- the first vertical track 105 is caused to slide along the relative ways 112 by the pivoting plate 106, positioning the second cross member 104 beyond the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27 and beneath the hopper 14.
- the third track 118 is made to slide along the relative ways 121 by the pivoting plate 106 with the result that the fourth cross member 117, currently in the lowered position, is aligned directly below the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27.
- the second cross member 104 is made to slide downwards on the first vertical track 105 ( figure 18 ).
- the fourth cross member 117 will slide upwards on the third vertical track 118.
- the fourth cross member 117 draws adjacent to the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27, from which it proceeds to pick up an empty container 3, whereupon the steps already described in respect of the second cross member 104 will be repeated.
- the first track 105 With the second cross member 104 in the lowered position, the first track 105 will be translated by the pivoting plate 106 into a position of alignment with the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27 ( figure 19 ).
- the third track 118 is shifted by the pivoting plate 106 in the opposite direction, so that the fourth cross member 117 and the empty container 3 taken up previously are moved into position under the hopper 14.
- the full container 3 is taken up from the second cross member 104 by the rotatable first cross member 101, through the agency of the relative gripping means 122, and swung preferably through 180° about the axis 103 of rotation of the selfsame first cross member ( figure 20 ).
- the second cross member 104 is elevated and the fourth cross member 117 lowered, and the cycle of steps described above in respect of the second and fourth cross members 104 and 117 will be repeated.
- the full container 3 is transferred to the third cross member 113, through the agency of the relative gripping means 122 ( figure 21 ).
- the third cross member 113 is now elevated on the second track 114, and the container 3 raised to a level above the second belt conveyor 31.
- the second track 114 is traversed along the relative ways 116 toward the end 33 of the second belt conveyor 31, bringing the container 3 into a position directly over the conveyor 31 ( figure 22 ).
- the full container 3 can now be released onto the second belt conveyor 31 and stored.
- the second track 114 is traversed back along the ways 116 and the cross member 113 returned to the lowered position in readiness to transfer another full container 3 into the magazine.
- the method according to the invention includes a further step of emptying full containers 3 and feeding cigarettes 2 to the packer 5, which will be invoked in particular when demand at the cigarette packer 5 exceeds output from the cigarette maker 4.
- the first in the row of full containers 3 stored on the second conveyor 31 is taken up by the first arm 57, overturned and positioned above the bearing surface 51a of the auxiliary conveyor 51, in such a way that the top opening 11 is directed downwards and will allow the cigarettes 2 to drop onto the surface 51a as it advances along the predetermined feed direction X.
- the first arm 57 is deployed at the pick-up position illustrated in figure 5 , the closure wall 66 is extended to close off the top opening 11 of the container 3, and the jaws 65 engage the two side walls 10 of the container 3, whereupon the arm is rotated through 180° about its horizontal axis 59 ( figure 6 ) so as to position the container 3 over the hopper 78, which will be approaching the first station 79, still occupied by cigarettes 2 emptied from the previous container 3 and flowing through onto the auxiliary conveyor 51 ( figure 7 ).
- the container 3 remains above the hopper 78 for a few moments ( figure 1 ), whereupon the wall 66 is retracted and the cigarettes 2 in the container 3 are able to drop onto the cigarettes 2 still in the hopper 78, whilst the container 3 rests on the top edge 89 of the hopper 78 and the first arm 57 is withdrawn ( figure 4 ). In this first emptying step, the container 3 remains stationary at the first station 79, above the advancing bearing surface 51a on which the cigarettes 2 are carried toward the discharge end 52.
- the hopper 78 is displaced toward the second station 80 along a direction Y parallel and opposite to the feed direction X of the bearing surface 51a as the cigarettes 2 continue to flow through the hopper 78, now at a faster rate than during the first step, since the movement of the auxiliary conveyor 51 along the relative feed direction X is compounded by the movement of the carriage 78 in the opposite direction ( figure 5 ).
- the first arm 57 returns to the pick-up position.
- the hopper 78 and the container 3 remain stationary above the bearing surface 51a, which continues to advance, as part of a third emptying step during which the container 3 is emptied completely and another full container 3 is brought by the first arm 57 into the first station 79 ( figure 6 ).
- Figure 7 illustrates a fourth emptying step in which the hopper 78, located below the container 3 and above the bearing surface 51a and moving as one with the container 3 during the first, second and third steps, is separated from the container 3 at the second station 80 and set in motion along a direction Y' concurrent with the feed direction X followed by the bearing surface 51a toward the first station 79, as the cigarettes 2 still in the hopper 78 continue to unload ( figure 7 ).
- the hopper 78 On reaching the first station 79, the hopper 78 is ready to recommence the cycle ( figure 1 ), whilst the empty container 3 is taken up from the second station 80 by the second arm 67 and deposited on the first conveyor belt 27 (sequence of steps shown in figures 1 , 4 and 5 ).
- the container 3 is taken up at the second station 80 by the gripper 71 of the second arm 67 and lifted a short distance to separate it from the hopper 78. Only when the hopper 78 reaches the first station 79 will the second arm 67 then rotate on its horizontal axis 69 through 180° and the gripper 71 simultaneously swivel on the axis 72 perpendicular to the horizontal axis 69 so as to position the empty container 3 with the bottom 8 resting on the first belt conveyor 27 and the auxiliary opening 12 facing toward the auxiliary conveyor 51, hence toward the loading hopper 14.
- the empty container 3 can either be carried by the first belt conveyor 27 toward a storage area or directed toward the hopper 14 to be refilled.
- the cigarettes 2 are separated into distinct and ordered streams by the flow dividers 90 installed in the hopper 78, which are caused by the movement of the selfsame cigarettes 2 and by the momentum of the carriage 78 itself to sway compliantly and thus prevent the cigarettes 2 from being turned skew and jamming the hopper 78.
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- Manufacturing Of Cigar And Cigarette Tobacco (AREA)
- Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a method for the handling and transfer of tobacco products in batches.
- The invention finds application to advantage in complete lines for manufacturing tobacco products, cigarettes in particular, and is utilized for the purpose of feeding such products from a maker to a wrapping machine, or packer.
- Conventionally, cigarettes are fed to the packer adopting two distinct methods. The first consists in connecting the cigarette maker directly to a hopper of the packer by way of a conveyor, along which the cigarettes are directed en masse. Using the second method, cigarettes emerging from the maker are ordered in containers, known as trays, which are stored in readiness and then emptied at the hopper of the packer when required.
- An example of such method can be seen in document
US 5 123 798 . - The trays must be filled, transferred and stored at a relatively fast rate, in order to keep up with the production tempo of the cigarette maker, and at the same time exercising particular care, in order to ensure that the cigarettes will not be disturbed from their orderly arrangement and suffer damage in the process.
- The object of the present invention is to provide a method for batch handling and transfer of tobacco products in accordance with the second method aforementioned, by which the trays and the products contained in them can be processed with extreme care and at high speed.
- In particular, the object of the invention is to devise a method for batch handling and transfer of tobacco products that will be compatible with high speed operation and allow the management of a considerable quantity of cigarettes for loading into containers.
- A further object of the invention is to provide a method allowing surplus tobacco products to be stored temporarily when the demand at the packer falls below the output from the cigarette maker, and thereafter supplied to the packer when demand at the packer exceeds the output of the cigarette maker.
- The stated objects are realized in a method for batch handling and transfer of tobacco products, of which the features are recited in one or more of claims 1 to 3 appended.
- The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
figure 1 is an overall front perspective view of equipment for carrying out the method of the present invention; -
figure 2 is an enlarged view showing a first element of the equipment infigure 1 ; -
figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the equipment illustrated infigure 1 ; -
figures 4 ,5 ,6 and7 illustrate a portion of the equipment offigure 1 , seen in respective operating positions assumed sequentially during the step of emptying a container; -
figure 8 is an enlarged view showing a second element of the equipment infigure 1 ; -
figures 9 ,10 ,11 ,12 ,13 and14 illustrate the equipment offigure 1 , seen in respective operating positions assumed sequentially during the steps of filling and storing a container; -
figure 15 illustrates the element offigure 8 in an alternative embodiment; -
figure 16 illustrates the element offigure 15 with certain parts omitted better to reveal others; -
figures 17 ,18 ,19 ,20 ,21 and22 illustrate the element offigure 15 in respective operating positions assumed sequentially during the steps of filling and storing a container. - Referring to
figures 1 ,2 and3 , the invention relates to equipment denoted 1 in its entirety, by whichtobacco products 2, cigarettes in particular, are handled in batchmode using containers 3 known as trays, or feedboxes, and transferred thus from acigarette maker 4 to acigarette packer 5. Bothmachines - The equipment 1 comprises a
main conveyor 6 by whichcigarettes 2 are directed from thecigarette maker 4 toward thepacker 5; theconveyor 6 operates in conjunction with aunit 7 for managing the movement of thecontainers 3, each of which is able to hold a plurality ofcigarettes 2 arranged in ordered alignment. - Each
container 3 presents arectangular bottom 8, of which the shorter side is matched substantially to the length of asingle cigarette 2 and the longer side compasses several tens ofcigarettes 2 disposed side by side, also amain wall 9, likewise rectangular, set at right angles to thebottom 8 and joined along one longer side to a corresponding longer side of thebottom 8. Thecigarettes 2 lie with one end offered in contact to themain wall 9, which presents a shorter side compassing several tens ofcigarettes 2 disposed side by side; thus, thecontainer 3 will accommodate several thousand cigarettes, ordered quincuncially. Thecontainer 3 also presents two mutually opposed andparallel side walls 10 perpendicular to thebottom 8 and to themain wall 9, combining to delimit anopening 11 on the side opposite from thebottom 8, through which thecontainer 3 can be filled and emptied, and anauxiliary opening 12 on the side opposite from themain wall 9. - The
main conveyor 6 presents a filler opening 13 communicating with amain loading hopper 14, placed beneath theselfsame opening 13, from whichempty containers 3 are filled. - In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the
main conveyor 6 comprises afirst transport belt 15 looped aroundpulleys 16, extending between thecigarette maker 4 and thehopper 14 and presenting atop branch 17 on whichcigarettes 2 emerging from themaker 4 are carried, lying side by side. Asecond transport belt 18, looped overrelative pulleys 19 and aligned in the same plane as that occupied by thefirst belt 15, extends between thehopper 14 and thecigarette packer 5 and presents atop branch 20 carryingcigarettes 2 about to enter thepacker 5. The first andsecond belts respective ends - The
hopper 14 comprises aback wall 23a, also twoside walls 23b extending downward divergently from theends belts container 3, and thereafter descending parallel. Eachside wall 23b is also of width approximately equal to the length of onecigarette 2, so that thehopper 14 presents a bottom discharge opening 24 substantially identical in terms of outline and dimensions to thebottom 8 of asingle container 3; theopening 24 is closed by amovable shutter 24a. - The
container management unit 7 comprises adevice 25 by whichempty containers 3 are fed to and filled at theloading hopper 14, and by which filledcontainers 3 are distanced from the hopper, also adevice 26 by whichcigarettes 2 are unloaded from thefull containers 3 onto themain conveyor 6 at a point downstream of the filler opening 13. - In detail, the feeding, filling and
distancing device 25 serves to bringempty containers 3 stored in afirst magazine 27 to theloading hopper 14, where they will be filled. Thisfirst magazine 27 consists in a first belt conveyor looped overrespective pulleys 28 and extending transversely to themain conveyor 6. Thefirst belt conveyor 27 terminates at oneend 29 adjacent to theloading hopper 14, alongside the bottom opening 24, and is of width less than that of thesingle container 3. Theempty containers 3 are positioned each with thebottom 8 resting on atop branch 30 of thebelt conveyor 27, projecting beyond the longitudinal edges of the belt on either side, and with theauxiliary opening 12 facing toward thehopper 14. Thefirst conveyor 27 is capable of movement in two opposing directions so as to carry thecontainers 3 toward or away from thehopper 14. - The
device 25 in question also comprises asecond magazine 31 in whichcontainers 3 are placed and stored after being filled at theloading hopper 14. Thesecond magazine 31 consists in a second belt conveyor looped over respective pulleys 32 (one of which shown infigure 3 ), extending parallel with and alongside thefirst belt conveyor 27 and with oneend 33 lying near thecorresponding end 29 of thefirst belt conveyor 27. Thesecond conveyor 31 is capable of movement likewise in two opposing directions and presents atop branch 34 on which thecontainers 3 are carried, each resting on thebottom 8 with theauxiliary opening 12 facing away from theend 33 of the belt located near the main conveyor 6 (figures 1 and3 ). - Finally, the feeding, filling and
distancing device 25 comprises arotary carrier assembly 35 installed at theends second belt conveyors single containers 3 filled at theloading hopper 14 are transferred to thesecond belt conveyor 31. - With reference in particular to
figures 1 and8 , therotary carrier assembly 35 lies beneath theaforementioned ends second belt conveyors frame 36, mounted on aplatform 36a and rotatable about avertical axis 37 located virtually between these same two conveyors. Theframe 36 presents an elongated appearance and is equipped at oneend 38, the end remote from the fulcrum established by thevertical axis 37, with a firstvertical track 39 engaged slidably by a cantilevered firsthorizontal carrier plate 40 serving to support arespective container 3. - The
frame 36 is equipped similarly at asecond end 41 with a secondvertical track 42 rotatable, relative to the frame, about thevertical axis 37. A second cantileveredhorizontal carrier plate 43 is associated slidably with thesecond track 42. Bothplates axis 37 and to traverse vertically on therelative tracks - In particular, each
carrier plate end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27 (plate 40 on the right infigure 9 ), a second position, associated with the bottom opening 24 of the hopper 14 (plate 40 on the right infigure 10 ), a third position, lying beneath and distanced from the hopper 14 (plate 40 on the right infigure 12 ), a fourth position, lying beneath and distanced from theend 33 of the second conveyor 31 (plate 40 on the left infigure 14 ), a fifth position, lying alongside theend 33 of the second conveyor 31 (plate 43 on the left infigure 12 ), and a sixth position, lying beneath theend 33 of the second conveyor 31 (plate 43 on the left infigure 13 ). - In addition, each
horizontal carrier plate containers 3 occupying theend 29 of thefirst belt conveyor 27, when theplate container 3 on theend 33 of thesecond belt conveyor 31, when between the fifth and the sixth position. - Looking more closely at the constructional detail of the example illustrated (
figure 8 ), thesingle plate linear guide member 45 cantilevered in part from theplate linear member 45 slides in ashoe 46, which is mounted in turn to acarriage 47 capable of movement along the respectivevertical track jaws 48 positioned at opposite ends of thecarrier plate hinge pin 48a disposed parallel to thelinear guide member 45 between an open position and a closed position. Thesingle plate spacers 49, each mounted adjacent to arelative jaw 48, which are set apart at a distance greater than the width of thebelt conveyors container 3 can be supported and held clear of atop surface 50 presented by therelative plate -
Figures 15 to 22 show an alternative embodiment of therotary carrier assembly 35, which is again positioned below theaforementioned ends second belt conveyors - In this instance, the
rotary carrier assembly 35 comprises afirst cross member 101 mounted on aplatform 102 and able to rotate about avertical axis 103 located substantially between the first andsecond belt conveyors - The
carrier assembly 35 also comprises asecond cross member 104 positioned below thehopper 14 and slidable on afirst track 105, along avertical axis 105a parallel to thevertical pivot axis 103 of the rotatablefirst cross member 101. - The
second cross member 104 is capable thus of movement between an elevated position and a lowered position, in such a way that anempty container 3 can be filled from thehopper 14 during the downward movement. - Accordingly, the
second cross member 104 serves to pick up anempty container 3 from thefirst belt conveyor 27 and, in the elevated position, place it beneath thehopper 14 so that it can be filled withcigarettes 2. - With the
second cross member 104 in the lowered position, the filledcontainer 3 is released to the rotatablefirst cross member 101 and transferred by this same member to a position of alignment with thesecond belt conveyor 31. - As illustrated in
figure 16 , theassembly 35 further comprises apivoting plate 106 mounted to theplatform 102 and centred on avertical fulcrum axis 107 passing through thehopper 14. - The
pivoting plate 106 presents afirst end 106a coupled hingedly to a connectingrod 108 driven by anelectric motor 109 and arelative crank 110. Theplate 106 is thus caused by themotor 109 to pivot to and fro on its fulcrum. - Also coupled to this same
first end 106a is afurther rod 111 serving to connect theplate 106 to the verticalfirst track 105. Thefirst track 105 is mounted slidably onways 112 anchored rigidly to theplatform 102, and translatable thus in a direction parallel to the transport direction of thefirst belt conveyor 27. - With this arrangement, the alternating motion of the pivoting
plate 106 causes thefirst track 105 to travel along theaforementioned ways 112. - Accordingly, the
second cross member 104 is also rendered capable of movement along a direction parallel to the transport direction of thefirst belt conveyor 27, thereby ensuring that theempty container 3 taken up by thesecond cross member 104 at theend 29 of thefirst belt conveyor 27 can be traversed toward and positioned under thehopper 14 in readiness to be filled. - The
rotary carrier assembly 35 further comprises athird cross member 113 slidable on a secondvertical track 114 along aaxis 115 parallel to theaxis 103 of rotation of thefirst cross member 101. Thethird cross member 113 is mounted to theplatform 102 and capable of movement beneath thesecond belt conveyor 31, between a lowered position and an elevated position, in such a way that afull container 3 can be taken up from the rotatablefirst cross member 101 and released onto theend 33 of thesecond belt conveyor 31. - The second
vertical track 114 is also traversable along a direction parallel to the transport direction of thesecond belt conveyor 31, so that when thethird cross member 113 is brought into alignment with theend 33 of thesecond belt conveyor 31, it can move toward theconveyor 31 and release thefull container 3 directly onto thetop branch 34 of the relative belt. The translational movement of thesecond track 114 in a direction parallel to the transport direction of thesecond belt conveyor 31 is induced by amotor 109a and occurs alongways 116 at the base of theselfsame track 114. - The
rotary carrier assembly 35 further comprises afourth cross member 117 which, like the second, is positioned under thehopper 14 and slidable on athird track 118 along avertical axis 119 parallel to theaxis 103 of rotation of thefirst cross member 101. - The
fourth cross member 117 is substantially identical to thesecond cross member 104 and capable of movement between an elevated position and a lowered position, in such a way that anempty container 3 can be filled from thehopper 14 during the downward movement. - The
fourth cross member 117 is able to pick up anempty container 3 from thefirst belt conveyor 27 and, in the elevated position, place it beneath theloading hopper 14 in readiness to be filled withcigarettes 2. - With the
fourth cross member 117 in the lowered position, the filledcontainer 3 is released to the rotatablefirst cross member 101 and transferred by this same member to a position of alignment with thesecond belt conveyor 31. - To avoid any interference between the movements of the second and
fourth cross members - Thus, when the
second cross member 104 occupies the elevated position, thefourth cross member 117 will occupy the lowered position, and vice versa. - Similarly, the movements of the second and
fourth cross members first belt conveyor 27 are phased oppositely one to another, so that the twocross members - With this purpose in view, a
second end 106b of the pivotingplate 106, or rather the end on the side of thefulcrum axis 107 remote from thefirst end 106a, carries a connectingrod 120 coupled to thethird track 118. In like manner to thefirst track 105, thethird track 118 is mounted slidably onways 121 anchored rigidly to theplatform 102, and translatable in a direction parallel to the transport direction of thefirst belt conveyor 27. - The alternating motion of the pivoting
plate 106 thus causes thethird track 118 to travel along theways 121, its movement phased oppositely to and induced in the same direction as that of thefirst track 105, so that the second andfourth cross members - The
carrier assembly 35 is equipped withgripping means 122 installed on each ofcross member single container 3 stably during the handling steps. - Observing
figures 1 to 7 , theunloading device 26 will be seen to comprise anauxiliary conveyor 51 that presents abearing surface 51a capable of translational movement along a predetermined feed direction X, with adischarge end 52 lying above themain conveyor 6. Theunloading device 26 also comprises afirst manipulator 53a operating above the feeding, filling and distancingdevice 25, such as will overturn and positionfull containers 3 above the bearingsurface 51a of theauxiliary conveyor 51 with theopening 11 directed toward theselfsame conveyor 51, and asecond manipulator 53b by which emptiedcontainers 3 are distanced from theauxiliary conveyor 51. - In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the
auxiliary conveyor 51 consists in abelt 54 looped around twopulleys 55, extending parallel with and above themain conveyor 6 and straddling thefiller opening 13. Atop branch 56 of theauxiliary conveyor 51 provides theaforementioned bearing surface 51a and is set motion continuously along the same direction as themain conveyor 6, so that thecigarettes 2 are caused to drop onto thetop branch 20 of thesecond transport belt 18. - As illustrated to advantage in
figure 3 , thefirst manipulator 53a comprises afirst arm 57 installed above thesecond belt conveyor 31 and serving to transfer eachcontainer 3 filled withcigarettes 2 from thissame conveyor 31, that is, from the second magazine storing full containers, to a position above theauxiliary conveyor 51. - The
first arm 57 presents afirst end 58 hinged about ahorizontal axis 59 extending parallel to the feed direction X of the bearingsurface 51a and that of themain conveyor 6, and asecond end 60 equipped with agripper 61 designed to engage theside walls 10 of asingle container 3. - Thus, the
first arm 57 is capable of movement between a position allowing acontainer 3 to be picked up, in which thegripper 61 lies above the second belt conveyor 31 (figure 5 ), and aposition allowing cigarettes 2 to be unloaded, in which thegripper 61 lies above the auxiliary conveyor 51 (figures 1 ,2 and7 ). - In greater detail, the
first arm 57 incorporates twoplates 62 of "S" outline, parallel with and distanced from one another, set at right angles to thehorizontal axis 59 and presenting first ends 58 hinged along thissame axis 59 to a mounting 63 stationed above thesecond belt conveyor 31 and forming part of aframe 64 associated with the equipment 1, illustrated only in part. - Two
jaws 65 forming part of thegripper 61 extend from respective second ends 60 of theplates 62 and are capable of movement along a direction parallel to thehorizontal axis 59 toward and away from one another so as to grip or release acontainer 3. - Also attached to the
first arm 57 is aclosure wall 66 capable of movement between an extended position (figures 1 ,3 ,5 ,6 and7 ) of alignment with thegripper 61, in which theopening 11 of thecontainer 3 held between thejaws 65 is closed off, and a retracted position (figure 4 ) set back from thegripper 61, in which theopening 11 of thecontainer 3 is left unobstructed. - In the position where a
container 3 is picked up (figure 5 ), thefirst arm 57 extends cantilevered from the mounting 63 and away from theauxiliary conveyor 51, whereas in the unloading position (figures 1 and3 ) thearm 57 extends toward theauxiliary conveyor 51. - The
second manipulator 53b comprises a pivotingsecond arm 67 installed above thefirst belt conveyor 27 and serving to transfer thesingle containers 3, when empty, from theauxiliary conveyor 51 to theaforementioned conveyor 27, that is to say the magazine storing empty containers. - The
second arm 67 presents afirst end 68 hinged about ahorizontal axis 69 extending parallel to the feed direction X of the bearingsurface 51a and that of themain conveyor 6, and asecond end 70 equipped with arespective gripper 71 designed to engage theside walls 10 of asingle container 3; thegripper 71 is also rotatable relative to thesecond arm 67 about afurther axis 72 perpendicular to thehorizontal axis 69. - Thus, the
second arm 67 is capable of movement between a position allowing acontainer 3 to be picked up, in which thegripper 71 lies above the auxiliary conveyor 51 (figures 1 ,3 and7 ), and a position allowing thecontainer 3 to be unloaded onto themagazine 27, in which thegripper 71 lies above the first belt conveyor 27 (figure 5 ), rotated through 180° about itsaxis 72 from the pick-up position. - In greater detail, the
second arm 67 incorporates twoplates 73 of "L" outline, parallel with and distanced from one another, set at right angles to thehorizontal axis 69 and presenting first ends 68 hinged along thissame axis 69 to a mounting 74 stationed above thefirst belt conveyor 27 and forming part of theframe 64 aforementioned. - A
shaft 75 mounted rotatably at a point between the twoplates 73 is aligned on theaforementioned axis 72 perpendicular to thehorizontal axis 69 and carries twojaws 76 belonging to thegripper 71 of thesecond arm 67. Thejaws 76 are capable of motion along a direction parallel to thehorizontal axis 69 toward and away from one another so as to grip or release acontainer 3. - In the position where a
container 3 is picked up (figures 1 ,3 and7 ), thesecond arm 67 extends toward theauxiliary conveyor 51, whereas in the unloading position (figure 5 ) thearm 67 extends cantilevered from the mounting 74 in the opposite direction, away from theauxiliary conveyor 51, with thegripper shaft 75 perpendicular to thetop branch 30 of thefirst belt conveyor 27 and thejaws 76 of thegripper 71 directed toward theauxiliary conveyor 51. - The equipment 1 further comprises a
rectilinear track 77 located above theauxiliary conveyor 51, fitted to a member of theaforementioned frame 64 and extending parallel to thetop branch 56 of theconveyor 51, also acarriage 78 mounted to thetrack 77, lying above the selfsametop branch 56 of theauxiliary conveyor 51 and consequently above the bearingsurface 51a. Thecarriage 78 glides on thetrack 77, set in motion by suitable means not shown in the drawings, alternating between afirst station 79 and asecond station 80 located one next to the other on theauxiliary conveyor 51. - As illustrated to advantage in
figure 2 , thecarriage 78 consists in a movable hopper presenting atop opening 81 alignable with theopening 11 of thecontainer 3, and abottom opening 82 offered to thebearing surface 51a. - In more detail, the
hopper 78 presents avertical back wall 83 associated with thetrack 77, by way of a glide for example (not illustrated), afirst side wall 84 directed toward thefirst station 79 and presenting abottom edge 85 distanced from the bearingsurface 51a, and asecond side wall 86 directed toward thesecond station 80 and presenting abottom edge 87 in close proximity to thebearing surface 51a. - The
side walls back wall 83 and delimit apassage 88 offered to thecigarettes 2 dropping from thecontainer 3, which is set on atop edge 89 of thecarriage 78 by thefirst arm 57 of thefirst manipulator 53a when in the unloading position, with theopening 11 directed toward thepassage 88. - With a
container 3 positioned on thecarriage 78, possibly held in position by retaining means (not illustrated), and thecarriage 78 traversing from the first position toward the second position,cigarettes 2 dropping from thecontainer 3 can be distributed along theauxiliary conveyor 51, as will described in due course. - The
carriage 78 is also equipped with a plurality offlow dividers 90 mounted to theback wall 83 and occupying thepassage 88 filled by thecigarettes 2 dropping from thecontainer 3 onto theauxiliary conveyor 51, of which the function is to separate thecigarettes 2 descending through thehopper 78 into a plurality of ordered streams and ensure they are not turned skew. - As illustrated to advantage in
figure 2 , eachflow divider 90 comprises a box-like body 91 with awedge portion 92 uppermost, hinged along arelative vertex 93 to apivot 94 extending parallel to thevertex 93 and anchored orthogonally to theback wall 83, and aparallelepiped portion 95 beneath, thereby appearing as a "gabled hut". The descendingcigarettes 2 thus slide downinclined surfaces 96 presented by thewedge portions 92, thence throughchannels 97 delimited by thedividers 90 and by thefirst side wall 84 and thesecond side wall 86 of thehopper 78. - Three
such flow dividers 90 are shown in the example illustrated, positioned side by side and spaced apart one from the next so as to combine with theside walls carriage 78 in defining fourflow channels 97, and presentingrespective parallelepiped portions 95 of dissimilar vertical proportions. More exactly, the height of thesingle flow divider 90 increases progressively, and its clearance from the bearingsurface 51a is reduced correspondingly, departing from thedivider 90 nearest thefirst side wall 84 of thehopper 78; eachflow divider 90 is also free to swing on therelative pivot 94. - Using the equipment 1 described,
cigarettes 2 coming from thecigarette maker 4 can be stored in thecontainers 3 and supplied to thepacker 5 as and when required, and in accordance with a method that will now be described. - The method in question includes a step of filling
empty containers 3 withcigarettes 2 turned out by thecigarette maker 4, invoked in particular when the infeed capacity of thecigarette packer 5 drops below the output of thecigarette maker 4. - During the filling step, a proportion of the
cigarettes 2 emerging from themaker 4 and advancing along theconveyor 6 toward thepacker 5 will gravitate through theopening 13, ultimately filling thehopper 14, whereas the remainder will roll over thecigarettes 2 occupying the top part of thehopper 14, passing beyond and into the packer 5 (figure 1 ). - In the specific case of the example illustrated,
cigarettes 2 advance on thetop branch 17 of thefirst transport belt 15 as far as theopening 13, and on thetop branch 20 of thesecond transport belt 18 up to thecigarette packer 5. - At the same time,
empty containers 3 lying in storage on thefirst conveyor 27 are fed toward thehopper 14, filled one at a time withcigarettes 2 from theselfsame hopper 14, then distanced and stored (figures 9 to 14 ). - To this end, a
container 3 is offered to thehopper 14 with thetop opening 11 directed upwards and theauxiliary opening 12 facing the hopper 14 (container 3 on the right infigure 9 ), and placed with thebottom 8 beneath the bottom discharge opening 24 of thehopper 14, so that thehopper 14 is effectively positioned inside the container 3 (container 3 on the right infigure 10 ). - Next, the
cigarettes 2 contained in thehopper 14 are released by a movement of theshutter 24a, and will drop through thebottom opening 24 onto thebottom 8 of thecontainer 3, the container itself also being lowered gradually to free more space (container 3 on the right infigure 11 ). - When the
container 3 is full (container 3 on the right infigure 12 ), it will be transferred beneath theend 33 of thesecond belt conveyor 31 with theauxiliary opening 12 directed toward this same conveyor 31 (container 3 on the left infigure 14 ), elevated to theend 33 of the belt 31 (container 3 on the left infigure 12 ) and directed onto the belt 31 (container 3 on the left infigure 13 ), where it remains stored (container 3 on the left infigure 14 ). - This latter step will be effected preferably by rotating the
container 3 through 180° about theaforementioned axis 37, which lies parallel to theside walls 10 and to one side of thecontainer 3, and thereupon elevating the container. - In the case of the equipment 1 described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the steps of rotating and elevating the
container 3 are effected by therotary carrier assembly 35. - More exactly, as a
container 3 reaches theend 29 of thefirst belt conveyor 27, one of thecarrier plates first plate 40, is elevated to a level beneath theend 29 of the conveyor so that thespacers 49, projecting beyond thefirst belt conveyor 27 on either side, will make contact with and support the container 3 (first position of the plate,figure 9 ). - Thereafter, the
jaws 48 close on thecontainer 3 and thelinear guide member 45 slides relative to theshoe 46, moving theplate 40 into the second position beyond theend 29 of theconveyor 27 and beneath the hopper 14 (figure 10 ). - At the same time, the
second plate 43 will be carrying an alreadyfull container 3 beneath theend 33 of thesecond belt conveyor 31, ready to be elevated to this same end 33 (figures 9 and10 ). - Once the
shutter 24a of thehopper 14 has been retracted, thecarriage 47 slides downward on thevertical track 39 and thefirst carrier plate 40 carries thecontainer 3 into the third position as it is filled with cigarettes 2 (figures 11 and12 ). In the meantime, thesecond plate 43 is elevated with thecontainer 3 full ofcigarettes 2, bringing thebottom 8 of thecontainer 3 into alignment with thetop branch 34 of the second belt conveyor 31 (figure 12 ), whereupon thelinear guide member 45 slides relative to theshoe 46, positioning thesecond plate 43 below theend 33 of thebelt conveyor 31 and thebottom 8 of thecontainer 3 above theend 33 of thebelt 31. Thus, theend 33 of thesecond belt conveyor 31 slips between theplate 43 and thecontainer 3, which rests on the spacers 49 (figure 13 ). Finally, thecarriage 47 slides downward on thevertical track 39 so that thecontainer 3 settles on thesecond conveyor 31, by which it is transported to a storage location with theauxiliary opening 12 directed away from themain conveyor 6 and theopening 11 directed upwards (figure 14 ). - The
frame 36, together with the firstvertical track 39 and thefirst carrier plate 40, is caused to turn on theaxis 37 of rotation through 180°, bringing thecontainer 3 into the fourth position (figure 14 ). At the same time, the secondvertical track 42 and thesecond carrier plate 43, currently positioned higher than thefirst plate 40, rotate through 180° in the opposite direction and into a position of alignment with theend 29 of thefirst conveyor 27, ready to receive another container 3 (figure 14 ). This furtherempty container 3 can be offered to thehopper 14, lowered and filled, at the same time as thecontainer 3 filled previously, carried by thefirst plate 40, is being rotated or elevated toward theend 33 of thesecond belt conveyor 31. At this point, thefirst plate 40 is elevated following the same steps as described previously in respect of thesecond plate 43. - The cycle thus described will be repeated until the
cigarettes 2 that cannot be handled immediately by thepacker 5 have been put intocontainers 3 and stored on thesecond conveyor 31. - Utilizing a
rotary carrier assembly 35 as in the alternative embodiment illustrated, acontainer 3 reaches theend 29 of thefirst belt conveyor 27 at the same time as either thesecond cross member 104 or thefourth cross member 117, and for example the second 104, is elevated to a position of alignment with theend 29 of theconveyor 27, at which point thecontainer 3 can be engaged and supported by the gripping means 122 of the selfsame cross member (figure 17 ) . - Next, the first
vertical track 105 is caused to slide along therelative ways 112 by the pivotingplate 106, positioning thesecond cross member 104 beyond theend 29 of thefirst belt conveyor 27 and beneath thehopper 14. - At the same time, the
third track 118 is made to slide along therelative ways 121 by the pivotingplate 106 with the result that thefourth cross member 117, currently in the lowered position, is aligned directly below theend 29 of thefirst belt conveyor 27. - Once the
shutter 24a of theloading hopper 14 has been retracted, thesecond cross member 104 is made to slide downwards on the first vertical track 105 (figure 18 ). At the same time, thefourth cross member 117 will slide upwards on the thirdvertical track 118. - As the descending
second cross member 104 reaches the lowered position, thefourth cross member 117 draws adjacent to theend 29 of thefirst belt conveyor 27, from which it proceeds to pick up anempty container 3, whereupon the steps already described in respect of thesecond cross member 104 will be repeated. - With the
second cross member 104 in the lowered position, thefirst track 105 will be translated by the pivotingplate 106 into a position of alignment with theend 29 of the first belt conveyor 27 (figure 19 ). - In the same movement, the
third track 118 is shifted by the pivotingplate 106 in the opposite direction, so that thefourth cross member 117 and theempty container 3 taken up previously are moved into position under thehopper 14. - At this point, the
full container 3 is taken up from thesecond cross member 104 by the rotatablefirst cross member 101, through the agency of the relativegripping means 122, and swung preferably through 180° about theaxis 103 of rotation of the selfsame first cross member (figure 20 ). - At the same time, the
second cross member 104 is elevated and thefourth cross member 117 lowered, and the cycle of steps described above in respect of the second andfourth cross members - With the rotation of the
first cross member 101 completed, thefull container 3 is transferred to thethird cross member 113, through the agency of the relative gripping means 122 (figure 21 ). - The
third cross member 113 is now elevated on thesecond track 114, and thecontainer 3 raised to a level above thesecond belt conveyor 31. - Next, the
second track 114 is traversed along therelative ways 116 toward theend 33 of thesecond belt conveyor 31, bringing thecontainer 3 into a position directly over the conveyor 31 (figure 22 ). - The
full container 3 can now be released onto thesecond belt conveyor 31 and stored. - The
second track 114 is traversed back along theways 116 and thecross member 113 returned to the lowered position in readiness to transfer anotherfull container 3 into the magazine. - The cycle thus described will be repeated until the
cigarettes 2 that cannot be handled immediately by thepacker 5 have been put intocontainers 3 and stored on thesecond conveyor 31. - The method according to the invention includes a further step of emptying
full containers 3 and feedingcigarettes 2 to thepacker 5, which will be invoked in particular when demand at thecigarette packer 5 exceeds output from thecigarette maker 4. - The first in the row of
full containers 3 stored on thesecond conveyor 31 is taken up by thefirst arm 57, overturned and positioned above the bearingsurface 51a of theauxiliary conveyor 51, in such a way that thetop opening 11 is directed downwards and will allow thecigarettes 2 to drop onto thesurface 51a as it advances along the predetermined feed direction X. - With reference in particular to the equipment 1 described above, the
first arm 57 is deployed at the pick-up position illustrated infigure 5 , theclosure wall 66 is extended to close off thetop opening 11 of thecontainer 3, and thejaws 65 engage the twoside walls 10 of thecontainer 3, whereupon the arm is rotated through 180° about its horizontal axis 59 (figure 6 ) so as to position thecontainer 3 over thehopper 78, which will be approaching thefirst station 79, still occupied bycigarettes 2 emptied from theprevious container 3 and flowing through onto the auxiliary conveyor 51 (figure 7 ). - The
container 3 remains above thehopper 78 for a few moments (figure 1 ), whereupon thewall 66 is retracted and thecigarettes 2 in thecontainer 3 are able to drop onto thecigarettes 2 still in thehopper 78, whilst thecontainer 3 rests on thetop edge 89 of thehopper 78 and thefirst arm 57 is withdrawn (figure 4 ). In this first emptying step, thecontainer 3 remains stationary at thefirst station 79, above the advancingbearing surface 51a on which thecigarettes 2 are carried toward thedischarge end 52. - Thereafter, in the course of a second emptying step, the
hopper 78, together with thecontainer 3 resting on the top edge, is displaced toward thesecond station 80 along a direction Y parallel and opposite to the feed direction X of the bearingsurface 51a as thecigarettes 2 continue to flow through thehopper 78, now at a faster rate than during the first step, since the movement of theauxiliary conveyor 51 along the relative feed direction X is compounded by the movement of thecarriage 78 in the opposite direction (figure 5 ). At the same time, thefirst arm 57 returns to the pick-up position. - On reaching the
second station 80, thehopper 78 and thecontainer 3 remain stationary above the bearingsurface 51a, which continues to advance, as part of a third emptying step during which thecontainer 3 is emptied completely and anotherfull container 3 is brought by thefirst arm 57 into the first station 79 (figure 6 ). -
Figure 7 illustrates a fourth emptying step in which thehopper 78, located below thecontainer 3 and above the bearingsurface 51a and moving as one with thecontainer 3 during the first, second and third steps, is separated from thecontainer 3 at thesecond station 80 and set in motion along a direction Y' concurrent with the feed direction X followed by the bearingsurface 51a toward thefirst station 79, as thecigarettes 2 still in thehopper 78 continue to unload (figure 7 ). - On reaching the
first station 79, thehopper 78 is ready to recommence the cycle (figure 1 ), whilst theempty container 3 is taken up from thesecond station 80 by thesecond arm 67 and deposited on the first conveyor belt 27 (sequence of steps shown infigures 1 ,4 and5 ). - More exactly, the
container 3 is taken up at thesecond station 80 by thegripper 71 of thesecond arm 67 and lifted a short distance to separate it from thehopper 78. Only when thehopper 78 reaches thefirst station 79 will thesecond arm 67 then rotate on itshorizontal axis 69 through 180° and thegripper 71 simultaneously swivel on theaxis 72 perpendicular to thehorizontal axis 69 so as to position theempty container 3 with the bottom 8 resting on thefirst belt conveyor 27 and theauxiliary opening 12 facing toward theauxiliary conveyor 51, hence toward theloading hopper 14. Thus, theempty container 3 can either be carried by thefirst belt conveyor 27 toward a storage area or directed toward thehopper 14 to be refilled. - Throughout the entire sequence of emptying steps, the
cigarettes 2 are separated into distinct and ordered streams by theflow dividers 90 installed in thehopper 78, which are caused by the movement of theselfsame cigarettes 2 and by the momentum of thecarriage 78 itself to sway compliantly and thus prevent thecigarettes 2 from being turned skew and jamming thehopper 78.
Claims (3)
- A method for batch handling and transfer of tobacco products (2) storable en masse and in ordered arrangement internally of containers (3), each container (3) presenting an opening (11) by way of which it can be filled or emptied, including the steps of picking up an empty container (3) from a first magazine (27) in which empty containers (3) are stored, filling the container (3) with tobacco products (2) from a loading hopper (14) and placing the full container (3) in a second magazine (31) where full containers (3) are stored, lying alongside the first magazine (27), the step of filling the container (3) involving feeding the empty container (3) along the first magazine (27), positioning the container (3) around the loading hopper (14) when full of tobacco products (2), with a bottom wall (8) of the container (3) offered to a bottom opening (24) of the hopper (14) covered by a shutter (24a), uncovering the opening (24) of the hopper (14), and lowering the container (3) so as to allow the passage of the tobacco products (2) from the hopper (14) into the container (3); the method also including the steps, effected by a rotary assembly (35), of rotating the container (3) about a vertical axis (37) so as to carry the selfsame container toward the second magazine (31); wherein the step of lowering the container (3) is followed by the step in which the container (3) is rotated about the vertical axis (37) to a position below one end (33) of the second magazine (31); of elevating the container (3) to a position of alignment with the end (33) of the second magazine (31), and of placing the container (3) on the end (33) of the magazine; the method being characterised in that the step of filling and lowering the container (3) are also effected by said rotary assembly (35).
- A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of rotating or elevating the container (3) toward one end (33) of the second magazine (31) is accompanied by the step of lowering and filling a further empty container (3) positioned around the hopper (14).
- A method as in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the full containers (3) placed on the end (33) of the second magazine (31) is directed along the selfsame magazine (31) and into storage.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT000449A ITBO20050449A1 (en) | 2005-07-04 | 2005-07-04 | METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE HANDLING AND TRANSFER OF SMOKE ITEMS TO LOTS |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1741351A1 EP1741351A1 (en) | 2007-01-10 |
EP1741351B1 true EP1741351B1 (en) | 2009-08-05 |
Family
ID=36956076
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06116470A Not-in-force EP1741351B1 (en) | 2005-07-04 | 2006-06-30 | A method for batch handling and transfer of tobacco products |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20070000209A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1741351B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2007014337A (en) |
CN (1) | CN100584230C (en) |
DE (1) | DE602006008225D1 (en) |
IT (1) | ITBO20050449A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITBO20050450A1 (en) * | 2005-07-04 | 2007-01-05 | Gd Spa | METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE HANDLING AND TRANSFER OF SMOKE ITEMS TO LOTS |
DE102008019685A1 (en) * | 2008-04-12 | 2009-11-19 | Hauni Maschinenbau Ag | Emptying magazine and method for emptying shaft trays filled with rod-shaped products |
PL212816B1 (en) * | 2008-05-29 | 2012-11-30 | Int Tobacco Machinery Poland | System of the equipment for transport of bar-like elements in the production installation of the tobacco industry |
CN102166036B (en) * | 2011-04-02 | 2013-03-20 | 云南昆船设计研究院 | Device for increasing baling density uniformity of threshed and re-dried tobacco leaves |
DE102015009739A1 (en) * | 2015-07-31 | 2017-02-02 | Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh | Drawer discharge station for emptying drawer filled with rod-shaped products and method for draining a tray filled with rod-shaped products by means of a tray discharge station |
ITUB20153803A1 (en) * | 2015-09-22 | 2017-03-22 | Gd Spa | Machine for the production of cartridges for electronic cigarettes. |
ITUB20154987A1 (en) * | 2015-10-19 | 2017-04-19 | Gd Spa | Welder device and method for its realization. |
WO2018011248A1 (en) * | 2016-07-13 | 2018-01-18 | International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. Z O.O. | A handling module, a turning unit, and a method and an apparatus for emptying a tray filled with rod like articles of the tobacco industry |
EP3269262A1 (en) * | 2016-07-13 | 2018-01-17 | International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. z o.o. | A turning unit and a method and an apparatus for emptying of tray filled with rod like articles of the tobacco industry |
CN106218996B (en) * | 2016-07-29 | 2018-05-25 | 上海五同机械制造有限公司 | A kind of tobacco packaging machine cigarette storehouse cover board |
HUE042963T2 (en) * | 2016-10-07 | 2019-07-29 | Int Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp Zoo | Intermediate hopper in tobacco industry apparatus for vertical conveying of mass-flow or rod-like articles, feeding apparatus for feeding with tobacco industry articles, and apparatus for emptying of tray filled with tobacco industry articles |
HUE046614T2 (en) * | 2017-04-18 | 2020-03-30 | Int Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp Zoo | Method of emptying a container filled with rod-like articles manufactured in the tobacco industry |
CN108041676B (en) * | 2017-12-29 | 2023-04-07 | 河南中烟工业有限责任公司 | Collapse-preventing correction device in cigarette supporting groove |
CN108423251B (en) * | 2018-02-13 | 2019-03-05 | 中国烟草总公司北京市公司物流中心 | A kind of automatic Cigarette Sorting System |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4507040A (en) * | 1981-04-23 | 1985-03-26 | Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. Kg. | Method and apparatus for transporting cigarettes or the like between producing and processing machines |
CA1214425A (en) * | 1982-01-14 | 1986-11-25 | Rolf Gomann | Cigarette buffer conveying and orientation maintaining system for a multi operation production line |
DE3248454A1 (en) * | 1982-01-14 | 1983-07-21 | Hauni-Werke Körber & Co KG, 2050 Hamburg | Conveying apparatus for rod-shaped articles in the tobacco-processing industry |
US4892453A (en) * | 1986-07-17 | 1990-01-09 | Korber Ag | Apparatus for manipulating empty and filled trays for cigarettes and like rod-shaped articles between making and processing machines |
DE3917097C2 (en) * | 1989-05-26 | 1998-07-02 | Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg | Container conveyor |
DE3924098C2 (en) * | 1989-07-20 | 1998-05-20 | Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg | Container conveyor |
DE19901248B4 (en) * | 1999-01-15 | 2012-07-19 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Method and device for conveying cigarettes |
-
2005
- 2005-07-04 IT IT000449A patent/ITBO20050449A1/en unknown
-
2006
- 2006-06-30 CN CN200610100362A patent/CN100584230C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-06-30 DE DE602006008225T patent/DE602006008225D1/en active Active
- 2006-06-30 EP EP06116470A patent/EP1741351B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2006-07-03 US US11/478,609 patent/US20070000209A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-07-03 JP JP2006183323A patent/JP2007014337A/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20070000209A1 (en) | 2007-01-04 |
ITBO20050449A1 (en) | 2007-01-05 |
CN100584230C (en) | 2010-01-27 |
JP2007014337A (en) | 2007-01-25 |
CN1891089A (en) | 2007-01-10 |
EP1741351A1 (en) | 2007-01-10 |
DE602006008225D1 (en) | 2009-09-17 |
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