EP1865797B1 - Device and method for conveying rod-shaped articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for conveying rod-shaped articles, such as cigarettes, filter sticks, or similar. Said device comprises a continuously revolving feeding element (11) and a continuously revolving discharging element (12) for the rod-shaped articles (20). The feeding element (11) and the discharging element (12) are arranged on top of each other so as to overlap at least in part in the direction of travel (arrow 19) of the flow of articles formed by the articles in order to create a transfer zone (21) for transferring the articles (20) which are disposed on the feeding element (11) in a single layer onto the discharging element (12). The inventive device is characterized in that both the feeding element (11) and the discharging element (12) are embodied as troughed belt conveyors (13, 17) while a vacuum strip (32) which at least partly extends across the transfer zone (21) is placed in the area of one of the troughed belt conveyors (17). The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Description

The invention relates to a device for transporting rod-shaped articles, such as e.g. Cigarettes, filter rods or the like, comprising an endlessly circulating feed element and an endless circulating discharge element for the rod-shaped articles, wherein the feed element and the discharge element are arranged one above the other so that they form the acquisition of the single-layer arranged on the feed element on the article Abführelement overlap at least partially in the transport direction of the articles flow formed from the articles, both the feed element and the discharge are formed as trough belts and the lower trough belt and the upper trough belt each have a Transporttrum and a Rückdretrum, wherein the Transporttrums face each other.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for transporting rod-shaped articles, such as e.g. Cigarettes, filter rods or the like, comprising the steps of: receiving an article-formed, single-ply and gapped article stream on a feed element formed as a trough strip, dispensing a gapless article stream from a discharge element formed as a trough strip, the gapped article stream entering one through the lower troughed belt and the upper troughing belt is transported by overlapping formed receiving area, and the articles are sucked to the drainage member formed as a trough strip by vacuum is applied to the trough band.

Such devices and methods are used in particular in the tobacco processing industry. In the production of cigarettes, filter rods or other rod-shaped articles, there is usually produced a gap-filled stream of articles which emerges from the production machine and is sent for further processing or directly to the packaging machine. Such a patchy article stream is production-related, as during the manufacturing process individual articles or groups of articles are removed for testing or testing purposes or defective articles are removed from the produced article stream. Also, a short-term machine downtime can lead to an irregular stream of articles. This means that the stream of articles exiting the production machine can be irregular and patchy. This is disadvantageous for further processing on downstream machines or for direct packaging of the articles after their production.

This problem can be solved, for example, by processing unordered article streams. The articles are in several layers one above the other and are usually cached before further processing or packaging, to then be supplied in a complete mass flow of further processing or packaging. However, this variant has the disadvantage that the number of articles is unknown and their location is inaccurate. Another problem is that the articles are significantly burdened in particular in the lower layers by stacking but also by the multiple passing and repacking.

In order to avoid these problems, devices with the generic features have been developed. The generic device serves as a link between production machines, the so-called Makem, and downstream machines, such as packaging machines, the so-called packers. In these known devices and methods according to the last-mentioned principle, the articles from the production machine are deposited in a single layer on the feed element and transported into a transfer area. The articles are loosely on a flat conveyor belt and are dammed in the transfer area in the transport direction at the end of the feed. In the transfer area, the articles are transferred from the feed element to the discharge element. The discharge element is for this purpose arranged slightly inclined to the feed, so that the articles run into a funnel-shaped track. In the transport direction at the end of the Abführelementes, which is formed as a trough band, ie in the region of the pent-up article, the discharge element on a vacuum unit, by means of which the articles drawn to the trough band and a deflection roller, within which the vacuum unit is arranged to a the Feed element opposite arranged delivery area to be transported. As a result of damming up and sucking up the articles in the takeover area, the article flow, which may have previously been subject to gaps, is generally brought together to form a complete stream of articles.

However, this device has the disadvantage that the articles are free on the feed element, that is to say without guidance, and can thereby slip or slip completely from the feed element. Another disadvantage is that the articles are dammed up in the transport direction at the end of the feed, which in turn burdens the articles on the one hand and on the other leads to the discharged article stream u.U. is also provided with gaps, since there is no clear assignment between the feed element and discharge element in the transfer area.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device by means of which a provided with gaps supplied article stream can be transferred into a gapless article stream to be discharged. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to propose a simple and reliable method that transfers a supplied from a production, provided with gaps article stream in a gapless article stream and dissipates.

This object is achieved on the one hand by a device having the features mentioned above in that the distance between the two transport troughs is slightly larger than the thickness or the diameter of the article to be transported, and that the pitch of the lower trough strip is greater than the pitch the upper trough strip, wherein in the region of the upper trough strip a vacuum strip is arranged, which extends at least partially over the transfer region, such that the vacuum decreases in the opposite direction to the transport direction. As a result, on the one hand, a secure guidance or positioning of the articles on the feed element and the discharge element is achieved, so that an orderly takeover of the articles from the feed element to the discharge element is ensured. The fact that both above and below the article trough belts are provided, namely an inclination of the article is prevented in particular on the lower trough band, whereby so-called cross-flyers are avoided. The troughs continue to ensure a clear guidance of the articles during braking and acceleration processes. To the Another is ensured by the vacuum bar, that a defined vacuum distribution extends over the transfer area. This ensures that in the transport direction, the rearmost still free trough of the upper troughed belt is always occupied, whereby a gap-free article flow on the discharge element is formed from an article flow possibly subject to gaps on the delivery element.

Preferably, the vacuum bar is connected via a connection piece to an air supply, wherein the connection piece is arranged in the region of the rear pulley of the upper trough strip in the transport direction. This training supports the safe adoption of the article on the rearmost in the transport direction free trough on the upper trough band, since the vacuum in the region of the connecting piece is very high and decreases against the transport direction. In other words, the suction force in the region of the connecting piece is the greatest, so that it is ensured that the transported into the transfer area articles, regardless of whether they are supplied in a gapless or in a patchy article stream, to the next following already from the top Troughed tape taken over items still be vacuumed position on the upper trough band.

In an advantageous development of the invention, in a receiving area of the lower trough strip, in the transport direction in front of the upper trough strip, a means for monitoring the article stream entering the takeover area is arranged. The monitoring element can be used to ensure at an early stage whether there is a gap in the article flow and how big this gap is. This information can then be used to control the speed, in particular the upper trough band. As a result, the optimum speed ratio between the two trough belts is always achieved, which in turn increases the reliability of taking over the articles and ensures the formation of the gap-free article flow.

On the other hand, the object is achieved by a method with the above-mentioned steps in that a plurality of wells of the upper trough belt are simultaneously subjected to vacuum, wherein the vacuum decreases in the transfer area against the transport direction of the article, and that the feed element and the discharge element at different speeds V _uM and V _oM powered where at least V _{oM is settled} in accordance with V _uM . This ensures that always the first free trough is occupied on the upper trough element behind the already occupied by previously recorded article troughs, whereby a gapless article flow is generated. Furthermore, the gaps between the articles on the feed element are reliably closed, regardless of the parameters influencing the article flow, such as division, blanks, etc.

Advantageously, the article flow is monitored on the feed element prior to entering the transfer area to determine the number of articles or the size of the gap in the article stream. This facilitates and improves the control of the discharge element or, more precisely, the speed v _oM .

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform von schräg oben in Transportrichtung mit gleichmäßiger bzw. regelmäßiger Teilung des Zuführele- mentes und des Abführelementes,

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht der Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 1,

Fig. 3

eine vergrößerte Detailansicht A gemäß Figur 2,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 1 von schräg unten entgegen der Transportrichtung,

Fig. 5

eine vergrößerte Detailansicht B gemäß Figur 4,

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform von schräg oben in Transportrichtung mit ungleichmäßiger bzw. unregelmäßiger Teilung des Zu- führelementes und des Abführelementes,

Fig. 7

eine Seitenansicht der Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 6, und

Fig.

8 eine vergrößerte Detailansicht C gemäß Figur 7.

Further preferred and advantageous features, embodiments and method steps emerge from the subclaims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments and the method will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a first embodiment obliquely from above in the transport direction with uniform or regular division of Zuführele- element and the discharge element,

Fig. 2

a side view of the embodiment according to FIG. 1 .

Fig. 3

an enlarged detail view A according to FIG. 2 .

Fig. 4

a perspective view of the embodiment according to FIG. 1 from obliquely downwards against the transport direction,

Fig. 5

an enlarged detail B according to FIG. 4 .

Fig. 6

a perspective view of another embodiment obliquely from above in the transport direction with uneven or irregular division of the feed element and the discharge element,

Fig. 7

a side view of the embodiment according to FIG. 6 , and

FIG.

8 is an enlarged detail view C according to FIG FIG. 7 ,

The devices shown serve for transporting a production flow of rod-shaped articles from a production machine to a downstream machine, in particular a packaging machine, wherein the production flow is transferred by means of the devices from a gapped article stream into a gapless stream of articles.

In FIG. 1 a device 10 is shown, which usually connects to a production machine, in particular a cigarette or Filterstabherstellmaschine. The device 10 comprises a feed element 11 and a discharge element 12. The feed element 11 and the discharge element 12 are arranged one above the other, wherein the feed element 11 is arranged below the discharge element 12 in the embodiment shown. The feed element 11 is designed as a trough strip 13 which comprises two feed belts 14 arranged next to one another. However, the trough band 13 can also be designed as a single feed belt or in another conventional manner. The feed belts 14 are endless and guided around deflection rollers 15 and drive rollers 16. The discharge element 12 is likewise designed as a trough strip 17. The trough band 17 is integrally formed, that is, undivided, but may alternatively consist of several parallel juxtaposed discharge belts. The trough band 17 is also endless and is guided around a deflection roller (not shown) and around a drive roller 18.

The lower trough band 13 and the upper trough band 17 overlap in the transport direction (arrow 19) of the articles 20, which are transported transversely to their longitudinal extension, thereby forming a transfer region 21. The lower trough strip 13 protrudes over the transport direction (arrow 19) upper trough strip 17 addition, whereby a receiving area 22 for receiving the article 20 is formed on the lower trough strip 13. The upper trough band 17 protrudes beyond the lower trough band 13 in the transport direction (arrow 19), whereby a delivery area 23 for the articles 20 is formed on downstream machines or the like. The receiving region 22, the takeover region 21 and the delivery region 23 lie substantially one after the other in a plane, wherein the delivery region 23 directly adjoins the transfer region 21. With the formulation substantially in a plane one after the other expressly also smaller deviations are to be included, as they are between takeover area 21 and delivery area 23 (see eg FIG. 3 ) exist. These smaller ones Deviations do not change the fact that the areas 21 to 23 are aligned in one direction.

The lower trough band 13 has a transport strand 24 and a return strand 25. The same applies to the upper trough band 17, which has a transport strand 26 and a return strand 27. The two transporting drums 24 and 26 face each other and extend parallel to one another at a distance, the distance preferably being slightly greater than the thickness or the diameter of the articles 20 to be transported. Alternatively, the transporting drums 24, 26 can also be at an acute angle to one another run, with the distance between the transport troughs 24, 26 in the transport direction (arrow 19) tapers. The lower trough strip 13 has a plurality of troughs 28, which are aligned transversely to the transport direction (arrow 19) and optionally provided with at least one opening for sucking the articles 20 against the trough strip 13 or the feed belts 14. The upper trough belt 17 also has a plurality of troughs 29, which are aligned corresponding to the troughs 28 transversely to the transport direction (arrow 19). The troughs 29 each have at least one, but preferably three suction air openings 30 which are distributed over the width of the trough 29.

The device 10 is further associated with a vacuum unit 31. The vacuum unit 31 comprises a vacuum bar 32 and a spigot 33 connected to an air supply (not shown). The vacuum strip 32 is disposed in the region of the upper trough strip 17, between the transport strand 26 and the return strand 27. The vacuum strip 32 extends at least partially over the transfer region 21 formed between the upper trough strip 17 and the lower trough strip 13. In the shown and preferred embodiment, the vacuum strip 32 extends almost over the entire transfer area 21 between the (not shown) guide roller and the drive roller 18. The vacuum bar 32 has on its the Transporttrum 26 facing bottom 34 openings 35 for the passage or entry of the suction air. The openings 35, formed in the embodiment shown as slots, are preferably aligned in the transport direction (arrow 19) and designed and arranged such that always at least one of the Saugluftöffnungen 30, regardless of the position of the trough belt 17 with respect to the vacuum bar 32 is acted upon by vacuum.

The connecting piece 33 is preferably arranged at one of the opposite ends of the vacuum strip 32. In the illustration shown, the connecting piece 33 is arranged in the region of the deflection roller (not shown) in the transport direction (arrow 19) at the end of the transfer region 21. In the transport direction (arrow 19) behind the transfer area 21, ie in the delivery area 23 in which the vacuum unit 31 terminates, means (not shown), which may belong to a downstream device, are arranged for receiving the articles 20 delivered by the trough belt 17.

In the region of the lower trough strip 13 in the transport direction (arrow 19) in front of the upper trough strip 17, ie in the receiving area 22, an element 36 for guiding the articles 20 on the transport strand 24 of the lower trough strip 13 is arranged. The element 36, which is usually associated with the production machine, serves to hold and guide the articles 20 after being transferred from a delivery drum 37, which is usually also part of the production machine (not shown), to the lower trough belt 13. The element 36 comprises in the illustrated embodiment, two belts 38, which are wound around the dispensing drum 37 on the one hand and on the other hand around pulleys 39 and endless. The belts 38 extend at least partially parallel to the transport strand 24 of the lower trough belt 13, in such a way that all articles 20 are guided and held by the delivery of the discharge drum 37 to the trough belt 13 until the transition into the takeover region 21. Preferably, the elastically formed and slightly biased belts 38 are in contact with the articles 20. Due to the diameter of the pulleys 39 on the one hand and the drive roller 18 of the upper trough belt 17 on the other hand, the belt 38 is not sufficient to the takeover area 21 zoom. For this reason, a simple plate 40 or the like is arranged above the transporting trump 24 between the deflection rollers 39 and the drive roller 18, which ensures the guidance of the articles 20 in this transition region. The metal sheet 40 extends as far in the transport direction (arrow 19) until the articles 20 on the lower trough strip 13 are covered by the upper trough strip 17. Instead of the element 36, for example, an additional squeegee can be provided, which is assigned to the lower troughed belt 13 is. The squeegee can ensure the positioning / fixation of the articles in the troughs 28 in the region between the dispensing drum 27 and the transfer region 21.

Furthermore, at least one means 41 for monitoring the flow of articles is arranged in the receiving region 22. The means 41, preferably a light sensor or the like, is arranged in the region of the transport run 24 of the lower trough belt 13, in such a way that gaps can be detected within the passing article stream and the information for controlling the device 10 can be processed. Another light sensor 42 is arranged in the transfer area 21 for error detection of the article flow on the transport run 26 of the upper trough belt 17. Instead of the light scanner, other common detection and / or monitoring elements can be used. Below the transport run 24 of the lower troughed belt 13, a tape guide 43 is arranged, which serves for the secure guidance of the transport run 24 and the same effectively prevents sagging.

The speed v _{μM of} the lower trough belt 13 is preferably determined and controlled by the upstream production machine. The speed v _uM corresponds to the speed v _{P of} the production machine or the delivery drum 37. The speed V _{oM of} the upper trough belt 17 depends inter alia on the speed V _{uM of} the lower trough belt 13, the number of articles 20 and the size of the gaps between the articles 20 on the lower trough strip 13 and the pitch of the trough belts 13 and 17. In other words, V _{oM is} a function of v _P , the means 41 and the pitch of the trough belts 13, 17. For the safe acceptance of the articles 20 from the bottom Trough band 13 on the upper trough band 17 V _{oM is} preferably smaller than V _uM . The division of the lower trough strip 13 is preferably greater than the pitch of the upper trough strip 17. However, other division ratios are also possible. The division of the lower trough strip 13 is a function of a drum 44 of the upstream production machine.

The drum 44 of the upstream production machine preferably has an angle transmitter 45 or the like. The angle transmitter 45 can supply relevant information, in particular for the trough belts 13, 17, especially when starting up and / or stopping the device 10 are required. In addition, the drum 44 is associated with a further means 46 for monitoring the stream of articles upstream of the device 10.

To control the device 10, namely in particular the speed V _oM , this is connected to a (not shown) control unit, which are in operative connection with the production machine or components, such as a light sensor, the same.

The in the FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrated embodiment substantially corresponds to the embodiment according to the FIGS. 1 to 5 , However, the embodiments differ in that the division of the upper trough strip 17 is formed differently. The trough band 17 of the embodiment according to the FIGS. 1 to 5 has a uniform division. This means that the troughs 29 are all formed at the same distance from one another, for example at a distance of 8 mm. The division of the trough band 17 in the FIGS. 6 to 8 is, however, formed depending on the location. In the embodiment shown, three article groups, namely alternately seven troughs 29, six troughs 29 and again seven troughs 29 are formed one after the other in a "cycle", wherein a distance is provided between the individual article groups which is greater than the distance, ie the pitch Article 20 is among themselves in an article group. With such an arrangement or division, which can also be formed in other article groups and sizes (eg 3-3-3 or 4-3-4-3), it is possible, for example, according to the layers, for example in a packaging with twenty Cigarettes are prepared for packaging or delivered to the exact location.

• Die Artikel 20 werden von Trommeln der Produktionsmaschine zur Abgabetrommel 37 geführt. Der einlagige Artikelstrom, der aus der Produktionsmaschine austritt, ist üblicherweise mit Lücken versehen. Mit der Abgabetrommel 37 werden die Artikel 20 im Aufnahmebereich 22 auf das untere Muldenband 13, genauer in die Mulden 28 der Zuführbänder 14 gelegt. Die Artikel 20 werden dann zwischen den Transporttrums 24 der Zuführbänder 14 und den von oben anliegenden Riemen 38 aus dem Aufnahmenbereich 22 in Transportrichtung (Pfeil 19) kontinuierlich und mit fester Positionierung in den Mulden 28 zum Übernahmebereich 21 transportiert. Die Geschwindigkeit V_uM des unteren Muldenbandes 13 bzw. der Zuführbänder 14 wird dabei von der Produktionsmaschine bestimmt. Das obere Muldenband 17 wird durch die Antriebsrolle 18 angetrieben, und zwar mit einer Geschwindigkeit V_oM: die kleiner als V_uM ist und insbesondere von V_uM, der Anzahl und Größe der Lücken auf dem unterem Muldenband 13 sowie der Teilung der Muldenbänder 13, 17 abhängt, wobei die Anzahl und Größe der Lücken durch das Mittel 41 erfasst bzw. ermittelt wird.

In the following the method is explained in more detail:

• The articles 20 are guided by drums of the production machine to the discharge drum 37. The single-ply article stream exiting the production machine is usually provided with gaps. With the dispensing drum 37, the articles 20 are placed in the receiving area 22 on the lower troughed belt 13, more precisely in the troughs 28 of the feed belts 14. The articles 20 are then between the transport troughs 24 of the feed belts 14 and the abutting belt 38 from the receiving area 22 in the transport direction (arrow 19) continuously and with fixed positioning transported in the troughs 28 to the takeover area 21. The speed V _{uM of} the lower trough belt 13 or the feed belts 14 is determined by the production machine. The upper troughing belt 17 is driven by the drive roller 18 at a speed V _oM: which is less than V _uM , and more particularly V _uM , the number and size of the gaps on the lower trough belt 13 and the pitch of the trough belts 13, 17 depends, wherein the number and size of the gaps by the means 41 is detected or determined.

Within the device 10, the upper trough belt 17 and more precisely the transport strand 26 is acted upon by the vacuum strip 32 with vacuum. In this case, the vacuum, starting from the connecting piece 33, is reduced in the opposite direction to the transport direction, that is, counter to arrow 19. In other words, the greatest vacuum prevails in the region of the connecting piece 33 at the end of the transfer region 21. The articles 20 are now transported on the transport strand 24 into the transfer region 21 under the transport strand 26. Through the openings 35 on the bottom 34 of the vacuum strip 32, the Saugluftöffnungen 30 of the troughs 29 are subjected to vacuum, wherein the vacuum within the transfer region 21 from a to b decreases (see in particular Figures 2 and 7 ). The articles 20 are sucked in the transfer area 21 from the upper trough belt 17. Since the connecting piece 33 is arranged at the end of the vacuum strip 32 and thus the highest vacuum in the transport direction (arrow 19) at the end of the transfer area 21, the first free trough 29 is always acted upon behind the already recorded articles 20 with the highest vacuum. In other words, the first or foremost article 20 on the lower troughed strip 13 is always sucked into the last free trough 29 of the upper troughed strip 17. Due to the different velocities V _oM and V _uM between upper trough band 17 and lower trough band 13, the gaps in the article flow of the lower trough band 13 are closed. The vacuum ensures that the articles 20 unlock each other on the upper trough strip 17, so that the flow of articles on the upper trough strip 17 is gapless.

Different speeds of the lower trough belt 13, different pitches of the trough belts 13, 17 as well as the number and size of the gaps in the article flow are controlled by controlling the speed V _{oM of} the upper trough belt 17 regulated. The gapless article flow on the upper trough belt 17 is then removed for further processing, for packaging, for storage or the like. The speed V _{oM of} the upper trough belt 17 is permanently readjusted to accommodate the different constellations, such as a) gapless lower trough 13, b) gap lower trough 13, c) uniform division of the upper trough belt 17 (see, eg FIGS. 1 to 5 ) and d) uneven division (see, eg FIGS. 6 to 8 ) in any combination of a) to d).

Furthermore, the upper trough belt 17 may be e.g. in special operating conditions, such as setting up to move defined amounts backwards. This means that the upper trough belt 17 to move in the first suction position to ensure the seamless article flow on the upper trough belt 17, for example, after a longer standstill.

Claims (18)

1. Apparatus for transporting rod-shaped articles such as e.g. cigarettes, filter rods or the like, comprising an endlessly rotating delivery element (11) and an endlessly rotating removal element (12) for the rod-shaped articles (20), wherein the delivery element (11) and the removal element (12) are arranged one above the other in such a way that they overlap at least partially in the direction of transport (arrow 19) of the stream formed from the articles (20), to form a transfer region (21) for transfer of the articles (20) arranged in a single layer on the delivery element (11) onto the removal element (12), wherein both the delivery element (11) and the removal element (12) are designed as troughed conveyors (13, 17), and the lower troughed conveyor (13) and the upper troughed conveyor (17) each have a transport strand (24, 26) and a return strand (25, 27), wherein the transport strands (24, 26) are located opposite each other, characterised in that the distance between the two transport strands (24, 26) is slightly greater than the thickness or diameter of the articles (20) to be transported, and in that the pitch of the lower troughed conveyor (13) is greater than the pitch of the upper troughed conveyor (17), wherein in the region of the upper troughed conveyor (17) is arranged a vacuum bar (32) which at least partially extends over the transfer region (21) in such a way that the vacuum decreases in the direction opposite the direction of transport (arrow 19).
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the transport strands (24, 26) run parallel to each other.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the vacuum bar (32) is arranged in the region of the transport strand (26) of the upper troughed conveyor (17) and extends almost over the whole transfer region (21) between a guide roller of the troughed conveyor (17) and a driving roller (18) of the troughed conveyor (17).
4. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the vacuum bar (32) is arranged between the transport strand (26) and the return strand (27) of the upper troughed conveyor (17).
5. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the vacuum bar (32) has openings (35) for passage of the suction air on the side facing towards the transport strand (26) of the upper troughed conveyor (17).
6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that each trough (29) of the upper troughed conveyor (17) has at least one, but preferably several suction air openings (30).
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the openings (35) in the vacuum bar (32) are designed and/or arranged in such a way that at all times a vacuum can be applied to at least one of the suction air openings (30) of the troughed conveyor (17) in the transfer region (21).
8. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the vacuum bar (32) is connected via a connection piece (33) to an air supply, wherein the connection piece (33) is arranged in the region of the rear guide roller of the upper troughed conveyor (17) in the direction of transport (arrow 19).
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that the vacuum decreases in the direction opposite the direction of transport (arrow 19), starting from the connection piece (33).
10. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the lower troughed conveyor (13) protrudes beyond the upper troughed conveyor (17) in the direction opposite the direction of transport (arrow 19) of the articles (20), and the upper troughed conveyor (17) protrudes beyond the lower troughed conveyor (13) in the direction of transport (arrow 19) of the articles (20).
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterised in that in the region of the lower troughed conveyor (13), in front of the upper troughed conveyor (17) in the direction of transport (arrow 19), is arranged an element (36) for guiding the articles (20) on the transport strand (24) of the lower troughed conveyor (13).
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterised in that the element (36) comprises at least one conveyor (38), but preferably two endlessly rotating conveyors (38).
13. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that in a receiving region (22) of the lower troughed conveyor (13), in front of the upper troughed conveyor (17) in the direction of transport (arrow 19), is arranged at least one means (41) for monitoring the stream of articles entering the transfer region (21).
14. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that behind the lower troughed conveyor (13) in the direction of transport (arrow 19) is formed a discharge region (23).
15. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterised in that the receiving region (22), the transfer region (21) and the discharge region (23) are located substantially one behind the other in one plane, wherein the discharge region (23) directly adjoins the transfer region (21).
16. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that associated with at least the upper troughed conveyor (17) is a regulating drive, such that the speed of rotation or speed of transport v_oM of the upper troughed conveyor (17) can be regulated in relation to the speed of rotation or speed of transport v_uM of the lower troughed conveyor (13).
17. Method for transporting rod-shaped articles such as e.g. cigarettes, filter rods or the like, comprising the steps of:

    - receiving a single-layer stream with gaps formed from articles (20) onto a delivery element (11) designed as a troughed conveyor (13),

    - discharge of the stream of articles without gaps from a removal element (12) designed as a troughed conveyor (17), by the fact that

    - the stream of articles with gaps is transported into a transfer region (21) formed by the lower troughed conveyor (13) and the upper troughed conveyor (17) by overlapping, and

    - the articles (20) are sucked up to the removal element (12) designed as a
    troughed conveyor (17), by applying a vacuum to the troughed conveyor (17), characterised in that a vacuum is applied to several troughs (29) of the upper troughed conveyor (17) simultaneously, wherein the vacuum in the transfer region (21) decreases in the direction opposite the direction of transport of the articles, and in that the delivery element (11) and the removal element (12) are driven at different speeds v_uM and v_oM, wherein at least v_oM is regulated in accordance with v_uM.
18. Method according to claim 17, characterised in that the stream of articles on the delivery element (11) is monitored before entering the transfer region (21), in order to determine the number of articles (20) or the size of the gap in the stream of articles.

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