EP2534076A1

EP2534076A1 - Chain link, conveyor element, and device for compressing tobacco, ribs, or the like

Info

Publication number: EP2534076A1
Application number: EP11703424A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Uwe Bausch
Original assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH
Current assignee: Koerber Technologies GmbH
Priority date: 2010-02-13
Filing date: 2011-02-03
Publication date: 2012-12-19
Also published as: CN102741138B; CN102741138A; DE102010008149A1; WO2011098385A1; DE102010008149B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a chain link (23), designed and set up for forming a conveyor chain for a device for compressing tobacco, ribs, or the like, having a upper face (O) forming the transport surface and an opposite lower face (U), and a groove (27) extending over the entire width (B) of the chain link (23), and a protrusion (28) extending over the entire width (B) of the chain link (23), the groove (27) and the protrusion (28) being adapted in form for a form-fit connection to other chain links (23) of corresponding design, characterized in that the chain link (23) comprises a continuous recess (29) in the conveying direction on the lower face (U) that can be brought into engagement with a corresponding ridge of a slide plate of the device.

Description

CHAIN, CONVEYOR ELEMENT, AND MACHINE FOR COMPACTING TOBACCO, RIBS

OR SIMILAR

description

The invention relates to a chain link, designed and arranged to form a conveyor chain for a device for compacting tobacco, ribs or the like, with a top surface forming the transport surface and an opposite one

Underside, as well as over the entire width of the chain link extending groove and extending over the entire width of the chain link projection, wherein the groove and the projection are adapted in shape for positive connection with 15 other chain links appropriate training.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a conveying element, designed and adapted for conveying tobacco, ribs or the like in a device for compacting tobacco, ribs or the like, comprising a frame, several on the frame

20 mounted guide rollers and / or drive rollers for a conveyor chain, an endless

circulating and guided around the guide rollers and / or drive rollers conveyor chain, which is formed from positively interconnected chain links, wherein the conveyor chain has a Transporttrum and a Rückrücktrum, and a

Sliding plate arranged below the transport strand on which the transport strand

25 or is applied.

The invention also deals with a device for compacting tobacco,

Ribs or the like, comprising a first conveying element and a second

Conveying element for the formation of compression elements, the support elements

30 are arranged, wherein the support elements have side walls, so that a top and bottom formed by the conveyor elements and laterally by the side walls

Compaction space is formed. Such devices, also referred to as compressors, are used in the tobacco processing industry. In this case, loosely supplied tobacco, which usually and predominantly consists of tobacco and / or ribs, is pressed in the compressor. The pressing is referred to as compaction and serves to form a so-called tobacco cake, which is then separated for further processing. Known devices have as compression elements conveying elements with conveyor chains. The conveying elements and are arranged on support elements. The conveyor elements or conveyor chains limit the compression space up and down. Laterally, the compression space is limited by side walls, which are assigned to the support elements. The conveyor chains are driven in the conveying direction F of the tobacco in the direction of a mouthpiece, so that the tobacco is compressed during conveying. Such a compressor device can be found for example in DE 103 55 524 AI.

A central element of such compressors and the compression elements forming conveyor elements are the conveyor chains. The conveying elements have a circulating conveyor chain, which have a tobacco-carrying transport strand and a tobacco-free recirculating belt. The conveyor chain itself, via drive rollers or

Drive rollers driven and deflected around guide rollers is formed of individual chain links. There is the problem of driving the conveyor chains that the usually existing brass conveyor chains or the conveyor chains forming individual chain links transversely to the conveying direction F, ie in the direction of the side walls of the compression space and thus it to a frictional connection between the chain links and the side walls, usually made of stainless steel comes. As a result, wear the chain links in the edge region, which leads to increased maintenance and cost. Centering discs have already been provided to avoid these disadvantages, which are arranged in the region of the drive and / or deflection rollers or rollers. These centering discs should lead to the conveyor chain being centered at least in the region of the drive and / or deflection rollers. However, it has been shown that the centering by the

Centering is not sufficient to guide the conveyor chain over the entire conveyor line. In other words, the known conveyor chains continue to wear very quickly, which leads to a considerable effort in repairing and / or replacing the conveyor chains or individual chain links. This wear and also the Lack of alignment of the conveyor chain also lead to the fact that the

Tobacco passage at the side edges is considerable.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide chain links that ensure improved management of the chain formed from the chain conveyor. It is a further object of the invention to provide a conveyor element with an improved conveyor chain guide and a corresponding device for compacting tobacco, ribs or the like. This object is achieved on the one hand by a chain link with the features mentioned in that the or each chain link on the underside has a continuous recess in the conveying direction, which can be brought into engagement with a corresponding increase a sliding plate of the device. With this inventive design for guiding the individual chain links and thus the conveyor chain is achieved in a surprisingly simple and effective manner that the wear of the chain links on the side walls or Beplankungsblechen the device is excluded. With the formation of the continuous recess in the conveying direction, so a kind of guide slot on the bottom or on the

Inside the conveyor chain, the possibility is created cost-effective and reliable to ensure a leadership that effectively prevents lateral deflection of the conveyor chain. By preventing wear, the problem of tobacco penetration at the side edges of the chain links and the conveyor chain is also solved.

An expedient development of the invention is characterized in that the depression or guide groove is arranged centrally with respect to the width of the chain link. This ensures safe and tilt-free guidance.

Advantageously, the depression has insertion aids along the conveying direction. In other words, the recess is designed and arranged such that the chain links always independent of the conveying direction of the conveyor chain safely into the

Thread in elevations of the sliding plate. The insertion aids are therefore formed by the shape of the recess itself. On the other hand, the object is achieved by a conveying element of the type mentioned above in that the conveyor chain on the guide rollers and / or

Drive rollers facing inside recesses and the slide plate

has corresponding elevations, which are engageable with the recesses to form a guide in the conveying direction. With this embodiment of the invention, the corresponding advantages are achieved, which were explained in connection with the chain link. The provision of a guide according to the key lock principle ensures a reliable easy guide. By arranging or forming the guide below the conveyor chain or below the

Transporttrums the conveyor chain is the leadership also especially opposite

Foreign particles, e.g. Sand, protected.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the guide is designed as a spring-groove center guide. This type of leadership is particularly simple and inexpensive and ensures a particularly secure leadership. Incidentally, can be omitted by this type of leadership of the alignment process of the conveyor chain when changing the chain. Another advantage is that the

Telranz requirements on the structural environment are significantly lower, which reduces costs.

Preferably, the recesses of the conveyor chain form a continuous groove in the conveying direction and the elevations of the sliding plate at least one engaging in the groove spring. The so-called guide webs forming springs are particularly well suited to absorb the resulting high forces in conveying the tobacco that act on the conveyor chain.

A preferred development of the invention is characterized in that the or each spring is used as a detachable item through openings in the slide plate in this. Thus, the or each spring as a wear part is particularly easily replaceable, without having to replace the entire sliding plate immediately.

The erfmdungsgemäße training of the chain links and the conveyor element is overall also particularly advantageous that existing or already delivered machines or devices for compacting can be easily retrofitted.

The object of the invention is further achieved in that a device for compacting tobacco, ribs or the like is equipped with conveying elements according to one of claims 6 to 13. The resulting advantages have already been described in connection with the conveyor element, so that reference is made to avoid repetition on the corresponding passages. Further expedient and / or advantageous features and developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a schematic representation of a device for compressing tobacco, ribs or the like in side view,

2 is a perspective view of a conveying element as part of the device according to FIG 1 with a partially removed conveyor chain,

4 shows a section of a sliding plate with inserted springs, FIG. 5 shows the sliding plate according to FIG. 4 without springs, FIG. 6 shows a spring element, FIG.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a mounted on the slide plate spring element, and

Fig. 8 is a bottom view of the chain link according to Figure 3 with a greatly enlarged section of the recess. The apparatus shown in the figures and the items of this device are used for compacting tobacco, ribs or the like. The individual parts of the device, in particular the chain link and the conveyor element, are designed and set up to form a conveyor chain for such a device or for conveying tobacco, ribs or the like in such a device.

The device 10 shown in FIG. 1 for compacting tobacco, ribs or the like comprises two conveying elements 11, 12. The two conveying elements 11, 12 are arranged one above the other and each form a compacting element. The two conveying elements 1 1, 12 are arranged tapering in the direction of a mouthpiece 13, so that the conveyed in the conveying direction F tobacco etc. compressed to a tobacco cake and cut in the region of a cutting plane S in pieces. The conveying elements 1 1, 12 may be formed either fixed to each other or movable toward or away from each other. The distance and / or inclination change between the conveying elements 1 1, 12 can also be realized by the adjustability of one of the conveying elements 1 1 or 12 or in other usual ways.

The conveying elements 1 1, 12 or the compression elements formed therefrom are arranged on supporting elements 14, 15. The support elements 14, 15 have side walls 16, 17. The side walls 16, 17 may also be an integral part of the support elements 14, 15 and are preferably made of stainless steel. Of course, the side walls 16, 17 may be made of other materials. The conveying elements 1 1, 12 together with the side walls 16, 17 in the conveying direction F tapered compression chamber 18. In the compression chamber 18 in addition to tobacco and the tobacco ribs, of course, other components of a

Tobacco mixture are compressed.

The conveying elements 1 1, 12 are constructed substantially the same, so that in

Below only one of the conveying elements 1 1, 12 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 to 7 in particular. Each conveyor element 1 1, 12 comprises a frame 19. This frame 19 is designed as a support or support structure as a single part or modular, consisting of several parts frame. On the frame 19 are a plurality, preferably at least two guide rollers 20 and / or Drive rollers 21 stored. It is also possible to provide further guide rollers or other means suitable for the deflection of a conveyor chain 22, such as guide rails or the like. The conveyor chain 22 is an endlessly circulating

Conveyor, which is guided around the guide rollers 20 and / or drive rollers 21. The conveyor chain 22 can be tensioned by means of suitable clamping means. In the shown

Embodiment, the frame 19 is adjustable, such that the length of the frame 19 in the region of slots or guide rails is variable.

Other usual possibilities of adjustability us in particular additional clamping means are also used.

The conveyor chain 22 is formed from individual chain links 23, wherein the chain links 23 are positively connected with each other. In other words, the

Chain links 23 connected without additional aids alone by the shape of the individual links 23. The conveyor chain 22 itself has a

Transporttrum 24 and a Rücktrtrum 25 on. In other words, the portions of the conveyor chain 22 coming into contact with the tobacco etc. form the

Transporttrum 24 and not coming into contact with the tobacco portions of the conveyor chain 22 the Rückführtrum 25. The Transporttrum 24 rests on a sliding plate 26 of the conveyor element 1 1, 12 on or. Depending on the state of tension of the conveyor chain 22, the transport strand 24 can also be arranged at a small distance from the sliding plate 26.

Each chain link 23 is integrally formed and has a top surface O forming the transport surface and an underside U facing the deflection rollers 20 and / or drive rollers 21. The compression space 18 facing the transport surface may be flat or preferably structured. Transverse to the conveying direction F of the conveyor chain 22 and thus also the chain links 23 extends over the entire width B of the chain link 23 has a groove 27. The groove 27 preferably points in the direction of the bottom U. The chain link 23 further has a over the entire width B of the chain link 23 extending

Lead 28 on. Groove 27 and projection 28 are parallel to each other, wherein the projection 28 preferably points in the direction of the top O. Groove 27 and projection 28 are in shape for positive connection with other adjacent Kcttengliedern 23 adapted to appropriate training. In other words, a projection 28 of a first chain link 23 is adapted to the groove 27 of a next adjacent chain link 23 and so on, wherein all chain links 23 of a conveyor chain 22 are preferably formed identically.

In particular from FIGS. 3 and 8 it can be seen that each chain link 23 has a continuous depression 29 in the conveying direction F on the lower side U, which can be brought into engagement with a corresponding elevation 30 of a sliding plate 26 of the device 10 or of the conveying element 11, 12 is. Throughout in this context means that a conveying movement of the chain link 23 in the conveying direction F is not hindered by any obstacles, webs, protrusions or the like. In other words, the continuous recess 29 allows a free movement of the chain link 23 in or against the conveying direction F. On the other hand, this recess 29 prevents in cooperation with corresponding elevations 30 of the sliding plate 26, a transverse movement of the chain link 23. Die Form / Gestalt der

Recess 29 is shown only by way of example. In the described embodiment, the depression 29 is a guide groove 31 which extends over only a part of the width B of the chain link 23. The width of the guide groove 31 is significantly smaller than the width B of the chain link and ultimately forms only a narrow channel in the conveying direction F.

The recess 29 or guide groove 31 is preferably formed on the underside U in the region of the projection 28. In other words, the guide groove 31 is disposed on the back of the projection 28 so that the guide groove 31 is out of the range of the groove 27. The guide groove 31 is located in the illustrated

Embodiment with respect to the width B of the chain link 23 centric.

Of course, the guide groove 31 can also be eccentric. There is also the possibility that over the width B of the chain link 23 distributed two or more guide grooves 31 are formed. Instead of the parallel side edges of the guide groove 31, this can also be associated with an insertion aid 32. By way of example, this insertion aid 32 is an integral part of the guide groove 31. Particularly preferred is a widening of the guide groove 31 in the conveying direction F and / or counter to the conveying direction F. The fact that the guide groove 3 1 on the input side and output side is wider compared to the actual guide groove 31, the threading of the

Chain links 23 facilitated in the corresponding projections 30. The insertion aids 32 can also be realized in other ways. The conveying element 1 1, 12 has already been described in detail above. The

Conveyor chain 22 of the conveyor elements 11, 12 has on the inner side of the guide rollers 20 and / or drive rollers 21 recesses 29 and the slide plate 26 corresponding elevations 30, wherein the elevations 30 with the recesses 29 to form a guide 33 in the conveying direction F can be brought into engagement are. This guide 33 is preferably a spring-groove center guide. To form the depressions

29 of the conveyor chain 22 a continuous groove in the conveying direction F and the elevations

30 of the sliding plate 26 a groove engaging in the spring. Of course, other configurations, e.g. as a dovetail guide, etc. also possible. The conveyor chain is preferably formed of chain links 23, as described in detail above. Each chain link 23 extends over the entire width B of the conveyor element 1 1, 12. In other words, the width of a chain link 23 determines the width B of the conveyor element 1 1, 12th

The slide plate 26 is disposed on and on the frame 19 and releasably secured. The attachment preferably takes place in the edge region of the sliding plate 26, e.g. by hold-down or the like. Additional attachment points are also possible. The sliding plate 26 may be integrally formed or - as shown - in particular to compensate for the change in length of the frame 19 in several parts. The sliding plate 26 are associated with the elevations 30. These may be an integral part of the sliding plate 26. Preferably, the elevations 30 and springs are detachably attached to the sliding plate 26 as replaceable individual parts. For this purpose, the

Sliding plate 26 slot-shaped openings 35, in or through which the springs are inserted from the inside or below, so that the springs protrude on the conveyor chain 22 facing the top of the slide plate 26. In the conveying direction F, the elevations 30 or springs extend over part of the length of the sliding plate 26.

In other words, a plurality of individual springs are provided, which are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction F spaced. The springs can be the same or be different length. There is also the possibility that a spring extends continuously over the entire length of the sliding plate 26 in the conveying direction F.

FIG. 6 shows an elevation 30 or spring, which is associated with a stop plate 36. Spring and stop plate 36 may be integrally formed or individual parts. In particular, the stop plate 36 serves to securely and accurately fix the spring to the slide plate 26 (see, e.g., Figure 7). For this purpose, the sliding plate 26 on its underside a recess 37, with respect to the

Geometry is adapted to the stop plate 36. The connection can be made by a press fit or otherwise, also by additional fasteners.

The chain links 23 are preferably made of brass. Of course, the chain links 23 also made of other materials and also

Be formed material combinations. The elevations 30 and the springs are preferably made of a plastic, such as plastic. Polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or the like formed and may have metallic inserts for receiving higher forces. The stop plate 36 is preferably made of steel. The sliding plate 26 itself is preferably made of the same material as the increase 30. Of course, other materials and material combinations can be used for all parts.

In the region of the guide rollers 20 and / or drive rollers 21 centering discs may additionally be arranged, which are either stationary or follower. The device 10 for compaction has conveying elements 1 1, 12, as described above. Preferably, both conveying elements 1 1, 12 are formed accordingly. However, there is the possibility that only one of the conveying elements 1 1, 12 is formed in the manner described above.

Claims

Chain link (23), formed and arranged to form a conveyor chain

(22) for a device (10) for compacting tobacco, ribs or the like, with a top surface O forming the transport surface and an opposite bottom surface U, and a groove (27) extending over the entire width B of the chain link (23). and a pre-string (28) extending over the entire width B of the chain link (23), wherein the groove (27) and the projection (28) are adapted in shape for positive connection with other chain links (23) of appropriate design, characterized the chain link (23) has on the lower side U a continuous recess (29) in the conveying direction F, which can be brought into engagement with a corresponding elevation (30) of a sliding plate (26) of the device (10).

Chain link according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess (29) is only over a part of the width B of the chain link (23) extending guide groove (31).

Chain link according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recess (29) or guide groove (31) with respect to the width B of the chain link

(23) is arranged centrally.

Chain link according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the recess (29) along the conveying direction F insertion aids (32).

Chain link according to claim 4, characterized in that the

Groove (29) in the conveying direction F and against the conveying direction F expands.

Conveying element (1 1, 12), adapted and arranged for conveying tobacco, ribs or the like in a device (10) for compacting tobacco, ribs or the like, comprising a frame (19), several on the frame (19) mounted guide rollers (20) and / or drive rollers (21) for a conveyor chain (22), an endlessly circulating and about the guide rollers (20) and / or drive rollers (21) guided conveyor chain (22), which are positively connected with each other Chain links (23) is formed, wherein the

Conveyor chain (22) has a Transporttrum (24) and a Rückdretrum (25), and arranged below the Transporttrums (24) sliding plate (26) on which the Transporttrum (24) up or rests, d a d u r c h

e, that the conveyor chain (22) on the the guide rollers

(20) and / or drive rollers (21) facing inside recesses (29) and the sliding plate (26) corresponding elevations (30) which are engageable with the recesses (29) to form a guide (33) in the conveying direction F. ,

Conveying element according to claim 6, characterized in that the guide (33) is designed as a spring-groove center guide.

Conveying element according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the recesses (29) of the conveyor chain (22) has a continuous groove in

The conveying direction F and the elevations (30) of the sliding plate (26) form at least one spring engaging in the groove.

Conveying element according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the chain links (23) of the conveyor chain (22) are designed according to one of claims 1 to 5.

Conveying element according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that each chain link (23) extends over the entire width B of the conveying element (1 1, 12). 1 1. Conveying element according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the springs over part of the length of the slide plate (26) in

Förderirlung F extend. Conveying element according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the springs can be used as detachable individual parts through openings (35) in the sliding plate (26) in this.

Conveying element according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the springs are an integral part of the sliding plate (26).

Device (10) for compacting tobacco, ribs or the like, comprising a first conveying element (11) and a second conveying element (12) for forming compression elements, which are arranged on supporting elements (14, 15), wherein the supporting elements (14, 15 ) Side walls (16, 17), so that a top and bottom by the conveying elements (11, 12) and laterally by the side walls (16, 17) formed compression space (18), characterized in that the conveying elements (11, 12) are formed according to one of claims 6 to 13.