EP2676890B1 - Method and apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2676890B1 EP2676890B1 EP13171871.0A EP13171871A EP2676890B1 EP 2676890 B1 EP2676890 B1 EP 2676890B1 EP 13171871 A EP13171871 A EP 13171871A EP 2676890 B1 EP2676890 B1 EP 2676890B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- containers
- conveyors
- hopper
- articles
- conveyor means
- 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.)
- Active
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
- B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
- B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
- B65B19/12—Inserting the cigarettes, or wrapped groups thereof, into preformed containers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
- B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
- B65B43/52—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation using roller-ways or endless conveyors
Definitions
- This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles.
- this invention addresses the tobacco industry and has for its objects a method and an apparatus for filling containers, in particular cardboard boxes, with rod-shaped articles consisting, for example, of cigarettes, filters, filter tubes (tubes of paper with a filter at one end and designed to be filled with tobacco by the smoker).
- rod-shaped articles consisting, for example, of cigarettes, filters, filter tubes (tubes of paper with a filter at one end and designed to be filled with tobacco by the smoker).
- the groups of cigarettes to be packaged are usually formed using a vertical hopper into which the cigarettes are fed through an opening at the top of it.
- the bottom portion of the hopper is divided into a plurality of mouths arranged side by side horizontally and each divided by a plurality of walls into substantially vertical channels arranged side by side horizontally and designed to receive respective stacks of cigarettes reciprocally superposed.
- Groups of cigarettes, or layers which are then placed on top of one another to form the groups are removed from the bottom portion of each hopper mouth by suitable pick-up and transport elements and these groups or layers are directed to a packaging station where they are packed in boxes intended to contain a plurality of layers of cigarettes on top of one another.
- the packaging station there is usually a plurality of boxes which are filled with cigarettes simultaneously while they occupy respective dwell positions, so that the apparatus can attain as high a production speed as possible.
- Apparatuses of this kind present critical situations connected with synchronizing the movements of the empty boxes which must be conveyed to the packaging station and of the full boxes which must remain stationary at the station for a relatively extended length of time during filling. Indeed, it is normal practice for a single conveyor to support and move both the empty boxes and those being filled, and the relatively extended length of time during which the boxes being filled need to remain stationary does not allow the conveyor to be supplied with the necessary quantity of empty boxes, since the conveyor does not move during this time. For the empty boxes to be supplied, therefore, it is normally necessary to wait for the conveyor start moving again after the boxes present at the packaging station have been filled completely. This necessity contrasts with endeavours to allow prior art apparatuses to operate at high production speeds.
- This invention has for an aim to provide a method and an apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles capable of overcoming the above mentioned drawback.
- the invention accordingly provides a method and an apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles, as described in the appended claims.
- the numeral 1 in Figure 1 denotes in its entirety an apparatus for filling containers 8 with rod-shaped articles, consisting for example of cigarettes 2.
- the containers 8 comprise a parallelepiped shaped box 8a whose hollow interior faces up and which is defined by a base 8b, a rear wall 8c, a front wall 8d and two side walls 8e.
- the walls 8c, 8d and 8e are vertical, and the upper edges of the side walls 8e are integral, by way of respective folding lines of weakness, with two side flaps 8f folded squarely towards each other.
- the upper edge of the rear wall 8c is integral, by way of a folding line of weakness, with a lid 8g which is the same size as the base 8b and which is integral, at the front by way of a folding line of weakness, to a flap 8h folded squarely and designed to be tucked into the mouth at the top of the box 8a.
- the apparatus 1 comprises a vertical hopper 3 operating at a station 3' for filling the containers 8 and whose lower portion comprises at least two mouths 4 for dispensing cigarettes 2 and is preferably subdivided into a plurality of mouths 4 positioned side by side horizontally (three in the embodiment illustrated).
- Each mouth 4 is subdivided by a plurality of walls 5 substantially vertical and parallel to each other in a plurality of substantially vertical channels 6 positioned side by side horizontally, each of which is designed to accommodate internally a stack 2 of cigarettes reciprocally superposed;
- Transfer or extractor elements denoted in their entirety by the numeral 11 ( Figure 2 ) extract layers 12 of cigarettes 2 in succession from the bottom ends of the channels 6, at the bottom portion of each mouth 4 of the hopper 3 and insert these layers 12 into containers 8 carried by a conveyor 9, which directs the containers 8, in a manner described in more detail below, to a further handling station of essentially known type schematically represented as a block 10.
- the transfer elements 11 may be of any suitable type and are not illustrated or described since they do not form the object of this invention.
- the station 10 comprises (for example) a station 13 for folding the side flaps 8f, followed by a station 14 (optional) for inserting coupons (not illustrated) into the boxes 8a, a station 15 for closing the lids 8g of the boxes 8a, and a station 16 for stabilizing the full, closed boxes 8a and comprising, for example, a compressing roller conveyor (not illustrated) designed to facilitate drying of the adhesive on the boxes 8a and to stabilize the shape of the boxes 8a.
- a station 13 for folding the side flaps 8f
- a station 14 for inserting coupons (not illustrated) into the boxes 8a
- a station 15 for closing the lids 8g of the boxes 8a
- a station 16 for stabilizing the full, closed boxes 8a and comprising, for example, a compressing roller conveyor (not illustrated) designed to facilitate drying of the adhesive on the boxes 8a and to stabilize the shape of the boxes 8a.
- the conveyor 9 comprises two identical belt conveyors 17 and 18 running side by side along identical paths comprising respective upper horizontal transport paths 17', 18' wound in a loop around respective pairs of pulleys 19 and 20 (only the ones on the right being shown in Figure 4 ) rotatable about horizontal axes.
- the pulleys 19 of the two conveyors 17 and 18 are coaxial and are power driven by respective motor means 21 and 22.
- the pulleys 20 are coaxial.
- Each of the motor means 21 and 22 comprises a stepping motor not illustrated (or other kind of motor offering similar performance) driven by a control circuit of known type (also not illustrated) which allows variable motion to be imparted to the motors 21 and 22 independently of each other, with respective laws of motion which are better specified below.
- the upper transport branches 17', 18' run side by side along respective contiguous flanks, whilst the other flanks run alongside respective strips 23 having an L-shaped cross section and extending parallel to the upper transport branches 17', 18' themselves, and each having a horizontal wing 24 lying in the same plane as the transport branches 17', 18' and an upwardly directed vertical wing which, in use, runs alongside and in contact with one side of the containers 8 being carried.
- the belt conveyors 17 and 18 are provided, on their peripheral transport surfaces 25, with a plurality of projections or accompanying elements 26 which follow each other along the direction of extension of the peripheral transport surfaces 25.
- the accompanying elements 26 are not distributed uniformly along the peripheral transport surface 25 since on each peripheral surface 25 there are stretches 27 of predetermined length having on them a sequence of accompanying elements 26 equal in number to the number of mouths 4 of the hopper 3, alternated with stretches 28 of the same length without any accompanying elements 26 on them Further, the stretches 27 with accompanying elements 26 on each of the conveyors 17, 18 are placed alongside the stretches 28 without accompanying elements 26 on the other conveyor 18, 17.
- each accompanying element 26 might be associated with a positioning element 26' ( Figure 1 ) comprising a projection positioned downstream of the accompanying element 26 with reference to the direction of feed of the belt conveyors 17, 18, at a distance from the accompanying element 26 which is slightly greater than the dimension of the containers 8 measured according to the direction of feed.
- the function of each positioning element 26' is to act in conjunction with an accompanying element 26 associated therewith in order to better define the position of the containers 8 carried by the conveyors 17, 18.
- the outfeed section of the apparatus 29 is located, with reference to the feed direction of the conveyor 9, at a distance from the hopper 3 not less than the length of a portion of the conveyor 9 carrying a number of consecutive containers 8 equal to the number of mouths 4 of the hopper 3 itself.
- Described below is the operation of the apparatus 1 starting from the moment when three containers 8, which have been brought by the conveyor 9 to the filling station 3', are stationary in the proximity of respective mouths 4 of the hopper 3, and the conveyor 9 has no other containers 8 on it.
- the lids 8g of the containers 8 being filled are raised and, if necessary, directed backwards, and the container sidewalls 8e are directed upwards.
- the transfer elements 11 extract the layers 12 of cigarettes 2 from the bottom ends of the channels 6, at the bottom portion of each mouth 4 of the hopper 3, and place the layers 12 into the waiting containers 8 in front of the hopper 3.
- Respective accompanying elements 26 associated with the conveyor 17 are adjacent to the containers 8 being filled and the conveyor 17 is stationary.
- the apparatus 29 erects other containers 8 and delivers a first one immediately downstream of, and in contact with, the most advanced (with reference to the feed direction of the conveyor 9) of the accompanying elements 26 of the conveyor 18 forming part of a sequence of accompanying elements 26 which are stationary at the dispensing station 30.
- the motor means 22 set the conveyor 18 in motion and cause it to move forward one step whose length is such that the accompanying element 26 immediately following the one just associated with a container 8 is brought to the dispensing station 30.
- a container 8 is then dispensed by the apparatus 29 and brought into contact with the accompanying element 26 and the motor means 22 are started once again in the same way as just described to move another accompanying element 26 into the dispensing station 30 so that it, too, is associated with a container 8.
- the conveyor 17 is started by the motor means 21 and pushes the containers 8 just filled towards the further handling station 10, whilst the conveyor 18 is started to bring into the filling station 3' the containers 8 which were placed on the conveyor 9 of the apparatus 29.
- the apparatus 1 described overcomes in a simple and effective manner the drawback described above with reference to the prior art, since the presence, design and operating mode of the conveyors 17 and 18 allow the apparatus 1 to minimize idle time, thereby appreciably increasing production speed.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
- Filling Or Emptying Of Bunkers, Hoppers, And Tanks (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
- Branching, Merging, And Special Transfer Between Conveyors (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles.
- More specifically, this invention addresses the tobacco industry and has for its objects a method and an apparatus for filling containers, in particular cardboard boxes, with rod-shaped articles consisting, for example, of cigarettes, filters, filter tubes (tubes of paper with a filter at one end and designed to be filled with tobacco by the smoker). Hereinafter in this description, reference is made to the handling of rod-shaped articles consisting of cigarettes, without thereby restricting the scope of the invention.
- In apparatuses of known type for filling containers with cigarettes, the groups of cigarettes to be packaged are usually formed using a vertical hopper into which the cigarettes are fed through an opening at the top of it. The bottom portion of the hopper is divided into a plurality of mouths arranged side by side horizontally and each divided by a plurality of walls into substantially vertical channels arranged side by side horizontally and designed to receive respective stacks of cigarettes reciprocally superposed. Groups of cigarettes, or layers which are then placed on top of one another to form the groups, are removed from the bottom portion of each hopper mouth by suitable pick-up and transport elements and these groups or layers are directed to a packaging station where they are packed in boxes intended to contain a plurality of layers of cigarettes on top of one another. In the packaging station there is usually a plurality of boxes which are filled with cigarettes simultaneously while they occupy respective dwell positions, so that the apparatus can attain as high a production speed as possible.
- Apparatuses of this kind present critical situations connected with synchronizing the movements of the empty boxes which must be conveyed to the packaging station and of the full boxes which must remain stationary at the station for a relatively extended length of time during filling. Indeed, it is normal practice for a single conveyor to support and move both the empty boxes and those being filled, and the relatively extended length of time during which the boxes being filled need to remain stationary does not allow the conveyor to be supplied with the necessary quantity of empty boxes, since the conveyor does not move during this time. For the empty boxes to be supplied, therefore, it is normally necessary to wait for the conveyor start moving again after the boxes present at the packaging station have been filled completely. This necessity contrasts with endeavours to allow prior art apparatuses to operate at high production speeds.
- This invention has for an aim to provide a method and an apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles capable of overcoming the above mentioned drawback.
- The invention accordingly provides a method and an apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles, as described in the appended claims.
- The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment of it, and in which:
-
Figure 1 is a schematic front view of an apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles, made according to this invention; -
Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the apparatus ofFigure 1 ; -
Figure 3 is a schematic elevation view of certain details of the apparatus ofFigures 1 and 2 ; -
Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of certain details of the apparatus ofFigures 1 and 2 ; and -
Figure 5 is an axonometric view of a container for rod-shaped articles to be filled by the apparatus ofFigures 1-4 . - The
numeral 1 inFigure 1 denotes in its entirety an apparatus for fillingcontainers 8 with rod-shaped articles, consisting for example ofcigarettes 2. - By way of an example and with reference to
Figure 5 , thecontainers 8 comprise a parallelepipedshaped box 8a whose hollow interior faces up and which is defined by abase 8b, arear wall 8c, a front wall 8d and twoside walls 8e. Thewalls side walls 8e are integral, by way of respective folding lines of weakness, with twoside flaps 8f folded squarely towards each other. The upper edge of therear wall 8c is integral, by way of a folding line of weakness, with alid 8g which is the same size as thebase 8b and which is integral, at the front by way of a folding line of weakness, to aflap 8h folded squarely and designed to be tucked into the mouth at the top of thebox 8a. - The
apparatus 1 comprises avertical hopper 3 operating at a station 3' for filling thecontainers 8 and whose lower portion comprises at least twomouths 4 for dispensingcigarettes 2 and is preferably subdivided into a plurality ofmouths 4 positioned side by side horizontally (three in the embodiment illustrated). Eachmouth 4 is subdivided by a plurality ofwalls 5 substantially vertical and parallel to each other in a plurality of substantiallyvertical channels 6 positioned side by side horizontally, each of which is designed to accommodate internally astack 2 of cigarettes reciprocally superposed; - Transfer or extractor elements, denoted in their entirety by the numeral 11 (
Figure 2 )extract layers 12 ofcigarettes 2 in succession from the bottom ends of thechannels 6, at the bottom portion of eachmouth 4 of thehopper 3 and insert theselayers 12 intocontainers 8 carried by aconveyor 9, which directs thecontainers 8, in a manner described in more detail below, to a further handling station of essentially known type schematically represented as ablock 10. Thetransfer elements 11 may be of any suitable type and are not illustrated or described since they do not form the object of this invention. - The
station 10 comprises (for example) astation 13 for folding theside flaps 8f, followed by a station 14 (optional) for inserting coupons (not illustrated) into theboxes 8a, astation 15 for closing thelids 8g of theboxes 8a, and astation 16 for stabilizing the full, closedboxes 8a and comprising, for example, a compressing roller conveyor (not illustrated) designed to facilitate drying of the adhesive on theboxes 8a and to stabilize the shape of theboxes 8a. - As shown in
Figures 3 and4 , theconveyor 9 comprises twoidentical belt conveyors pulleys 19 and 20 (only the ones on the right being shown inFigure 4 ) rotatable about horizontal axes. Thepulleys 19 of the twoconveyors pulleys 20 are coaxial. Each of the motor means 21 and 22 comprises a stepping motor not illustrated (or other kind of motor offering similar performance) driven by a control circuit of known type (also not illustrated) which allows variable motion to be imparted to themotors Figure 3 , the upper transport branches 17', 18' run side by side along respective contiguous flanks, whilst the other flanks run alongsiderespective strips 23 having an L-shaped cross section and extending parallel to the upper transport branches 17', 18' themselves, and each having ahorizontal wing 24 lying in the same plane as the transport branches 17', 18' and an upwardly directed vertical wing which, in use, runs alongside and in contact with one side of thecontainers 8 being carried. - The
belt conveyors peripheral transport surfaces 25, with a plurality of projections or accompanyingelements 26 which follow each other along the direction of extension of theperipheral transport surfaces 25. The accompanyingelements 26 are not distributed uniformly along theperipheral transport surface 25 since on eachperipheral surface 25 there arestretches 27 of predetermined length having on them a sequence of accompanyingelements 26 equal in number to the number ofmouths 4 of thehopper 3, alternated withstretches 28 of the same length without any accompanyingelements 26 on them Further, thestretches 27 with accompanyingelements 26 on each of theconveyors stretches 28 without accompanyingelements 26 on theother conveyor element 26 might be associated with a positioning element 26' (Figure 1 ) comprising a projection positioned downstream of the accompanyingelement 26 with reference to the direction of feed of thebelt conveyors element 26 which is slightly greater than the dimension of thecontainers 8 measured according to the direction of feed. The function of each positioning element 26' is to act in conjunction with an accompanyingelement 26 associated therewith in order to better define the position of thecontainers 8 carried by theconveyors - Upstream of the
hopper 3 with reference to the transporting direction of theconveyor 9, alongside and in the proximity of theconveyor 9 itself, there is anapparatus 29 for forming and dispensing thecontainers 8, capable of formingcontainers 8 from cardboard blanks (not illustrated) and feeding them one at a time towards theconveyor 9, in a manner that will become clearer as this description continues, to adispensing station 30. For reasons that will become clearer as this description continues, the outfeed section of theapparatus 29 is located, with reference to the feed direction of theconveyor 9, at a distance from thehopper 3 not less than the length of a portion of theconveyor 9 carrying a number ofconsecutive containers 8 equal to the number ofmouths 4 of thehopper 3 itself. - Described below is the operation of the
apparatus 1 starting from the moment when threecontainers 8, which have been brought by theconveyor 9 to the filling station 3', are stationary in the proximity ofrespective mouths 4 of thehopper 3, and theconveyor 9 has noother containers 8 on it. Thelids 8g of thecontainers 8 being filled are raised and, if necessary, directed backwards, and thecontainer sidewalls 8e are directed upwards. - In this situation, the
transfer elements 11 extract thelayers 12 ofcigarettes 2 from the bottom ends of thechannels 6, at the bottom portion of eachmouth 4 of thehopper 3, and place thelayers 12 into thewaiting containers 8 in front of thehopper 3. Respective accompanyingelements 26 associated with theconveyor 17 are adjacent to thecontainers 8 being filled and theconveyor 17 is stationary. - While these
containers 8 are being filled, theapparatus 29 erectsother containers 8 and delivers a first one immediately downstream of, and in contact with, the most advanced (with reference to the feed direction of the conveyor 9) of the accompanyingelements 26 of theconveyor 18 forming part of a sequence of accompanyingelements 26 which are stationary at thedispensing station 30. After thatcontainer 8 has been placed in contact with an accompanyingelement 26, the motor means 22 set theconveyor 18 in motion and cause it to move forward one step whose length is such that the accompanyingelement 26 immediately following the one just associated with acontainer 8 is brought to thedispensing station 30. Acontainer 8 is then dispensed by theapparatus 29 and brought into contact with the accompanyingelement 26 and the motor means 22 are started once again in the same way as just described to move another accompanyingelement 26 into thedispensing station 30 so that it, too, is associated with acontainer 8. - During these movements of the
conveyor 18, the filling of thestationary containers 8 at the filling station 3' is in no way disturbed since the stretch of theconveyor 18 under thesecontainers 8 has no accompanyingelements 26 on it and does not act on thesecontainers 8 in any way. - When the
containers 8 in the station 3' have been filled and theapparatus 29 has placed threecontainers 8 in contact with respective accompanyingelements 26 forming part of the sequence of the accompanyingelements 26 waiting in the proximity of thedispensing station 30, theconveyor 17 is started by the motor means 21 and pushes thecontainers 8 just filled towards thefurther handling station 10, whilst theconveyor 18 is started to bring into the filling station 3' thecontainers 8 which were placed on theconveyor 9 of theapparatus 29. - In practice, the latter operations cause the roles of the
conveyors containers 8 which are now located in the proximity of thedispensing station 30, that is, in front of thehopper 3, are in contact only with a sequence of accompanyingelements 26 associated with theconveyor 17 itself, while in the proximity of thedispensing station 30 there is a sequence of accompanyingelements 26 associated with theconveyor 18 and downstream of which, with reference to the feed direction of theconveyor 9, there is a stretch of theconveyor 18 without accompanyingelements 26 on it. Thus, the operations described above of filling threecontainers 8 withcigarettes 2 and placing threeempty containers 8 on theconveyor 9 occur, during this operating cycle, with theconveyor 18 acting on thecontainers 8 being filled and theconveyor 17 acting on theempty containers 8 arriving from theapparatus 29. When this operating cycle has been completed in the same way as described above, theapparatus 1 is back to the operating situation the above description started from. - From the foregoing, it is evident that the
apparatus 1 described overcomes in a simple and effective manner the drawback described above with reference to the prior art, since the presence, design and operating mode of theconveyors apparatus 1 to minimize idle time, thereby appreciably increasing production speed.
Claims (5)
- A method for filling containers with rod-shaped articles, which is used in an apparatus (1) comprising a hopper (3) for feeding the articles (2), having at least two mouths (4) for dispensing the articles (2) through respective lower ends, conveyor means (9) located in the vicinity of the at least two dispensing mouths (4) and supporting a plurality of containers (8) designed to receive inside the superposed layers (12) of articles (2), extractor means (11) for removing the articles (2) from an unloading zone of each dispensing mouth (4) and inserting them inside containers (8) carried by the conveyor means (9), and an apparatus (29) for dispensing containers (8) designed to feed containers (8) to be filled towards the conveyor means (9), characterised in that the conveyor means (9) comprise two conveyors (17, 18) placed side by side and designed to operate independently on the containers (8) each supported by the two conveyors of the conveyor means (9), and in that respective motor means (21, 22) are associated with the two conveyors (17, 18) for activating them independently so that one of the two conveyors (17, 18) moves towards the hopper (3) the empty containers (8) each carried on the two conveyors of the conveyor means (9) from the dispensing apparatus (29), and the other of the two conveyors (17, 18) moves away from the hopper (3) the containers (8) full of rod-shaped articles (2) and feeds them towards a further handling station (10).
- The method for filling containers with rod-shaped articles according to claim 1, characterised in that the two conveyors (17, 18) alternate with each other in the operations for moving towards the hopper (3) the empty containers (8) carried on the conveyor means (9) from the dispensing apparatus (29) and for moving away from the hopper (3) the containers (8) full of articles (2) with a rod shape (2).
- An apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles, comprising a hopper (3) for feeding the articles (2), having at least two mouths (4) for dispensing the articles (2) through respective lower ends, conveyor means (9) located in the vicinity of the at least two dispensing mouths (4) and supporting a plurality of containers (8) designed to receive inside the superposed layers (12) of articles (2), extractor means (11) for removing the articles (2) from an unloading zone of each dispensing mouth (4) and inserting them inside containers (8) carried by the conveyor means (9), and an apparatus (29) for dispensing containers (8) designed to feed containers (8) to be filled towards the conveyor means (9), characterised in that the conveyor means (9) comprise two conveyors (17, 18) placed side by side and designed to operate independently on the containers (8) supported by the conveyor means (9), and in that respective motor means (21, 22) are associated, respectively, with the two conveyors (17, 18) for activating them independently, for moving, respectively, towards the hopper (3) the empty containers (8) carried on the conveyor means (9) from the dispensing apparatus (29), and for moving away from the hopper (3) the containers (8) full of rod-shaped articles (2) for feeding them towards a further handling station (10);
the conveyors (17, 18) comprising two belt conveyors, to the transport surfaces of which are integrated a plurality of accompanying elements (26) designed to run alongside respective portions of the conveyors (8); the accompanying elements (26) of each conveyor (17, 18) being subdivided into groups of consecutive accompanying elements (26), and these groups being separated from each other by portions of the conveyors (17, 18) without the accompanying elements (26) ;
along each conveyor (17, 18) stretches (27) of predetermined length in which the accompanying elements (26) being present to form a sequence comprising a number equal to the number of mouths (4) of the hopper (3) alternate with stretches (28) of equal length in which there are no accompanying elements (26);
the stretches (27, 28) being provided with accompanying elements (26) of each of the conveyors (17, 18) are positioned side by side with stretches (28, 27) of the other conveyor (18, 17) without the accompanying elements (26). - The apparatus according to claim 3, characterised in that each accompanying element (26) is associated with a positioning element (26'), comprising a projection positioned downstream of the accompanying element (26) with reference to the direction of feed of the conveyors (17, 18), at a distance from the accompanying element (26) which is slightly greater than the dimension of the containers (8) measured according to the direction of feed each positioning element (26') acting in conjunction with an accompanying element (26) associated with it for better defining the position of the containers (8) carried by the conveyors (17, 18).
- The apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that, in use, the two conveyors (17, 18) alternate with each other in the operations for moving towards the hopper (3) the empty containers (8) carried on the conveyor means (9) from the dispensing apparatus (29) and for moving away from the hopper (3) the containers (8) full of articles (2) with a rod shape (2).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PL13171871T PL2676890T3 (en) | 2012-06-20 | 2013-06-13 | Method and apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT000336A ITBO20120336A1 (en) | 2012-06-20 | 2012-06-20 | METHOD AND EQUIPMENT FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH BAR-SHAPED ITEMS. |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2676890A1 EP2676890A1 (en) | 2013-12-25 |
EP2676890B1 true EP2676890B1 (en) | 2015-04-01 |
Family
ID=46727300
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP13171871.0A Active EP2676890B1 (en) | 2012-06-20 | 2013-06-13 | Method and apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20140157725A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2676890B1 (en) |
IT (1) | ITBO20120336A1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL2676890T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN103754558B (en) * | 2014-01-27 | 2015-10-21 | 厦门烟草工业有限责任公司 | A kind of bar cigarette conveyor device |
DE102014010422A1 (en) * | 2014-07-16 | 2016-01-21 | Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Method and device for producing (cigarette) packages |
WO2021062182A1 (en) * | 2019-09-27 | 2021-04-01 | Intertape Polymer Corp. | Cartoning machine for multiple, different carton configurations and method of use |
US11905057B2 (en) | 2020-12-30 | 2024-02-20 | Intertape Polymer Corp. | Mailer machine for multiple, different mailer configurations and method of use |
Family Cites Families (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE532853C (en) * | 1931-09-04 | Jagenberg Werke Ag | Machine insertion of the paper wrapping the cigarettes in the cigarette boxes | |
DE3042538A1 (en) * | 1980-11-12 | 1982-07-15 | Untertage Maschinenfabrik Dudweiler Gmbh, 6602 Dudweiler | TRANSPORTATION DEVICE, ESPECIALLY FOR TRANSPORTATION AND INTERIM STORAGE OF ROD-SHAPED ROLLING MATERIAL |
US4768642A (en) * | 1987-06-16 | 1988-09-06 | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Multiple conveyors with overlapping material handling device paths |
US5265398A (en) * | 1992-05-29 | 1993-11-30 | Superior Quality Products, Inc. | Automatic counting and boxing machine |
US5522512A (en) * | 1994-05-09 | 1996-06-04 | Merck & Co., Inc. | System and method for automatically feeding, inspecting and diverting tablets for continuous filling of tablet containers |
DE19522189C2 (en) * | 1995-06-19 | 1997-08-14 | Schubert Gerhard Gmbh | Grouping and buffering device |
IT1286201B1 (en) * | 1996-08-20 | 1998-07-08 | Gd Spa | CIGARETTE GROUPS FORMING UNIT |
US5884749A (en) * | 1996-09-09 | 1999-03-23 | Prototype Equipment Corporation | Conveyor system that receives articles at a constant rate and batch discharges |
IT1308976B1 (en) * | 1999-01-15 | 2002-01-15 | Gd Spa | METHOD FOR FORMING GROUPS OF CIGARETTES IN A CIGARETTE PACKING MACHINE. |
US6484479B1 (en) * | 2000-04-10 | 2002-11-26 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance, Sa | Form, fill and seal apparatus with cavity bar |
IT1321283B1 (en) * | 2000-05-30 | 2004-01-08 | Gd Spa | CIGARETTE GROUP FORMER. |
ITBO20040085A1 (en) * | 2004-02-19 | 2004-05-19 | Azionaria Costruzioni Acma Spa | UNIT FOR THE SUPPLY OF AN ORDERED SUCCESSION OF PRODUCTS |
ITBO20050328A1 (en) * | 2005-05-06 | 2005-08-05 | Gd Spa | METHOD FOR THE EXECUTION OF A BRAND CHANGE IN AN AUTOMATIC PRODUCTION COMPLEX FOR SMOKE ITEMS PROCESSING |
US20090313952A1 (en) * | 2005-09-20 | 2009-12-24 | Guglielmo Martelli | Method and Device for Filling Containers |
DE102006024559A1 (en) * | 2006-05-23 | 2007-11-29 | Focke & Co.(Gmbh & Co. Kg) | Method and device for producing cigarette packets |
ITBO20060419A1 (en) * | 2006-05-30 | 2006-08-29 | Gd Spa | METHOD AND WRAPPING MACHINE FOR THE CREATION OF CIGARETTE PACKAGES. |
ITBO20070085A1 (en) * | 2007-02-15 | 2008-08-16 | Marchesini Group Spa | METHOD FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF CONTAINERS THROUGH OPERATIVE STATIONS AND MULTIPLE CONVEYOR TO IMPLEMENT THIS METHOD |
US7827767B2 (en) * | 2007-06-26 | 2010-11-09 | G.D Societa' Per Azioni | Method and packing machine for combining an insert and a group of cigarettes |
ITBO20070735A1 (en) * | 2007-11-05 | 2009-05-06 | Marchesini Group Spa | EQUIPMENT FOR PACKAGING ARTICLES, IN PARTICULAR BAGS, IN RELATIVE CARTONS |
US8336700B2 (en) * | 2009-04-08 | 2012-12-25 | Ima North America, Inc. | Transport system for moving a plurality of containers through a plurality of work stations |
JP5399224B2 (en) * | 2009-12-11 | 2014-01-29 | 東洋自動機株式会社 | Bag packing machine |
ITBO20120335A1 (en) * | 2012-06-20 | 2013-12-21 | Sasib Spa | EQUIPMENT FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH BAR-SHAPED ITEMS. |
-
2012
- 2012-06-20 IT IT000336A patent/ITBO20120336A1/en unknown
-
2013
- 2013-06-13 EP EP13171871.0A patent/EP2676890B1/en active Active
- 2013-06-13 PL PL13171871T patent/PL2676890T3/en unknown
- 2013-06-18 US US13/920,591 patent/US20140157725A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2676890A1 (en) | 2013-12-25 |
US20140157725A1 (en) | 2014-06-12 |
PL2676890T3 (en) | 2015-08-31 |
ITBO20120336A1 (en) | 2013-12-21 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CN108016647B (en) | Device and method for flexible production of fully-opened hard-box cigarettes | |
US3906705A (en) | Apparatus for filling cartons | |
KR101501768B1 (en) | Wrap around caser continuously bundling the numerous bottles | |
JPH11502802A (en) | Multi-pack packaging equipment | |
CA2823957C (en) | Carton decasing system | |
EP1012040B1 (en) | Article wrapping apparatus | |
US20020088206A1 (en) | Packaging machine and method of carton set up | |
EP2676890B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles | |
JP6082000B2 (en) | Packaging machine and method for producing a rigid packet each comprising at least two containers, one container inside another container | |
JPH06135420A (en) | Cartoning device | |
CN111824511B (en) | Vertical product packaging equipment and packaging method | |
KR101492178B1 (en) | Method and device for filling of containers of collapsible type | |
CN210618688U (en) | Packaging device for articles | |
US20190023441A1 (en) | Method and device for handling bag chains | |
JPH11510773A (en) | Carton feeding opening wheel assembly | |
CN211568416U (en) | Transport section for transporting outer packages | |
US6935091B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for wrapping articles with a packaging sheet | |
CN101081646B (en) | Cigarette packing machine and method | |
JPH0733118A (en) | Box-opening device of box-packing machine for commodity | |
KR101501893B1 (en) | Tucker device for box of flap in wrap around caser | |
BR112020020179A2 (en) | PACKING MACHINE, PRODUCT PACKING METHOD, AND BOX FEEDING SYSTEM FOR FOOD CRUISE PIECES OF BOXES FOR COINCIDENCE WITH GROUPS OF PRODUCTS MOVING ALONG A PRODUCT CARRIER THROUGH A PACKING MACHINE | |
US20180118380A1 (en) | Methods and machine for packaging primary containers in secondary containers and a shipping tray | |
EP1094005B1 (en) | Process and apparatus for packaging a pasty food product | |
KR102477350B1 (en) | Food bundling apparatus | |
EP2543604A2 (en) | Device for forming groups of packages |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20140624 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R079 Ref document number: 602013001353 Country of ref document: DE Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: B65B0043520000 Ipc: B65B0019020000 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: B65B 43/52 20060101ALI20141117BHEP Ipc: B65G 15/20 20060101ALI20141117BHEP Ipc: B65B 19/02 20060101AFI20141117BHEP Ipc: B65B 19/12 20060101ALI20141117BHEP |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20141211 |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: LENA, MATTEO |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602013001353 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20150513 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 718921 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20150515 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: T3 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 718921 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20150401 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: PL Ref legal event code: T3 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150701 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150803 Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150801 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150702 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602013001353 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150613 Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20150401 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20160105 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20150613 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20160630 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20160630 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20130613 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 5 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20170613 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170613 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 6 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20150401 |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230525 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20230626 Year of fee payment: 11 Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20230626 Year of fee payment: 11 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20230626 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: PL Payment date: 20230519 Year of fee payment: 11 |