EP2921062B1 - Pick-up device for picking up articles from the tobacco processing industry - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a receiving device for receiving articles of the tobacco processing industry for a conveying device designed for conveying this article, which has a movable body in the conveying direction, on the outside, preferably in a standardized arrangement, at least one first suction opening and at least one of the first Suction opening spaced second suction opening are formed. Furthermore, the invention relates to a conveying device for conveying articles of the tobacco processing industry with at least one such receiving device.

Articles of the tobacco processing industry may be, for example, rod-shaped articles such as tobacco rods and sticks of limited length, filter rods or cigarettes with and without filters or even cigarillos.

In the conveying device of the type mentioned, the transport of the articles of the tobacco-processing industry takes place by means of the movable body provided as a conveying element, which moves with its outside receiving the article in the direction of movement and thus in the transport or conveying direction emotional. For this purpose, the articles are received on the outside of the movable body one behind the other in the conveying direction and extending transversely to the conveying direction receiving portions. During transport, the receiving portions are connected to a negative pressure source via passages formed in the movable body, so that the articles to be conveyed are sucked by a negative pressure formed in the receiving portions toward the outside of the movable body of the conveyer and are carried along thereby the receiving portions are in particular groove-shaped or trough-shaped.

Preferably, as the conveying device of the aforementioned type, a rotary conveying device is used, in which the movable body is designed as a rotatably mounted, driven drum in order to convey the articles of the tobacco processing industry transversely to its longitudinal extension in the direction of rotation, thus defining the conveying direction. Such conveying devices and in particular rotary conveying devices are used in drum machines of the tobacco processing industry, in particular in filter attachment machines and Multifilterherstellmaschinen.

Conveying devices and in particular rotary conveyor devices for conveying articles of the tobacco processing industry are known. For example, the WO 2010/012420 A1 a conveyor drum with receiving troughs for receiving articles of the tobacco processing industry. The receiving troughs comprise two different types of receiving troughs, namely smaller receiving troughs for receiving rod-shaped articles with a smaller diameter and larger receiving troughs for receiving rod-shaped articles with a larger diameter. The two different receiving troughs on the outside of the drum body of the conveyor drum in a row are arranged transversely and alternately one behind the other, based on the rotation and thus conveying direction.

A receiving device of the type mentioned in the introduction is particularly suitable for a collecting drum in multifilament production machines with at least two axially spaced-apart rows of suction openings, in order to support a corresponding number of axially successive, preferably different, filter segments on the receiving element, on the outside of the movable body, a first filter segment by suction air, which is generated by at least one first suction port from the row of the first suction openings in the movable body, and a second filter segment by suction air, which is generated by at least one second suction port from the row of second suction openings in the movable body, are fixed.

For the production of articles of the tobacco processing industry with different format, in particular different length, the corresponding formatrelevanten components of a machine used for this purpose, in particular the conveying devices of the type mentioned, are adapted to a modified format.

It is an object of the present invention to propose measures whereby, in the case of a format change, the associated adaptation of the conveying device can be accomplished simply and reliably.

This object is achieved with a receiving device for receiving articles of the tobacco processing industry for a conveying device designed for conveying this article, which has a movable body in the conveying direction, on the outside, preferably in a standardized arrangement, at least a first suction port and at least one of the first suction opening spaced second suction opening are formed, with at least one receiving element having an outer side for receiving at least one article, at least a first outer inlet and at least one second outer inlet spaced from the first outer inlet second outer inlet, and an inner side, with the receiving element is to be arranged on the outside of the movable body of the conveying device and on which at least one first outer outlet and at least one second outer outlet are formed, with at least one first connection anal for connecting the first outer inlet to the first outer outlet on the receiving element and at least one second connecting channel to Connection of the second outer inlet to the second outer outlet on the receiving element and with first fastening means for releasably securing the at least one receiving element on the outside of the movable body of the conveying device, wherein the arrangement of the outer inlets on the outside of the receiving element and the formation of the connecting channels to the Format, in particular the length of the male article is individually adapted, the outer outlets on the inside of the receiving element regardless of the respective format of the male article, preferably in a standardized arrangement, are provided and at least one outer inlet relative to the associated outer outlet, in particular transversely to the conveying direction, arranged offset and this interconnecting connecting channel is designed as a deflection channel.

With the aid of the invention, a format change, in particular with regard to changes in length of the articles and preferably filter segments, on a conveyor device, in particular on a collecting drum in a multifilament production machine, can be carried out in a particularly simple manner by merely exchanging the at least one receiving element for another receiving element is whose outer inlets on the outside with respect to their arrangement and / or training to another format, in particular a different length, which are then adapted to be picked items individually.

Furthermore, the invention allows a standardized and thus simplified design and manufacture of the movable body of the conveyor. Because as a movable body of the conveying device, a format-independent body can be used, while depending on the respective format of the articles to be transported, the at least one receiving element is selected, with respect to the arrangement and / or formation of the outer inlets on its outside to the desired format, In particular, the desired length of the male article is customized. Depending on the number of desired formats, a corresponding number of differently shaped receiving elements or groups of differently shaped receiving elements must therefore be provided.

In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of discrete receiving elements are used, which are arranged side by side on the outside of the movable body of the conveyor, wherein in general the attachment of each receiving element is carried out separately from the other receiving elements.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable in principle, for example, to form the receiving element essentially as an elongate and relatively thin or flat body, on the outside of which a plurality of adjacent receiving sections are formed, of which each receiving section receives at least one article. In this embodiment, at least one first inlet and a second inlet spaced therefrom are formed in each receiving section, which are each connected via connecting channels to a first or second outlet on the inner side. In this case, the elongate and thin or flat body forming the receiving element is arranged with its inner side substantially flat on the outer side of the movable body of the conveying device.

The regulation of the sucked through the suction openings in the movable body of the conveyor retaining air is preferably carried out via a control flange. In particular, for the more common case that the conveyor device is designed as a rotary conveyor, in which a rotatably mounted drum is provided as a movable body whose rotation direction defines the conveying direction, the invention offers the advantage that the previously customary control rings can be omitted, for what then the control flange is to be adapted according to design.

From the EP 1 733 635 B1 a conveyor drum with a two-part receptacle for rod-shaped article is known, which is formed by a lever segment having a base body and a releasably connected to the base body lever segment head. The DE 10 2011 103 822 A1 discloses a transport drum with lever arms, on which exchange troughs are arranged. In contrast, in the recording device according to the invention, the at least one receiving element is not for a pivotable arrangement via a lever element o.dgl., But designed for a direct and stationary arrangement with its inside on the outside of the movable body of the conveyor. In addition, the present invention teaches in contrast to the cited prior art, at least one outer inlet on the outer side of the receiving element relative to the associated outer outlet on the inside of the receiving element, in particular transversely to the conveying direction to arrange offset and form the interconnecting connecting channel as a deflection channel ,

Preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims.

A first preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the receiving element has a base module and a removable module, the basic module an inner side, which forms the inside of the receiving element and with which the base module is to be arranged on the outside of the movable body of the conveyor, and a Outside, the exchange module has an inner side, with which it is to be arranged on the outer side of the base module, and an outer side which forms the outer side of the receiving element for receiving at least one article, the inner outlets on the inside of the basic module, the outer inlets formed on the outside of the exchange module, on the outside of the base module at least a first inner inlet, which is in fluid communication with the first inner outlet, and at least one second inner inlet, which is in fluid communication with the second inner outlet, are provided on of the Inside the interchangeable module at least a first inner outlet and at least a second inner outlet are provided in the interchangeable module, the connecting channels are formed, of which the first connecting channel, the first inner outlet to the first outer inlet and the second connecting channel, the second inner outlet to the second outer Inlet connects, second attachment means for releasably securing the exchange module to the base module are provided and the inner outlets are arranged on the inside of the exchange module so that the first inner outlet in fluid communication with the first inner inlet and the second inner outlet in Fluid connection with the second inner inlet located on the inside of the removable module. Thereafter, the regulation of the suction flow is taken over by the exchange module, which is individualized for the desired format and contains the connecting channels formed as deflection channels. In contrast, the basic module takes on the one hand, the function of a socket for releasably securing the removable module, so that the removable modules can be easily replaced depending on the format of the items to be transported, and on the other hand, the function of a kind of interface between the outlets on the Inside the exchange module and the associated suction ports on the outside of the movable body of the conveyor.

In a preferred development of this embodiment, at least one connecting channel has a preferably elongated recess formed on the inside of the exchangeable module, the opening of which forms an inner outlet, and an opening which connects the recess with at least one outer inlet and preferably forms a through-hole.

In a further preferred development of this embodiment, the second fastening means formed on the removable module sliding means for a sliding engagement with formed on the base module, corresponding, preferably substantially complementary trained sliding means, preferably at least one formed on the base module key for the sliding engagement with a formed on the removable module , corresponding, preferably substantially complementary, keyway or at least one formed on the base module fitting groove for the sliding engagement with a formed on the removable module, corresponding, preferably substantially complementary, key.

In an alternative second preferred embodiment of the invention, the receiving element has a base body and a, preferably afford- or platelet-shaped, counter body, which is to be arranged on one side of the base body, third fastening means for releasably securing the counter body on the base body are provided in the main body external inlets, the outer outlets and the connecting channels and at least one connecting channel has a lateral recess which is formed on the side of the base body receiving the main body and open to this side, so that when the counter-body is arranged on the side of the base body, the at least one lateral Recess is closed by the counter body. In this embodiment, the receiving element has a, preferably asymmetrical, two-part construction, wherein in the main body of one of its outer sides of the connection channels for regulating the suction flow are made and this outside is then closed by the counter body, which thus as a closure element of the connecting channels and to complete the receiving element serves. Accordingly, this embodiment provides a particularly simple way for the production of the receiving element.

In an alternative third preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one first lateral outlet in fluid communication with the first outer inlet and at least one first lateral inlet in fluid communication with the first inner outlet are formed on one side of the receiving member the connection channels at least one hose, one end of which is connectable to a side inlet and the other end to a lateral outlet.

In this embodiment, the receiving element is thus individually adapted to the desired format of the male article with regard to the arrangement and / or formation of the outer inlets, the regulation of the suction flow taking place via the at least one tube, which connects between at least one outer inlet and at least one outer outlet produces and thus takes over the task of a connection channel. Preferably, the connection can be made via the tube by inserting one end of the tube into the lateral outlet and / or the other end of the tube into the lateral inlet.

In particular, for the preferred case that a plurality of discrete receiving elements is to be provided, this has at least one receiving element an elongated shape, preferably a strip or bar shape, and is to be arranged substantially transversely to the conveying direction on the movable body of the conveying device.

Conveniently, the outer side of the at least one receiving element has an elongated groove or trough or forms such, which is oriented substantially transversely to the conveying direction of the movable body of the conveying device.

Figur 1

schematisch in perspektivischer Ansicht eine Fördertrommel mit auf deren Mantelfläche bzw. Außenseite teilweise angeordneten Muldenelementen gemäß einer ersten bevorzugten Ausführung der Erfindung;

Figur 2

eine vergrößerte Einzeldarstellung eines Muldenelementes gemäß der ersten bevorzugten Ausführung der Erfindung von Figur 1 in einer ersten perspektivischen Ansicht schräg von unten (a), in einer zweiten perspektivischen Ansicht schräg von oben (b) und in einer Seitenansicht (c) jeweils mit einem von einem Grundmodul getrennt dargestellten Wechselmodul;

Figur 3

schematisch in perspektivischer Ansicht eine Fördertrommel mit auf deren Mantelfläche bzw. Außenseite teilweise angeordneten Muldenelementen gemäß einer zweiten bevorzugten Ausführung der Erfindung;

Figur 4

eine vergrößerte Einzeldarstellung eines Muldenelementes gemäß der zweiten bevorzugten Ausführung der Erfindung von Figur 3 in einer ersten perspektivischen Ansicht schräg von oben (a), in einer zweiten perspektivischen Ansicht schräg von oben (b) und in einer dritten perspektivischen Ansicht leicht schräg von unten (c) jeweils mit einem von einem Grundkörper getrennt dargestellten Gegenkörper;

Figur 5

schematisch in perspektivischer Ansicht eine Fördertrommel mit einem auf deren Mantelfläche bzw. Außenseite beispielhaft angeordneten einzigen Muldenelement gemäß einer dritten bevorzugten Ausführung der Erfindung; und

Figur 6

eine vergrößerte Einzeldarstellung eines Muldenelementes gemäß der dritten bevorzugten Ausführung der Erfindung von Figur 5 in einer ersten perspektivischen Ansicht schräg von oben (a) und in einer zweiten perspektivischen Ansicht schräg von unten (b).

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

schematically a perspective view of a conveyor drum with on the lateral surface or outside partially arranged tray elements according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2

an enlarged detail of a well element according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention of FIG. 1 in a first perspective view obliquely from below (a), in a second perspective view obliquely from above (b) and in a side view (c) each with a change module shown separately from a base module;

FIG. 3

schematically a perspective view of a conveyor drum with on the lateral surface or outside partially arranged well elements according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4

an enlarged detail view of a Muldenelementes according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention of FIG. 3 in a first perspective view obliquely from above (a), in a second perspective view obliquely from above (b) and in a third perspective view slightly obliquely from below (c) respectively with a counter body shown separated from a body;

FIG. 5

schematically a perspective view of a conveyor drum with an exemplary on the lateral surface or outside arranged single well element according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6

an enlarged detail of a Muldenelementes according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention of FIG. 5 in a first perspective view obliquely from above (a) and in a second perspective view obliquely from below (b).

It should first be noted at this point that the same or similar elements in the figures are marked with the same reference numerals, so that in the following description after a first-time explanation of those elements is usually apart from a corresponding repeated explanation.

The preferred embodiments of a receiving device for receiving articles of the tobacco processing industry described below with reference to the figures are provided for a conveying device for conveying these articles, which is designed as a rotary conveying device and has a conventional construction. For this purpose, the conveyor device has at least one conveyor drum. In the FIGS. 1 . 3 and 5 exemplified a preferred embodiment of such a conveyor drum is shown and designated by the reference numeral "2". The illustrated conveying drum 2 has a substantially cylindrical lateral surface or outer side 2a, which thus forms a substantially smooth drum surface. The conveyor drum 2 is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, not shown, and is used in particular in a filter manufacturing machine or filter attachment machine and particularly preferably as a collection or compilation drum in Multifilterherstellmaschinen used. The conveyor drum 2 is rotated by a drive, also not shown in rotation, wherein the direction of rotation of the outside of the 2a Conveying drum 2 the initially mentioned conveying direction of the article also not shown, to be conveyed defined. The conveying direction is in the FIGS. 1 . 3 and 5 exemplified by the arrow "A".

As FIG. 1 can be seen, in the illustrated embodiment, the conveyor drum 2 is provided with four provided in a standardized arrangement, spaced apart in the axial direction and circumferential circumferential rows of suction channels, of which for the sake of a simplified representation, for example, only three suction ducts of a row by the reference numeral "4a", "4b", "4c" and "4d", respectively. The suction channels 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d penetrate in the radial direction the wall or the body of the conveyor drum 2 so that they open on the one hand to the inside 2b of the conveyor drum 2 and on the other hand into associated suction openings on the outside 2a of the conveyor drum 2 lead. For reasons of simplified illustration, by way of example only two suction openings of a series of suction channels are identified by the reference symbols "5a", "5b", "5c" and "5d".

The suction channels 4a to 4d are connected to a suction air source, also not shown, which generates a negative pressure during operation at the suction openings 5a to 5d. According to the illustrated embodiment, as already mentioned, the suction channels are in a first series of suction channels 4a, a second series of suction channels 4b, a third series of suction channels 4c and a fourth series of suction channels 4d and, accordingly, the suction openings in a first row of suction ports 5a, a second series of suction ports 5b, a third series of suction ports 5c and a fourth series of suction ports 5d, the rows being spaced apart in the axial direction, which is the FIGS. 1 . 3 and 5 reveal. Thus, for example, two in the axial direction one behind the other, preferably different filter segments can be supported by a first filter segment by one of a suction opening 5a of the first row and a suction port 5b of the second row generated suction air and a second filter segment by one of a suction port 5c of Third row and a suction opening 5 d of the fourth row generated suction air on the outer side 2 a of the conveyor drum 2 are fixed, which will be explained in more detail below. Therefore, the suitable in the FIGS. 1 . 3 and 5 shown conveyor drum 2 in particular for use as a collection or compilation drum in Multifilterherstellmaschinen. Since the articles are not shown in the figures, it should be pointed out in this context, for the sake of good completeness, that this also applies equally to the previously mentioned filter segments.

To accommodate the items trough elements 6 are used, which can also be referred to as receiving elements. These trough elements, which are separate components, in the illustrated embodiments have an elongate shape corresponding to a strip or bar shape and a transverse to their longitudinal direction directed concave surface to form a trough in which a rod-shaped article of the tobacco processing industry or If appropriate, at least two rod-shaped articles arranged one behind the other in the axial direction are accommodated, but this is not shown in the attached figures. The trough elements 6 are arranged on the outer side 2a of the conveyor drum 2 so that their upper side forming the trough points outwards, as can be seen from the figures. Even if in the FIGS. 1 . 3 and 5 only the arrangement of one or a few well elements 6 on the outside 2a of the conveyor drum 2 is shown, so in fact the well elements 6 over the entire circumference and thus over the entire outer surface 2a in the circumferential direction to be arranged so that they are in the circumferential direction and thus in Forming direction A over the entire circumference of the conveyor drum 2 extending and closed in the manner of a ring series of transversely to the conveying direction A adjacent trough elements 6 form.

The articles received in the troughs are held by means of a vacuum generating suction air. For this purpose, the trough elements 6 are provided with corresponding passages which connect the outer side 2a of the conveyor drum 2 facing inside of the trough elements 6 with the outside thereof, where the mentioned trough is formed. For this purpose, the depression elements 6 are to be arranged on the outside 2a of the conveyor drum 2 such that the passages mentioned enter into fluid communication with the suction openings 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, respectively. The regulation of the suction flow at the suction openings 5a to 5d on the outside 2a of the conveyor drum 2 and in the associated suction channels 4a to 4d is preferably made via a control flange, not shown in the figures. For this purpose, the known control rings can be omitted and the control flange can be adapted according to design.

In the FIGS. 1 and 2 Muldenelemente 6 are shown according to a first preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the trough element 6 is divided into two parts into a removable module 6a and a base module 6b and thus has a modular structure in the radial direction of the conveyor drum 2, as well FIG. 1 lets recognize. As the FIGS. 2a and b can recognize, the exchange module 6a has an elongated shape or a strip or rod shape and its outer side 6aa, which represents the outside of the trough element 6 in the arrangement of the trough element 6 on the outer side 2a of the conveyor drum 2, designed concave and thus forms the previously mentioned trough for receiving at least one rod-shaped article. As FIG. 2b can be seen, outer inlets 8a, 8b are formed in the top or outside 6aa of the exchange module 6a, while in the illustrated embodiment, an inner outlet 10 is formed on the lower or inner side 6ac of the exchange module 6a. The outer inlets 8a, 8b are connected to the inner outlet 10 via connection channels 12a, b. In the illustrated embodiment, the two outer inlets 8a, 8b are connected together with the inner outlet 10, which is also arranged offset with respect to the outer inlets 8a, 8b, so that the connecting channels 12 are formed as deflection channels in the interior of the exchange module 6. Of course, it is alternatively also conceivable to provide a plurality of inner outlets, of which, for example, only one outer inlet is connected to an outer outlet.

The basic module 6b serves to receive the exchange module 6a and to fasten the hollow element 6 composed of the exchange module 6a and the basic module 6b to the outer side 2a of the conveyor drum 2. The basic module 6b likewise has an elongated shape or a strip or bar shape and has a kind of U-shaped cross-section with open top 6ba. Thus, between the insides of the side walls 6bb and the bottom 6bc an outwardly or upwardly open cavity formed, which has the shape of a groove. When mounted on the base module 6b, the changeover module 6a is accommodated in this cavity, wherein the attachment of the changeover module 6a to the base module 6b is made detachable. In the illustrated embodiment, the detachable attachment takes place by a so-called. Sliding engagement of the exchange module 6a on the base module 6b. For this purpose, in the illustrated embodiment, along the upper or outer free edge of the side walls 6bb an inwardly projecting fastening web 6bd formed as a feather, which in the arrangement of the exchange module 6a on the base module 6b into engagement with a corresponding, formed on the side 6ab as a pass groove longitudinal groove 6ad arrives. Of course, other types of releasable attachment options are conceivable, such as releasable detents or snap closures.

For fixing the depression element 6 on the outer side 2a of the conveyor drum 2, a plurality of cylindrical sleeves or bushings 14 are arranged on the outside of the bottom 6bc of the base module 6b, also to be designated as the bottom or inside of the base module 6b Diameter are formed so that they are detachably plugged into the suction openings 5a to 5d, wherein because of the orientation of the well elements 6 in the axial direction when placed on the outside 2a of the conveyor drum 2, the bushing 14 receiving suction openings 5a to 5d in an axial direction oriented series lie. Because of the releasable plug-in engagement of the sockets 14 with the suction openings 5a to 5d on the outer side 2a of the conveyor drum 2 are provided on the bushes 14 and in the suction openings 5a to 5d corresponding latching means for producing a releasable latching connection or locking, which, however, not in the drawings are shown. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable to use so-called ball clips.

The bushes 14 are hollow, with their inner or cavity form a passage and open into formed on the inside of the bottom 6 bc of the base module 6 b inner inlets, of which FIG. 2b only one of the inner inlets with the reference numeral "16a" and another inner inlet with the Reference characters "16b" are marked. At the free end of the bushes 14, an opening is formed into which communicates with the cavity of the bushing 14 and forms an outer outlet. In FIG. 2a only one of the outer outlets is identified by the reference numeral "18a" and another outer outlet by the reference numeral "18b". In the arrangement of the depression elements 6 on the outer side 2a of the conveyor drum 2, the releasable attachment takes place in the illustrated embodiment, characterized in that the sockets 14 on the bottom or inside of the base module 6b in plug-in engagement with the associated suction openings 5a to 5d in the outer side 2a of Move conveyor drum 2. At the same time a fluid combination between the relevant suction opening (eg 5c) in the outer side 2a of the conveyor drum 2 and the outer outlet formed at the free end of the bushes 14 (eg 18a) and thus the cavity of the relevant bushing 14 is automatically produced.

The arrangement of the exchange module 6a on the base module 6b is to be made such that the one or more internal outlets (cf. FIG. 2a indicated reference numeral "10") on the bottom 6ac of the exchange module 6a in fluid communication with at least one of the inner inlets (see, for example, the in FIG. 2b indicated reference numerals "16a" and "16b") on the inside of the bottom 6bc of the basic module 6 passes. In order to ensure a correspondingly positionally accurate arrangement of the exchange module 6a on the base module 6b, for example correspondingly suitable positioning elements can be provided, which however are not shown in the figures. In the illustrated embodiment, only a first outer inlet 8a and a second outer inlet 8b are formed on the upper or outer side 6aa of the exchange module 6, which via correspondingly assigned internal connection channels 12a, 12b together with a formed on the bottom 6ac of the exchange module 6 single inner outlet 10 are connected, which communicates with the arrangement of the exchange module 6a on the base module 6b with two inner inlets 16a, 16b in the bottom 6bc of the basic module 6b. Of course, with regard to the number, arrangement and design of the outer inlets and the inner outlets on the removable module 6a, depending on the format of the rod-shaped article to be transported, any number of other variants are conceivable. In the arrangement of the removable module 6a and the base module 6b composite depression element 6 on the outer side 2a of the conveyor drum 2 are in the illustrated embodiment, the outer inlets 8a and 8b on the outer side 6aa of the exchange module 6a via the outer outlets 18a and 18b at the free end of the sockets 14 in fluid communication with the suction openings 5c and d whereby a corresponding negative pressure due to suction air entering the outer inlets 8a, 8b is generated at the trough-shaped outer side 6aa intended for receiving the rod-shaped articles. Although a fluid combination between the suction openings 5a and 5b on the one hand and the bushings 14 in plug-in engagement therewith is also produced, they are also open to the inside of the bottom 6bc of the basic module 6b FIG. 2b recognize; However, in the illustrated embodiment, these sockets 14 are closed by the lower side 6ac of the exchange module 6a inserted in the basic module 6b, since no inner outlets of the type of the inner outlet 10 are formed on the underside 6ac of the exchange module 6a at these locations. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the suction openings 5a and 5b remain ineffective on the outer side 2a of the conveyor drum 2.

In the case of the first embodiment described above, the regulation of the suction flow is thus taken over by the exchange module 6a, which corresponds to the desired format with regard to the number, arrangement and design of the outer inlets (cf. FIG. 2b indicated reference numerals "8a" and "8b") and the inner outlets (see, for example, the in FIG. 2a given reference numeral "10") is correspondingly individualized and formed as deflection channels connecting channels (see FIG. 2b exemplified reference numerals "12a" and "12b") contains. In contrast, the basic module 6b on the one hand assumes the function of a base for releasably securing the exchange module 6a, so that the exchange modules 6a can be exchanged in a simple manner depending on the particular format of the articles to be transported, and on the other hand, the function of a kind of interface between the internal outlets (see, for example, the in FIG. 2a indicated reference numeral "10") on the lower or inner side 6ac of the exchange module 6a and the associated suction openings 5a to 5d on the outer side 2a of the conveyor drum. 2

In the Figures 3 and 4 Although a second preferred embodiment is shown, which also provides a two-part construction of the well element 6, but from the first embodiment according to the FIGS. 1 and 2 differs in that the two-part structure of the trough elements 6 is oriented not in the radial direction, but in the circumferential direction and thus in the conveying direction A and is asymmetrical and the trough elements 6 from a base 6c and a to be arranged on a long side 6cb of the main body 6c, afford- or ., Platelet-shaped counter body 6d are composed. The arrangement of the counter body 6d on the long side 6cb of the main body 6c is effected by a fastening or fixing by means of fastening means not shown in the figures, for example, have locking lugs for a mutual releasable locking or can operate on the plug-in principle.

In particular FIG. 4 can be seen, the upper or outer side 6ca of the main body 6c, which also has an elongated shape and in particular a strip or rod shape, similar to the first embodiment trough-shaped, to accommodate the rod-shaped article better. In the illustrated embodiment, two outer inlets 8a, 8b are provided in the outer side 6ca of the main body 6c, which are each connected via an associated internal connection channel 12a and 12b and one of the sockets 14 with an outer outlet 18a and 18b. In addition, recesses 20 are also introduced into the long side 6cb of the main body 6c to be covered by the counter body 6d, which projects into the main body 6c transversely to its longitudinal extent up to a location adjacent both to one of the outer inlets 8a, 8b and to one of the bushes 14 extend and there in connection with the outer inlet 8a and 8b and the cavity of the sleeve 14 are. By incorporating such recesses 20, the connecting channels 12a, 12b can be produced in a particularly simple manner in the present case, which contribute at least significantly to a fluid communication of the outer inlets 8a, 8b with the outer outlets 18a, 18b at the free end of the bushes 14 in that the connecting channels 12a, 12b are at least substantially formed by the cavity which arises within the main body 6c through the formation of the recesses 20. Thus, the training has the recesses 20 in the main body 6c manufacturing reasons. After the recesses 20 have been produced, they are closed by the counterbody 6d by fixing it on the long side 6cb of the main body 6c, on which the recesses 20 are formed.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, the trough elements 6 have an asymmetrical two-part construction, wherein in the main body 6c of one of its outer and long sides 6cb of the connection channels 12a, 12b are made to regulate the suction flow and this long side 6cb is then closed by the counter body 6d, which thus serves as a closure element of the connecting channels 12a, 12b substantially forming recesses 20 and to complete the depression elements 6.

In the Figures 5 and 6 Finally, a third preferred embodiment is shown, which differs from the two preferred embodiments described above in that the well element 6 is essentially formed by a one-piece body 6e, which has an elongated shape and in particular a strip or bar shape. Like the trough elements in the preceding embodiments, the trough element 6 of the present third embodiment with the upper side 6ea of the body 6e has a trough-shaped outer side for receiving at least one rod-shaped article.

While in the trough elements of the two embodiments described above, the connecting channels are formed substantially within the trough element, in the present third embodiment, the connecting channels are partially formed by a tube 22 which is inserted with its two ends in lateral openings 24, 25, the a side 6eb of the body 6e of the trough element 6 are formed. In FIG. 6 By way of example, the arrangement of a tube 22 is shown, which thus covers the two lateral openings with its ends, so that the lateral openings are not recognizable at this point. Also are in FIG. 6 by way of example, two further side openings 24, 25 formed in the side 6eb of the body 6e of the trough element 6 can be seen, in which the arrangement of a hose 22 is missing. The two lateral openings 24, 25 are from the side 6eb of the body 6e are inserted therein so that the one lateral opening 24 communicates with one of the outer inlets 8a or 8b and the other lateral opening 25 extends through the passage or cavity in the adjacent bushing 18 with one of the inner bushings Outlets 18a or 18b communicates. Here, the lateral opening 24 forms a first inner outlet and the lateral opening 25 forms a first inner inlet. Preferably, the lateral openings 24, 25 are made by drilling and are thus formed as holes. In order to connect the lateral opening 24 provided as an inner outlet with the lateral opening 25 formed as an inner inlet and thus associated outer inlet 8a or 8b with the associated outer outlet 18a or 18b, the aforementioned tube 22 is used, which with its Ends at the side openings 24, 25 is attached. Preferably, the attachment takes place in that the tube 22 is inserted with its ends in the lateral openings 24, 25. Thus, the tube 22 serves to establish a connection or bridge between the lateral openings 24 and 25. Accordingly, it is possible in this embodiment only by means of a tube 22, a fluid connection between one of the outer inlets 8a, 8b and one of the outer outlets 18a To produce 18b.

In the third embodiment, thus, the trough element 6 with respect to the arrangement and / or design of the outer inlets (see FIG. 6a reference numerals "8a" and "8b") on the outer side 6ea of the body 6e of the trough element 6 to the desired format of the male rod-shaped article individually adjusted, wherein the regulation of the suction flow via the at least one tube 22 takes place, the connection between at least one outer inlet (cf FIG. 6a the reference numerals "8a" and "8b") and at least one outer outlet (see this in FIG. 6b the reference numerals "18a" and "18b" given there by way of example and thus assumes the task of a connection channel, at least in part.

Claims (17)

1. Pick-up device for picking up articles of the tobacco processing industry for a conveyor configured to convey these articles, comprising a body (2) that can be moved in conveying direction (A), on the outer side (2a) of which are formed, preferably in a standardized arrangement, at least one first suction opening (5a) and at least one second suction opening (5a; 5c; 5d) at a distance from the first suction opening (5a),
   with at least one pick-up element (6), comprising an outer side (6aa; 6ca; 6ea) for picking up at least one article, on which at least one first outer inlet (8a) and at least one second outer inlet (8b) are formed at a distance from the first outer inlet (8a), and an inner side (6bc; 6cc; 6ec), by means of which the pick-up element (6) can be disposed on the outer side (2a) of the movable body (2) of the conveyor and on which at least one first outer outlet (18a) and at least one second outer outlet (18b) are formed,
   with at least one first connecting channel (12a) for connecting the first outer inlet (8a) with the first outer outlet (18a) on the pick-up element (6) and at least one second connecting channel (12b) for connecting the second outer inlet (8b) to the second outer outlet (18b) on the pick-up element (6) and
   with first fasteners (14) for releasably securing at least one pick-up element (6) on the outer side (2a) of the movable body (2) of the conveyor,
   wherein the arrangement of the outer inlets (8a, 8b) on the outer side of the pick-up element (6) and the configuration of the connecting channels (12a, 12b) are individually adapted to the format, in particular the length, of the article to be picked up, the outer outlets (18a, 18b) on the inner side of the pick-up element (6) are provided independently of the respective format of the article to be picked up, preferably in a standardized arrangement, and at least one outer inlet (8a) is arranged offset relative to the associated outer outlet (18a), in particular transverse to the conveying direction (A), and the connecting channel (12a) connecting these to one another is configured as a deflecting channel.
2. Device according to Claim 1, wherein the first fasteners (14) comprise at least one first projection, which is disposed on the inner side of the pick-up element (6) and can be brought into engagement with a first suction opening (5a) in the movable body (2) of the conveyor, and a second projection, which is disposed on the inner side of the pick-up element (6) and can be brought into engagement with a second suction opening (5b; 5c; 5d) in the movable body (2) of the conveyor, wherein the first projection includes a first passage, the outwardly directed opening of which forms the first outer outlet (18a) and is provided to create a fluid connection with the first connecting channel (12a), and the second projection includes a second passage, the outwardly directed opening of which forms the second outer outlet (18b) and is provided to create a fluid connection with the second connecting channel (12b).
3. Device according to Claim 2, in which the projections are configured as, preferably cylindrical, sleeves or bushings (14).
4. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which the connecting channels (12a, 12b) are formed substantially within the pick-up element (6).
5. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which the pick-up element (6) comprises a base module (6b) and an exchangeable module (6a),
   the base module (6b) comprises an inner side (6bc), which forms the inner side of the pick-up element (6) and by means of which the base module (6b) is to be disposed on the outer side (2a) of the movable body (2) of the conveyor, and an outer side,
   the exchangeable module (6a) comprises an inner side (6ac), by means of which it is to be disposed on the outer side of the base module (6b), and an outer side (6aa), which forms the outer side of the pick-up element (6) for picking up at least one article,
   the inner outlets (18a, 18b) are formed on the inner side (6bc) of the base module (6b),
   the outer inlets (8a, 8b) are formed on the outer side (6aa) of the exchangeable module (6a),
   at least one first inner inlet (16a), which is in fluid connection with the first inner outlet (8a), and at least one second inner inlet (16b), which is in fluid connection with the second inner outlet (8b), are provided on the outer side of the base module (6b),
   at least one first inner outlet (10) and at least one second inner outlet are provided on the inner side (6ac) of the exchangeable module (6a), the connecting channels (12a, 12b) are formed in the exchangeable module (6a), of which the first connecting channel (12a) connects the first inner outlet (18a) with the first outer inlet (8a) and the second connecting channel (12b) connects the second inner outlet (18b) with the second outer inlet (8b), second fasteners (6ad, 6bd) are provided for releasably securing the exchangeable module (6a) to the base module (6b) and
   the inner outlets (20) are disposed on the inner side (6ac) of the exchangeable module (6a) in such a way that the first inner outlet (20) is in fluid connection with the first inner inlet (16a) and the second inner outlet is in fluid connection with the second inner inlet on the inner side of the exchangeable module (6a).
6. Device according to Claim 5, in which at least one connecting channel (12a) comprises a preferably elongate recess configured on the inner side (6ac) of the exchangeable module (6a), the opening of which forms an inner outlet (20), and an aperture connecting the recess with at least one outer inlet (8a), preferably configured as a through bore.
7. Device according to Claim 5 or 6, in which the second fasteners (6ad, 6bd) comprise pushing means configured on the exchangeable module (6a) for a pushing engagement with corresponding, preferably substantially complementarily configured, pushing means, configured on the base module (6b), which preferably comprise at least one feather key (6bd) configured on the base module (6b) for a pushing engagement with a corresponding, preferably substantially complementary, fitting groove configured on the exchangeable module (6a), or at least one fitting groove (6ad) configured on the base module for a pushing engagement with a corresponding, preferably substantially complementary, feather key configured on the exchangeable module.
8. Device according to at least one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the pick-up element (6) comprises a base body (6c) and a, preferably strip- or plate-shaped, counter body (6d) to be disposed on one side (6cb) of the base body (6c),
   third fasteners are provided on the base body (6c) for releasably securing the counter body (6d),
   the outer inlets (8a, 8b), the outer outlets (18a, 18b) and the connecting channels (12a, 12b) are contained in the base body (6c), and
   at least one connecting channel (12a, 12b) comprises a lateral recess (20), which is configured on and open to the side (6cb) of the base body (6c) that picks up the counter body (6d), so that in the arrangement of the counter body (6d) on the side (6cb) of the base body (6c) at least one lateral recess (20) is closed by the counter-body (6d).
9. Device according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3, in which at least one first lateral outlet (24), which is in fluid connection with the first outer inlet (8a), and at least one first lateral inlet (25), which is in fluid connection with the first outer outlet (18a), are configured on one side (6eb) of the pick-up element (6), and
   the connecting channels comprise at least one hose (22), the one end of which can be connected with a lateral inlet (25), and the other end of which can be connected with a lateral outlet (24).
10. Device according to Claim 9, in which the one end of the hose (22) can be inserted into the lateral outlet (24) and/or the other end of the hose (22) can be inserted into the lateral inlet (25).
11. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one pick-up element (6) comprises an elongate shape, preferably a strip- or rod shape, and is to be disposed substantially transverse to the conveying direction (A) on the movable body (2) of the conveyor.
12. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which the outer side (6aa; 6ca; 6ea) of at least one pick-up element (6) comprises or forms an elongate groove or depression, which is oriented substantially transverse to the conveying direction (A) of the movable body (2) the conveyor.
13. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which a plurality of pick-up elements (6) are provided, which are disposed next to one another in the conveying direction (A) of the movable body (2) of the conveyor.
14. Conveyor for conveying articles of the tobacco processing industry, characterized by at least one device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer outlets (18a, 18b) are provided on the inner side of the at least one pick-up element (6) independently of the respective format of the article to be picked up in a, preferably standardized, arrangement corresponding to a, preferably standardized, arrangement of the suction openings (5a to 5d) on the movable body (2) of the conveyor, so that, in the arrangement of at least one pick-up element (6) on the movable body (2) of the conveyor, the first outer outlet (18a) comes into fluid connection with a first suction opening (5c) on the movable body (2) of the conveyor and the second outer outlet (18b) comes into fluid connection with a second suction opening (5d) on the movable body (2) of the conveyor.
15. Device according to Claim 14 for a conveyor designed for conveying the articles and as a rotary conveyor, in which a rotatably mounted drum is provided as the movable body (2), the rotation direction of which defines the conveying direction (A).
16. Device according to Claim 14 or 15, in which the outer side (2a) of the movable body (2) comprises a substantially flat or smooth surface.
17. Device according to at least one of Claims 14 to 16, in which at least one first series of first suction openings (5a), which extend substantially in conveying direction (A) and are spaced in conveying direction (A), and at least one second series of second suction openings (5b; 5c; 5d), which extend in conveying direction (A) and are spaced from one another in conveying direction (A) and spaced from the first series transverse to the conveying direction (A), are configured on the outer side (2a) of the movable body (2), preferably in a standardized arrangement.

Images