EP3122638B1 - Apparatus for producing and/or packaging products of the tobacco industry - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing and / or packaging products of the tobacco industry, in particular for packaging cigarette packs in bundle packs, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such reciprocating conveying members are used, for example, in so-called bundle packers, which produce bundle packs by wrapping several cigarette packs as a group in at least one wrapping. In this case, a reciprocating slider usually pushes the package group into the pocket of a folding turret, taking a wrapping blank in a horizontal conveying plane.

In the cigarette industry, the packaging and manufacturing processes are increasingly monitored, in particular by cameras, scanners, etc. comprehensive, electro-optical detection devices. This not least with regard to "track and trace" requirements. However, for example, in the above-mentioned process of inserting a pack group into a folding turret, it is difficult to properly detect the individual sides of the cigarette packs facing the slider in the inserting operation. Because for cameras, etc. is due to the moving slider little space.

The CN 201 293 763 Y Figure 3 shows a camera for a group of cigarette packs that can monitor the sides of the packs that point to the slide.

Something like that shows CN 203 078 815 U ,

It is an object of the present invention to develop a device of the type mentioned, in particular with regard to the best possible electro-optical detection of the respective conveying member opposite sides of the corresponding, at least one product.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1.

An apparatus for producing and / or packaging products of the tobacco industry of the type mentioned has an electro-optical detection device, which is aligned on the side of the product to which the conveying member at least temporarily abuts in the context of the conveying movement - Produktanlageeite - or in the frame this conveying movement is opposed to the conveying organ. In such a way that the detection device can detect the product plant side in at least one state of movement of the conveying member from the direction of the conveying member.

Accordingly, the product plant side is regularly detected from one direction, which lies substantially parallel to the conveying plane or within this. This ensures that geometrical distortions of the product system sides in the corresponding image recordings of the product installation sides generated by the electro-optical detection device are largely avoided. This applies in particular to the main application of the invention, in which the product plant sides are perpendicular to the conveying plane, as is the case with a packer, in which a group of cigarette packs is moved by a slider into the pocket of a folding turret in the region of a plug-in station. The detection direction of the detection device would then run perpendicular to the side opposite the slide pack sides or the sides on which the slide during the conveying movement of the packs at least temporarily applied.

By the way, in the context of this application, products of the tobacco industry are not only understood as end products, such as cigarette packs or bundle packs, but also, for example, all precursors or intermediates which can be moved by a conveying element mentioned above.

According to the invention, such a conveying member for conveying the products has at least one mirror arranged in the conveying plane, as well as the detection device at least one arranged outside the conveying plane, electro-optical detection element, such as a (CCD or line) camera, a scanner or the like. The electro-optical detection element and the mirror are positioned and aligned in such a way that electromagnetic radiation, usually light rays (usually visible light or IR light), impinges on the mirror of the conveyor element at least in the state of movement of the conveyor element, and subsequently ( optionally after diversion by further mirrors) to the detection element. If the conveying plane is a horizontal plane, for reasons of space, the sensing element would advantageously be arranged either above the conveying plane or below the conveying plane.

In order to make this possible, the mirror may for example be arranged on the conveyor member such that its mirror surface is inclined with respect to the conveyor plane, for example inclined by 45 °. In this case, the light originating from the product plant side would be deflected out of the conveying plane and, in particular, out of the region of the conveying member, towards an otherwise free region in which the detecting member can be placed. As a rule, there is sufficient space above or below the conveyor.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the mirror is arranged in an interior of the conveyor element which is closed at least in areas, preferably completely outwards, which is bounded at least partially by transparent material or a transparent wall (for example, made of glass) in the direction of the product installation side is, so that emanating from this side electromagnetic radiation can pass at least in the one state of movement of the conveying member through the transparent material to the mirror of the conveying member. The background of this measure is that in the area of machines for the production / packaging of products of the tobacco industry, tobacco dust is regularly encountered, which, in the case where the mirror is arranged on the conveyor element without further protection shielding it from the environment, on the mirror and thereby affect the quality of the image taken by the Specifically, the transparent material can form an outer wall of the conveying member or a part thereof. Regularly, it will be the actual conveying side or conveying wall of the conveying member, which is at least partially transparent, ie the side which contacts the respective product or against which the product is in contact with it from the first position to the second position move.

Advantageously, it is provided that the interior of the conveying member (also) in the direction of the electro-optical detecting member is at least partially limited by transparent material or a corresponding wall, so that the originating from the product system side beams through the mirror of the conveying member through this transparent material through to the electro-optical Can reach detection device. Regularly, another side than the delivery side of the conveying member corresponding to such a transparent region or be formed wholly or partly from this, so that the rays coming from the product plant side first fall on the mirror, then in the interior of the conveying member, for example, upwards, downwards or be deflected to the side, through the transparent material of the corresponding side of the conveyor member through again emerge from the interior and finally fall on the detection member.

Of course, there are various possibilities for the viewing direction of the detection member or the corresponding arrangement of the latter, from which the viewing direction ultimately results. This may, for example, be directed parallel to the conveying direction, so that at least one further mirror arranged between the mirror of the conveying member and the detecting member is necessary, by which the light deflected by the mirror of the conveying member out of the conveying plane or the deflected beams can be deflected again, namely in the corresponding line of sight of the recording body. Of course, it is also possible to dispense with such a further mirror if the viewing direction of the detection member is directed directly onto the mirror of the conveying member.

Fig. 1

eine Schrägansicht einer Verpackungsanlage zur Verpackung von Zigarettenpackungsgruppen in Gebindepackungen (Zigarettenstangen),

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht der Verpackungsanlage in Richtung des Pfeils II in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine erste Ausführungsform einer Einzelheit der Anlage im Bereich III in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt durch die Einzelheit aus Fig. 3 entsprechend der Schnittlinie IV-IV in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

eine alternative Ausführungsform zu der Einzelheit der Anlage aus Fig. 3 in einer entsprechend analogen Darstellung,

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt durch die alternative Ausführungsform der Fig. 5 entlang der Schnittlinie VI-VI,

Fig. 7

eine weitere alternative Ausführungsform zu der Einzelheit aus Fig. 3 in einer entsprechend analogen Darstellung,

Fig. 8

eine alternative Ausführungsform zu der Einzelheit aus Fig. 3 in einer entsprechend analogen Darstellung die nicht Teil der Erfindung ist.

Fig. 9

eine Seitenansicht der Anlage entsprechend der Blickrichtung IX-IX in Fig. 1,

Fig. 10

eine alternative Ausführungsform in Schrägansicht, die nicht Teil der Erfindung ist.

Fig. 11

eine Prinzipdarstellung steuerungstechnischer Zusammenhänge.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the appended claims, the following description of preferred embodiments, and from the accompanying drawings. Show:

Fig. 1

an oblique view of a packaging plant for packaging cigarette pack groups in bundle packs (cigarette rods),

Fig. 2

a side view of the packaging plant in the direction of arrow II in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a first embodiment of a detail of the plant in the area III in Fig. 2 .

Fig. 4

a section through the detail Fig. 3 according to the section line IV-IV in Fig. 3 .

Fig. 5

an alternative embodiment to the detail of the system Fig. 3 in a correspondingly analogue representation,

Fig. 6

a section through the alternative embodiment of the Fig. 5 along the section line VI-VI,

Fig. 7

a further alternative embodiment of the detail Fig. 3 in a correspondingly analogue representation,

Fig. 8

an alternative embodiment to the detail Fig. 3 in a correspondingly analogous representation which is not part of the invention.

Fig. 9

a side view of the system according to the line of sight IX-IX in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 10

an alternative embodiment in an oblique view, which is not part of the invention.

Fig. 11

a schematic representation of control-technical relationships.

The embodiments of the invention described below relate to a so-called packager 10. However, the invention is not limited to pack packers, but can also be used in various other devices for the manufacture and / or packaging of products of the tobacco industry, such as cardboard packers, Packers for the production of individual cigarette packs, etc.

Bundle packers have long been known in the art and, for example, in the DE 10 2011 103 821 A1 described.

Such or the packer packer 10 includes a plug-in station 11, in which on an endless conveyor 12, in this case an inlet belt, to Pack groups 20 grouped cigarette packs 13 intermittently one after the other, in each case taking along a (cardboard) blank 15 originating from a cutting apparatus 14, are inserted into a pocket 16 of a folding turret 17 held ready in each case.

On the (cardboard) blank 15, production data are previously applied by means of a printing unit 56, for example a laser writer, such as fire data, the production date, system data, etc.

Each pack group 20 consists of two superimposed rows of several, in the present case five, in the direction of the endless conveyor 12 juxtaposed packs 13. After inserting the pack group 20 in the prepared pocket 16 of the folding turret 17 is rotated further until the next free revolver pocket 16th At the height of the endless conveyor 12 or in the region of the insertion station 11, so that the next pack group 20 can be inserted.

The folding members 18, 19 then fold the blank 15 of the pack group 20 in the pocket 16 around the respective pack group 20. The group 20 thus enveloped in the (cardboard) blank 15 is then transferred to another folding turret 22, in the region of which an outer envelope 23 enveloping the folded (cardboard) blank 15 is made of film or alternatively of paper.

The individual blanks for the outer sheath 23 are thereby separated from a continuous material web 24 by means of a separation unit 25 comprising a knife roller 26 in the present case.

As an alternative to the above-described application of the production data on the (cardboard) blank 15 in the region of the insertion station 11, the production data can also be applied by means of a printing unit 57 to the outer envelope 23, in particular to the continuous material web 24. This in particular when the outer envelope 23 is not transparent, but, for example, a Papierumhüllung is.

The further folding turret 22 leaving bundles of packs 21 are then conveyed along a present horizontal transport path 27 to another conveyor, in the present case a vertical conveyor 28. Along the transport path 27, a labeling apparatus 31 is arranged, which provides the bundles of packages 21 with labels.

Along the vertical conveyor 28, two shrinking stations 29, 30 are arranged, at which the outer envelope 23 is shrunk from film.

Subsequent to the vertical conveyor 28 is followed by a (horizontal) discharge conveyor, which further promotes the bundle packs 21, in particular to a subsequent, unillustrated carton packer, each of which packs a predetermined number of bundles of packs 21 in a carton.

In order to be able to generate image recordings of packs of cigarettes 13 packaged by the respective bundle packs 21, insertion station 11 is assigned a special detection device 32 for the electro-optical detection of cigarette packs 13 or group 20. These image recordings can then be used, for example, in order to enable traceability of the cigarette packs contained in the packs of packs 21 in the sense of a "track and trace" which is also described later on. Regardless of the detection device 32 could also be used for other testing or monitoring purposes.

The detection device 32 is part of a device 33 for conveying or inserting the cigarette group 20 transversely to the endless conveyor 12 in the respective prepared pocket 16 of the folding turret 17, in the present case along or in a horizontal conveying plane.

In this case, this device 33 comprises a conveying member 34, which in the present case likewise reciprocates in the horizontal plane, namely a slide. The side 35 of the conveying member 34 facing the packs 13 or the pack group 20 is the conveying side of the conveying member 34, which moves towards the pack group 20 in the course of an insertion movement (forward movement), contacting them and at least Temporary system moves at the same in the direction of the folding turret pocket 16 and pushes into this.

After insertion of the pack group 20 in the ready held pocket 16, the folding turret 17 rotates until a next free pocket 16 of the folding turret 17 is in the region of the insertion station 11. Furthermore, the conveying member 34 moves in a reverse movement in the opposite direction (movement) in a retracted position in which the next on the endless conveyor 12 next packing group 20 can be promoted in the region of the insertion station 11 / is. The conveying member 34 then conveys this (next) packing group 20 located in the insertion region as part of the next conveying cycle with a renewed insertion movement into the further pocket 16 of the folding turret 17 located in the region of the insertion station 11 and then moves again into the retracted position. The described processes repeat themselves intermittently.

The electro-optical detection device 32 is formed in a special way due to the cramped conditions in the region of the insertion station 11 to optimally detect those sides of the cigarette packs 13 of the respective pack group 20, which are contacted by the folding member 34 or at least during this insertion movement temporarily. In the present application these pages are referred to as attachment pages. In the exemplary embodiments described, these are the bottom sides 36 of the cigarette packs 13. Of course, it is also within the scope of the invention to have other sides of the cigarette packs 13 show as attachment sides 36 in the direction of the conveying member 34 and then to capture accordingly with the detection device 32.

The detection device 32 is aligned with the abutment sides 36 of the cigarette packs 13, in such a way that the abutment sides 36 can be detected from the direction of the conveying member 34, that is substantially parallel to the conveying direction of the conveying member 34th

For this purpose, the detection device 32 comprises a plurality of electro-optical detection elements 37, for example a camera or a scanner, with which the system sides 36 or, if appropriate, parts thereof can be detected or with which corresponding image recordings can be made. The detection device 32 further comprises lighting elements 55, for example LEDs, for illuminating the plant sides 36 or the parts thereof. In the present case, respective illuminating members 55 are arranged on each of the detection members 37.

In the Fig. 3-7 three different embodiments of the system pages 36 from the direction of the conveying member 34 detecting detection device 32 are shown in which the detection members 37 are positioned for reasons of space each outside, namely above the conveying plane of the cigarette pack group 20, ie outside / above the plane in which the cigarette pack group 20th while the conveying movement is moved into the folding turret pocket 16.

In order to ensure in this constellation that the detection device 32 can detect the plant sides 36 or in the present case the bottom sides of the cigarette packs from the direction of the conveying member 34, the conveying member 34 in the embodiment of Fig. 3 and 4 an elongated, parallel to the pack group 20 extending, all detection members 37 common mirror 38 on. The mirror 38 is arranged in the conveying plane and extends inclined to the same or inclined to the conveying direction of the conveying member 34th

In the present case, it is arranged in an interior space 39 of the conveying member 34, namely on an inclined wall 40. The mirror 38 is arranged at a distance from the conveying side 35 of the conveying member 34, namely offset in the direction of the side of the conveying member 34 facing away from the packing group 20 The conveying side 35 is the side of the conveying member 34 at which the packs 13 of the pack group 20 at least temporarily rest during the insertion movement of the conveying member 34 or with which the packs 13 of the pack group 20 are effectively inserted. In other words, the mirror 38 is thus present in the conveying member 34 arranged that from the plant sides 36 of the cigarette packs 13 outgoing light rays, which extend substantially parallel to the conveying direction, meet the mirror 38.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3 and 4 the detection members 37 are arranged in a row which extends in the region of the insertion station 11 parallel with distance to the respective packing group 20, namely laterally offset above the same. In each case, two cigarette packs 13 arranged one above the other are assigned to a detection element 37 in the present case. In other words, the respective detection element 37 generates corresponding image recordings of the two packs 13 assigned to it. Of course, various other assignments are also possible, for example a detection element 37 for all packs 13 of the pack group 20 or per pack 13 one detection element 37 etc.

The inclination of the mirror 38 (here 45 °) to the conveying plane of the conveying member 34 and the arrangement of the detection members 37 are coordinated so that in at least one state of movement of the conveying member 34, namely in the in Fig. 3 and 4 shown movement state, a light path is formed along the parallel to the conveying plane running, outgoing from the contact surfaces 36 of the cigarette packs 13 light rays are guided on the mirror 38 and are deflected by this, in this case upwards, in the direction of the detection members 37. Correspondingly, in the state of movement shown, the detection elements 37 can generate image recordings of the installation sides 36 or of the bottom sides of the cigarette packs 13.

In the case of the abovementioned light beams coming from the installation sides 36, the present case is largely the light of the illumination elements 55, which is reflected by the installation sides 36. Because the coordination described above between the mirror 38 and detection organs 37 or Anlageseiten 36 also includes the lighting organs 55 so that it is ensured that the light of the lighting organs 55 can reverse the light path described above and correspondingly impinges on the plant pages 36.

As can be seen from the drawings, it is not possible in this embodiment to produce in all states of movement of the conveying member 34 images of the plant sides 36 of the packs 13, since the light rays do not meet in other than the state of motion shown on the detection members 37. Because the viewing directions of the detection members 37 are then no longer directed to the mirror 38.

In order to allow the entry of the light rays coming from the plant sides 36 in the interior 39 of the conveying member 34, the delivery side 35 and the corresponding conveyor wall is formed transparent. For example, made of a transparent plastic or glass. The same applies to a region 42 in another side of the conveying member 34, in this case the upper side 41, through which the light deflected by the mirror 38 in the direction of the detection elements 37 emerges from the inner space 39.

Instead of using transparent materials, of course, in a simpler embodiment of the invention, it is also possible to arrange recesses in the delivery side 35 or in the corresponding other side of the delivery member 34 from which the light exits again. By using the transparent materials, however, it is possible to complete the interior 39 completely to the outside or to the environment, so that, for example, tobacco dust deposits on the mirror 38 are avoided.

In contrast to the embodiment described above, the detection device 32 according to FIGS Fig. 3 and 4 has the conveying member 34 in the alternative embodiment of Fig. 5 and 6 none of all detection organs 37 jointly associated, one-piece, elongated mirror 38, but each detection member 37 is assigned its own, separate mirror 38. In this case, the individual mirrors 38 are arranged successively on the conveying member 34 in a row running parallel to the packing group 20 located in the insertion position or in the insertion region. In the present case (also) in the interior 39 thereof.

Each mirror 38 or its reflective mirror surface is - as in the elongated mirror of the embodiment according to the Fig. 3 and 4 the case is inclined with respect to the conveying plane. However, the mirrors 38 and the mirror surfaces are not aligned perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying member 34, but include with the conveying direction a deviating from 90 ° angle. The mirror surfaces are rotated by a particular small angle about a vertical or perpendicular to the conveying plane axis of rotation to avoid disturbing light reflections.

In the alternative embodiment according to Fig. 7 are the detecting members 37 in contrast to the embodiment of Fig. 3 and 4 arranged on the one hand in a common housing 43. Alternatively, each detection member 37 could also be arranged in a separate or separate housing 43.

On the other hand, the respective viewing directions of the respective detection organs 37 are not directed directly to the mirror 38. Rather, the viewing directions of the detection members 37 each extend parallel to the conveying direction of the conveying member 34. In the housing 43, therefore, a further mirror 44 is arranged (or alternatively a plurality of mirrors 44), which is aligned so that in the in Fig. 7 shown movement state of the conveying member 34 which originates from the plant sides 36 of the packs 13 incident upon the mirror 38 of the conveying member 34 through a corresponding inlet opening in a (lower) wall in the housing 43 passes through the mirror 44, which then this light in the viewing direction of the detection member 37 distracts. The inlet opening of the housing 43 is likewise covered by transparent material, such as glass. By the (or) the housing 43, the respective detection members 37 - in a similar manner as the mirror 38 through the closed interior 39 of the conveying member 34 - kept free of tobacco dust or the like.

The Fig. 8 shows an embodiment which is not part of the invention, in which waiving mirror, the detection member 37 is disposed directly on the conveying member 34, namely in the interior 39 thereof. The viewing direction of the detection member 37 extends directly in the conveying direction on the opposite sides of the packs 36 of the packs 13th

Fig. 10 Finally shows an alternative which is also not part of the invention, in which the detecting member 37 is not disposed on the conveying member 34, but is placed obliquely above it. The viewing direction thereof is accordingly directed obliquely from above onto the contact sides 36.

With the detection device 32 described above, of each cigarette pack group 20 located in the region of the insertion station 11 or in the insertion area, image recordings can be generated immediately before, during or immediately after the insertion process.

If the detection devices 37 are designed, for example, as scanners, image recordings of barcodes 48 arranged on the contact sides 36 of the cigarette packs 13 of the pack group 20 can be generated, or in other words such barcodes 48 can be read therefrom. As part of a "trace and tracking" process, the bar codes 48 may then be linked by a suitable controller in a database 49 with a corresponding code 50 which may identify the bundle pack 21 into which the respective cigarette packs 13 are packaged.

This code 50 for the bundle pack 21 can then be written onto the bundle pack 21, for example by means of a printing unit 46, for example a laser writer, which can be positioned approximately in the region of the transport path 27.

As in Fig. 11 can be seen, the codes 50 of the bundle packs 21 by means of another detection device 51a when leaving the area of the bundle packer 10 are read. On the other hand, they can be read out again by another detection device 51b upon entry into the area of a carton packer and linked in the database 49 with a (dash) code 54 identifying a carton 47. Namely, the code 54 of the carton 47 in which the individual bundle packs 21 are packed.

In a further step, a further printing unit 52 can then write the identification code 54 onto the cardboard 47.

Finally, a further detection device 53 may be provided which reads out the corresponding identification code 54 of the boxes 47. These codes are then optionally linked in the database 49 with a corresponding code identifying a pallet on which the boxes 47 are placed. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 10 Stan and pack packers 41 top 11 insertion station 42 Area 12 endless conveyor 43 casing 13 cigarette pack 44 mirror 14 cutting apparatus 46 printing unit 15 carton blank 47 carton 16 bag 48 barcode 17 folding turret 49 Database 18 folding member 50 barcode 19 folding member 51a detector 20 group 51b detector 21 multipack 52 printing unit 22 folding turret 53 detector 23 outer wrapper 54 barcode 24 web 55 lighting bodies 25 separating unit 56 printing unit 26 knife roll 57 printing unit 27 transport distance 28 vertical conveyor 29 shrinking station 30 shrinking station 31 Etikettierapparat 32 detector 33 conveyor 34 conveying member 35 conveying side 36 investment side 37 detector member 38 mirror 39 inner space 40 wall

Claims (11)

1. An apparatus for producing and/or packaging products (13) in the tobacco industry, in particular for packaging cigarette packs (13) in multi-packs (21), having a conveying mechanism (34) which can be moved back and forth, in particular a conveying mechanism for pushing or thrusting the products, with which at least in each case a product (13) can be conveyed, in particular pushed or thrust, in an in particular non-curved conveying plane, with at least temporary contact against the conveying mechanism (34), from a first position into a second position, having an electro-optical detecting device (32) which is aimed at the product contact side (36), namely the side of the product (13) which the conveying mechanism (34) contacts at least temporarily, which can detect the product contact side (36) from the direction of the conveying mechanism (34) in at least one movement state of the conveying mechanism (34), characterized in that the conveying mechanism (34) has at least one mirror (38) arranged in the conveying plane, and the detecting device (32) has at least one electro-optical detecting means (37) arranged outside the conveying plane, in particular a camera or a scanner, wherein the electro-optical detecting means (37) and the mirror (38) are positioned and aligned in such a way that, at least in the one movement state of the conveying mechanism (34), the electro-optical detecting means (37) can receive electromagnetic radiation, in particular light beams, coming from the product contact side (36), extending in the direction of the mirror (38) and reflected by the latter.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the mirror (38) is arranged on the conveying mechanism (34) in such a way that its reflective surface extends at an angle with respect to the conveying plane, in particular at 45°.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mirror (38) is arranged in an internal space (39) of the conveying mechanism (34) which is closed off, at least in some areas, preferably completely, from the outside and which is bounded in the direction of the product contact side (36), at least in some areas, by transparent material so that, at least in the one movement state of the conveying mechanism (34), electromagnetic radiation coming from the product contact side (36) can pass through the transparent material to the mirror (38).
4. The apparatus as claimed in one or more of the further claims 1-2, characterized in that the mirror (38) is arranged in an internal space (39) of the conveying mechanism (34) which is closed off, at least in some areas, preferably completely, from the outside and which is bounded in the direction of the electro-optical detecting means (37), at least in some areas, by transparent material so that, at least in the one movement state of the conveying mechanism (34), electromagnetic radiation originating from the product contact side (36) can pass via the mirror (38) through the transparent material to the electro-optical detecting means (37).
5. The apparatus as claimed in one or more of the further claims, characterized in that the viewing direction of the electro-optical detecting means (37) extends at an angle to the conveying plane, in particular at a right angle, and in that, at least in the one movement state of the conveying mechanism (34), the electro-optical detecting means (37) is aimed directly at the mirror (38) of the conveying mechanism (34) without the interposition of further mirrors.
6. The apparatus as claimed in one or more of the further claims, characterized in that the viewing direction of the electro-optical detecting means (37) extends parallel to the conveying plane, and in that, at least in the one movement state of the conveying mechanism, the electro-optical detecting means (37) is aimed indirectly at the mirror (38) of the conveying mechanism (34) with the interposition of at least one further mirror (44).
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the electro-optical detecting means is arranged in a closed housing (43) having a wall area made of transparent material, through which the electromagnetic radiation originating from the product contact side (36) and reflected via the mirror (38) of the conveying mechanism (34) can pass into the housing (43) to the detecting means (37).
8. The apparatus as claimed in one or more of the further claims, characterized in that the detecting device (32) has at least one illuminating means (55), with which the product contact side (36) can be illuminated, at least in the one movement state of the conveying mechanism (34), in particular an illuminating means (55) which is arranged in the vicinity of or on the electro-optical detecting means (37) in such a way that, at least in the one movement state of the conveying mechanism (34), its light beams fall onto the mirror (38) of the conveying mechanism (34) and are reflected by the latter in the direction of the product contact side (36).
9. The apparatus as claimed in one or more of the further claims, characterized in that by using the conveying mechanism (34), all the products (13) of a group (20) of products (13) preferably arranged beside one another at right angles to the conveying direction, in particular a group (20) of cigarette packs (13), can each be conveyed from the first into the second position with at least temporary contact of each product (13) of the product group (20) against the conveying mechanism (34), wherein the detecting device (32) is aimed at the product contact sides (36) of the respective products (13) of the product group (20), and wherein the detecting device (32) in each case has an associated, separate electro-optical detecting means (17) for each product (13) or for pairs of products (13), which detects the respective product contact side(s) (36) of the associated product/product pairs, at least in the one movement state of the conveying mechanism (34).
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and 9 and, if appropriate, one of the further claims, characterized in that all the electro-optical detecting means (37) and in each case a mirror (38) of the conveying mechanism (34) that is assigned to the respective detecting means (37) are positioned and aligned in such a way that, at least in the one movement state of the conveying mechanism (34), each electro-optical detecting means (37) can receive electromagnetic radiation, in particular light beams, originating from the product contact side(s) (36) of the respectively associated product/product pair, extending in the direction of the respectively associated mirror (38) of the conveying mechanism (34) and reflected by said mirror.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that each electro-optical detecting means (34) is respectively assigned a separate mirror (38), or all the detecting means (37) a common mirror (38), in particular extending at right angles to the conveying direction.

Images