EP3520630A1 - System zum fördern von stabförmigen verbrauchsgütern - Google Patents

System zum fördern von stabförmigen verbrauchsgütern Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3520630A1
EP3520630A1 EP18155179.7A EP18155179A EP3520630A1 EP 3520630 A1 EP3520630 A1 EP 3520630A1 EP 18155179 A EP18155179 A EP 18155179A EP 3520630 A1 EP3520630 A1 EP 3520630A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
plane
rod
consumer goods
angle
support surface
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP18155179.7A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Marco D'angelo
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Philip Morris Products SA
Original Assignee
Philip Morris Products SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Philip Morris Products SA filed Critical Philip Morris Products SA
Priority to EP18155179.7A priority Critical patent/EP3520630A1/de
Publication of EP3520630A1 publication Critical patent/EP3520630A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/32—Separating, ordering, counting or examining cigarettes; Regulating the feeding of tobacco according to rod or cigarette condition
    • A24C5/322—Transporting cigarettes during manufacturing
    • A24C5/326—Transporting cigarettes during manufacturing with lateral transferring means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/35—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a system for conveying rod-shaped consumer goods, for example rod-shaped aerosol-generating articles.
  • aerosol-generating articles such as filter cigarettes
  • the two cylindrical objects are joined during a rolling process with a tipping paper.
  • the tipping paper covers a first of the two cylindrical objects and extends over the second cylindrical object and thus secures the two cylindrical objects to each other.
  • the tipping paper creates a small step-change between the circumference of the first cylindrical object and the second cylindrical object. This step creates an angle between the edge of the tipping paper and the free edge of the second cylindrical object.
  • the angle is generally small, however, during production, many of the finished aerosol generating articles may be stacked up on top of each other in a mass-flow or a hopper and the cumulative effect of each small angle may create a significant total angle at the top of the stack. This may cause the aerosol generating articles to jam in the mass-flow or hopper, particularly since a mass-flow production process allows a certain degree of free movement of the aerosol-generating articles which is necessary to accommodate the high flow rate.
  • the 'stacking angle' effect depends on the size of the step created by the tipping paper and the length of the product between the free edge of the second cylindrical object and the tipping paper.
  • the risk of jams is further increased when the product has an uneven mass distribution, in particular where the centre of mass of the article is in the section of the article with the smaller diameter.
  • the effect increases further where the section of the article with the smaller diameter is ductile and therefore, where articles are stacked onto each other, may sink into adjacent articles due to gravitational forces, thus increasing the nesting of the articles on one side and in turn adding to the stacking angle.
  • the rod-shaped aerosol-generating articles may be stacked on top of each other in layers on a conveyor band and aligned generally transverse to the direction of travel of the band, since this is a stable position for transport.
  • a channel may be defined above the conveyor band, the channel having sidewalls and a roof, and the aerosol-generating articles will tend to fill the space defined by the channel. Aerosol-generating articles on the top of the stack can engage frictionally with the roof, and if the aerosol-generating articles are not perfectly aligned transverse to the direction of travel, they may twist or yaw relative to the direction of travel.
  • some aerosol-generating articles comprise a tobacco rod at one end and a mouth piece filter at the other end, the mouth piece filter having a slightly greater diameter than the tobacco rod, or vice versa.
  • aerosol-generating articles can be made up of different rods of different densities and different resistances to compression.
  • such aerosol-generating articles are often not evenly weight balanced. Accordingly, when stacked in layers and all aligned the same way, the bottom layers may be compressed due to the weight of the overlying layers, and the compression may not be homogeneous along the lengths of the aerosol-generating articles. For instance, one end of the lower aerosol-generating articles may be compressed to a smaller diameter than the other end of the lower aerosol-generating articles.
  • This imbalance can lead to twisting or yawing of aerosol-generating articles in the upper layer due to differential friction with the roof along the length of the aerosol-generating articles. In turn, this can lead to misalignment of the aerosol-generating articles and blockages in downstream machines or in the transportation path. It can also lead to damage to the aerosol-generating articles.
  • Embodiments of the present disclosure therefore seek to address at least some of these problems.
  • a system for conveying rod-shaped consumer goods comprising:
  • the first and second planes preferably intersect at a line that is substantially parallel to the direction of travel.
  • the first and second planes preferably intersect at a line parallel to a tangent to the curve.
  • the support surface and roof portion By configuring the support surface and roof portion so that the first and second planes are non-parallel, it is possible to accommodate stacking angle effects so that the rod-shaped consumer goods adjacent to the roof portion are substantially parallel thereto along their lengths. This may reduce the likelihood of twisting or yawing of the rod-shaped consumer goods in the upper layer, since any frictional forces due to contact between the rod-shaped consumer goods and the roof in the direction of travel may be substantially the same along the lengths of the rod-shaped consumer goods, which will generally be transverse to the direction of travel.
  • the roof portion and the support surface may be adjustable relative to each other so that the angle between the first plane and the second plane can be changed. In other embodiments, the roof portion and the support surface may be configured so that the angle between the first plane and the second plane is fixed.
  • the first plane and the second plane may be angled at up to 45° to each other.
  • defining the angle between the first plane and the second plane as a, in some embodiments 0° ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 45°. In other embodiments, 1° ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 45°; or 5° ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 45°; or 10° ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 45°.
  • the angle ⁇ may be defined in a cross-sectional plane normal to the direction of travel.
  • the conveyor band, at least one sidewall and roof portion together define a transportation channel.
  • a second sidewall laterally disposed from the first sidewall on an opposed side of the conveyor band, is provided.
  • the roof portion may extend from a top of the first sidewall to a top of the second sidewall, with the support surface extending between a bottom of the first sidewall and a bottom of the second sidewall.
  • the support surface may be substantially horizontal and the roof portion may slope relative thereto. In other embodiments, the roof portion may be substantially horizontal and the support surface may slope relative thereto. In yet further embodiments, both the support surface and the roof portion may slope relative to the horizontal.
  • the at least one sidewall may be substantially vertical. In other embodiments, the at least one sidewall may be sloped relative to a vertical direction.
  • the at least one sidewall, and (where provided) the second sidewall may have a curved cross-section.
  • This can be useful where a stack of rod-shaped consumer goods on the support surface has a pronounced stacking angle, with ends of the rod-shaped consumer goods in the stack defining a curve from the support surface towards the roof portion. This is advantageous because end faces of the rod-shaped consumer goods will then be substantially parallel with the sidewall over the entire height of the sidewall, thus avoiding friction differentials and reducing any tendency to twist, yaw and/or rotate.
  • either the support surface may be adjustable or the roof portion may be adjustable or both may be adjustable.
  • the adjustment between the roof portion and support surface may be effected manually, for example by adjusting bolt or screw mechanisms holding the roof portion and/or the support surface in their respective planes.
  • an actuator to adjust the angle between the first and second planes by tilting the roof portion relative to the support surface or vice versa.
  • the actuator may be a hydraulic actuator or an electric motor actuator.
  • the sensor may further be provided a sensor to detect a plane of an upper surface of the plurality of rod-shaped consumer goods.
  • the plane of the upper surface may be defined as a plane substantially tangential to an uppermost part of a circumference of the rod-shaped consumer goods at the top of the stack.
  • the sensor may be an optical sensor, for example a laser sensor (or a plurality of laser sensors) above the transportation channel and pointing downwardly towards the rod-shaped consumer goods.
  • the optical sensor may be positioned above a window or transparent part of the roof portion.
  • the sensor may be a mechanical sensor.
  • the sensor may be configured to evaluate a height of the stack of rod-shaped consumer goods at different points across the width of the transportation channel transverse to the direction of travel and thus to determine a slope of the upper surface of the plurality of rod-shaped consumer goods.
  • the actuator may then be controlled to adjust the angle between the first plane and the second plane so that the second plane (of the roof portion) is substantially coincident with or parallel to the plane of the upper surface of the plurality of rod-shaped consumer goods.
  • the senor may continuously monitor the angle of the plane of the upper surface of the plurality of rod-shaped consumer goods, and the actuator may dynamically adjust the angle between the first and second planes in response to detected changes in the angle of the plane of the upper surface of the plurality of rod-shaped consumer goods.
  • the transportation channel may be substantially linear along the entire length between its upstream and downstream ends. That is, the transportation channel may comprise a single linear segment extending between its upstream and downstream ends.
  • the transportation channel may comprise multiple linear segments.
  • the transportation channel may be curved.
  • the transportation channel may be curved along substantially its entire length.
  • moving the plurality of rod-shaped consumer goods along the transportation channel may comprise moving the plurality of rod-shaped consumer goods on at least one conveyor along at least a portion of the stacking channel in the downstream direction.
  • the transportation channel may comprise at least one conveyor extending along a bottom side of the transportation channel along substantially the entire length of the transportation channel.
  • the transportation channel may comprise one or more conveyors provided along only a portion of the transportation channel.
  • the at least one conveyor may comprise at least one of a mechanically driven belt, such as a toothed belt, or a directed airflow.
  • the plurality of rod-shaped consumer goods may be agitated as they move along the transportation channel.
  • the transportation channel may comprise a mechanical means for vibrating or otherwise agitating the plurality of rod-shaped consumer goods.
  • at least one of the conveyors may be configured to vibrate.
  • the transportation channel may comprise an airflow or multiple airflows that can create an air cushion in the mass flow of consumer goods. Such an air cushion can reduce friction between the consumer goods and facilitate a smooth product flow.
  • the one or multiple airflows may be directed against the flow of consumer goods, so that the airflow is directed in the upstream direction.
  • the transportation channel may have a length of between about 30 centimetres and about 300 centimetres between the upstream and downstream ends, preferably between about 50 centimetres and about 300 centimetres, more preferably between about 100 centimetres and about 300 centimetres.
  • Using a transportation channel having a length within one of these ranges allows the transportation channel to function effectively as a buffer between an upstream manufacturing process and a downstream packing process.
  • 'rod-shaped consumer goods refers to elongate consumer goods each having an approximately circular or elliptical cross-sectional shape.
  • the rod-shaped consumer goods comprise aerosol-generating articles.
  • Aerosol-generating articles may comprise a generally cylindrical mouthpiece joined to a generally cylindrical aerosol-generating substrate.
  • Aerosol-generating substrates comprising gathered sheets of homogenised tobacco for use in aerosol-generating articles may be made by methods known in the art, for example the methods disclosed in WO 2012/164009 A2 .
  • the aerosol-generating substrate has an external diameter of at least 5 millimetres.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may have an external diameter of between approximately 5 millimetres and approximately 12 millimetres, for example of between approximately 5 millimetres and approximately 10 millimetres or of between approximately 6 millimetres and approximately 8 millimetres.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate has an external diameter of 7.2 millimetres plus or minus 10 percent.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate may have a length of between approximately 5 millimetres and approximately 15 millimetres, for example between about 8 millimetres and about 12 millimetres. In one embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate may have a length of approximately 10 millimetres. In a preferred embodiment, the aerosol-generating substrate has a length of approximately 12 millimetres.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate is substantially cylindrical.
  • a support element may be located immediately downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate and may abut the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the support element may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials.
  • the support element may be formed from one or more materials selected from the group consisting of: cellulose acetate; cardboard; crimped paper, such as crimped heat resistant paper or crimped parchment paper; and polymeric materials, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE).
  • LDPE low density polyethylene
  • the support element is formed from cellulose acetate.
  • the support element may comprise a hollow tubular element.
  • the support element comprises a hollow cellulose acetate tube.
  • the support element preferably has an external diameter that is approximately equal to the external diameter of the aerosol-generating substrate.
  • the support element may have an external diameter of between approximately 5 millimetres and approximately 12 millimetres, for example of between approximately 5 millimetres and approximately 10 millimetres or of between approximately 6 millimetres and approximately 8 millimetres. In a preferred embodiment, the support element has an external diameter of 7.2 millimetres plus or minus 10 percent.
  • the support element may have a length of between approximately 5 millimetres and approximately 15 millimetres. In a preferred embodiment, the support element has a length of approximately 8 millimetres.
  • An aerosol-cooling element may be located downstream of the aerosol-generating substrate, for example an aerosol-cooling element may be located immediately downstream of a support element, and may abut the support element.
  • the aerosol-cooling element may be located between the support element and the mouthpiece located at the extreme downstream end of the aerosol-generating article.
  • the mouthpiece may have an external diameter of a diameter of between approximately 5 millimetres and approximately 10 millimetres, for example of between approximately 6 millimetres and approximately 8 millimetres. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece has an external diameter of 7.2 millimetres plus or minus 10 percent.
  • the mouthpiece may have a length of between approximately 5 millimetres and approximately 20 millimetres. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece has a length of approximately 14 millimetres.
  • the mouthpiece may have a length of between approximately 5 millimetres and approximately 14 millimetres. In a preferred embodiment, the mouthpiece has a length of approximately 7 millimetres.
  • the aerosol-generating substrate and any other elements upstream of the mouthpiece, such as a support element and an aerosol-cooling element, are circumscribed by an outer wrapper.
  • the outer wrapper may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials.
  • the outer wrapper is a cigarette paper.
  • the aerosol-generating article may have a total length of between about 40 millimetres and about 50 millimetres, for example approximately 45 millimetres.
  • the terms 'upstream' and 'downstream' when used to describe the relative positions of elements, or portions of elements, of the stacking channel or other apparatus refer to the direction in which the plurality of consumer goods moves during the manufacturing or packing process. That is, the consumer goods move in a downstream direction from an upstream end to a downstream end.
  • mass-flow indicates the flow of multiple products along a general transport direction wherein the exact position of the product within the mass-flow is not known.
  • a single product has some degree of freedom for random movement relative to the general transport direction, for example upwards or downwards where the general transport direction is horizontal.
  • the individual velocity of a product along the general transport direction does not have to be equal to the average transport speed of products within the mass-flow.
  • Figure 1 shows a portion of a prior art transportation channel for rod-shaped consumer goods 1.
  • the transportation channel includes a conveyor band 2 for moving a stack of rod-shaped consumer goods 1 from upstream to downstream.
  • a first sidewall 3 (in this case, made of a transparent material) helps to keep the rod-shaped consumer goods 1 in place on the conveyor band 2.
  • a roof portion 4 extends over the conveyor band 2 from the first sidewall 3 to a second sidewall (not shown) on the other side of the conveyor band 2.
  • the roof portion 4 is substantially parallel to the conveyor band 2.
  • the transportation channel has a curved configuration, but it will be appreciated that the transportation channel may alternatively be substantially straight or linear.
  • FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-section through a transportation channel of a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • a conveyor band 2 with a substantially horizontal support surface 10, a first sidewall 3, a second sidewall 5 and a sloped roof portion 4.
  • the transportation channel is filled with rod-shaped consumer goods 1 generally aligned transverse to a direction of travel of the conveyor band 2 (out of the page in the Figure).
  • Each rod-shaped consumer good 1 comprises a generally cylindrical aerosol-generating element 6 joined to a generally cylindrical mouthpiece 7, the mouthpiece 7 having a slightly greater diameter than the aerosol-generating element 6. This causes the top of the stack to be angled relative to the bottom of the stack as shown.
  • the support surface 10 has a first plane 8 and the roof portion 4 has a second plane 9.
  • the first plane 8 and the second plane 9 are angled relative to each other by an angle a, where ⁇ > 0°. In other words, the first plane 8 and the second plane 9 are non-parallel.
  • ⁇ so that the second plane 9 is substantially parallel to a plane of the top of the stack, as shown in Figure 2 , it can be seen that any friction between rod-shaped consumer goods 1 at the top of the stack and the roof portion 4 will be substantially constant along the length of the rod-shaped consumer goods 1 at the top of the stack during transportation of the goods along the channel. This helps to prevent twisting or yawing of the rod-shaped consumer goods 1 at the top of the stack.
  • FIG 3 shows a schematic cross-section through a transportation channel of a second embodiment of the present disclosure, with parts being labelled as in Figure 2 .
  • No rod-shaped consumer goods are shown in Figure 3 for clarity.
  • the roof portion 4 is substantially horizontal, while the support surface 10 is sloped, thus leading to the same relative angle ⁇ between the first plane 8 and the second plane 9 as in Figure 2 . It will be understood that both the roof portion 4 and the support surface 10 may be sloped relative to the horizontal.
  • Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-section through a transportation channel of a third embodiment of the present disclosure, with parts being labelled as in Figure 2 .
  • the third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment of Figure 2 , except that only one sidewall 3 is provided.
  • FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross-section through a transportation channel of a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, with parts being labelled as in Figure 4 .
  • the fourth embodiment is similar to the third embodiment of Figure 4 , except that the angle between the first plane 8 and the second plane 9 is adjustable.
  • This can be achieved by way of a mechanical, hydraulic or motorised actuator 11, shown here is being configured to adjust the slope of the roof portion 4 relative to the support surface 10.
  • This arrangement may also be used with the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3 .
  • the slope of either one or other or both of the first and second planes 8, 9 may be adjusted as required.
  • the angle between the first and second planes 8, 9 may be adjusted to any desired angle, for example 0° ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ 45°.
  • FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-section through a transportation channel of a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, with parts being labelled as in Figure 5 .
  • the fifth embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment of Figure 5 , except that optical sensors 12 are provided above the roof portion 4 to sense a position of the plane of the top of the stack of rod-shaped consumer goods 1 (not shown in Figure 6 ).
  • the roof portion 4 is transparent to allow the optical sensors 12 to detect the top of the stack.
  • the optical sensors 12 are operatively connected to the actuator 11, and control circuitry (not shown) allows the actuator 11 dynamically to adjust the angle ⁇ between the first and second planes 8, 9 in response to the detected orientation of the plane of the top of the stack.
EP18155179.7A 2018-02-05 2018-02-05 System zum fördern von stabförmigen verbrauchsgütern Withdrawn EP3520630A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18155179.7A EP3520630A1 (de) 2018-02-05 2018-02-05 System zum fördern von stabförmigen verbrauchsgütern

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP18155179.7A EP3520630A1 (de) 2018-02-05 2018-02-05 System zum fördern von stabförmigen verbrauchsgütern

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3520630A1 true EP3520630A1 (de) 2019-08-07

Family

ID=61187084

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP18155179.7A Withdrawn EP3520630A1 (de) 2018-02-05 2018-02-05 System zum fördern von stabförmigen verbrauchsgütern

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3520630A1 (de)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1430237A (en) * 1972-06-21 1976-03-31 Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg Apparatus for transporting rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry
US4574938A (en) * 1982-12-23 1986-03-11 Sasib S.P.A. Buffer magazine for rod-like articles
WO2012164009A2 (en) 2011-05-31 2012-12-06 Philip Morris Products S.A. Rods for use in smoking articles
EP2995206A1 (de) * 2014-09-12 2016-03-16 International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. z o.o. Fördersystem mit einem Kanal mit nicht parallelen Wänden
EP2995207A1 (de) * 2014-09-12 2016-03-16 International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. z o.o. Transportsystem

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1430237A (en) * 1972-06-21 1976-03-31 Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg Apparatus for transporting rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry
US4574938A (en) * 1982-12-23 1986-03-11 Sasib S.P.A. Buffer magazine for rod-like articles
WO2012164009A2 (en) 2011-05-31 2012-12-06 Philip Morris Products S.A. Rods for use in smoking articles
EP2995206A1 (de) * 2014-09-12 2016-03-16 International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. z o.o. Fördersystem mit einem Kanal mit nicht parallelen Wänden
EP2995207A1 (de) * 2014-09-12 2016-03-16 International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. z o.o. Transportsystem

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11363836B2 (en) Method and apparatus for intermediately storing double-length semi-finished products
CN107399550B (zh) 用于物品的滑道和用于使用这种滑道的方法
CN105102354B (zh) 输送机及输送包裹的方法
CN1123300C (zh) 用于生产有烟心香烟条的方法和装置
CN110505813B (zh) 用于生产用于气溶胶生成制品的部件的机器
CN206857731U (zh) 层叠设备
JP2021072824A (ja) ロッド状の消費財をパック用装置に供給する方法
EP3520630A1 (de) System zum fördern von stabförmigen verbrauchsgütern
US9731924B2 (en) Sheet stacking apparatus having adjustable length conveyor section
JP5419266B2 (ja) 搬送装置
US8529186B2 (en) Collecting and transport device for a stack formed by layers of sheets
JP7466682B2 (ja) アライメント基準面を使用したダンネージ製品の移動
US11827461B2 (en) Transport device for transferring rod-like articles
US20220322683A1 (en) Dough piece rolled up with a separator sheet, and method and device for preparing these
RU2810284C2 (ru) Транспортное устройство для перемещения стержнеобразных изделий
CN112319899B (zh) 用于进给单层流束烟草业杆状物品的进给设备

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

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

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

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20200208