EP3679810A1 - Storage device for rod-shaped items in the tobacco processing industry - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates inter alia to A storage device (10) for storing rod-shaped articles from the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods ) a work memory (30) which can be adjusted in terms of its storage volume is provided for the rod-shaped articles and the rod-shaped articles can be introduced or introduced into the work memory (30) from the receiving memory (20).

Description

The invention relates to a storage device for storing rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods, and to a machine in the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rod processing machine.

The invention further relates to a method for operating a storage device for storing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods.

The term "rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry" in addition to filter rods, e.g. also understood cigarettes, cigarillos or cigars with and without filters, to which the invention is equally applicable.

When producing or processing rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, these rod-shaped articles or parts thereof are conveyed from a production machine via pneumatic conveying lines transported to a processing machine. Here, for example, filter rods are transported via a conveyor line to a storage magazine, for example a filter attachment machine.

In DE 35 38 660 C2 describes a storage magazine of a filter attachment machine in which filter rods are conveyed transversely axially through a shaft into a magazine, the filter rods then being fed from this magazine to a consumer (filter attachment machine). When the filter rods are fed in, they are pushed into the magazine from below against the weight of the filter rods already present in the magazine.

Also revealed US 5,452,984 a tray that is filled on a filling device through an opening. When the tray is filled, the filter rods are filled into an expanding flexible band that encloses the filter rods in the tray. One end of the tape is attached to an opening and the other end is wound on a drum. To remove the filter rods from the tray, the tray is guided to a removal station at which the filter rods are emptied through the same opening through which the filling was carried out. Here, the tape that encloses the filter rods in the tray is wrapped again.

Furthermore, in EP 1 310 178 B2 a magazine for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry is known, rod-shaped articles, for example filter rods, being introduced into a storage space of the magazine via an inlet. In this case, a filter loading device is arranged on the side of the magazine, via which a connected delivery line receives filter rods which are conveyed along the longitudinal axis from a filter transmission station and introduces the received filter rods transversely axially into the storage space via outlets of the filter loading device.

In addition, in EP 2 570 038 A1 a filter rod loading device for a permanent magazine of a filter rod further processing device described the tobacco processing industry, wherein the filter rod loading device is arranged above the permanent magazine.

A system from Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH with a filter loading device and a filter transmission station is also known under the name "FILTROMAT".

An object of the invention is to store or temporarily store rod-shaped articles in e.g. enable a mass storage device to treat the filter rods supplied to the storage volume in a gentle manner, the design effort for this being kept as low as possible.

This object is achieved by a storage device for storing rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods, the storage device having a receiving memory for the rod-shaped articles and an article feed device provided on the receiving memory, with a working memory for the rod-shaped memory having an adjustable storage volume below the receiving memory Article is provided and the rod-shaped articles can be inserted into or inserted into the working memory from the receiving memory.

The invention is based on the idea that when rod-shaped articles, such as filter feed or filter rod feed, are fed to a machine in the tobacco processing industry, in particular a filter attaching machine or a multi-segment filter manufacturing machine, a working memory that is spatially separate from the receiving memory is provided below the receiving memory its storage volume is customizable. In this case, the reception store, which preferably has a constant volume for the rod-shaped articles, is loaded with filter rods or rod-shaped articles from an article feed device. For example, in one embodiment Article feed device designed as a single article feed device or with a plurality of single article feed devices, so that the rod-shaped articles are introduced transversely axially into the receiving memory by means of the single article feed device.

In a further embodiment, the article feed device is designed as an article mass flow transport device, so that rod-shaped articles in a multi-layer mass flow, e.g. in a hexagonal arrangement of the rod-shaped articles, are conveyed to the receiving memory. In this case, the articles are preferably introduced into the reception memory from one side. In a further embodiment, the article feed device is designed as a tray filling device, whereby rod-shaped articles from a tray are transferred to the receiving memory e.g. be fed from above.

For this purpose, according to a further aspect of the invention, it is provided that a constriction is provided between the receiving memory and the working memory, so that the rod-shaped articles can be introduced or introduced into the working memory from the receiving memory via the constriction provided between the receiving memory and the working memory.

According to the invention, a working memory which can be adjusted in terms of its storage volume is provided below the receiving memory and is preferably designed as an actively operable working memory, a narrowing being provided between the receiving memory and the working memory, as a result of which the working memory is filled with rod-shaped articles from the working memory via a narrowing between the receiving memory and the working memory are introduced into the working memory by gravity.

The provision of a storage volume which can be adjusted in its storage volume below the receiving store ensures that the rod-shaped articles which are supplied are not counteracted in the receiving storage the weight of the rod-shaped articles already present in the receiving memory are inserted. In particular, the gentle treatment of shock-sensitive rod-shaped articles, such as filter rods, thin-walled hollow filters or filters crimped from film, is achieved in this way. In addition, according to the invention, the transverse transport of the rod-shaped articles is decoupled from the insertion force that is applied in order to insert the rod-shaped articles against the weight of the rod-shaped articles already present in the receiving memory. In contrast, it is provided in the prior art that, in the case of a filter loading device with single article feed device (s) on the single article loading device, the rod-shaped articles inserted into a magazine must build up a force during transverse transport with which the package of rod-shaped articles in the store upwards against the weight force the article already in the magazine is pushed. According to the prior art, the rod-shaped articles are stressed, so that the rod-shaped articles are damaged.

In particular, a constriction is provided between the lower-side outlet of the receiving memory and the upper-side inlet of the working memory, through which the rod-shaped articles are introduced from the receiving memory into the working memory. The storage volume of the working memory can be changed or adapted between a minimum volume and a maximum volume. In particular, the adaptation of the memory volume of the main memory is achieved by an actively operated mode of the main memory.

The rod-shaped articles are arranged and aligned in the receiving memory and in the working memory in such a way that the longitudinal axes of the rod-shaped articles are aligned parallel, and in particular horizontally, as a result of which the rod-shaped articles are present in a kind of package or in a hexagonal arrangement or the like. This results in a compact arrangement of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory and in the working memory.

The minimum volume of the working memory is designed in such a way that rod-shaped articles are always present in the working memory when it is being formed during operation of the storage device.

In addition, according to a further development of the storage device, it is provided that the receiving memory has at least one filling level sensor for detecting the filling level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory and that a control device is provided, so that depending on the filling level detected by the at least one filling level sensor in the receiving memory, the storage volume of the The working memory is adapted, in particular regulated, and / or depending on the level level detected in the receiving memory by the at least one fill level sensor, the feed of the rod-shaped articles is influenced, in particular regulated, by means of the article feed device.

In a further embodiment it is also provided that a, in particular mechanical, level sensor, for example a pivotable measuring arm, is arranged on the side of the receiving memory in order to detect the level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory based on the deflection of the level sensor.

According to the invention, the working memory is arranged below the receiving memory and thus also below the article feed device, the rod-shaped articles being removed from the article feed device, e.g. Individual article feed device, are introduced into the receiving memory or are inserted transversely axially, at least one filling level sensor being provided in the receiving memory in order to detect the filling level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory.

In one embodiment, two fill level sensors are preferably provided in the receive memory or receive magazine in order to determine a maximum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receive memory and to detect a minimum level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory. Depending on the detected fill level of the rod-shaped articles, it is provided that the storage volume of the working memory is increased or decreased by the operation of one or more actuators of the working memory. According to the invention, the rod-shaped articles arranged in the receiving memory are introduced into the working memory due to the force of gravity, the rod-shaped articles being conveyed into the receiving memory with little or no pushing force into the receiving memory due to the emptying of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory, whereby the receiving memory is filled. In this case, the rod-shaped articles introduced are protected when the receiving store is filled.

If, for example, a mechanical, movable, in particular pivotable, level sensor is provided, preferably exclusively, a measuring arm or, preferably exclusively, a measuring sensor for the receiving memory, the invention provides that depending on the deflection of the mechanical level sensor, in particular depending on the Deflection position of the filling level sensor, a maximum filling level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory and a minimum filling level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory are recorded. Accordingly, on the basis of the detected fill level of the rod-shaped articles, when a maximum fill level is reached in the reception memory, the feed speed of the rod-shaped articles to the reception memory can be reduced and / or the storage volume of the working memory can be increased, or when a minimum fill level in the reception memory is reached, the feed speed of the rod-shaped articles to the reception memory can be increased and / or the memory volume of the working memory can be reduced.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the storage device it is provided that a removal memory of a removal device is provided in the lower area of the working memory or below the working memory, a narrowing being provided between the working memory and the removal memory, so that rod-shaped articles are introduced from the working memory via the narrowing between the working memory and the removal memory.

In particular, the removal device, which is arranged below the working memory, has a removal memory with a constant volume. In addition, the removal device preferably has a removal drum provided on the removal memory, so that for further processing of the rod-shaped articles, they are conveyed on the removal drum in the transverse axial direction and are removed from the removal memory.

According to an alternative further development, at least one conveyor belt or a plurality of conveyor belts is provided as a removal device below the working memory, in particular below the outlet of the working memory, so that the rod-shaped articles conveyed from the working memory are transferred to the conveyor belt or the conveyor belts and those on the conveyor belt or the Conveyor belts arranged rod-shaped articles in a multi-layer mass flow, for example to a processing machine or a mass storage device, are conveyed.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it is provided that the storage device is part of a conveyor system of the tobacco processing industry, the conveyor system being designed with conveying means for conveying an article mass flow from rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular cigarettes or filter rods. For example, a conveyor system of the tobacco processing industry for conveying rod-shaped articles in mass flow under the name RTS (Rod Transfer System) from Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH, Hamburg, is known.

In addition, an embodiment of the storage device is characterized in that the article feed device has at least one single article feed device, in particular two or more single article feed devices, the at least one single article feed device being arranged on the side of the receiving memory, so that rod-shaped articles are transversely axially directed into the receiving memory in relation to their longitudinal axis are supplied, and / or that the article feed device has a tray filling device, the tray filling device being arranged above the receiving memory, so that rod-shaped articles are fed from a tray into the receiving memory.

Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the storage device, it is provided that the article feed device is designed as an article mass flow transport device, so that by means of the article mass flow transport device a multi-layer mass flow of rod-shaped articles, e.g. in a hexagonal arrangement, the receiving memory is fed. In particular, the article mass flow transport device has at least one conveyor belt or a plurality of conveyor belts which are arranged upstream of the receiving store. The article mass flow is preferably conveyed in the horizontal direction to the receiving store on the conveyor belt or the conveyor belts.

According to a further aspect, the storage device provides that for adaptation, i.e. for widening or reducing the storage volume of the working memory has one, in particular horizontally, movable side wall or two, in particular parallel and horizontally movable side walls, wherein in particular the side wall or the side walls are aligned vertically.

To move the sidewall or sidewalls horizontally, A drive is provided, which is preferably connected to the control device, so that, for example, depending on the level of the rod-shaped articles detected in the receiving memory, the control device transmits a corresponding control command to the drive of the side wall or the side walls in order to shift the side wall or the side walls. In the context of the invention it is provided that in the event that two movable side walls are provided, there is a common drive for the two side walls.

In addition, in an alternative embodiment, it is possible for one drive to be provided for each of the two side walls. This makes it possible to move or move the side walls individually in the horizontal direction. It is also possible that the side walls at the same time, i.e. synchronous, to be moved. In order to move the side wall or the side walls in the horizontal direction, horizontal guides are preferably provided for the side wall or the side walls.

In addition, one embodiment provides that a motor-driven swivel mechanism is connected to the movement of the sides or the side walls, which is connected to the side wall or the side walls. In particular, the motor-driven swivel mechanism is also connected in particular to the control device, so that the swivel mechanism receives corresponding control commands from the control device as a function of the detected fill level.

In a further embodiment it is provided that corresponding position sensors are provided for the side wall or the side walls, for example in order to detect the horizontal end positions of the side wall or the side walls.

An embodiment of the memory device is also characterized by this from that for moving a side wall or for moving the side walls, the side wall or the side walls are each connected to at least one pivotably mounted sliding plate of the working memory.

The at least one pivotable sliding plate, which is connected to at least one side wall, makes it possible to correspondingly move or shift the side wall horizontally. In particular, two sliding plates are provided for each side wall, each of which is pivotally mounted about a horizontal pivot axis, a pivot axis of a sliding plate or a sliding plate being provided in the upper region of the working memory and a pivoting axis of a sliding plate or a sliding plate being provided in the lower region of the working memory. It is also conceivable within the scope of the invention that a sliding plate is provided for each side wall, which is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis.

If, for example, two sliding plates are provided in the upper area of the working memory and / or in the lower area of the working memory, each of which is connected to a side wall, it is possible to form a funnel-shaped arrangement of the sliding plates, thereby improving the guidance of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory.

According to a further development of the storage device, provision is also made for the working memory to have one or two storage volume adjustment bands for adapting the storage volume, the length of the section of the storage volume adaptation band abutting the rod-shaped articles or the lengths of the sections of the storage volume adaptation bands abutting the rod-shaped articles being variable.

In particular, here is an end of the storage volume adjustment band or an end of the sections of the storage volume bands that are variable in length fixed in the working memory, especially in the lower area of the working memory. To vary the length of the storage volume adjustment tapes, the storage volume adjustment tapes are wound up by a motor-driven roll or unwound from the roll. In particular, the drive of the roller or rollers for the storage volume adjustment tapes is connected to the control device, which receives corresponding control commands from the control device in order to adjust the storage volume of the working memory accordingly.

A further development of the storage device is characterized in that the storage device has an article density measuring device for detecting and / or determining the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory. For example, the article density measuring device can be designed in such a way that the torques of the drives of the adjustable or movable side walls are detected by means of a torque sensor or by means of torque sensors and the density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory is determined or determined as a function of the detected torques of the drives, for example the rod-shaped articles arranged in the working memory exert a force on the side walls and, when the side walls are moved by the drives, a counterforce or a torque is applied when the working memory is reduced. The applied counterforce is a measure of the item density in the working memory. If excessive torque is required from the drives of the side walls when the working memory is reduced, this can lead to the rod-shaped articles in the working memory being damaged. In this respect, the volume of the working memory is not reduced when a too high torque of the drives to be applied is detected. If, in a further embodiment, too great a force is exerted on the side walls by the rod-shaped articles in the working memory, this force can be determined by means of the torque sensor or the torque sensors of the drives. The article density measuring device is preferably connected to the control device, so that Corresponding values or signals are transmitted from the article density measuring device to the control device.

In addition, it is further provided that an article density measuring sensor for detecting the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory is provided in the working memory (as an article density measuring device), the article density measuring sensor being connected to the control device in a further development. If it is determined here that an article density setpoint is exceeded, the storage volume of the working memory is increased and / or the operation of the article feed device is regulated, in particular stopped.

The object is also achieved by a machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rod processing machine, which is designed with a storage device described above for storing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry. To avoid repetition, reference is expressly made to the above statements.

Within the scope of the invention, it is further possible in one embodiment to provide an article store which comprises a plurality of above-described storage devices for storing rod-shaped articles, the storage devices being arranged one after the other in relation to the conveying direction of the rod-shaped articles fed to the article store and / or, in particular in parallel, are arranged side by side. As a result, a cascade-like arrangement of the storage devices is formed, it being further provided according to one embodiment that corresponding conveying devices, such as conveyor belts, are provided between the storage devices in order to feed rod-shaped articles, preferably in mass flow, to the individual receiving stores of the storage devices. to insert rod-shaped articles into the respective receiving memories and / or the respective working memories of the storage devices. In this case, the conveyors are preferably, such as for example conveyor belts, arranged between the receiving memories of the individual storage devices.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for operating a storage device for storing rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods, the storage device having a receiving memory and a working memory which can be adjusted in terms of its storage volume, the receiving memory being arranged above the working memory, wherein in rod-shaped articles are fed to the receiving memory from at least one article feed device, so that the receiving memory is or is filled with a filling level with rod-shaped articles, and the rod-shaped articles are introduced into the working memory from the receiving memory.

In a further development of the method it is provided that the rod-shaped articles are introduced into the working memory from the receiving memory via a narrowing provided between the receiving memory and the working memory.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, it is provided that, depending on the fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory, the storage volume of the working memory for the rod-shaped articles is adjusted, in particular regulated, and / or that the feed of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory is dependent on the fill level Article is influenced, in particular regulated, by means of the article feed device.

Furthermore, the method is characterized in that the fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory is detected by means of at least one fill level sensor, in particular two or more fill level sensors.

In particular, a fill level sensor is provided for detecting a minimum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory. Furthermore, the maximum fill level of the rod-shaped articles is provided in the receiving memory by means of a second fill level sensor. For this purpose, it is provided in particular that a maximum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory is detected by means of a first fill level sensor and a minimum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiver memory by means of a second fill level sensor. If, for example, in one configuration using a fill level sensor to detect a maximum fill level in the receiving memory, it is determined that the maximum fill level has been reached by filling with rod-shaped articles, the side walls delimiting the working memory are moved away from one another by means of one or more drives for the side walls in order to achieve this Increase the amount of RAM.

In addition, a further development of the method is characterized in that rod-shaped articles are introduced from the working memory into a removal memory of a removal device provided below the working memory, preferably via a constriction provided between the working memory and the removal memory, the rod-shaped articles in particular being removed from the removal memory can be removed from a removal drum of the removal device.

According to a further aspect, it is preferred in the method that the article feed device has at least one single article feed device, in particular two or more single article feed devices, the at least one single article feed device being arranged on the side of the receiving memory, so that rod-shaped articles are oriented in the transverse axial direction in relation to their longitudinal axis Receiving memory are supplied, and / or that the article feed device has a tray filling device, the tray filling device being arranged above the receiving memory, so that rod-shaped articles are fed from a tray into the receiving memory.

According to a preferred aspect of the method, it is further provided that the storage volume of the working memory is adjusted by means of at least one horizontally movable, in particular vertically oriented, side wall by moving the at least one horizontally movable side wall in the horizontal direction.

In particular, two side walls are provided for adapting the memory volume of the main memory, the side walls being horizontally movable and laterally spaced apart from one another in the horizontal direction, the side walls being moved individually or simultaneously to adapt the memory volume of the main memory.

For this purpose, in one embodiment of the method it is further provided that the at least one horizontally movable side wall is moved by means of a sliding plate or by means of several sliding plates, the sliding plate or the sliding plates being connected to the at least one side wall and each being pivotably mounted about a horizontal pivot axis, so that when the slide plate or the slide plates is pivoted about the respective pivot axis, the horizontally movable side wall is moved in the horizontal direction.

In particular, it is provided here that the pivot axis of the sliding plate or the pivot axes of the sliding plates are provided in the upper region and / or in the lower region of the working memory. In particular, one or two sliding plates are provided for each side wall. In addition, a horizontal guide for the side walls is provided. In addition, to detect the horizontal end positions of the side walls, it is provided that the end positions of the side walls are detected by means of position sensors.

Furthermore, the method is characterized in that the working memory has at least one storage volume adjustment band which can be varied in length for adapting the storage volume of the working memory for the rod-shaped articles, the length of the section of the storage volume adjustment band adjoining the rod-shaped articles being increased to increase the storage volume of the working memory and / or the length of the section of the storage volume adaptation band adjoining the rod-shaped articles being reduced to reduce the storage volume of the working storage.

In a development of the method, it is preferred that the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory is detected and / or determined by means of an article density measuring device, for example by means of torque sensors, the torques of the drives for the side walls of the working memory. Depending on the torques recorded, it is possible to determine the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory.

Furthermore, an embodiment of the method is characterized in that an article density measuring sensor (as article density measuring device) is provided in the working memory, so that the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory is recorded by means of the article density measuring sensor, the storage volume of the working memory being increased when an article density setpoint in the working memory is exceeded is regulated and / or the operation of the article feed device is regulated, in particular stopped.

In the context of the invention, the operated storage device has features which have been described above. To avoid repetition, reference is expressly made to the above explanations.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments according to the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments according to the invention can fulfill individual features or a combination of several features.

Fig. 1

schematisch eine Ansicht einer Speichervorrichtung mit einem Empfangsspeicher und einem Arbeitsspeicher,

Fig. 2a bis 2c

jeweils schematische Ansichten einer Speichervorrichtung gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform,

Fig. 3a, 3b

jeweils eine Ansicht einer Speichervorrichtung gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform,

Fig. 4a, 4b

schematisch jeweils eine Ansicht einer Speichervorrichtung gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform und

Fig. 5a bis 5c

jeweils schematisch eine Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Speichervorrichtung

Fig. 6

schematisch eine vereinfachte Ansicht einer weiteren Speichervorrichtung mit einem Empfangsspeicher und einem Arbeitsspeicher,

Fig. 7

schematisch eine vereinfachte Ansicht einer Förderanordnung mit der Speichervorrichtung aus Fig. 6,

Fig. 8

schematisch eine Ansicht einer Anordnung von mehreren erfindungsgemäßen Speichervorrichtungen und

Fig. 9

schematisch eine vereinfachte Ansicht einer weiteren Speichervorrichtung mit einem Empfangsspeicher und einem Arbeitsspeicher.

The invention is described below without restricting the general inventive concept on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, reference being expressly made to the drawings with regard to all details according to the invention not explained in more detail in the text. Show it:

Fig. 1

schematically a view of a memory device with a receive memory and a working memory,

2a to 2c

schematic views of a memory device according to a further embodiment,

3a, 3b

in each case a view of a storage device according to a further embodiment,

4a, 4b

schematically in each case a view of a memory device according to a further embodiment and

5a to 5c

each schematically shows a view of a further embodiment of a storage device according to the invention

Fig. 6

schematically a simplified view of a further memory device with a receive memory and a working memory,

Fig. 7

schematically shows a simplified view of a conveyor arrangement with the storage device Fig. 6 ,

Fig. 8

schematically shows a view of an arrangement of several storage devices according to the invention and

Fig. 9

schematically a simplified view of another Storage device with a receiving memory and a working memory.

In the context of the invention, features which are labeled "in particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that a renewed presentation is not made in each case.

In Fig. 1 An embodiment of a storage device 10 according to the invention for rod-shaped articles is shown. The storage device 10 has a receiving memory 20 with a constant, ie unchangeable volume for rod-shaped articles, such as filter rods. Provided below the receiving memory 20 is a working memory 30 which can be changed in terms of its storage volume and which is connected to the upper-side receiving memory 20 via a narrowing 32 with the receiving memory 20. In one embodiment, the constriction 32 can also be a type of channel or shaft.

Laterally in the embodiment in Fig. 1 Arranged on the right side of the reception store 20 are two individual article feed devices 12 arranged one above the other, which are connected to conveyor lines for filter rods or rod-shaped articles (not shown here), the filter rods being conveyed longitudinally axially in the respective conveyor lines and by means of deflection devices of the respective individual article feed devices, also not shown 12 are transferred in a transverse-axial conveying direction, so that filter rods or rod-shaped articles are introduced into the receiving memory 10 in the transverse-axial direction from the individual article feed devices 12. The receiving memory 20 is thus filled by means of the individual feed devices 12.

In addition, it is possible within the scope of the invention that the Receiving memory 20 a tray 14 is placed or placed above the receiving memory, so that the receiving memory 20 is also filled with rod-shaped articles from above or can be filled using a tray.

In the lower area, the reception store 20 is funnel-shaped and tapers downwards, so that the outlet on the underside of the reception store 20 opens into the constriction 32.

The working memory 30 is arranged below the reception memory 20 and below the constriction 32 and is connected to the constriction 32 on the input side. The working memory 30 has vertically aligned side walls 34, 35 which are arranged parallel to one another. The side walls 34, 35 are movable in the horizontal plane. For this purpose, the ends of the side walls 34, 35 are each connected to an upper guide 44.1 or 45.1 and to a lower guide 44.2 or 45.2. The horizontal guides 44.1, 44.2 for the side wall 34 and the horizontal guides 45.1, 45.2 for the side wall 35 are aligned horizontally. The spaced-apart guides 44.1, 44.2 for the side wall 34 and the guides 45.1, 45.2 for the side wall 35 are spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction. The guides 44.1, 44.2 and 45.1, 45.2 can be designed in one embodiment, for example as guide rails or the like.

Sliding plates 36, 37 are arranged in the lower region of the working memory 30 and are pivotably mounted on the output side of the working memory 30. Here, the sliding plate 36 is connected to the side wall 34 via a corresponding link, such as a longitudinal guide or the like, and the sliding plate 37 is also connected to the side wall 35 via a corresponding link. The pivot axes of the sliding plates 36, 37 are aligned perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and horizontally. By pivoting the sliding plates 36, 37, the associated side walls 34, 35 are moved in the horizontal direction. For Movement of the sliding plates 36, 37 here are schematically shown drives 46, 47, so that the vertically aligned side walls 34, 35 are moved horizontally by motor. The sliding plates 36, 37 are arranged symmetrically to one another and form a funnel-shaped feed for the rod-shaped articles in the direction of the outlet of the working memory 30. The opening angle of the funnel-shaped feed is increased or decreased when the sliding plates 36, 37 are pivoted.

In addition, the reception store 20 has two fill level sensors 21, 22, by means of which the fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the reception store 20 is detected. For example, the fill level sensor 21 detects a maximum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the reception memory 20, while the fill level sensor 22 detects a minimum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the reception memory 20. The level sensors 21, 22 are connected to a control unit 50, so that the level sensors 21, 22 transmit corresponding signals to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 is also connected to the drives 46, 47 for the pivotable sliding plates 36, 37, so that the control unit 50 transmits corresponding control commands to the drives 46, 47. In an alternative, a common drive for the pivotable sliding plates 36, 37 is provided, which is connected to the control unit 50. The sliding plates 36, 37 are pivoted synchronously by means of one drive.

If it is determined, for example, by means of the fill level sensor 21 that a maximum fill level of the rod-shaped articles is present or exceeded in the receive memory 20, a corresponding signal is transmitted to the control unit 50, so that the control unit sends a control command to the drives 46 to lower the fill level in the receive memory 20 , 47 transmitted, whereby the sliding plates 36, 37 are pivoted outwards and thereby the distance between the side walls 34, 35 is increased and the storage volume of the RAM 30 is increased. By increasing the storage volume of the working memory 30, the level in the receiving memory 20 is reduced.

In operation, for example, filter rods are introduced or inserted into the receiving memory 20 in the transverse axial direction by the individual article feed devices 12. The introduced filter rods are then moved by gravity from the receiving memory 20 into the working memory 30 through the constriction 32.

If the fill level sensor 22 detects a minimum fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory 20, the control unit 50 transmits a corresponding control command to the drives 46, 47 for the sliding plates 36, 37 or for the side walls 34, 35, thereby increasing the distance of the side walls 34, 35 is reduced and thus the storage volume of the working memory 30 is also reduced.

In addition, it is provided in one embodiment that position sensors 24, 25 are attached to a guide, e.g. Guide 44.2 are provided to determine the end positions of the side wall 34.

In the context of the invention, it is provided that the side walls 34, 35 are moved simultaneously, ie synchronized. It can also be provided within the scope of the invention that the side walls 34, 35 are moved independently of one another. If it is determined by means of the position sensor 25 that the two side walls 34, 35 are arranged in the outer positions, and it is also determined by means of the fill level sensor 21 that a maximum fill level is present in the receiving memory 20, a corresponding control command can be given by means of the control unit 50 the individual article feed devices 12 connected to the control unit 50 are transmitted, as a result of which, for example, the operation of the individual article feed devices 12 is stopped or the conveying speed of the individual article feed devices 12 is throttled becomes.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that the control unit 50 is connected to one or more transmission units (not shown here) for the rod-shaped articles, the transmission unit or the transmission units being connected via one or more conveyor lines to the individual article feed devices 12 in order to remove rod-shaped articles from the To promote sending units to the individual article feeders. If, for example, a maximum fill level in the reception memory 20 is reached, it is possible within the scope of the invention that a corresponding control command is transmitted from the control unit 50 to the transmission unit or the transmission units and, if appropriate, to the individual article feed devices 12, so that the operation of the transmission units and, if appropriate, the Operation of the individual article feeders 12 are throttled or stopped.

In a further embodiment, an article density measuring sensor 26 is provided in the working memory 30 in order to determine the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory 30. For example, if the density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory 30 is too high, the pressure or forces are exerted on the rod-shaped articles, so that they can be damaged. If an excessively high pressure is detected by means of the article density sensor 26, the article pressure sensor 26 can transmit a corresponding signal to the control unit 50 connected to the sensor, so that, depending on this, the storage volume of the working memory 30 is increased, for example, by the pressure on the rod-shaped articles lower in the working memory 30. On the underside of the working memory 30, the rod-shaped articles are conveyed downward out of the working memory 30 by a constriction 33.

The storage device 10 is, for example, part of a filter attachment machine or a filter rod processing machine for the further processing of filter rods.

In the 2a, 2b and 2c A storage device 10 is shown schematically in accordance with a further embodiment. The drawings show different positions of the side walls 34, 35, wherein in Fig. 2a the working memory 30 has assumed its maximum storage volume, while in Fig. 2c it is shown that the working memory 30 occupies its minimum storage volume. Fig. 2b shows a middle position of the side walls 34, 35 with a storage volume that can be increased or decreased depending on the movement of the side walls 34, 25.

In the upper area of the storage device 10, three individual article feed devices 12 are arranged on the left-hand side of the reception store 20, so that rod-shaped articles 12 are introduced into the reception store 20 by means of the individual article feed devices 12. Subsequently, the rod-shaped articles introduced are conveyed via the constriction 32 between the receiving memory 20 and the working memory 30 due to the force of gravity, so that the rod-shaped articles which are in FIG Fig. 2a are indicated schematically, are moved from the upper receiving memory 20 into the lower working memory 30. The rod-shaped articles are then conveyed as a result of the force of gravity from the working memory 30 via the outlet-side narrowing 33 of the working memory 30 to a removal device 60, the removal device 60 having a removal magazine 62 with a constant volume. A removal drum 63 is arranged on the removal storage 62, so that the rod-shaped articles present in the removal storage 62 are removed by means of the removal drum 63.

In the embodiment in the 2a to 2c The working memory 30 has sliding plates 36, 37 on the underside and also sliding plates 136, 137 on the upper side, which are pivotably arranged on the upper input side of the working memory 30. The top-side sliding plates 36, 37 here form an opening which widens downwards (cf. 2a, 2b ).

In the Fig. 1 Further features of the memory device 10 shown there are correspondingly also to the design of the memory device 10 in FIGS 2a to 2c transferable, so that from a corresponding detailed description of further details to that in the 2a to 2c shown storage device 10 is disregarded.

In order to move the sliding plates 36, 37, which are connected to the side walls 34, 35, torque drives or drives (not shown here) are provided, by means of which the sliding plates 36, 37 are pivoted and the side walls are thereby moved horizontally. In order to detect the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory 30, torque sensors are provided on the torque drives for the sliding plates 36, 37, by means of which the torques of the torque drives are detected. On the basis of the detected torques of the torque drives, it can be determined whether there is too high or too low an article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory 30. If, for example, the rod-shaped articles arranged in the working memory 30 exert a force on the side walls 34, 35, when the side walls 34, 35 are moved by the drives, a counterforce or a torque is to be applied when the working memory 30 is reduced. If the torques to be applied by the drives for a reduction in the volume of the working memory 30 by reducing the distances between the side walls 34, 35 exceed a predetermined target value for the torque at which a predetermined article density is present in the working memory 30, the side walls 34, 35 do not moving towards each other. By means of the torque sensors for the torque drives of the sliding plates 36, 37, it is possible to provide an article density measuring device for the storage device 10. In particular, according to a further preferred aspect, the article density measuring device with the control unit 50 (compare Figure 1 ) connected so that corresponding values or signals are transmitted from the article density measuring device to the control unit 50.

In the 3a and 3b A further embodiment of a storage device 10 according to the invention is shown, the embodiment shown therein having only a horizontally movable side wall 34. The wall 38 opposite the movable side wall 34 is in this case immovable, that is to say stationary. By pivoting the sliding plate 36, the movable side wall 34 between the in the 3a and 3b shown end positions moved back and forth in the horizontal direction. In this exemplary embodiment too, a constriction 32 is provided between the receiving memory 20 and the working memory 30 in order to transfer the rod-shaped articles from the receiving memory 20 into the working memory 30. The rod-shaped articles are conveyed downward out of the working memory 30 via the constriction 32 on the exit side for further processing from the working memory 30.

Due to the horizontal movement of the side wall 34 with respect to the stationary, vertical side wall 38, the volume of the working memory 30 is increased or decreased accordingly.

In the 4a and 4b Another embodiment of the memory device 10 is shown schematically. In order to vary the storage volume of the working memory 30, the working memory 30 has instead of the horizontally movable side walls 34, 25 (cf. Fig. 1 , 2a to 2c ) two bands 64, 65. The tapes 64, 65 are fixedly arranged at their ends on the output side of the working memory 30 in the lower region, while on the entry side or upper side of the working memory 30 the tapes 64, 65 are or are wound up on a tape roll 66, 67 in each case.

Depending on the tension of the belts 64, 65, sections of the belts 64, 65 are wound onto the rod-shaped articles in the article magazine 30 depending on the tension of the belts 64, 65. By winding or unwinding the tapes 64, 65, the lengths of the sections of the tapes 64, 65 varies.

In Fig. 4a shows the maximum storage volume of the volumes delimited by the bands 64, 65, while in Fig. 4b the minimum storage volume of the working memory 30 is shown schematically. When the working memory 30 is filled with rod-shaped articles, the tapes 64, 65 lie against the rod-shaped articles with their sections on both sides of the working memory 30, the tapes 64, 65 being unwound from the band rolls 66, 67 to increase the storage volume of the working memory 30 become. To reduce the storage volume, the tapes 64, 65 are wound up by the tape rolls 66, 67. Corresponding drives (not shown here) are provided in each case for operating the belt rolls 66, 67.

In the 5a to 5c Different positions of the working memory 30 are shown in accordance with a further embodiment of the storage device 10. The in the 5a to 5c The storage device 10 shown has a working memory 30, which is formed in its storage volume by means of a fixed side wall 38 and the band 64 in the working memory 30. By winding and unwinding the tape 64 by means of the roller 66, the volume of the working memory 30 is increased or decreased accordingly.

In Fig. 5a the maximum storage volume of the working memory 30, which is limited by the band 64 and the side wall 38, is shown. In Fig. 5c the minimum storage volume of the working memory 30 is shown. In Fig. 5b An intermediate position is shown, the removal device 60 being enlarged or reduced as a function of the feeding of the rod-shaped articles from the receiving memory 20 and the removal of the rod-shaped articles from the working memory 30 into the removal memory 62.

In Fig. 6 a view of a further memory device 10 is shown schematically. The storage device 10 has a reception memory 120 and a working memory 130 arranged below the reception memory 120. A mass flow feed device 140 for the rod-shaped articles is provided on the side of the input side of the receiving memory 120, by means of which rod-shaped articles are conveyed to the receiving memory 120 in a transverse axial conveying direction in a multi-layer mass flow. The mass flow supply device 140 here has at least one conveyor belt or a plurality of conveyor belts. For example, the mass flow transport device 140 is part of a conveyor system for conveying rod-shaped articles in a mass flow. For example, a conveyor system from Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH is known as the Rod Transfer System (RTS).

On the input side of the reception store 140, the rod-shaped articles are conveyed into the reception store 120 by means of a lower conveyor belt 121 and an upper conveyor belt 122. The rod-shaped articles enter the receiving memory 140 while maintaining their transverse axial conveying direction.

A swiveling sensor arm 123 is also provided on the upper side in the receiving memory 120, the sensor arm 123 being deflected depending on the filling of the receiving memory 120 with rod-shaped articles. The deflection or pivoting movement of the sensor arm 123 is determined by means of a corresponding sensor, e.g. of a rotary encoder, recorded and transmitted to a control unit 150.

In addition, the control unit 150 is connected to a common drive 160 for the sliding plates 36, 37, so that the sliding plates 36, 37 are pivoted by means of the common drive 160, as a result of which the distance between the side walls 34, 35 is reduced or increased and thus the storage volume of the working memory 130 is reduced or enlarged accordingly. This takes place as a function of the control command transmitted from the control unit 150 to the drive 160.

If a minimum filling level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory 120 is determined by means of the sensor arm 123 (lower dashed line), the control unit 150 transmits a corresponding control command to the drive 160 for the sliding plates 36, 37, whereby the sliding plates 36, 37 pivot accordingly are and the storage volume of the working memory 130 is reduced by approaching the side walls 34, 35. In addition, it can be provided in one embodiment that further control commands from the control unit 150 to a further e.g. Machine located upstream of the storage device 10, e.g. a filter rod manufacturing machine is transmitted, it being possible to slow down or stop the production speed of the machine.

If the sensor arm 123 is deflected into its maximum position (see the upper dashed position) due to the filling of the receiving memory 120 with rod-shaped articles, then the maximum filling level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory 120 is determined by means of the sensor arm 123, with the control unit 150 then entering a Corresponding control command is transmitted to the drive 160 in order to increase the working volume of the working memory 130, provided the side walls 34, 35 have not yet taken their maximum distance from one another. If the side walls 34, 35 are in their end positions for forming the maximum storage volume of the working memory 130, then in one aspect the conveying speed of the mass flow transport device 140 is reduced or stopped when the rod-shaped articles in the receiving storage 120 have reached a maximum filling level.

In addition, depending on the position of the sensor arm 123 between the minimum fill level and the maximum fill level, it is possible to regulate the conveying speed of the mass flow transport device 140 and to regulate the storage volume of the working memory 130.

In one embodiment, the in Fig. 6 Storage device 10 shown have further technical features that are described in the storage devices shown in Figures 1, 2a to 2c.

In Fig. 7 is shown schematically a conveyor arrangement 200, which the in Fig. 6 memory device 10 shown. The conveyor arrangement 200 moreover has a transport device 170 arranged downstream of the lower constriction 33 of the working memory 130, by means of which the rod-shaped articles transferred from the working memory 130 to the transport device 170 are conveyed further in a mass flow. Here, the transport device can have a plurality of conveyor belts or conveying devices in order to convey the rod-shaped articles transferred from the working memory 130 via the constriction 33 to the transport device 170 in the mass flow. In one embodiment, it can be provided that the transport device 170 transports the rod-shaped articles horizontally and / or in the vertical direction in the mass flow. In one embodiment, the storage device is preferably part of a conveyor system, such as a rod transfer system (RTS) from the applicant.

In Fig. 8 An arrangement of a plurality of memory devices 10 is shown in a simplified, schematic illustration. The arrangement here has a plurality of storage devices 10, with rod-shaped articles in the mass flow being conveyed to the storage devices 10 by means of the mass flow conveying device 140.

In order to transport the rod-shaped articles in a mass flow between the receiving stores 120 of the respective storage devices 10 between two storage devices 10, corresponding conveyor belts 125 are provided between the receiving stores 120. The reception memories 120 have an entry opening for receiving rod-shaped articles.

The reception stores 120, which are connected via a conveyor belt 125 in the conveying direction of the rod-shaped articles to a subsequent reception store 120, furthermore have an outlet side for rod-shaped articles, so that rod-shaped articles emerging from the reception store 120 are conveyed by means of the conveyor belts 125 to a downstream reception store 120 become. The last receiving store 120 in the conveying direction of the rod-shaped articles has only one entry side and no exit side for rod-shaped articles.

A cover 126 which can be moved in the vertical direction is provided above the reception memories 120, as a result of which the reception memories 120 are limited at the top. The covers 126 can be moved in the vertical direction, the respective height or position of the covers 126 being detected as a level measurement signal of the respective reception memory 120 by means of appropriate sensors by means of appropriate sensors. Depending on the fill level of the respective receive memory 120, the memory volume of the working memory 130 arranged below the receive memory 120 is regulated accordingly.

On the underside of the working memory 130, the rod-shaped articles from the respective working memories 130 are delivered to a conveyor belt 127 via the constrictions 33 on the underside, so that the rod-shaped articles are conveyed further in a mass flow on the conveyor belt 127.

In the context of the invention, it is possible for the storage devices to be arranged cascaded one behind the other and / or next to one another.

In Fig. 9 In addition, the storage device 10 is shown in a schematic view according to a further exemplary embodiment. A tray 80 is arranged above the receiving store 120 as the article feed device, so that the rod-shaped articles are emptied from the tray 80 into the receiving store 120.

In order to detect the fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the reception memory 120, a schematically illustrated light barrier 90 is provided, for example, as a fill level sensor. It is provided for the control principle according to the invention that a constant fill level is formed or maintained in the reception memory 120 in order to keep or reduce the drop height of the rod-shaped articles from the tray 80. Due to the adaptable storage volume of the working memory 130, a corresponding regulation (not shown here) ensures that the fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory 120 is kept constant, while at the same time sufficient rod-shaped articles are conveyed from the working memory 130 via the constriction 33 to a further processing machine become.

If it is detected, for example, by means of the light barrier 90 that too many rod-shaped articles are arranged in the receiving memory 120, a control command is given to the drive for the sliding plates 36, 37 by means of a corresponding control in order to increase the storage volume of the working memory 130, as a result of which the fill level in the Receive memory 120 is reduced. If the fill level falls below, the storage volume of the working memory 130 is reduced by approaching the side walls when rod-shaped articles are removed from the working memory 130, as a result of which the fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory 120 is not significantly reduced overall.

All of the features mentioned, including those that can be seen in the drawings alone and also individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features, are considered to be essential to the invention, alone and in combination. Embodiments according to the invention can be fulfilled by individual features or a combination of several features.

Reference list

10th

Storage device

12th

Single item feeder

14

Weird

20

Receive memory

21

Level sensor

22

Level sensor

24th

Position sensor

25th

Position sensor

26

Item density sensor

30th

random access memory

32

Narrowing

33

Narrowing

34

Side wall

35

Side wall

36

Sliding plate

37

Sliding plate

38

Side wall

44.1, 44.2

guide

45.1, 45.2

guide

46

drive

47

drive

50

Control unit

60

Removal device

62

Withdrawal memory

63

Removal drum

64

tape

65

tape

66

Tape roll

67

Tape roll

80

Weird

90

Photoelectric barrier

120

Receive memory

121

Conveyor belt

122

Conveyor belt

123

Sensor arm

125

Conveyor belt

126

cover

130

random access memory

136

Sliding plate

137

Sliding plate

140

Mass flow transport device

150

Control unit

170

Transport device

200

Funding arrangement

Claims (16)

Storage device (10) for storing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry, in particular filter rods, the storage device (10) having a receiving memory (20) for the rod-shaped articles and an article feed device provided on the receiving memory (20), below the receiving memory (20) a working memory (30) which can be adjusted in terms of its storage volume is provided for the rod-shaped articles and the rod-shaped articles can be introduced or introduced into the working memory (30) from the receiving memory (20). Storage device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that a narrowing is provided between the receiving memory (20) and the working memory (30), so that from the receiving memory (20) via the between the receiving memory (20) and the working memory (30 ) provided constriction (32) the rod-shaped articles in the memory (30) can be introduced or are introduced. Storage device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receiving memory (20) has at least one level sensor (21, 22) for detecting the level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory (20) and that a control device (50) is provided, So that the storage volume of the main memory (30) is adjusted, in particular regulated, as a function of the filling level detected in the receiving memory (20) by the at least one level sensor (21, 22) and / or depending on the level in the receiving memory (20) by the at least one Fill level sensor (21, 22) detected fill level affects the feed of the rod-shaped articles by means of the article feed device, in particular regulated. Storage device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a removal memory of a removal device is provided in the lower region of the working memory (30) or below the working memory (30), with a narrowing between the working memory (30) and the removal memory (32) is provided so that rod-shaped articles are introduced from the working memory (30) via the constriction (32) between the working memory (30) and the removal memory (20). Storage device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the article feed device has at least one single article feed device (12), in particular two or more single article feed devices (12), the at least one single article feed device being arranged on the side of the receiving store (20), so that rod-shaped articles are fed into the receiving store (20) in the transverse axial direction in relation to their longitudinal axis, and / or that the article feed device has a tray filling device, the tray filling device being arranged above the receiving store (20), so that rod-shaped articles are made up of a tray ( 14) in the Receive memory (20) are supplied. Storage device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, in order to adapt the storage volume, the working memory (30) has one, in particular horizontally, movable side wall (34, 35) or two, in particular parallel, horizontally movable side walls ( 34, 35), in particular the side wall (34, 35) or the side walls (34, 35) being aligned vertically. Storage device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that for moving a side wall (34, 35) or for moving the side walls (34, 35), the side wall (34, 35) or the side walls (34, 35) each with at least one pivotally mounted sliding plate (36, 37) of the working memory (30) are connected. Storage device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the storage device (10) has an article density measuring device for detecting and / or determining the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory (30). Machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rod processing machine, with a storage device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8. Method for operating a storage device (10) for storing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter rods, the storage device (10) having a receiving memory (20) and a working memory (30) which can be adjusted in terms of its storage volume, the receiving memory (20) is arranged above the working memory (30), rod-shaped articles consisting of at least one in the receiving memory (20) are fed to an article feed device so that the receiving store (20) is or is filled with a fill level with rod-shaped articles, and wherein the rod-shaped articles are introduced into the working memory (30) from the receiving store (20). Method according to Claim 10, characterized in that the rod-shaped articles are introduced into the working memory (30) from the receiving memory (20) via a constriction (32) provided between the receiving memory (20) and the working memory (30). A method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that , depending on the level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory (20), the storage volume of the working memory (30) for the rod-shaped articles is adjusted, in particular regulated, and / or that, depending on the level of the rod-shaped articles Article in the receiving memory (20) the feed of the rod-shaped articles is influenced, in particular regulated, by the article feed device. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the fill level of the rod-shaped articles in the receiving memory (20) is detected by means of at least one fill level sensor (21, 22), in particular two or more fill level sensors (21, 22). Method according to one of Claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the article feed device has at least one single article feed device (12), in particular two or more single article feed devices (12), the at least one single article feed device (12) being arranged on the side of the receiving store (20), so that rod-shaped articles with respect to their longitudinal axis in the transverse axial direction into the receiving memory (20) and / or that the article feed device has a tray filling device, the tray filling device being arranged above the receiving store (20), so that rod-shaped articles are fed from a tray (14) into the receiving store (20). Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the storage volume of the working memory (30) by means of at least one horizontally movable, in particular vertically aligned side wall (34, 35) by moving the at least one horizontally movable side wall (34, 35) in is adjusted in the horizontal direction, in particular the at least one horizontally movable side wall (34, 35) being moved by means of a sliding plate (36, 37) or by means of a plurality of sliding plates (36, 37), the sliding plate (36, 37) or the sliding plates ( 36, 37) are connected to the at least one side wall and are each pivotably mounted about a horizontal pivot axis (34, 35), so that when the slide plate (36, 37) or the slide plates (36, 37) are pivoted about the respective pivot axis, the horizontally movable side wall (34, 35) is moved in the horizontal direction. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 15, characterized in that an article density measurement sensor (27) is provided in the working memory (30), so that the article density of the rod-shaped articles in the working memory (30) is detected by means of the article density measuring sensor (27), if exceeded of an article density setpoint in the working memory (30), the storage volume of the working memory (30) is increased and / or the operation of the article feed device is regulated, in particular stopped.

Images