EP3820311A1 - Dispositif et procédé de libération d'articles en forme de tige de l'industrie du tabac sur un transporteur sans fin - Google Patents

Dispositif et procédé de libération d'articles en forme de tige de l'industrie du tabac sur un transporteur sans fin

Info

Publication number
EP3820311A1
EP3820311A1 EP19766083.0A EP19766083A EP3820311A1 EP 3820311 A1 EP3820311 A1 EP 3820311A1 EP 19766083 A EP19766083 A EP 19766083A EP 3820311 A1 EP3820311 A1 EP 3820311A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
releasing
units
releasing units
transfer members
operating conditions
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP19766083.0A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3820311B1 (fr
Inventor
Giuliano Gamberini
Daniele Salvadeo
Valentina GALANTE
Luca Federici
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.)
GD SpA
Original Assignee
GD SpA
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
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=67909433&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP3820311(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Priority claimed from IT102018000007096A external-priority patent/IT201800007096A1/it
Priority claimed from IT102018000007095A external-priority patent/IT201800007095A1/it
Application filed by GD SpA filed Critical GD SpA
Publication of EP3820311A1 publication Critical patent/EP3820311A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3820311B1 publication Critical patent/EP3820311B1/fr
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

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
    • A24C5/325—Transporting cigarettes during manufacturing from a hopper

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a device and a method for releasing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry onto an endless conveyor.
  • the conveyor belt has an upper operating section which passes underneath a plurality of releasing units and whose seats face upwards in order to receive respective rod-shaped articles.
  • the releasing units each have a plurality of feed channels (commonly known as "veins") running side by side and each associated with a respective transfer member disposed at an outlet section of the feed channel.
  • the feed units receive the rod-shaped articles directly from one or more hoppers above them and into which a mass of articles is fed.
  • the transfer members are driven in such a way as to release one article at a time at a rate that is suitably synchronized with the other transfer members so as to fill all the seats on the conveyor in a controlled manner.
  • one or more of the releasing units may be subject to malfunctions, caused for example by an interruption in the flow of articles in one or more of the veins or on account of a fault in some of the transfer members or for any other reason.
  • the compensation mechanism provided is based on the numerical redundancy of the releasing units, meaning that the number of releasing units provided is in excess of that strictly necessary for machine operation.
  • the normally idle redundant units are preloaded with articles ready to be released which means that if they remain inactive for extended periods of time, there is the risk that the properties of these articles will deteriorate and the articles will no longer be suitable for making marketable products.
  • the basic technical purpose of this invention is to provide device and a method for releasing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry onto an endless conveyor to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
  • this invention has for an aim to provide a device and a method for releasing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry onto an endless conveyor and capable of improving control over the process of filling the endless conveyor in the event of malfunctions.
  • FIG. 1 represents a releasing device according to this invention in the context of installation in a machine of the tobacco industry
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a detail of the device of Figure 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a further enlarged view of a detail of the view of Figure 2;
  • FIG. 4 represents a sequence of steps of a first embodiment of a releasing method implemented by the releasing device according to this invention, under normal operating conditions;
  • FIG. 5 represents a sequence of steps of a first embodiment of a releasing method implemented by the releasing device according to this invention, during a compensating routine consequent upon a malfunction;
  • FIG. 6 represents a sequence of steps of a second embodiment of a releasing method implemented by the releasing device according to this invention, under normal operating conditions;
  • FIG. 7 represents a sequence of steps of a second embodiment of a releasing method implemented by the releasing device according to this invention, during a compensating routine consequent upon a malfunction.
  • the numeral 1 in the accompanying drawings denotes in its entirety a device according to this invention for releasing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry onto an endless conveyor.
  • the device 1 is installed in a machine for making and/or packaging smoking articles and is designed to release rod-shaped articles such as, for example, cigarette or filter segments.
  • the device 1 comprises two juxtaposed releasing units 2, as shown in Figure 1 .
  • Each releasing unit 2 is provided at the bottom of it, with a plurality of feed channels 3 (or “veins") extending at least partly vertically and running side by side and being twenty in number for each unit 2.
  • the feed channels 3 have respective upper stretches which are divergent and respective lower stretches which are parallel and vertical ( Figure 2).
  • Each feed channel 3 has, associated with it, a transfer member 4 disposed at an outlet section at the bottom of the feed channel 3 ( Figures 2 and 3).
  • each releasing unit 2 is provided with a hopper 5 for containing a mass of articles and connected or connectable to a feed unit (not illustrated because it is of known type) for feeding a plurality of articles: for example, a machine for making the articles or a unit for emptying trays that are full of the articles.
  • the feed channels 3 extend from the bottom of the hopper 5.
  • each unit may have one or a plurality of feed channels.
  • all the releasing units 2 have the same number of feed channels 3. The number may, however, vary from one releasing unit 2 to another.
  • an endless conveyor 6 - that is to say, a looped conveyor belt, band or chain - having an (upper) operating branch 6a provided with a succession of receiving seats 7 disposed in such a way that receiving seats 7 of the conveyor 6 are aligned with respective transfer members 4 of the releasing units 2.
  • the operating branch 6a of the conveyor 6 travels along a feed direction "A" and the releasing units 2 are disposed in succession along the feed direction "A".
  • Each transfer member 4 comprises a rotary element (in the form of a roller, for example) mounted rotatably about a respective horizontal axis of rotation and having a gripping portion 4a rotatable between a gripping position, where it receives an article from the respective feed channel 3, and a releasing position, aligned with a respective receiving seat 7 of the conveyor 6 to release the article into the receiving seat 7.
  • a rotary element in the form of a roller, for example
  • the device 1 also comprises drive means acting on the transfer members 4 to release from each transfer member 4 a sequence of respective articles at a predetermined rate (or frequency/pace) in such a way that each article released from the transfer members 4 is received into a respective receiving seat 7 of the conveyor 6.
  • the device 1 also comprises a control unit (also not illustrated), connected to the drive means to adjust the rate at which the articles are released from the transfer members 4.
  • a control unit also not illustrated, connected to the drive means to adjust the rate at which the articles are released from the transfer members 4.
  • the control unit is configured to activate a compensating routine whereby at least one of the functioning releasing units 2 (that is to say, of those that remain functional, other than the malfunctioning one) is operated at a faster rate and/or in a modified sequence compared to normal operating conditions, that is to say, compared to operating conditions where none of the releasing units 2 is malfunctioning or has stopped, so as to compensate for the smaller number of functioning releasing units 2.
  • the compensating routine activated by the control unit entails operating each of the functioning releasing units 2 at a modified rate and/or in a modified sequence compared to normal operating conditions.
  • rate is used to mean the number of articles released per unit time by the transfer members 4 of the same releasing unit 2, while the term “sequence” also indicates the distribution over time of the releasing actions performed by the different transfer members 4 of the same releasing unit 2 (since the temporal sequence of the releasing actions performed by the transfer members 4 may be intercalated, alternated, reversed or, more generally speaking, varied compared to the situation under normal operating conditions).
  • the transfer members 4 of each releasing unit 2 can be driven and controlled independently of the transfer members 4 of the other releasing units 2.
  • the drive means comprise, for each releasing unit 2, a transmission mechanism (not illustrated in detail) connected to a plurality of transfer members 4 of the releasing unit 2, and preferably to all the transfer members 4 of the releasing unit 2, so as to drive the transfer members 4 simultaneously and/or at the same release rate, if necessary with a specific phase relationship to temporally offset the releasing actions performed by the transfer members 4 of the same releasing unit 2.
  • the transmission mechanism may be a mechanical part comprising a bar applied eccentrically to the transfer members 4 in such a way as to work like a connecting rod for simultaneously moving some or all of the transfer members 4 of the releasing unit 2.
  • the drive means also comprise, for each releasing unit 2, a respective motor or actuator (not illustrated) driven by the control unit independently of the motors or actuators of the other releasing units 2.
  • the control unit is configured to activate all the releasing units 2 under normal operating conditions. That way, under normal operating conditions, all the releasing units 2 are in operation and can work at a release rate that is lower than a respective maximum release rate.
  • the control unit acts on the drive means to set at least one rotary element 4 of at least one of the functioning releasing units 2 in rotation about its axis at a speed which is higher than the corresponding speed of rotation under normal operating conditions.
  • This rotation speed may be continuous and preferably constant. In such a case, the higher rotation speed is applied in at least one stretch of each rotation cycle of the rotary element.
  • control unit acts on the drive means to set each rotary element 4 in rotation intermittently about its axis. Under these circumstances, during the compensating routine, the control unit acts on the drive means to set at least one rotary element 4 of at least one of the functioning releasing units 2 in rotation intermittently so that its stop time is shorter than the corresponding stop time under normal operating conditions.
  • stop time is meant the length of time the same transfer member 4 stops for between two successive steps of rotating.
  • a possible releasing method forming an object of this invention and preferably implemented by the device 1 described above comprises the following steps:
  • each transfer member 4 - releasing from each transfer member 4 a sequence of respective articles at a predetermined rate (or frequency/pace) in such a way that each article released from the transfer members 4 is received into a respective receiving seat 7 of the conveyor 6;
  • the faster release rate applies to all the functioning releasing units 2 and is preferably the same for all the functioning releasing units 2.
  • the step of releasing the articles from the releasing units 2 is carried out by driving at least some of the releasing units 2, preferably all of the releasing units 2, independently of each other, in particular through respective motor means (for example, electric motors or actuators) controlled independently of each other.
  • respective motor means for example, electric motors or actuators
  • the transfer members 4 of the releasing units 2 operate at a first release rate at which the respective articles are released into the receiving seats 7 of the conveyor 6, whereas during the compensating routine, the transfer members 4 operate at a second release rate which is higher than the first release rate.
  • first and second release rates are lower than the maximum release rate permitted by the transfer members 4.
  • the feed speed of the conveyor 6 is unchanged compared to normal operating conditions and, still more preferably, it is a constant speed.
  • each feed channel 3 is associated with a respective sensor (not illustrated) to detect possible jamming or incorrect feeding of the articles in the feed channel 3 and, if malfunctioning is detected, the sensor sends to the control unit a respective identification signal relating to the malfunctioning detected.
  • the control unit sets to "malfunctioning" the state of the releasing unit 2 associated with that signal (that is to say, comprising the feed channel affected by the fault) and activates the compensating routine.
  • Figures 4-7 illustrate different embodiments of the method implemented by the releasing device according to the invention.
  • Figures 4 and 5 show an application example comprising two releasing units 2, each (by way of example) having only one feed channel and hence only one transfer member 4, the two transfer members 4 being spaced from each other by a distance equal to an even number of receiving seats 7 (in Figure 4, the distance is equal to two receiving seats 7).
  • Figure 4 shows a sequence of steps of releasing under normal operating conditions where each transfer member 4 releases one article 100 every two receiving seats 7 moving past thereunder and where the two transfer members 4 perform the releasing action alternately.
  • Figure 5 shows the situation when the compensating routine is activated.
  • each releasing action performed by a releasing unit 2 corresponds to the simultaneous filling of a number of receiving seats 7 equal to the number of feed channels 3 of the releasing unit 2.
  • the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 is extendable by providing, in the place of each seat 7, a number of seats that is equal to the number of feed channels of each releasing unit 2 (in such a situation, it is preferable, though not necessary, that the releasing units 2 have the same number of feed channels 3, as described above).
  • this operating logic can also be applied when the distance between the two transfer members 4 corresponds to an uneven number of receiving seats 7 on the conveyor 6 (embodiment not illustrated). In such a case, it is obvious that the two transfer members 4 fill all the seats 7 by simultaneously releasing corresponding articles.
  • Figures 6 and 7 show an application example comprising three releasing units 2, each (by way of example) having only one feed channel and hence only one transfer member 4, the three transfer members 4 being spaced from each other by a distance equal to an uneven number of receiving seats 7 (in Figure 6 the distance is equal to three receiving seats 7).
  • steps 6a-6j show a normal operating condition where each transfer member 4 releases one article 100 every three receiving seats 7 moving past thereunder and where the three transfer members 4 perform the releasing action according to the sequence illustrated (the sequence starts from a transient starting condition associated with an empty conveyor 6).
  • Steps 7a-7e show the situation when the compensating routine is activated.
  • the other two releasing units 2 upstream, make up for the interruption by changing the release rate so that one releasing action is performed every two seats 7 that pass thereunder.
  • this invention can be carried out by applying, in the compensating routine, a different release algorithm (that is to say, different release sequences for some or all of the transfer members) instead of merely increasing the rate, provided always that the compensating logic is intended to fill all the receiving seats of the conveyor even when one or more of the releasing units have stopped on account of a malfunction.
  • a different release algorithm that is to say, different release sequences for some or all of the transfer members
  • the present invention achieves the preset aims, overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.
  • the device and method according to the invention allow varying the release algorithm (sequence and/or rate) of the remaining releasing units in order to make up for the smaller number of functioning releasing units without having to provide redundant releasing units which remain idle but, instead, with releasing units which, under normal operating conditions, work at a speed lower than the maximum speed so as to preserve their working life.

Landscapes

  • Control Of Conveyors (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de libération d'articles en forme de tige de l'industrie du tabac sur un transporteur sans fin comprenant une pluralité d'unités de libération (2) destinées à libérer des articles en forme de tige (100), un transporteur sans fin (6) présentant une succession de sièges de réception (7) disposés sous les unités de libération (2) de sorte que des sièges de réception (7) du transporteur (6) sont alignés avec des éléments de transfert respectifs (4) des unités de libération (2), des moyens d'entraînement agissant sur les unités de libération (2) pour libérer à partir de chacune d'elles une séquence d'articles respectifs (100) à une vitesse prédéterminée de sorte que chaque article (100) libéré par les unités de libération (2) est reçu dans un siège de réception respectif (7) du transporteur (6), et une unité de commande connectée aux moyens d'entraînement pour réguler la vitesse de libération des articles (100) et configurée, en cas de dysfonctionnement ou d'arrêt d'au moins l'une des unités de libération (2), pour activer une routine de compensation, au moins l'une des unités de libération fonctionnelles (2) étant actionnée à une vitesse de libération plus rapide et/ou dans une séquence modifiée par rapport à des conditions de fonctionnement normales, c'est-à-dire par rapport à des conditions de fonctionnement dans lesquelles aucune des unités de libération (2) n'est dysfonctionnelle ni ne s'est arrêtée, de manière à compenser le nombre réduit d'unités de libération fonctionnelles (2).
EP19766083.0A 2018-07-11 2019-07-04 Dispositif et procédé de libération d'articles en forme de tige de l'industrie du tabac sur un transporteur sans fin Active EP3820311B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102018000007096A IT201800007096A1 (it) 2018-07-11 2018-07-11 Dispositivo per il rilascio di articoli a forma di barretta dell’industria del tabacco su un convogliatore continuo
IT102018000007095A IT201800007095A1 (it) 2018-07-11 2018-07-11 Metodo per il rilascio di articoli a forma di barretta dell’industria del tabacco su un convogliatore continuo
PCT/IB2019/055714 WO2020012306A1 (fr) 2018-07-11 2019-07-04 Dispositif et procédé de libération d'articles en forme de tige de l'industrie du tabac sur un transporteur sans fin

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3820311A1 true EP3820311A1 (fr) 2021-05-19
EP3820311B1 EP3820311B1 (fr) 2022-10-12

Family

ID=67909433

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19766083.0A Active EP3820311B1 (fr) 2018-07-11 2019-07-04 Dispositif et procédé de libération d'articles en forme de tige de l'industrie du tabac sur un transporteur sans fin

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3820311B1 (fr)
PL (1) PL3820311T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2020012306A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1266280B1 (it) * 1993-03-05 1996-12-27 Gd Spa Tramoggia per elementi allungati,in particolare articoli da fumo.
IT1394492B1 (it) * 2009-07-02 2012-07-05 Gd Spa Apparecchiatura di formazione di filtri composti.
ITBO20130239A1 (it) * 2013-05-21 2014-11-22 Gd Spa Dispositivo di alimentazione di articoli da fumo in bacchetta in una macchina automatica dell'industria del tabacco.
CN105592727A (zh) * 2013-11-04 2016-05-18 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 用于传送杆状制品的系统和方法以及用于将杆状制品保持在输送带中的装置和方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3820311B1 (fr) 2022-10-12
WO2020012306A1 (fr) 2020-01-16
PL3820311T3 (pl) 2022-12-19

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