EP4652861A1

EP4652861A1 - System and apparatus of tobacco industry, and conversion element and cover

Info

Publication number: EP4652861A1
Application number: EP24177597.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mariusz OPALA; Radoslaw Owczarek
Original assignee: International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp zoo
Current assignee: International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp zoo
Priority date: 2024-05-23
Filing date: 2024-05-23
Publication date: 2025-11-26

Abstract

The subject of the application is a tobacco industry system comprising a transport module (40) consisting of transport trays of the tobacco industry (10) connected using conversion elements (20) mounted on side walls (11) of the transport trays (10); a conversion unit (70) for changing the integration state of the transport module (40); a machine for changing the filling state of individual trays (10) separated from the transport module (40). The subject of the application is also a conversion element (20) and a conversion module cover (30).

Description

The invention relates to a system and apparatus of the tobacco industry, as well as a conversion element and cover. The invention is applicable in the tobacco industry, particularly for the transport and storage of tobacco industry articles.
European patent application EP0668028A1 describes an apparatus intended for the temporary storage and transport of containers filled with tobacco articles, such as filter cigarettes, cigars, or cigarillos. This apparatus serves as a buffer between cigarette manufacturing machines and packaging machines, providing flexibility in case of differences in output between these production lines. The apparatus comprises a container equipped with multiple compartments for storing containers. Each compartment forms an almost airtight climate space, which prevents the drying out of tobacco products and allows for their long-term storage. The container is closed on four sides (top, bottom, and sides), with an open front side allowing for the insertion of containers and an open bottom that allows dust and tobacco particles to escape. Containers are inserted along support rails that keep them in a vertical position. To further seal the compartments, each is equipped with aligning strips that press the container against the opposite wall of the compartment, ensuring airtightness. Additional sealings prevent air circulation within the compartments. To prevent the containers from falling out during transport, each compartment is equipped with spring catches mounted on the top wall of the container.
European patent application EP2570040A1 describes an improvement of a container for the transport and/or storage of rod-like tobacco products, such as filter cigarettes and multi-segment filters. The document also discloses an apparatus for emptying such containers and devices for emptying containers equipped with such a mechanism. The container consists of a bottom wall, two side walls, and a rear wall, with an open front and top side. The improvement includes a cover that can be placed on the container, comprising a frame with narrow and wide sides and a sliding element ("pin") guided within the frame and movable relative to it in a linear manner. This apparatus includes a container emptying magazine with an open-top entry area for products and a mechanism for activating and locking the sliding elements of the containers to empty them. This apparatus enables automatic and safe opening of containers placed in an inverted position above the emptying magazine. The container emptying device consists of a feeding device, an emptying magazine, a receiving device for emptied containers, and a transfer mechanism that transports full containers to the emptying magazine and emptied containers to the receiving device. The disclosed system also comprises a handling mechanism with grippers for side gripping of containers and a vertically movable element for lifting emptied containers, allowing for efficient and space-saving handling. Containers typically have a rectangular design with an open front and top side. The cover consists of a frame with a sliding element that can be easily inserted and removed, creating a sealed compartment within the container. The frame can be equipped with a front wall, allowing for complete closure of the container and providing easy and quick handling.
European patent application EP2754357A1 describes a system for automated management of transport and storage of transport units in the tobacco industry. The system utilizes multiple transport units consisting of a carrier and a load, which can be trays containing filters, cigarettes, drums with materials, or other elements necessary for production. Transport units are designed to be easily moved by autonomous transport vehicles along a track system. The material flow management system controls the allocation of transport tasks, monitors storage status, and coordinates the movement of transport vehicles. This system can prioritize various transport tasks to ensure continuous production and minimize downtime.
The essence of the invention is a tobacco industry system comprising a transport module consisting of transport trays of the tobacco industry connected by means of conversion elements mounted on side walls of the transport trays, a conversion unit for changing the integration state of the transport module, and a machine for changing the filling state of individual transport trays separated from the transport module.
Advantageously, the system according to the invention is characterized in that the conversion elements are equipped with mounting means adapted to be mounted on the side walls of the transport trays of the tobacco industry, connecting means adapted to connect with each other so that a transport module consisting of assembled at least two transport trays of the tobacco industry is formed.
Advantageously, the system according to the invention is characterized in that the mounting means of the conversion elements are adapted to be mounted on the mounting means on the outer or inner side of the side walls of the transport trays of the tobacco industry.
Advantageously, the system according to the invention is characterized in that the conversion element is further equipped with stabilizing means adapted to connect with each other between individual conversion elements so that the formed transport module gains rigidity allowing for the transport and storage of the transport module without separating the assembled transport trays of the transport module.
Advantageously, the system according to the invention is characterized in that the system is further equipped with a cover shielding the transport compartments of the transport trays of the transport module, equipped with connecting means adapted to connect with the connecting means of the conversion elements mounted on the side walls of the outer tray of the transport module assembled of tobacco industry trays. Additionally, the cover is equipped with stabilizing means adapted to connect with the stabilizing means of the conversion elements mounted on the side walls of the outer tray of the transport module assembled of tobacco industry trays.
Advantageously, the system according to the invention is characterized in that the conversion elements are equipped with connecting means placed on the upper walls of the conversion elements, and the cover is equipped with connecting means adapted to cooperate with the connecting means of the conversion elements placed on the upper walls of the conversion elements.
The essence of the invention is also a tobacco industry apparatus characterized in that it is equipped with a disconnecting unit adapted to disconnect the connecting means of the conversion elements of the received transport module assembled of at least two transport trays equipped with conversion elements, and a connecting unit adapted to connect the connecting means of the conversion elements of the transport trays in the led away transport module consisting of at least two transport trays equipped with conversion elements.
Advantageously, the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that it is equipped with an opening unit adapted to disconnect and remove the cover shielding the transport compartments of the transport trays from the received transport module, and a closing unit adapted to mount the cover shielding the transport compartments of the transport trays from the led away transport module.
The essence of the invention is also a conversion element adapted to be mounted on the side walls of the transport trays of the tobacco industry, characterized in that it is equipped with mounting means adapted to be mounted on the mounting means on the side walls of the transport trays of the tobacco industry, and connecting means adapted to connect with each other so that, when mounted on the trays of the tobacco industry and connected with each other, they form a transport module consisting of assembled at least two transport trays of the tobacco industry. Additionally, the conversion element is equipped with stabilizing means adapted to connect with each other so that the mentioned transport module gains rigidity allowing for transport and storage without separating the assembled transport trays of the transport module.
Advantageously, the conversion element according to the invention is characterized in that it is further equipped with connecting means placed on the upper edge.
Advantageously, the conversion element according to the invention is characterized in that it is further equipped with stabilizing means placed on the upper edge.
The essence of the invention is also a cover shielding the transport compartments of the transport trays, characterized in that it is equipped with connecting means adapted to connect with the conversion elements mounted on the side walls of the transport tray of the transport module consisting of tobacco industry trays, and stabilizing means adapted to connect with the stabilizing means of the conversion elements mounted on side walls of the transport tray of the transport module consisting of tobacco industry trays.
Advantageously, the cover according to the invention is characterized in that it is equipped with connecting means adapted to cooperate with the connecting means of the conversion elements placed on the upper edges of the conversion elements.
Advantageously, the cover according to the invention is characterized in that it is equipped with connecting means adapted to cooperate with the connecting means of the conversion elements placed on the side edges of the conversion elements.
Advantageously, the cover according to the invention is characterized in that it is equipped with stabilizing means adapted to cooperate with the stabilizing means of the conversion elements.
Advantageously, the cover according to the invention is characterized in that it is further equipped with means adapted for vertical stacking of transport modules on top of each other.
The advantage of the transport system according to the invention is the possibility of using existing transport trays, which reduces environmental impact by avoiding the need to produce new sets of transport trays. The system allows for the use of existing transport installations of existing loading and unloading devices, moreover, it allows optimizing the transport and storage process by increasing storage density, ensuring hermetic storage conditions inside the transport module closed with a cover. It provides complete protection of transported articles from external factors both mechanical and chemical, or other impacts such as UV radiation, penetrating radiation temperature, magnetic field impacts, etc. The module in the cover version allows limiting the effects of evaporation or volatilization of fragrance or conditioning substances from stored products or articles.
The subject of the invention is closer presented in a favorable embodiment on the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1: presents a transport module according to the invention;
Fig. 2: presents a transport module according to the invention with the cover detached;
Fig. 3: presents a transport module according to the invention in an exploded view;
Fig. 4: presents a transport module according to the invention with the conversion element detached;
Fig. 5: presents the connecting means of the conversion element in a connected position;
Fig. 6: presents the connecting means of the conversion element in a disconnected position;
Fig. 7: presents the trays of the transport module with conversion elements in an expanded position;
Figs. 8, 9: present the transport system according to the invention;
Figs. 10, 11: present the transport system in different transport positions;
Figs. 12, 13: present transport modules in a vertical storage configuration;
Figs. 14, 15: present a top view of the conversion unit for changing the integration state of the transport module according to the invention;
Fig. 16: presents a transport module according to another embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 17: presents the system according to the invention in another embodiment.

According to the invention, a tobacco industry system is disclosed comprising a transport module 40 consisting of transport trays of the tobacco industry 10 connected by means of conversion elements 20 mounted on the side walls 11 of the transport trays 10, a conversion unit 70 for changing the integration state of the transport module, a machine 60 for changing the filling state of individual trays 10 separated from the transport module 40.
Fig. 1 presents the transport module 40, which comprises trays 10, conversion elements 20, and a cover 30. Trays 10 (a tray is visible in Fig. 2) are arranged to store rod-like articles of the tobacco industry, for example, filter rods, smoking articles, etc. The tray 10 (also referred to as a transport tray) has a cuboid shape, with two sides of the cuboid being open, on the side walls 11 of the tray 10 there are located conversion elements 20 in the form of plates.
In the system according to the invention, the conversion elements 20 are equipped with mounting means 21 adapted to be mounted on the side walls 11 of the transport trays of the tobacco industry 10, and connecting means 25, 26 arranged to connect with each other so that a transport module 40 consisting of assembled at least two transport trays of the tobacco industry 10 is formed. Moreover, the mounting means 21 of the conversion elements 20 are arranged to be mounted on the mounting means 21' on the side walls 11 of the transport trays of the tobacco industry 10. In the described system, the conversion element 20 is further equipped with stabilizing means 27, 28 arranged to connect with each other between individual conversion elements 20 so that the formed transport module 40 gains rigidity allowing for the transport and storage of the transport module 40 without separating the assembled transport trays 10 of the transport module 40. The system is further equipped with a cover 30 shielding the transport compartments 12 of the transport trays 10 of the transport module 40, equipped with connecting means 36, 36' arranged to connect with the connecting means 25, 25' of the conversion elements 20 mounted on the side walls 11 of the outer tray 15 of the transport module 40 consisting of tobacco industry trays 10, and stabilizing means 38 adapted to connect with the stabilizing means 27 of the conversion elements 20 mounted on the side walls 11 of the outer tray 15 of the transport module 40 consisting of tobacco industry trays 10. The term outer tray 15 of the transport module 40 refers to a tray that, after the module 40 is assembled, has an uncovered front and top side. In the outer tray 15 of the transport module 40, the tobacco industry articles are uncovered both from the top and the front. Moreover, in the outer tray 15 of the transport module 40, the connecting means 25 are not connected with the means 26 of another tray forming the transport module 40 but remain free, i.e., they can connect with the connecting means 36 of the cover 30. The connecting means for connecting adjacent trays as well as for connecting trays with the cover can have any form. For example, ball latches can be used, where the connecting and force-transmitting element is in the form of a ball pressed by a spring to allow temporary displacement of the ball. Other shape-locking elements for connecting cooperating elements are also known.
In one embodiment, the conversion elements 20 are equipped with connecting means 25' placed on the upper walls of the conversion elements 20, and the cover 30 is equipped with connecting means 36' adapted to cooperate with the connecting means 25' of the conversion elements 20 placed on the upper walls of the conversion elements 20. Generally, a conversion element 20 arranged to be mounted on the side walls 11 of the transport trays of the tobacco industry 10 is disclosed, equipped with mounting means 21 arranged to be mounted on the mounting means 21' on the side walls 11 of the transport trays of the tobacco industry 10, with connecting means 25 adapted to connect with each other so that, when mounted on the trays of the tobacco industry 10 and connected with each other, they form a transport module 40 consisting of at least two integrated transport trays of the tobacco industry 10, and stabilizing means 27 adapted to connect with each other so that the mentioned transport module 40 gains rigidity allowing for transport and storage without separating the assembled transport trays of the transport module 40. In one embodiment, the conversion element 20 is further equipped with connecting means 25' placed on the upper edge. In another embodiment, the conversion element 20 is further equipped with stabilizing means 28' placed on the upper edge. Also disclosed is a cover 30 shielding the transport compartments 12 of the transport trays 10, equipped with connecting means 36, 36' adapted to connect with the conversion elements 20 mounted on the side walls 11 of the outer tray 15 of the transport module 40 consisting of tobacco industry trays 10, and stabilizing means 38 adapted to connect with the stabilizing means 27 of the conversion elements 20 mounted on the side walls 11 of the outer tray 15 of the transport module 40 consisting of tobacco industry trays 10. In one embodiment, the cover 30 is further equipped with connecting means 36' adapted to cooperate with the connecting means 25' of the conversion elements 20 placed on the upper edges of the conversion elements 20. In another embodiment, the cover 30 is further equipped with stabilizing means 37 adapted to cooperate with the stabilizing means 28' of the conversion elements. In another embodiment, the cover 30 is further equipped with means 31 arranged for vertical stacking of transport modules 40 on top of each other.
In Fig. 3, the cover 30 is removed, and the trays 10 are disconnected. In Fig. 4, one conversion element 20 is detached from the tray 10. Typically, a tobacco industry tray 10 is not equipped with elements for connecting the tray 10 with another tray. The conversion element 20 allows connecting the trays 10 with each other so that the rear closed wall 13 of the tray is abutted to the adjacent tray 10 of the front open side 14 (open side of the cuboid). In the presented embodiments, a multi-compartment tray is shown, i.e., having multiple vertical compartments for storing tobacco industry products. The invention can also be applied to a typical single-compartment tray, where the single-compartment tray has an analogous cuboid shape open from the front and the top, a single-compartment tray has a rear wall, two side walls, and a bottom. Both the multi-compartment tray and the single-compartment tray can be equipped with a barcode or RFID element for tray identification. The conversion element 20 is arranged to the shape of the side wall 11 of the tray 10. The conversion element 20 can be mounted on the outer side of the side wall 11 or on the inner side of the side wall 11. In particular, the conversion element 20 can be mounted on the inner or outer surface of the side walls 11 of the tray 10. The conversion elements 20 allow the connection of trays 10 by connecting the conversion elements 20 so that at least two trays 10 together form a transport module 40, in the shown embodiment, three trays 10 are connected. The conversion element 20 is equipped with mounting means 21, connecting means 25, 26, and stabilizing means 27, 28. The mounting means 21 of the conversion element 20 are in the form of protrusions and are arranged to be mounted on the mounting means 21' on the side wall 11 of the tray 10. The conversion element 20 can be mounted on the side wall 11 of the tray 10 in a detachable or permanent manner, for example, by gluing or screwing to the wall 11. The connecting means 25 are arranged for detachable mounting and are in the form of catches, while the connecting means 26 are in the form of sockets. The connecting means 25 and connecting means 26 are used to connect the conversion element 20 of one tray 10 with the conversion element 20 of another tray 10 with the conversion element 20 so that a transport module 40 consisting of at least two integrated trays 10 is formed. The stabilizing means 27, 28 are adapted to set and stabilize the relative position of the conversion elements 20, and thus the trays 10. The stabilizing means 27 are in the form of protrusions located on the conversion element 20, and the stabilizing means 28 are in the form of recesses in the conversion element 20. The stabilizing means 27, 28 are intended to set and stabilize the mutual position, i.e. to stabilize the connected conversion elements 20 so that the formed transport module 40 gains rigidity allowing for the transport and storage of transport modules 40 stacked one on top of the other.
The conversion element 20 is arranged such that it allows handling of trays 10 equipped with the conversion element 20 by devices changing the filling state of the trays. For example, this adaptation is achieved by duplicating on the surface of the conversion element 20 the means responsible for the tray 10 cooperating with the device changing the filling state of the trays or by providing access to the means responsible for the tray 10 cooperating with the device changing the filling state of the trays, placed on the tray.
The connecting means 25, 26 can be replaceable and detachable. It is possible to make the connecting means 25, 26 detachable from the conversion element 20. In case of damage to these means, it is possible to replace them with new ones. It is possible to make the connecting means as parts of the conversion elements 20, then the connection of the conversion elements will take place through elastic deformation of the connecting means 25, 26, which will be connected after snapping together.
The transport module 40 is equipped with a cover 30 that shields the uncovered transport compartments 12 of the transport trays 10. The cover 30 is in the form of connected rectangular plates, with the horizontal plate 30A arranged to connect with the upper edges (or surfaces) 20A of the conversion elements 20, and the vertical plate 30B arranged to connect with the side edges (or surfaces) 20B of the conversion elements 20. The cover 30 is equipped with connecting means 36' cooperating with the connecting means 25' located on the upper surface of the conversion element 20. The cover 30 is equipped with stabilizing means 38 cooperating with the stabilizing means 27 on the conversion element 20, to connect with the conversion elements 20 mounted on the side walls of the outer tray 10 of the transport module 40 consisting of trays 10. Additionally, the cover 30 is equipped with stabilizing means 37 adapted to connect with the stabilizing means 28' on the upper edge (or surface) of the conversion elements 20.
In the shown embodiments, the cover 30 includes a horizontal plate 30A and a vertical plate 30B. The vertical plate 30B can be made as cuboid, square prism, where the opposing vertical surfaces are located at a small angle of about 2-3°. The vertical plate can be shaped so that the mentioned opposing surfaces are inclined to each other at an angle α in the range of 10-15° (Fig. 16). The cover 30 is arranged to connect with the conversion elements 20 so that it is moved in a vertical direction or at a certain angle to the vertical direction.
During the operation of trays 10 in the production system, the transport modules 40 are in various states of integration. Fig. 1 presents a fully integrated transport module, Fig. 2 presents a transport module 40 without a cover 30, and Fig. 3 presents a completely disintegrated transport module 40, where each tray 10 can be transported separately.
Fig. 5 presents the connecting means 25 connected, i.e. hooked onto the connecting means 26. The connecting means 25 are in the form of a lever, mounted on a pivot 29, where one end of the lever is equipped with a pressure surface 51, and the other end of the lever is in the form of a catch 52. In Fig. 6, the connecting means 25 is shown after pressing the pressure surface 51, where the catch 52 loses contact with the connecting means 26, and in Fig. 7, the trays 10 are shown that have been expanded after disconnecting the catch 52.
In the tobacco industry, machines for filling trays called tray fillers and machines for emptying trays called tray unloaders are commonly used. These machines can be referred to as machines for changing the filling state of trays. In Fig. 8, a system for use in the tobacco industry is shown, which includes at least one machine for changing the filling state of trays, namely a tray filler 60 and a conversion unit 70 arranged to change the integration state of the transport module 40. The conversion unit 70 is arranged to connect trays 10 to form a transport module 40 and to disconnect trays 10 of the transport module 40 so that full or empty trays 10 can be transported individually. The conversion unit 70 can be integrated with a machine for changing the filling state of trays or can be a separate unit located within the empty and full tray conveyors. The conversion unit 70 not integrated with a machine for changing the filling state of trays is shown in Fig. 17 between the tray filler 60 and the manipulator 100. The conversion unit 70 includes a connecting unit 71 and a disconnecting unit 72 adapted to connect or disconnect the connecting means 25, 26 to connect the conversion elements 20 of the transport module 40 consisting of at least two transport trays 10 equipped with conversion elements. The conversion unit 70 includes a connecting unit 71 adapted to connect the connecting means 25, 26 of the conversion elements 20 of trays 10 to form a transport module 40 consisting of at least two transport trays 10 equipped with conversion elements 20. The conversion unit 70 comprises a disconnecting unit 72 adapted to disconnect the connecting means 25, 26 of the conversion elements 20 of trays 10 to disassemble the transport module 40. For example, the connecting unit 71 and/or the disconnecting unit 72 can include pushing assemblies 73 equipped with pushers 74. The pushers 74 are intended to act on the pressure surfaces 51 causing disconnection and allowing for the separation of the trays to change their filling state or the connection of trays 10 to form a transport module 40. In Fig. 14, a transport module 40 is shown placed on a full tray conveyor 61 or an empty tray conveyor 61. On both sides of the conveyor and on both sides of the transport module are located connecting units 71 (or disconnecting units 72). In Fig. 14, the pushers 74 are in the retracted position, and in Fig. 15, in the advanced position, causing a change in the position of the connecting means 25. After disconnecting the connecting means 25, 26, the trays 10 can be individually moved by the empty tray conveyor 61 or the full tray conveyor 62.
Generally, according to the invention, a tobacco industry apparatus equipped with a disconnecting unit adapted to disconnect the connecting means 25' of the conversion elements 20 of the received transport module 40 consisting of at least two transport trays 10 equipped with conversion elements 20, and a connecting unit adapted to connect the connecting means 25' of the conversion elements 20 of the transport trays 10 in the led away transport module 40 consisting of at least two transport trays 10 equipped with conversion elements 20 is disclosed. In one embodiment, the proposed apparatus is equipped with an opening unit adapted to disconnect and remove the cover 30 shielding the transport compartments 12 of the transport trays 10 from the received transport module 40, and a closing unit adapted to mount the cover 30 shielding the transport compartments 12 of the transport trays 10 from the led away transport module 40.
Transport modules 40 can be formed from empty trays as well as from full trays. A single full tray 10 can be fed to a tray unloader, where the tray will be emptied, and the contents - rod-like articles - will be transferred to production. A single empty tray 10 can be fed to a tray filler, where it will be filled with rod-like articles. The tray unloader and tray filler can be collectively referred to as machines for changing the filling state of trays. An element of the system is a transport module 40 consisting of trays 10 of the tobacco industry connected using a conversion element 20, where the conversion element 20 is mounted on the side walls 11 of the tray 20 and is equipped with connecting means 25, 26 adapted to connect the conversion elements so that after connecting, a transport module is formed from at least two integrated trays 10. The conversion element 20 can be mounted in a detachable manner with the tray 10 or permanently by gluing or screwing. The detachable connection can typically be realized as a snap connection, where the connection and disconnection require a temporary deformation of one or both connecting elements. In Fig. 8, a tray filler 60 equipped with an empty tray conveyor 61 and a full tray conveyor 62 is shown.
The tobacco industry apparatus shown in Figs. 8 and 9 includes a disconnecting unit 72 adapted to disconnect the connecting means 25, 26 of the conversion elements 20 of the received transport module 40 consisting of at least two transport trays 10 equipped with conversion elements 20. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a connecting unit 71 adapted to connect the connecting means 25, 26 of the conversion elements 20 of the transport trays 10 in the led away transport module 40 consisting of at least two transport trays 10 equipped with conversion elements 20.
In the fragment of the production system shown in Fig. 8, there is shown a tray filler 60 integrated with a conversion unit 70 and a magazine 80. The tray filler 60 is arranged to fill trays 10, the conversion unit 70 is arranged to change the integration state of the transport module 40. In the magazine 80, assembled transport modules 40 are stored, with the magazine 80 containing transport modules 40 with both empty trays 10 and full trays 10. The tobacco industry production system shown in Figs. 10 and 11 comprises an opening-closing unit 90 adapted to disconnect and remove the cover 30 shielding the transport compartments 12 of the transport trays 10 from the received transport module 40 and arranged to mount the cover 30 shielding the transport compartments 12 of the transport trays 10 from the transport module 40 being led away. The removal of the cover 30 occurs before transferring the transport module 40 to the production machines, and the cover 30 is mounted before the transport module 40 is received into the magazine 80. The opening-closing unit 90 is an executive element of the manipulator 100.
After activating the system, the manipulator 100 grasps the transport module 40 and moves it toward the empty tray conveyor 60 (Fig. 8). After placing the transport module 40 on the empty tray conveyor 61, the cover 30 is removed by the opening-closing unit 90. The trays 10 are separated and individually transported to the filling unit 63. A filled tray 10 is placed on the full tray conveyor 62. The full trays 10 are pushed together so that the conversion elements 20 located on the side walls 11 of the trays 10 are connected. On such a formed transport module 40, the cover 30 is mounted by the opening-closing unit 90, and the transport module 40 is transferred by the manipulator 100 to the magazine 80.
The magazine 80 can be arranged to store stacks 41 of trays 10 forming transport modules 40 without covers as shown in Fig. 12. The magazine can be arranged to store stacks 42 of trays 10 forming transport modules 40 with covers 30 as shown in Fig. 12, with the cover 30 equipped with means for stacking transport modules one on top of the other. The cover 30 includes means 31 arranged to mutually set the position of the transport modules 40 and stabilize the assembled transport modules 40 stacked in a stack.

Claims

A tobacco industry system comprising:
a transport module (40) consisting of transport trays of the tobacco industry (10) connected by means of conversion elements (20) mounted on side walls (11) of the transport trays (10);

a conversion unit (70) for changing the integration state of the transport module (40);

a machine for changing the filling state (60) of individual transport trays (10) separated from the transport module (40).
The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the conversion elements (20) are equipped with:
mounting means (21) adapted to be mounted on the side walls (11) of the transport trays of the tobacco industry (10);

connecting means (25, 26) adapted to connect with each other so that a transport module (40) consisting of assembled at least two transport trays of the tobacco industry (10) is formed.
The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mounting means (21) of the conversion elements (20) are adapted to be mounted on the mounting means (21') on the outer or inner side of the side walls (11) of the transport trays of the tobacco industry (10).
The system according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the conversion element (20) is further equipped with stabilizing means (27, 28) adapted to connect with each other between individual conversion elements (20) so that the formed transport module (40) gains rigidity allowing for the transport and storage of the transport module (40) without separating the assembled transport trays (10) of the transport module (40).
The system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the system is further equipped with a cover (30) shielding the transport compartments (12) of the transport trays (10) of the transport module (40), equipped with
connecting means (36) adapted to connect with the connecting means (25) of the conversion elements (20) mounted on the side walls (11) of the outer tray (15) of the transport module (40) assembled of tobacco industry trays (10);

stabilizing means (38) adapted to connect with the stabilizing means (27) of the conversion elements (20) mounted on the side walls (11) of the outer tray (15) of the transport module (40) assembled of tobacco industry trays (10).
The system according to claim 5, characterized in that the conversion elements (20) are equipped with connecting means (25') placed on the upper walls of the conversion elements (20), and the cover (30) is equipped with connecting means (36') adapted to cooperate with the connecting means (25') of the conversion elements (20) placed on the upper walls of the conversion elements (20).
A tobacco industry apparatus characterized in that it is equipped with
a disconnecting unit adapted to disconnect the connecting means (25) of the conversion elements (20) of the received transport module (40) assembled of at least two transport trays (10) equipped with conversion elements (20), and

a connecting unit adapted to connect the connecting means (25) of the conversion elements (20) of the transport trays (10) in the led away transport module (40) consisting of at least two transport trays (10) equipped with conversion elements (20).
The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that it is equipped with
an opening unit adapted to disconnect and remove the cover (30) shielding the transport compartments (12) of the transport trays (10) from the received transport module (40), and

a closing unit adapted to mount the cover (30) shielding the transport compartments (12) of the transport trays (10) from the led away transport module (40).
A conversion element (20) adapted to be mounted on side walls (11) of transport trays of the tobacco industry (10), characterized in that it is equipped with
mounting means (21) adapted to be mounted on the mounting means (21') on the side walls (11) of the transport trays of the tobacco industry (10);

connecting means (25, 26) adapted to connect with each other so that, when mounted on the trays of the tobacco industry (10) and connected with each other, they form a transport module (40) consisting of assembled at least two transport trays of the tobacco industry (10);

stabilizing means (27, 28) adapted to connect with each other so that the mentioned transport module (40) gains rigidity allowing for transport and storage without separating the transport trays (10) of the assembled transport module (40).
The conversion element (20) according to claim 9, characterized in that it is further equipped with connecting means (25') placed on the upper edge.
The conversion element according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it is further equipped with stabilizing means (28') placed on the upper edge.
A cover (30) shielding the transport compartments (12) of the transport trays (10), characterized in that it is equipped with
connecting means (36) adapted to connect with the conversion elements (20) mounted on the side walls (11) of the transport tray (10) of the transport module (40) consisting of tobacco industry trays (10);

stabilizing means (38) adapted to connect with the stabilizing means (27) of the conversion elements (20) mounted on the side walls (11) of the transport tray (10) of the transport module (40) consisting of tobacco industry trays (10).
The cover (30) according to claim 12, characterized in that it is further equipped with connecting means (36') adapted to cooperate with the connecting means (25') of the conversion elements (20) placed on the upper edges of the conversion elements (20).
The cover (30) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that it is further equipped with connecting means (36) adapted to cooperate with the connecting means (25) of the conversion elements (20) placed on the side edges of the conversion elements (20).
The cover (30) according to any of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that it is further equipped with: means (31) adapted for vertical stacking of transport modules (40) on top of each other.