GB2145046A

GB2145046A - Automated system for supplying packing material on manufacturing and/or packing lines

Info

Publication number: GB2145046A
Application number: GB08417555A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Riccardo Mattei; Armando Neri
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 1983-07-12
Filing date: 1984-07-10
Publication date: 1985-03-20
Also published as: JPS6077030A; BR8403469A; GB8417555D0; GB2145046B; FR2548948B1; FR2548948A1; JPH0573654B2; DE3425734A1

Abstract

The system is for supplying packing material 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 on manufacturing and/or packing lines (1), in particular, cigarette manufacturing and packing lines, and wherein the system provides for the use of at least one store 14 for more than one type of packing material, and at least one truck fitted with an arm (32 Fig. 2 not shown) for taking hold of the packing material and supplying it to operating machines on the said lines (1). The truck 24 travels along rail routes determined by a computer connected to the said operating machines. The routes may alternatively be defined by magnetic floor level tracks. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Automated system for supplying packing material on manufacturing and/or packing lines The present invention relates to an automated system for supplying packing material on manufacturing and/or packing lines.

In particular, the present invention relates to an automated system for supplying packing material (usually coils of paper and/or transparent material or piles of pre-formed cardboard) on manufacturing and/or packing lines (in this case, cigarette manufacturing and packing lines).

The abovementioned lines are known to comprise a number of operating machines, at least some of which need a regular supply of packing material in the form of strips and/or pre-formed cardboard.

As of yet, the said packing material is picked up manually by an operator from a store usually supplying each of the said machines.

Having a specific store for each operating machine involves a number of drawbacks, such as cluttering up the area in the vicinity of the machines, troublesome supply of the various stores involved and, should supply from each store to its machine be automated, high installation cost for providing an automatic loading system for each machine being supplied.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a fully automated system for supplying packing material on manufacturing and/or packing lines, designed to overcome the abovementioned drawbacks resulting from each operating machine being provided with its own specific store. With this aim in view, the present invention relates to an automated system for supplying packing material on lines comprising a number of manufacturing and/or packing machines, characterised by the fact that it comprises storage means for more than one type of the said packing material, at least one truck, at least one operating arm on the said truck, means on each said operating arm for gripping the said packing material, guide means for each said truck, the said guide means defining routes travelled along selectively by each said truck for supplying the said packing material to each said operating machine, the computer means for controlling the position and operation of each said moving truck and the relative said arm, on the basis of signals supplied by the said operating machines.

In a preferred arrangement of the invention as described above, the said storage means comprise at least one mobile store connected to the said truck so as to be transported by it along the said routes.

The said storage means preferably comprise a number of the said mobile stores selectively connectable to the said truck.

Alternatively, the said storage means comprise a stationary main store and at least one mobile truck assigned to the said main store and connected to the said truck. In an alternative arrangement, the said storage means comprise a stationary store, the said routes extending between the said stationary store and the said operating machines.

Finally, the said guide means preferably comprise rail or, alternatively, magnetic track means extending along the said routes.

The invention will now be described by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of an automated supply system according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a part view in perspective of a component part on the Fig. 1 system: Figure 3 shows a block diagram of the control means on the Fig. 1 system; Figure 4 shows a view in perspective of a first variation of a Fig. 1 detail; Figure 5 shows a second variation of a Fig.

1 detail.

Number 1 in Fig. 1 indicates a number of identical lines, of known type, for manufacturing and packing cigarettes. Each line 1 comprises, in succession, a cigarette manufacturing machine, 2, a filter assembling machine, 3, a conveyor device, 4, a collecting device, 5, and a packing machine, 6, the output of which is connected, via a conveyor channel, 7, to a cellophaning machine, 8, and then to a ten-pack wrapping machine, 9.

Via conveyor channels 10, ten-pack wrapping machines 9 are connected to a cardboard boxing machine, 12, for making cardboard boxes containing a number of ten-packs. During operation, each manufacturing machine, 2, must be supplied with coiled paper for wrapping the tobacco and forming the cigarettes; each filter assembling machine, 3, must be supplied with coiled strips of paper for joining the filters to the cigarettes; each packing machine, 6, must be supplied with coiled silver paper for wrapping the cigarettes, coiled printed paper, with the brand label, for wrapping the silver paper packs, and coiled government stamps (if any). On hard-pack packing machines, the abovementioned brand label coils are replaced by coils of cardboard for making the tops and by stacks of preformed cardboard for making the hard packs.

Each cellophaning machine, 8, must be supplied with coiled transparent material, for wrapping the packs, and coiled tear-off ribbons for tearing open the wrapping obtained using the said transparent material. Each tenpack wrapping machine, 9, must be supplied with coiled paper for forming the ten-packs, or with coiled underpaper for forming the tenpack, followed by a cover label. Alternatively, each ten-pack wrapping machine, 9, may be supplied from stacks of pre-formed cardboard.

Boxing machine 1 2 is supplied from stacks of pre-formed cardboard.

Number 14 indicates a store with a number of compartments, 1 5, 1 5', 1 5", etc., each containing a respective type of packing material for a respective machine on line 1.

Compartment 15, for example, contains coils 1 6 for supplying tobacco wrapping paper to manufacturing machines 2. Compartment 15' contains coils 1 7 for supplying filter-cigarette joining strips to filter assembling machines 3.

Compartment 15" contains coils 18 for supplying packing machines 6 with silver paper for packing the cigarettes. Compartment 1 5"' contains coils 1 9 for supplying packing machines 6 with cardboard for making hard-pack tops. Compartment 1 5"" contains stacks 20 for supplying packing machines 6 with preformed cardboard from which to make hard packs, and so on for all the other types of material supplied to other machines. Over store 14, between compartments 15, 15', 1 5", 1 5"', etc., provision is made for overhead rail means comprising a rail, 22 (also shown in Fig. 2) supported on pillars 23.

The said rail 22 has various branches running close to the various operating machines on lines 1, as far as boxing machines 12, close to the coil housing compartments on the said machines and close to the compartments the preformed cardboard stacks are supplied to.

As shown in Fig. 2, on and astride overhead rail 22, is mounted a mobile truck, 24, having displacement means consisting of rollers 25 and 26, arranged with their vertical axes on either side of rail 22 and fitting inside cavities 27 on rail 22 itself.

Roller 25 is driven by a motor, 29, in truck 24. The latter also comprises an electronic unit, 30, for controlling motor 29, and a unit, 31, for controlling operation of arm 32 on truck 24 itself.

The said arm 32 has a number of segments, 33, 34, 35, each of which is designed to move in relation to another by means of a respective powered rotary coupling.

In more detail, segment 33 moves in relation to truck 24 by means of coupling 36 turning according to the X axis, while segment 34 moves in relation to segment 33 by means of coupling 37, also turning according to the X axis. Segment 34 has an end, 39, forming an obtuse angle with a foregoing section and connected to a top portion, 40, of segment 35 by means of coupling 41, turning according to the Y axis. The said segment 35 has another end portion, 42, forming a 90 angle with top portion 40 and supporting a coupling, 43, turning according to the X axis, and which, on the other side, supports a gripping means consisting of grip 44, shaped for gripping the coils and stacks of pre-formed cardboard housed in store 14.

The said couplings 36, 37, 41 and 43 will hereinafter also be referred to as displacement means for gripping means 44 or rotation and/or relative traversing means between segments 33, 34 and 35 constituting arm 32.

Number 50 in Fig. 3 indicates a central processing unit of computing means for receiving signals, 51, from respective sensors, 52, indicating that the coil or stack of preformed cardboard on a respective operating machine has run out. Unit 50 also receives signals 53 from respective sensors 54 detecting replacement of the empty coil or a new supply of stacked pre-formed cardboard. The said central processing unit, 50, comprises, in known manner, routine operating (ROM) and (RAM) memories. To the said unit is connected a transmitter or means, 56, for transmitting radioelectric signals, 57, received by a receiver or reception means, 58, fitted on to mobile truck 24 and connected to electronic unit 30 which, in turn, controls motor 29 and unit 31 controlling arm 32.The top of rail 22 houses two conductors or conducting tracks, 47, engaged by respective electricity to the various units and parts on truck 24 itself.

Operation of the automated supply system covered by the present invention is as follows.

When one of the operating coils on one of the machines on lines 1 runs out, in addition to a signal activating a known device (not shown) for automatically replacing the empty coil with a standby coil usually mounted on the machine, a respective signal, 51, is also generated by a respective sensor, 52, for detecting when the coil runs out (the same applies to a stack of pre-formed cardboard running out).

The central processing unit receiving the said signal 51 controls, via signals 57, operation of mobile truck 24 (by controlling motor 29 and unit 31 controlling arm 32). Consequently, the said truck 24 moves over to store 14, to compartment 1 5 or 1 5', 1 5", etc., depending on the type of packing material to be picked up. Grip 44 picks up the coil or appropriate stack of pre-formed cardboard and, following the route selected by central processing unit 50 along rail 22, takes it to the operating machine by which signal 51 was supplied.

The respective sensor, 54, then supplies a signal, 53, to inform central processing unit 50 that the change has been made.

The time available on the system for the said replacement is essentially the same time it takes for the coil to be used up, in that the coil supplied by truck 24 is always the standby one for the next replacement.

Central processing unit 50 may be conveniently programmed to assign replacement priority to the machine with the shortest coil operating cycle (in the event of more than one signal 51 from more than one sensor 52 being received from different machines to indicate a number of coils running out simultaneously).

Such priority may depend on the location of mobile truck 24 on overhead rail 22. For this purpose, provision may be made for appropriate sensors along rail 22 for supplying central processing unit 50 with more accurate information concerning the location of truck 24, instead of depending solely on the position control supplied by motor 29.

Convenient switch points, possibly at different locations, may also be provided at the forks on overhead rail 22.

Along given sections of overhead rail 22, provision may also be made for temporary hold stores into which arm 32 may unload the coil it is carrying at the time and which is less urgent than another whose run-out signal, 51, was received later. As movement of arm 32 can only be controlled by unit 31, coil replacement is detected by means of signal 53 supplied to central processing unit 50.

Alternatively, provision may be made for transducers on arm 32 for controlling its position and supplying information signals transmitted by radio from truck 24 to central processing unit 50.

The advantages of the automated supply system covered by the present invention will be clear from the description given.

Firstly, besides eliminating the store on each operating machine, the one store, 14, provided may be located in such a position as not to interfere with the operation of lines 1 or with its own replenishment.

The overhead arrangement of rail 22 does not encumber the supply of packing material to the operating machines. A further advantage lies in providing a single mobile truck, 24, which may supply all the operating machines on different lines 1.

Central processing unit 50 also provides for considerable flexibility in the supply of packing material to meet specific requirements at all times.

To those skilled in the art it will be clear that changes can be made to the automated supply system described herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

Firstly, lines-1 may be composed differently, the number and types of machines being other than as described, and the machines themselves having different combinations of coils, pairs of coils and/or stacked pre-formed cardboard. The shape and arrangement of overhead rail 22 may differ and electricity be supplied, instead of by conducting tracks- 47, by means of electric wires outside rail 22 and connected to motor 29 and unit 31 by an aerial on truck 24.

Should electricity be supplied by conducting tracks 47, provision may be made, on mobile truck 24, for a set of batteries (not shown) for ensuring a continuous supply of electricity to motor 29, electronic unit 30 and control unit 31, even over the switch points at the forks on overhead rail 22.

Arm 32 may be designed differently as required. Instead of being radioelectric, signals 57 may be photoelectric and/or infrared ray types, etc.

Central processing unit 50 may be mounted on mobile truck 24 and connected directly to electronic unit 30 controlling motor 29 and arm 32.

Finally, the said lines 1 may be lines producing and/or packing products other than cigarettes.

In the variation shown in Fig. 4, rail 22 is replaced by a magnetic track, 60, sunk into the floor of the premises housing lines 1 and comprising branches (not shown) extending along lines 1 themselves.

Along track 60 is mounted a mobile truck, 61, with power wheels, 62, driven by a motor (not shown) controlled, like motor 29, by central processing unit 50.

Truck 61 comprises a top panel, 63, fitted with a turret, 64, turned round an essentially vertical axis by motor 65.

At the top, turret 64 comprises an essentially-horizontal-axis hub, 66, through which is mounted, in rotary manner, a pin, 67, controlled by a motor, 68, and one end of which is connected integral with counterweight 69.

At its other end, pin 67 is connected to an articulated operating arm, 70, consisting of three segments, 71, 72 and 73, turning, in relation to one another, round hinges 74 and 75, by means of respective motors 76 and 77 controlled by central processing unit 50. End segment 73 is connected at the end to a grip, 78, similar to grip 44.

As shown in Fig. 4, truck 61 is provided with a fast-coupling device, 79, for selective connection to a number of mobile stores, 80, lined up in a parking area, 81, and each comprising a loading board, 82, having wheels, 83, and being fitted on top with compartments for stacking, in given positions, a batch of coils of different types and, if necessary, a batch of pre-formed cardboard, for supplying the machines on line 1 under the control of central processing unit 50.

Once emptied, or rather, once the coils and/or pre-formed cardboard of any type run out, mobile store 80 is sent back to the parking area, 81, and changed for another fully-loaded store 80.

In the variation shown in Fig. 5, truck 61 is integral with the relative mobile store, 80, so as to form a mobile store unit, 84, controlled by central processing unit 50 and associated with a fixed main store, 85, similar to store 1 4. A point worth noting is that a number of trucks 61 may be operated simultaneously.

In the variation shown in Fig. 5, the func tion of arm 70 therefore consists primarily in picking up the coils and pre-formed cardboard from store 85, according to a given programme, loading them on to mobile store 80 and supplying them to the operating machines as required.

Claims

1. Automated system for supplying packing material on lines comprising a number of manufacturing and/or packing machines, characterised by the fact that it comprises storage means, for more than one type of the said packing material, at least one truck, at least one operating arm on the said truck, means on each said operating arm for gripping the said packing material, guide means for each said truck, the said guide means defining routes travelled along selectively by each said truck for supplying the said packing material to each said operating machine, and computer means for controlling the position and operation of each said moving truck and the relative said arm on the basis of signals supplied by the said operating machines.

2. A system according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said routes are defined by rails.

3. A system according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said routes are defined by magnetic floor-level tracks.

4. A system according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised by the fact that the said storage means comprise a fixed main store, the said routes extending between the latter and the said operating machines.

5. A system according to claim 4, characterised by the fact that it comprises a further store connected to the said truck and moving with the latter along the said routes.

6. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised by the fact that the said storage means comprise at least one store connected to the said truck and moving with the latter along the said routes.

7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised by the fact that the said storage means comprise a number of mobile stores connectable, in selective manner, to the said truck.

8. A system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.