GB2447763A - Group forming system - Google Patents

Group forming system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2447763A
GB2447763A GB0805012A GB0805012A GB2447763A GB 2447763 A GB2447763 A GB 2447763A GB 0805012 A GB0805012 A GB 0805012A GB 0805012 A GB0805012 A GB 0805012A GB 2447763 A GB2447763 A GB 2447763A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
group
conveyor
forming
packages
forming unit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0805012A
Other versions
GB0805012D0 (en
Inventor
Francesco Bertuzzi
Michele Squarzoni
Stefano Negrini
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
Application filed by GD SpA filed Critical GD SpA
Priority to GB0805012A priority Critical patent/GB2447763A/en
Publication of GB0805012D0 publication Critical patent/GB0805012D0/en
Publication of GB2447763A publication Critical patent/GB2447763A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/22—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors
    • B65G47/26—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
    • B65G47/30—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles during transit by a series of conveyors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B15/00—Attaching articles to cards, sheets, strings, webs, or other carriers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B17/00—Other machines, apparatus, or methods for packaging articles or materials
    • B65B17/02—Joining articles, e.g. cans, directly to each other for convenience of storage, transport, or handling
    • B65B17/025—Joining articles, e.g. cans, directly to each other for convenience of storage, transport, or handling the articles being joined by a top carrier element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
    • B65B19/02—Packaging cigarettes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G57/00—Stacking of articles
    • B65G57/32—Stacking of articles characterised by stacking during transit
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
    • B65B35/54—Feeding articles along multiple paths to a single packaging position
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
    • B65G47/82—Rotary or reciprocating members for direct action on articles or materials, e.g. pushers, rakes, shovels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
    • B65G47/84—Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
    • B65G47/84—Star-shaped wheels or devices having endless travelling belts or chains, the wheels or devices being equipped with article-engaging elements
    • B65G47/846—Star-shaped wheels or wheels equipped with article-engaging elements

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)

Abstract

A group-forming method and unit (12) for forming a group (13) of at least two superimposed packages (2), the group-forming unit (12) having a group-forming station (15) where the two packages (2) are superimposed to form the group (13); a first conveyor (16) for feeding a first package (2a) along a straight first path (17) terminating at the group-forming station (15); and a second conveyor (18) for feeding a second package (2b) along a straight second path (19) terminating at the group-forming station (15); the second conveyor (18) may be located over the first conveyor (16), so that the first path (17) is vertically coplanar with the second path (19), and the first path (17) converges with the second path (19). The first and second conveyors may also be horizontally coplanar, and may feed in opposite directions. The groups formed in the group forming unit may be fed to a transfer wheel (27).

Description

GROUP-FORMING METHOD AND UNIT FOR FORMING A GROUP OF AT
LEAST TWO PACKAGES
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a group-forming method and unit for forming a group of at least two packages.
The present invention may be used to advantage in a packing machine for producing book-cover packets of cigarettes, to which the following description refers purely by way of example.
BACKGROUND ART
A book-cover packet of cigarettes comprises at least two packages containing respective groups of cigarettes and hinged to each other to rotate between a closed configuration, in which the two packages are superimposed, and an open configuration, in which the two packages are separated for access to the respective groups of cigarettes. A book-cover packet of cigarettes is described, for example, in Patent Application US4294353A1.
To produce a book-cover packet of cigarettes, a group of at least two packages must be formed on a packing machine and then fed to a packing station where an outer blank is glued and folded about the two packages.
To form a group of two superimposed packages on a packing machine, a group-forming unit has been proposed comprising two feed belt conveyors, which feed the two packages along two parallel paths to a group-forming station where the two packages are moved towards the centre, crosswise to the feed conveyors, and offset vertically with respect to each other to superimpose the two packages and so form the group. The above known group-forming unit, however, has the major drawback of only being able to run at low operating speeds (no more than 120-150 groups/minute) which is totally unacceptable, given the packing potential of modern cigarette packing machines (at least 400-500 packets/minute)
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a group-forming method and unit for forming a group of at least two packages, and which eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks, while at the same time being cheap and easy to implement.
According to the present invention, there are provided a group-forming method and unit for forming a group of at least two packages, as claimed in the accompanying Claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of a book-cover packet of cigarettes in a closed configuration; Figure 2 shows a view in perspective of the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes in an open configuration; Figure 3 shows a view in perspective of the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes in an open configuration and with two flaps removed; Figure 4 shows a schematic plan view of a packing system for producing the Figure 1 packet of cigarettes; Figure 5 shows a schematic front view of a combine packing machine of the Figure 4 packing system; Jo Figure 6 shows a schematic front view of a group-forming unit of the Figure 5 packing machine, for forming a group of two superimposed packages, and in accordance with the present invention; Figure 7 shows a larger-scale, schematic front view of part of the Figure 6 group-forming unit for forming a group of two superimposed packages; Figure 8 shows a schematic view in perspective of a variation of the Figure 6 group-forming unit for forming a group of two superimposed packages; Figure 9 shows a schematic view in perspective of a packing line of the group-forming unit of the Figure 5 packing machine; Figure 10 shows a schematic view in perspective of a variation of the Figure 9 packing line; Figures 11 and 12 show schematic views in perspective of two different embodiments of a group-forming unit for forming a group of two superimposed packages; Figures 13 and 14 show schematic views in perspective of two different embodiments of a group-forming unit for forming a group of two side by side packages; Figure 15 shows a schematic view in perspective of a further embodiment of a group-forming unit for forming a group of two side by side packages; Figure 16 shows a larger-scale detail of the Figure group-forming unit for forming a group of two side by side packages; Figure 17 shows a schematic view in perspective of a variation of the Figure 15 group-forming unit for forming a group of two side by side packages.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Number 1 in Figures 1-3 indicates as a whole a book-cover packet of cigarettes comprising two packages 2a and 2b containing respective parallelepiped-shaped groups 3 of cigarettes normally wrapped in sheets of foil wrapping material (not shown) . The two packages 2a, 2b are hinged to each other to rotate between a closed configuration (Figure 1), in which the two packages 2 are superimposed, and an open configuration (Figures 2 and 3) , in which the two packages 2 are separated for access to respective groups 3 of cigarettes.
Packet 1 of cigarettes also comprises a connecting member 4 glued to both packages 2 and supporting a hinge between the two packages 2.
Each package 2 has an open top end 6 for extraction of the cigarettes; and a flap 7 for closing open top end 6.
Number 8 in Figure 4 indicates as a whole a packing system for producing the Figure 1-3 packet 1 of cigarettes. System 8 comprises a packing machine 9a for producing packages 2a; a packing machine 9b for producing packages 2b; a combine packing machine 10, which receives packages 2 from packing machines 9 and forms packets 1 of cigarettes; and a conveyor 11 for feeding packages 2 from packing machines 9 to packing machine 10. It is important to note that two different packing machines 9 are used, because packages 2a and 2b differ from one another and therefore cannot both be produced on the same packing machine 9.
As shown in Figure 5, packing machine 10 comprises a group-forming unit 12 for forming a group 13 (Figure 6) of two superimposed packages 2 (one package 2a and one package 2b); and a packing unit 14 for folding and gluing a connecting member 4 about each group 13 to form a packet 1 of cigarettes.
As shown in Figures 6 and 7, group-forming unit 12 comprises a group-forming station 15 where the two packages 2a and 2b are superimposed to form group 13; a conveyor 16 for feeding packages 2a along a straight path 17 terminating at group-forming station 15; and a conveyor 18 for feeding packages 2b along a straight path 19 terminating at group-forming station 15.
Conveyor 18 is located over conveyor 16, so that paths 17 and 19 are vertically coplanar, and path 17 converges with path 19 (i.e. conveyor 16 converges with conveyor 18) so that a package 2b coming off conveyor 18 is deposited on top of a respective package 2a coming off conveyor 16. Paths 17 and 19 (i.e. conveyors 16 and 18) preferably form an angle ranging between 15 and 300.
In a preferred embodiment, conveyors 16 and 18 have respective pockets 20 and 21 for feeding packages 2 with a given predetermined timing along conveyors 16 and 18.
Pockets 20 and 21 ensure each package 2a is positioned correctly with respect to the corresponding package 2b, and therefore that each package 2a and the corresponding package 2b are perfectly superimposed. Each conveyor 16, 18 preferably comprises an endless conveyor belt 22, 23 having a number of transverse projections 24, 25 defining pockets 20, 21. And both conveyors 16 and 18 are preferably operated at constant speed, i.e. continuously, as opposed to intermittently or in steps.
Group-forming station 15 comprises a supporting surface 26, onto which group 13 is eased, and along which group 13 is slid by the following groups 13 pushed along by conveyors 16 and 18.
Group-forming unit 12 also comprises a transfer wheel 27 located downstream from group-forming station 15, and which rotates in steps about a central axis of rotation 28, and comprises a number of peripheral pockets 29, each for housing a respective group 13. More specifically, each pocket 29 of transfer wheel 27 receives a group 13 at group-forming station 15, and releases group 13 at an output station 30 diametrically opposite group-forming station 15.
In a preferred embodiment, transfer wheel 27 comprises a counter-pusher 31, which is movable radially to accompany insertion of group 13 inside pocket 29 at group-forming station 15; and a pusher 32, which is movable radially to accompany release of group 13 from pocket 29 at output station 30. Counter-pusher 31 and pusher 32 have opposite movements, and are both operated by the same actuating device 33 located centrally and connected mechanically to counter-pusher 31 and pusher 32 by a gear-rack coupling.
Transfer wheel 27 has an outer surface 34 (more specifically, a cylindrical lateral surface) through which pockets 29 are formed. In a preferred embodiment, between each two adjacent pockets 29, outer surface 34 of transfer wheel 27 increases in curvature in the rotation direction 35 of transfer wheel 27. In other words, each pocket 29 is bounded by two walls 36, 37 perpendicular to the rotation direction 35 of transfer wheel 27; and wall 36, located upstream in the rotation direction 35 of transfer wheel 27, is radially longer than wall 37 located downstream in the rotation direction 35 of transfer wheel 27. Between each two adjacent pockets 29, outer surface 34 of transfer wheel 27 increases evenly in curvature from wall 37 of one pocket 29 to wall 36 of the adjacent downstream pocket 29.
By virtue of the above design of outer surface 34 of transfer wheel 27, a group 13 can continue moving towards the centre of transfer wheel 27 even as transfer wheel 27 rotates about axis of rotation 28. That is, as transfer wheel 27 rotates one step, i.e. the distance between one pocket 29 arid the next, the group 13 to be inserted inside the next pocket 29 can move towards the centre of transfer wheel 27 by a distance equal to the difference in the radial lengths of a downstream wall 37 and an upstream wall 36 in the rotation direction 35 of transfer wheel 27. So, when transfer wheel 27 stops with pocket 29 facing group 13, group 13 need only advance a further distance, smaller than the maximum radial length of pocket 29, for insertion inside pocket 29.
This feature provides for reducing the maximum acceleration speed, and therefore mechanical stress, of each group 13 as it is inserted inside a respective pocket 29. Or, conversely, maintaining the same maximum acceleration speed of each group 13 as it is inserted inside a respective pocket 29, it is possible to increase the hourly output (i.e. the number of groups 13 transferred per unit of time) of transfer wheel 27.
By way of example, for each pocket 29 of transfer wheel 27, the downstream wall 37 in the rotation direction 35 of transfer wheel 27 may have a radial length of 40 mm, and the upstream wall 36 in the rotation direction 35 of transfer wheel 27 may have a radial length of 55 mm, so each group 13 advances 15 mm as transfer wheel 27 rotates one step, i.e. the distance between one pocket 29 and the next, and 40 mm for insertion inside pocket 29.
In a preferred embodiment, each pocket 29 comprises an end wall 38 parallel to the direction of rotation 35 of transfer wheel 27, and which is stepped, so that the upstream package 2a of group 13 in the rotation direction 35 of transfer wheel 27 is offset slightly inwards of transfer wheel 27 with respect to the downstream package 2b of group 13 in the rotation direction 35 of transfer wheel 27. Preferably, counter- pusher 32 is also stepped to match the shape of end walls 38 of pockets 29.
The above stepped design of end walls 38 of pockets 29 prevents interference between a group 13 housed inside a pocket 29, and the next group 13 positioned facing pocket 29. That is, the offset arrangement of packages 2 prevents the package 2a of the group 13 housed inside pocket 29 from interfering with the package 2b of the next group 13 positioned facing pocket 29. Interference of this sort can he extremely harmful, in that, in the event of interference between the group 13 housed inside pocket 29, and the next group 13 positioned facing pocket 29, the relative movement between the two groups 13 as transfer wheel 27 rotates could result in damage to or destruction of both groups -10 -13.
Alternatively or in addition to the above stepped design of end walls 38 of pockets 29, a backup device 39 (shown schematically in Figure 7) may be provided between group-forming station 15 and transfer wheel 27 to back up from transfer wheel 27 the next group 13 upstream from transfer wheel 27, and so separate the next group 13, upstream from transfer wheel 27, slightly from the group 13 inside transfer wheel 27. That is, just before transfer wheel 27 rotates, the next group 13 upstream from transfer wheel 27 is separated by backup device 39 from the group 13 inside transfer wheel 27 to prevent any interference between the two groups 13.
Interference between successive groups 13 as described above is much more frequent when packages 2 have no lids (as in Figures 1-3) and the top portions of packages 2 have irregular outer surfaces.
In the Figure 5-7 embodiment, paths 17 and 19 of conveyors 16 and 18 are perpendicular to axis of rotation 28 of transfer wheel 27. In the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 8, paths 17 and 19 of conveyors 16 and 18 are substantially parallel to axis of rotation 28 of transfer wheel 27.
As shown in Figure 9, packing unit 14 comprises a horizontal packing wheel 40 rotating in steps about a vertical axis, and having a number of peripheral pockets, each of which is fed downwards with a group 13 from a pocket 29 of transfer wheel 27, and is then -11 -possibly fed with a coupon 41 (not included in the Figure 1-3 packet 1 of cigarettes, but possibly in other embodiments) by a feed unit 42.
Packing unit 14 also comprises a horizontal packing wheel 43, which rotates in steps about a vertical axis 44, is located below packing wheel 40, and has a number of peripheral pockets, each of which is fed downwards with a group 13 from a pocket of packing wheel 40, and is then possibly fed upwards with a collar 45 (not included in the Figure 1-3 packet 1 of cigarettes, hut possibly in other embodiments) by a feed unit 46. It is important to note that packing wheel 40 overlaps packing wheel 43, 50 that a pocket of packing wheel 40 is perfectly superimposed over and aligned with a pocket of packing wheel 43 to transfer a group 13 vertically from the pocket of packing wheel 40 to the pocket of packing wheel 43.
Packing wheel 43 may be fitted with fixed (helical) folding devices (not shown) located downstream from feed unit 46 in the rotation direction of packing wheel 43 to fold collar 45 about group 13.
Finally, packing unit 14 comprises a vertical packing wheel 47 rotating in steps about a horizontal axis 48, and having a number of peripheral pockets, each of which receives a flat connecting member 4 from a feed unit (not shown), and then receives a group 13 from a pocket of packing wheel 43; and packing wheel 47 folds each connecting member 4 about a group 13 to form a -12 -packet 1 of cigarettes.
Downstream from packing wheel 47, a vertical transfer conveyor 49 receives packets 1 of cigarettes successively from packing wheel 47, and transfers packets 1 of cigarettes to a horizontal drying conveyor 50.
In the Figure 5-7 embodiment, belt 22, 23 of conveyor 16, 18 terminates directly on supporting surface 26 of group-forming station 15. In the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 8, conveyor 16, 18 comprises an end portion defined by a supporting surface 52, 51, along which respective package 2 slides; belt 22, 23 of conveyor 16, 18 terminates a given distance from supporting surface 26 of group-forming station 15; and supporting surface 52, 51 is interposed between the end of belt 22, 23 of conveyor 16, 18 and supporting surface 26 of group-forming station 15.
Figure 10 shows a variation of the Figure 5-9 group-forming unit 12, in which group-forming unit 12 has no transfer wheel 27, and groups 13 are transferred directly from group-forming station 15 to the pockets of packing wheel 40 by a horizontal counter-pusher 53 and a vertical pusher 54.
Number 12 in Figure 11 indicates as a whole a group-forming unit for forming a group 13 of at least two superimposed packages 2. The Figure 11 group-forming unit 12 comprises a group-forming station 15 where the two packages 2 are superimposed to form group 13; a -13 -conveyor 55 which feeds the two packages 2 successively along a straight path terminating at group-forming station 15; and a diverting device 56 which receives the packages from conveyor 55, and comprises a diverting member 57 which moves up and down to deposit a package 2a onto a supporting surface 26 of group-forming station 15, and then deposit a package 2h on top of package 2a.
Conveyor 55 comprises at least one endless conveyor belt 58 looped about a pulley 59; and the pulley 59 end of diverting member 57 is hinged to rotate about an axis of rotation 60 coaxial with pulley 59.
The Figure 11 group-forming unit 12 is normally used to form a group 13 of identical packages 2 supplied successively by one conveyor 55.
Number 12 in Figure 12 indicates as a whole a group-forming unit for forming a group 13 of. three superimposed packages 2. The Figure 12 group-forming unit 12 comprises a group-forming station 15 where the three packages 2 are superimposed to form group 13; a conveyor 55 which feeds packages 2 successively along a straight path terminating at groupforming station 15; a lifting device 61 located at group-forming station 15 to lift packages 2 perpendicularly with respect to conveyor 55; and a clamping device 62 located over lifting device 61 at group-forming station 15 to clamp and prevent the package 2 raised by lifting device 61 from falling by gravity when no longer supported by lifting device 61.
The Figure 12 group-forming unit 12 is normally -14 -used to form a group 13 of identical packages 2 supplied successively by one conveyor 55.
Number 12 in Figure 13 indicates as a whole a group-forming unit for forming a group 13 of two side by side packages 2. The Figure 13 group-forming unit 12 comprises a group-forming station 15 where the two packages 2 are arranged side by side to form group 13; a conveyor 16 which feeds a package 2a along a straight path 17 terminating at group-forming station 15; and a conveyor 18 which feeds a package 2b along a straight path 19 terminating at group-forming station 15.
Conveyor 18 is located alongside conveyor 16, so that paths 17 and 19 are horizontally coplanar, and path 17 converges with path 19 so that the package 2b coming off conveyor 18 is deposited alongside the package 2a coming off conveyor 16.
A horizontal pusher 63, cooperating with a counter-pusher 64 and a vertical pusher 65, transfers groups 13 from group-forming station 15 to a seat of packing wheel 40.
Number 12 in Figure 14 indicates as a whole a group-forming unit for forming a group 13 of two side by side packages 2. The Figure 14 group-forming unit 12 comprises a group-forming station 15 where the two packages 2 are arranged side by side to form group 13; a conveyor 16 which feeds a package 2a along a straight path 17 terminating at group-forming station 15; and a conveyor 18 which feeds a package 2b along a straight -15 -path 19 terminating at group-forming station 15.
Conveyor 18 is parallel to conveyor 16, and terminates at and on the opposite side of group-forming station 15 with respect to conveyor 16; and conveyor 16 feeds package 2a in the opposite direction to that in which conveyor 18 feeds package 2b.
A horizontal pusher 66, cooperating with a vertical pusher 67, transfers groups 13 from group-forming station 15 to a seat of packing wheel 40.
Number 12 in Figure 15 indicates as a whole a group-forming unit for forming a group 13 of two side by side packages 2. The Figure 15 group-forming unit 12 comprises a group-forming station 15 where the two packages 2 are arranged side by side to form group 13; a conveyor 55 which feeds the two packages 2, spaced apart, along a straight path terminating at group-forming station 15; and a push device 68 located at groupforming station 15 to push package 2b, crosswise to the path, into a position side by side with package 2a, and so form group 13. Conveyor 55 comprises a number of transverse pockets 69, each housing both packages 2; and two timing devices 70 are provided upstream from conveyor 55, each for feeding a respective package 2 into a pocket 69 of conveyor 55.
Each timing device 70 comprises two rollers 71 located on opposite sides of the path of packages 2, and each having a high-friction outer surface.
In the Figure 15 embodiment, push device 68 -16 -comprises a fixed contoured rail 72. In the Figure 17 embodiment, push device 68 comprises a reciprocating pusher 73.
Upstream from each timing device 70, a compacting conveyor 74 travels at a slower speed than an upstream feed conveyor to brake and compact packages 2 into a seamless line of packages 2.
It is important to note that group-forming unit 12 described herein may be modified to form a group 13 of more than two (typically, three) packages 2, and may be connected to a different packing unit 14 to form a packet of cigarettes other than the packet 1 of cigarettes shown in Figures 1-3.
Group-forming unit 12 described herein has various advantages. In particular, it is quick and easy to produce, and, above all, can operate at high speed (at least 400-500 groups/minute) to cater to the packing potential of modern cigarette packing machines.
Given its numerous advantages, group-forming unit 12 described herein may also be used to advantage to form groups of other than packages of cigarettes (e.g. packages of confectionary or other foodstuffs)

Claims (1)

  1. -17 -
    1) A method of forming a group of at least two superimposed packages, the method comprising the steps of: feeding a first package, by means of a first conveyor, along a straight first path terminating at a group-forming station; feeding a second package, by means of a second conveyor, along a straight second path terminating at the group-forming station; and superimposing the two packages at the group-forming station to form the group; the method being characterized in that the second conveyor slopes with respect to the first conveyor, so that the first path is coplanar with the second path, and the first path converges with the second path.
    2) A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the second conveyor is located over the first conveyor; and the first path is verticalJ.y coplanar with the second path.
    3) A method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the two conveyors have respective pockets for feeding the packages with a predetermined given timing along the conveyors.
    4) A group-forming unit for forming a group of at least two superimposed packages, the group-forming unit comprising: -18 -a group-forming station where the two packages are superimposed to form the group; a first conveyor for feeding a first package along a straight first path terminating at the group-forming station; and a second conveyor for feeding a second package along a straight second path terminating at the group-forming station; the group-forming unit being characterized in that: the second conveyor slopes with respect to the first conveyor; the first path is coplanar with the second path; and the first path converges with the second path so that the second package coming off the second conveyor is superimposed on the first package coming off the first conveyor.
    5) A group-forming unit as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the second conveyor is located above the first conveyor; and the first path is vertically coplanar with the second path.
    6) A group-forming unit as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein the two conveyors have respective pockets for feeding the packages with a predetermined given timing along the conveyors.
    7) A group-forming unit as claimed in Claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein each conveyor comprises an endless conveyor belt having a number of transverse projections defining -19 -the pockets.
    8) A group-forming unit as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 7, wherein the group-forming station comprises a supporting surface, onto which the group is eased, and along which the group is slid by the following groups.
    9) A group-forming unit as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 8, wherein the two paths form an angle ranging between 15 and 3Q0 10) A group-forming unit as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 9, wherein each conveyor comprises an end portion defined by a supporting surface, along which the respective package slides.
    11) A group-forming unit as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 10, and comprising a transfer wheel, which is located downstream from the group-forming station, rotates in steps about a central axis of rotation, and comprises a number of pockets, each for housing a respective group.
    12) A group-forming unit as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the transfer wheel has an outer surface through which the pockets are formed; between each two adjacent pockets, the outer surface of the transfer wheel increases in curvature in a rotation direction of the transfer wheel.
    13) A group-forming unit as claimed in Claim 12, wherein each pocket is bounded by two walls perpendicular to the rotation direction of the transfer -20 -wheel; and a first wall, located downstream in the rotation direction of the transfer wheel, is radially shorter than a second wall located upstream in the rotation direction of the transfer wheel.
    14) A group-forming unit as claimed in Claim 13, wherein, between each two adjacent pockets, the outer surface of the transfer wheel increases evenly in curvature from the first wall of one pocket to the second wall of the adjacent downstream pocket.
    15) A group-forming unit as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 14, wherein the transfer wheel comprises a counter-pusher movable radially to accompany insertion of a group inside a pocket.
    16) A group-forming unit as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 15, wherein each pocket comprises an end wall parallel to the rotation direction of the transfer wheel, and which is stepped so that the upstream package of the group in the rotation direction of the transfer wheel is offset slightly inwards of the transfer wheel with respect to the downstream package of the group in the rotation direction of the transfer wheel.
    17) A group-forming unit as claimed in any one of Claims 11 to 16, arid comprising a backup device located between the group-forming station and the transfer wheel to withdraw from the transfer wheel the next group upstream from the transfer wheel, so as to separate the next group, upstream from the transfer wheel, slightly from the group inside the transfer wheel.
    -21 - 18) A group-forming unit for forming a group of at least two superimposed packages; the group-forming unit comprising: a group-forming station where the two packages are superimposed to form the group; and a conveyor which feeds the two packages successively along a straight path terminating at the group-forming station; the group-forming unit being characterized by comprising a diverting device which receives the packages from the conveyor, and comprises a diverting member which moves up and down to deposit a first package onto a supporting surface of the group-forming station, and then deposit a second package on top of the first package.
    19) A group-forming unit as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the conveyor comprises at least one endless conveyor belt looped about a pulley; and the end of the diverting member located at the pulley is hinged to rotate about an axis of rotation coaxial with pulley.
    20) A group-forming unit for forming a group of at least two superimposed packages; the group-forming unit comprising: a group-forming station where the two packages are superimposed to form the group; and a conveyor which feeds the two packages successively along a straight path terminating at the group-forming station; -22 -the group-forming unit being characterized by comprising: a lifting device located at the group-forming station to lift the packages perpendicularly with respect to the conveyor; and a clamping device located over the lifting device at the group-forming station to clamp a package raised by the lifting device and prevent the package from falling by gravity when no longer supported by the lifting device.
    21) A group-forming unit for forming a group of at least two side by side packages; the group-forming unit comprising: a group-forming station where the two packages are arranged side by side to form the group; a first conveyor for feeding a first package along a straight first path terminating at the group-forming station; and a second conveyor for feeding a second package along a straight second path terminating at the group-forming station; the group-forming unit being characterized in that: the second conveyor is located alongside the first conveyor; the first path is horizontally coplanar with the second path; and the first path converges with the second path so that the second package coming off the second conveyor -23 -is deposited alongside the first package coming off the first conveyor.
    22) A group-forming unit for forming a group of at least two side by side packages; the group-forming unit comprising: a group-forming station where the two packages are arranged side by side to form the group; a first conveyor for feeding a first package along a straight first path terminating at the group-forming station; and a second conveyor for feeding a second package along a straight second path terminating at the group-forming station; the group-forming unit being characterized in that: the second conveyor is parallel to the first conveyor, and terminates at the group-forming station on the opposite side of the group-forming station with respect to the first conveyor; and the first conveyor feeds the first package in the opposite direction to that in which the second conveyor feeds the second package.
    23) A group-forming unit for forming a group of at least two side by side packages; the group-forming unit comprising: a group-forming station where the two packages are arranged side by side to form the group; a conveyor for feeding the two packages, spaced apart, along a straight path terminating at the group- -24 -forming station; and a push device located at the group-forming station to push the second package, crosswise to the path, into a position side by side with the first package, and so form the group; the group-forming unit being characterized in that: the conveyor comprises a number of transverse pockets, each housing the two packages; two timing devices are provided upstream from the conveyor, each for feeding a respective package into a pocket of the conveyor.
    24) A group-forming unit as claimed in Claim 23, wherein each timing device comprises two rollers located on opposite sides of the path of the packages, and each having a high-friction outer surface.
    25) A group-forming unit as claimed in Claim 23 or 24, wherein the push device comprises a fixed contoured rail.
    26) A group-forming unit as claimed in Claim 23 or 24, wherein the push device comprises a reciprocating pusher.
GB0805012A 2008-03-18 2008-03-18 Group forming system Withdrawn GB2447763A (en)

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GB2447763A true GB2447763A (en) 2008-09-24

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2962425A1 (en) * 2010-07-09 2012-01-13 Conserverie Chancerelle Method for forming stack of predetermined number of parallelepiped flat and elongated objects e.g. sardine cases, involves tilting objects one by one in housing, and sequentially introducing objects into housing by gravity to form stack
CN105600033A (en) * 2015-12-25 2016-05-25 楚天科技股份有限公司 Double-layer support entering control method and conveying device
IT202100010193A1 (en) * 2021-04-22 2022-10-22 Gd Spa GROUPING UNIT AND METHOD TO FORM A GROUP COMPOSED OF TWO WRAPS EACH CONTAINING A GROUP OF SMOKING ITEMS

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US4645061A (en) * 1985-02-26 1987-02-24 Welch Hubert E Machine for stacking nestable extruded cans
US5092448A (en) * 1988-07-29 1992-03-03 Pemco Company, Inc. Equipment for stacking layers of cylindrical commodities such as rolls of paper in readiness for transfer to a wrapping machine
EP0865988A1 (en) * 1997-03-12 1998-09-23 Dimac S.P.A. A device for stacking sorted products to be packaged
EP1270423A1 (en) * 2001-06-19 2003-01-02 CASMATIC S.p.A. Equipment for superimposing two layers of products to be packaged
WO2007014917A1 (en) * 2005-07-29 2007-02-08 Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.P.A. Method and machine for forming groups of products and an overwrapping about each group

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US4645061A (en) * 1985-02-26 1987-02-24 Welch Hubert E Machine for stacking nestable extruded cans
US5092448A (en) * 1988-07-29 1992-03-03 Pemco Company, Inc. Equipment for stacking layers of cylindrical commodities such as rolls of paper in readiness for transfer to a wrapping machine
EP0865988A1 (en) * 1997-03-12 1998-09-23 Dimac S.P.A. A device for stacking sorted products to be packaged
EP1270423A1 (en) * 2001-06-19 2003-01-02 CASMATIC S.p.A. Equipment for superimposing two layers of products to be packaged
WO2007014917A1 (en) * 2005-07-29 2007-02-08 Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.P.A. Method and machine for forming groups of products and an overwrapping about each group

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2962425A1 (en) * 2010-07-09 2012-01-13 Conserverie Chancerelle Method for forming stack of predetermined number of parallelepiped flat and elongated objects e.g. sardine cases, involves tilting objects one by one in housing, and sequentially introducing objects into housing by gravity to form stack
CN105600033A (en) * 2015-12-25 2016-05-25 楚天科技股份有限公司 Double-layer support entering control method and conveying device
CN105600033B (en) * 2015-12-25 2017-11-03 楚天科技股份有限公司 A kind of bilayer is started going to a nursery control method and conveying device
IT202100010193A1 (en) * 2021-04-22 2022-10-22 Gd Spa GROUPING UNIT AND METHOD TO FORM A GROUP COMPOSED OF TWO WRAPS EACH CONTAINING A GROUP OF SMOKING ITEMS
EP4079648A1 (en) * 2021-04-22 2022-10-26 G.D Societa' Per Azioni A grouping unit and method to form a group consisting of two wraps, each containing a group of smoking articles

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