JP2007014337A - Method and apparatus for batch handling and transfer of tobacco product - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a production system using a cigarette producing machine (4) connected to a packer (5). <P>SOLUTION: The cigarettes (2) temporarily surplus to requirements are stored in containers (3) in the production system using the cigarette producing machine (4) connected to the packer (5). Each container is provided with an opening (11) through which the container is filled and emptied. An empty container (3) is picked up from a first magazine (27) storing the empty containers, filled with the cigarettes (2) in a loading hopper (14) and placed on a second magazine (31), located along the first magazine (27) and holding the full container (3). The transfer from the hopper (14) to the second magazine (31) is carried out along a circular path with the vertical axis (37) between both the magazines as the center using a rotation mechanism (35) equipped with plates (40 and 43). Each container (3) is picked up onto the plates, filled and carried through the circular path. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling and transporting batch tobacco products.

  The present invention finds a preferable use for a complete line for producing tobacco products, particularly cigarettes, and is used for the purpose of supplying these products from a production machine to a packaging machine or a packer.

  Usually, cigarettes are supplied to the packaging machine in two different ways. In the first method, the cigarette making machine is connected directly to the hopper of the packaging machine by a conveyor, and the cigarettes are bundled together. When using the second method, cigarettes coming out of the production machine are arranged in a container known as a tray, prepared and stored, and then emptied into the hopper of the packaging machine as needed.

  These trays are filled, transported and stowed at a relatively high speed to maintain the production speed of the cigarette making machine so that the cigarette alignment is not disturbed and is not damaged during the process. So that special attention is given.

  The object of the present invention is a method and apparatus for batch handling and transfer of tobacco products according to the second method described above, wherein the tray and the product contained therein are processed with great care at high speed. Is to provide what will be done.

  In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for handling and transporting batches of tobacco products that can accommodate high speed operations and that can be managed to load a significant amount of cigarettes into a container. is there.

  Another object of the present invention is to temporarily store surplus tobacco products when the required amount in the packaging machine falls below the shipment amount from the cigarette manufacturing machine, and then the required amount in the packaging machine It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus capable of supplying a packaging machine when it exceeds the shipment amount of the machine.

  The objectives stated herein are a method for batch handling and transfer of tobacco products whose features are described in one or more of the appended claims 1-14, and features of claims 15-39 wherein the features are attached. It is understood by the apparatus for batch handling and transport of tobacco products described in one or more.

  The invention will now be described in detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the present invention relates to an apparatus, generally designated 1, in which a tobacco product, in particular a cigarette, in batch mode using a container 3 known as a tray or feed box. It is handled and transferred from the cigarette maker 4 to the cigarette wrapping machine. Both machines 4 and 5 are of known type and are therefore only schematically shown.

  The apparatus 1 comprises a main conveyor 6 which directs the cigarette 2 from the cigarette making machine 4 towards the packaging machine 5, which conveys the movement of the container 3 capable of holding a plurality of cigarettes 2 arranged in alignment. Operates in conjunction with the controlling unit 7.

  Each container 3 has a rectangular bottom 8, its short side substantially corresponds to the length of one cigarette 2 and its long side holds dozens of cigarettes 2 arranged in parallel. The main wall 9 having a shape is orthogonal to the bottom 8 and joined to the corresponding long side of the bottom 8 along one long side. One end of the cigarette 2 is brought into contact with a main wall 9 having a short side for holding several tens of cigarettes 2 arranged in parallel. Thus, the container 3 accommodates thousands of cigarettes arranged in a five-eye shape. The container 3 also comprises two parallel side walls 10 facing each other perpendicular to the bottom 8 and the main wall 9, which are combined with an opening 11 opposite the bottom 8 for filling or emptying the container 3. The auxiliary opening 12 on the opposite side of the main wall 9 is defined.

  The main conveyor 6 has a filling opening 13 communicating with a main loading hopper 14 provided below the opening 13 from which empty containers are filled.

  In the preferred embodiment shown, the main conveyor 6 extends around the pulley 16 between the cigarette maker 4 and the hopper 14, and the cigarette 2 coming out of the maker 4 is conveyed in parallel. A first conveyor belt 15 having 17 branches is provided. A second conveyor belt 18 that circulates around the pulley 19 and is aligned in the same plane as the first belt 15 extends between the hopper 14 and the cigarette wrapping machine 5 and carries the cigarette 2 to the wrapping machine 5. It has an upper branch 20 to enter. The first and second belts 15 and 18 are positioned so as to face each other and have ends 21 and 22 which are combined to define the opening 13 described above.

  The hopper 14 includes a rear wall 23a and two side walls 23b that extend downward from the ends 21 and 22 of the belts 15 and 18 by a distance smaller than the width of the container 3 and then descend in parallel. Each side wall 23b also has a width substantially equal to the length of the cigarette 2 so that the hopper 14 has a bottom discharge opening 24 substantially equal to the bottom 8 of one container 3 in terms of outline and dimensions. The opening 24 is closed by a movable shutter 24a.

  The container control unit 7 comprises a device 25 whereby the empty container 3 is fed to the loading hopper 14 and filled, and the filled container 3 leaves the hopper. This unit also comprises a device 26 whereby the cigarette 2 is lowered onto the main conveyor 6 from a full container 3 at a point downstream of the filling opening 13.

  Specifically, the supply, filling, and opening device 25 carries the empty container 3 stored in the first magazine 27 to the loading hopper 14 and fills it there. The first magazine 27 circulates around each pulley 28 and extends sideways with respect to the main conveyor 6. The first belt conveyor 27 ends at one end adjacent to the loading hopper 14 along with the opening 24 at the bottom, and has a width narrower than the width of one container 3. The empty container 3 rests with the bottom 8 on the upper branch 30 of the belt conveyor 27, protrudes on both sides beyond the longitudinal edge of the belt, and is positioned with the auxiliary opening 12 facing the hopper 14. The first conveyor 27 is movable in two opposite directions, and conveys the containers 3 in the perspective direction with respect to the hopper 14.

  The device 25 in question also comprises a second magazine 31 in which the container 3 is placed and stored therein after being filled in the loading hopper 14. The second magazine 31 circulates around each pulley 32 (one of which is shown in FIG. 3) and extends along and parallel to the first belt conveyor 27, with one end 33 corresponding to the first belt conveyor 27. A second belt conveyor located near the end 29 of the belt. This second conveyor 31 can move equally in both directions and comprises an upper branch 34 carrying the containers 3, each container opposite the end 33 of the belt where the auxiliary opening 12 is located close to the main conveyor 6. Is placed on the bottom 8 (FIGS. 1 and 3).

  Finally, the feeding, filling and breaking device 25 comprises a rotating carrier assembly 35 provided at the ends 29 and 33 of the first and second belt conveyors 27 and 31, thereby filling in the loading hopper 14. Individual containers 3 are conveyed to the second belt conveyor 31.

  With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 8, the rotating carrier assembly 35 is located below the aforementioned ends 29 and 33 of the first and second belt conveyors 27 and 31, and is mounted on a platform 36a to attach the two conveyors. A frame 36 is provided that is rotatable about a vertical axis 37 substantially located between them. The frame 36 has an elongated appearance and is slidably engaged by a cantilevered first horizontal carrier plate 40 supporting each container 3 at an end 38 far from a fulcrum formed by a vertical shaft 37. A first vertical track 39 is provided.

  Similarly, the frame 36 has a second vertical track 42 at its second end 41 that is rotatable about a vertical axis 37 relative to the frame. A second cantilevered horizontal carrier plate 43 is slidably associated with the second track 42. Both plates 40 and 43 rotate independently about a shaft 37 and are configured to move vertically on tracks 39 and 42 via a suitable motor (not shown).

  In particular, each carrier plate 40 and 43 is associated with a first position below the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27 (the plate 40 is on the right side of FIG. 9) and a second opening 24 at the bottom of the hopper 14. The position (the plate 40 is on the right side of FIG. 10), the third position under the hopper 14 away from the hopper (the plate 40 is on the right side of FIG. 12), and the end 33 of the second conveyor belt 31 A fourth position away from this (plate 40 is on the left side of FIG. 14), a fifth position along the end 33 side of the second conveyor 31 (plate 43 is on the left side of FIG. 13), It is possible to move between a sixth position below the end 33 of the second conveyor 31 (the plate 43 is on the left side of FIG. 13).

  Further, each horizontal carrier plate 40 and 43 holds one of the containers 3 occupying the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27 when the plate 40 or 43 is in the first position, and the fifth and sixth A gripping means 44 is provided which can place the container 3 on the end 33 of the second belt conveyor 31 when in position.

  Looking more closely at the structural details of the illustrated example (FIG. 8), each plate 40 and 43 is partially cantilevered from plates 40 and 43 and is perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the plate. It is firmly coupled to a linear guide member 45 extending in the horizontal direction. The linear guide member 45 slides in a shoe 46 mounted on a movable carriage 47 along vertical tracks 39 and 42 which are two rails in this example. The gripping means 44 comprises a gripper consisting of two jaws 48 located at both ends of the carrier plates 40 and 43, each of which is a hinge pin arranged parallel to the linear guide member 45 between the open and closed positions. Positioned on both ends of carrier plates 40 and 43 which are rotatable on 48a. Each plate 40 and 43 also includes a pair of spacers 49 mounted adjacent to the associated jaws 48, which are set apart by a distance greater than the width of the belt conveyors 27 and 31, and the container 3 will be described in the future. According to the working method to be carried out, it is supported and held away from the upper surface 50 provided by the associated plates 40 and 43.

  FIGS. 15-22 show another embodiment of a rotating carrier assembly 35, also located below the ends 29 and 33 of the first and second belt conveyors 27 and 31.

  In this example, the rotating carrier assembly 35 is mounted on the platform 102 and is rotatable about a vertical axis 103 located substantially between the first and second belt conveyors 27 and 31. It has.

  The carrier assembly 35 is also provided with a vertical shaft 105a parallel to the vertical pivot shaft 103 of the first cross member 101 which is located under the hopper 14 and can be rotated.

  Thus, the second cross member 104 can move between the raised position and the lowered position, and the empty container 3 can be filled from the hopper 14 during the downward movement.

  Accordingly, the second cross member 104 takes the empty container 3 from the first belt conveyor 27 and places it under the hopper 14 in the raised position so that the cigarette 2 is filled therein.

  When the second cross member 104 is in the lowered position, the filled container 3 is released to the rotatable first cross member 101 and is carried to a position aligned with the second belt conveyor 31 by the member.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the assembly 35 further includes a pivot plate 106 mounted on the platform 102 and centered on a vertical fulcrum shaft 107 passing through the hopper 14.

  The pivot plate 106 includes a first end 106a that is pivotally supported by a connecting rod 108 that is driven by an electric motor 109 and a crank 110 associated therewith. In this manner, the plate 106 is rotated around its fulcrum by the motor 109.

  The same first end 106 a is connected to another rod 111 that serves to connect the plate 106 to the vertical first track 105. The first track 105 is slidably mounted on a road 112 fixed to the platform 102 and is movable in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the first belt conveyor 27.

  With this configuration, the alternating movement of the pivot plate 106 moves the first track 105 along the aforementioned road 112.

  Therefore, the second cross member 104 can also move along a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the first belt conveyor 27, so that it is picked up by the second cross member 104 at the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27. The empty container 3 is moved laterally toward the hopper 14 to be surely positioned below it and ready for filling.

  The rotary carrier assembly 35 further includes a third cross member 113 slidable on the second vertical track 114 along an axis 115 parallel to the rotation axis 103 of the first cross member 101. This third cross member 113 is mounted on the platform 102 so that the full container 3 is picked up from the rotatable first cross member 101 and released onto the end 33 of the second belt conveyor 31, and the second belt conveyor It is possible to move between the lowered position and the raised position under 31.

  The second vertical track 114 is laterally movable along a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the second belt conveyor 31, and when the third cross member 113 is aligned with the end 33 of the second belt conveyor 31, the conveyor 31. It is possible to move the full container 3 directly onto the upper branch 34 of the associated belt. The lateral movement of the second track 114 in the direction parallel to the conveying direction of the second belt conveyor 31 is caused by the motor 109 a and occurs along the road 116 at the base of the track 114.

  The rotating carrier assembly 35 further includes a fourth cross member 117 which, like the second cross member, is positioned below the hopper 14 and is on a vertical axis 119 parallel to the rotation axis 103 of the first cross member 101. Along the third track 118, it can slide along.

  The fourth cross member 117 is substantially the same as the second cross member 104, and is movable between the raised position and the lowered position so that the empty container 3 is filled from the hopper 14 during the downward movement. It has become.

  The fourth cross member 117 picks up the empty container 3 from the first belt conveyor 27 and places it under the loading hopper 14 in the raised position, ready for filling the cigarette 2.

  When the fourth cross member 117 is in the lowered position, the filled container 3 is released to the rotatable first cross member 101 and is carried to a position aligned with the second belt conveyor 31 by the member.

  In order to avoid interference between the second and fourth cross members 104 and 117, they operate in opposite phases.

  Thus, when the second cross member 104 occupies the raised position, the fourth cross member 117 occupies the lowered position and vice versa.

  Similarly, the movements of the second and fourth cross members 104 and 117 in the same direction as the conveying direction of the first belt conveyor 27 are in opposite phases to each other, and these two cross members 104 and 117 are always parallel to each other. But not in a common plane.

  With reference to this purpose, the second end 106b of the rotation plate 106 or the end on the side of the fulcrum shaft 107 far from the first end 106a carries the connecting rod 120 connected to the third track 118. . In the same manner as the first track 105, the third track 118 is slidably mounted on a road 121 that is firmly fixed to the platform 102 and is movable in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the first belt conveyor 27. Yes.

  Thus, the alternating motion of the pivot plate 106 causes the third track 118 to move along the road 121, which occurs in the same direction as the first track 105, in the opposite phase to the second and second. The four cross members 104 and 117 are always operated in parallel planes separated from each other.

  The carrier assembly 35 comprises gripping means 122 installed on each cross member 101, 104, 113, 117 and serves to hold and store the individual containers 3 in the handling step.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the unloading device 26 includes an auxiliary conveyor 51 having a carrying surface 51 a that can move laterally along a predetermined supply direction X with the discharge end 52 positioned above the main conveyor 6. Will be seen. The unloading device 26 operates above the supply, filling and opening device 25 to roll over the full container 3 on the auxiliary conveyor 51 and position the opening 11 to face the conveyor 51. A first manipulator 53a and a second manipulator 53b for separating the empty container 3 from the auxiliary conveyor 51 are also provided.

  In the preferred embodiment shown, the auxiliary conveyor 51 has a belt 54 that runs around two pulleys 55, extends parallel to the main conveyor 6, and straddles the filling opening 13. The upper branch 56 of the auxiliary conveyor 51 provides the aforementioned carrying surface 51 a and moves continuously along the same direction as the main conveyor 6 so that the cigarette 2 falls on the upper branch 20 of the second conveyor belt 18. It has become.

  As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the first manipulator 53 a is installed above the second belt conveyor 31, and each container 3 filled with the cigarette 2 is received from this conveyor 31, that is, a full container. The first arm 57 is provided to carry the action of conveying from the second magazine to the position above the auxiliary conveyor 51.

  The first arm 57 engages with a first end 58 pivotally supported by a horizontal shaft 59 extending in parallel with the supply direction X of the carrying surface 51 a and the supply direction of the main conveyor 6, and the side wall 10 of each container 3. It has a second end 60 with a gripper 61 configured to do so.

  Thus, the first arm 57 has a position where the gripper 61 is above the second belt conveyor 31 and can pick up the container 3 (FIG. 5), and the gripper 61 is above the auxiliary conveyor 51 and the cigarette 2 It is possible to move between positions (FIGS. 1, 2, and 7) that can be unloaded.

  More specifically, the first arm 57 incorporates two plates 62 having an S-shaped profile that are parallel and spaced apart from each other, which are set at a right angle to the horizontal axis 59 and along the axis 59. And a first end 58 pivotally supported on a fixture 63 which is provided above the second belt conveyor 31 and forms part of a frame 64 which only partially cooperates with the apparatus 1 shown. Yes.

  Two jaws 65 forming part of the gripper 61 extend from each second end 60 of the plate 62 and are movable in a perspective direction along a direction parallel to the horizontal axis 59 to grip the container 3. To release or release.

  A forward position aligned with the gripper 61, a position where the opening 11 of the container 3 held between the jaws 65 is closed (FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7), and a retracted position retracted from the gripper 61 In addition, a closing wall 66 that is movable between a position where the opening 11 of the container 3 is not blocked (FIG. 4) is attached to the first arm 57.

  In the position where the container 3 is picked up (FIG. 5), the first arm 57 cantilevered away from the fixture 63 and away from the auxiliary conveyor 51, while in the unloading position (FIGS. 1 and 3), the arm 57 extends toward the auxiliary conveyor 51.

  The second manipulator 53b includes a rotating second arm 67 provided above the first belt conveyor 27. This magazine stores individual containers 3 from the auxiliary conveyor 51 when empty and stores empty containers. The operation of moving to the conveyor 27 is performed.

  The second arm 67 is configured to engage with the first end 68 pivoted around a horizontal axis 69 extending in parallel with the carrying surface 51 a and the supply direction X of the main conveyor 6, and the side walls 10 of the individual containers 3. The gripper 71 includes a second end 70 having a gripper 71 and is rotatable with respect to the second arm 67 about another shaft 72 perpendicular to the horizontal shaft 69.

  Thus, the second arm 67 is a position where the container 3 can be picked up, the position where the gripper 71 is above the auxiliary conveyor 51 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 7), and the container 3 is unloaded to the magazine 27. The gripper 71 can move between a position (FIG. 5) above the first belt conveyor 27 by rotating 180 degrees around the shaft 72 from the pick-up position.

  More specifically, the second arm 67 incorporates two plates 73 having L-shaped contours that are parallel and spaced apart from each other, which are set at right angles to a horizontal axis 69 along the axis 69. A first end 68 is provided above the first belt conveyor 27 and pivotally supported by a fixture 74 that forms part of the frame.

  A shaft 75 rotatably mounted at a point between the two plates 73 is aligned with the aforementioned axis 72 perpendicular to the horizontal axis 69 and carries two jaws 76 belonging to the gripper 71 of the second arm 67. is doing. These jaws 76 can move toward and away from each other along a direction parallel to the horizontal axis 69 to grip and release the container 3.

  In the position where the container 3 is picked up (FIGS. 1, 3, and 7), the second arm 67 extends toward the auxiliary conveyor 51, and in the unloading position (FIG. 5), the arm 67 is cantilevered from the fixture 74. Extending in the direction away from the auxiliary conveyor 51, the gripper shaft 75 is perpendicular to the upper branch 30 of the first belt conveyor 27 and the jaws 76 of the gripper 71 are directed towards the auxiliary conveyor 51.

  The apparatus 1 is further mounted on the track 77, with a linear track 77 located above the auxiliary conveyor 51, adapted to the members of the frame 64 described above and extending parallel to the upper branch 56 of the conveyor 51. A carriage 78 located above the upper branch 56 of the auxiliary conveyor 51 and consequently above the carrying surface 51a. The carriage 78 is moved by an appropriate means (not shown) and slides on a track 77 between a first station 79 and a second station 80 that are sequentially installed on the auxiliary conveyor 51.

  As clearly shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 78 is a movable hopper including an upper opening 81 that can be aligned with the opening 11 of the container 3 and a lower opening 82 that faces the carrying surface 51a.

  More specifically, the hopper 78 has a vertical rear wall 83 linked to the track 77 by, for example, a glide (not shown) and a bottom edge 85 facing the first station 79 and away from the carrying surface 51a. It has a first side wall 84 and a second side wall 86 with a bottom edge 87 facing the second station 80 and close to the carrying surface 51a.

  Side walls 84 and 86 extend in parallel from both ends of the rear wall 83 and delimit a passage 88 for the cigarette 2 falling from the container 3. This passage is set at the upper edge 89 of the carriage 78 by the first arm 57 of the first manipulator 53a when the opening 11 is at the unloading position with the passage 11 directed toward the passage 88.

  The cigarette 2 that falls from the container 3 in a state where the container 3 is positioned on the carriage 78 and held at a predetermined position by holding means (not shown), and the carriage 78 is moving from the first position toward the second position. As will be described later, it is distributed along the auxiliary conveyor 51.

  The carriage 78 also includes a plurality of flow dividers 90 that are mounted on the rear wall 83 and occupy a passage 88 filled with cigarettes 2 that fall from the containers 3 onto the auxiliary conveyor 51, whose function is through a hopper 78. The aim is to separate the cigarettes 2 descending into the aligned flow so that they do not bend.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each flow splitting device 90 extends parallel to the apex 93 with the wedge-shaped portion 92 up and is fixed at a right angle to the rear wall 83 and is pivoted 94 along the apex 93. A box-shaped main body 91 pivotally supported by the main body and a parallelepiped portion 95 below the main body 91 are provided, thereby giving the appearance of a gable hut. The descending cigarette 2 slides down the inclined surface 96 formed by the wedge-shaped portion 92 and then falls through the channel 97 defined by the dividing device 90, the first side wall 84 and the second side wall 86 of the hopper 78.

  These three flow dividers 90 are shown in the illustrated example, with adjacent ones spaced apart and combined with the side walls 84 and 86 of the carriage 78 to define four flow channels 97; Parallel hexahedron portions 95 having different longitudinal ratios are formed. More precisely, the height of the individual flow splitting devices 90 increases gradually, and the gap from the carrying surface 51a decreases as the distance from the splitting device 90 closest to the first side wall 84 of the hopper 78 decreases. The flow splitting device 90 swings freely on the associated pivot 94.

  Using the apparatus 1 described above, the cigarette 2 coming from the cigarette making machine 4 is accommodated in a container 3 and supplied to the packaging machine 5 according to the method described below when necessary.

  The method in question includes the step of filling an empty container 3 with cigarettes 2 delivered by the cigarette maker 4, which is particularly useful when the processing capacity of the cigarette wrapping machine 5 falls below the supply of the cigarette maker 4. It is out.

  In the filling step, a portion of the cigarette 2 that exits the manufacturing machine 4 and travels along the conveyor 6 toward the packaging machine 5 falls through the opening 13 and finally fills the hopper 14 while the rest is the hopper 14. It rolls on the cigarette 2 that occupies the upper part, and enters the packaging machine 5 beyond that (FIG. 1).

  In the particular case shown, the cigarette 2 travels over the upper branch 17 of the first conveyor belt 15 up to the opening 13 and over the upper branch 20 of the second conveyor belt 20 to the cigarette wrapping machine 5. proceed.

  At the same time, the empty containers 3 stored on the first conveyor 27 are supplied toward the hopper 14, filled one by one with the cigarette 2 from the hopper 14, and stored separately (FIGS. 9 to 9). 14).

  For this purpose, the container 3 is provided to the hopper 14 with the upper opening 11 facing up and the auxiliary opening 12 facing the hopper 14 (the container 3 on the right side in FIG. 9), and the bottom 8 is provided to the bottom opening 24 of the hopper 14. The hopper 14 is positioned so as to be positioned effectively inside the container 3 (the container 3 on the right side of FIG. 10).

  Next, the cigarette 2 put in the hopper 14 is released by the movement of the shutter 24a, falls onto the bottom 8 of the container 3 through the bottom opening 24, and the container itself is gradually lowered to free more space freely. (Container 3 on the right side of FIG. 11).

  When the container 3 is filled (the container 3 on the right side of FIG. 12), it is under the end 33 of the second belt conveyor 31 with the auxiliary opening 12 facing the conveyor 31 (the container 3 on the left side of FIG. 14). To the end 33 of the belt 31 (left container 3 in FIG. 12) and directed onto the belt 31 (left container 3 in FIG. 13), where the container stays in the stored state. (Container 3 on the left side of FIG. 14).

  This latter step is preferably carried out by rotating the container 3 180 ° about the axis 37 provided parallel to the side wall 10 and one side of the container 3 and raising the container.

  In the case of the device 1 described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, the steps of rotating and raising the container 3 are performed by the rotating carrier assembly 35.

  More specifically, when the container 3 reaches the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27, one of the carrier plates 40 or 43, e.g. the first plate 40, is raised to a height below the end 29 of the conveyor and on both sides the first plate 40 A spacer 49 protruding beyond the belt conveyor 27 contacts and supports the container 3 (first position of the plate in FIG. 9).

  Thereafter, the jaws 48 close on the container 3 and the linear guide member 45 slides against the shoe 46 to move the plate 40 to the second position below the hopper 14 beyond the end 29 of the conveyor 27 (FIG. 10). .

  At the same time, the second plate 43 carries the already full container 3 ready to be lifted to the end 33 of the second belt conveyor 31 below the end 33 (FIGS. 9 and 10).

  When the shutter 24a of the hopper 14 is retracted, the carriage 47 slides down on the vertical track 39, and when the container is filled with the cigarette 2, the first carrier plate 40 carries the container 3 to the third position (FIGS. 11 and 12). ). Meanwhile, the second plate 43 is lifted together with the container 3 filled with the cigarette 2 to align the bottom 8 of the container 3 with the upper branch 34 of the second belt conveyor 31 (FIG. 12), where the linear guide member 45 is The second plate 43 is positioned below the end 33 of the belt conveyor 31, and the bottom 8 of the container 3 is positioned above the end 33 of the belt 31. Thus, the end 33 of the second belt conveyor 31 slips between the plate 43 and the container 3 placed on the spacer 49 (FIG. 13). Finally, the carriage 47 slides down on the vertical track 39, the container 3 settles on the second conveyor 31, and the auxiliary opening 12 faces away from the main conveyor 6 and the opening 11 faces up. It is conveyed to the storage location (FIG. 14).

  The frame 36 is rotated 180 ° on the rotating shaft 37 together with the first vertical track 39 and the first carrier plate 40 to carry the container 3 to the fourth position (FIG. 14). At the same time, the second vertical track 42 and the second carrier plate 43, which are currently higher than the first plate 40, are rotated 180 ° in opposite directions to a position where they are aligned with the end 29 of the first conveyor 27, Ready to receive another container 3 (FIG. 14). This further empty container 3 is provided to the hopper 14 at the same time as the container 3 previously filled and carried by the first plate 40 is turned or raised towards the end 33 of the second belt conveyor 31. Is lowered and filled. At this point, the first plate 40 is raised according to the same steps as described above for the second plate 43.

  The cycle described here is repeated until the cigarette 2 that has not been handled immediately by the packaging machine 5 is placed in the container 3 and stored on the second conveyor 31.

  As in the alternative embodiment shown, the rotating carrier assembly 35 is used to move the container 3 to a position where the second cross member 104 or the fourth cross member 117, eg, the second cross member 104 aligns with the end 29 of the conveyor 27. At the same time as it is raised, it reaches the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27, at which point the container 3 is engaged and supported by the gripping means 122 of the cross member (FIG. 17).

  The first vertical track 105 is then slid along the associated road 112 by the pivot plate 106 to position the second cross member 104 beyond the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27 and below the hopper 14. .

  At the same time, the third track 118 is slid along the road 121 by the rotating plate 106, and the fourth cross member 117 that is currently in the lowered position is aligned directly below the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27.

  When the shutter 24a of the loading hopper 14 is retracted, the second cross member 104 is slid downward on the vertical track 105 (FIG. 18). At the same time, the fourth cross member 117 slides upward on the third vertical track 118.

  When the lowered second cross member 104 reaches the lowered position, the fourth cross member 117 is pulled until it is adjacent to the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27, from which the empty container 3 is picked up, and the second cross The steps already described in connection with member 104 are repeated.

  In a situation where the second cross member 104 is in the lowered position, the first track 105 is moved to a position aligned with the end 29 of the first belt conveyor 27 by the rotating plate 106 (FIG. 19).

  In the same movement, the third track 118 is moved in the opposite direction by the pivot plate 106 and the fourth cross member 117 and the previously picked empty container 3 are moved to a position below the hopper 14.

  At this point, the full container 3 is picked up by the rotatable first cross member 101 from the second cross member 104 via the associated gripping means 122 and preferably rocked 180 ° about the axis 103 of the first cross member. Be moved. (FIG. 20).

  At the same time, the second cross member 104 is raised, the fourth cross member 117 is lowered, and the cycle of steps described for the second and fourth cross members 104 and 117 is repeated.

  When the rotation of the first cross member 101 is completed, the full container 3 is transferred to the third cross member 113 via the associated gripping means 122.

  The third cross member 113 is raised on the second track 114, and the container 3 is lifted to a height above the second belt conveyor 31.

  Next, the second track 114 is moved along the associated road 116 towards the second belt conveyor 31 to bring the containers 3 to a position directly above the conveyor 31 (FIG. 22).

The full container 3 is now released and stored on the second belt conveyor 31.
The second track 114 is moved along the road 116 and the cross member 113 is returned to the lowered position, ready for another full container 3 to be transferred to the magazine.

  The above-described cycle is repeated until the cigarette 2 that is not immediately handled by the packaging machine 5 is put in the container 3 and stored on the second conveyor 31.

  The method of the present invention comprises the further step of emptying the full container 3 and supplying the cigarette 2 to the packaging machine 5, which in particular is the supply quantity from the cigarette production machine 4 if the required quantity in the cigarette wrapping machine 5. Will help.

  The first row of full containers 3 stored in the second conveyor 31 is picked up by the first arm 57 and turned over above the carrying surface 51a of the auxiliary conveyor 51 so that the upper opening 11 faces downward and is carried. As the surface 51a advances along the predetermined supply direction X, the cigarette 2 is positioned so that it can fall onto the surface 51a.

  With particular reference to the device 1 described above, the first arm 57 is deployed in the pick-up position shown in FIG. 5, the closing wall 66 extends to close the upper opening 11 of the container 3, and the jaw 65 Engaging the side wall 10 and at the same time the arm rotates 180 ° about its horizontal axis 59 (FIG. 6) to position the container 3 on the hopper 78, which is approaching the first station 79; It is occupied by the cigarette 2 that has been emptied from the previous container 3 and flowing on the auxiliary conveyor 51 (FIG. 7).

  The container 3 remains on the hopper 78 for a short time (FIG. 1), after which the wall 66 retracts and the cigarette 2 in the container 3 can fall onto the cigarette 2 still remaining in the hopper 78, while The container 3 is placed on the upper edge 89 of the hopper 78, and the first arm 57 is pulled out (FIG. 4). In this first emptying step, the container 3 remains stationary at the first station 79 above the ongoing carrying surface 51a where the cigarette 2 is carried towards the discharge end 52.

  After that, when the cigarette 2 continues to flow through the hopper 78 in the second emptying course, the hopper 78 is parallel to the container 3 placed on the upper edge on the opposite side of the supply direction X of the carrying surface 51a. Is moved toward the second station 80 at a faster speed along the direction Y than in the first step. This is because the movement of the auxiliary conveyor 51 along the supply direction X is combined with the movement of the carriage 78 in the opposite direction (FIG. 5). At the same time, the first arm 57 returns to the pickup position.

  Upon reaching the second station 80, as part of a third step in which the container 3 is completely emptied and another full container 3 is carried by the first arm 57 to the first station 79, the hopper 78 and the container 3 It remains stationary above the carrying surface 51a that continues to advance (FIG. 6).

  FIG. 7 shows a fourth step in which a hopper 78 that moves with the container 3 below the container 3 in the first, second and third steps and moves with the container 3 is removed from the container 3 at the second station 80. While being separated and being unloaded from the cigarette 2 in the hopper 78, it is moved toward the first station 79 along the same direction Y ′ as the supply direction X of the carrying surface 51a (FIG. 7).

  Upon reaching the first station 79, the hopper 78 is ready to resume the cycle (FIG. 1), while the container 3 from the second station 67 is picked up from the second station 80 by the second arm 67 and is moved over the first conveyor belt 27. (Sequence of steps shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5).

  More precisely, the container 3 is picked up at the second station 80 by the gripper 71 of the second arm 67 and lifted slightly and separated from the hopper 78. Only when the hopper 78 reaches the first station 79, the second arm 67 rotates 180 ° on its horizontal axis 69, and at the same time, the gripper 71 rotates on the axis 72 perpendicular to the horizontal axis 69, and the auxiliary opening The empty container 3 is placed on its first belt conveyor 27 with its bottom 8 facing 12 towards the auxiliary conveyor 51, ie towards the loading hopper 14. The empty container 3 is thus transported towards the storage area by the first belt conveyor 27 or directed towards the hopper 14 to be refilled.

  Throughout the entire chain of emptying steps, the cigarette 2 is separated into separate and orderly flows by a flow splitting device 90 installed in the hopper 78, which is caused by the movement of the cigarette 2 and the momentum of the carriage 78 itself. It is carried out so as not to be shaken by force and to twist or clog the hopper 78.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an entire apparatus embodied in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing the first element of the apparatus of FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 seen at a working position that occurs sequentially in the step of emptying these containers. FIG. 5 shows a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 seen at a working position that occurs sequentially in the step of emptying these containers. FIG. 6 shows a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 seen in a working position that occurs sequentially in the step of emptying these containers. FIG. 7 shows a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 seen at a working position that occurs sequentially in the step of emptying these containers. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing a second element of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 9 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 seen at a working position that occurs sequentially in the steps of filling and storing the container. FIG. 10 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 seen at a working position that occurs sequentially in the steps of filling and storing the container. FIG. 11 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 seen at a working position that occurs sequentially in the steps of filling and storing the container. FIG. 12 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 seen at a working position that occurs sequentially in the steps of filling and storing the container. FIG. 13 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 seen at a working position that occurs sequentially in the steps of filling and storing the container. FIG. 14 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 seen at a working position that occurs sequentially in the steps of filling and storing the container. FIG. 15 shows the elements of FIG. 8 in another embodiment. FIG. 16 shows the elements of FIG. 15 with certain parts omitted to make the other elements easier to see. FIG. 17 shows the elements of FIG. 15 in a working position that occurs sequentially in the steps of filling and storing the container. FIG. 18 shows the elements of FIG. 15 in a working position that occurs sequentially in the steps of filling and storing the container. FIG. 19 shows the elements of FIG. 15 in a working position that occurs sequentially in the steps of filling and storing the container. FIG. 20 shows the elements of FIG. 15 in a working position that occurs sequentially in the steps of filling and storing the container. FIG. 21 shows the elements of FIG. 15 in a working position that occurs sequentially in the steps of filling and storing the container. FIG. 22 shows the elements of FIG. 15 in a working position that occurs sequentially in the steps of filling and storing the container.

Explanation of symbols

2 Cigarette 3 Container 4 Cigarette making machine 5 Packaging machine 6 Main conveyor 8 Bottom 10 Side wall 14 Hopper 27 First magazine 31 Second magazine 35 Rotating assembly

Claims (45)

It is a method of handling and transporting tobacco products (2) that can be accommodated in a container (3) in a batch, and transporting the containers (3) through the batch (3). Picking up an empty container (3) from the first magazine (27) in which the empty container (3) is stored, and a loading hopper (14) comprising a possible opening (11) Filling the container (3) with the tobacco product (2) from the second magazine (31) provided along the first magazine (27) and storing the full container (3) Placing a full container (3) in
Characterized in that it comprises at least one step performed by the rotating assembly (35) to rotate the container (3) about a vertical axis (37) and transport the container towards the second magazine (31). how to.   The step of filling the container (3) includes supplying an empty container (3) along the first magazine (27) and the bottom of the container (3) when the tobacco product (2) is filled. Positioning the container (3) around the loading hopper (14) with the wall (8) facing the bottom opening (24) of the hopper (14) covered by the shutter (24a); 14) removing the lid of the opening (24) and lowering the container (3) to allow the tobacco product (2) to enter the container (3) from the hopper (14). The method of claim 1 comprising:   Following the step of lowering the container (3), the container (3) is rotated about the vertical axis (37) to a position below one end (33) of the second magazine (31), and the second magazine (31 3. The method of claim 2 including the step of raising to a position aligned with said end (33) of said magazine and placing on said end (33) of the magazine.   The step of rotating or raising the container towards one end (33) of the second magazine (31) lowers and fills another empty container (3) positioned around the hopper (14). The method according to claim 3, comprising:   The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each full container (3) placed at the end (33) of the second magazine (31) is stored along the magazine (31).   The container (3) is emptied by picking up the container filled with the tobacco product (2), the container (3) is turned over above the carrying surface (51a), and the product ( 2) is dropped onto the surface (51a), the supporting surface (51a) is advanced along a predetermined direction (X) parallel to the supporting surface (51a), and the container (3) is supported as it becomes empty. The container (3) is moved sideways along the direction (Y) parallel to and opposite to the supply direction (X) of the surface (51a), so that the tobacco product (2) is released from the container (3). The method of claim 1 wherein the speed is increased.   A first emptying step that remains stationary at a first station (79) above the carrying surface (51a) on which it travels while the container (3) is emptied; A method according to claim 6, comprising a second emptying step identifiable as a lateral movement towards the second station (80).   8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the container (3) comprises a third emptying step that remains stationary at the second station (80) above the advancing carrying surface (51a).   During the first, second and third emptying steps, there is a hopper (78) which is located under the container (3) and above the carrying surface (51a) and moves with one container (3). The product still separated from the container (3) in the second station (80) and still in the first station (79) along the same direction (Y ′) as the supply direction of the carrier surface (51a) 9. A method according to claim 8, comprising the step of emptying (2) in the fourth emptying which is moved to the release end in the hopper (78).   Tobacco products (2) fall through a hopper (78) positioned between the container (3) and the advancing support surface (51a), and are arranged in order by a flow dividing device (90) mounted on the hopper (78). The method of claim 6, wherein the method is separated into a plurality of streams.   The empty container (3) is picked up from the second station (80) during the first emptying step of emptying the full container (3) at the first station (79). The method according to any one of 8, 9, and 10.   A full container (3) is fed to the first station (79) during the third emptying step of emptying a partially empty container at the second station (80). , 9, 10, or 11.   12. Method according to claim 11, wherein the empty container (3) is placed in a magazine (27) for storing empty containers (3).   7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the full container (3) is picked up from a magazine (31) that stores the full container (3). A device for handling and transporting a batch of tobacco products, each of which can be stored in a container (3) having an opening (11) filled or emptied with a tobacco product (2). A hopper (14) having a bottom opening (24) from which 2) is loaded into the container (3) and a first magazine (27) for storing and positioning an empty container (3) near the hopper (14) And a second magazine for storing the full container (3) and positioning along the first magazine (27), comprising a device (25) for feeding, filling and moving the container (3) In
Provided between the two magazines (27, 31), the empty container (3) is moved from the first magazine (27) to the hopper (14), and the full container (3) is moved to the second magazine (31). A device characterized in that it comprises a carrier assembly (35) rotatable about a vertical axis (37).   16. The first magazine (27) and the second magazine (31) respectively comprise a first belt conveyor (27) and a second belt conveyor (31), one of which is positioned along the other. Equipment.   A bottom opening (24) of the hopper (4) is provided adjacent to one end (29) of the first belt conveyor (27) and aligned with the upper branch (30) of the first belt conveyor (27). The apparatus of claim 16.   18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a rotating carrier assembly (35) is provided adjacent one end (33) of the second belt conveyor (31) and one end (29) of the first belt conveyor (27).   The rotating carrier assembly (35) comprises at least one carrier plate (40; 43) rotatable about a vertical axis (37), which is empty from the first magazine (27) for filling ( 3) at a position near one end (29) of the first belt conveyor (27) for receiving and at one end (33) of the second belt conveyor (31) releasing the full container (3) to the second magazine (31). The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus can move between nearby positions.   The rotating carrier assembly (35) further comprises a vertical track (39; 42) on which a carrier plate (40; 43) is slidably mounted and picks up and fills an empty container (3) during lowering. Can be moved from the raised position to the lowered position, and the filled container (3) can be moved to the end (33) of the second belt conveyor (31) by a rotational movement about the vertical axis (37). 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus is movable from a lowered position to a raised position so as to be positioned.   When the plate (40; 43) is movable with respect to the vertical track (39; 42) along the horizontal direction (Z) and moved from the first position to the second position, the empty container (3) is moved to the second position. It can be moved from the end (29) of one belt conveyor (27), and when moved from the second position to the first position, the full container (by the movement of the plate (40; 43) from the lowered position to the raised position) 21. Device according to claim 20, wherein 3) can be placed on the end (33) of the second belt conveyor (31).   A plate (40; 43) is slidable in a horizontal direction (Z) with respect to a shoe (46) which is slidably moved along a vertical track (39; 42) and is firmly linked to a carriage (47). Device according to claim 21, comprising a linear guide member (45).   23. The device according to claim 22, further comprising gripping means (44) provided on the plate (40; 43) and acting to store and maintain the container (3).   Further, the container (3) is provided with a pair of spacers (49) mounted on both ends of the plate (40; 43), and a predetermined distance from the upper surface (50) of the plate (40; 43) thereon. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the apparatus is stored and stored.   A rotating carrier assembly (35) has a first vertical track (39) located at a first end (38) and a vertical rotation axis (37) at a second end (41) remote from the first end (38). ) Around a frame (36), a platform (36a), a second vertical track (42) pivotally attached to the frame (36) and rotatable about a vertical axis (37); 25. Any of the claims 19-24, comprising a first plate (40) mounted on the first vertical track (39) and a second plate (43) mounted on the second vertical track (42). A device according to claim 1.   The rotating carrier assembly (35) includes at least one first cross member (101) rotatable about a vertical axis (103), the member receiving a filled container (3) from a hopper (14). Below the one belt conveyor (27) and below the second belt conveyor (31) which picks up the filled containers (3) from the hopper (14) and transfers it to the second magazine (31). The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus is movable between a position.   A rotating carrier assembly (35) is further slidably mounted on the first vertical track (105) and the first vertical track (105) to pick up and fill the empty container (3) during the downward movement. A second cross member (104) movable from a raised position to a lowered position capable of releasing the full container (3) to a rotatable first cross member (101) in the lowered position. 27. The apparatus according to 26.   The rotating carrier assembly (35) is further provided with a second vertical track (114) and a third cross member (113) slidably mounted on the second vertical track (114) and movable from a lowered position to a raised position. The full container (3) is taken up from the rotatable first cross member (101), raised and released from above to the end (33) of the second belt conveyor (31). 28. The apparatus of claim 27.   A rotating carrier assembly (35) further includes a third vertical track (118) and a fourth cross member (117) slidably mounted on the third vertical track (118) and movable from a raised position to a lowered position. The empty container (3) is picked up and filled in the middle of the lowering movement, and the full container (3) is released to the rotatable first cross member (101) in the lowering position to move the fourth cross member. 29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein is in anti-phase with the movement of the second cross member.   First and third tracks (105, 118) are mounted on each road (112, 121), are movable in a direction substantially parallel to the conveying direction of the first belt conveyor (27), and rotate. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the apparatus is coupled to the plate (106), thereby providing alternating phase movement between the first and second positions.   The rotating carrier assembly (35) further comprises gripping means (122) provided on the first, second, third and fourth cross members (101, 104, 113, 117) during the handling step. 31. The device according to claim 30, wherein the device serves to hold and store the individual containers (3) stably.   A device (26) for unloading the product (2) from the container (3), the carrier surface (51a) being advanced along a predetermined supply direction (X) parallel to the carrier surface (51a); A first manipulator (53a) that acts to turn the full container (3) over the carrying surface (51a) so that the product (2) is dropped onto the carrying surface (51a) with the (11) facing downward And between the first station (79) and the second station (80) above the carrying surface (51a) and when the tobacco product (2) is unloaded, the carrying surface (51a) A carriage (78) configured to move the container (3) along a direction (Y) opposite to and parallel to the supply direction (X) of the product (2) from the container (3) With a device (26) adapted to increase the flow rate to be released Apparatus according to claim 15.   The carriage (78) has a hopper (78), the upper opening (81) of the hopper (78) can be aligned with the opening (11) of the container (3), and the lower opening (82 of the hopper (78). 33) The device as claimed in claim 32, wherein said device faces the carrying surface (51a).   A hopper (78) has a rear wall (83), a first side wall (84) with a lower edge (85) facing the first station (79) and away from the carrying surface (51a); 34. Device according to claim 33, comprising a second side wall (86) with a lower edge (87) towards the station (80) and close to the bearing surface (51a).   The hopper (78) further comprises a flow splitting device (90) that separates the product (2) descending the hopper (78) together into a plurality of orderly flows. apparatus.   36. The device according to claim 35, wherein the flow splitting device (90) is pivotally supported on the rear wall (83) of the hopper (78) and can be freely changed in angle relative to the wall (83).   Each flow dividing device (90) includes a box-shaped main body (91), and the box-shaped main body (91) extends along the apex (93) at the top and extends in parallel with the apex (93). Having a wedge-shaped part (92) pivotally supported on a pivot (94) which is locked at right angles to the axis and a parallelepiped part (95) below it, the descending product (2) being wedge-shaped The inclined surface (96) formed by the portion (92) slides down through a channel (97) delimited by the dividing device (90) and the first and second side walls (84, 86) of the hopper (78). The device described in 1.   As the height of the individual flow dividers (90) increases gradually, the gap from the bearing surface (51a) moves away from the divider (90) closest to the first side wall (84) of the hopper (78). 38. A device according to any one of claims 35, 36, 37 which is decreasing.   33. Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the bearing surface (51a) is provided by an upper branch (56) of the belt conveyor (54).   The magazine (31) in which the full container (3) is stored is provided, and the first manipulator (53a) picks up the full container (3) from the magazine (31) in which the full container (3) is stored, Device according to claim 32, which acts to position one station (79).   The magazine (27) in which the empty container (3) is stored and the action of picking up the empty container (3) from the second station (80) and placing it in the magazine (27) in which the empty container (3) is stored 33. The device according to claim 32, comprising a second manipulator (53b) for performing.   41. Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the magazine (31) in which the full containers (3) are stored is a belt conveyor.   42. Apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the magazine (27) in which the empty containers (3) are stored is a belt conveyor.   The first manipulator (53a) is pivotally supported about a horizontal axis (59) extending parallel to the supply direction (X) of the carrying surface (51a) and engages with the side wall (10) of the individual container (3). 33. The apparatus of claim 32, comprising a first arm (57) having a gripper (61) configured to.   The second manipulator (53b) is pivotally supported about a horizontal axis (69) extending parallel to the supply direction (X) of the carrying surface (51a) and engages with the side wall (10) of the individual container (3). A second arm (67) having a gripper (71) configured to be mounted on one end (70) of the second arm (67) and perpendicular to the horizontal axis (69) ( 42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the apparatus is rotatable about 72).

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