JP2014522785A - Packaging machine and method for producing a rigid packet each comprising at least two containers, one container inside another container - Google Patents

Abstract

  A packaging machine 19 and method for producing a rigid packet, each comprising at least two containers 3, 4 one inside the other, wherein the inner container 3 is folded by folding the inner material 17 around the corresponding product A first packaging unit 20 for manufacturing, a second packaging unit 21 for manufacturing the outer container 4 by folding the outer material 18 around the corresponding inner container, and a first packaging at the inlet station 23. The inner container is received from the unit 20, the inner container is supplied to the second packaging unit 21 at the outlet station 24, and the inner container is provided at the operation stations 32, 33, 34, 35 between the inlet station and the outlet station. A transfer unit 22 for performing at least one orientation and / or grouping operation Packaging machine with.

Description

  The present invention relates to a packaging machine and method for producing rigid packets, each comprising at least two containers, one container inside another container.

  Although the present invention may be utilized to produce cigarette rigid packets, the following description is mentioned by way of example only.

  Traditional cigarette rigid packets, known as rigid hinged lid packets, are formed by folding a bundle of cigarettes wrapped in foil and a single blank around the cigarette bundle. And a single hinged container.

  Recently, at least one inner container formed by folding an inner material around a bundle of cigarettes, and an outer container wrapped by the inner container and formed by bending an outer material around the inner container, respectively. In recent years, various types of cigarette hard packets have been proposed, which are different from conventional packets with hinge lids. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a cigarette swing-open type hard packet, Patent Document 2 describes a cigarette slide-open type hard packet, and each patent application of Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, and Patent Document 5 Describes a cigarette pocket book rigid packet (with at least two inner containers connected by an outer container), the patent application of US Pat. C) Cigarette fan open type hard packet is described. The only feature common to all these recent cigarette rigid packets is that they are folded alternately (i.e., the inner material is first folded around the cigarette bundle, and then the folded inner material It is made from two different materials (with the outer material folded around).

  These recent cigarette rigid packets are currently the first packaging unit in which the inner material is folded around the inner package (each with a bundle of cigarettes wrapped in foil) to form an inner container. And a second packaging unit in which the outer material is folded around the inner container.

  However, the known packaging machine for this has the great disadvantage of not being sufficiently adaptable, ie a considerable amount of labor and time to switch from one type of cigarette rigid packet to another Despite the disadvantages associated with work, manufacturers quickly adapt to market demands (especially in the case of modern cigarette hard packets, often manufactured in a relatively limited number) There is a greater need to produce different types of cigarette rigid packets, and therefore there is a great need for a “flexible” packaging machine that quickly and easily adapts to different types of cigarette rigid packets.

  In known machines for making cigarette hard packets these days, the most important rebranding part (ie when changing from one type of hard packet of cigarettes to another) is the transfer unit. Yes, the transfer unit transfers the inner container from the first packaging unit to the second packaging unit according to the type of rigid packet of the cigarette, and the inner container is clearly oriented and / or grouped on the transfer unit .

  Patent document 7 manufactures a cigarette rigid packet comprising an inner cursor folded around a wrapped cigarette bundle and an outer material folded around the wrapped cigarette bundle and the inner cursor. Describes the packaging machine for The packaging machine includes a first packaging unit for folding an inner cursor around a bundle of wrapped cigarettes, and a second packaging unit for folding an outer material around the bundle of cigarettes bundled and the inner cursor. A transfer unit which receives a bundle of packaged cigarettes with an inner cursor from the first packaging unit at the inlet station and supplies them to the second packaging unit at the outlet station; A transfer unit for performing a single orienting operation on these in the operating station between the exit station. The transfer unit comprises a single conveyor line that feeds a series of packaged cigarette bundles with an inner cursor along the path between the entry and exit stations. The operating station is then equipped with a directing wheel with a peripheral pocket and is mounted to rotate about a rotation axis perpendicular to the path.

  However, the packaging machine described in Patent Document 7 can manufacture only one type of cigarette packet and is not “adaptable”. That is, it cannot be quickly and easily adapted to manufacture different types of cigarette rigid packets.

International Publication No. 2006/021581 International Publication No. 2007/031484 Ikoku Patent Application Publication No. 200000245 Specification Ikoku Patent Application Publication No. 200600020 Ikoku Patent Application Publication No. 20060420 European Patent Application Publication No. 2017198 Specification International Publication No. 2008/101571

  The present invention aims to provide a packaging machine and method for producing a rigid packet, each comprising at least two containers, one container inside another container, the machine and method comprising Designed to eliminate the disadvantages, while at the same time being cheap and easy to implement.

  In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a packaging machine and method for producing a rigid packet, each comprising at least two containers, one container inside another container, as set forth in the appended claims. Provided.

  Some non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

The front perspective view of the slide open type hard packet of a cigarette in a closed position is shown. FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the packet of the cigarette of FIG. 1 in the open position. FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the packet of the cigarette of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows a development view of the material forming the inner container of the packet of the cigarette of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows a developed view of the material forming the outer container of the cigarette packet of FIG. 1. Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a packaging machine according to the invention for producing the packet of Fig. 1 cigarette with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the initial part of the first packaging unit of the packaging machine of FIG. 6 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the end of the first packaging unit of the packaging machine of FIG. 6 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the transport unit of the packaging machine of FIG. 6 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the second packaging unit of the packaging machine of FIG. 6 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the transfer unit of FIG. 9 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the transfer of the inner container by the transfer unit of FIG. 9. FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the transfer unit of FIG. 9 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the transfer unit of FIG. 9 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 10 shows a front plan view of each of the transfer units of FIG. 9 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 10 shows a front plan view of each of the transfer units of FIG. 9 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the first orientation conveyor of the transfer unit of FIG. 9 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the second orienting conveyor of the transfer unit of FIG. 9 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the third orienting conveyor of the transfer unit of FIG. 9 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 20 shows a schematic front plan view of the third orientation conveyor in FIG. 19 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 20 shows a schematic front plan view of the third orientation conveyor in FIG. 19 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the grouping device of the transfer unit of FIG. 9 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the supply device of the transfer unit of FIG. 9 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a different embodiment of the transport unit of the packaging machine of FIG. 6 with parts removed for clarity. FIG. 25 shows a schematic perspective view of the transfer of the inner container by the transfer unit of FIG. 24. Fig. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the transfer of the inner container according to two further embodiments of the transfer unit of Fig. 9; Fig. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the transfer of the inner container according to two further embodiments of the transfer unit of Fig. 9;

  The code | symbol 1 in FIGS. 1-3 shows the hard slide open packet of a cigarette as a whole.

  The cigarette packet 1 of FIG. 1 is packaged with a cigarette bundle 2 which is packaged, ie, foil-wrapped, and a hard outer package made of cardboard or the like containing the packaged bundle 2. A hard inner container 3 that actually accommodates the bundle 2 and a hard outer container 4, in which the user is directly packaged with a closed position (FIG. 1) where the inner container 3 is inserted into the outer container 4. A rigid outer container 4 in which the inner container 3 is accommodated so as to slide linearly relative to the outer container 4 between an open position (FIG. 2) that is partially withdrawn to access the bundle 2; Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inner container 3 has a parallelepiped shape, and includes a bottom wall 5, a top wall 6, two opposite parallel large side walls 7, and two disposed between the large side walls 7. Parallel small side walls 8a and 8b. In the vicinity of the small side wall 8a, the top wall 6 has a take-out port 9 that also extends over the parts of the large side wall 7, and the take-out port 9 once the user holds the bundle 2 when the inner container 3 is in the open position. If opened, the cigarette (not shown) can be pulled out from the inner container 3 and placed outside the outer container 4. The fixing tab 10 is cut from each large side wall 7 in the vicinity of the small side wall 8b and protrudes from the edge between the large side wall 7 and the small side wall 8b to the outside of the inner container 3 and has four longitudinal edges. The part is formed between the large side wall 7 and the small side wall 8, and the eight lateral edges are formed between the walls 7, 8 and the walls 5, 6.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the outer container 4 is also in the shape of a parallelepiped, with a bottom wall 11, a top wall 12, two opposing parallel large side walls 13, one small side wall 14, and a small side wall 14. The inner container 3 slides through the opening 15. The fixing tab 16 is connected to the edge of each large side wall 13 that borders the opening 15, protrudes from the large side wall 13 to the inside of the outer container 4, and moves the inner container 3 as the inner container 3 is taken out. Engage with the corresponding securing tab 10 on the inner container 3 to limit and prevent the inner container 3 from completely separating from the outer container 4. Two longitudinal edges are defined between the large side wall 13 and the small side wall 14, and six lateral edges are defined between the walls 13, 14 and the walls 11, 12.

  The containers 3 and 4 of the packet 1 in FIGS. 1 to 3 are formed from known materials 17 and 18 respectively shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

  FIG. 6 shows a cigarette wrapping machine 19 for producing a cigarette packet 1 as described above and as shown in FIGS.

  The packaging machine 19 bends the material 17 around each bundle 2 of cigarettes wrapped, thereby folding the packaging unit 20 for manufacturing the inner container 3 and the material 18 around each inner container 3. A packaging unit 21 for producing the outer container 4 and a transfer unit 22 for receiving the inner container 3 from the packaging unit 20 at the inlet station 23 and supplying the inner container 3 to the packaging unit 21 at the outlet station 24 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the packaging unit 20 forms a cigarette bundle 26 and is stacked in parallel on a straight line with a bundle forming conveyor 25 having a number of pockets for receiving each cigarette bundle 26 from the outlet of the hopper. And a packaging conveyor 27 having two packaging lines. A sheet of packaging material 28 cut into continuous pieces is folded around a cigarette bundle 26 on a packaging conveyor 27 to form a packaged cigarette bundle 2.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the packaging unit 20 receives the cigarette bundle 2 packaged from the packaging conveyor 27, the cigarette bundle 2 packaged from the transfer wheel 29, and receives the inner container 3. A wrapping wheel 30 that folds the material 17 around the bundle 2 of cigarettes packaged to form, and an inner container 3 received from the wrapping wheel 30 and stacked in parallel on a straight line for delivery to the inlet station 23 of the transfer unit 22 And a drying conveyor 31 having two drying lines.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the transfer unit 22 transfers the inner container 3 from the inlet station 23 to the outlet station 24, and includes four operation stations 32 to 32 arranged in succession between the inlet station 23 and the outlet station 24. Orient the inner container at 35 (in another embodiment, group). More specifically, as described below, the transfer unit 22 may be individually activated or deactivated, either completely or partially, depending on the desired orientation and / or grouping of the inner containers 3. Four possible operation stations 32 to 35 are provided. In other words, some of the operation stations 32 to 35 (with the remaining operation stations stopped) perform all or only the desired orientation and / or grouping operations on the inner container 3. May be actuated to For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, only the operation stations 33, 34 are activated (ie, actually act on the inner container 3), and the operation stations 32, 35 are deactivated (ie, the inner container 3). Does not work).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the packaging unit 21 is a packaging wheel 36 that receives the inner container 3 from the outlet station 24 of the transfer unit 22 and forms a cigarette-shaped outer container 4, thus cigarette packet 1. A packaging wheel 36 that bends the material 18 around the inner container 3 and a drying conveyor 37 that has two drying lines stacked in parallel on a straight line, and the packaging wheel 36 of the packaging machine 19. And a drying conveyor 37 for receiving the cigarette packet 1 from and feeding it to the exit station 38.

  It is important to note that the packaging unit 21 is identical to the end of the packaging unit 20 shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus for supplying the packaging wheels 30, 36, the drying conveyors 31, 37 and the raw materials 17, 18. The obvious similarities between and simplify the manufacture of the packaging units 20, 21 by utilizing a large number of identical or at least very similar parts.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the transfer unit 22 comprises two parallel stacked horizontal conveyor lines, each of which is a straight path between the inlet station 23 and the outlet station 24. A series of inner containers 3 are fed along P, preferably stepwise (ie with periodically repeating stop-actuation movements). As described, only the operating stations 33, 34 are activated in the embodiment of FIGS. More specifically, as will be explained below, the operating station 33 rotates 180 ° around a vertical axis of rotation perpendicular to the path P and the operating station 34 is simultaneously perpendicular to the path P. It further rotates 180 ° around the vertical rotation axis and rotates 90 ° around the horizontal rotation axis perpendicular to the path P.

  Each conveyor line comprises two belt conveyors 39, 40 that are arranged in series and separated at the operating station 34, protruding vertically from the belt to form a respective sheet 41 (FIG. 13) for each inner container 3. Each has a number of partitions. In the lower belt conveyor 39, the inner container 3 is placed on the belt of the conveyor 39 (and thus supported from below), while the upper belt conveyor 39 is fed with the inner container 3 along the path P. In the meantime, the inner container 3 is provided with a stationary support surface 42 (FIGS. 17 and 18) which is placed thereon and slides (thus supported from below). Furthermore, each belt conveyor 40 also has a stationary support surface 43 on which the inner container 3 is placed and slides (and thus supported from below) as the inner container 3 is fed along path P. (FIG. 22).

  As shown in FIG. 17, the operation station 32 includes an orientation conveyor 43 that is disposed along two conveyor lines to block locally, and the orientation conveyor 43 includes an orientation wheel 44. The direction wheel 44 is mounted for rotation about a horizontal rotation axis 45 parallel to the two paths P, and is rotated stepwise around the rotation axis 45 by an electric motor 46 and has four U-shaped pockets. 47, each pocket 47 opens on both sides to allow the inner container 3 to pass through and is positioned in its central path parallel to the path P.

  If the orientation wheel 44 is stationary, i.e. does not rotate around the axis of rotation 45, the inner container 3 on the belt conveyor 39 of the two conveyor lines is fed through the pocket 47 at the operating station 32, Not manipulated (more specifically, the stationary support surface 42 of the upper belt conveyor 39 is interrupted by the orientation wheel 44 and locally replaced with the bottom wall of the pocket 47 in the upper position).

  Conversely, when the steering wheel 44 rotates stepwise around the axis of rotation 45 at the operating station 32, the inner container 3 on the upper conveyor line is pocketed 47 at the receiving / discharging station 48 along the upper conveyor line. And are discharged along a lower conveyor line to a receiving / discharging station 49 by a directing wheel 44 that rotates 180 ° about a rotation axis 45. Furthermore, the inner container 3 on the lower conveyor line is engaged by a pocket 47 at a receiving / discharging station 49 along the lower conveyor line and is rotated by an orientation wheel 44 that rotates 180 ° around the axis of rotation 45. It is discharged along the line to an accept / discharge station 48. In other words, each pocket 47 receives the inner container 3 from one conveyor line at the receiving / discharging station 48 or 49 and discharges the inner container 3 to another conveyor line at the receiving / discharging station 49 or 48 for receiving / discharging. In transferring the inner container 3 from the discharge station 48 or 49 to the receiving / discharge station 49 or 48, it is rotated 180 ° around the horizontal axis 45.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the operation station 33 includes two direction conveyors 50, and each direction conveyor 50 is arranged along a corresponding conveyor line and locally blocks the corresponding conveyor line. Each orientation conveyor 50 is attached to rotate around a vertical axis of rotation 52 that intersects two paths P (the two orientation wheels 51 overlap each other and are arranged coaxially). And two independent electric motors (not shown) rotate the steering wheel 51 stepwise around the rotation axis 52, each steering wheel 51 each passing through the inner container 3. Supports four U-shaped pockets 53 that open on both sides. More specifically, each orienting wheel 51 is hollow through two aligned pockets 53 to allow the inner container 3 to be fed therethrough.

  Each orientation wheel 51 is cup-shaped, i.e. a cup shape with an open end opposite the bottom wall and the top orientation wheel 51 is positioned with its open end facing upwards, and therefore The bottom wall forms an extension of the stationary support surface 42 of the upper belt conveyor 39, and the lower orientation wheel 51 is positioned with its open end facing downward.

  If each direction wheel 51 is stationary, i.e. does not rotate around the axis of rotation 52, the inner containers 3 on the belt conveyor 39 of the two conveyor lines are fed through the respective direction wheel 51 at the operating station 33. And is not manipulated (more specifically, the stationary support surface 42 of the upper belt conveyor 39 is interrupted by the direction wheel 51 and locally replaced by the bottom wall of the direction wheel 51).

  On the contrary, when each orientation wheel 51 rotates stepwise around the rotation axis 52 at the operation station 33, the inner container 3 on the conveyor line is engaged by the pocket 53 at the receiving station 54 and the rotation axis 52. Is discharged at the discharge station 55 by a directing wheel 51 that rotates 180 ° around. In other words, each pocket 53 receives the inner container 3 from the conveyor line at the receiving station 54, discharges the inner container 3 to the same conveyor line at a discharge station 55 downstream of the receiving station 54, and from the receiving station 54 to the discharge station 55. When the inner container 3 is transported, it is rotated 180 ° around the vertical rotation axis 52.

  As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the operation station 34 includes two orienting conveyors 56, each disposed along a corresponding conveyor line and blocking the corresponding conveyor line. Each orientation conveyor 56 is attached to rotate around a vertical rotation axis 58 that intersects the two paths P (the two orientation wheels 57 overlap each other and are arranged coaxially). And two independent electric motors (not shown) rotate the steering wheel 57 stepwise around the axis of rotation 58, each steering wheel 57 supporting twelve U-shaped pockets 59 To do.

  The directing wheel 57 never stops in that it functions to transfer the inner container 3 from the belt conveyor 39 to the belt conveyor 40.

  As each orientation wheel 57 rotates stepwise around the axis of rotation 58 at the operating station 34, the inner container 3 on the conveyor line is engaged by the pocket 59 at the receiving station 60 and around the axis of rotation 58. Is discharged at the discharge station 61 by a direction wheel 57 that rotates 180 °. In other words, each pocket 59 receives the inner container 3 from the conveyor line at the receiving station 60, discharges the inner container 3 to the same conveyor line at the discharge station 61 downstream of the receiving station 60, and from the receiving station 60 to the discharge station. When transferring the inner container 3 to 61, it is rotated 180 ° around the vertical rotation axis 58.

  A directing member 62 extends around each directing wheel 57 and intersects the axis of rotation 58 of the directing wheel 57 on each inner container 3 that moves in a pocket 59 from the receiving station 60 to the discharge station 61. Designed to give an additional 90 ° rotation around the horizontal axis of rotation. More specifically, each orienting member 62 is formed by a path extending around a respective orienting wheel 57 and surrounds the inner container 3 to guide it from the receiving station 60 to the discharge station 61, Designed to rotate 3 by 90 °, it forms a wall of the path and comprises a number of round rails supported by four lateral support members. In a preferred embodiment, the rails are aligned to engage at least two opposite edges of the inner container 3.

  As described, the orientation wheel 57 never stops in that it functions to transfer the inner container 3 from the belt conveyor 39 to the belt conveyor 40, but the orientation member 62 directs the orientation of the member 62. By doing so, it can be quickly dismantled to eliminate further rotation of the inner container 3.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the operation station 35 moves the inner container 3 on the lower conveyor line by moving the inner container 3 on the upper conveyor line in a direction perpendicular to the two paths P on the lower conveyor line. 3 and a grouping device 63 arranged across two conveyor lines that group the inner containers 3 on the upper conveyor line. Downstream of the grouping device 63, the lower conveyor line feeds a series of bundles to an outlet station 24, each comprising two inner containers 3, the upper conveyor line (as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25). The inner container 3 is not supplied to the outlet station 24.

  The grouping device 63 is arranged across two conveyor lines and also comprises a belt conveyor 64 having a belt and a number of partitions protruding vertically from the belt forming a respective sheet 65 for each inner container 3. Prepare. Each sheet 65 on the belt conveyor 64 is oriented to pass the inner container 3 moving along the path P.

  When the belt conveyor 64 is stationary at the operation station 35, the inner containers 3 on the belt conveyors 40 of the two conveyor lines are fed through sheets 65 on the belt conveyor 64 (as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12). Is not operated. More specifically, the stationary support surface 43 of the upper belt conveyor 40 is partially blocked at the belt conveyor 64 and locally replaced with a partition on the belt conveyor 64.

  When the belt conveyor 64 is moved in stages at the operating station 35, the inner containers 3 on the upper conveyor line are transferred to the lower conveyor line (as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25) and on the lower conveyor line. Paired with the inner container 3.

  It is important to note that the attached drawings are merely schematic and do not show various non-critical components for clarity. In practice, all of the conveyors described above are equipped with fixed rails (not shown to allow a clear view of the conveyor) extending along the path of the inner container 3, and the inner containers along the predetermined route. 3 forms a “path” for guidance.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 and 16, the transfer unit 22 comprises two correction conveyors 66, each of which is connected to a respective conveyor line, extends across the path P, and has an inner container 3. A drawer that moves in the insertion direction to transfer the inner container 3 from the storage section to the conveyor line and is opposite to the insertion direction to transfer the inner container 3 from the conveyor line to the storage section Move in the direction.

  Each correction conveyor 66 is a belt conveyor and comprises a belt having a number of partitions protruding vertically from the belt to form a respective sheet 67 for each inner container 3. More specifically, the correction conveyor 66 connected to the upper conveyor line is arranged under the inner container 3 moving along the path P, so that the inner container 3 is viewed from below on the belt of the correction conveyor 66. A correction conveyor 66 that is supported but connected to the lower conveyor line is placed on the inner container 3 moving along path P, so that the inner container 3 is lowered on a stationary support surface (not shown). (In addition, when moving, it slides along the stationary support surface). Each sheet 67 of each correction conveyor 66 is perpendicular to the path P and opens on both sides to allow the inner container 3 to pass when the correction conveyor 66 is stationary.

  In one embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the transfer unit 22 includes a bin 68 for the inner container 3 disposed below the first end of the correction conveyor 66 proximate to the conveyor line, and And / or a container 69 for the inner container 3 disposed “away from” the conveyor line under the second end of the correction conveyor 66 opposite the first end. Container 68 is typically used to collect rejected inner containers 3 (ie, incomplete inner containers 3 removed from path P) detected at a quality control station (not shown) upstream of transfer unit 22. Used. If the rejected inner container 3 is engaged inside a sheet 67 on one of the correction conveyors 66 to reject the inner container 3 from the respective path P, the correction conveyor 66 is Pushing the inner container 3 and gravity down to the container 68 advances one step for removal from the path P. Container 69 is typically used to collect samples of inner container 3 for quality control (eg, the first 50 inner containers 3 manufactured at the beginning of a manufacturing shift or after a branch change). In order to collect the sample of the inner container 3, each correction conveyor 66 operates for a predetermined time in order to remove the target number of inner containers 3 from the path P and drop them by gravity under the container 69.

  As shown in FIG. 23, the transfer unit 22 includes a supply device 70 disposed at the outlet station 24 for supplying the inner container 3 from each conveyor line to the packaging unit 21. For each conveyor line, the supply device 70 is an ejector 71, in the first movement perpendicular to the path P, from the respective conveyor line the input pocket of the packaging unit 21 (ie the pocket on the packaging wheel 36). Ejector 71 and pusher 72 for ejecting inner container 3 into a first intermediate position facing the packaging unit 21 from the first intermediate position in a second movement parallel to path P And a pusher 72 for pushing the inner container 3 into the input pocket.

  Each ejector 71 is movable back and forth between an insertion position where the ejector pocket 73 is traversed by the path P and a drawer position where the ejector pocket 73 is at a first intermediate position at a predetermined distance from the path P. A shaped ejector pocket 73 is provided.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 23, the supply device 70 supplies the wrapping wheel 36 to the inner container 3 in the axis supply direction (ie, parallel to the rotation axis of the wrapping wheel 36), that is, each inner container 3 is a wrapping wheel. 36 is inserted into each pocket on 36.

  In another embodiment not shown, the supply device 70 supplies the inner container 3 to the wrapping wheel 36 in the radial supply direction (ie perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the wrapping wheel 36), ie each inner container. 3 is inserted into a respective pocket on the wrapping wheel 36 and, for each conveyor line, is an ejector 71, in a first movement perpendicular to the path P, from the respective conveyor line An ejector 71 for taking out the inner container 3 into an intermediate position, and a pusher 72, which move in parallel with the second path P, from the first intermediate position to the input pocket of the packaging unit 21 (that is, on the packaging wheel 36). A pusher 72 that pushes the inner container 3 into a second intermediate position facing the pocket) and a further pusher for a third movement perpendicular to the path P. Te, and a further pusher to push the inner container 3 into the input pocket of the packaging unit 21 from the second intermediate position.

  As described, the transfer unit 22 comprises four operating stations 32 to 35 that can be activated or deactivated individually depending on the desired orientation and / or grouping of the inner containers 3. In other words, some of the operation stations 32 to 35 (the remaining operation stations remain stopped) perform all or only the desired orientation and / or grouping operations on the inner container 3. May be actuated to

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 9, 11 and 12, only the operating stations 33, 34 are activated (ie, actually act on the inner container 3) and the operating stations 32, 35 are deactivated (ie, Does not act on the inner container 3). At the operating station 33, the inner container 3 is rotated 180 ° around the vertical axis of rotation and at the operating station 34 is rotated 180 ° around the vertical axis of rotation (the rotation is around the vertical axis of rotation at the operating station 33). The rotation of 90 ° is canceled by 90 ° around the horizontal rotation axis.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 24 and 25, the operating station 33 is only partially activated (i.e. only activated for the upper conveyor line), and therefore the inner container 3 on the upper conveyor line has Actually works but does not act on the inner container 3 on the lower conveyor line. Then, the operation stations 34 and 35 are activated (ie, actually act on the inner container 3), and the operation station 32 is stopped (ie, it does not act on the inner container 3). At the operating station 33, the inner container 3 on the upper conveyor line is rotated 180 ° around the vertical axis of rotation (however, the inner container 3 on the lower conveyor line is not affected). At the operation station 34, the inner container 3 is rotated 180 ° around the vertical axis of rotation (the rotation is 180 ° around the vertical axis performed on the inner container 3 on the upper conveyor line at the operation station 33). Rotate 90 ° around the horizontal axis of rotation. Furthermore, at the operating station 35, the inner container 3 is formed in a bundle of each of the two stacked inner containers 3 on the lower conveyor line.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 26, the operating stations 32, 33, 34 are activated (ie, actually act on the inner container 3) and the operating station 35 is stopped (ie, not act on the inner container 3). In the operating station 32, the inner container 3 is rotated 180 ° around a horizontal axis of rotation. At the operating station 33, the inner container 3 is rotated 180 ° around the vertical axis of rotation. Furthermore, at the operating station 34, the inner container 3 is rotated 180 ° around the vertical axis of rotation (which counteracts the 180 ° rotation around the vertical axis of rotation performed at the operating station 33) and horizontal. It is rotated 90 ° around the axis of rotation.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 27, the operating stations 34, 35 are activated (ie, actually act on the inner container 3) and the operating stations 32, 33 are stopped (ie, do not act on the inner container 3). At the operation station 34, the inner container 3 is rotated 180 ° around the vertical axis of rotation and 90 ° around the horizontal axis of rotation, and at the operation station 35, the inner container 3 is moved on the lower conveyor line. Formed in each bundle of two stacked inner containers 3.

  The described operation stations 32 to 35 (the operation stations 32 to 35 can be activated or deactivated completely or partially depending on the cigarette packet 1 to be manufactured) It is provided to operate the inner container 3 as required for manufacturing. However, in the case of specially complex cigarette packet 1, an additional operating station may be required.

  The described transfer unit 22 has a number of advantages.

  In particular, any direction on the inner container 3 specific to each type of cigarette rigid packet that can be produced on the packaging machine 19 by selectively starting or stopping the operation stations 32 to 35 quickly and easily. It is provided to substantially perform a decision operation and / or a grouping operation. When changing the brand (ie switching from one type of cigarette rigid packet production to another type), the packaging machine 19 can adapt quickly and therefore the described transfer unit 22 Is highly “flexible” by being able to adapt quickly to a wide range of cigarette rigid packets.

  Furthermore, the transfer unit 22 described is inexpensive and easy to manufacture by providing conventional (individual) components.

Claims (16)

A packaging machine (19) for producing rigid packets, each comprising at least two containers (3, 4), one inside the other,
A first packaging unit (20) for producing an inner container (3) by folding the inner material (17) around a corresponding product;
A second packaging unit (21) for producing the outer container (4) by folding the outer material (18) around the corresponding inner container (3);
The inner container (3) is received from the first packaging unit (20) at the inlet station (23) and the inner container (3) is transferred to the second packaging unit (21) at the outlet station (24). A transfer unit (22) for feeding,
The transfer unit (22)
At least one conveyor line supplying a series of inner containers (3) along a path (P) extending between the inlet station (23) and the outlet station (24);
A packaging machine (19) arranged along said path (P) and comprising at least one operating station (32, 33, 35) for directing and / or grouping said inner container (3) )
The transfer unit (22) comprises at least three operating stations (32, 33, 35) for respectively directing and / or grouping the inner containers (3);
Each operating station (32, 33, 35) of the transfer unit (22) actually orients the inner container (3) by the desired orientation and / or grouping of the inner container (3). Packaging machine (19), characterized in that it can be activated for grouping and / or can be stopped so that no operation is performed on said inner container (3). The transfer unit (22) comprises at least two orienting conveyors (43, 50, 56);
Each of the directional conveyors (43, 50, 56)
Located at a corresponding operating station (32, 33, 34) along the conveyor line, locally blocking the conveyor line; and
Pockets (47, 53, 59),
Receiving an inner container (3) from the conveyor line at a receiving station (48, 49, 54, 60);
Discharging the inner container (3) to the conveyor line at a discharge station (49, 48, 55, 61); and
In the transfer of the inner container (3) from the receiving station (48, 49, 54, 60) to the discharge station (49, 48, 55, 61), the inner container (3) is at least 90 ° and / or Or rotate 180 °,
2. A packaging machine according to claim 1, comprising pockets (47, 53, 59). The path (P) is linear;
Each orienting conveyor (43, 50, 56) comprises an orienting wheel (44, 51, 57) mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation (45, 52, 58). (44, 51, 57) rotate to transfer the respective inner container (3) from the receiving station (48, 49, 54, 60) to the discharge station (49, 48, 55, 61). Rotate 180 ° around the axis (45, 52, 58) to rotate the inner container (3) 180 °,
The first rotating shaft (45) of the first direction determining wheel (44) is parallel to the path (P), and the second rotating shaft (51, 57) of the second direction determining wheel (51, 57) ( The wrapping machine according to claim 2, wherein 52, 58) is perpendicular to the path (P) and therefore also perpendicular to the first axis of rotation (45). The transfer unit (22) comprises two conveyor lines for supplying two consecutive inner containers (3) respectively along two straight parallel paths (P);
The pocket (47) of the first directing wheel (44),
Receiving the inner container (3) from one conveyor line at the receiving station (48, 49);
4. The packaging machine according to claim 3, wherein the inner container (3) is discharged to the other conveyor line at the discharge station (49, 48). A first pocket (47) of the first directing wheel (44),
Receiving an inner container (3) from a first conveyor line at the receiving station (48);
Discharging said inner container (3) to a second conveyor line at said discharge station (49);
At the same time, the second pocket (47) of the first directing wheel (44)
Receiving an inner container (3) from the second conveyor line at the receiving station (49);
The packaging machine according to claim 4, wherein the inner container (3) is discharged into the first conveyor line at the discharge station (48). A third axis of rotation (58) of the third directing wheel (57) intersects the path (P);
The transfer unit (22)
Comprising a directing member (62) extending around said third directing wheel (57);
The inner container (3) transported from the receiving station (60) to the discharge station (61) intersects the third axis of rotation (58) of the third orienting wheel (57). The packaging machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5, which is designed to further rotate around a fourth rotation axis. The direction determining member (62) is
A route,
Extending around the third directing wheel (57);
Surround and guide the inner container (3) from the receiving station (60) to the discharge station (61);
Designed to rotate the inner container (3) about the fourth axis of rotation;
The packaging machine according to claim 6, comprising a path. The conveyor line is
At least two belt conveyors (39, 40),
Arranged continuously and separated by at least one directing wheel (57),
Each having a belt and a number of partitions perpendicular to the belt to form each sheet (41) for the inner container (3),
The packaging machine according to any one of claims 3 to 7, comprising a belt conveyor (39, 40). The transfer unit (22)
A correction conveyor (66),
Perpendicular to the path (P),
Having a reservoir for the inner container (3),
Moving in the insertion direction to transfer the inner container (3) from the reservoir to the conveyor line, and
To move the inner container (3) from the conveyor line to the reservoir, moving in a pull-out direction opposite the insertion direction;
The packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a correction conveyor (66). The transfer unit (22)
At least one first container (68) for the inner container (3) disposed below the first end of the correction conveyor (66), and / or
The at least one second container (69) for the inner container (3) disposed below a second end opposite the first end of the correction conveyor (66). Item 10. A packaging machine according to item 9. The transfer unit (22)
Two conveyor lines for each of two consecutive inner containers (3) along two straight parallel paths (P);
A grouping device (63),
Arranged at each operating station (35) crossing the conveyor line, and
The inner container (3) of the first conveyor line is moved by moving one inner container (3) from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line in a direction perpendicular to the two paths (P). ) And the inner container (3) of the second conveyor line together,
A grouping device (63),
Downstream from the grouping device (63), the second conveyor line supplies a series of groups each having two inner containers (3) to the outlet station (24), and
11. A packaging machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first conveyor line does not supply inner containers to the outlet station (24). Feeder (70) arranged at the outlet station (24) for the transfer unit (22) to feed the inner container (3) from the conveyor line to the second packaging unit (21) Comprising
The supply device (70)
Ejector (71), in a first movement perpendicular to the path (P), the inner container (3) faces the input pocket of the second packaging unit (21) from the conveyor line. An ejector (71) for removal to the first intermediate position
In the second movement parallel to the path (P), the pusher (72) moves the inner container (3) from the first intermediate position to the input of the second packaging unit (21). A pusher (72) to push out into the pocket;
The packaging machine according to claim 1, comprising: Feeder (70) arranged at the outlet station (24) for the transfer unit (22) to feed the inner container (3) from the conveyor line to the second packaging unit (21) Comprising
The supply device (70)
An ejector (71) for removing said inner container (3) from said conveyor line to a first intermediate position in a first movement perpendicular to said path (P);
A second pusher (72) facing the input pocket of the second packaging unit (21) from the first intermediate position in a second movement parallel to the path (P); A first pusher (72) for pushing the inner container (3) to an intermediate position of
A second pusher, wherein the inner container (3) from the second intermediate position to the input pocket of the second packaging unit (21) in a third movement perpendicular to the path (P); A second pusher for extruding)
The packaging machine according to claim 1, comprising:   The ejector (71) is a C-shaped ejector pocket (73), the insertion position where the ejector pocket (73) is traversed by the path (P), and the ejector pocket (73) is the first pocket The packaging machine according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising a C-shaped ejector pocket (73) movable back and forth at a predetermined distance from the path (P) between a drawer position at an intermediate position. A packaging method for producing a rigid packet, each comprising at least two containers (3, 4), one inside the other,
Manufacturing the inner container (3) by bending the inner material (17) around the corresponding product in the first packaging unit (20);
Manufacturing the outer container (4) by folding the outer material (18) around the corresponding inner container (3) in the second packaging unit (21);
Receiving said inner container (3) from said first packaging unit (20) at an inlet station (23);
Supplying the inner container (3) to the second packaging unit (21) at an outlet station (24); and
Comprising at least one operating station (32, 33, 35) for respectively directing and / or grouping said inner containers (3);
Transferring the first packaging unit (20) from the first packaging unit (20) to the second packaging unit (21) by a transfer unit (22).
Each operating station (32, 33, 35) of the transfer unit (22)
Can be actuated to actually orient and / or group the inner container (3) by the desired orientation and / or grouping of the inner container (3), or
A packaging method characterized in that the inner container (3) can be stopped so as not to perform an operation. A packaging machine (19) for producing rigid packets, each comprising at least two containers (3, 4), one inside the other,
A first packaging unit (20) for producing an inner container (3) by folding the inner material (17) around a corresponding product;
A second packaging unit (21) for producing the outer container (4) by folding the outer material (18) around the corresponding inner container (3);
A transfer unit (22) comprising:
Receiving an inner container (3) from said first packaging unit (20) at an inlet station (23);
Feeding the inner container (3) to the second packaging unit (21) at an outlet station (24);
Perform at least one orientation operation and / or grouping operation on the inner container (3) in an operation station (32, 33, 34, 35) between the inlet station (23) and the outlet station (24) To
A transfer unit (22),
At least one conveyor, wherein the transfer unit (22) supplies a series of inner containers (3) along a path (P) extending between the inlet station (23) and the outlet station (24) Packaging machine (19) with line.

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