JP2019528045A - Method and apparatus for emptying various types of trays filled with bar-shaped articles in the tobacco industry, and a conversion unit designed to change the tray configuration - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for emptying two types of trays with different configurations for a rod-shaped article (R) in the tobacco industry, the first type tray (13) being a five-wall tray, The type of tray (3) is a four-wall tray, and the apparatus comprises a station (2) of the first type or second type of prefilled tray and a first type or second type of prefilled tray A turning unit (10) designed to turn (13,3), a lifting unit (11) designed to lift the turning unit (10), and a first or second type tray A station (23) for emptying (13,3), a station (25) for the first or second type of empty tray, and a control system (40) for controlling the sub-assembly of the apparatus. . The device (1) according to the invention comprises a conversion unit (21, 35) adapted to change the configuration of the first type tray (13) to a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the second type tray (3). ) Is further provided. When the first type tray (13) is delivered for unloading, the conversion unit (21, 35) changes the configuration of the first type tray (13) to the second type tray (13). When the second type tray (3) is delivered for unloading, the configuration of the second type tray (3) is maintained when the second type tray (3) is delivered for unloading. Yes. The conversion unit (21, 35) includes a linearly operated lift mechanism (32), a hinge wall (13T ') and a connecting member designed to lift the hinge wall (13T') and the connecting member (13FL, 13ER). And a linearly actuated press mechanism (34) designed to press (13FL, 13FR) against the other wall (13L, 13R, 13A) of the tray. The invention also relates to a conversion unit (21, 35) and a device (1) and a method for emptying a tray using the conversion unit (21, 35). [Selection] Figure 3b

Description

  The object of the present invention is a method and apparatus for emptying different types of trays filled with bar-like articles in the tobacco industry, and a conversion unit designed to change the tray configuration.

  Tobacco industry factories produce a variety of products for smoking. Both finished products and semi-finished products produced in a continuous manufacturing stage are called rod-shaped articles and are conveyed by a conveyor or a tray. In the tobacco industry, plastic trays are commonly used for all types of rod-shaped articles, especially for tobacco, cigarillos, cigars and filter material rods. The plastic tray has a rectangular parallelepiped shape without two adjacent walls. That is, these are trays with four walls (four-wall trays). Plastic trays are hard and are used to temporarily store and transport stick-shaped articles within the premises of tobacco plants. Cardboard trays designed as five-wall trays (five-wall trays) are commonly used to transport filter rods outside the factory premises. Cardboard trays have thinner walls, lower stiffness, are easily deformable, and have one rocking wall. The 5-wall tray is filled after the tray is opened, that is, after the rocking wall is swung. After filling, the tray must be closed. That is, the rocking wall must be returned to its original position. To empty the tray, the same rocking wall is swung. During transportation, the filled tray is covered with a lid in order to protect the rod-shaped articles accumulated inside. The equipment for unloading the 4-wall and 5-wall trays is basically constructed in the same way, but the mechanism of the equipment needs to be adjusted separately for each tray type, It is necessary to rock one wall of the five-wall tray before lowering. The type and physical parameters of the rod-shaped article being unloaded also influence the unloading process. An object of the present invention is to provide a machine suitable for emptying two types of trays (the first type tray is a five-wall tray and the second type tray is a four-wall tray) with different configurations. It is. The 4-wall tray can be made of any material.

  An apparatus for emptying a cardboard five-wall tray is known from EP 1118543 (B1). Another device for emptying a cardboard 5-wall tray is known from WO201303264 (A1). The apparatus for emptying the four-wall tray is described in British Patent Application No. 2043603 (A), European Patent No. 1086628 (B1), US Pat. No. 3,759,408 (A), European Patent Application Publication No. 16568841 (A1). And U.S. Pat. No. 3,298,549. None of the prior art documents reveals an apparatus comprising a unit that is suitable for unloading various types of trays and designed to change the tray configuration. In the solution known from GB-A-2148853 (A), a five-wall tray made of cardboard that is to be emptied is placed in a plastic four-wall tray, and the five-wall tray is in a plastic tray. After being placed in position, one wall of the five-wall tray is manually rocked. A tray that is held together and secured by a special holder that holds the oscillating wall is arranged on the tray unloader.

  The object of the present invention is an apparatus for emptying two types of trays of rod-shaped articles in the tobacco industry. The first type tray is a five-wall tray and the second type tray is a four-wall tray. The apparatus includes a first or second type of filled tray station, a turning unit designed to turn the first or second type of filled tray, and a lifting unit. A lift unit designed for: a station for emptying a first or second type of tray; a station for a first or second type of empty tray; and a control system for controlling a sub-assembly of the apparatus. Prepare. The apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that it further comprises a conversion unit adapted to change the configuration of the first type tray to a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the second type tray. When the first type tray is delivered for unloading, the conversion unit changes the configuration of the first type tray to a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the second type tray, When a type of tray is delivered for unloading, the configuration of the second type of tray is maintained. The conversion unit further comprises a linearly actuated lift mechanism designed to lift the hinge wall and connecting member, and a linearly actuated press mechanism designed to press the hinge wall and connecting member against the other wall of the tray. Prepare. Further, the turning unit applies a translational motion to the rotation of the tray in a direction transverse to the axis of the rotating shaft and in a direction having a tangential component of the rotation.

  In the manufacturing process, the device according to the invention can unload both plastic and cardboard trays without the need for additional parts to adapt the machine to any type of tray. Manufacturers of smoking articles handling semi-finished products stored in various trays can reduce spending on machinery.

  The device according to the invention is designed so that a turning unit designed to turn a filled tray is designed to hold the tray and move it laterally with respect to the axis of the turning unit shaft. And a holding mechanism including a gripping member.

  The device according to the invention is further characterized in that the holding mechanism is attached to a linear guide designed to move the tray laterally with respect to the axis of the turning unit shaft.

  The device according to the invention is further characterized in that the gripping member comprises a lateral gripper, a bottom gripper and a slide cover.

  The device according to the invention is further characterized in that it comprises a lift unit designed to lift the filled tray from the station of the filled tray.

  The device according to the invention is further characterized in that the conversion unit is an opening unit designed to rock the hinge wall of the first type tray.

  The apparatus according to the invention further comprises that an opening unit designed to swing the hinge wall of the first type tray is arranged above a lift unit designed to lift the filled tray. Features.

  The device according to the invention is further characterized in that the device comprises a tray type detection unit.

  The object of the present invention is also a method for emptying two types of trays with different configurations for a bar-like article in the tobacco industry, the first type tray being a five-wall tray, The type of tray is a four-wall tray, the first type or second type of filled tray is placed at the station of the filled tray, and the first type or second type of filled tray is filled The first type and second type filled trays are gripped by the turning unit, the first type or second type filled trays are lifted, The tie or second type filled tray is turned by the turning unit, and the first type or second type filled tray is emptied of the filled tray. A first type or second type of empty tray is transported to an empty tray station and a first type or second type of empty tray is received from the empty tray station. . The method according to the invention activates the conversion unit after the first type of filled tray has been delivered and converts the configuration of the first type tray into a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the second type tray. However, when the first type tray is delivered for unloading, the configuration of the first type tray is changed to a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the second type tray, When the tray is delivered for unloading, the configuration of the second type of tray is maintained, and further, during the turning of the filling tray, transverse to the axis of the rotating shaft and the tangential component of the rotation Add translation in the direction of

  With the machine according to the invention, the operator does not need to perform any further operations other than placing the tray at the station of the filled tray and swinging the hinge wall. Thus, no additional involvement is required in terms of time with respect to the operation of the device according to the invention.

  The method according to the invention is further characterized in that during the turning of the filled tray, the filled tray is moved laterally away from the axis of the turning unit shaft.

  The method according to the invention is further characterized in that before the tray is gripped by the turning unit, the filled tray is lifted with a lift unit designed to lift the filled tray.

  It is also an object of the present invention to provide a first type tray configuration having at least one hinge wall with a connecting member designed to connect the hinge wall to the other wall of the tray. A push member designed to change to a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the two types of trays and designed to lift the hinge wall and connecting member, and to press the hinge wall and connecting member against the other wall of the tray And a designed press member. The unit according to the invention comprises a linearly actuated lift mechanism designed to lift the hinge wall and connecting member, a linearly actuated press mechanism designed to press the hinge wall and connecting member against the other wall of the tray, Is further provided.

  The unit according to the invention is further characterized in that the lift mechanism comprises at least two actuators provided with push members.

  The unit according to the invention is further characterized in that the pressing mechanism comprises at least two actuators provided with pressing members.

  The tray emptying device according to the present invention allows machine operation with various types of trays. As a result, the operator does not need to make a time-consuming change in the machine configuration and does not need to store a set of parts necessary for the change in the machine configuration. Tray conversion is performed without extending machine run time.

  The object of the invention is illustrated in detail in the preferred embodiment shown.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a four-wall (second type) filled tray with the front side of the tray visible. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a five wall (first type) filled tray in a second type tray configuration, with the front side of the tray visible. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a five wall (first type) filled tray in a second type tray configuration, with the back side of the tray visible. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a five wall (first type) filled tray in a second type tray configuration, with the front side of the tray visible. It is a side view of the machine which empties a tray. It is a figure which shows the turning unit and lift unit seen from the back of the machine. It is a figure which shows the conversion unit and the 1st type tray seen from the back of the machine. FIG. 3 is a side view of a conversion unit and a first type tray. It is a top view of the press member of a conversion unit, and a 1st type tray. It is a top view of the press member of a conversion unit, and a 1st type tray. It is a side view of the machine which empties a tray. It is a side view of a handling module. FIG. 3 is a side view of a machine for emptying a tray, with a turning unit shown in several working positions. It is a figure which shows the movement path | route of a tray of 4 walls (2nd type). It is a figure which shows the movement path | route of a tray of 4 walls (2nd type). It is a figure which shows the movement path | route of a tray of 5 walls (1st type). It is a figure which shows the movement path | route of a tray of 5 walls (1st type). It is a figure which shows the continuous step of operation | movement of a turning unit. It is a figure which shows the continuous step of operation | movement of a turning unit. It is a figure which shows the continuous step of operation | movement of a turning unit. It is a figure which shows the continuous step of operation | movement of a turning unit.

  In the present specification, the present invention will be described with reference to a four-wall tray 3 shown simplified in FIG. 1 and a five-wall tray 13 shown simplified in FIG. Both trays are shown as filled in an upright position. That is, both trays are shown in such a position that the filled tray is located at the filled tray station of the machine that empties the filled tray. The filled space of the tray is indicated by shading, and only a few examples of the rod-like articles R are shown lying on the bottom of the tray. The filled tray is placed in such an upright position on the filled tray station by the operator, but the operator holds the tray sidewall in such a way that the contents of the tray can be viewed. Expressions such as top, bottom, side, and back refer to the position of the tray shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the front, left side, and top side of each tray are visible. The four-wall tray 3 has a bottom wall 3B on which the tray stands, a rear wall 3A, and two side walls (a left side wall 3L and a right side wall 3R). This is a position that can be seen by the operator with the open front 3G of the tray 3 facing the operator placed at the station of the filled tray. Filling and discharging of the contents of the tray is performed through the open surface 3T.

  The four-wall tray can be made of plastic or other suitable material that ensures sufficient rigidity and is usually designed for multiple applications.

  The five-wall tray 13 has a bottom wall 13B on which the tray stands, a rear wall 13A, and two side walls (a left side wall 13L and a right side wall 13R). The five-wall tray 13 has a swinging upper wall 13T ′, and the upper wall 13T ′ is designed to self-align with respect to the rear wall 13A of the tray 13 connected along the edge 13E. Has been. The upper wall 13T 'has two swinging protrusions 13FL and 13FR, which are inserted into the slots of the corresponding side walls 13L and 13R during transportation. When the operator lifts the upper wall 13T ′ after placing the five-wall tray 13 at the filled tray station, the swinging protrusions 13FL and 13FR are pulled out of the side walls 13L and 13R and loosened outside the side walls 13L and 13R. Can be hung. FIGS. 2a and 2b show a five-wall tray 13 in an open configuration identical to that of a four-wall tray, in a later stage of the cycle in which the five-wall tray is emptied. The upper wall 13T 'swings so that the 5-wall tray 13 can be emptied through the upper open surface 13T of the 5-wall tray. The filling of the five-wall tray 13 is also performed through the upper open surface 13T. Similar to the 4-wall tray 3, the operator places the 5-wall tray 13 on the pre-filled tray station while holding the 5-wall tray 13 with the open front face 13G facing the operator.

  The five-wall tray 13 can be made of cardboard or other inexpensive material and is usually softer than the four-wall tray and is designed for disposable use.

  The machine 1 for emptying the trays 3 and 13 described below is a tray unloader and emptyes both the hard 4-wall tray 3 and the low-rigid 5-wall tray 13 without having to change the machine configuration. It is supposed to be. For the sake of brevity, the unit belonging to the machine 1 for emptying the tray according to the invention is shown in a simplified manner in FIG. 3 without a drive mechanism, the outer contour of the machine being shown in broken lines. The tray emptying machine 1 comprises a filled tray station 2 on which a filled 4-wall tray 3 or 5-wall tray 13 to be unloaded is placed by the operator. The filled tray station 2 can be designed as a conveyor 4 with two conveyor belts for transporting the trays 3 and 13. The trays 3 and 13 may be conveyed by a chain including links with flat support surfaces. Tray 3, 13 is supplied as a first filled tray 3 ′, 13 ′ from station 2 of filled trays to transport them for unloading, a plurality of filled trays 3, 13 are filled Collected on station 2 of the tray. The supply of the first filled trays 3 ′, 13 ′ from all filled trays 3, 13 in station 2 is all the fillings except for the first trays 3 ′, 13 ′ conveyed by the conveyor 4. This can be done after lifting the used trays 3 and 13 from the conveyor 4. The trays 3 and 13 can be lifted by a lift device 4A whose movement is associated with the lowering of the locking device 4B, so that the first filled trays 3 ′ and 13 ′ conveyed by the conveyor 4 can be lifted. Can pass through. After feeding the first filled trays 3 ′, 13 ′, the lift device 4A is lowered, the trays 3, 13 previously lifted by the lift device 4A are placed on the conveyor 4, and the lock device 4B is lifted. . The filled tray station 2 comprises lateral guides 4C arranged on both sides of the trays 3, 13 transported along the filled tray station 2. The lateral guide 4C is positioned concentrically in the feed direction, i.e. from the rear 2A to the front 2B of the station 2 of the filled tray, but the convergence of the lateral guide 4C depends on the type of trays 3, 13; For example, it can be adjusted according to the rigidity of the trays 3 and 13. Further, the lateral guide 4C may be positioned at different heights depending on the type of the trays 3 and 13, in particular, the rigidity of the side walls of the trays 3 and 13 and the shape of the side walls of the trays 3 and 13. The filled tray station 2 comprises an adjustable support element 5. The alignment of the support element 5 is necessary so that the filled trays 3, 13 can be easily collected or can be stopped where they are lifted. In the 4-wall tray 3 and the 5-wall tray 13, because of their different stiffnesses, it may be necessary to place the adjustable support elements 5 in different positions. The filled trays 3, 13 are placed by the operator in the rear 2A of the station 2 of the filled tray. In the front part 2B of the station 2 of the prefilled tray, a lift unit 6 designed to lift the prefilled trays 3, 13 is arranged. The lift unit 6 can be implemented as a lift designed to lift the filled tray from the conveyor 4 at station 2 of the filled trays 3, 13, and the mechanism of the lift unit 6 is the conveyor belt of the conveyor 4. Located below.

  The tray emptying machine 1 includes two opening units 21L and 21R (FIG. 3) designed to open the upper wall 13T 'of the five-wall tray 13. The opening units 21L and 21R include, for example, rotating work elements 22L and 22R (FIG. 3a) that swing the upper wall 13T '. Hereinafter, the configuration of the five-wall tray 13 illustrated in FIG. 2 is referred to as a first type configuration, and the configuration of the four-wall tray 3 illustrated in FIG. 1 is referred to as a second type configuration. By swinging the upper wall 13T ′ of the five-wall tray 13 and pressing it against the rear wall 13A, and subsequently pressing the protrusions 13FL and 13FR against the side walls 13L and 13R, respectively, the five-wall tray 13 is moved to the first type. It is possible to convert from a configuration to a second type of configuration. The five-wall tray 13 may be gripped by the turning unit 10 only after the five-wall tray has been converted to the second type configuration. Both the opening unit 21L and the opening unit 21R change the tray configuration from the first type configuration (ie, the tray having five walls covering the inside of the tray) to the configuration corresponding to the second type of tray configuration (ie, the tray). The conversion unit is configured to be replaced with a tray having four walls whose inner side is not covered by the fifth wall.

  The lift unit 6 designed to lift the filled trays 3, 13 comprises brackets 7A, 7B and 7C shown in FIG. 3a. In order to avoid tray deformation, when lifting the filled trays 3, 13 some of the interconnecting brackets 7A, 7B and 7C which can be inclined towards the front 1A of the machine 1 emptying the tray The filled trays 3 and 13 are supported at this point. During lifting by the lift unit 6, the trays 3 and 13 are held by movable lateral clamp members 8L and 8R. In this case, in the case of the five-wall tray 13 made of cardboard, there is a role to eliminate the risk of deformation of the five-wall tray 13 and to move (fall down) the rod-shaped article R in the upper corner of the five-wall tray 13. The lateral clamping members 8L and 8R can be operated, for example, by a pneumatic actuator 9, but the positions of the clamping members 8L and 8R need to be adjusted according to the rigidity and overall dimensions of the trays 3, 13 used. . In the case of the four-wall tray 3, it is not necessary to apply pressure to the side walls 3L and 3R of the tray 3, and in this case, the clamp members 8L and 8R limit the horizontal movement. Lifting of the trays 3, 13 by the lift unit 6 can be achieved by any linear movement mechanism having an electric or pneumatic drive. The lift unit 6 lifts the filled trays 3 and 13 to a height at which the turning unit 10 can grip the filled trays 3 and 13. The turning unit 10 turns the filled trays 3, 13 before unloading them at the station 23 for emptying the filled trays 3, 13. The turning unit 10 may be designed to be stationary at a specific height or may be moved vertically by the lift unit 11. It is also possible to lower the turning unit 10 and then lift the filled trays 3, 13 directly from the filled tray 3, 13 station 2 by the turning unit 10, as will be described in more detail below.

  Figures 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e show an alternative conversion unit designed to open a five-wall tray. FIG. 3 b is a view from the back of the machine showing the tray 13 lifted by the lift unit 6. The conversion unit 21 includes actuators 31L and 31R, which are provided with push members 32L and 32R attached to the piston rods of the actuators 31L and 31R. The push members 32L and 32R are used for swinging the wall 13T 'together with the protrusion 13F in an axis passing through the edge 13E. The actuators 31L and 31R are inclined with respect to the walls 13L and 13R so that the push member can act on the surface of the wall 13T '. As a result of the action of the actuators 31L and 31R, the upper wall 13T 'of the tray 13 having the first type configuration is swung as shown in FIG. 3C. The actuators 31L and 31R are in the pulled-out position, and the push members 32L and 32R are in contact with the wall 13T '. The role of the actuators 33L and 33R is to further bend the wall 13T 'and the protrusions 13FL and 13FL. The push members 34L and 34R are attached to the piston rods of the actuators 33L and 33R. FIG. 3d shows the pistons of the push members 34L and 34R before folding the wall 13T 'and the protrusions 13FL and 13FR, and FIG. 3e after folding. The push member 34L is attached to the actuator 33L, and is used to bend the wall 13T 'so as to contact the wall 13A and to bend the protruding portion 13FL so as to contact the wall 13L. The push member 34R is attached to the actuator 33R, and is used to bend the wall 13T 'so as to contact the wall 13A and to bend the discharge portion 13FR so as to contact the wall 13R. The actuator 33L having the press member 34L and the actuator 33R having the press member 34R press the self-aligning wall 13T ′ against the wall 13A and connect the connecting members in the form of protrusions 13FL and 13FR to the walls 13L and 13R of the tray 13. A press mechanism 34 designed to be pressed is constructed. The lift mechanism 32 and the press mechanism 34 constitute the conversion unit 35 and are an opening unit at the same time. In other embodiments, the push members 34L and 34R may be attached to the turning unit 10, eg, the body portion 14 of the turning unit 10, in which case the bending of the wall 13T ′ and the protrusions 13FL and 13FR is This is performed while the turning unit 10 is being lowered.

  The machine 1 for emptying the tray comprises a station 23 for emptying the filled tray in the front part 1A of the machine (FIG. 4). Below that, a conveyor 24 for receiving the rod-shaped articles R unloaded from the trays 3 and 13 is arranged. An empty tray station 25 is arranged at the rear 1B of the machine 1 for emptying the tray. The empty tray station 25 can be designed as a conveyor or empty tray store. The empty tray station 25 comprises a receiving unit comprising a self-adjusting shelf 26 having a support 27. On the drawn-out shelf 26, empty trays 3 and 13 which are transported by the turning unit 10 after being emptied at the station 23 for emptying the filled trays are arranged. When the shelf 26 with the support 27 is retracted towards the rear 1 of the machine 1, all empty trays 3, 13 collected in the station 25 are displaced.

  The tray emptying machine 1 in FIG. 4 comprises a conversion unit 21 located at a height above the conveyor 4 in the station 2 of the filled tray, which changes the configuration of the tray 13 ′ on the conveyor 4. Can do. In an embodiment of such a machine, after the filled tray 13 is supplied in a first type configuration, the configuration is converted to a second type configuration, and then the tray 13 is lifted by the lift unit 6. Or by the lowered turning unit 10. The control system is adapted to activate the conversion unit 21 when the tray is loaded into the machine in the first type of configuration. If a four-wall tray 3 is fed onto the machine 1 that empties the tray, the conversion unit remains inactive. It is also possible to convert the first type tray to the second type tray configuration after the tray 13 is lifted by the lift unit 6.

  The machine 1 for emptying the tray includes a control unit 40 shown in FIG. 3 connected to the individual units of the machine 1. The control system of the machine 1 comprises a detection unit 41 designed to detect the type of tray located on the station 2 of filled trays. In response to the detection of the type of tray placed on the station 2, the conversion units 21 and 35 can be activated. Conversion units 21 and 35 were supplied because their working elements act on the walls of the five-wall tray in the first type configuration and not on the walls of the four-wall tray in the second type configuration. It may be in operation regardless of the type of tray.

  FIG. 5 shows the turning unit 10 attached to the rotating shaft 12 having a rotating shaft 12 </ b> A on the slide 11 </ b> A of the lift unit 11. The turning unit 10 includes a main support element 14 on which the rear walls 3A and 13A of the 4-wall tray 3 or 5-wall tray 13 are supported. The turning unit 10 includes at least one bottom grippers 15L and 15R designed to support the gripping members designed to grip the trays 3 and 13, that is, the bottom walls 3B and 13B of the trays 3 and 13, and the trays. And at least a pair of side surface grippers 16L, 16R designed to grip the side walls 3L, 3R, 13L, 13R of the three and thirteen, and a damper 18 designed to cover the rod-shaped article R in the tray. The gripping member is attached to a holding mechanism 10A designed to hold the trays 3 and 13 in the turning unit 10 during handling of the trays 3 and 13. The diverting unit 10 and the lift unit 11 constitute a hunting unit 19. The trays 3 and 13 are handled by lifting the trays 3 and 13 by the lift unit 11, turning the trays 3 and 13 by the turning unit 10, and moving the trays 3 and 13 on the holding mechanism 10 </ b> A to the shaft of the turning unit 10. It should be understood as moving away from the 12 axes 12A. Further, it is possible to freely combine the functions of lifting the trays 3 and 13, changing the direction and moving them away from the rotating shaft 12 </ b> A during the execution of the cycle for emptying the trays 3 and 13.

  The embodiment of FIG. 3a shows a pair of bottom grippers 15L, 15R for automatic alignment, the bottom grippers 15L, 15R being designed to support the bottom walls 3B, 13B of the trays 3, 13, respectively. Yes. In the case of the low-rigidity trays 3 and 13 or when the rod-shaped article R is heavy, a larger number of bottom surface grippers may be required. This embodiment shows side grippers 16L and 16R designed in the shape of a longitudinal slat that constitutes the clamping member. The shape of the side grippers 16L and 16R may depend on the surface shape of the side walls of the trays 3 and 13. The 5-wall tray 13 has smooth side walls, but the side walls of the 4-wall tray 3 may have ribs and additional protrusions. The side grippers 16L, 16R can be moved by the pneumatic actuator 17, and each can act on the trays 3, 13 as clamping members that eliminate deformation of the tray side walls 3L and 3R and 13L and 13R. The positions of the clamp members 16L and 16R require adjustment of the holding positions of the trays 3 and 13 according to the rigidity and overall dimensions of the trays 3 and 13 used. A damper 18 that is slidably fixed to the guide 18A of the holding mechanism 10A in the turning unit 10 and that is operated by any drive unit (not shown) with linear motion, such as a pneumatic drive or an electric drive unit, is connected to the trays 3, 13 Used to cover the inner rod-shaped article R. The holding mechanism 10 </ b> A includes side surface grippers 16 </ b> L and 16 </ b> R, bottom surface grippers 15 </ b> L and 15 </ b> R for automatic alignment, a damper 18, and drive elements attached to the main body 14. The drive element is designed, for example, as a plate that constitutes the main support element for the tray. The holding mechanism 10A is attached to a linear guide 10B that is connected to a rotating shaft 12 having a rotating shaft 12A. The holding mechanism 10 </ b> A can be moved along the guide 10 </ b> B by an arbitrary driving mechanism (not shown) so that the holding mechanism 10 </ b> A moves in the lateral direction with respect to the axis 12 </ b> A of the shaft 12. The holding mechanism 10 </ b> A has a role of changing the distance between the trays 3 and 13 from the axis 12 </ b> A of the rotary shaft 12. By combining the rotational movement and linear movement of the trays 3 and 13, it becomes possible to handle the trays 3 and 13 indefinitely while the trays 3 and 13 are being transported to the unloading position of the station 23. . Furthermore, the rotating operation of the turning unit 10 can be started at any stage of the lifting operation of the lift unit 11.

  FIG. 6 shows the machine 1 for emptying the tray with its unit in a characteristic position. The lift unit 6 is indicated by a solid line at the bottom position and by a broken line at the upper position 6 '. The turning unit 10 in the bottom position is indicated by a solid line, in which the trays 3 and 13 are transferred from the lift unit 6. The turning unit 10 in the upper position 10 'is indicated by a broken line. The turning movement of the turning unit 10 can be started at the upper position 10 ′, and it can already be started before reaching the upper position 10 ′, ie during the lifting by the lift unit 11. The turning unit 10 in the position immediately before the unloading of the trays 3 and 13 is indicated by a broken line and is denoted by reference numeral 10 ″. The receiving unit 28 of the empty tray station 25, shown in solid lines, is in a standby position, i.e. a retracted position in which no empty tray is received. The receiving unit 28 shown in broken lines is in the tray receiving position and is labeled 28 '.

  FIG. 7 shows the movement path 70 of the four-wall tray 3, but successive stages of tray movement are shown with respect to a point located in the center of the rear wall of the tray. A moving path 70 connecting successive feature points taken by the midpoint of the tray passing through the operation area of each mechanism is indicated by a thick broken line. In the filled tray station 2, the filled four-wall tray 3 passes through a continuous position from point A to point B. The filled four-wall tray 3 from point B is moved to a position controlled by support element 5 or lift unit 6 and stops at point C. The lift unit 6 starts the ascending operation to lift the four-wall tray 3 and tilt the filled four-wall tray 3 by several degrees. The position of the four-wall tray after tilting is indicated by C '. During the raising operation, the tray 3 is held by the clamps 8L and 8R. When the four-wall tray 3 reaches the point D, the lift unit 6 ends the ascending operation. The turning unit 10 grips the four-wall tray 3 by the side grippers 16L and 16R and the support portions 15L and 15R for automatic alignment, and covers the rod-shaped articles R collected in the tray by the damper 18. The lift unit 6 is lowered. Next, the turning unit 10 is lifted together with the gripped four-wall tray 3 by the lift unit 11, that is, by the handling unit 19, and the tray 3 reaches point E. The turning operation of the turning unit 10 starts from the point E, which is indicated by a broken line. After the turning operation of the turning unit 10 is started, the movement of the holding mechanism 10A is started together with the 4-wall tray 3 in order to increase the distance of the tray from the axis of the turning unit 10. The movement of the holding mechanism 10 </ b> A is performed in the lateral direction with respect to the axis 12 </ b> A of the rotary shaft 12. Depending on the type of the tray and the bar-shaped article, the movement of the holding mechanism 10A may be started at any stage of the rotation operation. As a result of the combination of the rotation operation of the turning unit 10 and the movement of the holding mechanism 10A, the four-wall tray 3 moves from a point E to a point F on a substantially elliptical path or a path constituted by an elliptical portion. The moving path along which the packed four-wall tray 3 moves can include a circular part and a plurality of elliptical parts, but the shape of the moving path depends on the physical parameters of the rod-shaped article R, mainly their weight. Dependent. At the point F, the 4-wall tray 3 is swung several times from the vertical direction to various angles before the unloading of the 4-wall tray 3 is started. During the transfer of the tray from the point F to the point G, in the station 23 for emptying the filled tray, the damper 18 is retracted, and the unloading of the rod-shaped article R from the four-wall tray 3 to the conveyor 24 is started. . After partially unloading the rod-shaped article R from the four-wall tray 3, the four-wall tray 3 may be received by the handling unit 19. This is because the four-wall tray 3 is always gripped by the holding mechanism 10 </ b> A of the turning unit 10. Alternatively, the 4-wall tray 3 can remain at point G in the unloading position until it is completely empty. When the empty tray 3 is received, the tray 3 first moves in the vertical direction in the section GH, then moves in the section HJ of the route, and is sent to the receiving unit 28 in the station 25 of the empty tray. It is done. The section HJ extends upward. This is because the section GH must be straight and vertical when receiving the tray after it has been partially unloaded. Section HJ of the travel path may be similar to or overlap with section E-F of the path (if the tray is received after the tray is completely emptied). The movement of the tray 3 on the section H-J may be achieved by a unit other than the turning unit 10 of the handling unit 19. Furthermore, the empty four-wall tray 3 is moved to point K by the receiving unit 28 and further moved to point L along the empty tray station 25 from which it is collected by the operator. The empty tray is forced to move from point K to point L by the operation of the receiving unit 28 associated with the received continuous empty tray.

  In the conveyed rod-shaped article R, it is required to treat it softly and reduce the mechanical load as much as possible. Due to the different weights of the rod-shaped articles, the mechanism for unloading the tray is subjected to various loads. The load particularly affects the mechanism of the turning unit 10. During handling of the trays 3 and 13, the rod-shaped article R contained therein may move to some extent with respect to the trays 3 and 13. Since the rod-shaped article R may be damaged when the rod-shaped article R moves with respect to the trays 3 and 13, it is necessary to eliminate or at least limit such movement. Before the lifting by the lift unit 11 is completed, an optimum distribution of the acceleration received by the rod-shaped article R and the load of the mechanism of the turning unit 10 is achieved by starting a rotation operation around the axis 12A of the turning unit 10. This has been proved by tests.

  FIG. 8 shows a modified movement path 80 of the four-wall tray 3 where the turning operation of the turning unit 10 starts at point M. The movement of the four-wall tray 3 can be started in the section MN, but the movement of the four-wall tray 3 in the direction away from the rotating shaft 12A by moving the mechanism that holds the four-wall tray 3 is performed. , Starting at a point on the section E-N. Since the rotating operation of the turning unit 10 and the linear operation of the mechanism 10A for holding the tray are independent mechanisms, the course of the moving path of the four-wall tray 3 can be freely formed.

  9 and 10 show the movement paths 90 and 100 of the five-wall tray 13. As with the four-wall tray 3, successive stages of movement are shown with respect to the point located in the middle of the rear wall of the tray 13. After placing the five-wall tray 13 at the station 2 of the filled tray, the machine operator preliminarily swings the top wall 13T '. A moving path connecting continuous feature points taken by the midpoint of the rear wall of the five-wall tray 13 is indicated by a thick broken line. The passage from the point A to the point C is performed in the same manner as in the case of the four-wall tray 3. The lift unit 6 lifts the five-wall tray 13 to the point D. In this position, the conversion unit (eg, 21L and 21R) rocks the wall 13T 'to perform the subsequent unloading of the five-wall tray. The turning unit 10 holds the five-wall tray 13 together with the side clamps 16L and 16R and the support portions 15L and 15R for automatic alignment, and covers the rod-shaped articles collected in the five-wall tray 13 by the damper 18. . Still other parts of the travel path of the five-wall tray 13 (ie, the tray in the first type configuration) extend in the same manner as the four-wall tray 3 (ie, the second type tray).

  Tests have shown that the optimum distribution of acceleration experienced by the rod-shaped article R and the load of the mechanism of the turning unit 10 can be achieved by initiating a rotational movement about the axis 12A before reaching point E. . FIG. 10 shows a modified movement path 100 of the five-wall tray 13 where the turning operation of the turning unit 10 starts at point P. Here, the movement of the tray 3 in the direction away from the rotating shaft 12A by moving the holding mechanism 10A starts at a point on the section E-S, but the movement of the tray 13 moves on the section PS. You may start. In the case of a five-wall tray 13, the tray movement path 100 can be modified by the initial lifting of the tray 13 over the section H-U and the gradual lowering of the tray over the subsequent section U-J. The empty tray 13 is lifted more steeply than in the case of the four-wall tray 3. Since the five-wall tray 13 made of cardboard that does not contain the rod-shaped article R is likely to be deformed due to the pressure of the side clamp member, it is found that such a movement path is more preferable in the five-wall tray 13. did.

  FIGS. 11-14 show successive stages of rotation of the turning unit 10 as the trays 3 and 13 move in a direction away from the axis 12A of the shaft 12 of the turning unit 10. The distances d1 to d4 between the rear wall of the tray and the axis 12A of the shaft 12 gradually increase from d1 to d4. The distances d1 to d4 are increased by moving the holding mechanism 10A on the guide 10B. The initial minimum distance between the rear wall of the tray shown in FIG. 11 and the axis 12A of the shaft 12 is defined as d1. The final maximum distance between the rear wall of the tray and the axis 12A of the shaft 12 is defined as d4, where d1 <d2 <d3 <d4 (d2 and d3 are after the trays 3, 13 Continuous intermediate distance between the wall and the axis 12A).

Claims (14)

An apparatus (1) for emptying two types of trays with different configurations for a rod-shaped article (R) in the tobacco industry, the first type tray (13) being a five-wall tray, The type of tray (3) is a 4-wall tray,
A station (2) of said first type or said second type of filled trays;
A turning unit (10) designed to turn the filled tray (13, 3) of the first type or the second type;
A lift unit (11) designed to lift the turning unit (10);
A station (23) for emptying the first or second type tray (13, 3);
An empty tray station (25) of the first or second type;
A control system (40) for controlling a subassembly of said device, comprising:
The device is
Comprising a conversion unit (21, 35) adapted to change the configuration of the first type tray (13) to a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the second type tray (3);
When the first type tray (13) is delivered for unloading, the conversion unit (21, 35) can change the configuration of the first type tray (13) to the second type. The configuration of the second type tray (3) is maintained when the second type tray (3) is delivered for unloading, instead of a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the tray (3). And
The conversion unit (21, 35) includes a linearly actuated lift mechanism (32) designed to lift the hinge wall (13T ') and the connecting member (13FL, 13ER);
A linear actuated pressing mechanism (34) designed to press the hinge wall (13T ') and the connecting member (13FL, 13FR) against the other wall (13L, 13R, 13A) of the tray; An apparatus, comprising:   The turning unit (10) designed to turn the filled tray is designed to hold the tray (3, 13) and the tray (3, 13) to the turning unit (10). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a holding mechanism (10A) comprising a gripping member adapted to be moved transversely with respect to the axis (12A) of the shaft (12) of the shaft.   The holding mechanism (10A) is attached to a linear guide (10B) designed to move the tray laterally relative to the axis (12A) of the shaft (12) of the turning unit (10). The device according to claim 2, wherein:   Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the gripping member comprises a lateral gripper (16L, 16R), a bottom gripper (15L, 15R) and a slide cover (18).   The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a lift unit (6) designed to lift the filled trays (3, 13) from the station (2) of the filled trays. The device described.   The conversion unit (21, 35) is an opening unit designed to rock the hinge wall (13T ') of the first type tray (13). The apparatus as described in any one of -5.   The opening unit (21, 35) designed to swing the hinge wall (13T ′) of the first type tray (13) lifts the filled tray (3, 13). 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it is arranged above the designed lift unit (6).   Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) comprises a tray type detection unit (41). A method for emptying two types of trays with different configurations for a rod-shaped article (R) in the tobacco industry, wherein the first type tray (13) is a five-wall tray and the second type The tray (3) is a 4-wall tray,
Placing said first type or said second type of filled trays (13, 3) in a station (2) of filled trays;
Transporting said filled trays (13, 3) of said first type or said second type along a station (2) of said filled trays;
The filled trays (13, 3) of the first type and the second type are gripped by a turning unit (10);
Lifting the filled tray (13, 3) of the first type or the second type, and turning the filled tray (13, 3) of the first tie or the second type to the turning unit. Turned by (10),
Placing the filled trays (13, 3) of the first type or the second type in a station (23) for emptying the filled trays;
Transporting said first type or said second type of empty tray (13, 3) to an empty tray station (25);
Receiving the empty tray (13, 3) of the first type or the second type from a station (25) of the empty tray;
The method is
After the filled tray (13) of the first type is delivered, the conversion unit (21, 35) is activated,
Converting the configuration of the first type tray (13) to a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the second type tray (3),
When the first type tray (13) is delivered for unloading, the configuration of the first type tray (13) corresponds to the configuration of the second type tray (3). In the case where the second type tray (3) is delivered for unloading, the configuration of the second type tray (3) is maintained,
Furthermore, the configuration of the tray includes a linearly operated lift mechanism (32) designed to lift the hinge wall (13T ′) and the connecting members (13FL, 13FR);
A linearly actuated press mechanism (34) designed to press the hinge wall (13T ') and the connecting member (13FL, 13FR) against the other wall (13L, 13R, 13A) of the tray; The method characterized by changing.   During the turning of the filled tray, the filled tray (3, 13) is moved laterally away from the axis (12A) of the shaft (12) of the turning unit (10), The method of claim 9.   Before the tray (3, 13) is gripped by the turning unit (10), the filled tray (3, 13) is lifted by a lift unit (6) for lifting the filled tray. The method according to claim 9 or 10. A first type having at least one hinge wall (13T ′) comprising a connecting member (13FL, 13FR) designed to connect the hinge wall to the other wall (13L, 13R) of the tray (13). A conversion unit (21, 35) designed to change the configuration of the tray (13) to a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the second type of tray (13) without hinge walls;
Push members (22L, 22R, 32L, 32R) designed to lift the hinge wall (13T ') and the connecting members (13FL, 13FR);
A pressing member (22L, 22R, 34L, 34R) designed to press the hinge wall (13T ′) and the connecting member against the other wall (13L, 13R, 13A) of the tray (13); A conversion unit (21, 35) comprising:
The conversion unit (21, 35)
A linearly actuated lift mechanism (32) designed to lift the hinge wall (13T ') and the connecting member (13FL, 13FR);
A linearly actuated pressing mechanism (34) designed to press the hinge wall (13T ') and the connecting member (13FL, 13FR) against the other wall of the tray (13L, 13R, 13A). A conversion unit characterized by that.   13. Unit according to claim 12, characterized in that the lift mechanism (32) comprises at least two actuators (31L, 31R) provided with the push members (32L, 32R).   14. Unit according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the pressing mechanism (34) comprises at least two actuators (33L, 33R) provided with the pressing members (34L, 34R).

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