JP2815371B2 - Tobacco filter transport device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for transporting a tobacco filter, and more particularly, to aligning the positions of the end faces of the tobacco filter in a transport process and tobacco filter. The present invention relates to a tobacco filter conveying device which is particularly useful for continuously supplying the same to a measuring section for measuring the physical characteristics of tobacco.

[Problems to be Solved by the Prior Art and the Invention] At present, tobacco filters are usually made of acetate fibers, and after uniformly adding a plasticizer to a bundle of acetate fiber filaments by spraying, a wrapping paper is used. A tobacco filter (hereinafter referred to as a filter plug) formed in a cylindrical shape and then formed into a fixed size such as 102 mm or 120 mm in length.
Is prepared. Then, the filter plug is cut to a predetermined length and connected to a cigarette (cigarette) to produce a cigarette with a filter.

On the other hand, the production volume of cigarettes and filter plugs is enormous. Strict quality control is required for the properties of cigarettes and filter plugs, for example, physical properties such as weight, length, and airflow resistance, at the time of their manufacture and at the time of shipment and acceptance of products. In view of the above, in order to quickly and accurately measure a large number of measurement items and accurately process data for an enormous number of filter plugs or the like, one of the present applicants first described the physical characteristics of filter plugs and the like. Have been proposed (see JP-A-54-46060, JP-B-61-7261, JP-B-61-7262, etc.).

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional filter property measuring device for cigarettes. This device comprises an inclined carrier table (61) for supplying filter plugs, and a plurality of filters for accommodating the supplied filter plugs. Groove (62a) (62b)
(62c), (62d), and (62e) are formed, and holes (6) are formed in the grooves (62a), (62b), (62c), (62d), and (62e).
3a) (63b), (63c), (63d), and (63e), a sample lateral feed base (64) in which a hole is drilled, and located below the sample lateral feed base (64). Hole with movement (63a)
Teeth (65a) protruding from (63b) (63c) (63d) (63e)
(65b), (65c), (65d), and (65e) have a feed dog mechanism (66) protruding therefrom.

The tip of each tooth (65a) (65b) (65c) (65d) (65e) is inclined in the sample feed direction, and the feed dog mechanism (66)
(62a) (62b) (62c) (62d) (62
The filter plugs accommodated in e) are sequentially supplied to the lateral grooves (62a) (62b) (62c) (62d) (62e).

A weighing scale (66) is disposed in the groove (62a), and the filter plugs accommodated in the grooves (62b) (62c) are sequentially measured for airflow resistance and diameter by measuring instruments (67) and (68). Measured. The movement of the filter plug to the measuring devices (67) and (68) is performed by the suction and pressing rods (69) and (70).
The filter plug housed in the groove (62d) is
The length of the filter plug is measured from the length of the rod (71) when the filter plug is pressed in 1) and abuts the opposing block, and the hardness of the filter plug housed in the groove (62e) is It is measured by a hardness tester (72).

Therefore, according to the above device, the filter plug can be sequentially traversed by the vertical movement of the feed dog mechanism (66), and the physical characteristics of the filter plug can be continuously measured by each measuring device.

However, the filter plug must be mounted on an inclined carrier (6
Since the filter plug is supplied from 1), the filter plug may be wrinkled or broken due to an impact during transportation. In particular, since the filter plug is easily charged with static electricity, is a non-rigid body, and is flexible, it is difficult to smoothly transport the filter plug without causing deformation or the like. In addition, the position of the filter plug is not regulated at the time of transport, and the vertical movement of the feed dog mechanism (66) causes the grooves (62a) (62b) (62c) (62
d) Since the filter plug is supplied to (62e), the filter plug is not necessarily conveyed to the proper position of the measuring device, and the measurement accuracy of the filter plug is reduced due to the deformation of the filter plug and the like. It is difficult to perform quality control.

Although it is conceivable that the filter plug is gripped by a jig and transported to the measuring device instead of the inclined transport table, the same problem as described above occurs because the filter plug is flexible as described above.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a filter plug which can be transported to a measuring instrument without deformation or the like while aligning the end faces of the filter plug in the transport process and measuring the physical characteristics of the filter plug. It is an object of the present invention to provide a filter plug conveying device useful for continuously and smoothly supplying a filter plug.

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems] The present invention relates to a plurality of belts running in parallel at intervals for transporting a filter for cigarettes, and an upper portion of a belt transport surface from below between adjacent belts. The upper part has a plurality of rows of projecting pins arranged in a direction transverse to the belt running direction at right angles to the belt running direction. A plurality of comb-shaped members provided in the tobacco filter transport device, wherein the row of protruding pins is at least a portion protruding from the belt transport surface, and the downstream side in the transport direction as it goes to one side of the row. The above-mentioned problem is solved by a tobacco filter conveying device which is sequentially biased.

According to the filter transport device having the above-described configuration, a row of a plurality of protruding pins protruding from the belt transport surface is formed above the plurality of comb-like members that can be moved up and down alternately, and the row of the protruding pins is at least Since the filter plug is deviated in a specific direction at the protruding portion from the belt conveying surface, the conveyed filter plug first contacts the protruding pin on the non-biased side of the plurality of protruding pin rows, and the filter portion at the abutting portion. The advance of the plug is restricted, and the filter plug on the deviated side of the row of the plurality of projecting pins advances. On the other hand, the conveying force F by the belt
Is divided into a component force F1 acting in the axial direction of the filter plug and a component force F2 acting in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Then, in a state where the forward movement of the contact side of the filter plug is restricted, between the mobility M1 of the filter plug based on F1 and the mobility M2 of the filter plug based on F2, M2 = 0, M1>
> M2 occurs. Therefore, the filter plug moves to one of the rows of the plurality of protruding pins that is biased by the force F1 acting in the axial direction of the filter plug. Further, since the comb-shaped members having a plurality of rows of biased protruding pins can be alternately moved up and down, the filter plug is sequentially moved by the conveyance by the belt and the vertical movement of the comb-shaped members, and the end face of the filter plug is moved. Can be aligned on one side.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a filter plug conveying device of the present invention, FIG. 2 (A) is a schematic plan view of FIG.
FIG. 2 (B) is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 1, in which the filter plug conveying device (1) is mounted on a fixed base (2). The filter plugs (3) are blown one by one from the supply unit to the filter plug receiving unit (4), and supplied to the filter plug conveying device (1). The filter plug receiving portion (4) is provided with a wall (4a) erected at the transfer start end of the transfer device (1) and a filter plug (3) from above at a predetermined distance from the wall (4a). And a hanging wall portion (4b) that hangs in a state where it can pass through.

The filter plug conveying device (1) includes a rectangular frame (5), and a plurality of belts (6) running in parallel at intervals for conveying filter plugs from the filter plug receiving portion (4). Located below the plurality of belts (6),
Comb-shaped members (8a) and (8b) which are alternately vertically movable and arranged in the running direction of the belt (6).
More specifically, rotating shafts (7a) and (7b) rotatable by a rotating drive source are disposed at both ends of the frame (5), and between the rotating shafts (7a) and (7b), that is, the filter plug ( In the transport direction 3), a plurality of belts (6) are arranged in parallel under tension. The plurality of belts (6) convey the filter plug (3) supplied from the filter plug receiving portion (4) at a predetermined speed while carrying the filter plug (3). In this example, eleven belts (6) are used in order to prevent the filter plug (3) from being dropped and to be able to carry the filter plug (3).

The transported filter plug (3) is provided on one side in the transport direction of the frame (5) in the transport initial area.
When the number of the transported filter plugs (3) does not correspond to the number of the plurality of measurement units, the filter plug (3) is attached to the other side of the frame (5). An air outlet (not shown) for blowing off the part is provided.

Further, the comb-like members (8a) and (8b) are alternately (alternately) extended from side members (9a) and (9b) provided on both sides in the transport direction of the transport device. The parts (9a) and (9b) are respectively plunger mechanisms (10a) (1
By 0b), it alternately moves up and down. Therefore, the comb-like members (8a) and (8b) arranged side by side in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction can move up and down alternately with the side members (9a) and (9b). In addition, a support (11a) is provided on both sides of each side member (9a) (9b).
(11b) is inserted. In addition, sliding members (11a) and (11b) that slide on the plunger mechanisms (10a) and (10b) following the expansion and contraction of the plunger mechanisms and support both sides of the side members (9a) and (9b) are provided. 12a) and (12b) are arranged.

A plurality of belts ( 6), corresponding to the vertical movement of the comb-like members (8a) and (8b), and projecting from below the space between the adjacent belts (6) to above the conveyor surface of the belt (6). A row of possible projection pins (13a) (13b) is formed. In this example, a set of six protruding pins (13a) (13b)
It is provided on the upper part of each comb-like member (8a) (8b).

A plurality of projecting pins (13a) of each of the comb-like members (8a) and (8b) are arranged so that the end face of the filter plug (3) is sequentially aligned with one side orthogonal to the conveying direction with the conveyance by the belt (6). The row of (13b) is at least a portion protruding from the conveying surface of the belt (6), and is arranged in the axial direction of the comb-like members (8a) and (8b) in the axial direction of the filter plug (3). It is sequentially shifted downstream. That is, in this example, as shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B), the rows of the plurality of protruding pins (13a) (13b) are arranged such that the filter plugs move toward one side (the front side in the figure). (3) is sequentially inclined in the forward direction. Therefore, while the filter plug (3) is being conveyed by the belt (6), the comb-like members (8a) (8
By alternately moving b) up and down, the filter plug (3) is sequentially moved without causing deformation or the like,
The end face of the filter plug (3) can be aligned with one side of the frame (5) of the transport device (1), that is, the one of the protruding pins (13a) and (13b) that is biased.

Note that the comb-like members (8a) (8b) are connected to the side members (9a) (9
Instead of being extended from b), they may be individually juxtaposed and vertically movable. Each comb-shaped member (8a)
(8b) is not limited to the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the rows of protruding pins (13a) (13b) located between the plurality of belts (6) alternately extend from the surface of the belt (6) in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. As long as they protrude, they may be arranged, for example, in the transport direction.

The protruding pins (13a) (13) of the comb-shaped members (8a) (8b)
b) is not particularly limited as long as the end faces of the filter plug (3) are aligned at the transport end portion.
May be deviated in an appropriate region of the transfer region, or may be deviated over the entire transfer region. At this time, by gradually decreasing the degree of deviation of the protruding pins (13a) and (13b) toward the downstream side in the transport direction, the mobility of the filter plug (3) is increased at the beginning of transport, and the end face is moved to one side. At the end of conveyance, the filter plugs (3) may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction at the end of conveyance. Each comb-shaped member (8a)
The protruding pins (13a) and (13b) of (8b) may be displaced with the same deviation. In this case, the filter plug (3) is moved with the same mobility, and the end face of the filter plug (3) is framed. (5) can be aligned to one side. The position of the end face of the filter plug (3) may be aligned in contact with one side of the frame (5), and the row of projecting pins (13a) (13b) may be appropriately biased by, for example, bowing. Can be set. In addition, since the filter plug (3) is lightweight, even if the degree of deviation of the protruding pins (13a) and (13b) is small, the positions of the end faces of the filter plug (3) can be smoothly aligned.

The degree of deviation of the protruding pins (13a) (13b) is
Can be appropriately set according to the moving speed of the filter plug, the desired mobility of the filter plug (3), and the like.

The protruding pins (13a) and (13b) need only be offset at least in the plane of the conveyor belt (6) in a state of protruding from the plane of the conveyor belt (6) (ie, a protruding portion).
The base of the protruding pins (13a) (13b) is shifted to one side in the transport direction, or the base of the protruding pins (13a) (13b) is inclined in the conveying direction, or as shown in FIG. (6) The protruding pins (13a) and (13b) may be bent in an L shape, a curved shape, or the like near the surface.

Note that the number of belts, the number of protruding pins, and the cross-sectional shape of the protruding pins can be set as appropriate.

Further, in this example, an air supply device (not shown) is provided on the other side of the frame (5) in the transport end portion of the belt (6).
Many air outlets (14) are provided from
The filter plug (3) is moved to one side of the frame (5) by blowing air (air) from the air outlet (14) on the other side toward one side of the row, and The end face of the plug (3) is more reliably aligned with one side of the frame (5). The air outlet (14) is not always necessary, and the air volume from the air outlet (14) is particularly limited as long as the filter plug (3) is moved to one side of the transport device (1). Instead, it can be set appropriately according to the length of the filter plug (3) and the like.

Further, a static eliminator (not shown) is provided below the belt (6) in order to prevent the filter plug (3) from being charged with static electricity during the conveying process. The filter plug (3) is normally negatively charged. Instead of the static eliminator, a belt made of a conductive material may be used.

A sensor (15) for detecting the conveyed filter plug (3) and a filter plug cutout (16) that moves up and down based on the detection signal of the sensor (15) are provided at the conveyance end portion of the belt (6). Are provided. That is, an accommodation recess (17) for accommodating the filter plug (3) is formed at the tip of the filter plug cutout (16), and based on a detection signal of the sensor (15), the plunger mechanism (18) Pushes up the filter plug cutout (17),
The filter plug (3) has been moved upward.

The filter plug (3) transported by the transport device (1) is transported to a measuring section by an appropriate transport device, and the physical characteristics of the filter plug are measured. According to the transport device, the filter plug (3) is transported in a state where the end faces thereof are aligned with one side of the transport device. Therefore, the transport device that transports the filter plug is not particularly limited. Preferably, it is transferred to a measuring section.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a filter plug transfer device, FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing an example of a rotating mechanism, FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a reciprocating mechanism, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating an arrangement state of a transport device, a transport device, and a measurement unit. Transport device (1), transfer device (20) and measuring unit (50)
Are respectively provided on a fixed base (2), and the transfer device (20) is a measuring unit (50a) (50b) (50c) (50d) for measuring a plurality of physical properties of the filter plug (3).
(50e) and a shaft (21) provided in parallel. The shaft (21) is slidably supported by bearings (22a) (22b) and has one end connected to a rotating mechanism (23) and a reciprocating mechanism (24).

The rotating mechanism (23) is provided inside the end member (25) and an end member (25) pivotally attached to one end of the shaft (21), and is integrally formed with the shaft (21). An attached long rotating member (26) and a guide shaft slidably inserted through one end of the rotating member (26) and disposed in parallel with the axial direction of the shaft (21). (27), a U-shaped member (28) in which both end portions of the guide shaft (27) and the inner side surface are fixed, and a plunger mechanism connected to both side portions of the bottom of the U-shaped member (28) ( 29a) and (29b). In the drawing, reference numeral (29c) denotes an extendable column having a distal end fixed to the U-shaped member (28). The rotation mechanism (23) is a U-shaped member (28) with the expansion and contraction of the plunger mechanisms (29a, 29b).
Is moved up and down, and this up and down movement is converted into a turning movement of the shaft (21) via the turning member (26).

The reciprocating mechanism (24) is composed of a plunger mechanism (30) having a plunger (30a) disposed parallel to the shaft (21) and having a tip fixed to the end member (25). . The reciprocating mechanism (24) moves the plunger (30a) of the plunger mechanism (30) forward and backward to reciprocate the shaft (21) while guiding the rotating member (26) by the guide shaft (27). Move.

Therefore, by operating the rotating mechanism (23) and the reciprocating mechanism (24), the shaft (21) can be vertically rotated and reciprocated in the axial direction. The rotation mechanism (23) and the reciprocating mechanism (24)
Is not limited to one side of the shaft (21), and may be individually connected to both ends. Further, the rotating mechanism and the reciprocating mechanism may be constituted by conventional mechanisms such as cams, gears and crank mechanisms. Further, the turning mechanism and the reciprocating mechanism may be operated simultaneously or sequentially.

A portion of the rotatable and reciprocally movable shaft (21) corresponding to the plurality of measuring portions (50a) (50b) (50c) (50d) (50e) is orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft (21). In the direction, a plurality of holders (34) are attached by a bracket (31) so as to be slightly swingable.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the bracket (31) and the holder (34). The bracket (31) has a fitting recess (32) extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the shaft (21).
And an insertion hole (33) extending in the axial direction. Each holder (34) is a hollow pipe (35) with one end closed.
A fitting member (36) mounted at an intermediate portion of the hollow pipe (35) and fitted to the fitting concave portion (32) of the bracket (31) with a slight play; and an opening end of the hollow pipe (35). A holder head (39) having a semicircular recess adapted to fit the filter plug (3) and a balance weight (40) to which the other end of the hollow pipe (35) is attached. I have. The fitting member (36) includes the hollow pipe (35)
A suction port (37) communicating with the hollow portion of the bracket (31) is formed, and an insertion hole (38) is formed corresponding to the insertion hole (33) of the bracket (31). With the fitting member (36) fitted in the insertion holes (33) and (38),
By inserting the fixing pin (41), the bracket (3
A holder (34) is attached to the shaft (21) via 1) so as to be able to swing slightly. The suction port (37) of the fitting member (36) is connected to a pressure adjusting device (not shown) having a pressure switching valve. Furthermore, holder head (39)
The housing recess has a rotating mechanism (23) and a reciprocating mechanism (24)
Is connected to a controller (not shown) for controlling rotation and reciprocation and suction and release of the pressure adjusting device, and a sensor (not shown) for detecting the position of the filter plug (3) is attached. ing. Therefore, based on the detection signal of the sensor, the shaft (21) is rotated downward at a predetermined position to bring each holder head (39) close to the filter plug (3) and to rotate the shaft (21). By sucking through the suction port (37) in conjunction therewith, the filter plug (3) can be brought into close contact with the holder head (39) and held by suction. In addition, while the filter plug (3) is being suction-held, the shaft (21) is rotated upward, and the reciprocating mechanism (24) is moved forward by a predetermined stroke so that the filter plug (3) is moved to each of the measuring sections (50a). ) (50b)
After moving to the positions of (50c), (50d) and (50e), the shaft (21) is rotated downward to release the suction state and return to normal pressure, so that the filter plug is removed from the holder head (39). (3) is released and the measuring units (50a), (50b), (50
c) Can be placed on (50d) (50e). After rotating the holder head (39) upward, the shaft (21)
The holder (34) can be returned by the return movement of the filter plug (3), and the filter plug (3) is sequentially moved by the holder (34) to the measuring section (50a) ( It can be moved to 50b) (50c) (50d) (50e). The holder (34) is mounted so as to be able to swing slightly with respect to the bracket (31), and the balance weight (40) maintains the weight balance with the holder head (39). When the shaft (21) is rotated downward to suck and hold the filter plug (3) or to place the filter plug (3) on each measuring section, the turning power of the holder head (39) can be buffered. it can. Therefore, the filter plug (3) can be smoothly sucked and held without damaging the filter plug (3), and the measuring parts (50a) (50
b) Can be placed quietly on (50c), (50d) and (50e).

Note that the degree of rotation of the shaft (21) is such that the holder head (39) is positioned on a horizontal plane when rotating up and down, and the holder head (39) is rotated by the measuring device (50a) (50
b) (50c), (50d), and (50e) may be adjusted so that they are positioned close to each other.
9) may be adjusted so as to be located above the horizontal plane.

According to the transfer device (20) as described above, the filter plug (3) lifted upward by the filter plug cut-out portion (16) at the end portion of the transfer device (1) can be rotated and reciprocated. It is held by the holder (34) and can be sequentially moved to a plurality of measuring units (50a) (50b) (50c) (50d) (50e) for measuring the physical characteristics of the filter plug (3). At that time, as described above, the transport device (1)
Since the filter plug (3) is transported to a position corresponding to the holder head (39) in a state where the end faces are aligned without causing deformation or the like, the filter plug (3) is transferred by the holder (34). Each measuring part (50a) (50b)
(50c) (50d) (50e) allows the filter plug (3) to be moved smoothly and to measure the physical characteristics smoothly and accurately continuously.

In this example, the measuring part (50a) measures the weight of the filter plug (3) using a conventional weighing scale, and the measuring part (50b) measures the length of the filter plug (3) using a conventional length measuring device. Is measured, and the measuring section (50c) measures the circumference of the filter plug (3) using a conventional circumference measuring instrument. In the measuring unit (50d), for example, air is sucked from one end of the filter plug (3) at a rate of 17.5 ml / sec, and the suction pressure at the time of suction is indicated by the height of a water column, thereby allowing the ventilation of the filter plug (3). Measure the resistance and measure
In e), for example, a conventional hardness tester expressing the amount of deflection in a unit of 1/10 mm when a load of 300 g is applied for 10 seconds from a top of the mounted filter plug (3) through a 12 mm-diameter disk by: The hardness of the filter plug (3) is measured.

The device for transporting filter plugs of the present invention is not limited to filter plugs, but is also useful for transporting cylindrical bodies, for example, cigarettes.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the filter plug conveying device of the present invention, in the process of conveying by the plurality of belts, the comb-shaped member having the row of protruding pins deviated in a specific direction at the top is vertically moved. Since the filter plug is moved, the filter plug can be moved to the deviated side without deformation and the like, and the filter plug can be conveyed while the end faces thereof are aligned. Therefore, it is useful for continuously and smoothly supplying the filter plug to each measurement unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a filter plug conveying device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 (A) is a schematic plan view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (B) is a schematic longitudinal section of FIG. FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a side view showing an essential part of another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing one example of a transfer device, FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing one example of a rotating mechanism, 6 is a schematic plan view showing an example of a reciprocating mechanism, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a bracket and a holder, FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing an arrangement state of a transport device, a transport device, and a measuring unit. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional filter property measuring device for cigarettes. (1) Filter filter transport device (3) Filter plug (6) Belt (8a) (8b) Comb-like member (9a) (9b) Side member , (13a) (13b) ... Protruding pin, (14) ... Air outlet

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Ie 163-1 Omino, Sakai City, Osaka (72) Inventor Eiichi Nakai 1-10-3 Midoricho, Sakai City, Osaka (72) Inventor Manabu Hikasayama 4-233 Mihocho, Sakai-shi, Osaka Miho House (72) Inventor Akihisa Matsuda 1-1-51, Kiren, Hirano-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) A24D 3/02 B65G 25/08 B65G 47/28 B65G 47/91

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of belts running in parallel at intervals for transporting a tobacco filter, and protruding above a belt transport surface from below between adjacent belts, and At the top each has a row of a plurality of protruding pins arranged in a direction crossing at right angles to the belt running direction,
In a cigarette filter conveying device comprising a plurality of comb-like members arranged side by side in the belt traveling direction so as to be able to move up and down alternately, the row of protruding pins is at least a portion protruding from the belt conveying surface, A tobacco filter transport device, wherein the filter is sequentially shifted toward the downstream side in the transport direction toward one side of the row. 2. The tobacco filter transport device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of comb-like members are alternately extended from side members provided on both sides of the transport device in the transport direction. 3. The tobacco filter conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an air outlet for blowing air toward the one side of the row from the other side is provided at the conveying end portion.