JP6770804B2 - Equipment and methods for inspecting the end faces of rod-shaped articles transferred in the horizontal axis direction in machines of the tobacco processing industry. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention includes at least one intrusion drum that is rotatably driven and has a circumferential groove, an introduction device for introducing a rod-shaped article into the circumferential groove in the vertical direction, and an optical inspection device. A position adjusting element is provided on the end surface of the intrusion drum opposite to the strand, and a rod-shaped article abuts on the position adjusting element, and the inspection device is placed in the detection area of the inspection device. It relates to a device for inspecting the end face of a rod-shaped article transferred in the horizontal axis direction in a machine of the tobacco processing industry, which is installed for inspecting. The present invention also relates to a method for inspecting the end face of a rod-shaped article transferred in the horizontal axis direction in a machine of the tobacco processing industry.

Devices for inspecting the end faces of rod-shaped articles transferred in the horizontal axis direction in machines of the tobacco processing industry are, for example, German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2013 209 831 and European Patent Application Publication No. 2 677. It is known from the specification of No. 273.

In the case of the applicant's current filter rod production machine, the filter material is formed into filter strands. The filter strands are cut into filter rods by a cutting device, individualized and introduced into the circumferential groove of the intruding drum in the vertical axis direction, and the incising drum further transfers the filter rod in the horizontal axis direction and postpone it. It is handed over to the discharged device. A stopper ring is immovably attached to the free end face on the side opposite to the strand side of the insertion drum, and the filter rod introduced into the circumferential groove in the vertical axis direction positions the filter rod on this stopper ring. Abut at the end face to adjust. However, since the end face is covered by the stopper ring, it is not possible to inspect the front end face of the filter rod with the intrusion drum. Inspection of the front end face of the filter rod is possible, for example, with a drain drum that is post-mounted and does not have a stopper ring. However, the retrofitted discharge device is customarily not provided with a discharge device capable of removing an article that has been assessed as defective. However, the additional discharge device in the retrofitted discharge device requires additional installation space and causes a non-trivial additional cost.

German Patent Application Publication No. 10 2013 209 831 European Patent Application Publication No. 2 677 273

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method capable of inspecting an end face of a rod-shaped article transferred in the horizontal axis direction in a machine of the tobacco processing industry at a reduced total cost.

The present invention solves this problem by the characteristics of the independent claims.

According to the present invention, an inspection area is obtained around the intrusion drum based on the relative motion performed between the position adjustment element and the intrusion drum, and this inspection area has no position adjustment element and is therefore advantageous. In particular, the inspection device can be arranged in this inspection area. Therefore, according to the present invention, rod-shaped articles can be inspected at the inset drum and, in some cases, discharged from the product stream by a discharge device provided in the inset drum upon detection of a non-defective end face. it can.

The inspection area without the position adjusting element is obtained in an advantageous embodiment by the relative motion according to the present invention by the local separation of the position adjusting element from the thrust drum in the surrounding area. This is actually advantageously obtained by the use of infinitely rotating traction means, especially bands, belts or chains.

In a selective advantageous embodiment, the alignment element does not rotate with the inset drum because the alignment element is arranged fixed, mechanically fixed, or immobile. Further, the inspection area without the alignment element is advantageously composed of inspection voids or holes matching at least one rod-shaped article of the alignment element. In this embodiment, the position adjusting element preferably comprises the form of an arc. The inspection void can preferably be formed as an optical condensing lens or cylinder lens.

The present invention is basically applicable to all machines for producing rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, particularly filter rods or tobacco sticks. A preferred application corresponds to the discharge region or drum region of a filter rod manufacturing machine. The advantage is the application of the present invention to such machines where the indentation drum is cantilevered and the position adjusting element is located at the free end of the intrusion drum, which is here. This is because there is no bearing at the end of the indentation drum opposite the strand to secure the position adjusting element. More preferred applications are one or two intrus drums, a discharge conveyor (grooved conveyor or grooved drum) attached to the intrusive drum and a take-out conveyor (grooved belt or grooved) attached to the intrusive drum. This corresponds to a two-strand machine with a drum) and is provided with two introduction devices arranged in parallel.

In an aspect of the present invention, a rod-shaped article is introduced in the vertical direction into one injecting drum that is rotatably driven and has a circumferential groove, and the rod-shaped article is placed on an end face opposite to the strand of the intrusion drum. However, the present invention relates to a method for inspecting the end face of a rod-shaped article transferred in the horizontal axis direction in a machine of the tobacco processing industry, which abuts on the position adjusting element. Relative movement is generated between them.

The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments relating to the accompanying figures.

Schematic diagram of a part of the filter rod manufacturing machine The figure of the end face of the drum region of the filter bar manufacturing machine of the advantageous embodiment of this invention. The figure of the end face of the drum region of the filter bar manufacturing machine of the advantageous embodiment of this invention. The figure of the end face of the drum region of the filter bar manufacturing machine of the advantageous embodiment of this invention. The end face of the drum region of the filter bar manufacturing machine of another advantageous embodiment of the present invention. The end face of the drum region of the filter bar manufacturing machine of another advantageous embodiment of the present invention.

The filter rod manufacturing machine 11, partially shown in FIG. 1, has a strand region 12 and a drum region or discharge region 14. Within the strand region 12, the filter strand 1 is manufactured, transferred to the cutting device 5 in the vertical direction of the arrow by a transfer device (not shown), and cut into individual filter rods 6 by this cutting device. The filter rod 6 is delivered to the drum region 14 of the filter rod manufacturing machine 11 by the delivery device 8 and is transferred there in the horizontal axis direction. The drum region 14 of the filter rod manufacturing machine 11, which is clearly shown in FIG. 2, has a squeeze drum 13 and advantageously has another drum, particularly a discharge drum 16 and / or after the squeeze drum 13. It can have a take-out drum 15.

In one embodiment of the invention, the machine 11 is a two-strand machine, one or two stake drums 13, a discharge conveyor 16 attached to the stake drum, and a take-out conveyor 15 attached to the stake drum. The discharge conveyor 16 and / or the take-out conveyor 15 are formed as a grooved belt that receives an intake action or a grooved drum that receives an intake action, respectively. In this embodiment, two introduction devices 8 arranged in parallel according to the present invention are provided, and one introduction device 8 is attached to each strand.

For delivery from the strand region 12 to the drum region 14, the filter rod 6 is introduced into the circumferential groove 10 of the insertion drum 13 by a delivery device 8, here a guide wheel with a spiral groove. The strand transfer point 17 is located at 12 o'clock, for example, as shown in FIG. In the peripheral groove 10, the filter rod 6 is moved from the end 18 on the strand side of the insertion drum 13 to the end 19 on the opposite side of the strand. This can be done, for example, by the air nozzle 20 acting in the direction of movement of the filter rod 6. An arched position adjusting element or stopper element 21 is preferably arranged at the end 19 opposite the strand of the intrusion drum so that the filter rods 6 are aligned with each other. The stopper element is shown only schematically in FIG. 1, but will be described more accurately with reference to FIGS. 2-6.

The thrust drum 13 is rotatably supported about its vertical axis, and is particularly supported on one side or so that the end portion of the thrust drum 13 on the strand side floats. The filter rod 6 whose position has been adjusted at the position adjusting element 21 by the rotation of the insertion drum 13 by the rotation driving device (not shown) has the delivery point 17 in the rotation direction of the insertion drum 13, here in the counterclockwise direction. Is transferred to the post-installed discharge device, here the discharge position 22 to the discharge drum 16. At the discharge point 22, the filter rod 16 is discharged to the discharge drum 16, and is discharged by the discharge drum to form, for example, the filter rod mass flow 23.

Between the delivery position 17 and the discharge position 22, for example, an optical inspection device 24, particularly a camera, was placed around the intrusion drum 13 and the inspection device was placed within the detection area 25 of the inspection device 24. It is installed and placed for inspection of the end face 6a opposite the strands of one or more filter rods. The inspection is purposefully performed from the side 19 opposite the strand of the thrust drum 13. The data collected by the inspection device 24 is evaluated by the electronic data processing device 26-which may be located, for example, in the inspection device 24-to the effect that the inspected end face is free or defective. Will be done. An ejector 27 is placed between the inspection device 24 and the ejection position 22, and the ejector is formed by the electronic control device 28-which is formed by the data processing device 26 in order to take out the filter rod 6 determined to be defective. It can be controlled by that or can be formed separately. The ejector 27 can be, for example, an air nozzle installed to generate an air blast oriented in the direction opposite to the strand transfer direction.

The inspection device 24 is preferably arranged such that the detection region 25 is located within an angle range of 45 ° to 180 ° after the delivery position 17, eg, at about 90 °. ing. The ejector 27 is arranged in an angle range of, for example, 180 ° to 315 ° after the delivery position 17, for example, at a position of about 225 °. The angle between the detection area 25 and the ejector 27 is preferably at least 45 °, more preferably at least 90 °, and is, for example, about 135 ° so that there is sufficient time for data processing.

According to the present invention, the relative movement between the position adjusting element 21 and the thrust drum 13 so that the end surface 6a of the filter rod to be inspected is not covered by the position adjusting element 21 in the detection area 25 of the inspection device 24. Is generated. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 2 to 4, in the relative motion according to the present invention, the position adjusting element 21 is attached in a fixed position, fixed or mechanically, provided with a vacant space 29, and an end face inspection is performed through this vacant space. This is achieved by being able to do so with the inspection device 24. More precisely, since the inspection device 24 is arranged so that its field of view and the detection area 25 are located in the vacant space 29, it is possible to inspect the end face 6a of the filter rod existing in the detection area without being disturbed. is there.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 2-4, the position adjusting element 21 is advantageously arched and, together with the void 29, forms a perfect circle (360 °). The spread of the angle of the position adjusting element 21 can be changed in a wide range. For example, in the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the angular spread of the position adjusting element 21 is greater than 270 °, eg 330 °, and thus the angular spread of the void 29 is less than 90 °, eg 30 °. In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the angular spread of the position adjusting element 21 is preferably greater than 30 °, more preferably greater than 60 °, for example less than 90 °, and thus the angular spread of the void 29 is 330. Less than °, preferably less than 300 °, for example slightly greater than 270 °. In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the minimum, or at least the required spread, of the void 29 less than 10 ° is shown, and this spread is adapted to the diameter of the end face to be inspected. The angular spread of the position adjusting element 21 is larger than, for example, 350 ° here.

Instead of the space 29, holes may be provided in, for example, a ring-shaped or arch-shaped positioning element 21.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6, the position adjusting element 21 is in the form of an infinitely rotating traction means 38, here an endless belt, which is the end of the intrusion drum 13 opposite to the strand. At the portion 19, the arch-shaped partial region 30 is guided so as to abut around the periphery of the thrust drum 13. In this case, the towing means 38 is provided with at least one turning means 31, for example, one or more turning rollers 31, which is shown only schematically in FIG. 5 so that the towing means 38 can be delivered to the delivery point 17 and the detection area 25. It is removed from the plunging drum 13 at the peripheral position 32 in between, and is guided to approach the plunging drum 13 again at the peripheral position 33 after the detection area 25. In this way, an arch-shaped partial region 34 is generated around the plunge drum 13 between the two peripheral positions 32 and 33 described above, and at this partial region, the towing means 38 uses the plunge drum 31. Being separated from. Since the field of view and the detection area 25 of the inspection device 24 are arranged so as to be located in the peripheral area 34 having no traction means 38, the inspection device 24 interferes with the end surface 6a of the filter rod existing in the detection area 25. Inspections that are not done are possible. The relative movement between the position adjusting element 21 and the thrust drum 13 is realized here by lifting the position adjusting element 21 from the thrust drum 13.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, for example, an endless traction means 38 formed as a toothed belt is driven by a squeeze drum 13, which stab drum may be provided with a gear trimming portion for this purpose. In a selective embodiment, the endless traction means 38 can be driven by a separate drive, which can be implemented, for example, by a driven turning roller 31. In this case, the separate drive of the endless traction means 38 is purposefully synchronized with the drive of the thrust drum 13.

In the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the towing means 38 is guided so that the thrust drum 13 is arranged inside the loop formed by the towing means 38. In the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 6, the traction means 38 is completely arranged on the radial outside of the thrust drum 13. In this embodiment, the traction means 38 includes a return side 40 that moves in the opposite direction to the thrust drum 13. The embodiment according to FIG. 6 takes precedence over the embodiment according to FIG. 5 because the towing means 38 can be made shorter here and takes up very little installation space as a whole.

When a suction device 35 is provided after the delivery position 17 in the transport direction and the suction device includes a suction port 36 on the side of the position adjusting element 21 extending over the peripheral portion, the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6. Is particularly advantageous. An opening 37 is provided in the position adjusting element 21, and an opening 37 is provided in each of the peripheral grooves 10 of the insertion drum 13. When moving the filter rod 6 in the peripheral groove 10 from the end 18 on the strand side of the insertion drum 13 to the end 19 on the opposite side of the strand, the filter rod 6 is, for example, a suction port in the peripheral groove (not shown). Finally, at the end 19 opposite the strand of the intrusion drum 13, negative pressure is applied to the suction port 36, thereby also to the opening 37 of the position adjusting element 21 existing in the region of the suction port 36. Is controlled and attracted to the position adjusting element 21. In this embodiment, the position adjusting element 21 that abuts tightly or tightly to the thrust drum 13 prevents the reduction of the suction force provided by the suction device 35.

1 Filter strand 5 Cutting device 6 Filter rod 6a End face 8 Delivery device or introduction device 11 Filter rod manufacturing machine 12 Strand area 13 Insertion drum 14 Drum area or discharge area 15 Extraction drum or extraction conveyor 16 Discharge drum or discharge conveyor 17 Delivery location Or delivery position 18 End on the strand side 19 End on the opposite side to the strand 20 Air nozzle 21 Position adjustment element or stopper element 22 Discharge position or discharge point 23 Filter rod mass flow 24 Inspection device 25 Detection area 26 Electronic data processing device 27 Ejector 28 Electronic control device 29 Vacancy 30 Partial area 31 Turning means or turning roller 32 Peripheral position 33 Peripheral position 34 Partial area 35 Suction device 36 Suction port 37 Opening 38 Towing means 40 Return side

Claims (13)

An introduction device (8) for introducing at least one insertion drum (13) rotatably driven and having a peripheral groove (10) and a rod-shaped article (6) into the peripheral groove (10) in the vertical direction. An optical inspection device (24) is provided, and a position adjusting element (21) is provided on the end surface of the intrusion drum (13) opposite to the strand, and a rod-shaped article (6) is provided on the position adjusting element. ) In the device for inspecting the end face of the rod-shaped article (6) transferred in the horizontal axis direction in the machine (11) of the tobacco processing industry.
An inspection area having no position adjusting element (21) is provided around the intrusion drum (13), and in this inspection area, what is a strand of a rod-shaped article (6) arranged in the detection area (25)? An apparatus characterized in that an optical inspection apparatus (24) for inspecting the end face (6a) on the opposite side is arranged . The first aspect of the present invention, wherein the position adjusting element (21) is locally separated from the intrusion drum (13) in the peripheral area (34) in order to obtain an inspection area. apparatus. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the position adjusting element (21) is a traction means that rotates infinitely. The device according to claim 3 , wherein the position adjusting element (21) is a band, a belt, or a chain. The position adjusting element (21) is characterized by having an arcuate shape and being immovably arranged and provided with an inspection space (29) or hole matching at least one rod-shaped article to obtain an inspection area. The device according to claim 1 . The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein at least one inspection space (29) is formed as an optical condensing lens or a cylinder lens. A claim characterized in that an inspection device (24) is arranged around a thrust drum (13) between a delivery position (17) and a discharge position (22) for a rod-shaped article (6). Item 6. The apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 6 . The device according to claim 7 , wherein the inspection device (24) is arranged within an angle range of 45 ° to 180 ° after the delivery position (17). Claims 1 to 1, wherein the plunging drum (13) is cantilevered and a position adjusting element (21) is arranged at the free end (19) of the plunging drum (13). 8. The apparatus according to any one of 8 . Tobacco processing, which has at least a plunge drum (13), a discharge conveyor and a take-out conveyor, each of which is formed as a grooved belt or a grooved drum that receives an intake action. In the transfer device for the industrial machine (11)
A transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the transfer device includes the device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . A machine (11) for producing a rod-shaped article (6) in the tobacco processing industry, which has the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . The machine is a two-strand machine and has one or two squeeze drums (13), a discharge conveyor attached to the squeeze drum and a squeeze conveyor attached to the squeeze drum, a discharge conveyor and / Alternatively, in the machine of claim 11 , the take-out conveyor is formed as a grooved belt or a grooved drum that receives an intake action, respectively.
A machine characterized in that two introduction devices (8) arranged in parallel are provided. A rod-shaped article (6) is introduced in the vertical direction into at least one insertion drum (13) that is rotatably driven and has a peripheral groove (10), and the rod-shaped article (6) is transferred to the insertion drum (13). The end face of the rod-shaped article (6) transferred in the horizontal axis direction in the machine (11) of the tobacco processing industry, which abuts on the position adjusting element (21) at the end face (19) opposite to the strand of). In the method for inspecting
An inspection area having no position adjusting element (21) is provided around the intrusion drum (13), and in this inspection area, what is a strand of a rod-shaped article (6) arranged in the detection area (25)? A method characterized in that an optical inspection device (24) for inspecting the opposite end face (6a) is arranged .

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