US3126999A

US3126999A - Combined cigarette maker and packer

Info

Publication number: US3126999A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1964-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 1981-03-31

Description

March 31,I 1964'- sf. T. MoTLEY 3,126,999

COMBINED CIGARETTE MAKER AND PACKER Filed April. 25g 1961 2 Sheets-Sheer.4 1

March 31, 1964 s. T. MOTLEY COMBINED CIGARETTE MAKER AND PACKER 2 Sheets-Sheff(I 2 Filed April 25, 1961 l 1 1 l n 1 m l l l l l l l I l r l l 1 l l I l I l United States Patent O 3,126,999 COMBINED CIGARETTE MAKER AND PACKER Stanley T. Motley, Louisville, Ky., assigner to Phiiip Morris Incorporated, New York, NY., a corporation of Virginia Filed Apr. 2S, 1961, Ser. No. 105,441 8 Claims. (Cl. 19d- 20) The present invention is concerned with a combined cigarette maker and packer machine in which cigarettes are mechanically collected from two or more cigarette making machines and delivered in selected groups to a cigarette packaging machine.

It has been the practice in the making and packaging of cigarettes to make the cigarettes on one machine, commonly referred to as Maker, forms a long continuous cigarette rod and the individual cigarettes are chopped off the end successively and collected in a tray. An operator then takes these trays of cigarettes and positions them on a so-called Packer which selects and arranges the cigarettes in groups of twenty and applies a wrapper to each group to form a common type of cigarette package. A standard packer has a capacity approximately equal to the output of two such makers.

The present invention comprises a combination machine in which the outputs from a plurality of makers or cigarette formers are automatically and mechanically com- -bined in a hopper from which apparatus automatically divides out groups of cigarettes of the desired number for a package and inserts a group in each of successive pockets of a continuous conveyor which delivers the respective groups from the conveyor pockets directly into the successive pockets of the rotary compactor turret of a normal type packer from which they are transferred to successive pockets of the rotary folding turret and ulti- Imately are discharged as complete individual packages. In other words the operation is completely automatic from the supply of tobacco and cigarette Iwrapper paper to the finished package. -Although the invention is illustrated in connection with and as receiving cigarettes directly `from a continuous rod forming type of machine and delivering them directly to lthe hopper for the conyeyor, the principles of the invention are also applicable to receiving the output from any type of machine adapted to turn out iinished cigarettes. For example the cigarettes in the hopper may 'be delivered thereto directly from machines of the kind which apply filter tips as a final operation of completion of the cigarettes.

` The invention embodies further features and mechan-A ical devices which contribute to the practicality and usefulness of the combination, one importan-t feature concerning the character of the continuous conveyor and its association with the other elements. As illustrated in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings -the conveyor comprises a continuous iiexible chain carrying spaced but closely arranged buckets for receiving the groups of cigarettes from the hopper the chain being intermittently advanced `step by step in timed relation with the packer which embodies indexing turrets similarly operated.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from a consideration of a representative embodiment of the invention and accordingly the invention comprises the features of construction combination of elements and arrangement of parts which Iwill be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth. In connection with the detailed description to follow, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FiG. l is a plan View showing diagrammatically the main units of the complete assembly;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view partly in section showing 3,126,999 Patented Mar. 31, 1964 in particular the chain conveyor and its association with the other units;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken on the plane 5-3 of iFlG. 2;

FdG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on approximately the plane 4 4 of FIG. 2 showing the mechanism for transferring the groups of cigarettes from the `conveyor chain to the compacting turret;

iFlG. 5 is a fragmentary `View in elevation looking from the right in FIG. 4;

FG. 6 is a vertical elevation of a portion of one of the cigarette making machines connected into the hopper feed and looking in the direction of the arrows 6-6 of FIG. 2 the casing being broken away and certain inner portions being shown in section; and

FiG. 7 is a plan view of a section of the conveyor chain looking down on the upper run of the chain in FiG. 2.

The general arrangement of a machine embodying the principles of the invention is shown in FIGS. yl and 2. The main lfeatures or units comprise cigarette makers 10 and i1 each delivering its output of cigarettes through `conveyor systems 12 and 113 respectively to a common collector in the form of a hopper 14 where cigarettes are divided out in groups such as the usual twenty in number, and inserted in pockets in a flexible conveyor 15 which conveys the charges comprising -the groups of cigarettes to a compactor turret lo where they are injected successively into the pockets of the turret which carries the charges around to an associated package folding turret 17 and the charges are transferred -to pockets or arhors therein and indexed to a discharge position and leave the apparatus fully packaged.

The

units

10 and 11 each comprise means for making and deliverinU individual completed cigarettes. The details thereof may vary depending upon circumstances including the type of cigarette such as to whether it is a filter or non-filter cigarette and in referring to the units dit and 111 as cigarette makers it will be understood that the term is intended to mean an apparatus which cornpletes and delivers a cigarette in its final form ready for packaging. Accordingly the units may comprise machines for attaching filter elements which include applying a tipping paper or a machine for forming a continuous rod and successively cutting off the individual cigarettes. 'Ihe present invention is particularly advantageous in ernbodying cigarette makers of the latter type and FIGS. 1 and 2 show the delivery ends of such type machines.

The present invention is not concerned with the details thereof `since they are -Well known in the art and reference is made lto the patent to Molins et al. 2,704,079 as showing a typical form of cigarette maker. rFor the present purposes it is sufficient to note that in the maker iltl cigarettes are successively cut off and fall on a belt conveyor 2t) entrained over suitable rolls, such as shown at 2.1, 22 and 23 in AFIGS. 6. The housing for the conveyor 26 communicates with a housing of the conveyor unit 12 in which is mounted a belt conveyor 25 entrained over rolls 25 and Z7 the belt being operated through a. suitable drive connection from the cigarette maker to the shaft 21S (FIG. 6) on which is mounted the roll 26. As indicated in FG. 3 the mounting for roll 26 may include a rear bearing 26a. The cigarettes are transferred from conveyor belt 2t? onto belt 215 by suitable means such as the bladed reel 29 mounted on shaft 3i)` continuously rotated through a drive connection from the cigarette maker. Cigarettes from the maker 10 accordingly are delive ed into the collector hopper 14 as shown in FIG. 2. The output from cigarette maker 11 is likewise delivered into the common hopper d4 by mechanism, including a. belt conveyor 31, like that for cigarette maker 10.

The hopper 14 may vary in construction and the details thereof form no part of the present invention. In general, however, it may be like that sho-wn in the patent to Bronander 1,847,060. Its principal 4features comprise an outer shell `4G and an inner abutment 41 with downwardly and outwardly sloping sides whereby the cigarettes are caused to gravitate to the outer shell in both directions from the center. rl`he cigarettes then are guided down three channels at each side, the one at the right in FIG. 2 being shown in some detail. The three channels are defined by the outer shell 40, two plate partitions 42 and 413 and the outer surface 44 of the central abutment 41. The three rows of cigarettes therefore gravitate downwardly into a measuring pocket 45. The immediately preceding description has been directed to the right side of the hopper as it appears in FIG. 2 but it will be understood that a similar and symmetrical construction is located at the left side of the hopper. To encourage the feed of the three rows of cigarettes down the channels and assist in maintaining an orderly arrangement of the cigarettes there may be located at the upper ends of the intervening plates 42 and i43, and also adjacent the

walls

40 and 44, a series of rollers `46 which preferably are iiuted or knurled. The rollers 46 are oscillated by suitable mechanism shown in general in FIG. 3 comprising a chain or belt 47 entrained around a lower sprocket 48 mounted on shaft 49 which is continuously rotated by means which will subsequently be described. The chain extends over idler sprocket 50 and the upper end of the chain `47 is engaged around a sprocket 51 mounted on shaft `512.. Secured also to the shaft 52 is a disc 53 to which is pivoted a pitman 54 connected to and adapted to oscillate a lower disc or plate 55 to which are connected rack elements, one engaging with rack gears mounted on Ithe shafts of the respective rollers 46 at the right and a similar rack and gear arrangement operates similar rollers at the left side in FIG. 2. The rack gears and rack elernents are not shown in the present drawings since the particular operating means is not important to the present invention. Reference, however, may be had to the said patent to Bronander 1,847,060 `for a showing of the details of the operating means for the rollers 46, although for the purposes of the present invention any suitable operating means will serve the purpose.

Measured groups of cigarettes are successively ejected from the collector pocket 45 into pockets of a conveyor which transports the respective groups to the cigarette packaging unit of the complete system. The character and detailed construction of the conveyor means may vary but the present drawings show a particularly advantageous and efiicient means for the purpose. It comprises essentially a pair of chains 6@ and 69' as shown particularly in FIG. 7 between which are mounted tubular conveyor pockets or boxes 61. The pockets are each comprised of an outer shell of sheet metal and the pockets are rectangular in cross section and open at each end. The pockets are secured to the chains by any suitable means which in the present embodiment comprises providing appropriate links with an integral ear 62 extending at right angles to the link and secured to a strap 62a on the bottom of the corresponding pocket 61. As shown at the right in FIG. 2 the `chains are entrained around a pair of spaced sprockets 613 fixed to shaft 64 which receives an intermittent step by step motion in a counter clockwise direction as will be described in more detail below. The upper run of the two chains advances over upper pairs of

sprockets

65, 66 and `67 down around a pair of large sprockets 68 and lower sprockets 69 and 70, and eventually over

sprockets

71 and 72 adjacent the main sprockets 63 the

sprockets

71 and 72 providing a straight horizontal short run wherein the cigarette groups are successively transferred to the compactor turret l16 likewise mounted on the shaft 64. The details of the transfer mechanism will be described below, but for the present it may be noted that it embodies a reciprocatory plunger indicated diagrammatically at in FIG. l. At the longer spans of the conveyor the chains may be supported by suitable guides such as that indicated at 76 in FIG. 2.

The mechanism for transferring charges or groups of cigarettes from the measuring pocket 45 into successive pockets 611 of the conveyor chain will now be described. The mechanism includes a plunger 80 slidably mounted in the pocket 45 connected to a plunger rod 81 extending from a cross head `82 which preferably has an auxiliary guide and support on suitable means such as the rod 83 fixed in the hopper housing. The cross head 82 is connected by link 84 with a lever 85 pivoted on the main frame or housing at 86 the lower end of lever 85 being connected through a link `37 with a bell crank 88 pivoted at 89 on a fixed bracket 90 at the rear of the machine. The pivot mounting of link 87 on the lower end of bell crank arm S8 may be adjustably secured at a selected position along the slot 83a to vary slightly the stroke of the plunger 80. The front arm 911 of the bell crank 88 has a roller 92. riding on the cam 93` secured on the shaft 49. The roller 92 is held in engagement with the cam 93 by a tension spring 94. The shaft 49' is continuously driven from any suitable connection in the driving mechanism for the cigarette packaging unit as indicated somewhat d-iagrammatically at 95 in FIG. 2. The conveyor chain `15 is also driven from the cigarette packaging machine as heretofore stated but is directly geared to be indexed or advanced intermittently with the compactor turret 116. Through the cam means 93, the transfer mechanism is likewise operated intermittently and since it derives its drive from the same source as the conveyor chain, the two elements can be properly associated in timed relation. More specifically in the operation of the conveyor chain it has successive periods of dwell in each of which a conveyor pocket 61 is located in axial alignment with the measuring pocket 45 of the hopper' as indicated particularly in iFIG. 3 and during that period of dwell the cam 93 serves to advance the plunger 80 and project the group of cigaretes lfrom the pocket 45 into the particular conveyor pocket 61.

The cigarette packaging unit depicted at the right in FIGS. l and 2 comprises a conventional machine well known in the art and only so much of the details are shown as will indicate the relation and connection of the unit to the conveyor 15. Cigarette packing machines, or Packers as they are commonly called, of the type embodied in the present combination machine are shown and described in various prior patents such as in particular the patents to Bronander 1,926,192 and Metz 2,783,596 to which reference may be had for details. In general, however, such machines embody two associated turrets corresponding to those indicated at 16 and 17 in FIGS. l and 2 of the present drawings. The turret 16 is commonly referred to as the compactor turret and the turret 17 as the folding turret. Each turret has twelve positions corresponding to the positions on a clock and commonly referred to by the corresponding Roman numerals I to XII. As viewed in FIG. 2 turret 16 rotates counterclockwise and turret 17 rotates clockwise. The turrets are indexed successively in exact timed relation and have periods of dwell after each advance. The compactor turret 16 which has twelve pockets 100 receives a group of cigarettes in each pocket when it arrives at the position IX. The folding turret 17 has twelve hollow arbors 101 and from stations I to III the tin-foil or inner wrapper is folded around the respective arbor. From stations III to VI the outer wrapper or pouch sheet is applied and folded. As position IX of turret 17 the hollow arbor around which the wrappers have been folded comes into registration with a pocket on the compacting turret and a plunger 102 at the rear (see FIG. 1) transfers the group of cigarettes from a pocket 100 in the turret 16 into the corresponding hollow arbor 101 of the folding turret 17. From station IX to station XII the group of cigarettes is pushed into contact with the bottom of the wrapper preformed on the arbor and continued movement slides the cigarette group on through carrying with it the wrapper, and the package, open at one end, is picked up and conveyed through mechanism which completes the folding at the open end. These latter operations are standard operations in cigarette packaging machines and are described and illustrated for example in the patent to Bronander 1,926,192 noted above.

A suitable mechanism for operating the plunger 75, heretofore mentioned, for transferring the groups of cigarettes from pockets 61 of the conveyor chain into pockets 160 of the compactor turret 16 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It comprises a cam 110 mounted on a continuously rotated shaft 111 driven from the operating means for the packaging machine. The shaft 111 is rotated by a suitable drive connection at the same rate as shaft 49 upon which is mounted the cam 93 for operating the plunger `Si). Cam 110 is engaged by a follower 112 carried by lever 113 pivoted at 114 on a fixed bearing support 115, the follower being held in engagement with the cam by a tension spring 116 connected to the upper end of lever 113. A link 117 connects the extreme upper end of lever 113 to a cross head 118 slidable in a suitable fixed guideway 119. The plunger 75 is connected to cross head 113 by a pitman 120. In the retracted position shown, plunger 75 rests within an opening in a fixed member 121 and in its forward movement pushes the group of cigarettes from the registering chain pocket 61 into the likewise registering pocket 100 in turret 16.

FIG. 2 shows a means for tensioning the chains 6l), 60 of conveyor 15 and adjusting the relation of the pockets 61 with respect to the hopper opening 45 during the period of dwell of the conveyor. The front bearing support for the shaft for sprockets 130 which engage the lower runs of the chains is contained in a block 131 slidable in a pair of guides 132. The slide carries a lug 133 through which extends a screw 134 threaded into lug 135 which is fixed to the stationary plate 135er on which the block 131 is slidable. The block 131 is clamped in adjusted position by set screw 136 extending through a slot in the slide. The opposite or rear end of the sprocket shaft is similarly mounted at the rear. Also the shaft for the upper sprockets 137 is mounted similarly to the shaft for the lower sprockets 130. It will be apparent that moving both sprockets up or down will shift the dwell positions of the chain pockets 61 with respect to the fixed measuring pocket 45 so as to insure accurate registration during the transfer of a group of cigarettes from the collector pocket into a chain pocket 61.

It should be understood that various changes may be made in the above described combination apparatus and further `or different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, and it is intended that all matter contained in the above desciiption or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. A flexible continuous conveyor system for automatically transferring articles said system having an article receiving station and an article delivery station with advancing and return runs of the conveyor between stations, said conveyor comprising a pair of laterally spaced chains with article pockets spaced therealong between the chains, sprocket means for supporting said chains, driving means for intermittently advancing said conveyor with an intervening period of dwell between advances, and means for adjusting the tension of the chains and the position of the corresponding pocket relative to one of said stations during the periods of dwell comprising a pair of laterally spaced sprockets engaging respectively the two chains in the advancing run, and a pair of laterally spaced sprockets engaging respectively the two chains 6 in the return run, and supporting means of each of said pairs of sprockets including means for adjusting the positions of the sprockets toward or away from the respective chains.

2. A machine comprising in-combination, a cigarette packaging apparatus ofthe type having a rotary compactor turret with peripherally spaced pockets, a cigarette supply hopper spaced a substantial distance from said packaging appartus, a continuous conveyor having pockets therein each adapted to receive a group of cigarettes therein, said continuous conveyor being arranged to bring successive pockets thereof into registry with successive pockets respectively of said turret, a first transfer means for inserting measured groups of cigarettes from said hopper into successive pockets in said continuous conveyor, a second transfer means for delivering Athe groups of cigarettes from the packets of the conveyor to the respective pockets of said turret, and drive means for operating said continuous conveyor and said first and second transfer means in timed relation with each other and with said packaging apparatus.

3. A combination machine comprising, a cigarette packaging -apparatus of the type having a rotary compactor turret with peripherally spaced pockets, a cigarette hopper spaced Ifrom said packaging apparatus, a continuous flexible conveyor having pockets therein each adapted to receive a group of cigarettes therein, said continuous conveyor ibeing .arranged to deliver the groups from said hopper to said compactor turret, a first transfer means for inserting measured groups of cigaettes from said hopper into successive pockets in said continuous conveyor, a second transfer means for discharging the groups from the successive pockets of the continuous conveyor into successive pockets of the compactor turret, and drive means for operating said continuous conveyor and said first and second transfer means in timed relation with each other and with said compactor turret.

4. A combination machine comprising, a cigarette packaging apparatus of the type having a rotary compactor turret intermittently advanced with intervening periods of dwell and having peripherally spaced pockets, a common cigarette supply hopper spaced from said packaging apparatus, a continuous flexible conveyor having open ended pockets therein each adapted to receive a group of a predetermined number of cigarettes therein, said continuous conveyor being arranged to deliver the groups from said hopper to said compactor turret, a first reciprocatory plunger means for inserting measured groups of the predetermined number of cigarettes from said hopper into successive pockets in said continuous conveyor, a second reciprocatory plunger means for discharging the groups from the successive pockets 4of the continuous conveyor into successive pockets of the comp-actor turret, and drive means for operating said continuous conveyor and said first and second plunger means in timed relation with each other and with said compactor turret, said continuous conveyor being advanced concurrently with said turret, and said first and second plunger means being operated during the respective periods of dwell.

5. A machine comprising, a cigarette packaging apparatus of the type having a rotary compactor turret with peripherally spaced pockets, a cigarette hopper spaced from said packaging apparatus, a flexible continuous conveyor having pockets therein each adapted to receive a group of cigarettes therein, rotary mounting elements for supporting said flexible continuous conveyor including a rotary element mounted concentrically with said turret `and connected to rotate therewith, said continuous conveyor being arranged to deliver `the groups of cigarettes from said hopper to said compactor turret and to bring successive pockets in said continuous conveyor into registration respectively with successive pockets in said turret, a first transfer means for inserting measured groups of cigarettes from said hopper into successive pockets in said continuing conveyor, a second transfer means for discharging the groups of cigarettes from the successive pockets of the continuous conveyor into successive pockets of the compactor turret, and drive means for operating said continuous conveyor and said rst and second transfer means in timed relation with each other and with said compactor turret.

6. In combination, an article packaging apparatus, an article supply hopper, a continuous conveyor comprising a pair of flexible chains with open ended tubular pockets extending across the chains and spaced therealong, sprockets for supporting said chains, said pockets each adapted to receive therein a group of a predetermined number of said articles, said continuous conveyor being arranged to deliver lthe groups from said hopper to said packaging apparatus, a first transfer means for inserting measured groups of articles from said hopper into successive pockets in said continuous conveyor, a second transfer means for transferring the groups from the successive pockets of said conveyor to said packaging apparatus, and drive means for operating said continuous conveyor and said rst and second transfer means in timed relation with each other and with said packaging apparatus.

7. A machine comprising, a cigarette packaging apparatus of the type having a rotary compactor turret with peripherally spaced radial pockets, a cigarette hopper spaced from said packaging apparatus, a eXible continuous conveyor having transverse tubular pockets carried thereby each adapted to receive a group of cigarettes therein, rotary mounting elements for supporting and guiding said ilexi'ble continuous conveyor including means lfor directing said conveyor during a portion of its travel from said hopper radially of said turret to bring successive pockets in said continuous conveyor into registration respectively with successive pockets in said turret, a irst transfer means for inserting measured groups of cigarettes from said hopper into successive pockets in said continuous conveyor, a second transfer means for discharging the groups from the successive pockets of the continuous conveyor into successive pockets of the compactor turret, and drive means for operating said continuous conveyor and said first and second transfer means in timed relation with each other and with said compactor turret.

8. A machine comprising, a cigarette packaging apparatus of the type having a rotary compactor turret with peripherally spaced radial pockets, a cigarette hopper spaced from said packaging apparatus, a flexible continuous conveyor having transverse tubular pockets carried thereby each adapted to receive a group of cigarettes therein, rotary mounting elements for supporting and guiding said flexible continuous conveyor including a rotary element mounted concentrically with said turret and connected to rotate therewith, and means for directing said conveyor during a portion of its travel from said hopper radially of said turret to bring successive pockets in said continuous conveyor into registration respectively with successive pockets in said turret, a irst transfer means for inserting measured groups of cigarettes from said hopper into successive pockets in said continuous conveyor, a second transfer means for discharging the groups from the successive pockets of the continuous conveyor into successive pockets of the compactor turret, and drive means for operating said continuous conveyor, said first and second transfer means and said compactor turret intermittently and in timed relation With each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 552,716 Matthiesen Jan. 7, 1896 1,326,187 Donelly Dec. 30, 1919 1,847,060 yBronader Feb. 23, 1932 1,870,533 Scott et al Aug. 9, 1932 1,998,382 Nel Apr. 16, 1935 2,330,000 Molins Sept. 2l, 1943 2,745,410 Molins May 15, 1956 2,783,596 Metz Mar. 5, 1957 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N0. 3, 126,999 March 31, 1964 v Stanley T. Motley It ie hereby eertified that errer eppeere in the ebeve numbered pet` ent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 16, before "forms" insert which column 4, line 4l, for "cigaretes" read cigarettes line 70, for "As" read At column 6, line 17, for "packets" read pockets line 30, for "cigaettes" read cigarettes column 8, line 31, for "Matthiesen" read Matthiessen after line 31, insert after line 37, insert 2,772,005l Dubin --Nov 27, 1956 Signed and sealed this 4th day of August 1964.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W, SWIDER EDWARD J., BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Claims

1. A FLEXIBLE CONTINUOUS CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRING ARTICLES SAID SYSTEM HAVING AN ARTICLE RECEIVING STATION AND AN ARTICLE DELIVERY STATION WITH ADVANCING AND RETURN RUNS OF THE CONVEYOR BETWEEN STATIONS, SAID CONVEYOR COMPRISING A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED CHAINS WITH ARTICLE POCKETS SPACED THEREALONG BETWEEN THE CHAINS, SPROCKET MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID CHAINS DRIVING MEANS FOR INTERMITTENTLY ADVANCING SAID CONVEYOR WITH AN INTERVENING PERIOD OF DWELL BETWEEN ADVANCES, AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE TENSION OF THE CHAINS AND THE POSITION OF THE CORRESPONDING POCKET RELATIVE TO ONE OF SAID STATIONS DURING THE PERIODS OF DWELL COMPRISING A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED SPROCKETS ENGAGING RESPECTIVELY THE TWO CHAINS IN THE ADVANCING RUN, AND A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED SPROCKETS ENGAGING RESPECTIVELY THE TWO CHAINS IN THE RETURN RUN, AND SUPPORTING MEANS OF EACH OF SAID PAIRS OF SPROCKETS INCLUDING MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE POSITIONS OF THE SPROCKETS TOWARD OR AWAY FROM THE RESPECTIVE CHAINS.