WO2003040004A1 - Variable-capacity store for packets of cigarettes - Google Patents
Variable-capacity store for packets of cigarettes Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2003040004A1 WO2003040004A1 PCT/IT2002/000701 IT0200701W WO03040004A1 WO 2003040004 A1 WO2003040004 A1 WO 2003040004A1 IT 0200701 W IT0200701 W IT 0200701W WO 03040004 A1 WO03040004 A1 WO 03040004A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- cigarettes
- store
- flexible belt
- packets
- packet
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/34—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor
- B65G47/46—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points
- B65G47/51—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination
- B65G47/5104—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles
- B65G47/5109—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles first In - First Out systems: FIFO
- B65G47/5113—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles first In - First Out systems: FIFO using endless conveyors
- B65G47/5118—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles first In - First Out systems: FIFO using endless conveyors with variable accumulation capacity
- B65G47/5122—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to unprogrammed signals, e.g. influenced by supply situation at destination for articles first In - First Out systems: FIFO using endless conveyors with variable accumulation capacity by displacement of the conveyor-guiding means, e.g. of the loose pulley-type
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G15/00—Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration
- B65G15/30—Belts or like endless load-carriers
- B65G15/32—Belts or like endless load-carriers made of rubber or plastics
- B65G15/42—Belts or like endless load-carriers made of rubber or plastics having ribs, ridges, or other surface projections
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G17/00—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface
- B65G17/30—Details; Auxiliary devices
- B65G17/32—Individual load-carriers
- B65G17/323—Grippers, e.g. suction or magnetic
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
- B65G2201/02—Articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G2207/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional details, configuration and additional features of a handling device, e.g. Conveyors
- B65G2207/24—Helical or spiral conveying path
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a variable-capacity store for packets of cigarettes .
- variable-capacity store for packets of cigarettes is interposed between a cigarette packing machine and a cellophaning machine to compensate for any difference between the number of packets of cigarettes produced and the number of packets of cigarettes cellophane-wrapped.
- variable-capacity store for packets of cigarettes is also interposed between a cellophaning machine and a cartoning machine to compensate for any difference between the number of packets of cigarettes cellophane-wrapped and the number of packets of cigarettes packed into respective cartons .
- variable-capacity stores for packets of cigarettes such as model LL16 marketed by G.D. Societa per Azioni and described in Patent US4711336, are FILO (First In Last Out) types, i.e. in which the first packets of cigarettes fed into the store are the last to be fed out.
- FILO First In Last Out
- FILO-type variable-capacity stores for packets of cigarettes have the drawback of some of the packets of cigarettes possibly being parked in the store for a prolonged period of time normally incompatible with modern manufacturing processes. Moreover, cigarettes in packets stored for a prolonged period of time with no cellophane wrapping tend to lose their original characteristics (e.g. lose part of their aroma or absorb damp) .
- a variable-capacity store for packets of cigarettes; the store being a FIFO type and comprising a conveyor defining a conveying branch for transferring the packets of cigarettes from an input station to an output station; and the conveyor comprising a flexible belt having a conveying surface for supporting the packets of cigarettes along the conveying branch; characterized by comprising stabilizing means associated with the flexible belt and for securing each packet of cigarettes to the flexible belt.
- Number 1 in the accompanying drawing indicates as a whole a variable-capacity store for substantially parallelepiped-shaped packets 2 of cigarettes; store 1 is a FIFO (First In First Out) type i.e. wherein the first packets 2 of cigarettes to be fed into store 1 are also the first packets 2 of cigarettes to be fed out of store
- FIFO First In First Out
- Store 1 comprises an input station SI and an output station S2 arranged in series along a feed path P of packets 2 of cigarettes; input station SI receives a succession 3 of packets 2 of cigarettes from an output conveyor of a known packing machine (not shown) ; and output station S2 feeds a succession 4 of packets 2 of cigarettes to an input conveyor of a known cellophaning machine (not shown) .
- Store 1 also comprises an endless conveyor 5 for feeding packets 2 of cigarettes along path P.
- endless conveyor 5 comprises a conveying branch 6, which is substantially horizontal (i.e. slopes by no more than 20° with respect to the horizontal) , extends between a drum 7, close to input station SI, and a drum 8, close to output station S2, and feeds packets 2 of cigarettes from input station SI to output station S2; and a return branch 9 extending between a drum 10, close to output station S2, and a drum 11, close to input station SI.
- Conveyor 5 comprises a flexible belt 12 having a conveying surface 13 for supporting packets 2 of cigarettes and which is substantially horizontal (i.e. slopes by no more than 20° with respect to the horizontal) along conveying branch 6.
- Flexible belt 12 winds about a number of transmission pulleys 14 (shown schematically) , some of which are powered to impart motion to belt 12; and belt 12 also winds in respective coils about drums 7 and 8 (conveying branch 6) and about drums 10 and 11 (return branch 9) .
- a known fixed continuous guide extends along conveying branch 6, parallel to path P, is connected to flexible belt 12, and defines a tunnel through which packets 2 of cigarettes are fed, and the bottom wall of which is defined by flexible belt 12. More specifically, the tunnel is the same shape as, and slightly larger in section than, a packet 2 of cigarettes, so as to guide packets 2 of cigarettes along path P.
- Each packet 2 of cigarettes is parallelepiped- shaped, is of a length (typically 80 to 100 mm) greater than its width (typically 50 to 60 mm) , and is of a width greater than its thickness (typically 15 to 25 mm) .
- packets 2 of cigarettes are conveniently positioned "on edge" on flexible belt 12, as shown in the accompanying drawing. That is, each packet 2 of cigarettes is positioned with a lateral wall resting on flexible belt 12, so that its thickness is parallel to the traveling direction of flexible belt 12, its length is parallel to flexible belt 12, and its width is perpendicular to flexible belt 12.
- flexible belt 12 has a transverse dimension smaller than the length of packets 2 of cigarettes, so as to engage, together with teeth 16, a central portion of each packet 2 of cigarettes, while leaving two lateral portions, on either side of the central portion, of each packet 2 of cigarettes free.
- Flexible belt 12 comprises stabilizing means 15 for securing each packet 2 of cigarettes to flexible belt 12 and so preventing jamming caused by packets 2 of cigarettes falling out of position as flexible belt 12 travels along - particularly around bends or when accelerating/decelerating.
- Flexible belt 12 comprises a number of teeth 16 , which define stabilizing means 15, extend crosswise to the traveling direction of flexible belt 12, and are equally spaced along the whole of flexible belt 12 with a spacing slightly greater than the thickness of each packet 2 of cigarettes. More specifically, the distance between each two consecutive teeth 16 equals the thickness of a packet 2 of cigarettes plus a value (roughly 5 to 20% of the thickness of a packet 2 of cigarettes) to allow for the production tolerances of both teeth 16 and packets 2 of cigarettes.
- Each tooth 16 is preferably substantially parallelepiped-shaped, possibly terminating with a truncated-cone-shaped top portion.
- Each two consecutive teeth 16 define a gap for housing a respective packet 2 of cigarettes, which is inserted between the two teeth 16 at input station SI, and is withdrawn from the two teeth 16 at output station S2. Insertion/withdrawal of packet 2 of cigarettes between/from two consecutive teeth 16 is made easier by flexible belt 12 winding, at input station SI and output station S2, about respective transmission pulleys 14, which curve flexible belt 12 and so part the two consecutive teeth 16.
- each two consecutive teeth 16 is slightly greater than the thickness of N number of packets 2 of cigarettes, so that two consecutive teeth 16 define a gap for housing a group of N packets 2 of cigarettes, which is preferably relatively small and no more than 5 units .
- Each tooth 16 has a transverse dimension equal to the transverse dimension of flexible belt 12 , and is of a height equal to a fraction (normally 20 to 60%) of the width of a packet 2 of cigarettes.
- the height of teeth 16 is selected bearing in mind two conflicting factors: the higher teeth 16 are, the better they provide for retaining packets 2 of cigarettes, but at the same time packets 2 of cigarettes are more difficult to load/unload onto/off conveyor 5.
- teeth 16 may be replaced by gripping members, each integral with, and for gripping a respective packet 2 of cigarettes to, flexible belt 12.
- Each gripping member preferably comprises a pair of movable jaws, each of which is maintained in a gripping position by a spring and is withdrawn from the gripping position by cams at input station SI and output station S2.
- Store 1 also comprises a known regulating unit (not shown) for adjusting the length LI of conveying branch 6 and the length L2 of return branch 9 in complementary manner, so as to adjust the storage capacity of store 1. More specifically, the positions of drums 8 and 10 are fixed, and the regulating unit moves drums 7 and 11 with respect to respective drums 8 and 10 by the same amount but in opposite directions.
- a known regulating unit (not shown) for adjusting the length LI of conveying branch 6 and the length L2 of return branch 9 in complementary manner, so as to adjust the storage capacity of store 1. More specifically, the positions of drums 8 and 10 are fixed, and the regulating unit moves drums 7 and 11 with respect to respective drums 8 and 10 by the same amount but in opposite directions.
- packets 2 of cigarettes are fed from succession 3 through input station SI onto conveying branch 6, and are fed by conveying branch 6 to output station S2 where the packets 2 of cigarettes fed first into store 1 are fed to succession 4 and to the input conveyor of the known cellophaning machine (not shown) .
- the number of packets 2 of cigarettes fed to input station SI from succession 3 equals the number of packets 2 of cigarettes absorbed from succession 4 at output station S2; and, in the event the number of packets 2 of cigarettes fed to input station SI differs from the number of packets 2 of cigarettes absorbed at output station S2, the known regulating unit (not shown) moves drums 7 and 11 with respect to corresponding drums 8 and 10 to adjust the storage capacity of store 1 and so compensate for the difference in the number of packets 2 of cigarettes fed to input station Si and the number of packets 2 of cigarettes absorbed at output station S2.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Manufacturing Of Cigar And Cigarette Tobacco (AREA)
- Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
Abstract
A FIFO-type variable-capacity store for packets (2) of cigarettes, wherein an endless conveyor (5) defines a conveying branch (6) for transferring the packets (2) of cigarettes from an input station (S1) to an output station (S2), and a return branch (9) extending from the output station (S2) to the input station (S1); the conveyor (5) has a flexible belt (12) in turn having a conveying surface (13), for supporting the packets (2) of cigarettes, and stabilizing members (15) for securing each packet (2) of cigarettes to the flexible belt (12).
Description
VARIABLE-CAPACITY STORE FOR PACKETS OF CIGARETTES
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a variable-capacity store for packets of cigarettes . BACKGROUND ART
In cigarette manufacturing and packing plants, a variable-capacity store for packets of cigarettes is interposed between a cigarette packing machine and a cellophaning machine to compensate for any difference between the number of packets of cigarettes produced and the number of packets of cigarettes cellophane-wrapped.
In cigarette manufacturing and packing plants, a variable-capacity store for packets of cigarettes is also interposed between a cellophaning machine and a cartoning machine to compensate for any difference between the number of packets of cigarettes cellophane-wrapped and the number of packets of cigarettes packed into respective cartons .
Currently marketed variable-capacity stores for packets of cigarettes, such as model LL16 marketed by G.D. Societa per Azioni and described in Patent
US4711336, are FILO (First In Last Out) types, i.e. in which the first packets of cigarettes fed into the store are the last to be fed out.
FILO-type variable-capacity stores for packets of cigarettes, however, have the drawback of some of the packets of cigarettes possibly being parked in the store for a prolonged period of time normally incompatible with modern manufacturing processes. Moreover, cigarettes in packets stored for a prolonged period of time with no cellophane wrapping tend to lose their original characteristics (e.g. lose part of their aroma or absorb damp) .
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a FIFO-type variable-capacity store for packets of cigarettes, which is cheap and easy to produce and, in particular, is compact and highly reliable.
According to the present invention, there is provided a variable-capacity store for packets of cigarettes; the store being a FIFO type and comprising a conveyor defining a conveying branch for transferring the packets of cigarettes from an input station to an output station; and the conveyor comprising a flexible belt having a conveying surface for supporting the packets of cigarettes along the conveying branch; characterized by comprising stabilizing means associated with the flexible belt and for securing each packet of cigarettes to the flexible belt.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing showing, schematically, a store for packets of cigarettes in accordance with the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Number 1 in the accompanying drawing indicates as a whole a variable-capacity store for substantially parallelepiped-shaped packets 2 of cigarettes; store 1 is a FIFO (First In First Out) type i.e. wherein the first packets 2 of cigarettes to be fed into store 1 are also the first packets 2 of cigarettes to be fed out of store
1. Store 1 comprises an input station SI and an output station S2 arranged in series along a feed path P of packets 2 of cigarettes; input station SI receives a succession 3 of packets 2 of cigarettes from an output conveyor of a known packing machine (not shown) ; and output station S2 feeds a succession 4 of packets 2 of cigarettes to an input conveyor of a known cellophaning machine (not shown) .
Store 1 also comprises an endless conveyor 5 for feeding packets 2 of cigarettes along path P. More specifically, endless conveyor 5 comprises a conveying branch 6, which is substantially horizontal (i.e. slopes by no more than 20° with respect to the horizontal) , extends between a drum 7, close to input station SI, and
a drum 8, close to output station S2, and feeds packets 2 of cigarettes from input station SI to output station S2; and a return branch 9 extending between a drum 10, close to output station S2, and a drum 11, close to input station SI.
Conveyor 5 comprises a flexible belt 12 having a conveying surface 13 for supporting packets 2 of cigarettes and which is substantially horizontal (i.e. slopes by no more than 20° with respect to the horizontal) along conveying branch 6. Flexible belt 12 winds about a number of transmission pulleys 14 (shown schematically) , some of which are powered to impart motion to belt 12; and belt 12 also winds in respective coils about drums 7 and 8 (conveying branch 6) and about drums 10 and 11 (return branch 9) .
A known fixed continuous guide (not shown) extends along conveying branch 6, parallel to path P, is connected to flexible belt 12, and defines a tunnel through which packets 2 of cigarettes are fed, and the bottom wall of which is defined by flexible belt 12. More specifically, the tunnel is the same shape as, and slightly larger in section than, a packet 2 of cigarettes, so as to guide packets 2 of cigarettes along path P. Each packet 2 of cigarettes is parallelepiped- shaped, is of a length (typically 80 to 100 mm) greater than its width (typically 50 to 60 mm) , and is of a width greater than its thickness (typically 15 to 25 mm) . To
make the best use of the space inside store 1, packets 2 of cigarettes are conveniently positioned "on edge" on flexible belt 12, as shown in the accompanying drawing. That is, each packet 2 of cigarettes is positioned with a lateral wall resting on flexible belt 12, so that its thickness is parallel to the traveling direction of flexible belt 12, its length is parallel to flexible belt 12, and its width is perpendicular to flexible belt 12.
In the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing, flexible belt 12 has a transverse dimension smaller than the length of packets 2 of cigarettes, so as to engage, together with teeth 16, a central portion of each packet 2 of cigarettes, while leaving two lateral portions, on either side of the central portion, of each packet 2 of cigarettes free.
This arrangement makes packets 2 of cigarettes easier to feed in at input station SI and out at output station S2, by enabling each packet 2 of cigarettes, at input station SI or output station S2, to be engaged simultaneously by conveyor 5, which engages a central portion of packet 2 of cigarettes, and by a further known conveyor (not shown) for conveying succession 3 or 4, and which engages the lateral portions of packet 2 of cigarettes . Flexible belt 12 comprises stabilizing means 15 for securing each packet 2 of cigarettes to flexible belt 12 and so preventing jamming caused by packets 2 of cigarettes falling out of position as flexible belt 12
travels along - particularly around bends or when accelerating/decelerating.
Flexible belt 12 comprises a number of teeth 16 , which define stabilizing means 15, extend crosswise to the traveling direction of flexible belt 12, and are equally spaced along the whole of flexible belt 12 with a spacing slightly greater than the thickness of each packet 2 of cigarettes. More specifically, the distance between each two consecutive teeth 16 equals the thickness of a packet 2 of cigarettes plus a value (roughly 5 to 20% of the thickness of a packet 2 of cigarettes) to allow for the production tolerances of both teeth 16 and packets 2 of cigarettes. Each tooth 16 is preferably substantially parallelepiped-shaped, possibly terminating with a truncated-cone-shaped top portion.
Each two consecutive teeth 16 define a gap for housing a respective packet 2 of cigarettes, which is inserted between the two teeth 16 at input station SI, and is withdrawn from the two teeth 16 at output station S2. Insertion/withdrawal of packet 2 of cigarettes between/from two consecutive teeth 16 is made easier by flexible belt 12 winding, at input station SI and output station S2, about respective transmission pulleys 14, which curve flexible belt 12 and so part the two consecutive teeth 16.
In a further embodiment not shown, the distance between each two consecutive teeth 16 is slightly greater
than the thickness of N number of packets 2 of cigarettes, so that two consecutive teeth 16 define a gap for housing a group of N packets 2 of cigarettes, which is preferably relatively small and no more than 5 units . Each tooth 16 has a transverse dimension equal to the transverse dimension of flexible belt 12 , and is of a height equal to a fraction (normally 20 to 60%) of the width of a packet 2 of cigarettes. The height of teeth 16 is selected bearing in mind two conflicting factors: the higher teeth 16 are, the better they provide for retaining packets 2 of cigarettes, but at the same time packets 2 of cigarettes are more difficult to load/unload onto/off conveyor 5.
In an alternative embodiment not shown, teeth 16 may be replaced by gripping members, each integral with, and for gripping a respective packet 2 of cigarettes to, flexible belt 12. Each gripping member preferably comprises a pair of movable jaws, each of which is maintained in a gripping position by a spring and is withdrawn from the gripping position by cams at input station SI and output station S2.
Store 1 also comprises a known regulating unit (not shown) for adjusting the length LI of conveying branch 6 and the length L2 of return branch 9 in complementary manner, so as to adjust the storage capacity of store 1. More specifically, the positions of drums 8 and 10 are fixed, and the regulating unit moves drums 7 and 11 with respect to respective drums 8 and 10 by the same amount
but in opposite directions.
When drum 7 is moved closer to drum 8, the storage capacity of store 1 is reduced by shortening conveying branch 6 wound about drums 7 and 8; and the surplus flexible belt 12 must obviously be absorbed by lengthening return branch 9, which is done by moving drum 11 away from drum 10 by the same amount but in the opposite direction to that in which drum 7 is moved closer to drum 8. Similarly, when drum 7 is moved away from drum 8 , the storage capacity of store l is increased by lengthening conveying branch 6 wound about drums 7 and 8 ; and the extra flexible belt 12 must obviously be supplied by shortening return branch 9, which is done by moving drum 11 closer to drum 10 by the same amount but in the opposite direction to that in which drum 7 is moved away from drum 8.
In actual use, packets 2 of cigarettes are fed from succession 3 through input station SI onto conveying branch 6, and are fed by conveying branch 6 to output station S2 where the packets 2 of cigarettes fed first into store 1 are fed to succession 4 and to the input conveyor of the known cellophaning machine (not shown) .
In normal operating conditions, the number of packets 2 of cigarettes fed to input station SI from succession 3 equals the number of packets 2 of cigarettes absorbed from succession 4 at output station S2; and, in the event the number of packets 2 of cigarettes fed to
input station SI differs from the number of packets 2 of cigarettes absorbed at output station S2, the known regulating unit (not shown) moves drums 7 and 11 with respect to corresponding drums 8 and 10 to adjust the storage capacity of store 1 and so compensate for the difference in the number of packets 2 of cigarettes fed to input station Si and the number of packets 2 of cigarettes absorbed at output station S2.
Claims
1) A variable-capacity store for packets of cigarettes; the store (l) being a FIFO type and comprising a conveyor (5) defining a conveying branch (6) for transferring the packets (2) of cigarettes from an input station (SI) to an output station (S2) ; and the conveyor (5) comprising a flexible belt (12) having a conveying surface (13) for supporting the packets (2) of cigarettes along the conveying branch (6) ; characterized by comprising stabilizing means (15) associated with the flexible belt (12) and for securing each packet (2) of cigarettes to the flexible belt (12) .
2) A store as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said flexible belt (12) has a number of teeth (16) , which define said stabilizing means (15) , extend crosswise to the traveling direction of the flexible belt (12) , and are equally spaced along the whole of the flexible belt (12) so as to define gaps, each for housing at least one respective packet (2) of cigarettes.
3) A store as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the distance between each two consecutive teeth (16) is such as to house one packet (2) of cigarettes.
4) A store as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the distance between each two consecutive teeth (16) is such as to house a group of packets (2) of cigarettes.
5) A store as claimed in Claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein each tooth (16) is substantially parallelepiped-shaped.
6) A store as claimed in Claim 5, wherein each tooth (16) is substantially parallelepiped-shaped and terminates with a truncated-cone-shaped top portion.
7) A store as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 6, wherein said flexible belt (12) winds about respective end pulleys (14) at said input station (SI) and said output station (S2) .
8) A store as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 6, wherein each packet (2) of cigarettes is parallelepiped- shaped, and is of a length greater than the width, which in turn is greater than the thickness; each packet (2) of cigarettes being positioned with a lateral wall resting on the flexible belt (12) , so that its thickness is parallel to the traveling direction of the flexible belt (12) , its length is parallel to the flexible belt (12) , and its width is perpendicular to the flexible belt (12) ,
9) A store as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the flexible belt (12) is of a width smaller than the length of the packets (2) of cigarettes, so as to engage, together with the teeth (16) , a central portion of each packet (2) of cigarettes, while leaving two lateral portions, on either side of the central portion, of each packet (2) of cigarettes free.
10) A store as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, wherein each tooth (16) has a transverse dimension equal to the transverse dimension of the flexible belt (12) , and is of a height equal to a fraction, ranging between 20-60%, of the width of a packet (2) of cigarettes.
11) A store as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said flexible belt (12) has a number of gripping members defining said stabilizing means (15) and integral with the flexible belt (12) ; each gripping member gripping a respective packet (2) of cigarettes to the flexible belt (12).
12) A store as claimed in Claim 11, wherein each gripping member comprises at least one movable jaw, which is maintained in the gripping position by a spring. 13) A store as claimed in Claim 12, wherein each gripping member comprises two movable jaws located on opposite sides of the flexible belt (12) and cooperating with each other.
14) A store as claimed in Claim 12 or 13, wherein each said movable jaw is withdrawn from the gripping position by cams at said input station (SI) and said output station (S2) .
15) A store as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein a fixed continuous guide is located along the conveying branch (6) and parallel to the flexible belt (12) , and defines a tunnel through which the packets (2) of cigarettes are fed, and the bottom wall of which is defined by the flexible belt (12) .
16) A store as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 15, wherein said conveyor (5) is endless and defines the conveying branch (6) for transferring the packets (2) of cigarettes from the input station (SI) to the output station (S2) , and a return branch (9) extending from the
output station (S2) to the input station (SI) .
17) A store as claimed in Claim 16, and further comprising a regulating unit for adjusting a length (LI) of the conveying branch (6) and a length (L2) of the return branch (9) in complementary manner, so as to adjust the storage capacity of the store (1) .
18) A store as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said conveying branch (6) extends between a first input drum (7) and a second output drum (8), and the return branch (9) extends between a third input drum (10) and a fourth output drum (11) : said second and said third drum (8, 10) being fixed, and said first and said fourth drum (7, 11) being movable by said regulating unit by the same amount and in opposite directions with respect to the corresponding second and third drum (8, 10).
19) A store as claimed in Claim 18, wherein said flexible belt (12) winds about said first, second, third, and fourth drum (7, 8, 10, 11) .
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITBO20010670 ITBO20010670A1 (en) | 2001-11-05 | 2001-11-05 | VARIABLE CAPACITY WAREHOUSE FOR CIGARETTE PACKAGES |
| ITBO2001A000670 | 2001-11-05 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2003040004A1 true WO2003040004A1 (en) | 2003-05-15 |
Family
ID=11439671
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IT2002/000701 WO2003040004A1 (en) | 2001-11-05 | 2002-11-05 | Variable-capacity store for packets of cigarettes |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| IT (1) | ITBO20010670A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2003040004A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2132116A2 (en) * | 2007-03-05 | 2009-12-16 | Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG) | Device for handling diapers |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4711336A (en) | 1985-01-28 | 1987-12-08 | G.D. Societa Per Azioni | Apparatus for transporting substantially parallelepipedic packets |
| EP0257136A1 (en) * | 1986-07-18 | 1988-03-02 | FECO Engineered Systems, Inc. | Rotational and retractable container holding device and conveyor therefor |
| EP0688717A1 (en) * | 1994-06-24 | 1995-12-27 | Jean-Yves Colin | Method and apparatus for conditioning products such as green beans |
| EP0738478A2 (en) * | 1995-04-18 | 1996-10-23 | G.D Societa' Per Azioni | Variable-capacity store for elongated elements |
| EP0806388A1 (en) * | 1996-05-08 | 1997-11-12 | AZIONARIA COSTRUZIONI MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE-A.C.M.A.-S.p.A. | Method and unit for forming and conveying groups of products |
| EP0829428A1 (en) * | 1996-09-17 | 1998-03-18 | Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd. | Container carrying apparatus |
| EP1061014A1 (en) * | 1999-05-31 | 2000-12-20 | Cosmopack S.r.l. | Take-up head for the grasping, movement and release of objects of diverse shape |
-
2001
- 2001-11-05 IT ITBO20010670 patent/ITBO20010670A1/en unknown
-
2002
- 2002-11-05 WO PCT/IT2002/000701 patent/WO2003040004A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4711336A (en) | 1985-01-28 | 1987-12-08 | G.D. Societa Per Azioni | Apparatus for transporting substantially parallelepipedic packets |
| EP0257136A1 (en) * | 1986-07-18 | 1988-03-02 | FECO Engineered Systems, Inc. | Rotational and retractable container holding device and conveyor therefor |
| EP0688717A1 (en) * | 1994-06-24 | 1995-12-27 | Jean-Yves Colin | Method and apparatus for conditioning products such as green beans |
| EP0738478A2 (en) * | 1995-04-18 | 1996-10-23 | G.D Societa' Per Azioni | Variable-capacity store for elongated elements |
| EP0806388A1 (en) * | 1996-05-08 | 1997-11-12 | AZIONARIA COSTRUZIONI MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE-A.C.M.A.-S.p.A. | Method and unit for forming and conveying groups of products |
| EP0829428A1 (en) * | 1996-09-17 | 1998-03-18 | Shikoku Kakoki Co., Ltd. | Container carrying apparatus |
| EP1061014A1 (en) * | 1999-05-31 | 2000-12-20 | Cosmopack S.r.l. | Take-up head for the grasping, movement and release of objects of diverse shape |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2132116A2 (en) * | 2007-03-05 | 2009-12-16 | Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG) | Device for handling diapers |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ITBO20010670A1 (en) | 2003-05-05 |
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