WO2013132013A1

WO2013132013A1 - Transportation apparatus with a solid object retention means

Info

Publication number: WO2013132013A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/054619
Authority: WO
Inventors: Diego Ferrazzin; Michele Pagnoni; Ivan Prestia
Original assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date: 2012-03-09
Filing date: 2013-03-07
Publication date: 2013-09-12
Also published as: CN104159459A; RU2014140746A; EP2822408A1; JP2015510755A; KR20140138637A

Abstract

Apparatus for the transportation of objects comprising a reservoir (20) with an outlet for providing a plurality of objects and a distribution wheel (2) rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane. The distribution wheel (2) is in communication with the outlet of the reservoir (20) and is capable of transporting the objects from a central portion (22) of the distribution wheel (2) to a peripheral portion of the distribution wheel (2). The apparatus further comprises a retention device (1) for holding the objects back on the distribution wheel (2), the retention device (1) comprises a retention element (11) and an actuator (10) adapted to move the retention element (11) from a release position in which the objects can be transported from the central portion (22) to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel (2), into an object blocking position in which the transportation of the objects is interrupted. The actuator (10) is adapted to move the retention element (11) into an object blocking position independent of a rotational position of the distribution wheel (2).

Description

Transportation apparatus with a solid object retention means

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the transportation of objects. For example, the objects may be substantially solid.

Apparatuses and methods have been proposed to transportation objects are known. For example international patent application WO-A-201 1 /024068 discloses an object transportation system for capsules where the capsules are transferred from a reservoir to a horizontally rotating distribution wheel. Through rotation of the distribution wheel the capsules are transported to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel where they are transferred into recesses in a vertically rotatable transfer wheel. The transfer wheel transfers the capsules to a location, where the capsules are released from the recesses and are inserted into filter tow.

Typically, in a machine according to the prior art, the solid objects continue to be transported when the production needs to be interrupted, for example for maintenance, until the machine is completely stopped. Typically, the solid objects cannot be easily recovered during this ramping up and down of the machine, as the machine typically cannot produce within the product specifications during the acceleration or deceleration process.

Therefore, there is a need to allow the recovery of solid objects in such a machine, especially during a stop or start of a machine.

According to one aspect of the invention an apparatus is provided for the transportation of solid objects. The apparatus comprises a reservoir comprising an outlet for providing a plurality of objects and comprising a distribution wheel arranged to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane. The distribution wheel is in communication with the outlet of the reservoir and is capable of transporting the objects from a central portion of the distribution wheel to a peripheral portion of the distribution wheel. The apparatus further comprises a retention device for holding the objects back on the distribution wheel, the retention device comprising a retention element and an actuator. The actuator is adapted to move the retention element from a release position in which the objects are allowed to be transported from the central portion to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel, into an object blocking position in which the transportation of the objects from the central portion to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel is interrupted. The actuator is further adapted to move the retention element into an object blocking position independent of a rotational position of the distribution wheel. The actuator is also adapted to move the retention element from the object blocking position back into the release position.

The term "solid objects" as used in connection with the present invention denotes objects that have a geometrical shape with well-defined boundaries, in contrast to liquids or gases. By way of example, solid objects include objects which are entirely made of solid state substances, objects having a shell made of a solid substance enclosing a liquid or gaseous core, and objects like gelatine capsules also having well-defined boundaries. For the avoidance of doubt, the solid object according to the invention may be elastic, deformable and crushable if a sufficiently high force is applied. Preferably, the solid object is a substantially spherical object. Preferably, the substantially spherical object has a diameter of between about 0.5 mm and about 6.5 mm; more preferably, the substantially spherical object has a diameter of between about 2.5 mm and about 4.0 mm. Preferably, the substantially spherical object is a capsule. Preferably, the capsule comprises a liquid. Preferably, the liquid is flavorant, for example, menthol. Preferably, the capsule is crushable, that is, the capsule can release its content when a sufficient crushing strength is applied. With like objects, it is particularly important to handle the objects carefully as not to release the liquid within the capsules during the manufacturing process.

By providing a retention device for holding back objects, such as capsules or beads on the distribution wheel, these are not further transported to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel, particularly not during the ramping up or down of the apparatus. Therefore, the objects are not further processed, for example transferred to a further transfer wheel or introduced into the filter material of a smoking article. This way, the transportation of the solid objects into products that would probably not meet product specifications and would therefore be wasted, can be reduced or completely avoided. By activating the actuator, the retention element is moved into a solid object blocking position, thereby holding back the objects on the distribution wheel independent of a rotational position of the distribution wheel. If the retention device is actuated and the retention element is moved into an object blocking position, the solid objects are securely held back on the distribution wheel, independent of any other mechanism acting on the distribution wheel and until the retention element is moved back into the release position. Preferably, in some embodiments, a transfer mechanism is supported by a cam controlled blocking mechanism that only temporarily and only at certain angular orientations of the distribution wheel allows the passage of solid objects from the distribution wheel to a transfer wheel. According to the invention, such a transfer supporting mechanism is disabled by the retention device such that the transfer supporting mechanism is also blocking the passage of solid objects.

Solid objects held back on the distribution wheel are retained for future use. With the retention device the solid objects are kept on the distribution wheel and may be used as soon the machine has been restarted or has achieved an adequate machine speed. The starting process of the unit may be combined with a renewed activation of the actuator. The retention device or the retention element, respectively, is moved into the release position, which allows the transportation of the formerly blocked objects to the peripheral position of the distribution wheel.

The term "central portion of the distribution wheel" used to refer to a portion of the distribution wheel which extends from the center of the wheel preferably to about 20 percent to about 50 percent of the radius of the wheel. The term "peripheral portion of the distribution wheel" is used to refer to a portion located at the radial outer periphery of the distribution wheel from which the objects can be released and transferred for example into a transfer unit or directly in a finished or semi-finished product.

The term "in a substantially horizontal plane" is to be understood to encompass any arrangement of the distribution wheel that is rotatable in a horizontal plane as well as arrangements in which the distribution wheel is rotatable at an angle of up to about 45 degrees with the horizontal plane. Due to the centrifugal forces that move the solid objects from the centre of the wheel to its circumference, also for arrangements of the distribution wheel including an angle with the horizontal plane the above-identified advantages of the invention apply. In particular, the term "in a substantially horizontal plane" also includes arrangements, wherein the distribution wheel is either a substantially planar wheel as well as embodiments wherein the wheel is for example conically shaped.

In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the retention element is arranged at a radial position between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel.

The term "between the central portion and the peripheral portion" generally defines positions between these two regions. However, it is also to be understood to include positions within these portions and especially includes a position at the peripheral portion, that is, a position at the radial outer periphery of the distribution wheel.

Arranging the retention element in a radial position between the central portion of the distribution wheel and the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel allows solid objects to be supplied to the distribution wheel and to be arranged on the distribution wheel in a position ready for being further transported. Preferably, solid objects on a distribution wheel are aligned, for example in a single plane, in a single line or in a plurality of single lines. That way, a holding back of objects on the distribution wheel advantageously may avoid the risk of crushing or missing any solid objects due to an overlaying arrangement of objects. Advantageously, an object supply from the reservoir to the distribution wheel and a possible transfer of objects at the peripheral portion of the wheel may be carried out completely independent and unaffected from a retention device when the retention device is in a release position. A retention device may be arranged and operated completely independent of a transfer mechanism. However, it is also possible to combine a retention device and its corresponding retention mechanism with a mechanism already present in an apparatus, for example, a transfer mechanism or a transfer supporting mechanism. Such a combination may simplify the set-up of the apparatus and reduce an amount of mechanical parts by providing the advantages of a retention device. In another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the retention element is arranged at a radial position proximate to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel.

The term "proximate to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel" is used to refer to a portion of the distribution wheel extending preferably between about 50 percent and about 100 percent of the radius of the wheel; however, giving enough room for a possible transfer mechanism arranged at or to be applied to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel for a release of objects from the wheel.

The closer to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel the retention element is arranged, the more objects may be kept on the distribution wheel - and thus may be easily recovered.

In an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the retention element comprises a ring section arranged concentrically with the central portion and above the distribution wheel. The actuator is adapted to act on the ring section so as to lower the ring section into the object blocking position and to raise the ring section into the release position.

By arranging a ring section concentrically to the central portion of the wheel, a retention device or at least parts of the retention means may be arranged in a symmetrical rotational manner above the wheel. With this, an actuating action may be transferred to the ring section or also to several ring sections such that a retention action may be applied. Where the ring section is formed as a ring or as an almost closed ring any forces applied to the distribution wheel are thereby distributed symmetrically to substantially a circle around the center of the wheel. The ring section or preferably the ring also allows for example for the provision of a rotationally symmetric and continuous retention member attached to the ring section or ring. It also allows for example for the provision of rotationally symmetrically arranged individual retention members dedicated to, for example, individual transportation channels arranged in the distribution wheel.

According to a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention the distribution wheel comprises a plurality of transportation channels for transporting the objects. Preferably, each of these transportation channels runs from the central portion of the distribution wheel to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel. Preferably, the retention element comprises a plurality of retention members capable of engaging with solid objects in the transportation channels when in the object blocking position. Preferably, each of the plurality of retention members is associated with at least one of the plurality of transportation channels.

Preferably, upon engagement of the retention members with the solid objects in the transportation channels, the solid objects are individually blocked and prevented from being transported to the peripheral portion. An engagement of objects in a transportation channel allows the secure blocking of a single object or of a line of object in the transportation channel. While one retention member is provided for the blocking of objects in at least one transportation channel, in a preferred embodiment one retention member is associated with one transportation channel and the plurality of retention members corresponds to the plurality of the transportation channels. Such a one-to-one allocation of one retention member to one transportation channel allows for example for the retention member to have a form which is exactly adapted to the form of the transportation channel.

In another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the apparatus further comprises a position control unit for positioning the retention element relative to the distribution wheel in a manner such that the retention members are arranged in alignment with the transportation channels of the distribution wheel.

Preferably, in the rotatable distribution wheel solid objects are supplied to the distribution wheel and due to the centrifugal forces acting on the solid objects upon rotation of the distribution wheel the solid objects are transported to the peripheral portion of the wheel. With the position control unit it is guaranteed that the retention members are in alignment with the transportation channels after the distribution wheel has stopped rotating, independently of a stopping position of the wheel. Preferably, the retention members are then able to accomplish the blocking action on the solid objects in the transportation channels. A position control unit is preferably used when a retention device or parts of the retention device are mounted in a stationary manner. When the rotation member or a retention device rotates with the distribution wheel, a position control unit may be omitted. A position control unit may for example be realized as electronic position control or also as mechanical position control, where only individual stopping positions of the distribution wheel are foreseen.

A position control unit may also be omitted, if no transportation channels are present in the distribution wheel or if no alignment of the retention members and the wheel or with parts of the wheel is necessary; for example, with a circularly continuously arranged retention member, which does not engage into the transportation channels but provides a blocking action for objects that are larger in diameter than the height of the transportation channels such that the objects protrude over the edges of the transportation channels and may be blocked above the transportation channels.

According to a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, each of the retention members comprises a blocking pin assigned to a corresponding transportation channel. The blocking pins are arranged above the transportation channels and are capable of being lowered from the release position, in which they are arranged above the transportation channels, to the object blocking position in which they extend into the transportation channels.

Blocking pins allow for a very localized and effective blocking of solid objects in a transportation channel. The localization of the blocking action in one point per transportation channel reduces the risk of damaging or crushing objects in the transportation channel. It also reduces the risk of an unintentional release of a solid object after a blocking action has been completed.

According to an embodiment of the retention members comprising blocking pins, the blocking pins are spring-biased towards the transportation channels.

A spring-biased mounting of the blocking pins, for example by a mechanical spring, reduces the risk of damaging the solid objects in a transportation channel. Is a blocking pin about to be lowered and inserted into a channel in a position where a solid object is present, the pin may give way due to its spring-biased mounting before crushing the solid object like, for example, a capsule. The solid object may pass underneath the blocking pin, such that the blocking pin but engages with the next solid object in the transportation channel. According to a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the apparatus comprises a cam element adapted to actuate the retention element dependent on the rotational position of the distribution wheel. According to the invention, the retention element remains in the object blocking position independent of an actuation of the retention element by the cam element.

A rotationally dependent actuation of the retention element by a cam element may be provided for supporting a transfer mechanism. For example, when the distribution wheel or a corresponding transportation channel is in a transfer position, individual solid objects may pass along the transportation channel to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel where the transfer of the solid objects to a transfer wheel may take place. With the cam element actuating the retention element such a transportation of capsules to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel may temporarily be blocked when the distribution wheel is not in a transfer position. However, when an apparatus or unit is stopped no further solid objects shall be transferred to a transfer wheel. Therefore the retention element is actuated by the actuator into the object blocking position and remains in said position. Advantageously the actuation of the retention element by the cam element or by any other suitable rotationally dependent actuation mechanism is disabled by the retention element in the object blocking position. A rotationally dependent actuation by the cam element is preferably absorbed by an elastically deformable element, for example a mechanical spring. In this embodiment the retention device may be integrated into a transfer supporting mechanism, which simplifies the apparatus. Preferably, the actuator lowers the cam element from a working position of the cam element wherein at least one of the retention means is in a raised, non-blocking position, into a retention position of the cam element, wherein all retention means are in a blocking position.

According to another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the retention element comprises a plurality of pads. The pads are capable of being lowered from the release position in which they are arranged above the transportation channels, to the object blocking position in which they engage the objects in the transportation channels. Retention elements comprising pads are structurally very simple. A pad engages a transportation channel and acts as a stamp or plunger onto at least one, preferably several, objects aligned along and in the transportation channel. For example, if a distribution wheel has a sloped surface, the pads may be formed as parallelepipeds with an angular tilt in order to compensate for the slope of the distribution wheel and still be arranged parallel to the objects that are to be blocked. The shape of the pads is preferably adapted to the shape of the transportation channel. However, also any other forms such as circular forms are suitable.

According an embodiment of the retention members comprising a plurality of pads, the plurality of pads is made of a resilient material.

By using a resilient material for the pads the risk of damaging solid objects through a pressing force of the retention members is minimized. It is also possible to use a resilient material for a retention member, which is constructed as continuous retention member or comprises a continuous retention member, which is not allocated to individual transportation channels. Thereby, the resilient material is elastically deformed in a region of the distribution wheel between transportation channels and is less or not deformed in the region of the transportation channels.

In another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the actuator is arranged stationary.

While the actuator is mounted in a stationary manner, the retention element may be mounted in a rotating manner together with and attached to the distribution wheel. By these means the retention element is always positioned with the distribution wheel, that is, especially in alignment with the transportation channels in the wheel, while only the additional weight of the retention element and not of the whole retention device needs to be rotated.

When actuator and retention element are separate elements of the retention device, preferably, a coupling unit between actuator and retention element is provided for a coupling of the two elements. If for example a unit for introducing objects into a smoking article is stopped, the retention device is actuated and the actuator is coupled to the retention element such that the retention element is lowered to come into an object blocking position.

In another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, also the retention element is arranged stationary.

Also, the retention device may be constructed in one piece or individual elements of a retention device may be fixedly attached to each other, which simplifies the mechanical setup. It is understood that the retention device may also be mounted in a rotatable manner. The retention device is then preferably mechanically coupled to the distribution wheel and rotated at the same speed with the distribution wheel.

According to a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the apparatus further comprises a transfer wheel arranged adjacent the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel at a transfer position. The transfer wheel is arranged to be rotatable about a horizontal axis and has recesses for receiving the objects delivered by the distribution wheel at the transfer position. Preferably, the transfer wheel is adapted to transporting the solid objects in the recesses to a location where the objects are to be further processed, for example to be introduced into a continuous flow of material.

Solid objects supplied to the distribution wheel and transported to the peripheral portion of the wheel may be transferred to a transfer wheel. The transfer wheel, preferably a vertically rotatable wheel, transports the objects in corresponding recesses to a location, where the objects are introduced for example into a filter tow. By using two wheels an arrangement of the distribution wheel and an introduction of the object into the filter material may be optimized. For example by using a horizontally arranged distribution wheel and a vertically arranged transfer wheel, the horizontally arranged distribution wheel simplifies a supply and feeding of objects and the vertically arranged transfer wheel simplifies the introduction of the objects into for example a filter tow.

Preferably, the number of transfer channels on the distribution wheel is equal to the number of recesses in the transfer wheel. This may advantageously simplify the synchronization between the distribution wheel and the transfer wheel. Alternatively, the number of transfer channels on the distribution wheel is different to the number of recesses in the transfer wheel. In such an embodiment, the synchronization between the distribution wheel and the transfer wheel can be achieved by the angular speeds of the distribution wheel and the transfer wheel and by their diameters such that in the transfer position, each transfer channel in the distribution is associated with one recess in the transfer wheel.

According to an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the apparatus further comprises an operation control unit capable of activating the retention device depending on the operational status of the apparatus.

An operation control unit surveys the operation of the apparatus according to the invention or of a unit for introducing objects into a smoking article and activates the retention device as soon as the apparatus or unit is stopped or started or a certain, preset machine speed threshold is passed. By the coordination of the retention device with the working cycle of the apparatus or the unit the optimal moment for a stopping or starting is used to recover a maximum amount of objects.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for the transportation of solid objects. The method comprises the following steps:

- providing a plurality of solid objects;

- receiving the solid objects on a distribution wheel, which is rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane;

- rotating the distribution wheel, thereby transporting the solid objects from a central portion of the distribution wheel to a peripheral portion of the distribution wheel;

- providing a retention device for holding the solid objects back on the distribution wheel, the retention device comprising a retention element;

- moving the retention element from a release position in which the solid objects are transported from the central portion to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel, into an object blocking position in which the transportation of the solid objects from the central portion to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel is interrupted independent of a rotational position of the distribution wheel. In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises the step of actuating the retention element dependent on the rotational position of the distribution wheel. Therein the step of moving the retention element into the object blocking position such that the transportation of the objects from the central portion to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel is interrupted independent of a rotational position of the distribution wheel, superimposes an actuation movement of the retention element, which actuation movement is dependent on the rotational position of the distribution wheel.

Advantages of the invention have been described above with reference to the apparatus according to the present invention.

Further advantageous aspects of the invention become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention with the aid of the drawings in which: shows a cross sectional side view of an apparatus according to the invention with a retention device comprising a blocking pin combined with a transfer supporting pin system.

shows a section of an apparatus according to the invention comprising a retention device;

shows a cross sectional side view of the retention device according to Fig. 1 ;

shows a cross sectional side view of a retention device comprising a blocking pin. In Fig. 1 an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is shown where the retention device 4 is combined with a pin system used in the transfer process of capsules from a distribution wheel to a transfer wheel (not shown). Such a pin system is used and described for example in the apparatus and method for insertion of capsules into filter tow in WO-A-201 1 /024068. Therein several pins are distributed on the circumference of the distribution wheel. The pin positions correspond to radial grooves or transportation channels in the distribution wheel. The pins are arranged such as to be received by their tip within the corresponding transportation channel. A pin includes an actuator, a sleeve, a body and a tip. In WO-A-201 1 /024068 the pin is guided in a stationary double cam that moves the pin up and down according to the circumferential position of the pin. In such a double cam arrangement with an upper cam and a lower cam, wherein the pins are actuated by a cam follower located between the upper and the lower cam, the independent movement of one pin is not possible.

According to the invention, a single cam is provided. In the embodiment shown, only a lower cam is used. The cam follower is resiliently biased toward the cam surface by a spring.

The apparatus in Fig. 1 has a reservoir 20 supplying capsules to the central portion 22 of the distribution wheel 2. The distribution wheel 2 is provided with radially running transfer channels 24. The apparatus is further provided with a stationary cam disc 70 with a cam surface 71 , a cover portion 77 and a plurality of pins 414 arranged at the circumference of the cover portion 77 and the distribution wheel 2. Each pin 414 is disposed between cam disc 70 and cover portion 77, wherein the cover portion is provided with apertures 771 for receiving the tips 417 of the pins 414. A cam follower 72 connected to a distal end of the pin 414 is slidably arranged on the cam surface 71 of the cam disc 70. The cam follower 72 undulates on the cam surface 71 upon rotation of the pin arrangement coupled to the distribution wheel 2 such that the pins 414 are actuated by the cam follower 72 and retracted from a transportation channel 24 when in a transfer position 25 as shown on the left hand side of Fig. 1 . There the pin 414 is in a release position 415: the tip 417 of the pin 414 is completely retracted form the transportation channel 24, allowing a capsule to be transported from the central portion 22 of the distribution wheel 2 to the peripheral portion 23 of the distribution wheel 2 and to leave the distribution wheel 2. The actuator 40 for the retention element 41 is a mechanical spring 419 in combination with a compression element 418. The pins 414 are biased against the cam 70, towards the downward position of the pin 414 by the springs 419.

The cam follower 72 as shown on the right hand side of Fig. 1 is lowered due to force of the spring 419 in the area of lower thickness of the cam disc 70 in the region of the cam surface 71 , thereby allowing a downward movement of the pin 414. The pin is extending into the transportation channel 24 and is at least temporarily blocking any transportation of capsules to the peripheral portion 23. A further rotation of the pin would again move the pin into the release position 415 as shown on the right hand side of Fig. 1 . However, on the left hand side of Fig. 1 , the pin is in an object blocking position 416.

The cam disc 70 is mounted on vertical shafts 40, such that an actuator, for example an electro-motor (not shown) can lower the entire cam disc 70 into a retention position. In the retention position of the cam disc 70, the spring 419 associated with the pins 414 that are already in a lowered position (as can be seen on the right side of Fig. 1 ) are further compressed and these pins 414 remain in the lowered position. On the other hand, the pin 414 in the raised position, as shown on the left side of Fig. 1 is also lowered, even without a significant compression of the associated spring 419 such that in the lowered position of the cam disc 70, all transportation channels 24 are blocked and all capsules in the channels are retained. This status is kept until the cam disc 70 is actuated by the actuator 40 again and moved into the regular, raised operation position.

In Fig. 2 a section of an apparatus according to the invention with a retention device 1 is shown. A reservoir 20 is arranged above a distribution wheel 2 for supplying objects such as capsules 21 to a central portion 22 of the distribution wheel 2. The distribution wheel 2 comprises radially arranged transportation channels 24, wherein the capsules 21 are transported from the central portion 22 of the distribution wheel 2 to the peripheral portion 23 of the distribution wheel. The retention device 1 is arranged between the central portion 22 and the peripheral portion 23 of the distribution wheel 2. The retention device 1 comprises an actuator 10 and a retention element 1 1 . The retention element 1 1 comprises a ring 1 1 1 or ring section connected via at least one bridge element 1 12 to a holding element 1 13 also in the form of a ring or ring section. With the actuator 10 the retention element 1 1 is movable in a direction perpendicular to the distribution wheel as indicated with arrows 100. The retention element 1 1 1 is movable from a retracted release position into an object blocking position. In the release position the retention element 1 1 is arranged above the distribution wheel and the capsules 21 are allowed run free in the transportation channels 24 and to be transported from the central portion 22 to the peripheral portion 23 of the distribution wheel 2. In the object blocking position, the retention element 1 1 is lowered by the actuator 10 to such an extent, that the retention element 1 1 or a retention member (not shown) attached to the holding element 1 13 blocks the capsules 21 in the transportation channels 24 and thereby interrupts a transportation of the capsules from the central portion 22 to the peripheral portion 23 of the distribution wheel 2. Such an interruption may be achieved for example by retention member 1 14 pressing on one or several capsules 21 projecting from the transportation channel or as shown in Fig. 3 by a retention member 1 14 that may engage the transportation channel 24. On its underside the holding element 1 13 is provided with the retention member 1 14, the retention member being associated with at least one transportation channel. Upon actuation of the actuator 10, the retention device 1 with the retention member 1 14 is lowered into the transportation channel blocking a further transportation of the capsules in the transportation channel. The object blocking position 1 16 of the retention element is indicated by a dashed line. By a renewed actuation of the retention element the retention member 1 14 is retracted from the transportation channel 24 and the retention element is again in a release position 1 15, which corresponds to the status of the retention element as shown in Fig. 2. Back in the release position 1 15 the capsules are again allowed to run free in the transportation channel 24 and to be transported to the peripheral portion 23 of the distribution wheel 2. The retention member 1 14 is a rectangular shaped pad, preferably formed to accurately fit into a transportation channel 24. If the distribution wheel 2 or the transportation channels are provided with a cover 1 17 then the cover is provided with openings 1 18, preferably in the form of the retention members 1 14, in order to allow the retention member to be inserted at least partly into the transportation channels 24.

The pads may also have different forms, for example be shaped as parallelepipeds to adjust for a slope due to a conically shaped distribution wheel 2 in order to still act parallel to the top surfaces of neighbouring capsules 21 .

However, also any other shape of pad is feasible. Preferably the material of the pad is of a resilient kind, for example made of foam rubber, felt or any other elastically compressible material. A pad made of a resilient material minimizes the risk of damaging capsules through a pressing force of the retention member 1 14. A resilient material is preferably used if a pad extends over more than one transportation channel 24, possibly extends over all transportation channels, while one or several retention elements 1 1 are each allocated to more than one transportation channel 24. Upon lowering of the retention element 1 1 the pad is elastically compressed by the surface of the distribution wheel 2 in regions between transportation channels 1 19 (see Fig. 1 ) and is not or only slightly compressed in the transportation channels 24 upon pressing on capsules 21 to be held back on the distribution wheel. A lowering movement of the retention member 1 14 is preferably in the range of between about 0.1 and about 1 mm, for example about 0.3mm.

The retention device 1 may be arranged in a stationary manner in the center or central portion 22 of the distribution wheel 2. However, the retention device 1 may also be rotatably arranged, thereby rotating in the same direction with the distribution wheel 2 and preferably fixedly attached to the distribution wheel. Parts of the retention device may be fixedly or demountably attached to each other. For example, a holding element 1 13 including retention member 1 14 may be fixedly attached to the distribution wheel 2. By this no rotational alignment of retention member 1 14 and transportation channels 24 is required upon stopping or starting the distribution wheel 2. In order not to have much additional weight to be rotated together with the distribution wheel 2, the other parts of the retention device, such as the actuator 10 and in case of Fig. 1 and 2 also the ring 1 1 1 and bridge element 1 12 may be mounted in a stationary manner. In case of separated actuator 10 and retention element 1 1 there is provided a coupling unit for the coupling of these two elements as soon as an actuation of the retention element is required.

In Fig. 4 another embodiment of a retention device 3 is shown. Actuator 10 and ring 1 1 1 including bridge element 1 12 may be constructed as described in Fig. 1 and 2. The retention element 31 further comprises a pin 314, a housing 313 and a spring 315 arranged inside the housing 313 and acting upon the pin 314. The pin is arranged to extend into the transportation channel 24 when in the object blocking position, that is, when the retention element is lowered by the actuator 10 acting on the ring 1 1 1 , which acts on the housing 313 by the bridge element 1 12. The status of the retention element 31 of Fig.3 corresponds to the retention element in an object blocking position. The pin 314 is mounted in the housing 313 such that upon no tension of the spring 315 the tip 316 of the pin does not extend into the transportation channel 24 when in the release position. If the actuator 10 actuates the retention element 31 , housing 313 including pin 314 is lowered and the pin is lowered into the transportation channel 24. Should the pin 314 hit a capsule 21 in the channel 24, the resisting force of the capsule compresses the spring 315 such that no excessive force is performed onto a capsule 21 which might damage the capsule. In order to further limit the risk of hitting a capsule 21 upon penetration of the pin 314 into the transportation channel 24, the pin 314 has a tapered tip 316.

A lowering movement of the pin 314 is preferably in the range between about 1 mm and about 5mm, more preferably in the range of between about 2 mm and about 3 mm.

Claims

Apparatus for the transportation of solid objects, the apparatus comprising:

- a reservoir comprising an outlet for providing solid objects,

- a distribution wheel arranged to be rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane, the distribution wheel being in communication with the outlet of the reservoir and being capable of transporting the objects from a central portion of the distribution wheel to a peripheral portion of the distribution wheel, and

- a retention device for holding the solid objects back on the distribution wheel, the retention device comprising a retention element and an actuator, wherein the actuator is adapted to move the retention element from a release position to an object blocking position and wherein the actuator is adapted to move the retention element to a blocking position independent of the rotational position of the distribution wheel.

Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the retention element is arranged at a radial position between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel.

Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the retention element is arranged at a radial position proximate to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel.

Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retention element comprises a ring section arranged concentrically with the central portion and above the distribution wheel, and wherein the actuator is adapted to act on the ring section so as to lower the ring section into the object blocking position and to raise the ring section into the release position.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distribution wheel comprises a plurality of transportation channels for transporting the objects, each transportation channel running from the central portion of the distribution wheel to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel, and wherein the retention element comprises a plurality of retention members capable of engaging with objects in the transportation channels when in the object blocking position, wherein each of the plurality of retention members is associated with at least one of the plurality of transportation channels.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a position control unit for positioning the retention element relative to the distribution wheel in a manner such that the retention members are arranged in alignment with the transportation channels of the distribution wheel.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each of the retention members comprises a blocking pin assigned to a corresponding transportation channel, and wherein the blocking pins are arranged above the transportation channels and are capable of being lowered from the release position in which they are arranged above the transportation channels, to the solid object blocking position in which they extend into the transportation channels.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the blocking pins are spring- biased towards the transportation channels.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a cam element adapted to actuate the retention element dependent on the rotational position of the distribution wheel, wherein the retention element when in the object blocking position remains in the object blocking position independent of an actuation of the retention element by the cam element.

10. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the retention element comprises a plurality of pads capable of being lowered from the release position in which the pads are arranged above the transportation channels, to the object blocking position in which the pads engage the solid objects in the transportation channels .

1 1 . Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of pads is made of a resilient material.

12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a transfer wheel arranged adjacent the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel at a transfer position, the transfer wheel being arranged to be rotatable about a horizontal axis and having recesses for receiving the objects delivered by the distribution wheel at the transfer position, the transfer wheel further being capable of transporting the objects in the recesses to a location where the solid objects are to be introduced into a continuous flow of material.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising an operation control unit capable of activating the retention device depending on the operational status of the apparatus.

14. Method for the transportation of objects , the method comprising the steps of:

- providing a plurality of solid objects;

- receiving the solid objects on a distribution wheel, which is rotatable in a substantially horizontal plane

- providing a retention device for holding the solid objects back on the distribution wheel, the retention device comprising a retention element; - moving the retention element from a release position in which the objects are transported from the central portion to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel, into an object blocking position in which the transportation of the objects from the central portion to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel is interrupted independent of a rotational position of the distribution wheel.

15. Method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of actuating the retention element dependent on the rotational position of the distribution wheel, wherein the step of moving the retention element into the solid object blocking position such that the transportation of the solid objects from the central portion to the peripheral portion of the distribution wheel is interrupted independent of a rotational position of the distribution wheel, superimposes an actuation movement of the retention element, which actuation movement is dependent on the rotational position of the distribution wheel.