WO2019053608A1 - Machine pour fabriquer des composants de cigarette électronique, en particulier des cartouches - Google Patents

Machine pour fabriquer des composants de cigarette électronique, en particulier des cartouches Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019053608A1
WO2019053608A1 PCT/IB2018/056960 IB2018056960W WO2019053608A1 WO 2019053608 A1 WO2019053608 A1 WO 2019053608A1 IB 2018056960 W IB2018056960 W IB 2018056960W WO 2019053608 A1 WO2019053608 A1 WO 2019053608A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
components
machine
advancing
path
transfer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2018/056960
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Luca Testoni
Luca Lanzarini
Andrea Grimandi
Francesco RENCO
Luca Mariani
Marco Barbieri
Andrea DI PAOLA
Giovanni Madera
Luca Federici
Original Assignee
G.D S.P.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by G.D S.P.A. filed Critical G.D S.P.A.
Publication of WO2019053608A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019053608A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
    • B65B43/50—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation using rotary tables or turrets
    • 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
    • B65G47/5131—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 relative displacement between conveyors or conveyor parts and bridging means therebetween

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a machine for making electronic cigarette components, specifically cartridges.
  • the invention can also be applied to other electronic cigarette components.
  • the invention focuses on conveying systems for transferring the cartridges in electronic cigarette production lines.
  • electronic cigarette cartridges are typically transferred to the filling station where the cartridges are filled with specific products (liquid or powder).
  • transfer towards the filling station is carried out manually.
  • the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to propose a machine for making electronic cigarette components, specifically cartridges, to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
  • the aim of this invention is to provide a machine for making electronic cigarette components, specifically cartridges, and capable of allowing the cartridges to be effectively transported between successive processing stations, to optimize the production process even during possible error situations in one of the processing stations.
  • a further aim of this invention is to propose a machine for making electronic cigarette components, specifically cartridges, and capable of improving the efficiency of the production process by reducing production stops and guaranteeing high operating capabilities.
  • this invention provides a machine for making electronic cigarette components, specifically cartridges, comprising:
  • - singulating and advancing means for singulating and advancing the plurality of components and configured to receive the plurality of components from the feed means and arrange the components of the plurality of components in a row, making them advance along a singulated advancing path towards a component accumulation zone,
  • At least one conveyor belt adapted to slidably receive the components from the singulating and advancing means on a respective accumulation surface, in such a way that the accumulation zone is positioned at the accumulation surface, the conveyor belt being configured to transport the accumulated components and to direct them towards a transfer zone along a conveyor path,
  • - transfer means for transferring the components and configured to withdraw the components at the transfer zone and to transfer them to a second processing station
  • - variator means for varying the accumulation zone, movable relative to the transfer means and configured to increase or decrease the accumulation surface of the conveyor belt in such a way as to vary the quantity of components that can be accumulated in the accumulation zone.
  • the variator means it is possible to create a dynamic buffer which can adapt to the production requirements arising out of production stops of one between the first and the second processing station, so as to store a larger number of cartridges if the second processing station stops or in such a way as to facilitate transfer of the cartridges from the accumulation zone to the second processing station if the first processing station stops.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the machine for making electronic cigarette components, specifically cartridges, according to a first embodiment of this invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the machine for making electronic cigarette components, specifically cartridges, according to a second embodiment of this invention
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the machine for making electronic cigarette components, specifically cartridges, according to a third embodiment of this invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a portion of the machine for making electronic cigarette components, specifically cartridges, according to a fourth embodiment of this invention.
  • machine 1 denotes in its entirety a machine for making electronic cigarette components and hereinafter referred to simply as machine 1 .
  • the electronic cigarette components 2 are cartridges; in the accompanying drawings, the components 2 are schematically illustrated as cylindrical bars.
  • the machine 1 comprises feed means 3 for feeding a plurality of components 2 from a first processing station, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
  • the first processing station comprises an assembling unit, located upstream of the feed means 3, for assembling the plurality of components.
  • the machine Downstream of the feed means 3, the machine comprises singulating and advancing means 4 for singulating and advancing the plurality of components 2 and configured to receive the plurality of components 2 from the self same feed means 3.
  • the feed means 3 comprise a feed duct 3a in which the components advance towards the singulating and advancing means 4 along a feed direction "A" parallel to the longitudinal axis of extension of the components 2.
  • the feed duct 3a comprises detection and checking means, not illustrated - for example, photocells - configured to detect and check the number of components 2 fed and to report possible error situations.
  • the feed means 3a may comprise a damping device, not illustrated, for example a compressed air ejector, configured to damp the impact with which the components 2 reach the end of their stroke in the feed duct 3a.
  • the singulating and advancing means 4 are also configured to arrange the components 2 in a row, causing them to advance along a singulated advancing path "P" towards an accumulation zone 2a where the components 2 are accumulated.
  • the singulating and advancing means 4 receive the components 2 and cause them to advance in a row along the singulated advancing path "P".
  • the components 2 are compacted with each other and thus stable while they are being conveyed.
  • the feed direction "A" is perpendicular to the singulated advancing path "P".
  • the components 2 are fed vertically and then transferred horizontally.
  • the feed means 3 are connected to a compressed air ejector, not illustrated in the drawings.
  • the compressed air ejector allows regulating the feed speed at which the components 2 are transferred from the first processing station to the singulating and advancing means 4.
  • the machine 1 comprises at least one conveyor belt 5 adapted to slidably receive the components 2 from the singulating and advancing means 4 on a respective accumulation surface 6, in such a way that the accumulation zone 2a is positioned at the accumulation surface 6.
  • the conveyor belt 5 is configured to transport the components 2 accumulated in the accumulation zone 2a and to send them towards a transfer zone 2b of the components 2 along a conveyor path "T".
  • the components 2 advance according to the known principle of "mass flow”, which means the components 2 are adjacent and support each other as they proceed along the conveyor path "T".
  • the machine 1 also comprises transfer means 7 for transferring the components 2 and configured to withdraw the components 2 at the transfer zone 2b and to transfer them to a second processing station, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
  • the second processing station comprises a filling unit, located downstream of the transfer means 7, for filling the components 2.
  • the transfer means 7 for transferring the components 2 comprise a transfer screw 7a which rotates about an axis of rotation "Z" perpendicular to the conveyor path "T".
  • the transfer screw 7a is configured to receive the components 2 in the transfer zone 2b and deliver them to the second processing station.
  • the machine 1 comprises variator means 8 for varying the accumulation zone 2a of the components 2.
  • the variator means 8 are movable relative to the transfer means 7 and are configured to increase or decrease the accumulation surface 6 of the conveyor belt 5 in such a way as to vary the quantity of components 2 that can be accumulated in the accumulation zone 2a.
  • the variator means 8 therefore, it is possible to vary the accumulation surface 6 used to receive and transport the components 2 in such a way as to vary the size of the accumulation zone 2a according to production requirements.
  • the variator means 8 also adapt to the number of components 2 present on the accumulation surface 6, thus preventing the front of the accumulated components 2 from tipping over.
  • the singulating and advancing means 4 preferably comprise a wheel 9 which rotates about an axis of rotation "X".
  • the wheel 9 has a plurality of peripheral slots 9a for receiving the components 2 in a withdrawal zone "B" and delivering them to the singulated advancing path "P".
  • the singulating and advancing means 4 comprise a first advancing channel 10 in which the components 2 advance and defining the singulated advancing path "P".
  • one side wall of the first advancing channel 10 is defined by the wheel 9.
  • the conveyor belt 5 comprises a first portion 5a and a second portion 5b.
  • the first portion 5a defines a first, straight stretch T1 of the conveyor path
  • the first portion 5a is slidable in the opposite direction to the second portion 5b so that the first straight stretch "T1 " is parallel and opposite to the second straight stretch "T2".
  • the components 2 which come from the singulated advancing path "P" are first of all transported by the first portion 5a away from the transfer means 7 and then move across the first accumulation surface 6a to the second accumulation surface 6b, transported by the second portion 5 in the opposite direction, towards the transfer zone 2b.
  • the variator means 8 preferably comprise a first abutment member 8a disposed above the first and second portions 5a, 5b in the accumulation zone 2a and movable along a first movement direction "R1 " parallel to the first and second straight stretches "T1 , T2" away from or towards the transfer means 7.
  • moving the first abutment member 8a allows increasing or decreasing the accumulation surfaces 6a, 6b of the first portion 5a and of the second portion 5b of the conveyor belt 5.
  • the first abutment member 8a is initially disposed as close as possible to the wheel 9 and held in that position until the first accumulation surface 6a and the second accumulation surface 6b are completely covered by the accumulated components 2.
  • the first abutment member 8a is moved away to act as a buffer, that is to say, to increase the size of the accumulation zone 2a, if the second processing station has stopped or slowed down, or is moved in the opposite direction, to push the components 2 towards the transfer means 7 if the first processing station has stopped or slowed down.
  • the conveyor belt 5 is preferably an endless conveyor.
  • the conveyor belt 5 thus comprises a conveyor portion 5c (it should be noted that Figure 1 shows only the conveyor portion 5c, while the rest of the conveyor belt 5 has been hidden for clarity of illustration) which at least partly defines a U-shaped conveyor path "T3" of the conveyor path "T" of the components 2
  • the conveyor belt 5 is mounted on pulleys 1 1 which rotate about axes of rotation "K" perpendicular to the U-shaped conveyor path "T3" and, advantageously, the variator means 8 are configured to translate the pulleys 1 1 along a second movement direction "R2" perpendicular to the axes of rotation "K” of the pulleys 1 1 to move the conveyor portion 5c in such a way as to increase or decrease the length of the U-shaped conveyor path "T3".
  • the conveyor portion 5c of the conveyor belt 5 is delimited by an abutment wall or side panel which is connected to one of the two pulleys 1 1 and which is also U-shaped so as to match the shape of the conveyor path 5c (that is, of the U-shaped conveyor path "T3").
  • the abutment wall or side panel forms a stop for the components 2 both during the movement towards the transfer zone 2b and during the movement of the pulleys 1 1 described above.
  • the conveyor path "T" is preferably straight and the singulating and advancing means 4 comprise a withdrawal screw 12 which rotates about an axis of rotation "Y2" perpendicular (in the fourth embodiment) or about an axis of rotation "Y1 " parallel (in the third embodiment) to the straight conveyor path "T". More specifically, in the fourth embodiment, the withdrawal screw 12 may have a respective end portion disposed on the conveyor belt 5 to facilitate conveying the components 2 on the conveyor belt 5, which might otherwise be difficult.
  • withdrawal screw 12 may be disposed in such a way that its axis of rotation is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the straight conveyor path "T" (situation not illustrated).
  • the withdrawal screw 12 is configured to receive the components 2 in the withdrawal zone "B” and to deliver them to the singulated advancing path "P".
  • the variator means 8 comprise a second abutment member 8b disposed above the conveyor belt 5 in the accumulation zone 2a and movable away from or towards the transfer means 7 along a third movement direction "R3" parallel to the straight conveyor path "T".
  • moving the second abutment member 8b allows increasing or decreasing the accumulation surface 6 of the conveyor belt 5.
  • the second abutment member 8b still more preferably comprises a second advancing channel 13 in which the components 2 advance and which at least partly defines the singulated advancing path "P".
  • the machine 1 may also comprise an unloading buffer, disposed at the transfer screw 7a and configured to receive the components 2 accumulated in the event of an operating condition whereby the second processing station has stopped and the accumulation zone 2a has reached its maximum level, such that the accumulation surface 6 is completely covered by components 2.
  • the unloading buffer is, for example, a tray, and is disposed at one end of the transfer screw 7a, under the latter, so as to receive by gravity the components 2 unloaded by the transfer screw 7a.
  • the present invention therefore achieves the preset aims, overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Attitude Control For Articles On Conveyors (AREA)

Abstract

Machine (1) pour fabriquer des composants de cigarette électronique, en particulier des cartouches, comprenant : des moyens d'alimentation (3) pour fournir une pluralité de composants (2) à partir d'une première station de traitement, des moyens d'individualisation et d'avance (4) pour séparer et faire avancer la pluralité de composants (2) et configurés pour les recevoir et les agencer en une rangée, les faisant avancer le long d'un trajet d'avancement séparé (P) vers une zone d'accumulation (2a), au moins une bande transporteuse (5) conçue pour recevoir de manière coulissante les composants (2) des moyens de séparation et d'avance (4) sur une surface d'accumulation respective (6), de telle sorte que la zone d'accumulation (2a) est positionnée au niveau de la surface d'accumulation (6), la bande transporteuse (5) étant configurée pour transporter les composants accumulés (2) et pour les envoyer vers une zone de transfert (2b) le long d'un chemin de transport (T), des moyens de transfert (7) pour transférer les composants (2) et pour les retirer au niveau de la zone de transfert (2b) et pour les transférer vers une deuxième station de traitement, des moyens de variateur (8) pour faire varier la zone d'accumulation (2a), mobiles par rapport aux moyens de transfert (7) et configurés pour augmenter ou diminuer la surface d'accumulation (6) de manière à faire varier la quantité de composants (2) qui peuvent être accumulés. [Figure 1]
PCT/IB2018/056960 2017-09-13 2018-09-12 Machine pour fabriquer des composants de cigarette électronique, en particulier des cartouches WO2019053608A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102017000102539A IT201700102539A1 (it) 2017-09-13 2017-09-13 Macchina per la realizzazione di componenti di sigarette elettroniche, in particolare cartucce
IT102017000102539 2017-09-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2019053608A1 true WO2019053608A1 (fr) 2019-03-21

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ID=61006132

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2018/056960 WO2019053608A1 (fr) 2017-09-13 2018-09-12 Machine pour fabriquer des composants de cigarette électronique, en particulier des cartouches

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IT (1) IT201700102539A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2019053608A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN117622624A (zh) * 2024-01-23 2024-03-01 山东省蓬莱制药机械厂有限公司 一种西林瓶粉剂灌装不等速走瓶装罝

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2618905A1 (de) * 1976-04-29 1977-11-10 Schmermund Maschf Alfred Foerdervorrichtung zum queraxialen foerdern stab- oder zylinderfoermiger gegenstaende
US20020125107A1 (en) * 2001-03-09 2002-09-12 Horton Paul L. Apparatus for diverting a stream of articles
WO2015174836A1 (fr) * 2014-05-16 2015-11-19 Sluis Cigar Machinery B.V. Ajustement de l'espacement entre des tubes de cigarettes électroniques
US20170001810A1 (en) * 2015-06-30 2017-01-05 Gebo Packaging Solutions France Sas Device and method for feeding for accumulation

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2618905A1 (de) * 1976-04-29 1977-11-10 Schmermund Maschf Alfred Foerdervorrichtung zum queraxialen foerdern stab- oder zylinderfoermiger gegenstaende
US20020125107A1 (en) * 2001-03-09 2002-09-12 Horton Paul L. Apparatus for diverting a stream of articles
WO2015174836A1 (fr) * 2014-05-16 2015-11-19 Sluis Cigar Machinery B.V. Ajustement de l'espacement entre des tubes de cigarettes électroniques
US20170001810A1 (en) * 2015-06-30 2017-01-05 Gebo Packaging Solutions France Sas Device and method for feeding for accumulation

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN117622624A (zh) * 2024-01-23 2024-03-01 山东省蓬莱制药机械厂有限公司 一种西林瓶粉剂灌装不等速走瓶装罝
CN117622624B (zh) * 2024-01-23 2024-04-16 山东省蓬莱制药机械厂有限公司 一种西林瓶粉剂灌装不等速走瓶装罝

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