DE8200684U1 - CONVEYOR DEVICE FOR ROD-SHAPED ITEMS OF THE TOBACCO-PROCESSING INDUSTRY - Google Patents

Description

7 -

Stw .: machine coupling-TTU mass flow return-I Hauni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982

Conveyor device for rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry

The invention relates to a device for conveying rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry: with a first conveyor section having at least one branch zone and at least one merging zone and with a second conveying section which connects a branch zone with a merging zone and which is assigned to one of the K branch zones Tray filler, a tray emptier designed to deliver an article flow with tray tilting device, a first conveyor section connecting the tray filler to the tray emptier for

filled trays and one from the tray emptier to Union zone running second conveyor section for i; has the flow of articles delivered by the tray emptier.

Rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry are tobacco rods, filter rods, filter cigarettes, cigarillos and like that. In the present context, rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry however, in particular those articles are to be understood that are axially asymmetrical, that is to say primarily Line of filter cigarettes, tobacco sticks with stamp imprint, cigars or cigarillos with filter or mouthpiece and like that. When cigarettes are referred to in the following for the sake of simplicity, they are rod-shaped articles of the kind discussed here cannot be excluded.

In modern cigarette manufacture, the direct coupling of manufacturing machines and

Stw .: machine coupling-TTU mass flow return-I Hauni file Ϊ692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982

Packaging and processing machines via mass flow conveyors trek through. To compensate for differences in performance Buffer facilities are required for the connected machines. A powerful buffer device is available for example designed as a tray station with tray filler and tray emptier, in which overproduction of the production machines branched off from the conveyor line and filled in trays and production failure of the production machines is supplemented from Schragen.

Such an arrangement is known from DE-OS 30 13 014. In this known arrangement, there is a cigarette making machine and a conveyor line connecting a packaging machine, a tray station with a tray filler and connected to a tray emptier. Tray fillers and tray emptiers are by a conveyor connected, which allows the trays to be transported directly from the tray filler to the tray emptier, so that automatic operation also appears to be possible. However, this system has the disadvantage that the cigarettes when Tilting the full trays in the tray emptier will change their axial orientation so that they are upside down in the Mass flow are returned. The system described is therefore not functional.

It is currently common practice to feed the full trays to the tray emptier by hand in the correct orientation.

The present invention is based on the object of specifying a device of the type described above, which, with the greatest possible protection of the cigarettes, allows fully automatic operation with simple means.

• III · I · · - · ·

Stw .: machine coupling-TTU mass flow return-I Hauni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the second conveying section has a turning loop running in an arc to the first conveying section for changing the axial orientation of the branched-off articles. With the surprisingly simple measure of conveying the cigarettes between the branch zone of the first conveyor line and the merging zone in an arc of 180 °, it is achieved that the cigarettes can be returned to the first conveyor line in the correct orientation. It is advantageous if, according to the invention, the second conveyor section downstream behind the tray filler has a turning loop running in an arc of 180 ° to the first conveyor section to put down the cradle. They are only turned over with respect to the first conveyor line after they have been filled into the trays.

In a further development of the invention it is provided that the second conveyor section of the second conveyor line as in an arc of 180 ° to the first conveyor line running turning loop is formed, which the tray emptier delivered article stream, to the unification zone of the first conveyor line. The arrangement is particularly useful if, according to the invention, the second conveyor section the second conveyor line parallel to the first conveyor line and in the conveying direction from the tray emptier exits, runs in an arc to the first conveyor line and parallel to the first conveyor line and theirs Direction of conveyance is guided in the opposite direction before it opens into the union zone. In this case, the branched off Cigarettes downstream of the branch zone in the first

- 10 -

* · »Ta ■ t> '

" ^f · '·« ι · · · ISSi

10 -

Stw .: Return machine coupling TTU mass flow - I Hauni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982

Conveyor line back and do not need the branch zone to happen again. To the conveying direction of the branched cigarettes opening into the first conveying path Adapt the conveying direction of the first conveying path, it is provided according to the invention that the second conveying section of the second conveyor line upstream before its EinffiünduTij in the unification zone a Unucehrstrecke to Reversing the conveying direction of the article with respect to the first conveying path.

According to the invention, instead of the second conveyor section also the first conveyor section of the second conveyor line as in an arc of 180 ° from the tray filler to the Tray emptier running turning loop be formed. In this embodiment of the invention, the arrangement is the tray station preferably so that the tray filler and the tray unloader lie in the vertical plane of the first conveyor line and that the first conveyor section of the second conveyor line runs in an approximately U-shaped turning loop from the tray filler to the tray emptier. One According to the invention provided third conveyor line is used to return the empty trays from the tray emptier to Tray filler. This third conveyor line for returning the empty trays also runs according to the invention preferably in an approximately U-shaped turning loop from the tray emptier to the tray filler.

A particularly simple structural design of the arrangement is obtained if _f the turning loop of the first conveyor section of the second conveying path is formed by a curve-negotiating conveyor. The first conveyor section of the second conveyor line can according to the invention

11 -

«■ ti ···« ■ * · · ι

tC · I

- 11 -

Stw .: Return machine coupling TTü mass flow - I Hauni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982

turning trays, receiving tray supports in groups be assigned, with means for detecting and conveying the slant carriers in an approximately semicircular arc are provided about a vertical axis, such that the alignment of the slant support to the vertical axis in essential is preserved. As a means of capturing and conveying the Schragenträjer comes primarily in a horizontal plane revolving around a vertical axis conveying element mix in the corresponding transducers Slant carrier engaging drivers in question.

According to another embodiment of the invention it is provided that the first conveyor section of the second conveyor line is formed by a curved conveyor rotating in a horizontal plane to the side of the trays, which at least one, the trays individually grasping from the side, pivoting in an arc around a vertical axis and after Pivoting lowering tray holder carries. As a curve conveyor a revolving chain is preferably provided. Each tray pick-up can move from above against each other to be detected trays movable holding means and a support member movable from below against the respective tray exhibit. It is considered to be particularly simple and advantageous that, according to the invention, the holding means and the Capture the support member of the respective trays at diagonally opposite corners. The holding means can according to Invention designed as the tray on its upper side overlapping, on the trays pivotable retaining bracket be. A particularly smooth promotion of the filled trays in the U-shaped bend is achieved according to the invention In particular, this ensures that the curve conveyor is supported by two horizontal ones lying parallel on top of one another Planes revolving chains is formed and that the holding

- 12 -

4th ♦ · t I

- 12 -

Deputy: machine coupling-TTU mass flow return- I Hauni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982

means is attached to the upper chain and the support member to the lower chain. The associated holding means and chain links carrying supporting elements can be connected to one another by vertical coupling rods. To the To capture and set down trays in a precisely positioned manner, holding means and support members are preferably curved.

The particular advantage of the invention is that the proposed device has a fully automatic operation allowed, with the cigarettes branched off from the first conveyor line in the correct orientation to the first Conveyor line to be returned, ^ ie means by which this is accomplished surprisingly easily. The greatest possible protection of the branched cigarettes is thereby guaranteed. The trays filled with branched cigarettes are compatible with the trays of other systems, because the cigarettes are placed in the trays in the usual orientation. The filled trays can Therefore, if necessary, other systems can be supplied or filled trays from other systems according to the invention can be used proposed device are supplied.

- 13 -

- 13 -

Stw .: Return machine coupling TTU mass flow - I Häuni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. It shows .:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device according to the invention in a schematic representation,

FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal section in the vertical plane of the first conveyor line Depiction,

Figure 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention in a schematic representation,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first section of the second conveyor line,

Figure 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of the first portion of the second Conveyor track,

FIG. 6 shows a section through a slant support along the line VI-VI in FIG.

- 14 -

- 14 -

Stw .: machine coupling-TTU mass flow return-I Hauni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a device according to the invention in a schematic representation. 1 with a first conveyor line is referred to, which connects a manufacturing machine 2 for filter cigarettes with a packing machine 3. The first conveyor section 1 has a branch zone 8 and a merging zone 9. As Figure 2 shows in a sectional view through the first conveyor line 1, lower conveyor belts 4, 4 ¹ and 4 ^{n form} the bottom and upper conveyor belts 6 _f 6 'and 6 "and a cover plate 7 form the top of the first conveyor line Tray filler 11 of known design, in which cigarettes branched off from the first conveyor line 1 in the branching zone 8 are filled into trays 12. The applicant's HCF mass flow tray filler, for example, is suitable for this purpose.

A second conveyor line 13 »which consists of a first Conveyor section 14 for the filled trays 12 and a second conveyor section 16 connects the branch zone 8 and the merging zone 9 of the first conveyor line. The first conveyor section 14 of the second conveyor line 13 runs from the tray filler 11 to a tray emptier 17 », for example of the type Magomat S from the applicant, which a pivoting the trays for emptying about an axis parallel to their long edges, not shown Has rotating head, so that the cigarettes located in the trays when emptying their axial orientation by 180 change. The first conveying section 14 of the second conveying path 13 for the filled trays 12 can, for example be implemented by the applicant's automatic coupling system TTU / TTÜF.

- 15 -

- 15 -

Stw .: machine coupling-TTU mass flow return- I Hauni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982

The tray emptier 17 is followed by the second conveyor section 16 of the second conveyor line 13, which connects the tray emptier to the merging zone 9 of the first conveyor line 1 and guides the flow of articles released by the tray emptier back to the first conveyor line. According to the invention, the second conveyor section 16 of the second conveyor line 13 runs back to the first conveyor line 1 in an arc of 1.181 ° and thus forms a turning loop 15 which changes the orientation of the cigarettes conveyed by 180 °. For this purpose, the second conveyor section 16, as shown in FIG. 1, emerges parallel to the first conveyor line 1 and in its conveying direction from the tray emptying device ^T > 7, runs in an arc to the first conveyor line 1 and opens parallel to the first conveyor line and its conveying direction in the opposite direction the merging zone 9. The arches 15 of the second conveyor section 16 of the second conveyor line 13 can be formed by curved conveyor belts, such as those offered by A / B SKF Flex-Link, S 41550 Gothenburg, Sweden, under the name Flex-Link.

The reversed axial orientation of the cigarettes by the tilting of the trays in the tray emptier 17 is achieved by the Conveying in the second conveyor section 16 of the second conveyor line 13 Compensated so that their orientation at the confluence in the first conveyor line 1 with that in the matches the cigarettes already in place on the first conveyor line *

In contrast to what is shown in the illustration in FIG. 1, the second conveyor section 16 can of course also be on that of the production machine 2 facing side of the tray emptier 17 and the tray filler 11 be performed. In

- 16 -

- 16 -

Deputy: haschinenkopplung-TTU-Massenstroni tracing- I Hauni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982

In this case, the diverted cigarettes have to enter the diverting zone 8 after their return to the first conveyor line 1 however, run through again.

According to Figure 1, the second conveyor section 16 opens second conveyor line 13 parallel to the first conveyor j§ route, but opposite to its conveying direction &

into the unification zone 9. To determine the direction of conveyance at this I To reverse point, as FIG. 2 shows, a reversing section 18 is provided, which runs upstream of the merging zone 9 in the second conveying section 16. she consists of two oppositely driven conveyors 19 and 19 'arranged one above the other.

FIG. 3 shows a different embodiment in a plan view of the device according to the invention, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals as in the figures 1 and 2.

A first conveyor line 1 again connects a manufacturing 11

lungsmaschime 2 for filter cigarettes with a packing machine I

3. The branch zone 8 of the first conveyor line is a ί

Tray filler 11 of known type assigned. Downstream j A tray emptier 17 is located behind the tray filler 11

also known design provided, that of the association;.

zone 9 of the first conveyor line 1 is assigned. The 11th

Ϊ i branch zone 8 and the merging zone 9 sxnd by a |

ί second conveyor line 13 ¹ connected, of which m the top, ¹ S can be seen according to Figure 3, however, only the first conveyor section 21 j for full trays 12, which connects the tray filler 11 with the tray emptier 17, can be seen. |

The first conveyor section 21 runs in a horizontal f

- 17 - I.

- 17 -

Stw .:. Machine coupling-TTU mass flow return- I Hauni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982

Level in Ginem U-shaped arch as a turning loop 22 from Tray filler 11 to tray emptier 17. When going through this turning loop, the full trays change their orientation to the first conveyor line 1 by 180 °, so that the cigarettes returned to the first conveying path after the trays in the tray emptier 17 have been tilted have the correct orientation and are fed directly into the flow conveyed in the first conveyor line can be.

For example, a curved conveyor belt can be provided as the conveying means in the first conveying section 21 of the second conveying path 13 ^s. Such bands offer z. B. the company A / ^{B skf} Flex-Link, 3 41550 Gothenburg, Sweden, under the name Flex-Link. In FIG. 3, only the first conveying section 21 of the second conveying path 13 'connecting the tray filler 11 to the tray emptying device 17 is shown. Such a device can be provided for conveying empty trays from the tray emptier 17 to the tray filler 11, which for example runs in a parallel plane under the first conveying section 21 of the second conveying path 13 '.

Another embodiment of the first conveying section connecting the tray filler 11 to the tray emptying device 17 13 'is shown in a top view in FIG. It essentially consists of a turning loop 22, which rails run parallel in an arc of 180 ° 23 and 23 'and one of the tray filler (not shown in Figure 4) downstream conveyor 27 with connects a conveyor 28 upstream of the tray emptier (also not shown in FIG. 4);

- 18 -

• · a ·· · »■» ··. · M · * · iciii

- 18 -

St * v .: return machine coupling TTU mass flow - ι Hauni files 1692 - Bergedorf, dsn January 11, 1982

A driver belt 24 is guided between the rails, doing that rolls 26 revolves. The conveyors 27 and 28 and the rails carry a plurality of trays 12 in each case 23 and 23 * pallets 29 »with pickups on their underside 31, in which drivers 32 of the driver belt 24 intervention. A rail 33 serves to guide the pallets as they move through the turning loop 22 in the direction of arrow 25.

On the conveyor 27, the pallets are gradually turned into a turning loop 22 in accordance with the filling of the trays 12 pushed there «. As soon as the transducer 31 of the foremost Pallet (29 * in Figure 4) reaches the detection area of a driver 32 of the driver belt 24, the The pallet concerned is detected and drawn through the turning loop 22 by the carrier belt over the rails 23 and 23 '. The guide curve 33 holds the pallet in its path. The driver belt 24 intersects the feed conveyor 28 so far that the pallet is safely taken over by the feed conveyor 28.

To return the pallets 29 with empty trays from the tray emptier to the tray filler, in the same On the other side of the tray emptier and tray filler level, a reversible loop of this type can be provided.

In Figures 5 and 6, a further embodiment of the turning loop 22 according to the invention is shown. The turning loop 22 runs here in a semicircular arc around in parallel horizontal planes around a vertical axis 36 rotatable sprockets 34 and 34 '. To the sprockets 34 and 34 ', chains 37 and 55 revolve in parallel horizontal planes, of which only the upper chain 37 in FIG

- 19 -

Deputy: Return machine coupling TTU mass flow - I Hauni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982

is indicated “Of the second pair of chain wheels, only the upper 38 can be seen in FIG vertical axis 39 is rotatable.

The chains 37 carry tray receivers at predetermined intervals 41, which grasp and pick up the trays 12 standing ready on a conveyor 42, and around the chain wheels 34 and 34 'pan. Each sight sensor 41 knows one on a chain link 46 about a horizontal axis 4 * + pivotable angle lever 43. A horizontally extending arm 47 of the angle lever 43 engages over the tray 12 as Dowel arm on its top. A control pin 49 is pivotable on a vertically extended ann 48 of the angle lever 43 attached, which carries a roller 52 running on a cam 51. The retaining bracket. <. 47 has a at its end Nose 53, with which he can hold the tray 12 attacks.

The links 54 of the lower chain 55 each carry a support member 56 which is vertically displaceable on the chain link The support member is guided by a control cam 58 via a roller 57. The support member 56 is designed in such a way that that as grasps the tray to be picked up at one corner from below and supports it at the side.

The links 46 of the upper chain 37 and 54 of the lower chain 55 are rigidly connected to one another via a coupling rod 59 .

Filled trays are on the conveyor 42 from the tray filler (not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) coming in gradually conveyed in the direction of arrow 61. In sync with

- 20 -

- 20 -

Deputy / .: Return machine coupling TTU mass flow - I Hauni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982

The movement of the conveyor 42 is also followed by the movement of the chain wheels 34 and 38 and thus the chains 37 and 55. With the hoop 47 raised and the support member 56 lowered, the vision mounts 41 revolve around the two rear sprockets 38. As a result of the course of the control curve 51, the bracket 47 of the vision sensor 41 lowers as it moves slowly over the conveyor 42 and the tray until it reaches the position shown in Figure 6 in the line VI-VI achieved. In this position at the latest, the bracket rests on the upper side of the tray 12 to be received and grips around it with the nose 53 'At the same time, the control cam 58 lifts the support member 56 on the way from the rear one Pair of sprockets 38 to the front slowly until it also reaches the position shown in Figure 6, in who has grasped the tray to be picked up. The tray is now held at diagonally opposite corners, like this that it cannot fall off the vision sensor. He will guided freely through the turning loop 22 by the tray pick-up. To put down the tray. on the conveyor of the visual drainer (not shown in Figures 5 and 6) the process described takes place in the opposite order. The control cams 51 and 58 cause a lowering of the support member 56 and a lifting of the bracket 47, so that the tray is released from the tray receiver 41 and on the Conveyor of the tray emptier can be conveyed away.

The device described thus offers a simple way of to grasp the trays one after the other, turn them by 180 ° in the turning loop and then turn them to be fed to the tray emptier.

Claims (19)

t · C · a · o · · · a ■> «r · r» · 'β rf ·· 2 - Stw. ϊ Machine coupling-TTÜ mass flow return-I Hauni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982 Claims 1. Device for conveying rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry with at least one branching zone and at least one.) Union zone having a first conveying line and with a second conveying route connecting a branching zone with a union zone »which has a tray filler assigned to the branching zone and a flow of articles tray discharger with Schragenkippeinrichtung, a the tray filler connecting with the tray discharger first conveying portion for filled trays and extending from the tray discharger for combining zone second Förderabschritt ^o ÜR the output by the tray discharger Artikelstr-om, characterized in that the second conveying section (13) of the axial for changing Orientation of the branched-off article has a turning loop (ϊ5, 22) running in an arc to the first conveyor section (i). 2., device according to claim 1, characterized in, that the second conveyor line (13) downstream behind the tray filler (11) one in an arc to the first conveyor line (1) running turning loop (15, 22). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second conveyor section (16) of the second Conveyor line (13) as in einam arc of 180 ° to the first Conveyor section (i) running turning loop (15) formed is which the tray emptier (17) delivered Article flow returns to the merging zone (9) of the first conveyor line (i). - 3 - Deputy: Machine coupling-TTU return mass flow-Ι Hauni files 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that that the second conveyor section (16) of the second conveyor line (13) parallel to the first conveyor line (i) and exits the tray emptier (17) in the conveying direction, in an arc to the first conveying section (1) runs parallel to the first conveyor line (1) and its conveying direction is opposite to before it flows into the union zone (9) » 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the second conveyor section (10) of the second conveyor line (13) upstream of its confluence with the union zone (9) a Unucehrstrecken (18) for reversing the Has conveying direction of the article with respect to the first conveyor line (1). 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the first conveyor section (21) of the second conveyor section (13) one in an arc of 180 ° from the Has tray filler (11) to tray emptier (17) running turning loop (22). 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the tray filler (11) lies in the vertical plane of the first conveyor line (1), that the tray emptier (17) also lies in the vertical plane of the first conveyor line (1) and that the erite The front section (21) of the second conveyor line (13 ¹ ) runs in an approximately U-shaped turning loop (22) from the tray filler (11) to the tray emptier (17). Stw .: machine coupling-TTU mass flow return-I Hauni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a third conveyor line for returning the empty trays from the tray emptier (17) to the tray filler (11) is provided. 9. Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized characterized in that the third conveyor line for returning the empty trays in an approximately U-shaped Reversible loop from the tray emptier (17) to the tray filler (11) runs. 10. Device according to one of Claims 6 to 9, thereby characterized in that the turning loop (22) of the first conveyor section of the second conveyor section (13) from one curved conveyor is formed, 11. Device according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the first conveying section (21) of the second conveying path (13 ¹ ) the trays to be turned (12) are assigned in groups receiving tray supports (29) and that means (24, 31 , 32) are provided for grasping and conveying the vision carrier (29) in an approximately semicircular arc (22) around a vertical axis (30), in such a way that the alignment of the inclined carrier (29) to the vertical axis (30) is essentially maintained remain. 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that that as a means for detecting and conveying the inclined carrier (29) in a horizontal plane around a vertical one Axis (30) revolving conveyor member (24) with corresponding pickups (31) of the bracket supports (29) engaging Driver (32) is provided. - "5 - • · 4 «· ft * 5 - Deputy: machine coupling-TTU-mass flow-return-I Mauni files 1692 - Bergodorf, January 11, 1982 13. Device according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the first conveying section (21) of the second conveying path (13) is formed by a curved conveyor (37) rotating in a horizontal plane to the side of the trays (12), which at least one the trays (12) individually grasping from the side, pivoting in an arc about a vertical axis (36) and set down after pivoting. 14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that that the curved conveyor has at least one chain (37) circulating in a horizontal plane to the side of the trays (12) is. 13. Apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that that each vision sensor (41) one from above movable against the tray (12) to be detected in each case Has holding means (47) and a support member (56) which can be moved from below against the respective tray. 16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that that holding means (47) and support member (56) grasp the respective trays (12) at diagonally opposite corners. 17. Apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that that the holding means as the tray (12) on its upper side overlapping, can be pivoted down on the tray Retaining bracket (47) is formed. 6 - Deputy: machine coupling-TTU mass flow return-I Hauni file 1692 - Bergedorf, January 11, 1982 18. Device according to one of Claims 6 to 9 or 13 to 17 »characterized in that the curved conveyor consists of two parallel, one above the other, horizontal Planes revolving chains (37 »55) is formed and that the holding means (47) on links (46) of the upper (37) and the support member (56) is attached to links (54) of the lower chain (55). 19. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that that the associated holding means (47) and support members (56) carrying chain links (46 »54) through vertical Coupling rods (59) are connected to one another. 20 · Device according to one of claims 15 to 19 »thereby characterized in that holding means (47) and support members (56) are guided by means of curves (51 »58).