EP0670119A1 - System for the production and packing of cigarettes - Google Patents

Abstract

The cigarette makers (M) and packers (P) are combined each into several modules. The maker modules output sides and the packer module input sides are located next to each other, facing a central transport path, on which circulate not-manned, remote controlled transport carriages. In the transport path is incorporated a storage with at least one input and output side, serving as a buffer between the cigarette makers and packers. The transport system is completely separated from other transport system, serving for supplying the different modules with packaging materials.

Description

The invention relates to a system according to the preamble of claim 1.

For the sake of simplicity, the cigarette manufacturing machines are referred to below as makers and the various types of cigarette packaging machines are referred to as packers.

Systems according to the preamble of claim 1 are known, for example, from the applicant's German patent application 40 18 266.5. In these systems, each maker who manufactures the cigarettes from the supplied consumables, namely the tobacco mixture, the cigarette paper and, if necessary, the filter material, is assigned a specific packing line, which packs the cigarettes coming from the maker in packages, the latter in bars and these in boxes . Systems of this type are particularly suitable when it is only a question of the manufacture and packaging of a specific type of cigarette in a specific packaging. In the cigarette industry, however, there is an increasing tendency to offer the largest possible number of cigarette types. For example, there are a total of seven different cigarette types for a cigarette brand (length, imprint, Lights mix etc.), which have to be packaged for different countries in a total of about 80 different packaging variants. You cannot run 7 different makers and 80 different packers side by side for this purpose. The 80 production units thus created would not be fully utilized at least in part, since some variants in certain packaging only have to be produced in relatively small quantities; on the other hand, the unit consisting of makers and packers would often not be sufficient for other cigarettes and packaging manufactured to a larger extent, so that several such units would have to be connected side by side.

In order to produce such a wide range of variants, you either have to convert existing production and packaging lines frequently, which leads to long machine downtimes, or you have the option of first storing the cigarettes manufactured by the maker in so-called trays, then collecting and temporarily storing these trays or even immediately to the packer. Such a procedure is extremely complex and prone to errors. In addition, such an approach is quite personnel-intensive.

In order, among other things, to eliminate the difficulties outlined, the invention solves the problem of designing a production system according to the preamble of claim 1 in such a way that it is not only easy to operate automatically, but is also highly flexible, that is, from one type of cigarette to another and can be switched from one package to another. Nevertheless, the system according to the invention should allow the simultaneous production of different sized batches of different cigarettes in different packaging.

Flexibility of the production systems also means that machines of any performance class (high-speed and slower machines) can be integrated into this system.

The invention solves this problem by developing the system characterized in the preamble of claim 1 in accordance with the characterizing features of this claim.

The cigarettes can be inserted from the container filling and handling stations either directly into the containers or first into trays and the latter into the containers.

In this way, the vehicles circulating in one direction on the transport path of the second transport system receive containers filled with finished cigarettes from each maker of each maker module - more precisely from the corresponding container filling and handling stations. Depending on requirements, these containers are then fed either to the intermediate storage system or directly to the packet packer intended for packaging the cigarettes coming from the corresponding maker. The vehicles of the second transport system then run back in the circuit in order to pick up a finished container from the same or another maker and bring it to the warehouse or to the packer. Empty containers are transported from the packer to the store or to the maker.

The system can be operated virtually fully automatically under computer control, apart from the necessary maintenance personnel. In principle, operating personnel are not required. The entire transport process, like production and packaging, can be carried out fully automatically; the containers from each maker can be provided with an electronic marker and fed into the warehouse. They can be called up from the warehouse and sent to the packer for the corresponding cigarette type. The entire workflow including warehouse management can be computer-controlled.

By completely separating the first and second transport systems, that is, the transport system for supplying the consumables to the individual maker and packer modules, from the transport system for transporting the cigarette-filled ones Containers - possibly via the storage system - to the associated packer, all maker and packer modules, such as the tines of a comb on the back of the comb, can rest on the second transport system.

All modules preferably have at least approximately the same size. This not only facilitates the formation of the second transport system, but is also advantageous for exchanging the elements in the module for those of another module. In this way, for example, a packer module can easily be exchanged for a maker module and vice versa.

Accordingly, it is also preferred that the or each intermediate storage system manages with the space of one module or several modules.

In order to keep the system as compact as possible, it is preferred that the modules and temporary storage systems are distributed on both sides of the lanes of the second transport system lying next to each other in a straight line in such a way that, as far as possible, each module is opposite a different module or a temporary storage system. This way you can get by with a relatively short transport system.

In principle, it is alternatively entirely possible to arrange all modules only on one side of the straight transport path of the second transport system. In practice, however, the latter arrangement will only ever be made if the number of modules is small, that is, for example, there is only one module with a small number of makers and packers on each side of a buffer storage system.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, on one side of the adjacent lanes of the second transport system there is a storage system between modules with production machines and on the other hand modules with packaging machines. This allows a very compact arrangement.

The or each intermediate storage system is preferably surrounded on all sides by lanes of the second transport system. In this way, the intermediate storage system can be loaded with containers from two sides and emptied from containers.

In order to always have enough transport vehicles available for the requirements of such vehicles, which is determined by the rhythm of the system, a lane loop is advantageously provided as a parking route for vehicles. This track loop can be provided, for example, at the end of the row of modules on one side of the lanes or on the side of the or each storage system opposite the adjacent lanes.

In order to avoid waiting times that could occur when a transport vehicle has to wait for the vehicle in front of it to be loaded or unloaded, the adjacent lanes are advantageously formed fourfold and corresponding switches and transitions are provided so that a vehicle changes lane and can overtake.

The modules with packaging machines are preferably also provided with packers connected to the latter, in particular for packaging in bars.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one further module is provided for packaging the packages or bundles manufactured by the modules with packaging machines into larger bundles or boxes.

This additional module is advantageous on the sides of the modules facing away from the adjacent lanes Conveyor belts of the latter fed with packaging machines fed with cigarette packets or containers.

Of course, precautions must be taken to ensure that these conveyor belts do not collide with the first transport system. Therefore, the conveyor belts can also be installed at a suitable height.

It is preferred that the container filling and handling stations fill the cigarettes in trays, insert them into transport containers and place the latter on vehicles of the second transport system.

The design of the buffer store is particularly simple and the usability of the latter is particularly great if it is designed as a so-called chaotic warehouse with electronically controlled loading and unloading. In this way, every free storage location can be used. Since the controlling computer knows exactly what is in each storage location of the buffer store, it can immediately release it for forwarding to the corresponding packer when a request signal for a container with cigarettes from a particular maker arrives, regardless of which storage location this container is located in .

The or each intermediate store is preferably a high-bay warehouse.

The containers are advantageously placed on the transport vehicles in the invention in such a way that the transport direction coincides with the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes located in the container, in such a way that the cigarettes abut the tray or container partition in the direction of travel. This protects the latter. Furthermore, a relatively narrow transport vehicle is made possible in this way.

In order to ensure safe transportation of the cigarettes in the containers on the transport system, the containers are placed at an angle of e.g. 10 ° inclined against the direction of travel.

If the trays were inclined within the container, the interior of the container would not be used optimally.

In addition to the advantages of the invention, it should be pointed out that an existing production system does not necessarily have to be converted into one according to the invention in one step. Rather, the invention allows such a conversion to be carried out step by step.

In general, it applies to the invention that the number of packers and makers is expediently the same in many cases as in the exemplary embodiments shown. However, this is not necessary. In addition, you can use, for example, cigarette machines of different performance, i.e. use a very fast maker, a medium-speed maker and a slow maker to meet the respective requirements.

Fig. 1

in stark schematisierter Darstellung den Grundriß einer Anlage gemäß der Erfindung mit vier Maker-Modulen und vier Packer-Modulen;

Fig. 2

den Grundriß einer kleinen Anlage nach der Erfindung mit einem Maker-Modul und einem Packer-Modul mit zwischengeschaltetem Speicher; und

Fig. 3

in perspektivischer Darstellung einen Behälter, wie er gemäß der Erfindung verwendet werden kann.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described below as illustrative examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

in a highly schematic representation, the floor plan of a system according to the invention with four maker modules and four packer modules;

Fig. 2

the plan of a small system according to the invention with a maker module and a packer module with intermediate memory; and

Fig. 3

in perspective a container as it can be used according to the invention.

The system shown in Fig. 1 has four maker modules 1, 2, 3 and 4 arranged side by side, of which the two modules 1 and 2 as well as 3 and 4 are located directly next to each other. There is a space between these two module groups which is as large as two modules and is occupied by a memory Sp. Maker modules 1 to 4 each have two cigarette making machines or Maker M, each of which is followed by a CHS container filling and handling station. The working flow direction of the individual makers M is from bottom to top in FIG. 1.

Accordingly, a first transport system T1 is provided in FIG. 1 below the maker modules arranged in a row, which feeds the modules, or more precisely the makers M arranged in these modules 1 to 4, with consumables such as cigarette paper, optionally also filter material and base paper. The transport system T1 can work fully automatically and is controlled by the computer controlling the entire system. Each module can use this transport system to call up the necessary consumables, which are only delivered to one side of this series of maker modules 1 to 4, temporarily stored there in schematically indicated storage locations and fed to the makers M automatically or manually as required.

The work flow of these materials through the Maker M is, as I said, in Fig. 1 from bottom to top, ie in the horizontal plane from one side of the modules 1 to 4 or the Maker M to the other. Accordingly, the finished cigarettes are filled into container 15 (FIG. 3) on the container filling and handling stations CHS. On the upper side in FIG. 1, these containers are then delivered to a second transport system T2 for further processing, as indicated by the arrows 10. The stations CHS and the second transport system T2 are therefore on the side of the modules 1 to 4 and maker M facing away from the first transport system T1.

The containers 15 with the cigarettes can then be fed to the four packer modules 5 to 8 after they have been stored in the memory Sp. As indicated by the arrows 11, they are entered into these by means of container emptying and handling stations CHS. The material flow direction is also from bottom to top, ie from the side of the packer modules 5 to 8 facing the second transport system T2 to the other side.

In front of the common upper straight front line of the four maker modules 1 to 4 in FIG. 1 extends the second transport system T2, which has at least two parallel lanes, but preferably four lanes, so that the driverless, not shown in the figure, electronically Controlled transport vehicles of the transport system T2 are not only guided in the circuit in one direction, as is also indicated in the drawing, but can also overtake each other.

The transport vehicles are preferably equipped with a flexible laser control so that no lanes have to be placed in the floor. The vehicles' overtaking processes are not tied to switches between the lanes, but can therefore be carried out anywhere.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the transport system T2 runs in a loop around the storage Sp, so that, as indicated in the drawing by double arrows, transport containers 15 can be introduced into or removed from the storage Sp at several points on both sides .

To the left of the last packer module 5 of this row, a further loop 12 of the second transport system T2 is provided, which serves as a waiting loop for transport vehicles that are not required.

As indicated by the arrows 11, the packer modules 5 to 8 are supplied from below with the containers 15 containing finished cigarettes by the transport system T2 according to FIG. 1. Upstream of the individual packers P of these modules are container handling and emptying stations CHS, which deliver the cigarettes to the packers P, but also return the emptied containers back to the transport system T2, where they are picked up by the transport vehicles intended for this purpose and for the others Transport of cigarettes can be used.

The packers P of the packer modules 5 to 8, in which the material flow runs from bottom to top as in the makers M in FIG. 1, are transported via the transport system T3, which can also be combined with the transport system T1 to form a unit with the Consumables such as paper, cardboard, transparencies and the like are loaded. The finished cigarettes, for example packaged in packets or also bars or containers in the packers P, are then, as indicated by the arrows 13, fed to the transport system T4, which is separated from the transport system T2 as well as the transport system T3 and those from the packers P. delivered cigarette packs eg feeds a shipping carton packer V via conveyor belts, in which the containers are packed fully automatically in shipping cartons. The finished boxed cigarettes then either come directly from the shipping carton packer for shipping or to an interim storage facility.

The second transport system T2 essentially runs between the row of maker modules on the one hand and the row of packer modules on the other hand, while the transport systems T1 and T3 are only on the side of the row of packer modules 5 to 8 facing away from the second transport system T2 or Maker modules 1 to 4.

The system works as follows: The transport vehicles required run in the transport system T2, provided they are not on hold are parked around constantly. If the container filling and handling station of a maker M of one of the modules 1 to 4 requests a vehicle to pick up a container that has been filled with cigarettes, a transport vehicle stops in front of the corresponding station CHS, first releases an empty container 15 and then comes along loaded the container 15, then continues with the filled container to the storage facility Sp and initially stores this container 15 there. This warehouse is a so-called chaotic warehouse, ie the container can be temporarily stored at any free storage location. Since the type of container contents, for example long filter cigarettes, is registered, the computer controlling the system can, as soon as the relevant packer appears, call up the container again and convey it to the responsible packer P by means of the transport system T2. Of course, each maker M does not have to be assigned a specific packer P. It is entirely possible that the cigarette production of a maker M is distributed to two different packers P, or under certain circumstances one packer P serves two different makers M at the same time. This is regulated on a case-by-case basis, since the purpose of the system is, among other things, to be able to produce several different types of cigarettes at the same time and to be able to pack them in a variety of different packaging.

As can be seen, the system according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 is a relatively large system. The invention can already be implemented in a much smaller system, as shown in FIG. 2. In the system shown in FIG. 2, the same reference numerals designate the same elements. Accordingly, this system also has a second transport system T2, in which driverless transport vehicles (not shown) circulate in one direction on two straight conveyor lines running side by side. Here, the conveyor lines are expediently designed as three lanes, since no overtaking operations are carried out on the lower lane.

With its output side, a first module M20 with two Makers M and two downstream container filling and handling stations CHS is facing the transport system T2. Accordingly, the input side of the M21 module with two container emptying and handling stations CHS and two packers P faces the transport system T2. Between the two modules M20 and M21 is the memory Sp, which has the same size as the two modules M20 and M21 of the same size.

According to the illustration in FIG. 2, the consumables are supplied from above via the transport systems T1 and T3, that is to say on the side of the modules M20 and M21 facing away from the transport system T2. The transport systems T1 and T3 are expediently combined to form a transport system which supplies the maker and packer modules M20 and M21 with consumables.

The main difference of this system compared to that of Fig. 1 is that the system is not only much smaller, but - because of this small size - the two modules M20 and M21 and the memory Sp are only on one side of the transport system T2. However, the function and mode of operation of the entire system is essentially the same as in the system according to FIG. 1. Here too, the cigarettes packaged by the packers P are shown in the figure on the top, that is, where the transport system T3 feeds the consumables, removes them and feeds them to another packaging machine, a warehouse or the customer. This can also be done by conveyor belts installed at a suitable height.

In the case of the invention, the cigarette transport is advantageously carried out with the aid of containers 15, as is shown in FIG. 3. This container 15 is essentially a box closed on all sides, which is only on the openings 21 to 29 side must be open. For example, it can be made of aluminum in a modern lightweight construction.

The container is advantageously provided, in a manner not shown, on the top and bottom with the alignment of two complementary projections and depressions serving one another.

The container 15 has nine receiving compartments, each of which has one of the openings 21 to 29 on one side. A slant with cigarettes can be inserted into each of these compartments from the corresponding opening. The slope is vertical and as free of play as possible. The handling of the cigarettes for the transport from the makers M to the packers P or to the store Sp and from the latter to the packers P is made considerably easier by such transport containers 15 since individual trays no longer have to be transported and handled. Under certain circumstances, several such containers 15 could also be transported one above the other on each transport vehicle of the transport system T2.

An even better use of space would result if the cigarettes were stored directly in the receiving compartments of the container 15 without a slant. Then the width of each compartment must correspond to the length of the cigarettes.

The entire system, as described, can easily be operated fully automatically controlled by a central computer; it also particularly facilitates the easy transition from one type of cigarette to another and from one package to another and different combinations of types and packages.

Claims (17)

Plant for the production and packaging of cigarettes a) with a plurality of cigarette making machines (makers), b) with a plurality of machines for packaging the cigarettes, at least in small packages, possibly also in sticks and containers (packers), c) with a first transport system for the transport of the consumables to the cigarette making machines and the packaging machines, and d) with a second transport system for transporting the cigarettes in containers from the cigarette making machines to the packaging machines or from the cigarette making machines via a buffer to the packaging machines, characterized by the following features: e) each cigarette manufacturing machine (M) is followed by a container filling and handling station (CHS); f) the cigarette making machines (M) with the downstream stations (CHS) are each combined to form a plurality of side by side with the same material flow direction to form one or more modules (1-4; M20), the downstream stations (CHS) of which lie on the second transport system (T2); g) each packaging machine (P) is preceded by a container handling and emptying station (CHS); h) the packaging machines (P) with the upstream stations (CHS) are each combined to form a plurality of side by side with the same material flow direction to form one or more modules (5-8; M21), the upstream stations (CHS) of which lie on the second transport system (T2); i) on the second transport system (T2) there is also at least one intermediate storage system (Sp) for the containers (15); j) the second transport system (T2) has driverless, floor-bound vehicles for transporting the containers (15) which are guided in at least one circuit in at least two lanes lying next to one another in at least one circuit; and k) the first transport system (T1, T3) leads past the sides of all modules (1-4, 5-8; M20, M21) facing away from the second transport system (T2). System according to claim 1, characterized in that all modules (1-8; M20, M21) have at least approximately the same size. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the area of the or each intermediate storage system (Sp) is one or more times the area of a module or two modules. System according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the modules (1 - 8) and intermediate storage systems (Sp) are distributed on both sides of the lanes of the second transport system (T2) lying next to one another in a straight line, and that, as far as possible, each module (1 - 8) is opposite another module (1 - 8) or a temporary storage facility (Sp). System according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that on one side of the adjacent lanes of the second transport system (T2) there is a storage system (Sp) between two or four modules (1-4) with production machines (M) and on the other Side two or four modules (5-8) with packaging machines (P), and that the memory (Sp) - preferably on the side of the modules with manufacturing machines (M) - one or two modules on the other side of the lanes opposite . System according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that on one side of the second transport system (T2) there are at least one module (M20) with cigarette making machines (M) and at least one module (M21) with packaging machines (P), and in that a storage system (Sp) is provided between these two modules (M20, M21). System according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the or each intermediate storage system (Sp) is surrounded on all sides by lanes. System according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a track loop (12) is provided as a parking path for vehicles. System according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that four lanes of the second transport system (T2) lying next to one another are provided in order to enable overtaking traffic. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the containers (15) are transported at an angle of 5 ° to 15 ° to the horizontal, inclined against the direction of travel. System according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the modules (5-8; M21) with packaging machines (P) also contain pack packers connected to packet packers. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one further module with a shipping carton packer is provided for packing packages or bundles manufactured in the modules (5-8) with packaging machines (M) into larger bundles or boxes. Installation according to Claim 12, characterized in that the further module runs on conveyor belts running on the sides of the modules (5-8) facing away from the adjacent lanes with packaging machines (P) or through Conveyor belts running at a suitable height are fed by the latter modules. System according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the container filling and handling stations (CHS) fill the cigarettes in trays, insert them into the receiving compartments of transport containers (15) and place the latter on vehicles of the second transport system (T2). System according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that each container (15) receives the cigarettes in receptacles without a slant. System according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the or each intermediate store (Sp) is a so-called chaotic warehouse with electronically controlled loading and unloading. System according to claim 16, characterized in that the or each intermediate store (Sp) is a high-bay warehouse.

Images