GB2201135A

GB2201135A - Transporting rod shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry

Info

Publication number: GB2201135A
Application number: GB08728980A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rolf Dahlgrun; Rolf Schmidt
Original assignee: Decoufle SARL
Current assignee: Decoufle SARL
Priority date: 1986-12-11
Filing date: 1987-12-11
Publication date: 1988-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 2007-12-11
Also published as: FR2608022B1; GB8728980D0; CA1324053C; FR2608022A1; GB2201135B; DE3740459A1; DE3740459C2

Description

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METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MANIPULATING ROD-SHAPED ARTICLES OF THE TOBACCO PROCESSING INDUSTRY Z1 1 1 1 k i j 1 1 k 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 The invention relates to a method of and to an apparatus for manipulating rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, especially filter rod sections of unit length or multiple unit length. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in a method and in an apparatus which can be used with advantage for the making of composite rod-shaped articles wherein rod-shaped components of a first type alternate with rodshaped components of one or more different types or with hollow tubes.

It is well known to form composite filter rod sections by placing discrete filter rod'sections of unit length or multiple unit length onto a continuously running web of cigarette paper or other wrapping material and by thereupon draping the web around the thus formed file of f..lter rod sections to obtain a filter rod-wherein neighboring filter rod sections are separated from each other by clearances or gaps of predetermined width.. The resulting filter rod is then severed across successive filter rod sections andlcrr across successive gaps, depending upon the nature of composite filter mouthpieces which are to be obtained from such rod. it is further known to make filter cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos by placing filter rod sections and plain cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos end-to-end so that they form a single file, by draping a web of cigarette paper or other wrapping material around such file, and by thereupon severing the resulting rod midway across each filter mouthpiece to form a file of discrete 2.

1 1 1 c i i _ - 1 i 1 filter cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos of unit length or multiple unit length. Heretofore known methods and apparatus for delivery of discrete rodshaped articles of the tobacco processing industry onto a continuously running web of wrapping material are not entirely satisfactory, for example, when the rod-shaped articles are to be delivered at a high or very high frequency.

one feature of the present invention _resides in the provision of a method of transporting a series of rod-shapdd articles of the,tobacco processing industry, particularly filter rod sections, into an elongated path. The method comprises the steps of conveying successive articles ofthe series along a first substantially circular path, transferring successive articles of the series from the first circular path into a second substantially circular path, and advancing successively transferred articles along the second circular path into the elongated path.

The conveying step preferably includes moving the articles in a direction substantially transversely of their respective longitudinal axes, and the advancing step preferably includes moving the articles substantially axially. The first circular path is preferably located in a first plane, and the second circular path is preferably located in a second plane substantially at right angles to the first plane. Each of these planes is preferably a substantially vertical.plane.

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L 1 The transferring step preferably includes decelerating successive articles of the series (preferably all the way or close to zero speed), and the advancing step of such method comprises moving successive decelerated articles into and along the second pat-h at predetermined intervals (prefer#bly at equal intervals). The transferring step preferably further includes holding the articles by suction between the first and second substantially circular paths.

The advancing step can comprise pushing the ar ticles,substantially axially along the second path. Such advancing step can further comprise holding the articles in the second path by suction. The arrangement can be such that the articles are moved substantially axially along the second substantially circular path by a series of pushers, and such method can further comprise the step of applying to successive articles in the second substantially circular path a braking force so as to urge each of,the.thus braked articles aga inst the respective pushei. Thisensur6s that the articles are delivered into the elongated path at predetermined intervals and/or at a predetermined mutual spacing from one another.

The elongated path is or can be a substantially straight (e.g., substantially horizontal) path which is defined by an endless flexible conveyor.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of an apparatus for manipulating a 4.

series of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, particularly filter rod sections. The apparatus comprises a first conveyor which defines an elongated first path, a second conveyor having means for conveying successive articles of the series along a first substantially circular path, and a third conveyor having means for advancing successive articles of the series along a second substantially circular path from the first circular path into the elongated path.

The conv!ying means of the second conveyor 1 i 1 1 1 -1 i 4 can comprise means for accelerating successive articles of the series (e. g., from zero speed to a normal operating speed) and for moving such articles substantially at right angles to their respective axes. The second conveyor can comprise a driven rotary drum, and the conveying means are preferably located at the periphery of the drum.

The third conveyor can be provided with an endless circular or substantially circular groove for the articles, and the advancing means of the third conveyor can include means for moving the articles substantially Axially. The third conveyor can include a driven rotary drum; the groove and the advancing means are preferably located at the periphery of such drum.

The second conveyor is preferably mounted for rotation about a first substantially horizontal axis", and the third conveyor is preferably mounted for rotation about a second substantially horizontal 1 5.

r_ axis extending at right angles to the first axis so that the first circular path is located in a first substantially vertical plane and the second circular path is located in a second substantially vertical plane extending.at right angles to the first plane.

The third conveyor is preferably located at a level above the first butbelow the second conveyor.

The apparatus can further comprise means for temporarily holding successive articles of the series intermediate the first and second circular paths. Such holding.means can comprise a stationary supporting member having means for temporarily retaining successive articles of the series by suction.

The advancing means of the third conveyor can comprise a plurality of spaced apart pushers which serve to move successive articles of the series substantially axially along.the second circular path. The pushers. are or can be.equidistant from each other in'the direction of advancement of articles along the second circular path. The third conveyor can be provided with suction ports which attract the articles in the groove during advancement of articles from the first circular path into the elongated first path.

The apparatus can further comprise means for braking successive articles in the groove of the third conveyor so as to maintain the rear end faces 6.

of the articles in abutment with the respective pushers. This -ensures that successive articles reach the elongated first path at a predetermined spacing from one another. The braking means can include at leatt one brush which is adjacent a portion of the second Gircular path.

The means for temporarily holding successive articles of the series intermediate the first and second circular paths preferably defines a channel for successive articles of the series. Such channel def in ing,.holding means can comprise a first stationary member having.a first guide surface at one side of the channel and a second stationary member having a second guide surface at the other side of the channel opposite the first guide surface. The holding means can further comprise suction ports or apalogous means for. attracting successive artices of the series to the channel defining holding means by suction.

The first conveyor can include an endless flexible conveyor having an elongated reach (particularly an -elongated upper reach) which defines the elongated first path.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved apparatus itself, however, both as to its constrúiction and.its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed c 1 1 1 9 1 i 1 1 1 i description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an apparatus which embodies the invention; and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the apparatus as seen in the direction of arrow II in FIG. 11 with portions of the holding means, second rotary conveyor and.first conveyor broken away.

The Apparatus which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2-comprises an endless first conveyor 22 having a substantially horizontal upper reach or stretch which defines an el6ngated path for the transport of rod-shaped articles 3 (such as filter rod sections of unit length or multiple unit length) in the form of a single file wherein successive articles 3 may but need not be disposed end-to-end.

A second conveyor 2 in the form of a drum with axially parallel peripheral article conveying flutes 1 is driven to rotate about a horizontal axis at-a level above a third conveyor 16 in the formof a drive n drum rotatable about a horizontal axis which extends at right an'gles.to the axis of rotation of the conveyor 2. The conveyor 16 has a set,of equidistant article advancing elements in the form of pushers 17 which are installed at the periphery of the conveyor 16 and overlie the adjacent portions Of-an endless circular peripheral groove 14.

The conveyor 2 serves to accelerate successive articles 3 of a series of articles which are stored in a magazine adjacent the endless circular 8.

path along which the flutes 1 travel when the conveyor 2 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow 4. The flutes 1 accept successive articles 3 and move them on to a transfer station 7 between the circular path for the articles 3 on the conveyor 2 and the circular path for the articles 3 on the conveyor.16. The two circular paths are located in vertical planes at right angles to each other. The conveyor 16 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow 19. That portion of the path which is defined by the conveyor 2 wherein the articles 3 advance from the magazine to the transfer station 7 is overlapped by a shroud 6 which ensures that the articles 3 remain in their respective flutes 1 during movement toward the station 7.

The transfer station 7 accommodates a holding or support.ing device including a first stationary member or ramp 8 at the lower end of the shroud 6 and a strip-shaped second stationary member or ramp 9. The ramps 8, 9 have confronting downwardly sloping surf aces which define anarrow channel wherein successive accelerated articles 3 advance from the respective flutes 1 of the conveyor 2 into a flute 12 which is machined in the surface 11 of the ramp 9 and wherein the articles 3 are held (one at a time) by suction. To this end, the ramp 9 has one or more suction ports 13 which communicate with the flute 12 and can be connected to the suction intake of a vacum pump, blower or other suitable suction generating device, not shown. The i 1 1 j 1 1 1 A c:

i 1 i 9.

X articles 3 which enter the channel between the ramps 8, 9 are decelerated and come to a full stop on entry - into the f lute 12. One end f ace of the article 3 which is attracted to the ramp 9 by the suction port or ports 13 is then engaged by the oncoming. pusher 17 of the conveyor 16 to advance substantially axially in the adjacent portion of the groove 14 which communicates with suction ports 18 to ensure that the articles 3 cannot leave the groove 4 under the action of centrifugal force. It will be noted that the di ecton of movement of successive articles 3 is changed from sidewise or transverse movement (substantially at right angles to their respective longitudinal axes) in the flutes 1 of the conveyor 2 to substantially axial in the groove 14 of the conveyor 16. The period of dwell of successive articles 3 in the flute 12 of the ramp 9 is determined by the mutual spacing of neighboring pushers 17 on the conveyor 16 and by the peripheral speed of this conveyor. The illustrated conveyor 16 has six equidistant pushers 17.

In order to ensure that the articles 3 which rebound when their rear end faces are engaged by the oncomtng pushers 17 will return into contact with such pushers not later than on arrival at the transfer station between the conveyors 16 and 22, the apparatus further comprises a retarding device 21 in the form of an arcuate brush adjacent the circular path which is defined by the conveyor 16 and serving to apply to successive articles 3 in the k 10.

groove 14 a braking force which overcomes the suction in the respective ports 18 and ens ures that. each article 3 which is not in actual contact with the pusher 17 behind it will be shifted rearwardly until it comes into actual contact with such pusher. This ensures that the articles 3 are deposited in the elongated path which is defined by the endless belt conveyor 22 at predetermined intervals, e.g., at intervals which are required to place a plain cigarette of unit length or multipleunit length or a filter mouthplecd of unit length or multiple unit length between pairs of successive articles 3 in the file of such articles on the upper reach of the conveyor 22. Each article 3 can constitute a hollow tubular component of paper, cardboard or the like. Alternatively, each such article can contain a tubular wrapper sur rounding a mass of filter material for tobacco smoke.

Each article 3 can constitute one-half or even a smaller fraction of a longer rod-shaped article which has been severed ahead of the conveyor 2 so as to have an optimum length for processing on the belt conveyor 22. It is also possible to sever the articles on the conveyor 2 and to deliver groups of two or more coaxial articles to the flute 12 of the ramp 9 so that each pusher 17 actually advances two or more coaxial sections of a composite article 3.

The ramps 8, 9 at the transfer station 7 constitute an optional but desirable and advantageous 1 11.

1 i 1 1 6 1 1 k feature of the improved apparatus. They ensure that each article 3 is positively guided (by the flutes 1 and shroud 6, between the ramps 8, 9 and in the groove 14 of the conveyor 16) all the way from the source of supply of articles 3 to the running web (not shown) on the upper reach of the conveyor 22. Moreover, the ramps 8, 9 cooperate with the pushers 17 to ensure that the conveyor 16 advances past the brush 21 a series of at least substantially equidistant articles 3 whereby he brush ensures that the mutual spacing of succ essive artic les 3 in the groove 14 is invariably uniform not later than at the-locus of transfer of articles onto the conveyor 22. In many instances, each article 3 will constitute a filter rod section of double unit length.

fhe brush 21 can be replaced with other suitablemeans (e.g., one or iitore rollers or elastic lips) which can frictionally engage the wrappers of su ccessive articles 3 in the groove 14 to produce a braking or retarding action which is sufficiently pronounced to ensure'that each and every article 3 abuts the respective pusher 17 but is not of such magnitude that it could affect the appearance and/or other desirable characteristics of the conveyed articles.

An important advantage of the improved method andapparatus is that each article 3 is positively guided and retained in a prescribed position all the way from the source to the upper reach of the conveyor 22. Such reliable guidance is 12.

1 4 f 1 1 1 1 1 1 not affected by the speed at which the conveyors 2, 16 and 22 are driven. Moreover, the holding and guide means 8, 9 at the transfer station 7 ensure that the change in direction of transport from sidewise to axial is effected smoothly and with a very high degree of predictability and accuracy.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various appications without omitting featureethat, fi6m the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of the above outlined contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the appended claims.

13.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 k 1 i 1. A method of transporting a series of rod-shaped artic.Le.s of II-11.a 1IC-0bacco process.Lng industry., particularly filter rod sections, into an elongated path, comprising the steps of conveying successive articles of the series along a first substantially circular path; transferring successive articles 9f.the series from the first circular path into a second substarntially circular path; -and advancing successively transferred articles along the second circular path into the elongated path.

2. Themethod of cl&i:m 1,_ wherein said conveying step includes iftoving the articles in a direction substantially transversely of their respective longitudinal axes and said advancing step includes moving the articles substantially axially.

3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said first circular path is located in a first plane and the second circular path is located in a second plane substantially at right angles to the first plane.

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4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first and second planes are substantially vertical.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said transferring step includes decelerating successive articles.of the series and said advancing step included moving successive decelerated articles into and along the second circular path at predetermined intervals.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said transferring step includes holding successive articles by suction between the first and second circular paths.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said advancing step includes pushing the articles substantially axially along the second circular path.

8. The method of Claim 7, wherein said advancing step further comprises holding the articles in the second circular path by suction.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said advancing step includes moving the articles along the second circular path substantially axially by a series of pushers and further comprising the step of applying to successive articles in the second circular path a braking force so as to urge each of the thus braked articles against the respective pusher.

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10. The method of claim 1, wherein said elongated path is a substantially straight path and is defined by an endless flexible conveyor.

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11. Apparatus for manipulating a series of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, particularly filter rod sections, comprising a first conveyor defining an elongated first path; a second conveyor having means for conveying successive articles of the series.along a first substc-ptially circular path; tLnd'a third conveyor having means for advancing successive articles of the series along a second substantially circular path from said first circular path into said elongated path.

12. The apparatus of claim 11. Verein 1 said conveying means includes means for accelerating successive artibles of the series and for moving such articles substantially at right angles to their respective axes.

13. The.apparatus Of claim 12, wherein said second conveyor includes a driven rotary drum.--and said conveying means are located at the periphery of said drum.

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14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said third conveyor has an endless circular groove for the articles and said advancing means includes means for moving the articles substantially axially.

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15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said third conveyor includes a driven rotary drum, said groove and said advancing-means being located at the periphery of said-drum.

16. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein said second conveyor is arranged to rotate about a first substantially vertical axis and said third conveyor is arranged to rotate about a second substantially horizontal axis extending at right angles to said first axis so that said second path is located in a first substantially vertical plane and said third.

path is located in a second substantially vertical plane disposed at right angles to the first plane.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said third conveyor is located at a level above said first but below said second conveyor, said first circular path being located in a first substantially vertical plane and said second circular path being located in a second substantially vertical plane extending substantially at right angles to said first plane.

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18. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising means for temporarily holding successive articles of said series intermediate said first and second circular paths.

19. The apparatus of cl-aim 18, wherein said hol.cling means comprises a stationary supporting member having means for temporarily retaining successive articles of the series by suction..

20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said advancing means includes a plurality of spaced apart pushers arranged to move successi. ve articles of said, series substantially axially along said second circular path.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said pushers are equidistant from each other in the direction of advancement of articles along said second circular path.

22. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said third conveyor has an endless groove for articles in said second circular path and suction ports for attracting the articles in said groove during advancement from the first circular path to the first path.

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23. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said advancing means includes pushers arranged to move the articles substantially axially along said second circular path, and further comprising means for braking-successive articles in said second circular. path so as to maintain the articles in abutment with the respective pushers.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said braking means comprises at least one brush adjacent said se66nd circular path.

25. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising means defining a channel for successive articles of said series intermediate said first and second circular paths.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said channel defining means comprises a first stationary member having a first guide surface at one side of said channel and a second stationary member having a second guide surface at the other side of said channel opposite said first guide surface.

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27. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising means for attracting successive articles of said series to said channel defining means by suction.

28. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first conveyor includes an endless flexible conveyor having an elongated reach which defines said elongated first path.

29. A method of transporting a series of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

30. Apparatus for manipulating a series of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Published 1988at The Patent Office, State House, 66171 High Holborn, London WClR 4TP. Further copies may be obtained from The Patent Office, Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray, Kent. Con. 1/87.