WO2018114042A1

WO2018114042A1 - Cigarette magazine for a cigarette-packaging machine, and method for operating the same

Info

Publication number: WO2018114042A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/001431
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas Prahm; Matthias Vocks; Burkard Roesler; Karl-Heinz BREITHAUPT
Original assignee: Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg)
Priority date: 2016-12-21
Filing date: 2017-12-19
Publication date: 2018-06-28
Also published as: EP3558825A1; CN110087998A; CN110087998B; EP3558825B1; PL3558825T3; HUE059366T2; DE102016015539A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cigarette magazine for a cigarette-packaging machine, having one or more groups (13) of shafts each having a plurality of shafts (14) which are arranged one beside the other, are bounded in each case by shaft walls (15) and along which cigarettes (11) can be conveyed under their own weight substantially parallel to the shaft walls (15). The invention is characterized in that a plurality of, or all, the shaft walls (15) of one or each group (13) of shafts, that is to say in each case end sides of the shaft walls (15), are operatively connected to at least one common vibration plate (18), which is mounted in a movable, in particular freely oscillating, manner and can be made to vibrate by a vibration generator (21), such that the vibrations of the vibration plate (18) can be transmitted to the shaft walls (15) during operation.

Description

Cigarette magazine for a cigarette packaging machine and method for operating the same

description

The present invention relates to a cigarette magazine in conjunction with or for a cigarette packaging machine with one or more shaft groups each having a plurality of juxtaposed, each bounded by shaft walls shafts along which cigarettes are substantially parallel to the shaft walls by own weight conveyed. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a magazine.

Cigarette magazines are standard on a cigarette packaging machine. A cigarette magazine usually consists of an upper storage container for the cigarettes and a subsequent at the bottom of the same group of upright or slightly inclined shafts. The shafts are separated from each other by thin shaft walls. They are regularly spaced apart only slightly larger than the diameter of a cigarette. The cigarettes are filled through a filling opening continuously or batchwise into the storage container. Inside, the cigarettes are in close parallel and regular horizontal alignment. The cigarettes are then due to gravity or due to their own weight from the reservoir into the shafts, in each case a number of stacked cigarettes is formed in each slot. On the undersides of the shafts, the cigarettes are then removed in groups or as a formation. In each case several horizontal rows of cigarettes - regularly up to three superimposed - are ejected from the shafts in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette to form a cigarette packet corresponding to the contents of a cigarette pack. By vibration of the packaging machine or for other reasons, it may happen during the downward movement of the cigarettes in the shafts that tobacco in particular dissolves from the front region of individual cigarettes. Especially with coarse-grained tobacco, the tobacco crumbs can then settle in the respective shaft and prevent further downward movement of the cigarettes in the shaft. This can result in the desired cigarette formation being incomplete, misplaced or erroneously ejected and resulting in a mis-production. From DE 110 44 24 it is known to cause bottom surfaces of the cigarette magazines by means of vibration exciter or vibration generator to vibrate in order to release stuck in this way crumbs or jammed cigarettes. In particular, if tobacco crumbs are stuck in the shaft high up in the magazine, it may happen, however, that the amplitude of the oscillation in this region is no longer sufficient to remove them.

It is an object of the present invention to further develop a cigarette magazine of the type mentioned. This object is achieved by a cigarette magazine having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 15.

Thereafter, a cigarette magazine according to the invention is characterized in that several or all shaft walls of each shaft group, namely each end faces of the shaft walls, are operatively connected to at least one common, movable, in particular freely oscillating vibration plate such that the vibrations of the plate are transmitted to the shaft walls during operation , In this case, the vibrating plate with a (electrically or pneumatically operated) vibration generator is set specifically in vibration.

Preferably, the vibration plate is non-positively and / or positively connected to the shaft walls, for example screwed to these. The vibrating plate can be part of a superordinate component of any shape.

Advantageously, according to the invention in this way, the vibrations are introduced exactly where they should achieve the greatest effect, for example, to prevent or block the blockage of cigarettes by tobacco crumbs, namely directly to the shaft walls and the shafts.

As far as the design of the cigarette magazine is concerned, the shafts of the shaft groups in the installed state of the cigarette magazine are expediently upright in a conventional manner, possibly with in particular sections (minor) inclination to the vertical, the distances of the shaft walls being selected such that in each case Schacht finds a series of stacked cigarettes recording.

The cigarette magazine usually has a storage container for cigarettes, which are followed by the shafts of the shaft group (s) below.

Often, the depth of a shaft is about the length of a cigarette. So that the cigarettes can not slide forward or backward out of the shafts, the end faces on both sides of the shafts can each be partially or completely closed by a front or rear wall. It can also be closed only one side. In an advantageous development of the invention, the vibration plate can form such, in particular non-positively and / or positively connected (for example screwed) back wall with the shaft walls (in particular with their respective rear end faces). This rear wall can thereby close the shafts, in particular their corresponding (rear) open end faces, in regions or completely.

Alternatively, of course, it is also conceivable to provide no or only a conventional, with the shaft walls directly non-positively and / or positively connected rear wall, which in turn is non-positively and / or positively connected to the vibrating vibrating plate and the vibrations first transfers accordingly to the rear wall, which then forwards them to the shaft walls.

Incidentally, the vibration plate may extend over the entire width and height of all the shaft groups, so that the shafts are completely closed at their respective end sides by the vibration plate. Alternatively - inasmuch as several shaft groups are present - one vibrating plate can also be assigned to only one shaft group in each case and to completely or partially close their shafts or the aforementioned end faces in the manner described.

As regards the vibratory movements or the oscillatory movements which are triggered by the vibrating plate, these are preferably carried out in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes - regularly horizontally or horizontally - ie perpendicular to the vibrating plate plane. This is made possible by appropriate design of the mounting of the vibrating plate and by appropriate design of the vibration generator.

However, the vibrations can also be perpendicular to the shaft walls within the plate plane, ie ultimately perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the cigarettes.

Also vibration movements within the plate plane, parallel to the shaft walls are conceivable (regular up and down movements in the vertical) or vibration movements in the plate plane, which extend in a circle or elliptical. Combinations or overlays of such movements may be useful.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, each shaft group of the cigarette magazine, cf. above, at least one dedicated vibration plate assigned.

In this case, the vibrating plates can be interconnected, for example by at least one connecting means, such as a connecting web, so that they - Vibrate at the same frequency when exposed to vibration by their associated or operatively connected vibration generator.

In this case it can be provided that at least two vibrating plates is associated with a common vibration generator, which is in particular non-positively and / or positively connected thereto, so that the vibration generator simultaneously forms the connecting means. Preferably, such a vibration generator is assigned in each case to two adjacent vibrating plates or arranged thereon, so that it transmits vibrations generated by it to both vibrating plates.

Preferably, all the vibration plates are interconnected so that they vibrate after being excited by at least one vibration generator with the same frequency.

The at least one vibrating plate or regularly all vibrating plates are expediently movably mounted on a (common) fixed bearing element, in particular on a stationary bearing plate. In such a way that the respective vibration plate can vibrate relative to the stationary bearing element. For this purpose, for example elastic bearing means, such as rubber buffers or the like may be provided which are connected on the one hand to the bearing element, on the other hand to the vibration plate.

In a further embodiment of the invention, preferably at least two shaft groups or at least two different regions of a shaft group are assigned separate vibrating plates and vibration generators, in particular unconnected vibrating plates. Preferably such that the two vibrating plates and with them the two shaft groups or the two different shaft group areas can be vibrated independently of each other so that they can vibrate with different frequencies, phases and / or amplitudes, etc.

If, for example, different regions of the respective manhole group, for example an upper region and a lower region of a manhole group, are in each case operatively connected separately to a separate vibration plate, the upper region could with Vibrations of other direction, different amplitude, different frequency and / or other phase, etc. are applied as the lower portion. This may already be appropriate, since usually decrease the wall thicknesses of the shaft walls from top to bottom and thus larger vibration masses are present in the lower area than in the upper area. In other words, there are in this case different vibration systems with correspondingly different resonance frequencies, which can lead to problems in each case unsuited design of the vibrations or vibrations. Preferably, the two or at least two vibration generators are arranged or so operatively connected to the associated region of the shaft group and / or trained so that the vibration movements of the vibrating plate associated with a vibration generator can be done or done at an angle to the vibration movements of the vibration generator associated with the other vibrating plate ,

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention forms the vibrating plate, as indicated above, a rear wall of the cigarette magazine, the shafts partially or completely closes, in particular their rear open end faces, at least one (in particular upper) portion of the rear wall is fixed to a stationary bearing means or fastened, preferably by means of screws, and wherein the vibration generator for the transmission of vibrations at least with another free, preferably spaced from the aforementioned area (in particular further down) (not fixed) portion of the rear wall is operatively connected, in particular an end portion, through at least partially elastic deformation of the rear wall relative to the fixed rear wall portion is movable back and forth. The movable mounting of the vibrating plate thus takes place in that the rear wall is fixed only in a preferably narrow area while the other areas remain unfixed and thus can be moved in the aforementioned manner relative to the fixed area. As for the fixed bearing device to which the rear wall is fixed in the said region, it may be, for example, a case (or a stationary one). In a further embodiment of the aforementioned thoughts, the vibration generator comprises at least one in particular elongated spring part, preferably at least two spring parts, in particular a spring steel sheet, wherein the (possibly respective) spring part has a first attachment region, which is fastened to the free region of the rear wall, and a second Attachment area, which is mounted stationary or is attached to a stationary bearing device, wherein between the two attachment areas a particular of a (electric) motor driven eccentric shaft moved, preferably vertical up and down movements executive motion transmitting member of the vibration generator is operatively connected to the spring member.

The first attachment portion and the second attachment portion may be opposite end portions of the spring member, and the movement transmitting member is preferably fixed to the spring member substantially centrally between these two end portions.

In a further embodiment of the invention, vertical up and down movements of the motion transmission member can lead to up and down movements of the spring member in a region between the first and second mounting portion of the spring member, which in turn cause reciprocating movements or the vibration movements of the rear wall.

As for the motion transmitting member, it may be a connecting rod connected to the eccentric shaft, wherein the eccentric shaft is preferably driven by a particular speed-controlled (servo) motor.

The solution according to the invention of the aforementioned object according to claim 15 is characterized by the frequency and / or the amplitude and / or the phases of the vibrations or vibrations generated by the at least one vibration generator during operation of the cigarette magazine - in particular periodically repeating - to change. Through these adjustments, for example, the frequency during operation or the application of vibrations of different parameters, the probability is increased that for each different delivery blockage by tobacco crumbs or the like suitable or appropriate vibrations / vibrations can be initiated, which can dissolve the respective blockade.

Insofar as, as already indicated above, at least two shaft groups or at least two different areas of a shaft group are each assigned separate, in particular unconnected vibratory plates and vibration generators, it can be provided, during operation of the cigarette magazine, a vibration generator at least temporarily with a different frequency and / or amplitude and / or phase than the other vibration generator. For example, a first vibration generator could be operated with a constant frequency, a second with it - in particular periodically repeating - changing frequency.

During operation of the cigarette magazine, it may turn out that the current actual vibrations which the respective shaft group makes, triggered by the vibration plate connected to the respective vibration generator, deviate from desired vibrations or nominal vibrations. For example, depending on the type of cigarette used in each case or depending on the degree of filling of the respective cigarette magazine, the respective shaft group to be set in vibration could have different actual masses which lead to a respective different, in particular undesired vibration or vibration behavior of the respective shaft group.

For this reason, it can be provided according to a development of the invention, during operation of the cigarette magazine automatically generated by the respective vibration generator oscillations of the respective shaft group (preferably multiple, especially continuously or at predetermined time intervals) with a sensor, for example with a particular arranged on the respective shaft group acceleration sensor, and then automatically control the vibration generator depending on the measurement result / regulate. Specifically, in operation, one or more operating parameters or control parameters of the vibration generator (such as phase, frequency and / or amplitude) would then automatically be set / changed in accordance with the measurements of the respective actual vibrations or oscillations of the respective shaft group or the shaft walls thereof ,

It can be implemented in this way a closed loop, with which it is ensured that correspond during operation, the actual values of the control variable representing the vibrations / vibrations of the respective shaft group also desired / stored vibration or vibration setpoints.

It can further be provided that it is automatically or continuously determined, continuously or periodically, whether there is a fault in one or more of the shafts, in particular a delivery blockage or a delivery jam, and that in the event that such a fault has been determined, the frequency and / or the amplitude and / or phase of the vibrations or oscillations which the vibration generator generates is automatically changed. If such a disturbance is present could possibly be detected by means of suitable test measurements. For example, by detecting the actual vibrations of the shafts or possibly shaft groups in the manner indicated above. If the actual vibrations deviate to a certain extent from setpoint vibrations, this may indicate a fault or an error. As an alternative, a wide variety of other test measurement types are conceivable in order to determine such a disturbance directly or indirectly.

In a further development of this idea, the vibrations or vibrations generated by the vibration generator are automatically changed after the detection of a disturbance until the disturbance has been eliminated. In order to check whether the disturbance is eliminated after such a change, further test measurements are preferably carried out in the sequence, in particular continuously or periodically. According to another idea, the parameter values of the frequency and / or amplitude and / or phase of the vibrations produced by the vibration generator could be automatically selected or changed depending on the type of cigarettes with which the magazine is filled is to be filled so that at least one other parameter value is set in a first cigarette than a second, different from the first type of cigarette.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, all of the above methods can be implemented with one or more controllers in which the methods are depicted and to which the sensor (s) mentioned above and the vibration generator (s) are / are connected. which these are controlled. Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the appended claims, the following description of preferred embodiments and from the accompanying drawings.

It shows:

1 is a simplified representation of a first embodiment of a cigarette magazine according to the invention with two shaft groups in an oblique view, Fig. 2 is a section along the section line II-II in Fig. 1,

3 shows a plan view of the cigarette magazine along the viewing direction III in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 shows an enlarged detail IV corresponding to FIG. 3 of a second, deviating embodiment of a cigarette magazine according to the invention,

5 shows a third embodiment of a cigarette magazine according to the invention in a representation corresponding to FIG. 4, 6 shows the detail VI of FIG. 4 in an enlarged view,

7 shows the illustration corresponding to FIG. 6 in a chronologically later state, FIG.

8 shows three exemplary vibration-time diagrams for the visualization of possible vibrations of a vibration generator of a cigarette magazine according to the invention, FIG. 9 shows a rear view of a third embodiment of a cigarette magazine according to the invention,

10 shows a section along the section line X-X in FIG. 10. FIGS. 1-8 show a cigarette magazine 10, as may be used, for example, in a cigarette packaging machine known per se. It has at the top of a reservoir, not shown, in which a plurality of cigarettes 11 recording. Such a reservoir is usually filled by an upper opening.

Within the reservoir guide elements 12 are arranged, which direct the cigarettes 11 to two arranged below the reservoir shaft groups 13. The cigarettes are parallel to each other and aligned horizontally, the cigarette ends of all cigarettes 11 ideally being substantially in a common vertical plane.

Each shaft group 13 has a plurality of shafts 14, seven in the present case. As a result of gravity, the cigarettes 11 slide from the reservoir into the wells 14, wherein in each well 14, a series of cigarettes 11 arranged one above the other is received.

The shafts 14 are each laterally bounded by (upright) shaft walls 15. The distance between the shaft walls 15 to each other is selected so that horizontally or horizontally substantially only one cigarette fits into each slot 14, so not several side by side. The shafts 14 and the shaft walls 15 of a shaft group 13 generally extend in a slight inclination to each other, namely with downward increasing distance from each other. For this purpose, the width of the shaft walls 15 decreases from top to bottom. But that does not have to be this way.

The depth of each well 14 substantially corresponds to a cigarette length. It can also be (slightly) larger or smaller. At the lower outlet of the shaft groups 13, the cigarettes 11 are grouped according to the cigarette cigarette pack 11 to be housed respectively by a pusher 16. The open rear end faces of the wells 14, i. the rear sides between the respective shaft walls 15 of each shaft 14 of each shaft group 13 are each substantially closed.

In the present case in the lower region of the shafts 14 of each shaft group 13 in each case by a fixed (vertical) plate 17, which rests against the corresponding rear end sides of the shafts 14 and the shaft walls 15.

In the upper region of the shafts 14 of each shaft group 13 in each case by a movably mounted vibration plate 18 which sits flush in each case an associated section of the fixed plate 17.

The vibration plate 18 of each shaft group 3 is fixed, in this case non-positively connected to the shaft group 13 of the same, for example screwed. In the present case with the (rear) end faces of the shaft walls 15th

Each vibration plate 18 is movably mounted using bearing means 20 on a stationary bearing element 19, in this case a stationary support plate. For example, as best seen in FIG. 2, the bearing means 20 may be or include elastic bumpers, such as rubber bumpers or the like, which cooperate with rearward attachment strips of the vibrating plate 18. The decisive factor is that the respective vibration plate 18 can perform in one or more directions relative to the stationary bearing element 19 movements.

The vibrating plates 18 can be set into vibrations by means of a pneumatically or electrically operated, controllable vibration generator 21 (vibrator). Such vibration generator 21 are known, so their training is not discussed here in detail.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the vibration generator 21 is arranged on the two vibrating plates 18 or non-positively and / or positively connected with these (active), cf. Fig. 2, so that it can simultaneously vibrate both vibration plates 18 in operation or vibration during operation.

For this purpose, a portion of the vibration generator 21 is connected to one vibration plate 18, another portion to the other vibration plate 18.

Since the vibrating plates 18 on the other hand - as stated above - non-positively and / or positively connected to the respective shaft walls 15 of the associated shaft group 13, the vibrations thereof during operation of the vibration generator 21 first on the vibrating plates 18 and then directly on the shaft walls 15th transfer. This makes it possible, for example tobacco crumbs 22, cf. Figs. 6 and 7, from positions in which they block further sliding down of the cigarettes 11 within the shafts 14, cf. Fig. 6, to move to a non-blocking position, cf. Fig. 7.

In this context, it is also conceivable to form the shaft walls 15 to form a common, at an angle to the shaft walls 15 extending (in particular horizontal) transport channel 23 - seen from top to bottom - multi-part (in this case two-part). To the transport channel 23, the individual shafts 14 are each connected individually. Along the transport channel 23 then dissolved tobacco crumbs can move out of the respective shafts using the inventively introduced vibrations, in particular horizontally outward, see. also Fig. 6, 7.

As regards the direction of the vibrations or vibrations that can bring the vibration plates 18 into the shaft walls 15 or transferred to them, so there are various possibilities according to the invention. Vibration movements are particularly preferably introduced perpendicular to the vibrating plate plane, so that the shaft walls 15 are reciprocated accordingly in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes 11 and in the horizontal direction. However, it is also possible to generate vibrations in the plane of the plate that run in a circle or ellipse, cf. Fig. 4. For this, however, an alternative storage or suspension of the vibrating plates 18 is required, as shown by way of example in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 sketchily (omitting the bearing elements on which the bearing means 20 are supported).

Incidentally, it is also conceivable to generate vibratory movements which run parallel to the shaft walls 15 in the plate plane or perpendicular to the shaft walls 15 in the plate plane, cf. Fig. 5.

The superimposition of various such vibration movements is possible.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 it is further indicated that, according to the invention, it is possible to allocate separate regions of each shaft group, in each case separate and in particular unconnected vibrating plates 18 and vibration generators 21. In particular, such that the respective vibrating plates 18 - and with them the shaft groups 13 and the corresponding shaft group areas - can be independently vibrated. This way will result created different vibration systems that can be acted upon as needed with different vibrations.

By way of example, it can further be seen in the upper diagram in FIG. 8 that, in the standard case, the one or more vibrating plates 18 can be subjected to a uniform frequency and uniform amplitude.

But it can also be changing frequencies and changing amplitudes are provided, see. the middle diagram in Fig. 8.

Finally, it is also conceivable to occupy several vibration generators with different frequencies and amplitudes, so that the individual oscillations can overlap, cf. lower diagram in Fig. 8.

FIGS. 9, 10 show a further embodiment 10 'of a cigarette magazine according to the invention. Identical or similar components are - insofar appropriate - provided with the same reference numerals as in the cigarette magazine 10 described above.

In the case of the cigarette magazine 10 'too, the shaft walls 15 are each directly connected to one or the vibration plate 18. The vibrating plate 18 extends along all the shaft groups 13 or shafts 14 and accordingly forms the rear wall for all shaft groups 13 or shafts 14. End sides of all shaft walls 15 are connected to the vibration plate 18.

The cigarette magazine 10 'differs from the cigarette magazine 10 in particular by the manner of the movable mounting of the vibrating plate 18, the manner of generating the vibrations and the manner of transmitting them to the vibrating plate 18.

The vibration plate 18 is fixedly connected to a fixed bearing device 24 in an upper (narrow) (end) region. Specifically, the vibration plate 18 on two opposite, spaced-apart sides in each case upper, lateral fastening portions 25a, b, which are each integrally connected to a main part 26 of the vibrating plate 18 via a narrow connecting portion 27a and 27b or connecting web.

The fastening sections 25a, b are respectively fixedly connected to the bearing device 24 or fastened thereto by fastening means 28, in this case screws, namely in the present case on vertical housing parts 29a, 29b of the cigarette magazine 10 '.

In the lower region of the vibration plate 18 and the main part 26 thereof, the vibration plate 18 is not fixed, but formed free-hanging. As a result, an at least partially elastic deformation of the lower region of the vibrating plate 18 relative to the fixed upper region is possible. In the present example, a horizontal axis of rotation which extends in the upper region of the vibrating plate 18 approximately at the height of the fastening portions 25a, b.

Accordingly, the vibrating plate 18 can, with appropriate excitation by a vibration generator 21 ', perform reciprocating motions in a vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal axis of rotation. In FIG. 9, the movements running on a curved path are carried out in a direction approximately perpendicular to the image plane. To generate these movements, the vibration generator 21 'is formed in a special way.

It comprises a (speed-controlled) servomotor 31, which drives a circumferential shaft 32 extending along the vibration plate 18 at a distance and parallel to it in a horizontal plane.

The shaft 32 is rotatably supported by pivot bearings 33a, b on the bearing means 24 and on the housing parts 29a, b. In the present case, the shaft 32 is an eccentric shaft which is in each case connected to motion transmission members 34a, b, in the present case connecting rods or connecting rods. The motion transmission members 34a, b perform reciprocating motions each upon rotation of the shaft 32, namely, up and down motions in a vertical plane, see FIG. Fig. 10.

Each motion-transmitting member 34a, b is respectively (in the present case by means of a clamping) attached to a spring member 30a and 30b. In the present case, the spring parts 30a, b formed as spring (steel) plates.

Each spring part 30a, b has in each case a first fastening region 35 which is connected to the vibration plate 18 or is fastened thereto (in the present case by means of a clamping). The first attachment region 35 is in this embodiment at the same time a first end region of the respective spring part 30a, b.

Furthermore, each spring part 30a, b has a second fastening region 37, in the present case an end region, opposite the first end region, of the respective spring part 30a, b, which is mounted in a stationary manner. In each case on a stationary bearing part 36a, b or a transverse support of the bearing device 24th

The respective motion transmission member 34a, b is attached (substantially) centrally to the respective spring member 30a, b.

In the operation of the cigarette magazine 10 ^* , the servomotor 31 drives the shaft 32, thereby moving the movement transmitting members 34a, b up and down. Starting from the undeflected position of the spring part 30a, b, shown in Fig. 10, a movement of the respective motion transmitting member 34a, b leads downward to a corresponding downward movement of the spring member 30a, b (see dotted line in Fig. 10), and thus in Result of a movement of the vibrating plate 18 to the rear or in Fig. 9 from the image plane out. A subsequent return movement of the motion transmission member 34a, b upward leads to a return movement of the vibrating plate 18 in the image plane. In accordance with (high) frequency rotation of the servo motor 31, the desired vibrations or reciprocating movements of the vibrating plate 18 are generated in this way.

*****

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 cigarette magazine

10 'cigarette magazine

11 cigarette

12 guiding organ

13 shaft group

14 shaft

15 shaft wall

16 pushers

17 fixed plate

18 vibration plate

19 bearing element

20 storage media

21 vibration generator

21 'vibration generator

22 tobacco crumbs

23 transport channel

24 storage facility

25a, b fastening sections

26 main part

27a, b connecting areas

28 fasteners

29a, b housing parts

30a, b spring parts

31 servomotor

32 wave

33a, b bearings

34a, b Motion transmission organs

35 first mounting portion 36a, b bearing part

37 second mounting area

Claims

claims

1. Cigarette magazine for a cigarette packaging machine, with one or more shaft groups (13), each with a plurality of juxtaposed, respectively by shaft walls (15) limited shafts (14), along which cigarettes (11) substantially parallel to the shaft walls (15) by weight are conveyable, characterized in that several or all shaft walls (15) of one or each shaft group (13), namely each end sides of the shaft walls (15), with at least one common, movable, in particular freely swinging mounted, with a vibration generator (21) in Vibration adjustable vibration plate (18) are operatively connected so that the vibrations of the vibration plate (18) in operation on the shaft walls (15) are transferable.

2. cigarette magazine according to claim 1, characterized in that the movably mounted vibration plate (18) forms a rear wall which closes the shafts (15) partially or completely, in particular their rear open end faces, or that the movably mounted vibration plate (18) force and / or positively connected to such, in particular stationary rear wall.

3. cigarette magazine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vibration plate (18) by appropriate training of the bearing and the vibration generator (21) performs vibration movements perpendicular to the plate plane or vibration movements in the plane of the plate, perpendicular to the shaft walls (15 ), or vibration movements in the plate plane, parallel to the shaft walls (15), or a vibratory movement in the plate plane, which is circular or elliptical.

4. cigarette magazine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of vibrating plates (18) are provided, in particular for each shaft group (13) at least one own vibration plate (18).

5. Cigarette magazine according to claim 4, characterized in that several or all vibrating plates (18) are interconnected, in particular by a connecting means, so that they can vibrate or vibrate during operation of the vibration generator (21) with the same frequency.

6. cigarette magazine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a vibration generator (21) is associated with two adjacent vibrating plates (18), in particular connected to both, so that it transmits vibrations generated by him on both vibrating plates or transmitted.

7. cigarette magazine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one vibration plate (18) is movably mounted on a stationary bearing element, in particular on a stationary support plate.

8. cigarette magazine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two shaft groups (13) or at least two different areas of a shaft group (13) are each assigned separate, in particular unconnected vibrating plates (18) and vibration generator (21), preferably such in that the two vibrating plates (18) and with them the two shaft groups (13) or the two different shaft group regions can be vibrated independently of one another.

9. cigarette magazine according to claim 8, characterized in that the two vibration generator (21) are arranged and / or formed such that in operation, the vibration movements of a vibration generator (21) associated vibration plate (18) at an angle to the vibration movements of the other vibration generator (21) associated vibration plate can be done or done.

10. cigarette magazine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vibration plate (18) is a rear wall or the shafts (15) partially or completely closes, in particular their rear open end faces, wherein at least one (in particular upper ) Region of the rear wall is fixed to a stationary bearing device (24) or is fixable, wherein the vibration generator (21 ') for transmitting the vibrations at least with another (in particular further down) free region of the rear wall, in particular an end region, operatively connected, the at least partially elastic deformation of the rear wall relative to the fixed or fixable rear wall area is movable back and forth.

1 1. cigarette magazine according to claim 10, characterized in that the vibration generator (21 ') comprises at least one particular elongated spring member (30a, b), preferably at least two spring parts (30a, b), in particular a spring steel sheet, wherein the (respectively ) Spring part (30a, b) has a first fastening region which is fastened to the free region of the rear wall, and a second fastening region which is fastened to a stationary bearing device (24), wherein between the two fastening regions ) Motor-driven eccentric shaft (32) moving, preferably vertical up and down movements movement transmitting member (34 a, b) of the vibration generator (21 ') with the spring member (30 a, b) is operatively connected.

Cigarette magazine according to claim 11, characterized in that the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are opposite end portions of the spring member (30a, b), and that the movement transmitting member (34a, b) on the spring member (30a, b) is preferably substantially is fixed centrally between these two end portions.

13. cigarette magazine according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that vertical up and down movements of the motion transmitting member (34 a, b) to up and down movements of the Spring parts (30a, b) in a region between the first and second mounting portion of the spring member (30a, b) lead, causing the reciprocating movements or the vibration movements of the rear wall.

14. Cigarette magazine according to claim 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the motion transmission member (34a, b) is connected to the eccentric shaft (32) connecting rod, and that the eccentric shaft (32) is driven by a variable speed (servo) motor ,

15. A method for operating a cigarette magazine (10, 10 ') of a cigarette packaging machine, with one or more shaft groups (13) each having a plurality of juxtaposed, respectively by shaft walls (15) limited shafts (14), along which cigarettes (11) substantially parallel to the shaft walls (15) can be conveyed by their own weight, characterized in that respective end faces of the shaft walls (15), with at least one common, movable, in particular freely oscillating mounted with a vibration generator (21, 21 ') in vibration vibratory plate ( 18) are operatively connected so that the vibrations of the vibrating plate (18) are transmitted to the shaft walls during operation, the frequency and / or the amplitude and / or the phase of the vibrations or oscillations produced by the vibration generator (21), during operation of the cigarette magazine (10, 10 ') - in particular periodically repeating - is changed.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that at least two shaft groups (13) or at least two different areas of a shaft group (13) are each associated with separate, in particular unconnected vibrating plates (18) and vibration generator (21), wherein in operation of the cigarette magazine ( 10, 10 ') a vibration generator (21) is at least temporarily operated at a different frequency and / or amplitude and / or phase than the other vibration generator (21).

17. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that one vibration generator (21) is operated at a constant frequency, the other Vibration generator (21) with in particular periodically repeating changing frequency.

18. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims 15-17, characterized in that at least two shaft groups (13) or at least two different areas of a shaft group (13) are each assigned separate, in particular unconnected vibrating plates (18) and vibration generator (21) , Preferably such that the two vibrating plates (18) and with them the two shaft groups (13) and the two different shaft group areas can be independently vibrated, wherein in the operation of the cigarette magazine (10), the vibration movements of a vibration generator can be adjusted in that they take place at least temporarily at an angle to that of the other vibration generator.

19. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims 15-18, characterized in that it is determined continuously or periodically automatically, whether a fault in one or more shafts (14) is present, in particular a delivery blockage or a delivery jam, and that for the In the event that such a disturbance has been detected, the frequency and / or the amplitude and / or the phase of the vibrations or vibrations produced by the vibration generator (21, 21 ') is changed automatically.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that after determination of the disturbance, the frequency and / or the amplitude and / or the phase of the vibrations or the vibrations, which generates the vibration generator (21, 21 '), as long as to be changed the fault is eliminated.

21. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims 15-20, characterized in that the parameter values of the frequency and / or the amplitude and / or the phase of the vibrations or the vibrations, which generates the vibration generator (21, 21 '), automatically depending on the type of cigarettes (11) is selected or changed, with which the magazine is filled or to be filled, so at a first cigarette at least one other parameter value is set than in a second, different from the first type of cigarette.

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