JPS5826954B2 - Maki Tobacco Sonotaruijino Boujiyoubutsupinno Tameno Conveyor Sochi - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a conveyor device for conveying Z-like rod-shaped articles such as cigarettes and, for example, cigarette filters.

For convenience, the present invention will be described in connection with cigarettes; however, it is obvious that the apparatus and methods of the present invention may also be used with other rod-shaped articles, such as cigarette filters, among others.

GB 1299174/12Q9175 discloses a conveyor device for cigarettes comprising containers arranged to receive successive deposits of cigarettes.

In this case, the length of the deposit is considerably greater than its thickness when the container is full.

This is accomplished by carrying the deposit in the container by a conveyor extending along a spiral path, as described in the above-mentioned patent specification.

According to one feature of the invention, a cigarette conveyor device comprises a receptacle formed from a plurality of conveyors establishing a zigzag path extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cigarettes.

When compared to the helical container described above, the container according to the invention can have a more compact structure than the former.

This is because the container can have a width not much greater than the length of the cigarette.

Furthermore, the cigarette is maintained in a nearly constant configuration;
Furthermore, there is no need to tilt each other when passing around a bend from one running section of the zigzag path to another.

This is particularly advantageous for relatively long cigarette rolls or filter rods, in particular with a length of 120 m1t or more.

Preferably, the zigzag surface of the container is vertical (with the cigarettes lying horizontally).

In this way, successive runs of the zigzag path starting from the inlet of the container are located horizontally and take up successively higher or lower positions.

Alternatively, the plane of the zigzag path may be horizontal so that the cigarette is positioned vertically.

Here, "zigzag road" means a road having three or more running sections arranged (for example, one above the other), but an arrangement with only two running sections also falls under this zigzag road. shall be.

According to another feature of the invention, a conveyor device for cigarettes or similar stick-like articles comprises a conveyor for feeding the stick-like articles into a branch from which the outlet passage branches, and a conveyor arranged one above the other for distributing the stick-like articles. and a container having at least two generally horizontal conveyors in communication with the branch, the container conveyors being reversible and capable of moving up and down the branch according to supply and demand conditions. It is possible to supply rod-shaped articles to the branch and to receive rod-shaped articles from the branch.

Preferably, the two container conveyors move together, ie in the same direction and at the same speed.

Alternatively, an arrangement could be made to drive one container conveyor at a time.

For example, one conveyor container may be configured to draw in cigarettes when it is full, and when it is full, the other container conveyor begins to draw in cigarettes.

The two container conveyors may each form part of a two conveyor mechanism extending along the zigzag path described above.

One of the conveyors is preferred because it is laterally flexible and extends along a path that curves out of the vertical plane of the other conveyor and extends in a zigzag pattern juxtaposed with the zigzag path of the other conveyor.

According to this configuration, the volume of the container can be doubled without significantly increasing the vertical dimension of the container.

It is possible to triple the container volume by using three shunted conveyors; in this case, the two conveyors are
They are arranged to travel along a curved path in both directions from the vertical plane of the third conveyor and extend in a zigzag manner on either side of the zigzag path of the third conveyor.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has a branch 2 into which conveyor belts 4 and 6 are connected, for example from a cigarette making machine as described in the above mentioned patent specification. Rolled cigarettes are sent in the form of piles.

A chute 8 is provided on the underside of the branch 2, through which the cigarettes are normally fed downwards to a tobacco packaging machine.

However, when the packaging machine is stopped, the branch 2
The rolled cigarettes sent to are sent into the container 10.

The conveyor belt of container 10 is shown moving in a direction that draws the cigarettes from the branch into the container.

However, if, for example, the cigarette machine is stopped and the packaging machine continues to operate, the direction of movement of all the belts in the container is reversed and the belts from the container to the branch 2 are moved from the container to the branch 2. It should be understood that cigarettes are sent out.

A sensor 12 located on the upper part of the branch 2 determines the direction of movement of the inner container belt and preferably also its speed.

Although this sensor is only hinted at in the figure, for example, the
(See Publication No. 7600, Special Publication No. 56-38191)
and any suitable sensor as described in German Patent Application No. 082320843.

The container conveyor belts are all driven at the same speed and define an elongated receiving space extending upwardly in a vertical plane along a zigzag path, as indicated by the cross-cut area. .

The horizontal running part of the zigzag road is Bell) 14, 16.1B
.

20.22,24. %- and 26.

Additionally, there are two vertical belts 28.2 at each end of the container.
9 are provided, these belts assist in the movement of cigarette deposits as they move between successive horizontal runs.

A concavely chamfered guide plate 30 is provided at the corner between the horizontal square and the vertical belt.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged right half of a container which is generally similar to the container shown in FIG. 1, as can be seen from the use of the same reference numerals.

In the container shown in FIG. 2, the belt is formed with transverse ribs 32 which assist in driving the cigarette deposit forward.

Each rib can have a cross-sectional area equal to half the cross-sectional area of the cigarette.

Further, in the case of the container shown in FIG. 2, flanges 15A are formed on both flus of the pulley 15 adjacent to the branch portion 2, through which the belt 14 passes. No. 120614 (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 50-4300, Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-31947) and German Patent Application No. 082353806. and guide the rolling cigarette campaign.

As shown in FIG. 2, corner plates 30 are provided adjacent to adjacent belts, and these plates 30 have recesses at the edges adjacent to the belts, through which the recesses are provided. Rib 32
can pass through.

As shown in FIG. 1, the end of the cigarette deposit in the container is secured to a member 3 of compressible material, for example made of a sponge-like plastic material, which is gripped between opposing belts.
1.

The cross-section of this member 31 may be circular, as shown, or alternatively, for example, rectangular.

FIG. 3 shows another device which is similar to the container of FIG. 1 in that it comprises the same reference numerals for corresponding parts.

This device comprises a plurality of horizontal belts 34.36.3B, 4042.44. which define the horizontal running part of the zigzag path of the container.
%- and 46.

However, the connection between the running sections is partially defined by two belts 48 and 50, and these two belts follow a curved path defined by a curved support member 52. Moving.

Belts 48 and 50 also pass around various pulleys 54 as shown.

The edge of the cigarette deposit in the container is defined in this example as well as in the device of FIG. 1 by a member 31.

34, 36, etc. pass around a pulley 55 adjacent to pulley 54, as shown.

Alternatively, pulley 55 may be omitted and belt 34.
36 etc. may be configured to travel around an adjacent pulley 54.

However, in this case, for example Bell) 48. %
- and 50 are each constructed from a pair of spaced parallel belts, between which the bells 34, 36, etc. pass.

Belts 48, 50 may be driven at the same speed as belts 34, 36, etc. or at a fixed ratio and slightly higher speed.

It is not necessarily an essential requirement that the belts forming successive runs of the zigzag path be driven once at the same speed.

The speed of the running sections after the first running section adjacent to the branch section 2 is controlled by a sensor that detects the pressure of the cigarette in the communication area (i.e., the communication area between adjacent running sections) applied to the upstream end of the running section. You can move with.

The direction of the flow is indicated by arrows in the first country and in Figure 3.

Instead of defining all connections (between adjacent runs) at each end of the container by a single belt 48 or 50, each connection is moved along a curved support member 52. It can also be specified with separate belts arranged as follows.
Ru.

In other words, the container shown in FIG. 3 could also be provided with five separate belts, each adapted to travel along a single curved support member 520.

This would require replacing each pulley 54 with two adjacent pulleys of smaller diameter for each belt.

Preferably, each belt is lightly tensioned to ensure that cigarettes passing through the associated linkage are gripped.

It will be appreciated that in this case, as a result of the tension, each belt will tend to pull slightly away from its associated support member 52.

The movement of a belt or tensioning roller or other tensioning means can be monitored to generate a signal indicative of the amount of cigarettes being delivered to the associated connection of the container.

This signal changes the speed of the belt core and/or horizontal conveyor belt in the direction in which the cigarettes are fed.
It can be used to ensure that there are no cavities in the cigarette deposit.

In other words, each belt can act as a sensor, as described in GB 20962775.

FIG. 4 shows an arrangement similar to that shown in FIG. 1, as indicated by the use of the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, a container 56 is provided with horizontal bells 58, 60 and 62 which partially define the horizontal run of the zigzag path.

Additionally, a continuous belt 66 is used in this device.

This belt 66 extends from a pulley 68 adjacent branch 2 to partially define a first horizontal run 56A of the zigzag path within the container, and from there along a curved path defined by support member 70. and extends to the second horizontal running section 56B, defining a communication section therebetween, further extending horizontally along the top of the running section 58B, going around the pulley 72, and then supporting it upwardly as shown. Members 74 and 76 and pulley 7
8 and back to pulley 68 through pulleys 80, 82 and 84.

The external boundary of the connecting portion of the zigzag path extending to the right end of FIG. 4 is defined by concave plates 86> and 88.

However, it is also possible to provide a belt, such as belt 50 in FIG. 3, in addition.

Furthermore, instead of Bell) 58, 60, and 62,
It is also possible to use a single continuous belt similar to belt 66 moving along plates 86 and 88.

The ends of the cigarette stack within the container are defined by plates 90.

This plate 90 is carried by two cables on either side of the container or by a chino 92.

Each cable or chain 92 passes around a plurality of pulleys 94 adjacent the ends of the horizontal run of the zigzag path, and around two smaller pulleys 96.

The cable or ceno 92 is driven at the same speed as the various belts so that the plate 90 moves at the same speed as the cigarette pile within the container.

Plate 90 is fastened at right angles to the cable or chino.

FIG. 4 shows ribs 98 on the belt with larger spacing than would actually be the case.

The belt in the container shown in FIG. 3 can also be ribbed with the spacing and dimensions as described with respect to FIG.

Further, a pulley having the same shape as the pulley 15 shown in FIG. 2 may be used in a required place, for example, in place of the pulley 54 shown in FIG. 3.

Apart from using the zigzag conveyor device described above as a storage container, the belts may be arranged so that they always run in the same direction so that cigarettes or similar articles enter at one end of the zigzag path and exit at the other end. You can also do it.

Such an arrangement can be used, for example, to filter cigarettes,
Also suitable for moving from filter manufacturing machines to filter processing machines.
This is useful in cases where delay is required.

A suitable device for such an application is one in which the filter enters at the upper end of a downwardly extending zigzag-like path and has a branch at the exit end of the zigzag path from which the filter is fed into a path leading to a filter processor. It is also conceivable to provide an upwardly extending zigzag receptacle (as described above) which automatically receives filters from the branch and delivers filters to the branch.

In other words, it is a device in which two zigzag paths are arranged in end-to-end relationship.

Each of the container connections shown in FIG. 1 or 2 can be modified in the manner shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the left end portions of the two lowest running sections 102 and 104 that are connected by the communication section 106.

The lower running section 102 has a ribbed belt 108. which passes through a pulley 110. % and a ribbed belt 112 passing through a pulley 114.

Belt 112 cooperates with ribbed belt 116 to define running section 104 of the upper piece.

As shown in FIG. 2, a vertical ribbed belt 118 is provided which partially demarcates the zigzag link 106 and extends vertically upward to form another link.

The communication portion 106 includes a curved plate 120. i- and bell) 108
, 118 and supported by curved support members 124.

The position of one cigarette 126 is shown in FIG.
16) will be understood to engage the central region of the cigarette.

As shown in FIG.
It is wider than 16 and has a recess 120A through which the lip can pass.

Each narrow belt 122 has a pulley 12B.

130i- and 132.

Pulleys 132 are provided, optionally integrally formed, on either side of a small diameter coaxial pulley through which vertical belt 118 passes.

Each belt 122 is driven by being pressed against a pulley 132 by a roller 134.

Furthermore, the belt 122 is tensioned by a roller 136 of a lever 138 pivoted at 140 and subjected to a tension spring 1420.

Narrow belt 122 assists in moving the cigarette upwardly in connection 106 from runs 102 to 104.

Preferably, these belts are driven at a greater speed than belts 108 and 112, for example twice as fast.

Belt 118 can be driven at the same speed as belt 122.

In the case of filtered cigarettes, the tobacco and the filter end can have different hardness values and possibly different diameters.

The following means can be used to make adjustments to compensate for such differences.

That is, one of the boos IJ 130 (see FIG. 7) is mounted on a shaft carried by a vertically adjustable member 144.

In this way, the effective working length of the associated belt 122 can be adjusted.

This adjustment allows the cigarette to pass through the communication portion 106 in a more or less constant configuration.

That is, the tendency of the cigarette to otherwise tilt horizontally can be inhibited.

Alternatively, the two pulleys 130 can be rotated about fixed axes and the two belts 122 can be tensioned separately, adjusting the tension in one of the belts.

FIG. 6 shows a modification IJ of the configuration shown in FIG.

Similarities between the two configurations are indicated by the use of identical reference numerals.

The belt 122 shown in FIG. 5 has a curved support member 124 (approximately about the axis of pulley 144), whereas in the apparatus of FIG. A belt 122' is provided.

In addition, in place of the pulley 128 in FIG. 5, in the device shown in FIG.
28' is used.

However, pulley 110 is located between two pulleys 128' for bell) 122'.

FIG. 8 shows that a cigarette stack 202 is conveyed by a conveyor 204 to a branch 206 from which a stack of cigarettes 208 is transferred to a wall 210 leading to a cigarette packaging machine.
The portion of the device is shown moving downwardly through the chute formed by the numbers 212 and 212 .

Adjacent to the branch 206 there are provided two reversible storage conveyor belts (214, 1=- and 216) arranged one above the other, each belt being connected to the branch 206 for rolling cigarettes. Arranged to take deposits in and out.

Conveyor belts 214 and 216 are driven in the same direction and at the same speed under the control of sensor 218.

The sensor 218 is pivotally mounted at 220 and rests on a membrane 222 that confines the cigarette to the branch.

At the top of conveyors 214 and 216 are two parallel conveyor belts 224 that move with them to establish the upper surface of the pile of cigarettes on those belts.
A trigram and 228 are provided.

Conveyors 214, 216, 224, and 228 are moving in a direction to draw the cigarettes from branch 206, as indicated by the arrows.

This direction is reversed when it is desired to transport the cigarettes from the container back to the branch 206.

FIG. 8 shows conveyor 214.1. - and 216;

Conveyors 230 and 232 can simply extend along a straight horizontal path.

Alternatively, each of these conveyors may form part of a conveyor system along a vertically extending zigzag path, as shown in FIGS. 1-7.

To this end, one of the conveyors 230 or 232 is provided with lateral flexibility so that it can move along a curved path (as shown in FIG. 9).

In this case, two zigzag conveyors can be arranged side by side.

In FIG. 9, a conveyor 234 is schematically shown which conveys a deposit of cigarettes to a branch area on the underside of the membrane 236.

That is, on the upper side of the membrane 236, the sensor 2 shown in FIG.
A sensor similar to 18 (not shown) is provided.

Two storage conveyors 231- and 240 are arranged to move cigarettes into and out of the branch as required.

Conveyor 238 moves along a straight horizontal path and forms the first horizontal run of the zigzag conveyor system.

Conveyor 240, located at child U of conveyor 238, is laterally flexible and moves along a path that curves horizontally from the vertical plane of conveyor 238.

Conveyor 242 is an extension of conveyor 240 and forms the first horizontal run of the zigzag conveyor juxtaposed with other zigzag conveyors.

The laterally flexible conveyor 240 may be of the construction disclosed in GB 1309071.

With reference to FIG. 8, it should be noted that the right end of top conveyor belt 228 is located to the left of the right end of conveyor 216.

This arrangement is, for example, a pulley 216Ai of a conveyor 216.
- and the tangent to the fixed curved plate 214A can be inclined at about 30° with respect to the vertical line.

This ensures that the entire pile of cigarettes is carried by the conveyor 216 as it moves to the left.

Similarly, the right end of top conveyor 224
It is located to the left of the right end of No. 14.

Instead of two storage conveyors moving together, it can also be arranged to move one conveyor at a time in a predetermined sequence.

In such an arrangement, the main conveyor 230,%-
and 232, for example UK Patent No. 1299174.
As shown in Figures 18 and 19 of the specification, the associated short conveyor 2
It is preferred to carry or drive an end wall that can pass over 14,216.

Preferably, the operational sequence is performed as follows.

That is, if one starts with an empty container, the upper part of the container will not start drawing cigarettes at 1, when the upper part is filled.

However, if these two parts contain cigarettes and you want to deliver the cigarettes from the container to the branch, the upper part will work first, and the child 0 part will Do not start feeding when the upper part is completely empty.

This sequence of operations is preferred in order to avoid the formation of cavities in the tobacco deposits near the branches.

1 and 4, the cigarette deposit received by the receptacle is approximately equal in thickness to the deposit sent downwardly via the chute 8 and is sent up the conveyor 4 to the branch 2. It should be noted that the thickness is approximately equal to the thickness of the cigarette deposit.

Preferably, the thickness of the deposit in the container is on the order of 75 to 125 mm, for example about 100 mm.

The chute, h, and the adjacent conveyor form a T-shaped branch so that when the flow of cigarettes onto the chute stops, the cigarette deposits conveyed by conveyor 4 pass straight through the branch. into the container.

In this way, the relative movement of the cigarette and the pressure exerted thereon can be minimized, thereby minimizing deterioration in the quality of the cigarette.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the container conveyor 230i-
and 232 each convey a thickness of deposit approximately equal to the thickness of the deposit on conveyor 204 and approximately equal to the thickness of the deposit being fed down chute 210212.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a side view illustrating one embodiment of the conveyor container of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing in detail a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIGS. 5 shows a modified configuration of a portion of the container shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 shows a side view illustrating an embodiment of the conveyor container; FIG. 6 shows a modified configuration of a portion of the container shown in FIG. 2; Fig. 7 shows the 5th
8 is a surface view suggesting another embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a plan view suggesting a modification of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8. 10... Container, 2... Branch, 8... Chute leading to packaging machine, 4, 6... Feeding conveyor, 14゜16.18, 20, 22, 24... Container conveyor ,2
8.29... Vertical conveyor, 30... Guide plate, 12
. . . Sensor, 31 . . . Deposit tip rod, 52 . . . Support plate, 54. 55 .

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A conveyor device for cigarettes and other similar stick-like articles, comprising: a device for delivering the stick-like articles to a branch; a device for taking out the stick-like articles from the branch; and a multi-layer conveyor for the stick-like articles. The storage device transmits and receives the flow to and from the branch and compensates for the difference between the supply amount and the demand for the branch, and the storage device conveys the rod-shaped article horizontally or vertically. do,
a plurality of reversible conveyors, the plurality of conveyors having a horizontal conveyor and a vertical conveyor, the conveyors being configured to define a conveyor path extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rod-shaped article; The conveyor path includes horizontal path portions 102 and 104 arranged in the vertical direction, and these horizontal path portions 102 and 10.
4, and each connecting portion 106 is a zigzag path consisting of at least one of the horizontal conveyors 14-26: 34-46, 58.
-62:112:116 and at least one said vertical conveyor 28,29:32,48,50:66:118
A conveyor device characterized in that it is constructed by the cooperation of both.