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EP1328170B1 - Container, device and method for transporting bar-shaped articles in the tobacco industry - Google Patents

Container, device and method for transporting bar-shaped articles in the tobacco industry Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1328170B1
EP1328170B1 EP01982404A EP01982404A EP1328170B1 EP 1328170 B1 EP1328170 B1 EP 1328170B1 EP 01982404 A EP01982404 A EP 01982404A EP 01982404 A EP01982404 A EP 01982404A EP 1328170 B1 EP1328170 B1 EP 1328170B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
base
containers
filling
articles
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01982404A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1328170A1 (en
Inventor
Piotr Budny
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Koerber Technologies GmbH
Original Assignee
Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH filed Critical Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH
Publication of EP1328170A1 publication Critical patent/EP1328170A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1328170B1 publication Critical patent/EP1328170B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/35—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine
    • A24C5/352—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine using containers, i.e. boats
    • A24C5/358—Boat constructions
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/35—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine
    • A24C5/352—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine using containers, i.e. boats
    • A24C5/354—Filling the boats at the making machine

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1, a device according to the preamble of claim 13 and a container according to the preamble of claim 23.
  • rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry is meant in particular cigarettes, filter cigarettes and filter rods. For the sake of simplicity, only cigarettes will be discussed below.
  • the cigarettes are packed for transport from the production machines to the packing machines into containers known in the art as trays.
  • Special filling devices have been developed for this purpose.
  • the filling of the Schragen happens mostly from the side, the cuboid Schragen are open to the side.
  • the cigarettes are either single layer for single layer in pushed the tray or inserted in several previously formed part inventories.
  • a device or a method of the type mentioned is from its own DE-OS 21 45 133 known. Since the trays are designed to be emptied open at the top, you can also be filled from above, as for example in your own DE 31 03 836 is described.
  • the trays can then be stored temporarily or fed directly to corresponding packaging machines for packing the cigarettes.
  • the cigarettes are prevented from falling sideways out of the trays only by gravity and the resulting mutual friction between the cigarettes.
  • falling out is further complicated by slight tilting of the trays during transport.
  • special devices are necessary for transporting the inclined slopes.
  • tray emptiers tilt the trays by 180 ° and emptying the cigarettes through the upper opening of the Schragen in the magazine of the packing machine.
  • Such a device, which has a Schrägenkippmechanismus is, for example, from their own DE 16 32 204 known.
  • a disadvantage of the prior art is that for filling, transporting and emptying the Schragen each different and specially designed devices are necessary.
  • the casings must be treated individually during both filling and emptying, which limits the performance of such equipment.
  • a container for transporting rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry is known, with a bottom remaining in the container, wherein the bottom is at least partially non-uniformly movable relative to the container.
  • Object of the present invention is to provide methods, devices and containers of the type mentioned are available, which enable over the prior art more efficient and flexible filling of containers for transporting cigarettes.
  • the invention includes the realization that, in particular due to the merging of mass flow of cigarettes and uninterrupted container flow converging at an acute angle, a particularly gentle, fast and almost perfect arrangement of cigarettes in the containers enabling filling of the container is realized. It has been found that the direction of movement of the container stream with the direction of movement of the mass flow of cigarettes should include an acute angle of less than 40 °, more preferably less than 30 °, in order to maximize the performance of such a process.
  • the invention further includes the knowledge that due to the movable Bottom of the container or the continuous lowering of the container bottom during the passage of a filling - with the help of a corresponding arranged on a Behellumble lowering device for the ground - the cigarettes gently and continuously and above all from a mass flow in the individual containers are filled.
  • continuous transition of the mass flow of cigarettes in the actual filling and finally in the container itself a change in direction of the cigarettes superfluous. This also achieves a significant increase in the speed of such devices.
  • the inventive method is reversible executable by simply the container bottom is raised with the same, but backward-running device and thus the container is emptied. Therefore, due to the invention, only one device is required to perform both the filling and the emptying of the container.
  • These means for lowering are preferably provided in the region of the filling section and more preferably have a forced guidance for the bottom of the container in the region of the filling section.
  • This forced operation may have, for example, laterally of the Be Glallier arranged guides for guiding the bottom of the container, in which guides corresponding lugs or rollers which are movable parallel to the end faces of the container, can intervene. These noses or rollers are then connected to the bottom of the container. In this way, the device according to the invention can be realized particularly easily.
  • the forced operation is preferably designed such that it is arranged parallel to a filling line remote from the limit for the cigarettes in the feed device. In this way, it does not occur in the device to a compression of the mass flow during the filling process on the Be Colllumble.
  • means are provided for forming a gapless row of containers at least in the region of the filling section, which means preferably a container additionally at least in the region of the filling path foreseen in addition to a supply and Abannaband for the container to and from the Be Schollumble second conveyor belt, which more preferably runs at a lower speed relative to the supply and Abddyband include.
  • the thus opposite to the container in a positive guide promotional second conveyor belt at an increased speed first conveyor belt presses the container in the region of the filling line to each other, so that a gapless container row is formed. After leaving the Beglallumble the forced operation ends. Therefore, the faster running first conveyor belt, the filled containers from the filling line or from behind the filled in the conveying direction
  • the bottom of the container is constructed in the longitudinal extension of the bottom of successively arranged members which are connected in pairs.
  • the flexible and movable floor can be particularly easy to implement.
  • adjacent members are connected to each other by paired storage on a common axis, which axis preferably simultaneously protrudes through corresponding to the end faces of the container parallel slots in the side walls of the container to the outside and thus can enter into engagement with the positive guide for the ground.
  • the axles can also carry small rollers at their ends located outside the container, which run in the forced operation.
  • the containers according to the invention when the mentioned members of the soil are supported on the common axis with play.
  • the axes are provided in the limbs comprehensive breakthroughs.
  • at least lying in the apertures sections of the mentioned axes are smaller than the width of the apertures to allow the game.
  • the axes may be dog-bone-shaped in cross-section, whereby the rotational capability of the members mounted in such a way is increased about these axes, but a vertical slag is avoided.
  • Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention 1.
  • the device is used for filling containers 2 with cigarettes, not shown.
  • the device 1 can also be used to fill the containers 2 with other articles of the tobacco processing industry.
  • the device 1 shown schematically in Fig. 1 comprises a mounting plate 4, to which the components of the device 1 described below are attached with not shown, but conventional fastening means. Furthermore, the apparatus 1 has a filling line 6 for filling the containers 2, a feed device for feeding the containers 2 to the filling line 6, a feed device 10 for feeding the cigarettes to the filling line 6, and means 12 for filling the containers 2 with the feed device 10 conveyed cigarettes from a continuous (not shown) mass flow of cigarettes.
  • the aforementioned components of the device 1 will be described in more detail below.
  • the containers 2 used will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9.
  • the feeding device 8 for feeding the containers 2 to the filling line has, according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a first supply and removal belt 14.
  • the arrival and Abierband 14 consists of several, one behind the other rows, of which in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, only a portion is shown.
  • the supply and removal belt 14 has (see especially Fig. 3) serving as an actual conveyor belt, horizontally running endless belt 16 and rollers 18 and 20 around which the endless belt 16 rotates.
  • the second roller 20 is driven by a motor 26 via a belt 22 and a gear 24.
  • the function of the supply and removal belt 14 is the following:
  • the feed device 10 for feeding the cigarettes to the filling line 6 forms vertically above the supply and discharge belt 14 an i.w. parallel to the arrival and Abinneband 14, but steadily on this incoming mass flow conveyor for the cigarettes.
  • the mass flow conveyor 10 has a lower boundary 28 and an upper boundary 30.
  • the mass flow of cigarettes also moves from right to left between lower limit 28 and upper limit 30 in Figs. 1-3. from the beginning 32 shown on the right of the feed device 10 to the confluence of the mass flow between ends 34 and 36 of the lower and upper boundaries 28 and 30 of the feed device 10 in the filling path. 6
  • Both the lower boundary 28 and the upper boundary 30 are formed by the surfaces of short bands 38, which are spaced from each other as endless belts are guided by four rollers 40.
  • each four bands 38 are arranged parallel to each other at a distance from one another.
  • an alternately of seven, then four, then again seven, then three, then again 7, then again four, etc. arranged in parallel bands surface of the upper boundary 30.
  • the lower boundary 28 is constructed accordingly.
  • Fig. 3 shows the omitted in Fig. 1 for clarity electric motor 48 for driving the lower limit 28 and the electric motor 50 for driving the upper limit 30 of the feed device 10.
  • the electric motor 48 drives directly via a gear 52 via a connection, not shown a the rollers 40 of the lower limit 28 at.
  • the electric motor 50 drives via a gear 54 to a belt 56, which is guided over a plurality of pulleys 58 and a plurality of rollers 40 of the upper limit 30 drives.
  • the spacing of the lower boundary 28 and the upper boundary 30 in the area 60 adjacent to the filling section 6 (see FIG. 1) of the device 1 is constantly parallel, so that there is no compression of the mass flow of cigarettes in this area. Also, the elasticity of the bands 38 is such that there is no load on the lower 28 or upper limit 30 touching cigarettes in the mass flow.
  • the operation of the feeder 10 is otherwise as in known mass flow conveyors.
  • Fig. 2 shows that the beginning of 62 of the filling 6 ending lower limit 28 is provided at its end 34 with wedge-shaped extensions 64 to a continuous transition of the mass flow from the feed device 10 and in particular from the lower limit 28 to the in FIG 2 to enable the floor 66 of the container 2, which is shown in a raised position, to be opened.
  • a deflection roller 68 located at the end 34 for the bands 34 'forming the end 34 is reduced in diameter, so that the bands 38' can be brought as close as possible to the tips 70 of the wedges 64, around here a burden of To avoid cigarettes by an uneven transition into the container 2.
  • the means 12 for filling the containers 2 with the cigarettes from the continuous mass flow comprise the just described, generated by the wedges 64 and by the reduced diameter rollers 68 continuous transition of the lower boundary 28 of the mass flow in the beginning 62 of the Be Stirllumble 6.
  • Die Means 12 further comprise lowering means 72 for lowering a remaining in the individual container 2 bottom 66 of the container 2 relative to this container 2.
  • the lowering 72 are provided in the region of the filling 6 and form in the region of the filling 6 a forced guidance for in the containers 2 remaining floors 66 of the container 2.
  • the lowering means 72 comprise for this purpose a positive guide 74.
  • the forced guide 74 consists of a with its open side the containers 2 facing U-profile 76.
  • the profile 76 is in its course according to FIG arranged laterally of the filling line 6 for the container 2, there it forms a substantially parallel to the upper boundary 30 in the region of the filling 6 constraining guide 74th Only at the beginning 62 of the filling section 6 and at the end 78 of the filling 6, the forced operation 74 bends slightly into the horizontal to make the caused by the positive guide 74 lowering the container bottom 66 at the beginning 62 and at the end 78 of the filling 6 softer.
  • the operation of the means 12 is the following:
  • the container bottom 66 of a container 2 To be able to lower the container bottom 66 of a container 2, this is initially by suitable measures - it would, for example, a second (not shown) forced operation for lifting the container bottom conceivable - as shown in FIG. 1 raised to the upper open end 80 of the container 2, as it can be seen on the container 2 shown on the far right in FIG.
  • the container for the purpose of positive guidance by the forced operation 74 in particular in parallel to the end faces 81 in the side walls 82 of the container 2 arranged slit-like apertures extending from the upper end 80 of the container 2 to the lower end 86 of the container 2.
  • the container 2 shown in Figure 1 have six such slot-like openings 84; however, any other number is also conceivable. In these slots 84 outwardly projecting extensions of the container bottom 66, which are formed here by rollers 88, move up and down.
  • the forced operation 74 can Rollers 88 of the container bottom which are in the U-shaped profile 76 of the positive guide 74 press steadily downwards and thus also move the container bottom 66 downwards in accordance with the course of the forced operation 74.
  • the positive guide 74 is arranged parallel to the upper boundary 30 of the feed device 10 such that there is no compression or flow apart of lying between the container bottom 66 and the upper boundary 30 mass flow of cigarettes.
  • the means 12 for filling the containers 2 moreover comprise joining means 92.
  • the joining means 92 which are clearly visible in particular in FIG. 3, comprise an addition to the arrival and Aborband 14 provided Container 2 in the region of the filling path 6 positively leading second, horizontally moving conveyor belt 94.
  • the second conveyor belt 94 runs opposite to the arrival and Abinneband 14 with lower conveying speed.
  • the second conveyor belt 94 consists essentially of a belt 96, and arranged on the belt 96 transaxially and longitudinally of the belt 96 spaced guide pins 98.
  • the second conveyor belt 94 may alternatively be formed as a chain.
  • the belt 94 runs as an endless belt over two deflection rollers 100 and 102 at the beginning 62 and at the end 78 of the filling path 6.
  • the pulley 102 is driven via a drive shaft 104, a drive shaft 104 driving belt 106 and the belt 106 via a gear 108 driving electric motor 110.
  • the containers 2 are to transmit the slower conveying speed of the second conveyor belt 94 to the container 2 standing on the first conveyor belt 14.
  • the container 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 provided on the bottom 86 in the side walls 82 of the container 2 recesses 112.
  • the containers 2 also have in the end faces 81 also at the lower end 86 thereof provided recesses 114, in which the belt 96 of the second conveyor belt 94 comes to rest when the container 2 the flat belt 16 of the first conveyor belt 14 stand.
  • the function of the merging agent 92 is the following:
  • the containers 2 are conveyed by the supply and removal belt 14 on the flat belt 16 standing at a certain speed in the direction of the filling path 6.
  • the recess 114 of each container 2 receives the belt 96 of the second conveyor belt 94.
  • the belt 96 moves with respect to the flat belt 16 at a lower fraudgescti york. This means that after a certain period of time, a container 2 is moved relative to the belt 96 until a guide pin 98 comes to rest in its recess 112. At this moment, the container 2 is braked by the guide pin 98 in the recess 112 to the slower conveying speed of the belt 96.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 show one of the containers 2 from FIG. 1 in a perspective detail view.
  • a front portion 116 of the bottom 66 is already partially lowered by the positive guide 74 (not shown in FIG. 4) according to FIGS. 1 to 3.
  • the bottom 66 forms a continuous surface for the cigarettes to be picked up.
  • the bottom 66 is formed in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the bottom 66 of successively arranged members 118.
  • the links 118 are mounted on axles 120 at their ends facing the end faces 81 of the container 2. In this case, two adjacent links 118 are always mounted in pairs on an axle 120.
  • the members 118 themselves consist in turn of four side by side, parallel to each other and spaced-apart member elements 122nd
  • FIG. 5 shows the container 2 according to FIG. 4 in a view in which the side walls 82 and one of the end faces 81 are partially cut open in order to be able to make the bottom 66 completely lowered to the lower end 86 of the container 2 visible.
  • Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of a container 2 according to the invention, in which at the upper end 80 and at the lower end 86 at the respective ends of the side walls 82 projections 124 extend perpendicular to the end faces 81 of the container.
  • FIGS. 7 to 9 show the members 118 used in the containers 2 according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 to 6 in different detail views.
  • Fig. 7 shows two members 118, each with four mutually parallel rod-shaped link elements 122.
  • the link elements 122 are on the axes 120 with game stored.
  • the link elements 122 have openings 128 at their ends 126.
  • the axes 120 are mounted, wherein the diameter of the lying in the openings 128 sections 130 of the axes 120 is smaller than the width of the openings 128.
  • the diameter of the axes 120 is selected so that along the axes 120 between give the link elements 122 as possible no steps.
  • the rollers 88 are attached.
  • the rollers 88 are connected via a profile 134 with the ends 132 of the axes 120 to prevent tilting of the axes 120 in the slots 84 of the container 2.
  • FIG. 8 shows the two links 118 according to FIG. 7 in a state in which the third link element 122 has been omitted from the right in each case, and the fourth link element 122 seen from the right has been detached from at least one axis 120. 8 clearly shows the diameter and cross section of the axis 120 alternating along the axis 120. In the regions 130 of reduced cross section, the cross section is dog-bone-shaped, while in the remaining regions 136 it is almost circular.
  • FIG. 9 shows the links 118 of FIG. 8 in a side view.
  • the dogbone shape of the sections of the axles 120 located in the openings 128 is shown in cross section.
  • lugs 138 are arranged on the axle 120 at the ends of the links 118 which are immediately adjacent to the end faces 81 of the containers 2.
  • the lugs 138 are fixedly connected to the axle 120.
  • Container 2 are supplied to the filling line 6 with the aid of the feed device 14. At the same time cigarettes are conveyed in a mass flow between the lower boundary 28 and the upper boundary 30 of the feed device 10 of the filling.
  • the cigarettes moving substantially in the same sense of direction with the containers 2 in the mass flow of the feeder 10 can be filled into the containers 2 as mass flow virtually without honeycomb formation since the bottoms 66 of the containers 2 pass through the filling section 6 during the passage through the filling section 6 be continuously reduced by means of a positive guide 74 for the bottoms 66 in accordance with the amount of cigarettes to be absorbed from the mass flow until the containers 2 are completely filled.

Landscapes

  • Manufacturing Of Cigar And Cigarette Tobacco (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
  • Control And Other Processes For Unpacking Of Materials (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for filling containers (2) with bar-shaped articles in the tobacco industry. Said method comprises the following steps: the containers are guided along a filling line (6), the articles are advanced towards the filling line, the containers are filled during the journey along the filling line. The invention is characterised in that the articles are introduced into the container in a continuous mass flow. Said method is also reversible: the inventive method and corresponding device can be used for emptying the containers. The invention also relates to a container for transporting bar-shaped articles in the tobacco industry, whereby the container comprises a non-liftable base (66). The invention is also characterised in that the base is at least partially displaceable with respect to the container.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruches 1, eine Vorrichtung nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruches 13 und einen Behälter nach dem Oberbegriff des Anspruches 23.The invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1, a device according to the preamble of claim 13 and a container according to the preamble of claim 23.

Unter "stabförmige Artikel der tabakverarbeitenden Industrie" werden hier insbesondere Zigaretten, Filterzigaretten und Filterstäbe verstanden. Der Einfachheit halber wird im folgenden nur noch von Zigaretten gesprochen.By "rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry" is meant in particular cigarettes, filter cigarettes and filter rods. For the sake of simplicity, only cigarettes will be discussed below.

In der tabakverarbeitenden Industrie werden die Zigaretten für den Transport von den Produktionsmaschinen zu den Packmaschinen in Behälter, die im Stand der Technik als Schragen bezeichnet werden, gepackt. Zu diesem Zweck sind spezielle Befüllvorrichtungen entwickelt worden. Das Befüllen der Schragen geschieht dabei zumeist von der Seite her, wobei die quaderförmigen Schragen zur Seite hin offen sind. Dabei werden die Zigaretten entweder Einzellage für Einzellage in den Schragen geschoben oder in mehreren zuvor gebildeten Teilvorräten eingeschoben. Eine Vorrichtung bzw. ein Verfahren der genannten Art ist aus der eigenen DE-OS 21 45 133 bekannt. Da die Schragen zum Entleeren auch nach oben hin offen ausgebildet sind, können Sie auch von oben her befüllt werden, wie dies beispielsweise in der eigenen DE 31 03 836 beschrieben ist.In the tobacco processing industry, the cigarettes are packed for transport from the production machines to the packing machines into containers known in the art as trays. Special filling devices have been developed for this purpose. The filling of the Schragen happens mostly from the side, the cuboid Schragen are open to the side. The cigarettes are either single layer for single layer in pushed the tray or inserted in several previously formed part inventories. A device or a method of the type mentioned is from its own DE-OS 21 45 133 known. Since the trays are designed to be emptied open at the top, you can also be filled from above, as for example in your own DE 31 03 836 is described.

Die Schragen können dann zwischengelagert oder direkt entsprechenden Packmaschinen zum Verpacken der Zigaretten zugeführt werden. Beim Transport werden die Zigaretten am seitlichen Herausfallen aus den Schragen nur durch die Schwerkraft und die daraus resultierende gegenseitige Reibung zwischen den Zigaretten gehindert. Da die Zigaretten jedoch sehr leicht sind, wird das Herausfallen weiter durch leichtes Verkippen der Schragen während des Transportes erschwert. Zum Transport der schräggestellten Schragen sind aber spezielle Vorrichtungen notwendig.The trays can then be stored temporarily or fed directly to corresponding packaging machines for packing the cigarettes. During transport, the cigarettes are prevented from falling sideways out of the trays only by gravity and the resulting mutual friction between the cigarettes. However, as the cigarettes are very light, falling out is further complicated by slight tilting of the trays during transport. However, special devices are necessary for transporting the inclined slopes.

Zum Entleeren der Zigaretten aus den Schragen in die Magazine der Packmaschinen sind wiederum spezielle Entleervorrichtungen notwendig. Diese sogenannten Schragenentleerer verkippen die Schragen um 180° und Entleeren die Zigaretten durch die obere Öffnung der Schragen in das Magazin der Packmaschine. Eine derartige Vorrichtung, die einen Schragenkippmechanismus aufweist, ist beispielsweise aus der eigenen DE 16 32 204 bekannt.For emptying the cigarettes from the trays in the magazines of packing machines special emptying devices are again necessary. These so-called tray emptiers tilt the trays by 180 ° and emptying the cigarettes through the upper opening of the Schragen in the magazine of the packing machine. Such a device, which has a Schrägenkippmechanismus is, for example, from their own DE 16 32 204 known.

Nachteilig im Stand der Technik ist es, daß zum Befüllen, zum Transportieren und zum Entleeren der Schragen jeweils unterschiedliche und speziell ausgebildete Vorrichtungen notwendig sind. Darüber hinaus müssen die Schragen sowohl beim Befüllen als auch beim Entleeren derselben einzeln behandelt werden, wodurch die Leistungsfähigkeit derartiger Anlagen begrenzt ist.A disadvantage of the prior art is that for filling, transporting and emptying the Schragen each different and specially designed devices are necessary. In addition, the casings must be treated individually during both filling and emptying, which limits the performance of such equipment.

Aus der DE 14 32 733 sind zwar Behälter bekannt, die in einer lückenlosen Behälterreihe befüllt werden können; eine Entleerung der dort verwendeten Behälter ist jedoch ebenfalls nur Behälter für Behälter möglich. Darüber hinaus werden die Zigaretten in diesem Stand der Technik beim Befüllen aus einem einlagigen Zigarettenstrom bzw. einem diesem Strom nachgeschalteten Puffer den Behältern zugeführt, was die Leistungsfähigkeit dieser bekannten Vorrichtung ebenfalls begrenzt.From the DE 14 32 733 Although containers are known that can be filled in a complete row of containers; However, emptying of the containers used there is also only containers for containers possible. In addition, the Cigarettes in this prior art supplied to the containers when filling from a single-layer cigarette stream or a buffer downstream of this stream, which also limits the performance of this known device.

Aus dem US 5,743,067 ist es bekannt, Einzelzigaretten über Schächte in einen mit einem insgesamt absenkbaren Boden versehenen Behälter herabzulassen. Aus der GB 2 008 526 ist es bekannt, Behälter mit stabförmigen Artikeln der tabakverarbeitenden Industrie zu befüllen, wobei sowohl die Behälter als auch die Artikel der Befüllstrecke zugefördert werden, sodass die Behälter während des Durchlaufens der Befüllstrecke von oben mit dem Massenstrom beschickt werden können. Die Erfindung geht von diesem nächstliegenden Stand der Technik aus.From the US 5,743,067 It is known to lower individual cigarettes via manholes in a container provided with a total lowerable bottom container. From the GB 2 008 526 It is known to fill containers with rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, wherein both the container and the articles of the filling line are conveyed, so that the containers can be fed during the passage of the filling line from above with the mass flow. The invention is based on this closest prior art.

Aus der WO 94/13161 ist ein Behälter zum Transportieren von stabförmigen Artikeln der tabakverarbeitenden Industrie bekannt, mit einem im Behälter verbleibenden Boden, wobei der Boden mindestens abschnittsweise relativ zum Behälter ungleichmäßig bewegbar ist.From the WO 94/13161 For example, a container for transporting rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry is known, with a bottom remaining in the container, wherein the bottom is at least partially non-uniformly movable relative to the container.

Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, Verfahren, Vorrichtungen und Behälter der eingangs genannten Art zur Verfügung zu stellen, die ein gegenüber dem Stand der Technik leistungsfähigeres und flexibleres Befüllen von Behältern zum Transportieren der Zigaretten ermöglichen.Object of the present invention is to provide methods, devices and containers of the type mentioned are available, which enable over the prior art more efficient and flexible filling of containers for transporting cigarettes.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch ein Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1, eine Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 12 und einen Behälter gemäß Anspruch 22 gelöst. Die Vorteile der Erfindung liegen insbesondere darin, daß aufgrund des Befüllens der sich in einer bevorzugt lückenlosen Behälterreihe befindenden Behälter aus einem, bevorzugt in der gleichen Richtung verlaufenden, kontinuierlichen, d.h. ununterbrochenen, Massenstrom eine erheblich leistungsfähigere Befüllung von Behältern mit Zigaretten erreicht werden kann. Denn durch die lückenlose Behälterreihe ist es möglich, die Zigaretten aus dem Massenstrom nahezu ohne Lückenbildung in die Behälter zu füllen.This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1, an apparatus according to claim 12 and a container according to claim 22. The advantages of the invention are, in particular, that due to the filling of the container located in a preferably gapless row of containers, one, preferably in the same direction, is continuous, ie. Uninterrupted, mass flow can be achieved a significantly more efficient filling of containers with cigarettes. Because of the gapless row of containers, it is possible to fill the cigarettes from the mass flow with virtually no gap formation in the container.

Die Erfindung schließt die Erkenntnis ein, daß insbesondere aufgrund des in einem spitzen Winkel aufeinander zulaufenden Zusammenführens von Massenstrom aus Zigaretten und ununterbrochenem Behälterstrom eine besonders schonende, schnelle und eine nahezu perfekte Anordnung von Zigaretten in den Behältern ermöglichende Befüllung der Behälter verwirklicht wird. Dabei hat es sich herausgestellt daß die Bewegungsrichtung des Behälterstromes mit der Bewegungsrichtung des Massenstromes aus Zigaretten einen spitzen Winkel von weniger als 40°, weiter bevorzugt weniger als 30°, einschließen sollte, um die Leistungsfähigkeit eines derartigen Verfahrens zu maximieren.The invention includes the realization that, in particular due to the merging of mass flow of cigarettes and uninterrupted container flow converging at an acute angle, a particularly gentle, fast and almost perfect arrangement of cigarettes in the containers enabling filling of the container is realized. It has been found that the direction of movement of the container stream with the direction of movement of the mass flow of cigarettes should include an acute angle of less than 40 °, more preferably less than 30 °, in order to maximize the performance of such a process.

Die Erfindung schließt weiterhin die Erkenntnis ein, daß aufgrund des beweglichen Bodens der Behälter bzw. des kontinuierlichen Absenkens des Behälterbodens während des Durchlaufens einer Befüllstrecke - mit Hilfe einer entsprechenden an einer Befüllstrecke angeordneten Absenkvorrichtung für den Boden - die Zigaretten schonend und kontinuierlich und vor allem auch aus einem Massenstrom in die einzelnen Behälter einfüllbar sind. Darüber hinaus wird durch den vorteilhaft mit der Erfindung verbundenen kontinuierlichen Übergang des Massenstromes der Zigaretten in den eigentlichen Befüllvorgang und schließlich in die Behälter selbst eine Richtungsänderung der Zigaretten überflüssig. Auch wird hierdurch eine erhebliche Geschwindigkeitserhöhung derartiger Vorrichtungen erzielt.The invention further includes the knowledge that due to the movable Bottom of the container or the continuous lowering of the container bottom during the passage of a filling - with the help of a corresponding arranged on a Befüllstrecke lowering device for the ground - the cigarettes gently and continuously and above all from a mass flow in the individual containers are filled. In addition, due to the advantageous associated with the invention continuous transition of the mass flow of cigarettes in the actual filling and finally in the container itself a change in direction of the cigarettes superfluous. This also achieves a significant increase in the speed of such devices.

Weiterhin wird durch das Absenken des Bodens der Behälter erreicht, daß das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren reversibel ausführbar ist, indem einfach der Behälterboden mit derselben, jedoch rückwärtslaufenden Vorrichtung angehoben wird und somit der Behälter entleert wird. Daher ist aufgrund der Erfindung nur noch eine Vorrichtung notwendig, um sowohl das Befüllen als auch das Entleeren der Behälter durchzuführen.Furthermore, by lowering the bottom of the container is achieved that the inventive method is reversible executable by simply the container bottom is raised with the same, but backward-running device and thus the container is emptied. Therefore, due to the invention, only one device is required to perform both the filling and the emptying of the container.

Im folgenden seien einige vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens, der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung und des erfindungsgemäßen Behälters genannt.In the following, some advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention, the device according to the invention and the container according to the invention are mentioned.

Als besonders vorteilhaft hat es sich erwiesen, wenn bei dem Verfahren der Boden des Behälters derart abgesenkt wird, daß sich ein gleichbleibender Abstand zwischen dem Boden und der dem Boden abgewandten Begrenzung des Massenstromes während des Aufenthaltes der Befüllstrecke ergibt. Hierdurch wird ein Zusammendrücken des Massenstromes während des Befüllvorganges auf der Befüllstrecke vermieden. Auch sollten die Artikel generell queraxial zur Längsachse der Behälter den Behältern--zugeführt und in diese gefüllt werden, um den Massenstrom aus Zigaretten in der aus der Zigarettenindustrie bekannten Art und Weise bis zu der Befüllstrecke führen und in die Behälter versenken zu können.It has proven to be particularly advantageous if in the method of the bottom of the container is lowered so that there is a constant distance between the bottom and the bottom of the boundary facing away from the mass flow during the stay of the Befüllstrecke. As a result, compression of the mass flow during the filling process on the filling line is avoided. Also, the articles should generally cross-axial to the longitudinal axis of the container - the containers - fed and filled in this, to lead the mass flow of cigarettes in the manner known from the cigarette industry to the filling line and sink into the container can.

Bei der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Befüllen eines Behälters mit Zigaretten weisen die Mittel zum Befüllen der Behälter mit den Zigaretten aus einem kontinuierlichen Massenstrom Mittel zum Absenken eines im Behälter verbleibenden Bodens des Behälters relativ zum Behälter auf. Diese Mittel zum Absenken sind bevorzugt im Bereich der Befüllstrecke vorgesehen und weisen weiter bevorzugt eine Zwangsführung für den Boden des Behälters im Bereich der Befüllstrecke auf. Diese Zwangsführung kann beispielsweise seitlich der Befüllstrecke angeordnete Führungen zum Führen des Bodens des Behälters aufweisen, in welche Führungen entsprechende Nasen oder Rollen, die parallel zu den Stirnseiten des Behälters beweglich sind, eingreifen können. Diese Nasen oder Rollen sind dann mit dem Boden des Behälters verbunden. Auf diese Weise läßt sich die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung besonders einfach realisieren.In the device according to the invention for filling a container with cigarettes, the means for filling the container with the cigarettes from a continuous mass flow means for lowering a remaining in the container bottom of the container relative to the container. These means for lowering are preferably provided in the region of the filling section and more preferably have a forced guidance for the bottom of the container in the region of the filling section. This forced operation may have, for example, laterally of the Befüllstrecke arranged guides for guiding the bottom of the container, in which guides corresponding lugs or rollers which are movable parallel to the end faces of the container, can intervene. These noses or rollers are then connected to the bottom of the container. In this way, the device according to the invention can be realized particularly easily.

Die Zwangsführung ist bevorzugt derart ausgebildet, daß sie parallel zu einer der Befüllstrecke abgewandten Begrenzung für die Zigaretten in der Zufördereinrichtung angeordnet ist. Auf diese Weise kommt es in, der Vorrichtung nicht zu einem Zusammendrücken des Massenstromes während des Befüllvorganges auf der Befüllstrecke.The forced operation is preferably designed such that it is arranged parallel to a filling line remote from the limit for the cigarettes in the feed device. In this way, it does not occur in the device to a compression of the mass flow during the filling process on the Befüllstrecke.

In einer besonders bevorzugten Ausführungsform sind darüber hinaus Mittel zum Bilden einer lückenlosen Behälterreihe zumindest im Bereich der Befüllstrecke vorgesehen, welche Mittel bevorzugt ein zusätzlich zu einem An- und Abförderband für die Behälter zu und von der Befüllstrecke vorgesehenes, die Behälter zumindest im Bereich der Befüllstrecke zwangsführendes zweites Förderband, welches weiter bevorzugt gegenüber dem Zu- und Abförderband mit geringerer Geschwindigkeit läuft, umfassen. Das somit gegenüber dem die Behälter in einer Zwangsführung fördernden zweiten Förderband mit erhöhter Geschwindigkeit laufende erste Förderband drückt die Behälter im Bereich der Befüllstrecke aneinander, so daß eine lückenlose Behälterreihe entsteht. Nach Verlassen der Befüllstrecke endet die Zwangsführung. Daher kann das schnellerlaufende erste Förderband die befüllten Behälter von der Befüllstrecke bzw. von dem in Förderrichtung hinter dem befülltenIn a particularly preferred embodiment, moreover, means are provided for forming a gapless row of containers at least in the region of the filling section, which means preferably a container additionally at least in the region of the filling path foreseen in addition to a supply and Abförderband for the container to and from the Befüllstrecke second conveyor belt, which more preferably runs at a lower speed relative to the supply and Abförderband include. The thus opposite to the container in a positive guide promotional second conveyor belt at an increased speed first conveyor belt presses the container in the region of the filling line to each other, so that a gapless container row is formed. After leaving the Befüllstrecke the forced operation ends. Therefore, the faster running first conveyor belt, the filled containers from the filling line or from behind the filled in the conveying direction

Behälter liegenden Behälter wegbeschleunigen. Hierdurch läßt sich die für die Weiterverarbeitung und gegebenenfalls erforderliche Vereinzelung der Behälter nötige Beabstandung zwischen den beiden Behältern herstellen.Accelerate container lying container away. As a result, it is possible to produce the spacing between the two containers which is necessary for further processing and, if necessary, required separation of the containers.

In einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung ist der Boden des Behälters aus in Längserstreckung des Bodens hintereinander angeordneten Gliedern aufgebaut, die paarweise miteinander verbunden sind. Auf diese Weise läßt sich der flexible und bewegliche Boden besonders einfach realisieren. Dabei sind benachbarte Glieder durch paarweise Lagerung auf einer gemeinsamen Achse miteinander verbunden, welche Achse bevorzugt gleichzeitig durch entsprechende zu den Stirnseiten der Behälter parallel verlaufende Schlitze in den Seitenwänden des Behälters nach außen ragt und somit in Eingriff mit der Zwangsführung für den Boden gelangen kann. Die Achsen können an ihren außerhalb des Behälters liegenden Enden auch kleine Rollen tragen, die in der Zwangsführung laufen.In one embodiment of the invention, the bottom of the container is constructed in the longitudinal extension of the bottom of successively arranged members which are connected in pairs. In this way, the flexible and movable floor can be particularly easy to implement. In this case, adjacent members are connected to each other by paired storage on a common axis, which axis preferably simultaneously protrudes through corresponding to the end faces of the container parallel slots in the side walls of the container to the outside and thus can enter into engagement with the positive guide for the ground. The axles can also carry small rollers at their ends located outside the container, which run in the forced operation.

Weiter ist es bei den erfindungsgemäßen Behältern vorteilhaft, wenn die angesprochenen Glieder des Bodens auf der gemeinsamen Achse mit Spiel gelagert sind. Auf diese Weise wird es ermöglicht, daß bei dem Absenken nur eines Teils des Bodens oder bei einer Schrägstellung des Bodens im Verlauf der Befüllstrecke die mit einer Schrägstellung inhärent verbundene Verlängerung des Bodens im Bereich der Befestigung der Glieder an den gemeinsamen Achsen ausgeglichen werden kann. Zu diesem Zweck sind in den Gliedern die Achsen umfassende Durchbrüche vorgesehen. Dabei sind zumindest die in den Durchbrüchen liegenden Abschnitte der angesprochenen Achsen kleiner als die Weite der Durchbrüche, um das Spiel zu ermöglichen. Dabei können die Achsen im Querschnitt hundeknochenförmig ausgebildet sein, wodurch die Drehfähigkeit der derart gelagerten Glieder um diese Achsen erhöht wird, aber ein vertikales Schlackern vermieden wird.Further, it is advantageous in the containers according to the invention, when the mentioned members of the soil are supported on the common axis with play. In this way it is possible that when lowering only a portion of the soil or in an inclined position of the soil in the course of the Befüllstrecke which inherently associated with an inclination extension of the soil in the region of attachment of the members can be compensated for the common axes. For this purpose, the axes are provided in the limbs comprehensive breakthroughs. In this case, at least lying in the apertures sections of the mentioned axes are smaller than the width of the apertures to allow the game. In this case, the axes may be dog-bone-shaped in cross-section, whereby the rotational capability of the members mounted in such a way is increased about these axes, but a vertical slag is avoided.

Weitere vorteilhafte Ausführungen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprüchen angegeben.Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

Anhand der Zeichnung werden nun Ausführungsbeispiele der Erfindung beschrieben.Reference to the drawings, embodiments of the invention will now be described.

Die Zeichnung zeigt:

Fig. 1
eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
Fig. 2
einen Ausschnitt der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1;
Fig. 3
die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 in einer Darstellung ohne Behälter, jedoch mit Antrieben für die Vorrichtung;
Fig. 4
einen der in der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 verwendeten Behälter in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;
Fig. 5
der Behälter gemäß Fig. 4 mit teilweise geöffneten Seitenwänden;
Fig. 6
eine zweite Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters;
Fig. 7
eine perspektivische und vergrößerte Detailansicht der Glieder des Bodens des Behälters gemäß Fig. 4;
Fig. 8
die Ansicht gemäß Fig. 7 mit teilweise von den Achsen gelösten Glieder; und
Fig. 9
eine Seitenansicht der Darstellung gemäß Fig. 8, wobei jedoch in jedem Glied die entsprechenden Achsen zur Verdeutlichung der Funktion dargestellt sind.
The drawing shows:
Fig. 1
a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention;
Fig. 2
a detail of the device of FIG. 1;
Fig. 3
the device of Figure 1 in a representation without container, but with drives for the device.
Fig. 4
one of the containers used in the apparatus of Figure 1 in a perspective view.
Fig. 5
the container of Figure 4 with partially open side walls.
Fig. 6
a second embodiment of a container according to the invention;
Fig. 7
a perspective and enlarged detail view of the members of the bottom of the container of FIG. 4;
Fig. 8
the view of Figure 7 with partially detached from the axes links. and
Fig. 9
a side view of the illustration of FIG. 8, but in each member, the corresponding axes are shown to illustrate the function.

Fig. 1 zeigt eine perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung 1. Die Vorrichtung dient zum Befüllen von Behältern 2 mit nicht dargestellten Zigaretten. Die Vorrichtung 1 kann jedoch auch zum Befüllen der Behälter 2 mit anderen Artikeln der tabakverarbeitenden Industrie verwendet werden.Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention 1. The device is used for filling containers 2 with cigarettes, not shown. However, the device 1 can also be used to fill the containers 2 with other articles of the tobacco processing industry.

Die in der Fig. 1 schematisch dargestellte Vorrichtung 1 weist eine Montageplatte 4 auf, an der die im folgenden beschriebenen Bestandteile der Vorrichtung 1 mit nicht dargestellten, jedoch üblichen Befestigungsmitteln befestigt sind. Weiterhin weist die Vorrichtung 1 eine Befüllstrecke 6 zum Befüllen der Behälter 2, eine Zuführeinrichtung zum Zuführen der Behälter 2 zu der Befüllstrecke 6, eine Zufördereinrichtung 10 zum Zufördern der Zigaretten zu der Befüllstrecke 6, und Mittel 12 zum Befüllen der Behälter 2 mit von der Zufördereinrichtung 10 zugeförderten Zigaretten aus einem kontinuierlichen (nicht dargestellten) Massenstrom aus Zigaretten. Die vorgenannten Bestandteile der Vorrichtung 1 werden im folgenden genauer beschrieben. Die verwendeten Behälter 2 werden weiter unten anhand der Fig. 4 bis 9 genauer beschrieben.The device 1 shown schematically in Fig. 1 comprises a mounting plate 4, to which the components of the device 1 described below are attached with not shown, but conventional fastening means. Furthermore, the apparatus 1 has a filling line 6 for filling the containers 2, a feed device for feeding the containers 2 to the filling line 6, a feed device 10 for feeding the cigarettes to the filling line 6, and means 12 for filling the containers 2 with the feed device 10 conveyed cigarettes from a continuous (not shown) mass flow of cigarettes. The aforementioned components of the device 1 will be described in more detail below. The containers 2 used will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9.

Die Zuführeinrichtung 8 zum Zuführen der Behälter 2 zu der Befüllstrecke weist gemäß den Fig. 1, 2 und 3 ein erstes An- und Abförderband 14 auf. Das An- und Abförderband 14 besteht aus mehreren, hintereinander gereihten Abschnitten, von denen in den Fig. 1, 2 und 3 nur ein Abschnitt dargestellt ist. Das An- und Abförderband 14 weist (siehe vor allem Fig. 3) ein als eigentliches Förderband dienendes, horizontal laufendes Endlosband 16 und Walzen 18 und 20 auf, um die das Endlosband 16 umläuft. Zum Antreiben des An- und Abförderbandes 14 wird die zweite Walze 20 über einen Riemen 22 und ein Getriebe 24 von einem Elektromotor 26 angetrieben.The feeding device 8 for feeding the containers 2 to the filling line has, according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a first supply and removal belt 14. The arrival and Abförderband 14 consists of several, one behind the other rows, of which in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, only a portion is shown. The supply and removal belt 14 has (see especially Fig. 3) serving as an actual conveyor belt, horizontally running endless belt 16 and rollers 18 and 20 around which the endless belt 16 rotates. To drive the supply and removal belt 14, the second roller 20 is driven by a motor 26 via a belt 22 and a gear 24.

Die Funktion des An- und Abförderbandes 14 ist folgende:The function of the supply and removal belt 14 is the following:

Zum An- und Abfördern der Behälter 2 werden diese auf das Endlosband 16 verbracht und durch Reibschluß der Unterseite der Behälter 2 mit Oberfläche des Endlosbandes 16 von dem Endlosband 16 mitgenommen, wie dies in der Fig. 1 schematisch mit Hilfe von vier sich hintereinander auf dem An- und Abförderband 14 befindenden Behältern 2 dargestellt ist. Das An- und Abförderband 14 fördert die Behälter 2 zum Befüllen derselben (siehe Fig. 1 bis 3) von rechts nach links durch die Befüllstrecke 6 hindurch.For delivery and removal of the container 2, these are spent on the endless belt 16 and by frictional engagement of the underside of the container 2 with the surface of the Endless belt 16 is taken along by the endless belt 16, as shown schematically in FIG. 1 with the aid of four containers 2 arranged behind one another on the supply and removal belt 14. The supply and discharge belt 14 conveys the containers 2 for filling the same (see FIGS. 1 to 3) from right to left through the filling path 6.

Die Zufördereinrichtung 10 zum Zufördern der Zigaretten zu der Befüllstrecke 6 bildet vertikal oberhalb des An- und Abförderbandes 14 einen i.w. parallel zu dem An- und Abförderband 14, aber stetig auf diesen zulaufenden Massenstromförderer für die Zigaretten. Der Massenstromförderer 10 weist eine untere Begrenzung 28 und eine obere Begrenzung 30 auf. Der Massenstrom aus Zigaretten bewegt sich zwischen der unteren Begrenzung 28 und der oberen Begrenzung 30 in der Fig. 1 bis 3 ebenfalls von rechts nach links, d.h. von dem rechts dargestellten Beginn 32 der Zufördereinrichtung 10 bis zu der Einmündung des Massenstromes zwischen Enden 34 und 36 der unteren bzw. oberen Begrenzungen 28 bzw. 30 der Zufördereinrichtung 10 in die Befüllstrecke 6.The feed device 10 for feeding the cigarettes to the filling line 6 forms vertically above the supply and discharge belt 14 an i.w. parallel to the arrival and Abförderband 14, but steadily on this incoming mass flow conveyor for the cigarettes. The mass flow conveyor 10 has a lower boundary 28 and an upper boundary 30. The mass flow of cigarettes also moves from right to left between lower limit 28 and upper limit 30 in Figs. 1-3. from the beginning 32 shown on the right of the feed device 10 to the confluence of the mass flow between ends 34 and 36 of the lower and upper boundaries 28 and 30 of the feed device 10 in the filling path. 6

Sowohl die untere Begrenzung 28 als auch die obere Begrenzung 30 werden durch die Oberflächen von kurzen Bändern 38 gebildet, die beabstandet zueinander als Endlosbänder um jeweils vier Walzen 40 geführt sind. Dabei sind gemäß den Fig. 1 und 2 jeweils vier Bänder 38 parallel zueinander beabstandet zueinander angeordnet. In den durch die Beabstandung gebildeten Lücken 42 werden weitere Bänder 38' geführt, die derart versetzt zueinander angeordnet sind, daß sie nur das äußere Walzenpaar 44 der vier Walzen 40 umfassen, während sie gleichzeitig das benachbart zu dem äußeren Walzenpaar 44 liegende Walzenpaar 46 der nächsten vier Walzen 40' umfassen. Auf diese Weise ergibt sich eine abwechselnd von jeweils sieben, dann vier, dann wieder sieben, dann drei, dann wieder 7, dann wieder vier usw. parallel angeordneten Bändern gebildete Oberfläche der oberen Begrenzung 30. Die untere Begrenzung 28 ist entsprechend aufgebaut.Both the lower boundary 28 and the upper boundary 30 are formed by the surfaces of short bands 38, which are spaced from each other as endless belts are guided by four rollers 40. In this case, according to FIGS. 1 and 2 each four bands 38 are arranged parallel to each other at a distance from one another. In the gaps formed by the spacing 42 further bands 38 'are guided, which are arranged offset from one another so that they include only the outer pair of rollers 44 of the four rollers 40, while at the same time lying adjacent to the outer pair of rollers 44 roller pair 46 of the next four rollers 40 'include. In this way, an alternately of seven, then four, then again seven, then three, then again 7, then again four, etc. arranged in parallel bands surface of the upper boundary 30. The lower boundary 28 is constructed accordingly.

Gleichzeitig wird durch die in Förderrichtung versetzt auf den Walzen 40, 40'vorgenommene Anordnung der Bänder 38 die Rotationsbewegung einer Walze 40 auf alle anderen benachbarten Walzen 40, 40' der Begrenzungen 30 bzw. 28 übertragen, so daß nur eine der Walzen 40, 40' der Begrenzungen 30 bzw. 28 angetrieben werden muß. Dies ist näher in der Fig. 3 dargestellt. Fig. 3 zeigt den in der Fig. 1 zur Verdeutlichung weggelassenen Elektromotor 48 zum Antreiben der unteren Begrenzung 28 und den Elektromotor 50 zum Antreiben der oberen Begrenzung 30 der Zufördereinrichtung 10. Der Elektromotor 48 treibt direkt über ein Getriebe 52 über eine nicht dargestellte Verbindung eine der Walzen 40 der unteren Begrenzung 28 an. Der Elektromotor 50 treibt über ein Getriebe 54 einen Riemen 56 an, welcher über eine Vielzahl von Umlenkrollen 58 geführt ist und mehrere der Walzen 40 der oberen Begrenzung 30 antreibt.At the same time, by the offset in the conveying direction on the rollers 40, 40 'vor taken arrangement of the belts 38, the rotational movement of a roller 40 to all other adjacent rollers 40, 40' of the boundaries 30 and 28 transmitted, so that only one of the rollers 40, 40 'of the boundaries 30 and 28 must be driven. This is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. Fig. 3 shows the omitted in Fig. 1 for clarity electric motor 48 for driving the lower limit 28 and the electric motor 50 for driving the upper limit 30 of the feed device 10. The electric motor 48 drives directly via a gear 52 via a connection, not shown a the rollers 40 of the lower limit 28 at. The electric motor 50 drives via a gear 54 to a belt 56, which is guided over a plurality of pulleys 58 and a plurality of rollers 40 of the upper limit 30 drives.

Die Beabstandung der unteren Begrenzung 28 und der oberen Begrenzung 30 in dem zur Befüllstrecke 6 benachbarten Bereich 60 (siehe Fig. 1) der Vorrichtung 1 ist konstant parallel, so daß es zu keinem Zusammendrücken des Massenstromes von Zigaretten in diesem Bereich kommt. Auch die Elastizität der Bänder 38 ist derart, daß es zu keiner Belastung der die unteren 28 bzw. obere Begrenzung 30 berührenden Zigaretten in dem Massenstrom kommt.The spacing of the lower boundary 28 and the upper boundary 30 in the area 60 adjacent to the filling section 6 (see FIG. 1) of the device 1 is constantly parallel, so that there is no compression of the mass flow of cigarettes in this area. Also, the elasticity of the bands 38 is such that there is no load on the lower 28 or upper limit 30 touching cigarettes in the mass flow.

Die Funktionsweise der Zufördereinrichtung 10 ist im übrigen wie bei bekannten Massenstromförderern.The operation of the feeder 10 is otherwise as in known mass flow conveyors.

Fig. 2 zeigt, daß die am Beginn 62 der Befüllstrecke 6 endende untere Begrenzung 28 an ihrem Ende 34 mit keilförmigen Verlängerungen 64 versehen ist, um einen stufenlosen Übergang des Massenstromes aus der Zufördereinrichtung 10 und insbesondere von der unteren Begrenzung 28 auf den in der Fig. 2 ganz angehoben dargestellten Boden 66 des jeweils sich an dieser Stelle befindenden Behälters 2 zu ermöglichen. Zu diesem Zweck ist eine an dem Ende 34 liegende Umlenkwalze 68 für die das Ende 34 bildenden Bänder 38' im Durchmesser entsprechend verringert ausgeführt, so daß die Bänder 38' in dem größtmöglichen Maße nahezu bis an die Spitzen 70 der Keile 64 herangeführt werden können, um hier eine Belastung der Zigaretten durch einen unebenen Übergang in den Behälter 2 zu vermeiden.Fig. 2 shows that the beginning of 62 of the filling 6 ending lower limit 28 is provided at its end 34 with wedge-shaped extensions 64 to a continuous transition of the mass flow from the feed device 10 and in particular from the lower limit 28 to the in FIG 2 to enable the floor 66 of the container 2, which is shown in a raised position, to be opened. For this purpose, a deflection roller 68 located at the end 34 for the bands 34 'forming the end 34 is reduced in diameter, so that the bands 38' can be brought as close as possible to the tips 70 of the wedges 64, around here a burden of To avoid cigarettes by an uneven transition into the container 2.

Die Mittel 12 zum Befüllen der Behälter 2 mit den Zigaretten aus dem kontinuierlichen Massenstrom umfassen den soeben beschriebenen, durch die Keile 64 und durch die im Durchmesser verkleinerten Walzen 68 erzeugten kontinuierlichen Übergang der unteren Begrenzung 28 des Massenstromes in den Beginn 62 der Befüllstrecke 6. Die Mittel 12 umfassen weiterhin Absenkmittel 72 zum Absenken eines jeweils in dem einzelnen Behälter 2 verbleibenden Bodens 66 des Behälters 2 relativ zu diesem Behälter 2. Die Absenkmittel 72 sind im Bereich der Befüllstrecke 6 vorgesehen und bilden im Bereich der Befüllstrecke 6 eine Zwangsführung für in den Behältern 2 verbleibende Böden 66 der Behälter 2. Die Absenkmittel 72 umfassen zu diesem Zweck eine Zwangsführung 74. Die Zwangsführung 74 besteht aus einem mit seiner offenen Seite den Behältern 2 zugewandten U-Profil 76. Das Profil 76 ist in seinem Verlauf gemäß Fig. 1 derart seitlich der Befüllstrecke 6 für die Behälter 2 angeordnet, daß es eine im wesentlichen parallel zur oberen Begrenzung 30 im Bereich der Befüllstrecke 6 verlaufende Zwangsführung 74 bildet. Lediglich am Beginn 62 der Befüllstrecke 6 und am Ende 78 der Befüllstrecke 6 biegt sich die Zwangsführung 74 jeweils leicht in die Horizontale, um das durch die Zwangsführung 74 verursachte Absenken des Behälterbodens 66 am Anfang 62 und am Ende 78 der Befüllstrecke 6 sanfter zu gestalten.The means 12 for filling the containers 2 with the cigarettes from the continuous mass flow comprise the just described, generated by the wedges 64 and by the reduced diameter rollers 68 continuous transition of the lower boundary 28 of the mass flow in the beginning 62 of the Befüllstrecke 6. Die Means 12 further comprise lowering means 72 for lowering a remaining in the individual container 2 bottom 66 of the container 2 relative to this container 2. The lowering 72 are provided in the region of the filling 6 and form in the region of the filling 6 a forced guidance for in the containers 2 remaining floors 66 of the container 2. The lowering means 72 comprise for this purpose a positive guide 74. The forced guide 74 consists of a with its open side the containers 2 facing U-profile 76. The profile 76 is in its course according to FIG arranged laterally of the filling line 6 for the container 2, there it forms a substantially parallel to the upper boundary 30 in the region of the filling 6 constraining guide 74th Only at the beginning 62 of the filling section 6 and at the end 78 of the filling 6, the forced operation 74 bends slightly into the horizontal to make the caused by the positive guide 74 lowering the container bottom 66 at the beginning 62 and at the end 78 of the filling 6 softer.

Die Funktionsweise der Mittel 12 ist die folgende:The operation of the means 12 is the following:

Um den Behälterboden 66 eines Behälters 2 absenken zu können, wird dieser zunächst durch geeignete Maßnahmen - es wäre beispielsweise ein zweite (nicht dargestellte) Zwangsführung zum Anheben des Behälterbodens denkbar - gemäß Fig. 1 an das obere offene Ende 80 der Behälter 2 angehoben, wie es an dem ganz rechts in der Fig. 1 dargestellten Behälter 2 zu erkennen ist. Wie mit Bezug auf die Fig. 4 bis 9 weiter unten noch genauer erläutert werden wird, weist der Behälter zum Zwecke der Zwangsführung durch die Zwangsführung 74 insbesondere in parallel zu den Stirnseiten 81 in den Seitenwänden 82 der Behälter 2 angeordnete schlitzartige Durchbrüche auf, die vom oberen Ende 80 der Behälter 2 bis zum unteren Ende 86 der Behälter 2 verlaufen. Die in der Fig. 1 dargestellten Behälter 2 weisen sechs derartige schlitzartige Durchbrüche 84 auf; es ist jedoch jede andere Anzahl ebenfalls denkbar. In diesen Schlitzen 84 können sich nach außen ragende Fortsätze des Behälterbodens 66, die hier durch Rollen 88 gebildet werden, auf- und abbewegen.To be able to lower the container bottom 66 of a container 2, this is initially by suitable measures - it would, for example, a second (not shown) forced operation for lifting the container bottom conceivable - as shown in FIG. 1 raised to the upper open end 80 of the container 2, as it can be seen on the container 2 shown on the far right in FIG. As will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, the container for the purpose of positive guidance by the forced operation 74, in particular in parallel to the end faces 81 in the side walls 82 of the container 2 arranged slit-like apertures extending from the upper end 80 of the container 2 to the lower end 86 of the container 2. The container 2 shown in Figure 1 have six such slot-like openings 84; however, any other number is also conceivable. In these slots 84 outwardly projecting extensions of the container bottom 66, which are formed here by rollers 88, move up and down.

Am Beginn 62 der Befüllstrecke 6 gelangen die Rollen 88 des Behälterbodens 66 der Behälter 2 in das offene Ende 90 der Zwangsführung 74. In dem die Behälter 2 durch die Zufördereinrichtung 14 von rechts nach links durch die Befüllstrecke 6 bewegt werden, kann die Zwangsführung 74 die sich in dem U-förmigen Profil 76 der Zwangsführung 74 befindenden Rollen 88 des Behälterbodens stetig nach unten drücken und somit den Behälterboden 66 ebenfalls entsprechend dem Verlauf der Zwangsführung 74 nach unten bewegen. Dabei ist die Zwangsführung 74 derart parallel zu der oberen Begrenzung 30 der Zufördereinrichtung 10 angeordnet, daß es zu keinem Zusammendrücken oder Auseinanderfließen des zwischen dem Behälterboden 66 und der oberen Begrenzung 30 liegenden Massenstromes aus Zigaretten kommt.At the beginning 62 of the filling 6, enter the rollers 88 of the container bottom 66 of the container 2 in the open end 90 of the forced operation 74. In the container 2 are moved by the feeder 14 from right to left through the Befüllstrecke 6, the forced operation 74 can Rollers 88 of the container bottom which are in the U-shaped profile 76 of the positive guide 74 press steadily downwards and thus also move the container bottom 66 downwards in accordance with the course of the forced operation 74. The positive guide 74 is arranged parallel to the upper boundary 30 of the feed device 10 such that there is no compression or flow apart of lying between the container bottom 66 and the upper boundary 30 mass flow of cigarettes.

Um eine lückenlose Behälterreihe im Bereich der Befüllstrecke 6 zu gewährleisten, umfassen die Mittel 12 zum Befüllen der Behälter 2 darüber hinaus Zusammenführmittel 92. Die insbesondere in der Fig. 3 deutlich erkennbaren Zusammenführmittel 92 umfassen ein zusätzlich zu dem An- und Abförderband 14 vorgesehenes, die Behälter 2 im Bereich der Befüllstrecke 6 zwangsführendes zweites, horizontal laufendes Förderband 94. Das zweite Förderband 94 läuft gegenüber dem An- und Abförderband 14 mit geringerer Fördergeschwindigkeit. Das zweite Förderband 94 besteht im wesentlichen aus einem Riemen 96, und aus auf dem Riemen 96 queraxial und in Längserstreckung des Riemens 96 beabstandet angeordneten Führungsstiften 98. Das zweite Förderband 94 kann alternativ auch als Kette ausgebildet sein. Der Riemen 94 läuft als Endlosriemen über zwei Umlenkrollen 100 bzw. 102 am Beginn 62 bzw. am Ende 78 der Befüllstrecke 6 um. Die Umlenkrolle 102 wird über eine Antriebswelle 104, einen diese Antriebswelle 104 antreibenden Riemen 106 und einen den Riemen 106 über ein Getriebe 108 antreibenden Elektromotor 110 angetrieben.In order to ensure a complete row of containers in the region of the filling section 6, the means 12 for filling the containers 2 moreover comprise joining means 92. The joining means 92, which are clearly visible in particular in FIG. 3, comprise an addition to the arrival and Abförderband 14 provided Container 2 in the region of the filling path 6 positively leading second, horizontally moving conveyor belt 94. The second conveyor belt 94 runs opposite to the arrival and Abförderband 14 with lower conveying speed. The second conveyor belt 94 consists essentially of a belt 96, and arranged on the belt 96 transaxially and longitudinally of the belt 96 spaced guide pins 98. The second conveyor belt 94 may alternatively be formed as a chain. The belt 94 runs as an endless belt over two deflection rollers 100 and 102 at the beginning 62 and at the end 78 of the filling path 6. The pulley 102 is driven via a drive shaft 104, a drive shaft 104 driving belt 106 and the belt 106 via a gear 108 driving electric motor 110.

Die Funktion der Führungsstifte 98 ist folgende:The function of the guide pins 98 is as follows:

Sie sollen die langsamere Fördergeschwindigkeit des zweiten Förderbandes 94 auf die auf dem ersten Förderband 14 stehenden Behälter 2 übertragen. Zu diesem Zweck weisen die Behälter 2 in den Fig. 1 und 2 dargestellte, an der Unterseite 86 in den Seitenwänden 82 der Behälter 2 vorgesehenen Ausnehmungen 112 auf. Damit die Führungsstifte 98 in die Ausnehmungen 112 gelangen können, weisen die Behälter 2 darüber hinaus in den Stirnseiten 81 ebenfalls am unteren Ende 86 derselben vorgesehene Ausnehmungen 114 auf, in denen der Riemen 96 des zweiten Förderbandes 94 zu liegen kommt, wenn die Behälter 2 auf dem Flachband 16 des ersten Förderbandes 14 stehen.They are to transmit the slower conveying speed of the second conveyor belt 94 to the container 2 standing on the first conveyor belt 14. For this purpose, the container 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, provided on the bottom 86 in the side walls 82 of the container 2 recesses 112. In order that the guide pins 98 can pass into the recesses 112, the containers 2 also have in the end faces 81 also at the lower end 86 thereof provided recesses 114, in which the belt 96 of the second conveyor belt 94 comes to rest when the container 2 the flat belt 16 of the first conveyor belt 14 stand.

Die Funktion des Zusammenführmittels 92 ist die folgende:The function of the merging agent 92 is the following:

Die Behälter 2 werden von dem An- und Abförderband 14 auf dem Flachband 16 stehend mit einer bestimmten Geschwindigkeit in Richtung auf die Befüllstrecke 6 befördert. Am Beginn 62 der Befüllstrecke 6 nimmt die Ausnehmung 114 eines jeden Behälters 2 den Riemen 96 des zweiten Förderbandes 94 auf. Der Riemen 96 bewegt sich gegenüber dem Flachband 16 mit einer geringeren Fördergesctiwindigkeit. Das bedeutet, daß nach einer gewissen Zeitspanne ein Behälter 2 soweit relativ zu dem Riemen 96 bewegt wird, bis ein Führungsstift 98 in seiner Ausnehmung 112 zu liegen kommt. In diesem Moment wird der Behälter 2 durch den Führungsstift 98 in der Ausnehmung 112 auf die langsamere Fördergeschwindigkeit des Riemens 96 abgebremst. Da jedoch der nachfolgende Behälter 2 noch nicht die Zwangsführung durch die Führungsstifte 98 erfährt, wird dieser durch das gegenüber dem Riemen 96 mit höherer Fördergeschwindigkeit laufende Förderband 16 in Förderrichtung der Behälter 2 von hinten gegen den bereits zwangsgeführten Behälter 2 geschoben. Auf diese Weise werden am Beginn der Befüllstrecke 6 alle Behälter 2 zusammengeführt, so daß sich im Bereich der Befüllstrecke 6 eine lückenlose Behälterreihe - wie in Fig. 1 dargestellt - ergibt.The containers 2 are conveyed by the supply and removal belt 14 on the flat belt 16 standing at a certain speed in the direction of the filling path 6. At the beginning 62 of the filling section 6, the recess 114 of each container 2 receives the belt 96 of the second conveyor belt 94. The belt 96 moves with respect to the flat belt 16 at a lower Fördergesctigeschwindigkeit. This means that after a certain period of time, a container 2 is moved relative to the belt 96 until a guide pin 98 comes to rest in its recess 112. At this moment, the container 2 is braked by the guide pin 98 in the recess 112 to the slower conveying speed of the belt 96. However, since the subsequent container 2 does not yet experience the positive guidance by the guide pins 98, this is due to the opposite of the belt 96 at a higher speed conveyor belt 16 in the conveying direction of the container 2 from behind against the already forcibly guided container 2 pushed. In this way, all containers 2 are brought together at the beginning of the filling section 6, so that in the region of the filling section 6 a gapless row of containers - as shown in Fig. 1 - results.

Fig. 4 und 5 zeigen einen der Behälter 2 aus der Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Einzeldarstellung. Es handelt sich um den am Beginn der Befüllstrecke 6 stehenden Behälter 2. Bei diesem ist ein vorderer Abschnitt 116 des Bodens 66 bereits durch die in der Fig. 4 nicht dargestellte Zwangsführung 74 gemäß den Fig. 1 bis 3 teilweise abgesenkt. Der Boden 66 bildet dabei eine stufenlose Oberfläche für die aufzunehmenden Zigaretten. Der Boden 66 ist in Richtung der Längserstreckung des Bodens 66 aus hintereinander angeordneten Gliedern 118 gebildet. Die Glieder 118 sind an ihren den Stirnseiten 81 des Behälters 2 zugewandten Enden auf Achsen 120 gelagert. Dabei sind zwei benachbarte Glieder 118 immer paarweise auf einer Achse 120 gelagert. Die Glieder 118 selbst bestehen wiederum aus vier nebeneinander, parallel zueinander und beabstandet zueinander angeordneten Gliederelementen 122.4 and 5 show one of the containers 2 from FIG. 1 in a perspective detail view. In this case, a front portion 116 of the bottom 66 is already partially lowered by the positive guide 74 (not shown in FIG. 4) according to FIGS. 1 to 3. The bottom 66 forms a continuous surface for the cigarettes to be picked up. The bottom 66 is formed in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the bottom 66 of successively arranged members 118. The links 118 are mounted on axles 120 at their ends facing the end faces 81 of the container 2. In this case, two adjacent links 118 are always mounted in pairs on an axle 120. The members 118 themselves consist in turn of four side by side, parallel to each other and spaced-apart member elements 122nd

Fig. 5 zeigt den Behälter 2 gemäß Fig. 4 in einer Ansicht, in der die Seitenwände 82 und eine der Stirnseiten 81 teilweise aufgeschnitten sind, um den vollständig an das untere Ende 86 des Behälters 2 abgesenkten Boden 66 sichtbar machen zu können.FIG. 5 shows the container 2 according to FIG. 4 in a view in which the side walls 82 and one of the end faces 81 are partially cut open in order to be able to make the bottom 66 completely lowered to the lower end 86 of the container 2 visible.

Fig. 6 zeigt eine zweite Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters 2, bei der am oberen Ende 80 und am unteren Ende 86 an den entsprechenden Enden der Seitenwände 82 Vorsprünge 124 senkrecht zu den Stirnseiten 81 des Behälters verlaufen.Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of a container 2 according to the invention, in which at the upper end 80 and at the lower end 86 at the respective ends of the side walls 82 projections 124 extend perpendicular to the end faces 81 of the container.

Fig. 7 bis 9 zeigen die in den Behältern 2 gemäß den Fig. 1, 2 und 4 bis 6 verwendeten Glieder 118 in verschiedenen Detailansichten. Fig. 7 zeigt zwei Glieder 118 mit jeweils vier parallel zueinander angeordneten, stangenförmigen Gliederelementen 122. Die Gliederelemente 122 sind auf den Achsen 120 mit Spiel gelagert. Zu diesem Zweck weisen die Gliederelemente 122 an ihren Enden 126 Durchbrüche 128 auf. In diesen Durchbrüchen sind die Achsen 120 gelagert, wobei der Durchmesser der in den Durchbrüchen 128 liegenden Abschnitte 130 der Achsen 120 kleiner ist als die Weite der Durchbrüche 128. Im übrigen ist der Durchmesser der Achsen 120 so gewählt, daß sich entlang der Achsen 120 zwischen den Gliederelementen 122 möglichst keine Stufen ergeben.FIGS. 7 to 9 show the members 118 used in the containers 2 according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 to 6 in different detail views. Fig. 7 shows two members 118, each with four mutually parallel rod-shaped link elements 122. The link elements 122 are on the axes 120 with game stored. For this purpose, the link elements 122 have openings 128 at their ends 126. In these apertures, the axes 120 are mounted, wherein the diameter of the lying in the openings 128 sections 130 of the axes 120 is smaller than the width of the openings 128. Moreover, the diameter of the axes 120 is selected so that along the axes 120 between give the link elements 122 as possible no steps.

An den Enden 132 der Achsen 120 sind die Rollen 88 befestigt. Die Rollen 88 sind dabei über ein Profil 134 mit den Enden 132 der Achsen 120 verbunden, um ein Verkippen der Achsen 120 in den Schlitzen 84 der Behälter 2 zu verhindern.At the ends 132 of the axles 120, the rollers 88 are attached. The rollers 88 are connected via a profile 134 with the ends 132 of the axes 120 to prevent tilting of the axes 120 in the slots 84 of the container 2.

Fig. 8 zeigt die beiden Glieder 118 gemäß Fig. 7 in einem Zustand, in dem jeweils das dritte Gliederelement 122 von rechts ausgesehen weggelassen wurde, und das von rechts aus gesehen vierte Gliederelemente 122 von mindestens einer Achse 120 gelöst wurde. Fig. 8 zeigt deutlich den entlang der Achse 120 alternierenden Durchmesser und Querschnitt der Achse 120. In den Bereichen 130 mit verringertem Querschnitt ist der Querschnitt hundeknochenförmig, während er in den übrigen Bereichen 136 nahezu kreisförmig ist.FIG. 8 shows the two links 118 according to FIG. 7 in a state in which the third link element 122 has been omitted from the right in each case, and the fourth link element 122 seen from the right has been detached from at least one axis 120. 8 clearly shows the diameter and cross section of the axis 120 alternating along the axis 120. In the regions 130 of reduced cross section, the cross section is dog-bone-shaped, while in the remaining regions 136 it is almost circular.

Die Fig. 9 zeigt die Glieder 118 der Fig. 8 in einer Seitenansicht. Die Hundeknochenform der in den Durchbrüchen 128 liegenden Abschnitte der Achsen 120 ist im Querschnitt dargestellt.FIG. 9 shows the links 118 of FIG. 8 in a side view. The dogbone shape of the sections of the axles 120 located in the openings 128 is shown in cross section.

Gemäß den Fig. 7 und 8 sind darüber hinaus an den den Stirnseiten 81 der Behälter 2 unmittelbar benachbarten Enden der Glieder 118 auf den Achse 120 Nasen 138 angeordnet. Die Nasen 138 sind fest mit der Achse 120 verbunden.According to FIGS. 7 and 8, furthermore, lugs 138 are arranged on the axle 120 at the ends of the links 118 which are immediately adjacent to the end faces 81 of the containers 2. The lugs 138 are fixedly connected to the axle 120.

Die Funktion der Nasen ist folgende:The function of the noses is as follows:

Aufgrund der festen Ausrichtung der Achse 120 relativ zu dem Behälter 2 über das passend zu dem Schlitz 84 ausgebildete Profil 134 wird sichergestellt, daß die Nasen 138 mit ihren Oberflächen 140 immer in einem 90°-Winkel zu den Seitenwänden 81 der Behälter stehen. Die Nasen 138 passen in parallel zu den Seitenwänden 82 der Behälter 2 auf den Innenseiten der Stirnwände 81 vorgesehene Rillen 160. So wird erreicht, daß die Lücken zwischen den Nasen 138 von den Vorsprüngen 162 zwischen den Rillen 160 geschlossen werden. Auf diese Weise wird erfolgreich verhindert, daß Zigaretten beim Auf- und Abbewegen des Bodens 66 in dem Behälter 2 zwischen der Innenseite 142 der Stirnwände 81 und den den Stirnwänden 81 benachbarten Gliedern 118 eingeklemmt werden.Due to the fixed orientation of the axis 120 relative to the container 2 via the matching formed to the slot 84 profile 134 ensures that the Noses 138 with their surfaces 140 are always at a 90 ° angle to the side walls 81 of the container. The lugs 138 fit in grooves parallel to the side walls 82 of the containers 2 provided on the inner sides of the end walls 81. Thus, it is achieved that the gaps between the lugs 138 are closed by the projections 162 between the grooves 160. In this way, it is successfully prevented that cigarettes are trapped in the container 2 between the inside 142 of the end walls 81 and the end walls 81 adjacent members 118 when moving up and down of the bottom.

Die Funktion des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens ist wie folgt:The function of the method according to the invention is as follows:

Behälter 2 werden mit Hilfe der Zuführeinrichtung 14 der Befüllstrecke 6 zugeführt. Gleichzeitig werden Zigaretten in einem Massenstrom zwischen der unteren Begrenzung 28 und der oberen Begrenzung 30 der Zufördereinrichtung 10 der Befüllstrecke zugefördert. Unmittelbar am Beginn der Befüllstrecke 6 rasten Führungsstifte 98 eines zweiten, langsamer laufenden, als Zusammenführungsmittel 92 dienenden zweiten Förderbandes 94 in entsprechende Ausnehmungen 112 an der Unterseite 86 der Behälter 2 ein und bremsen die Behälter 2 somit gegenüber den nachfolgenden Behältern 2 ab. Auf diese Weise wird ein lückenlose Behälterreihe im Bereich der Befüllstrecke 6 gebildet. Die sich im wesentlichen im gleichen Richtungssinn mit den Behältern 2 bewegenden Zigaretten in dem Massenstrom der Zuführeinrichtung 10 können ohne Bildung von Lücken nahezu perfekt bienenwabenartig geschichtet in die Behälter 2 als Massenstrom eingefüllt werden, da während des Durchlaufens der Befüllstrecke 6 die Böden 66 der Behälter 2 mit Hilfe einer Zwangsführung 74 für die Böden 66 kontinuierlich entsprechend der aus dem Massenstrom aufzunehmenden Menge an Zigaretten abgesenkt werden, bis die Behälter 2 vollständig gefüllt sind.Container 2 are supplied to the filling line 6 with the aid of the feed device 14. At the same time cigarettes are conveyed in a mass flow between the lower boundary 28 and the upper boundary 30 of the feed device 10 of the filling. Immediately at the beginning of the Befüllstrecke 6 guide pins 98 of a second, slower running, serving as a merge means 92 second conveyor belt 94 in corresponding recesses 112 on the underside 86 of the container 2 and thus brake the container 2 from the subsequent containers 2 from. In this way, a complete row of containers in the region of the filling section 6 is formed. The cigarettes moving substantially in the same sense of direction with the containers 2 in the mass flow of the feeder 10 can be filled into the containers 2 as mass flow virtually without honeycomb formation since the bottoms 66 of the containers 2 pass through the filling section 6 during the passage through the filling section 6 be continuously reduced by means of a positive guide 74 for the bottoms 66 in accordance with the amount of cigarettes to be absorbed from the mass flow until the containers 2 are completely filled.

Claims (39)

  1. Method for filling containers (2) with rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry, comprising the steps:
    - the containers (2) are conveyed to a filling segment (6),
    - the articles are supplied to the filling segment (6),
    - the containers (2) are filled as they pass through the filling segment (6),
    wherein the articles are filled into the
    containers (2) in a continuous mass flow, characterized in that a base (66) of the container (2) which remains, respectively, in this individual container (2) is lowered relative to the container (2) during the passage through the filling segment (6).
  2. Method according to Claim 1,
    wherein the articles are supplied to the filling segment (6) in a continuous mass stream.
  3. Method according to either one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the containers (2) pass through the filling segment (6) in a substantially continuous and/or uninterrupted container stream.
  4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the containers (2) and the articles are supplied to the filling segment(6) by being fed towards one another in a substantially continuous manner, preferably enclosing in their motion paths an acute angle of less than 40°, furthermore preferably an acute angle of less than 30°.
  5. Method according to Claim 4,
    wherein the containers (2) and the articles are supplied to the filling segment (6) in substantially the same direction.
  6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the base (66) is lowered in accordance with the quantity of articles from the mass flow that is to be received.
  7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the base (66) is lowered continuously.
  8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the base (66) is lowered in such a way that a continuous transition between the lower limit (28) of the mass flow and the base (66) of the container (2) is produced at the start (62) of the filling segment (6).
  9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the base (66) is lowered in such a way that, during the occupation of the filling segment (6), a constant distance is produced between the base (66) and the limit (30) of the mass flow that faces away from the base (66).
  10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the articles are filled into the container (2) at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the container (2).
  11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the method is reversible for the purpose of emptying the containers (2).
  12. Apparatus for filling containers with rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry, said apparatus comprising:
    a filling segment (6) for filling the containers (2);
    a conveying device (14) for conveying the containers (2) to the filling segment (6);
    a supplying device (10) for supplying the articles to the filling segment (6);
    means (12) for filling the containers (2) with articles in a continuous mass flow,
    characterized in that the means (12) comprise lowering means (74) for lowering, relative to the container (2), a base (66) of the container (2) which remains, respectively, in this individual container (2).
  13. Apparatus according to Claim 12,
    wherein the lowering means (74) are provided in the region of the filling segment (6).
  14. Apparatus according to either of Claims 12 or 13,
    wherein the lowering means constitute a positive guide (74) for the base in the region of the filling segment (6).
  15. Apparatus according to Claim 14,
    wherein the positive guide (74) has guides (76), disposed at the side of the filling segment (6), for the purpose of guiding the base (66).
  16. Apparatus according to Claim 15,
    wherein, at the start of the filling segment (6), the guides (76) are realized such that they are substantially in alignment with a lower limit (28) for the articles in the supplying device (10).
  17. Apparatus according to either of Claims 15 or 16,
    wherein the guides (76) are disposed substantially parallel to a limit (30) for the articles in the supplying device (10), said limit (30) facing away from the filling segment (6).
  18. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 15 to 17,
    wherein the guides consist of mutually facing U-shaped or L-shaped profiles (76) for receiving corresponding guide rollers (88) of the container base (66).
  19. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 18,
    wherein the means (12) comprise concentrating means (92) for forming an uninterrupted series of containers, at least in the region of the filling segment (6).
  20. Apparatus according to Claim 19,
    wherein the concentrating means (92) comprise, provided in addition to a delivery and removal conveyor belt (14) by which the containers (2) are delivered to and removed from the filling segment (6), a second conveyor belt (94) which positively guides the containers (2), at least in the region of the filling segment (6), and which preferably runs at a slower speed than the delivery and removal conveyor belt (14).
  21. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 12 to 20,
    wherein the apparatus (1) can be operated in reverse for the purpose of emptying the containers (2).
  22. Container for transporting rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry, said container comprising side walls (82) and end faces (81), and comprising a base (66) which remains in the container (2),
    wherein the base (66) can be moved in a non-constant manner, at least in portions, relative to the container (2),
    wherein the base (66) is constructed from at least two members (118), which are connected to each other in pairs,
    characterized in that the base (66) can be moved between a raised position at an upper, open end (80) of the container (2) and a lowered position at a lower end (86) of the container (2).
  23. Container according to Claim 22,
    wherein the base (66) can be moved steplessly up and down between a position which produces a maximum capacity of the container (2) and a position which creates a minimum capacity of the container (2).
  24. Container according to either of Claims 22 or 23,
    wherein the base (66) can be moved such that a stepless base surface is always formed.
  25. Container according to Claim 24,
    wherein the base (66) is constructed from at least two members (118), which are preferably disposed in series in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the base (66), and which are connected to each other in pairs.
  26. Container according to Claim 25,
    wherein the members (118) are mounted on axles (120) at their ends facing towards the end faces (81) of the container (2).
  27. Container according to Claim 26,
    wherein adjacent members (118) are connected to each other through pair-wise mounting on a common axle (120).
  28. Container according to Claim 27,
    wherein the members (118) are mounted on the axles (120) with play.
  29. Container according to Claim 28,
    wherein the members (118) have, at their ends, through-holes (128) which encompass the axles (120) in such a way that the diameters of at least those portions of the axles (120) that are located in the through-holes (128) are smaller than the width of the through-holes (128).
  30. Container according to Claim 29,
    wherein the portions of the axles (120) are dog-bone shaped in cross-section in order to provide for the play, but to prevent turning of the axles (120) in the through-holes (128).
  31. Container according to any one of Claims 26 to 30,
    wherein the ends of the axles (120), in turn, are guided in slots (84) which run parallel to the end faces (81) of the container (2) and which are provided in the two broader side walls (82) of the container (2).
  32. Container according to Claim 31,
    wherein the ends of the axles (120) project through the slots (84) to the outside of the container (2).
  33. Container according to Claim 32,
    wherein rollers (88) are attached to the ends of the axles (120).
  34. Container according to any one of Claims 22 to 33,
    wherein the container (2) is substantially rectangular and the base (66) constitutes one of the two narrow and longer sides of the container (2).
  35. Container according to Claim 34,
    wherein the container (2) is open on the side opposite the base (66), preferably being open only on that side.
  36. Container according to any one of Claims 22 to 35,
    wherein the base (66) is flexible.
  37. Container according to Claim 25 and according to any one of Claims 22 to 24 and 26 to 36,
    wherein the base (66), in particular the individual members (118), is elastic in the longitudinal direction.
  38. Container according to any one of Claims 22 to 37,
    wherein the members (118) consist of at least two parallel, bar-shaped profiles (122) which extend in the longitudinal direction of the base (66) and which are disposed with a separation.
  39. Container according to Claim 38,
    wherein the axles (120) adjacent to the end faces of the container (2) carry, between the bar-shaped profiles (122), lugs (138) which, as the base (66) moves upwards and downwards, run in parallel, groove-shaped recesses in the end faces (81) of the container (2).
EP01982404A 2000-10-18 2001-10-06 Container, device and method for transporting bar-shaped articles in the tobacco industry Expired - Lifetime EP1328170B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10051790A DE10051790A1 (en) 2000-10-18 2000-10-18 Cigarette filling system and equipment feeds mass cigarette flow over filling sector whose containers fill with cigarettes at acute angle as container base lowers to maximum fill level
DE10051790 2000-10-18
PCT/EP2001/011552 WO2002032237A1 (en) 2000-10-18 2001-10-06 Container, device and method for transporting bar-shaped articles in the tobacco industry

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1328170A1 EP1328170A1 (en) 2003-07-23
EP1328170B1 true EP1328170B1 (en) 2007-08-01

Family

ID=7660299

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01982404A Expired - Lifetime EP1328170B1 (en) 2000-10-18 2001-10-06 Container, device and method for transporting bar-shaped articles in the tobacco industry

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1328170B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE368394T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2002213998A1 (en)
DE (2) DE10051790A1 (en)
PL (1) PL204461B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2002032237A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

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CN108366615A (en) * 2015-10-23 2018-08-03 虹霓机械制造有限公司 The container made of energy conductive plastics

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DE102007013548A1 (en) * 2007-03-17 2008-09-18 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Modular shaft trays
DE102007022845A1 (en) * 2007-05-12 2008-11-13 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Filling magazine for filling shaft trays and filling station with such a filling magazine
DE102014116578A1 (en) * 2014-10-24 2016-04-28 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Arrangement and method for conveying a product mass flow formed from rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry and containers for receiving and dispensing portions of the product mass flow
PL3020287T3 (en) * 2014-10-24 2023-03-27 Körber Technologies Gmbh Arrangement and method for conveying and storing of rod-shaped and/or cuboid products of the processing industry, in particular of the tobacco-processing industry
DE102016107248A1 (en) * 2016-04-19 2017-10-19 Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh A container for receiving or dispensing portions of a product mass flow formed from rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, as well as an arrangement for discretizing or forming a product mass flow with such containers

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CN108366615A (en) * 2015-10-23 2018-08-03 虹霓机械制造有限公司 The container made of energy conductive plastics
CN108366615B (en) * 2015-10-23 2021-10-26 虹霓机械制造有限公司 Container made of electrically conductive plastic

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PL204461B1 (en) 2010-01-29
ATE368394T1 (en) 2007-08-15
WO2002032237A1 (en) 2002-04-25
AU2002213998A1 (en) 2002-04-29
DE50112801D1 (en) 2007-09-13
EP1328170A1 (en) 2003-07-23
PL360819A1 (en) 2004-09-20
DE10051790A1 (en) 2002-04-25

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