JPH0134591B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for transporting and storing rod-like articles such as cigarettes or cigarette filter rods.

It is often necessary to temporarily store rod-shaped articles. For example, cigarette manufacturing machine (manufacturing machine)
In the equipment for transferring cigarettes from cigarettes to cigarette packaging machines (packing machines), when either the manufacturing machine or the packaging machine stops, a buffer is installed so that the machine that is not stopped can continue operating for a certain period of time. A reservoir is provided. In addition, one manufacturing machine and one related
When multiple combinations of packaging machines are in operation, the manufacturing machines in one combination continue to produce more cigarettes than the associated packaging machine can receive, and the manufacturing machines in another combination continue to produce more cigarettes than their associated packaging machine can receive. It may not be possible to produce cigarettes to completely fill the machine. In such cases, it is useful to receive cigarettes from one combination and pass them on to another combination. GB 1404141, 1404142 discloses a suitable system for storing and transporting rod-shaped articles in boxes.

To explain the first invention based on the drawings, this invention has one end connected to a feeding device and the other end connected to a receiving device, and rod-shaped articles are stacked in multiple layers between the feeding device and the receiving device. a first conveyor device for moving the rod-shaped article in a flattened form; and a container 20; 214, 216; A second conveyor device 10; 206, 20 that conveys from the one end to the other end in a multi-layer stacked configuration transversely to the direction.
8; 230; 310; and a guiding device 48, 50, 52 for guiding the separable container to the other end of the second conveyor device, the guiding device being arranged so that the rod-shaped article is connected to the container. A conveyor system for rod-like articles for the manufacture of cigarettes, characterized in that the container is guided between the second conveyor devices so as to be conveyed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rod-like articles. Disclosed.

Similarly, the second invention will be explained based on the drawings.
The present invention generally includes a storage or movable container 20; 214, 216; 234 connected to a feeding conveyor system comprising said feeding device, a first conveyor device, a second conveyor device, etc.;
240; 300; 400, and a third conveyor device 22 for advancing the rod-like articles received from the supply conveyor system in multi-layer stacks transversely to the longitudinal direction of the articles. -34,118,126,128;262,
264; 318, 320; 408, 410, 41
2, a device for movably supporting the reservoir, and a device for confining rod-like articles within the reservoir so that the reservoir can be disconnected and moved away from the supply conveyor system;
Storage device for use in a conveyor system for rod-shaped articles for tobacco production, characterized in that the third conveyor device forms part of the storage device and can be separated together with the storage device from the supply conveyor system. is disclosed.

This reservoir preferably comprises the conveyor devices 22-34, 118, 126, 128; 262,
264; 318, 320; 408, 410, 41
2 and a device for closing the inlet so that the reservoir can be moved away after filling. Also, the outlet from the conveyor device must be provided with a closure device. Both openings are
These junctions are closed by the insertion of a pair of flow separators, one of which remains attached to the opening, while the other
The reservoir opening is configured to remain attached to the reservoir opening. The reservoir conveyor system preferably includes a drive configured to couple to a drive associated with a supply conveyor system.

This conveyor device may be of the reversing type. The reservoir may have an entrance to the conveyor device and an end stop for articles on the conveyor device. Particularly in this case, the conveyor device is preferably reversible so that the inlet can also act as an outlet. The reservoir may include multiple conveyor devices. In other configurations, the reservoir has spaced apart openings connected by a conveyor device, each opening serving as either an inlet or an outlet depending on the direction of movement of the conveyor device. When filling or unloading the reservoir, only one of the openings is used, the other opening being closed.
In a preferred embodiment of operating a reservoir with spaced openings, the articles are always moving in the same direction, so that if the reservoir is being filled through one opening, it is being emptied through the other opening. Ru.

This reservoir is preferably movable by means of wheels supporting the conveyor device. The reservoir may be moved on a rail device.

In one preferred configuration of the reservoir, the conveyor device comprises several conveyors defining a zigzag path extending in a substantially constant plane perpendicular to the axis of the cigarettes. Therefore, this movable storage device
64274, the disclosure of which is therefore fully incorporated herein. The conveyor system of the reservoir may comprise two substantially perpendicular zigzag conveyor paths juxtaposed to each other. These may have diagonal conveyors or other interlocking conveyors to form a continuous conveyor path between two openings positioned to make the reservoir diagonally symmetrical.

The advancing stream of rod-shaped articles on the conveyor system of the mobile reservoir may be separated by an end closure device such as that disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, which device is used to close the rods before the reservoir is filled. Inserted into the entrance. If the reservoir is used as a reversible store, the same closing device, which is gripped and conveyed by the conveyor device, also serves to confine the ends of the flow during emptying. Given that the reservoir has two openings to the conveyor device,
The closure device is ejected from the reservoir to leave a fully filled reservoir after a filling operation and reinserted when it is desired to empty the reservoir. A movable auxiliary conveyor system is provided to feed the end closure system into the reservoir to be emptied.

A mobile reservoir according to the invention is disclosed in British patent no.
A conveyor system defining a helical path for the flow of rod-shaped articles may also be provided, such as that disclosed in US Pat.

The reservoir receiving device may be configured to receive the rod-like articles in batches, each having a deposit of articles, rather than in a continuous stream. In this case, the conveyor device is preferably configured to move and store the articles also in batches. The conveyor system may include opposed endless conveyors with spaced shelves supporting each batch. The holding device for the articles in the storage container preferably has guides which then support the ends of the batches on the shelves.

A reversible mobile store may be used in place of the storage unit of the box device disclosed in GB 1404142. Similarly, a separate mobile store may be suitably connected to a device such as that disclosed in GB 1,557,458, to replace a box filling unit and a box unloading unit. Reference is made to the application in its entirety.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a second conveyor system, a reversing elevator unit 10, configured to convey a parallel stream of cigarettes in stacked form along a path 12 transversely to its length. Unit 10 is
A conveyor system such as that disclosed in GB 1453191 may also be included, further details of which are referred to herein. As disclosed in that patent, elevator unit 10 is connectable to a conveyor system that connects one or more cigarette making machines to one or more cigarette packaging machines.
Motor 14 connects unit 10 to drive the elevator conveyor band, as described below.
installed on. The motor 14 may be under the control of a detector associated with the junction of said elevator unit with other conveyor systems, as disclosed, for example, in GB 1372148, to which reference is made; , the direction and velocity of flow motion in passageway 12 are determined by a detector.

The motor 14 is also coupled to a primary drive gear 16 mounted on the unit 10 such that it is coupled to a corresponding drive gear 18 of a movable container or reservoir 20. The reservoir 20 comprises a movable unit comprising a series of bands forming elongated reservoir spaces extending upwardly and downwardly along a zigzag path in parallel vertical planes with diagonal link conveyors at the top. The horizontal running part of the zigzag path on one side is formed by bands 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, and band 32 is connected to the reservoir 2 as shown in FIG.
It is located diagonally so as to carry the flow across to the zigzag path on the other side of 0. A corresponding band is provided further forming the horizontal run of the zigzag path on the other side, the first of these bands 34 being:
The same is shown in FIG. band 22,2
4, 26, 28, 30, and 32, and a horizontal running portion of the zigzag path on the other side, formed by bands 34 and below corresponding to the bands. Accordingly, the reservoir 20
A third conveyor is formed which is integral with the conveyor.

The reservoir 20 is supported by a large central wheel 44 located between two zigzags (see FIG. 3) and includes four small wheels 46 located adjacent to its bottom corners. parallel guide rails 48
are associated with the elevator unit 10 and are spaced at a distance such that the outer edges of the wheels 46 just fit between the rails after passing the first rail entry. The reservoir 20 is therefore movable between the rails 48 towards the unit 10 until the reservoir projection 50 engages the recess 52 of the unit 10, in which position the cigarette can be transferred. , gears 16, 18 are drivably engaged. Guide rail 4
8. The projection 50 and the recess 52 form a movable support device for the reservoir 20, i.e. a guiding device for positioning the reservoir 20 in a position where said cigarette can be transferred. As shown, some rotation of the reservoir 20 about the mounting of the wheel 44 is allowed before the wheel 46 contacts the horizontal surface supporting the wheel 44, which means that the reservoir 20 is attached to the elevator unit 10.
Allows some degree of vertical adjustment for precise engagement.

When the reservoir 20 is engaged with the elevator unit 10, a flow of cigarettes may flow from or to the passageway 12. In normal operation, the conveyor system of which aisle 12 forms a part will cause aisle 12 to remain full of cigarettes. That is, it is operated so that there are no voids. In order to maintain the cigarettes in the passageway 12 when the reservoir 20 is not attached to the unit 10, a separator, for example in the form of a plate of resinous material, is inserted into a slot 54 in the bottom of the unit. A corresponding slot 56 for mounting another separator is provided in the reservoir so that it can be moved away from the unit 10 even when the reservoir contains cigarettes. Note that each reservoir 20 has two inlet/outlet points, one at the bottom of the zigzag path on each side, and a slot 56a for mounting a separator.
is likewise located at the right end of the reservoir as viewed in FIG. 1 (see also FIG. 3). Elevator unit 1
When filling an empty reservoir 20 with 0, an end closure device of some form is preferably first inserted into the reservoir so that the forward face of the flow of cigarettes is occluded, so that this device , the separator is inserted into the flow passage just behind the separator and then abutting the rear side of the closure device is withdrawn to allow flow to enter the reservoir from the unit 10, and the closure device is inserted into the reservoir conveyor band. The dimensions are such that it can be moved by One type of reservoir end closure device having a zigzag path is disclosed in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 51-64274. A closure device 58 is shown at the right end of the reservoir in FIG. 1 and at an intermediate position of the band 30 in FIG.

4 and 5, details of the left end of the reservoir 20 connected to the elevator unit 10 are shown, with the drive belt 60 from the motor 14
passes around a pulley 62 that connects to a shaft 64 mounted on the bottom of the unit 10. drive belt 60
has the shape of a timing belt that positively engages the pulley. The other drive belts and belts for conveying the cigarettes in this device are preferably timing belts as well. Unit 10 is
It has vertical conveyor bands 66, 68 which include timing belts having protrusions or ribs 70 at different locations on opposite sides thereof. The belt 66 passes around a bottom pulley 72 which is keyed to an axle 74 which is connected to another pulley 72.
I am wearing 6. Pulley 76 is driven by a belt 78 that passes around a pulley 80 that is coupled to shaft 64 .

The drive gear 16 is connected to the unit 10 on the gear 16.
It engages with the same gear 82 mounted on. gear 8
2 is a shaft 8 connected by a drive belt 86 so as to drive a lower pulley 88 of the conveyor belt 68.
It is connected to 4. Note that pulley 88 is aligned with shaft 64 but is not coupled to rotate with shaft 64. Reversal of the drive of belt 68 by gear 82 ensures that the direction of movement of the conveyor planes of belts 66, 68 is the same.

The drive belt 78 for the shaft 74 also passes around a pulley 90 having a smaller diameter than the drive pulley 80 and coupled to the shaft 92, and the shaft 92 also has two axially spaced pulleys 94 is installed. These pulleys 94 are the idle pulley 1
00 to form the apex of the triangular passage of belts 96, 98. The belts 96 and 98 are connected to the unit 10.
The cigarette is guided in the passageway 12 around the bottom corner of the cigarette. Because neither belts 96, 98 are ribbed and the pulleys 100 are free to rotate, some lateral movement of the belts is allowed across the corners.

The primary gear 16 is the drive gear 1 of the movable reservoir 20.
8 in the engaged state. The path of the flow of cigarettes between the unit 10 and the reservoir 20 is defined by upper and lower dead plates 55, 57 which connect the unit and the reservoir, respectively. When the unit 10 and the reservoir 20 are fully engaged, a small gap is left between the dead plates 55 and 57, so that the pair of separators 154 and 156
can be slid into position to separate the flows (see Figure 4). Devices such as clips 102 and 104 hold separators 154 and 156 to the elevator unit and reservoir 20, respectively, so that both unit 10 and reservoir 20 can be separated when filled with cigarettes. It is set up for the purpose of Clips 102, 104 and separators 154, 156 form a device for storing cigarettes within a reservoir.

Drive gear 18 is coupled to a drive shaft 106 that is rotatably mounted to reservoir 20 . The central main drive belt 108 passes around pulleys mounted on the shaft 106 and follows the path shown in FIG.
The two end pulleys drive the attached shaft.
Further, the belt 108 is connected to the conveyor bands 24, 2
Corner band 24 between each running section 6, 28, 30
a, 28a are driven. It can be seen that the upper quadrant of the corner of the zigzag path is defined by a curved plate 109. Additionally, the belt 108 passes around pulleys 110, 112, 114 for the corner bands of the conveyor run in the lower zigzag path on the adjacent side of the reservoir. Two such corner bands 116 are
Illustrated in FIG. 5 with the end of a third conveyor device, conveyor band 118.

6-9, opposite ends of the reservoir of FIG. 4 are shown on the same side;
The conveyor band 24 has a pulley 122 (FIG. 8)
A drive belt 124 passes around a pulley 120 mounted on a shaft on which a drive belt 124 is mounted. Belt 124 passes through a similar path and corresponds to belt 108 in its action. Similar to the other end of the reservoir, pairs of corner belts 22b, 26b, 28b are provided with corner curved plates 109. Various belt and band arrangements are also shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9. FIG. 8 shows the conveyor band 126
9 shows a pair of curved conveyor bands 126b, and FIG. 9 shows conveyor band 128 from the far side of the reservoir 20. Conveyor band 126,1
28 forms a third conveyor device.

In operation, the flow of cigarettes introduced into the movable reservoir is conveyed into the reservoir by the drive obtained from the motor 14. The leading edge of the advancing flow is occluded with an end closure device as described above. The flow moves upwardly through a zigzag path on the first side of the reservoir until it rides a diagonally disposed band 32 at the top. The dimensions of the reservoir are small enough so that the angle of inclination of the band 32 to the other band does not create too much difficulty either in transferring cigarettes to or from the band or in driving the band relative to the pulley. It is determined as follows. However, in a different arrangement, the diagonal bands 32 are
It can be replaced by a laterally flexible conveyor placed parallel to the other band at its end. Suitable conveyors are described in detail in British Patent No.
Disclosed in No. 1309071.

After passing the diagonal conveyor 32 (or laterally flexible conveyor as described above), the flow descends a zigzag path on the other side of the reservoir, the tip of which is still occluded with an end closure device. , the closure device is held securely between upper and lower bands defining the flow path. Once the flow of cigarettes reaches the end of the lowest run of the downward zigzag path, filling the reservoir, the end closure device is allowed to exit the reservoir and the separator closes that end of the reservoir. It is inserted into the slot 56a so as to close the section. at the same time,
A pair of separators are inserted at the junction between the reservoir and the elevator unit, allowing the reservoir to be moved for temporary storage or for transfer to other systems requiring cigarettes. Other empty reservoirs can then be connected to the elevator unit.

It was assumed that the elevator unit 10 continues to supply cigarettes to fill the reservoir. Since the supply of cigarettes from the unit 10 connected to the production/packaging machine system is usually intermittent and reverse transport may also occur, it is necessary for the elevator unit to feed cigarettes upwards into this system. Of course, this can occur if It is possible to operate the reservoir in a reverse manner, with the tip of the cigarette stream at any position in the reservoir. Accordingly, when the detector controlling the motor 14 of the elevator unit 10 detects that the system of which the unit 10 forms a part requires cigarettes to be delivered from the unit, the motor 14 is reversed; The conveyor bands of both the unit and the reservoir can be reversed to deliver the required cigarettes. However, when operating a reservoir in this manner, certain cigarettes may be stored for long periods of time and due to the certain downgrading of these cigarettes that occurs due to frequent reversals and consequent passage around the corners of the reservoir. It is possible to store it in the container.

In a different mode of operation, the system to which this type of storage is connected is constructed in such a way that there is always a small surplus of supply of cigarettes, so that the supply to the storage through the elevator unit is only one. Only the direction. Auxiliary storage permanently connected to this system can accommodate any short-term fluctuations in the feed rate. Therefore, the successive reservoirs can be filled in this system and moved for storage or to supply other systems that are always slightly short of supply, and therefore this second system is also used for storage. can maintain unidirectional flow through the vessel. A single system can be operated in two different ways at different times. The advantage of having access to unlimited capacity reservoirs still remains.

FIG. 10 shows a first conveyor system or conveyor 2 for moving a stream of cigarettes from one or more cigarette making machines to the hoppers 202, 204 of a packaging machine.
Lines with 00 are shown. Detectors 210, 212
A second conveyor system or two elevator units 20 are connected to the conveyor 200 under the control of detectors 210, 212, respectively, at the lower connections of the conveyor 200.
6,208 are provided. A movable container or reservoir 214 is coupled to the elevator 206;
Another container or reservoir 216 is located in the elevator 2
It is connected to 08. The reservoirs 214, 216 are
It is shown identical to reservoir 20. However, these need not have multiple sides, in other words each reservoir may have a single zigzag path with an end stop at the top. In yet another possible arrangement, the one or both reservoirs are configured to receive or supply cigarettes in their upper run rather than in their lower run, so that the zigzag path does not rise from the point of approach. Instead, it may be made to descend.

Referring to FIG. 10, elevators 206,2
08 and reservoirs 214, 216 are connected to detector 210,
212 are each driven by a single motor 218 under separate control. One method of operating the system of FIG. 10 is that the manufacturing machine is the packaging machine 202,
When consistently producing more cigarettes than is acceptable for 04, reservoir 214 is used to receive the average excess of cigarettes on conveyor 200, and reservoir 216 is used as a reversible permanent reservoir. That's true. Thus, the continuing reservoir is filled in elevator 206 and the reservoir 216 is filled.
is maintained as a reversing shock absorber which is primarily used when the reservoir is replaced in the elevator 206. If the system goes from a surplus condition to a shortage condition, i.e., the maker cannot make enough cigarettes for the packaging machine, this condition will occur if the reservoir 214 is partially full. This can be temporarily provided either by supplying from the container or from the buffer reservoir 216. As soon as the reservoir 216 reaches a certain minimum fill level, a signal is provided to indicate the need to supply the elevator 206 with a filled reservoir. In a similar manner, when the buffer reservoir 216 is filled above a certain level, the empty reservoir is moved to the elevator 206.
The signal may indicate what is required.

Although the use of mobile reservoirs for buffer storage retains flexibility for occasional use, for most purposes permanent reservoirs can be used in a similar manner. A suitable reservoir is disclosed in JP-A-51-
It is disclosed in No. 64274 etc. An example of the helical reservoir disclosed in the above publication for use in this type of system is shown in FIG. In this figure, two production machines 220, 222 are shown feeding cigarettes to a first conveyor system or conveyor 224 which conveys the cigarettes in stacked form towards the hoppers 226, 228 of the packaging machine. Also connected to the conveyor 224 is a second conveyor or elevator unit 230 at a connection below the detector 236. Also coupled to conveyor 224 is a helical reservoir 232 . The chute 224a includes a conveyor 224 and a reservoir 232.
and to the hoppers 226, 228. As mentioned above, a movable container or reservoir 2
34 is connectable to elevator 230 such that it is driven by motor 235. Helical reservoir 232
The flow of cigarettes to and from the reservoir is under the control of a detector 238. The motor 235 is controlled by a control unit which, as well as signals obtained from a detector 236 at the top of the elevator 230, determines the filling status of the reservoir 232 and the speed of the associated manufacturing and/or packaging machine. Take it into account. The operation of the system of FIG. 11 is otherwise similar to that of FIG. 10, with filled or empty reservoirs 234 coupled to elevators 230, depending on the operating state of the system.

It has already been mentioned that the system using this movable storage is preferably operated such that the cigarettes are fed into and discharged from the storage in only one direction. Operation in which any change in direction of the reservoir is prohibited is easily accomplished in the system of FIG. 11 using a helical reservoir 232. Therefore, if the machine were to supply an excess of cigarettes at all times so that the reservoir 234 was constantly and stably filled, a temporary stoppage of the machine would be compensated for by the helical reservoir and the reservoir 234 would be filled. Filling is temporarily stopped. Similarly, in systems requiring excess cigarettes to the packaging machine, a temporary stoppage of the packaging machine can be achieved by stopping delivery from the movable reservoir and allowing the helical reservoir to absorb the temporary excess from the machine. This is covered by making it acceptable.

This mobile reservoir is similar to reservoir 20 of FIGS. 1-9. A small capacity or single sided, ie, single zigzag, reservoir may be used. Usually in this case there is only one inlet/outlet location for the cigarette and the end stop is
It is provided at the other end of the zigzag path. It is of course possible to provide more than one zigzag path in a single unit with appropriate intersections. In contrast, a single movable unit has several independent parallel zigzag paths, each zigzag path having its own separate entrance/
With an exit position, this unit must be moved laterally to engage the other passageway with the elevator.

The convenient dimensions of the mobile storage unit are approx. 1.8m
×0.9m. The height of the flow of the cigarettes is preferably 12 or less cigarettes to avoid creating an excessively sloping top surface when using tipped cigarettes (however, the height of the flow is not more than 12 cigarettes, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 51-64274). (Some compensation may be used at corners such as At this flow height, the capacity of the dual side reservoir (eg, reservoir 20) is approximately 32,000 cigarettes.

The mobile storage unit 20 of FIGS. 1-9 is provided with an end closure device 58 similar to that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 51-64274. It includes a cylinder having a diameter and a length of cigarettes that just exceeds the distance between the conveyor bands in a zigzag path through the container. This cylinder is inserted into the empty reservoir prior to filling and is preferably covered with a thick layer of foamed resin material or a long hair carpet. Given that the cylinder is adjacent to the reservoir inlet, removal of the separator at the base of the elevator unit brings the cigarette into direct contact with the cylinder and controls the subsequent movement of the cigarette and cylinder. Note that by using ribbed conveyor bands in the reservoir, this cylinder remains trapped between the alternating ribs of the upper and lower bands of each horizontal run. The upward movement of the advancing cigarette stream, led by the cylinder, is simple.
In the descending zigzag path after the diagonal traverse, a foam covering or long hair carpet covering prevents the cylinder from falling around the corners of the path. When the reservoir is filled, movement of the lower conveyor is carried out so that the cylinder and a number of cigarettes pass through a discharge gate having a slot for the separator before the separator is inserted. After insertion of the separator, the cylinder and some free cigarettes are removed by hand, the cigarettes are collected for insertion into the hopper of a convenient packaging machine, and the cylinder is placed in a holder on the side of the reservoir unit. It is clipped on.

A portion of reservoir unit 240 during reservoir filling is shown in FIG. The tip of the stream of cigarette 242 terminates in a cylinder 244 having a long hair carpet covering 246. Note that in this reservoir, the corner conveyor 248 is configured to provide drive in the upper quadrant of the corner, which, although not essential, provides better control than a fixed guide plate. Become.

Prior to connecting a filled reservoir to an elevator for supplying its contents to the elevator system, an end closure device may be inserted to retain the trailing end of the flow of cigarettes within the reservoir. preferable. When used to follow the flow of cigarettes when emptying the reservoir, it is important that the closure device must be gripped securely so as to follow the flow and force the flow around the corners. Preferred devices 250, 251 for accomplishing this include the first
4, shown in FIG. 15, has rectangular end plates 252 connected with elastic material in a harpoon-like manner to provide lateral flexibility. The outer side 253 of the reservoir configured to contact the conveyor band is preferably covered with a material such as cloth or zigzag paper, the elasticity of which is provided by a metal spring 254. Instead of devices 250, 251, rectangular sponges may be used.

The use of end closure device 250 is illustrated in FIG. 13, which shows a portion of the lower two runs of a modified reservoir 260. This lower running part is
Upper and lower conveyor 2 forming a third conveyor device
62,264 respectively. Assuming that this reservoir is filled and is filled at the connection of the conveyors 262, 264 to the elevator, the reservoir must be emptied from the other end for one-way operation and is therefore empty. An end closure device for this purpose must be fed between conveyors 262, 264. To facilitate insertion of the device in such conditions, a pair of pivoted bands 266, normally in the position shown in phantom, are moved to the position shown in FIG. The device 250 has its tip facing the plane 2
Band 2 until adjacent to the separator at 68
Sent for 66 minutes. The flow is conveyor 262, 26
4, the distal face of the device 250 forms an end wall so that the separator can be withdrawn as soon as the reservoir is connected to the elevator for emptying. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the device 25
0 is easily and reliably driven around the corner with the upper curved plate 270, which the device 250
Before the trailing end is disengaged from the curved corner band 274, its leading end passes through the pair of conveyors 2
This is because it is gripped at 72,262. In practice,
The internal engagement of device 250 or 251 must be sufficient to drive the device upward and around the corner. When the reservoir is almost empty, the separator is inserted so as to shut off the elevator to which the reservoir is connected, and the closure device is removed (remaining) before the reservoir separator is finally inserted. (along with some free cigarettes, if any). As previously mentioned, the closure device is clipped onto the reservoir for easy subsequent use.

A device such as that shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is described as being used to empty a reservoir, and the cylinder 244
was desired for use in filling reservoirs, but there is no reason in principle why either type of device could not be used for either mode of operation.
Only one device is required for each reservoir.

Another type of movable container or store 300 for containing and storing batches of cigarettes is shown in FIGS. 16-18. The reservoir includes a conveyor 318 supported on a movable frame 340. This reservoir is configured to receive batches (or supply batches) from a static conveyor system having a second conveyor arrangement, an endless band conveyor 310, which conveys a stream 312 consisting of parallel piles of cigarettes. It has a supporting generally horizontal upper run. conveyor 3
10 is configured to have an open end and to be inwardly supported at the end so that the movable reservoir can be moved longitudinally to and away from the conveyor. Stream 312 is segmented into batches on conveyor 310 by regularly spaced segmentation plates 314 mounted on conveyor 310. The dividing plate 314 is movable with respect to the surface of the conveyor 310, and is, for example,
95200, continuously protruding into the continuous flow to form a batch at a location approximately to the right of the portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. or may be withdrawn to re-form a continuous flow.

Alternatively, batches may be formed by feeding a stream of cigarettes downward onto a conveyor having fixed partition plates, as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-98596.

In one mode of operation, conveyor 310 moves batches of cigarettes toward transfer position 316. The movement of conveyor 310 is intermittent, and the conveyor
Each step moves a distance equal to the spacing between the successive section plates, so that the batches are continuously moved to the transfer position 3.
After being carried to 16, the conveyor stops. The transfer location 316 is formed at the intersection of the reservoir conveyor 318 and the upper run of the conveyor 310. The conveyor 318 includes substantially vertically opposing and parallel endless bands 318a, 318b.
a, 318b are separated by a distance slightly greater than the length of the cigarettes on conveyor 310. When the reservoir is moved to a position on conveyor 310,
Bands 318a, 318b are on opposite sides of conveyor 310, and the width of bands 318a, 318b is approximately equal to the length of the batches on conveyor 310 (but may be wide enough to accommodate several batches). ). As seen in Figure 17, the width of the second conveyor 310 is somewhat narrower than the length of the cigarette. Each band 318a, 318b is
Spaced inwardly facing rails or shelves 320
, and the shelf 320 is wide enough to support cigarettes at its ends, but the conveyor 3
It is not wide enough to interfere with 10. band 318a,
The spacing between shelves at 318b is slightly wider than the height of the batches on conveyor 310. Conveyor 318 and shelf 320 form a third conveyor system.

In this one mode of operation, bands 318a, 31
The reservoir conveyor 318 with 8b is movable stepwise and discontinuously by a distance equal to the spacing between successive shelves 320. Batches are thus continuously fed to the transfer position 316 on the static conveyor 310, so that the batches are continuously fed to the transfer position 316 on the static conveyor 310, so that the batches are
It rests on the conveyor 310 between the shelves 8b. While conveyor 310 is in motion, conveyor 318 is stationary, and as soon as conveyor 310 stops supplying batches to the transfer position, conveyor 318 starts and moves from position 312a to position 312a as shown in FIG.
12b.
In this manner, the batches supplied to the transfer location 316 are transferred to the conveyor 31 such that they are stored in the reservoir.
Continuously moved at 8.

Endless band 318a, 318 of reservoir conveyor
b cooperates with four relatively fixed corner guides 322 which serve to support the batch ends of the second conveyor, as shown in FIG. The inwardly projecting portion of guide 322 is narrower than partition plate 314, so that the cigarettes are not damaged at edge 322a (FIG. 16) when conveyor 318 lifts the batches.

Static conveyor 310 and reservoir conveyor 318
is reversible so that the batches can be returned from the storage to the conveyor 310 and then moved to the right (as viewed in FIG. 16) and away. conveyor 3
As the batches return to the conveyor 310 in the downward movement of
The pin is received from the guide 322 so as to trap the top pin. In systems in which cigarettes or the like are moved in a stream, such as stream 312, between one or more manufacturing machines and one or more packaging machines, conveyor 310 may include a buffer formed by conveyor 318. It is joined to the main stream for access to the reservoir. A detector capable of automatically operating such a system is disclosed in British Patent No. 1299174.

Bands 318a, 31 constituting the storage of the reservoir
The spacing between the 8b can accommodate 20,000 cigarettes in batches of 1,200 at a height of approximately 1.8 m. In such devices, the controller prevents the reservoir from accepting any further batches when the reservoir reaches the limit of its capacity.

Instead of having a pair of endless bands 318, the reservoir conveyor may take the form of a rectangular box open at opposite ends and having suitably spaced internal shelves, the box being supported by movable supports such as frame 340. It is movable vertically within the structure.

The mobile storage device described with reference to FIGS. 1-15 may include a conveyor (typically (elevator unit). This movable reservoir for receiving and dispensing cigarettes in batches can be used to regulate the net flow rate between the production machine and the packaging machine, and can be used in the same manner as the previously described reservoir. It is possible to supply cigarettes to or receive cigarettes from a conveyor system connected to the machine. In particular, the drive for the reservoirs is derived from the drive power associated with the conveyors of the system, and each reservoir, when moved into engagement with the conveyor,
The drive output is configured to automatically couple to the drive output. The conveyor 310 may include an extension of the elevator unit leading into the conveyor system, and the movable reservoirs may be moved on and away from the conveyor in a direction parallel to the conveyor, as previously described.

A mobile batch storage unit 400 for batches of cigarettes, which is movable laterally relative to a batch conveyor 402 of a system so as to engage the batch conveyor 402,
As shown in the figure. Conveyor 402 is similar to conveyor 310, and unit 400 has wheels 4
06 and the first and second batch conveyors 4
Conveyor 408, 410 is similar to conveyor 318 except that it has an L-shaped rail 412 to which the batch supports are pivoted. These rails can hang below the lower pulleys of conveyors 408, 410 to lift batches from or lower batches onto conveyor 402, such that the lower pulleys 408, 410 are allowed to be at a level above the level of conveyor 402 so that they can be moved laterally onto conveyor 402. Before any such lateral movement, conveyors 408, 410
2 must also be adjusted to be above the level of conveyor 402. Conveyors 408, 410 and rails 412 form a third conveyor system.
The storage defined by conveyors 408, 410 is filled and/or emptied separately by appropriate lateral movements that position one or other conveyors in a predetermined position on conveyor 402 of the system.
This lateral movement may be obtained by movement of the body of the structure 404, or alternatively the conveyor 4
08,410 may be supported for lateral movement relative to structure 404. conveyor 408,
The drive of 410 may be from a separate motor and is connected to conveyor 402 via a drive chain of structure 404.
may be obtained from the output associated with. conveyor 40
With the exception of lateral movement onto the conveyor of the 8,410 system (to allow connection of the system to the conveyor), operation and use of the unit 400 is similar to that shown in FIGS.
This unit is similar to the unit described with reference to FIG.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 is a schematic side view of a device comprising a movable cigarette store and an elevator; FIG. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the device according to FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is an end view of the device according to FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the left part of the device of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line V--V of FIG. 4, and FIG. Vertical sectional view on the right side, Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the - line in Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the - line in Fig. 6, and Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the - line in Fig. 6. 10 is a schematic side view of a cigarette conveying system with a movable store; FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of another cigarette conveying system with a movable store; FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic side view of a cigarette conveying system with a movable store; FIG. 13 is a schematic partial side view of a further modified mobile reservoir showing the insertion of an end closure device; FIGS. 14 and 15 are end closures for use in a mobile reservoir; FIG. A schematic perspective view of the device; FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the device for handling cigarettes with another movable storage for batches of cigarettes; FIG. 17 is parallel to the cigarettes and taken along the - line of FIG. FIG. 18 shows a horizontal section along the line - of FIG. 17, and FIG. 19 shows a schematic end view of a further movable storage device for batches of cigarettes. . 10,206,208,230...Second conveyor device, 14,235...Motor, 16...Primary drive gear, 18...Drive gear, 20,214,
216, 234, 300, 400... Reservoirs or containers, 22-34... Band of horizontal runs forming the third conveyor device, 44... Central wheel, 46... Minor wheels, 48, 50, 52 . . . guiding device or supporting device, 58 . . . closing device, 11
8, 126, 128... Conveyor band forming the third conveyor device, 102, 104, 15
4,156...Storage device, 210,212,
236...Detector, 218...Single motor, 20
0,224...first conveyor device, 232...
Helical reservoir, 244... Cylindrical, 250, 251
...hand harp-like closure device, 262,264...3rd
upper and lower conveyors forming a conveyor system, 26
6... Pivotally mounted band, 310... Endless band conveyor, 314... Division plate, 316... Transfer position, 318... Vertical conveyor, 320...
Shelf, 322... Corner guide, 340... Movable frame, 402... Batch conveyor, 406... Wheels, 408, 410... First and second batch conveyors, 412... L-shaped rail.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A first device having one end connected to a feeding device and the other end connected to a receiving device, for moving rod-shaped articles between the feeding device and the receiving device in a stacked state in multiple layers. a conveyor device, one end of which is connected to the first conveyor device and the other end of which is connected to a detachable container, so that the rod-shaped articles are stacked in multiple layers in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction thereof. a second conveyor device for transporting the detachable container from one end to the other end; and a guide device for guiding the detachable container to the other end of the second conveyor device, the guide device being arranged such that the rod-shaped article is A conveyor for rod-shaped articles for the manufacture of cigarettes, characterized in that the container is guided between the container and the second conveyor device so that the rod-shaped articles are conveyed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped articles. system. 2. Reservoir or movable container 20; 214, 21 connected to the supply conveyor system.
6; 234; 240; 300; 400, and a third step for advancing the rod-like articles received from the supply conveyor system in multi-layer stacks transversely to the longitudinal direction of the articles. Conveyor device 22-34, 118, 126, 12
8;262,264;318,320;408,
410, 412, an apparatus for movably supporting the reservoir, and an apparatus for confining rod-like articles within the reservoir so that the reservoir can be disconnected and removed from the supply conveyor system; Storage device for use in a conveyor system for rod-shaped articles for tobacco production, characterized in that the third conveyor device forms part of the storage device and can be separated together with the storage device from the supply conveyor system. .