JPS6251102B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for handling rod-shaped articles such as cigarettes or cigarette filter rods. In particular, the invention relates to a conveyor system for such articles, including an accumulation device for the articles.

It is often desirable to provide temporary storage facilities for rod-shaped articles. For example, in transporting cigarettes from a cigarette making machine to a cigarette packaging machine, a buffer storage is provided so that even if one of these machines stops working, the other can continue working for a certain period of time. can be provided. When several machine complexes are in operation, the machines in one complex consistently produce more than the associated packaging machines can handle, and the machines in the other complex consistently produce more than the associated packaging machines can handle. It may occur that the requirements cannot be kept fully satisfied. In such situations, it is useful to accept cigarettes from one complex and transfer them to the other complex. British Patent Nos. 1404141 and 1404142 and South African Patent No. 76/4269 describe suitable systems for accumulating and transferring rod-shaped articles into trays.

German patent no. 2716823 (UK patent application no. 15750/76)
No. 31362/76) discloses a system incorporating a reversibly movable storage device which can be used instead of the tray system. The above specification describes a movable accumulation device for accumulating articles, which includes a conveyor device adapted to receive bar-shaped articles in stacks moving transversely to the length of the articles. Bar articles can be fed and stored as a continuous stream or in batches. A static conveyor system, such that a direct transfer to or from the conveyor system is possible, and furthermore, such that the drive for said conveyor device is obtained from a static motor unit associated with this system. can be connected to. The storage device can be mounted on wheels and moved on a track system. A guiding device can be provided for guiding the storage device into position for connection to a static conveyor system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor system equipped with a storage device that can effectively handle bar-shaped articles such as cigarettes that are transported in a multilayered stack.

According to the invention, there is provided a conveyor system for rod-shaped articles belonging to the tobacco industry, for moving the articles in multilayer stacks between a delivery station, such as a cigarette making machine, and a receiving station, such as a cigarette packaging machine. and a second conveyor system for moving articles in a multi-layered stack along a path extending from a joint with the first conveyor device. a separation device progressively projectable into a substantially continuous multilayer flow of articles across the passageway to close the passageway; A conveyor system for rod-shaped articles is provided, characterized in that the conveyor system has at least one surface that remains stationary with respect to the path when being conveyed.

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

FIG. 1 shows a conveyor system comprising horizontal band conveyors 2, 4 for moving a stream of stacks of bar articles transversely to the length of the articles. The conveyors 2, 4 are connected in a T-shape with a chute 6 which separates into several branches terminating in outlets 8 spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. Each outlet 8 is equipped with a releasable closure (eg, a flat plate or rolling band closure as described with respect to FIGS. 13-18) for retaining the rod-shaped article within the branch of the chute 6. A movable storage device 10 adapted to receive a stack of rod-shaped articles in vertical compartments or columns 12 separated from each other by partitions 13 is located below the chute 6 such that the alternating columns are directly below the outlet 8. Positioned. A platform 14 for supporting a stack of rod-shaped articles is associated with each column 12 and means are provided for moving said platform at a controlled speed from an upper position to a lower position within said column. has been done. An endless band type delivery conveyor 16 is spaced below the bottom of the partition 13.
The storage device 10 is supported on wheels 18 and is movable.

In order to fill the empty storage device 10 with rod-shaped articles, said storage device 10 is first moved to the position shown in FIG. 1, and every other column 12 is positioned below the outlet 8. . The conveyor system of which the conveyors 2, 4 and the chute 6 are part is activated to prevent cavities from forming within the stack of bar articles. Each of the branches of the chute 6 will therefore contain a rod-shaped article held by a closing device for the outlet 8. The platforms 14 in the empty storage device 10 are in their respective upper positions, so that when the outlet 8 is opened (by the release of its closure), the platforms directly below said outlet are in the chute 6. takes over support of the stack of articles in the upper branch of the The platform 14 is then lowered in a controlled manner until it reaches its lowest position, in which the entire column 1 of the rod-shaped article
I support 2. Then the next column 12 is filled in the same way, and so on and so forth until each column below the outlet 8 is filled.

Movement of platform 14 is intermittent and dependent on conditions within the conveyor system. The movement is therefore subject to direct control of sensors in this system, for example above the T-connection between the conveyors 2, 4 and the chute 6. The connection between the sensor and the drive for the platform 14 may be made automatically (for example by interconnecting electrical conductors) when the storage device 10 is moved into the position for loading. . Otherwise, the drive for the platform 14 may be obtained from a stationary motor to which the storage device 10 is connected while it is being loaded. The sensor controls the stationary motor.

The order in which the columns 12 are packed is not critical. If necessary, more than one column can be packed at the same time, and the rate of descent of the platform 14 can be adjusted to match the feed rate from the chute 6.
Adjustments are made so that no cavities are created.

After one set of columns 12 has been packed, the storage device 10 is stepped to the right in FIG. 1 in order to align every other column of the other set with the outlet 8. Of course, prior to moving the storage device 10, each of the outlets 8 must be closed by replacing the closing device. For example, the closure device may be a thin partition or a plate that is slid into the stack at the bottom of the outlet 8. Movement of the closure device can be provided by a pneumatic or hydraulic piston. Other types of closure devices that may be used include rolling band devices such as those described in detail below with respect to FIGS. 13-18. In this arrangement, the closure device includes a guide device for the at least one flexible band, such as a pulley, which keeps the upward travel of said band stationary when it is projected across the outlet 8. and a separating device including a holding device. The separation device preferably includes a support device movable with the guide device and arranged to support it below the upper run of the band. Whatever type of closure device is used, it would be possible to arrange for the platform 14 to fall immediately after insertion of the outlet closure so that the column 12 has no tendency to overflow.

The storage device 10 can hold one or more columns. There may be other column columns behind the column shown in FIG. In order to align these rows with the outlet 8, it is necessary to move the accumulator in a direction parallel to the bar.

When the accumulator 10 becomes full, it can be moved for storage of rods or for feeding other conveyor systems and ultimately for unloading as shown in FIG. be done. In its unloading position, the storage device 10 is connected to a delivery conveyor consisting of an elevator unit 20. This unit 20 is substantially as disclosed in the specification of British Patent No. 1453191 and as disclosed in German Patent No.
It includes an elevator modified to include a motor drive output connection as disclosed in US Pat. No. 2,716,823. This arrangement allows the conveyor 16 as well as other moving parts of the accumulator 10 when connected to the unit 20 to be controlled by the engagement of the drive output gear on the unit with the input gear on the accumulator.
Provides drive. (A similar drive connection can be used when the storage device 10 is in the loading position).

As in the case of the conveyor system of FIG.
As stated in the specification of No. 1372148)
When the system controlled by the sensor and of which unit 20 forms a part requires a bar, the motor associated with said unit is activated. As a result, the elevator itself and the conveyor 16 of the storage device 10 are also activated. The connections within the storage device 10 cause successive platforms 14 to be moved downwards one after the other, causing the stack of articles in the upper column 12 to be lowered onto the conveyor 16 and thus into the elevator unit 20. be carried away. For example, each platform 14 is fixed on one side about an axis parallel to the article and held on the other side by a releasable catch operated by a solenoid. When the column is completely emptied, the platform 14 is returned to the horizontal position and the next platform is released.
Mere movement of the stack of articles on the conveyor 16 can cause the platform to return to its horizontal position. After all columns of the storage device 10 have been unloaded, this storage device can be removed and replaced by another full storage device.

Platform 14 can be cantilevered on a plurality of pairs of chains arranged adjacent section 12 near the ends of the article. As previously mentioned, this platform can be pivoted on one side and held by a releasable catch on the other side. Otherwise, the platform 14 could similarly be attached between the opposing chains or bands that effectively constitute the partition 13.

As mentioned above, a drive for the function of the storage device is required during loading and unloading, and the operation of this drive is dependent on the conditions within the conveyor system. It may therefore be advantageous to provide the chute 6 and the elevator unit 20 adjacently so that the storage device 10 can be aligned to both the chute and the elevator unit simultaneously. In this way, a single drive unit is provided for the control of the storage device (e.g. drive coupling in an elevator unit) during loading and unloading, and also a relatively small drive connection between loading and unloading. Relatively great flexibility is provided for rapid switching, and thus storage device 10 effectively functions as a mobile variable capacity storage device.

The storage column 12 can be loaded from a reversible elevator unit 20 as shown in FIG. Preferably, the partitions 13 include bands with protrusions (as disclosed in GB 1453191) or other ribs or article-engaging devices, and each constitutes a small reversible elevator. There is. This elevator can thus form a support device for the stacks in one compartment of the storage device.

In one possible variation of storage device 10, platform 14 is supported within column 12 by a movable arm structure associated with a loading and/or unloading station during loading and unloading. When it is necessary to unload a fully packed column 12, the platform 14 is pulled out by the arm structure in a direction parallel to the length of the article. The arms then return the platform 14 to the top of the column 12.

In yet another possible modification, the conveyor 16
The conveyor may include spaced apart cobalt film magnetic strips supporting and positioning the divider on the conveyor. The divider is a partition 13 extending between the bottom of the column 12 and the conveyor.
separated from each other so as to form a series of These dividers, together with the platform 14,
In order to unload the columns in sequence, they can be withdrawn in sequence by means of a magnetic latch at the unloading position. The entrance to the elevator 20 can likewise be provided with a magnetically releasable gate parallel to the divider.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a conveyor system 40 is illustrated that connects a machine 42 for manufacturing bar articles to a machine 44 for packaging articles.
This system 40 includes a feeding machine 42 and a packaging machine 4.
4 includes a reversible storage device 46, such as a Molins OSCAR or MOLAR, which acts as a buffer for relatively short-term imbalances between the demands of 4 and 4. Also part of system 40 is a loading and unloading station 48 for truck 50.

4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, each carriage is comprised of two rows of fifteen vertical channels arranged next to each other on opposite sides of a central plate 56. In FIGS. The channels 52, 54 are each separated by a partition 58 connected to a plate 56. The sides of the channels 52, 54 opposite the plate 56 are partially closed off by pairs of transparent panels 60 separated from each other by a central vertical slot 62. A movable plate 64 is located at the bottom of each channel 52,54. Channels 52, 54 are sized to accommodate and tightly confine a vertical stack of bar articles.
A truck 50 is supported on wheels 66 .

The loading and unloading station 48 includes a chute 68 that branches off from the main path 69 of the conveyor system 40 below the sensor 70. Shoot 6
8 branches into two further shoots 72, 74, each of which is twisted by 90° in opposite directions as it goes downwards. Each shot 72,7
The exits 76 and 78 of 4 are the channel row 5 of the trolley 50.
They are separated from each other by the same distance as 2,54.
A rolling band type closure 80 associated with each outlet 76, 78 comprises at least one band, said band projecting across the respective outlet so as to block the passage of articles through said outlet. It passes around a movable pulley. The structure and operation of this type of closure will be explained later in Figures 13 to 18.
The figures are detailed below.

The station 48 further includes an inlet 8 positioned directly below the outlets 76, 78 and spaced apart from each other.
2 and 84, and the inlets lead to chutes 86 and 88, respectively, which are twisted by 90 DEG in opposite directions and extend onto stacking conveyors 90 and 92. As shown in FIG. 3, conveyor 92 has returned to main path 67 of conveyor system 40.

The exits 76, 78 and the entrances 82, 84 are connected to the trolley 50.
separated from each other so as to pass between them,
Channel 52 extends from outlet 76 to inlet 82 and channel 54 extends from outlet 78 to inlet 84. In this position, the wheels 66 of the wheelbarrow are supported on a raised floor level 94 and the guide rails 96 connected to the central plate 56 pass between the stationary guide rolls 98.

Carriage 50 acts as a movable storage device for bar articles within conveyor system 40. If an imbalance occurs between the supply from the production machine 42 and the demand from the packaging machine 44, such that the storage device 46 is unable to cope with it, the loading and unloading station 48 for the trolley 50 is activated. If supply exceeds demand, part or all of the flow of goods on main passageway 69 may be diverted to chute 68.
Articles are loaded into the trolley 50. If demand exceeds supply, articles are unloaded from trolleys 50 at station 48 and transferred to chutes 86, 88 and conveyors 90, 9 for transport to packaging machine 44.
2 to the connection point with the main passage 69.
Carts 50 containing bar articles may be pre-loaded with articles at station 48 if supply exceeds demand, or they may be loaded at different stations in different conveyor systems. Good too.

When the conveyor system 40 is being operated to load a bar into the trolley 50, the channels 52, 54 are jammed together in pairs.
The stuffing of each channel 52, 54 is the same, with channel 52 being stuffed from outlet 76 and channel 54 being stuffed from outlet 78. The stuffing of channel 52 will be described below. Immediately before the start of stuffing, the closure 80 is in the closed position so that the stack of articles is held within the chute 72 above the outlet 76. Arm 10 connected to the drive in the loading-unloading station 48
The arm 1 is moved in a direction parallel to the article so that the article lowering plate 100 (FIG. 6) attached to the article rests immediately below the closure 80 at the top of the channel 52
The outward movement of 02 causes it to be inserted just above the top of transparent panel 60. Closing plate 80 is then opened, thus supporting the articles within chute 72 on platform 100. station 4
A drive in 8 lowers the arm 102 and the platform 100 with it to progressively pack the article into the channel 52. The flexible end 104 is swept along the partition 58 as the platform 100 is lowered. At the bottom of channel 52, platform 100
and the arm 102 is retracted between the bottom of the panel 60 and the flat plate 64, after which the channel 52
The articles inside are supported on this flat plate 64.

Just before platform 100 reaches its position at the bottom of channel 52 and while still moving downwards, closure 8 for outlet 76 is closed.
0 is actuated to return to the closed position. Therefore, the article in the channel 52 is still moving downwards, resulting in a partial void or at least loosening of the closure and the article, allowing the closure to enter the stack; Movement of the closure body 80 into said position is facilitated. After platform 100 and arm 102 are retracted, they are quickly moved upwardly by the drive for reinsertion under outlet 76. At the same time,
Cart 50 is stepped one pitch to advance the next empty channel 52 and 54 into position for stuffing. A suitable carriage movement and stepping arrangement is described in British Patent No. 1117236.

The downward movement of platform 100 and arm 102 occurs at a controlled rate determined by the rate of article feeding into chute 68. Preferably, the withdrawal, upward return, and reinsertion of the platform 100 is as quick as possible (one or more platforms 100
and this need not be critical if arm 102 is used. ) The required movement of platform 100 is obtained by a pair of parallel drive chains following rectangular paths and connected by links attached to arms 102. For example, this arrangement is similar to the arm 5 described in British Patent No. 1532422.
2 or British Patent Application No. 9689/76. Other possible arrangements comprising a reciprocating drive member and a cam arrangement for extending and retracting a feed member movable with this drive member are shown in the accompanying drawings of the specification of British Patent Application No. 9689/76. Disclosed in connection with FIGS. 9-11. Otherwise, the required movement can be obtained by a pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder arrangement acting at right angles.

Station 48 including outlets 76, 78, platform 100 and inlets 82, 84
Accurate alignment between the carriage 50 and the carriage 50 is important.
For this reason, the carriage 50 is provided with guide rails 96 which are guided between the rollers 98 on the station 48 for centering. Although the arm 102 should pass through the slot 62, preferably narrower than the diameter of the article, the platform 10
The zero flexible end 104 provides some tolerance in the longitudinal positioning of the carriage.
Providing that the outlets 76, 78, channels 52, 54 and inlets 82, 84 have slightly increased widths may provide further tolerance for slight longitudinal misalignment of the carriage. Thus, the width of the outlets 76, 78 (Fig. 5) is
95 mm, the width of the channels 52, 54 may be 100 mm and the width of the inlets 82, 84 may be 105 mm.

When it is necessary to unload articles from the truck 50, the truck is moved until the pair of channels containing the articles are positioned over the inlets 82,84. The closures for the outlets 76, 78 remain closed. The loading and unloading station 48 is operative to engage and remove the plate 64 by movement in a direction parallel to the articles in the channels 52, 54 as shown in FIG. It has a gripping protrusion 106 that can be gripped. With the retreat of the flat plate 64, the channels 52,5
4 are stored in the chute 8 directly below the entrances 82 and 84.
6,88 and falls a short distance onto the item already in the box. The chute 86,88 snakes the articles so that they are oriented similarly to the articles in the main path 69 and reach the composite stack on the conveyor 92. This conveyor 92 returns the articles to the main path 69. A short conveyor 90 throws the articles 8
6 onto the conveyor 92. Preferably, the conveyor 90 is controlled by the height of the articles in the chute 88, for example switched on and off by a photoelectric sensor in this chute.

Channels 52, 54 may include, for example, inlet 82,
If empty, as determined by the photoelectric sensor at 84, the plate 64 is returned by the lug 106. The height of the articles within the channels 52, 54 can be sensed by a movable sensor plate similar to that disclosed in GB 1339887. The modified platform 100 used to load the chute 52, 54 could also be used as a sensor plate for use during unloading.

Conveyor system 40 can be controlled by reference to reversible storage device 46. This has a neutral or intermediate position at about half maximum capacity and the system 40 can be controlled to keep or tend to keep the storage device as far away as possible in this position. Thus, charging at station 48 begins when accumulator 46 reaches the high limit switch, which is positioned near full capacity (but allowing some safety margin), and continues until accumulator 46 returns to the neutral position. Similarly, when the storage device reaches a low limit switch near minimum capacity, unloading at station 48 begins and continues until the storage device returns to the neutral position. The loading and unloading cycles at station 48 can be controlled in addition or solely in response to shutdowns of packaging machine 44 and production machine 42, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 4, the truck 50 is moved substantially contiguously through the loading/unloading station 48. Partition 58 at the end of each trolley 50
is half the width of the intermediate partition, and the channels 52, 54 are equally spaced in the impingement row of the carriages. Movement of truck 50 through station 48 is reversible so that channels 52, 54 can be loaded during movement in one direction and unloaded during movement in the opposite direction. The reversal between loading and unloading can occur within the same truck 50, but once loading or unloading of a pair of channels 52, 54 has begun, the operation is complete. The trolley 50 can be moved by the stepping device as described above. Otherwise, the truck 50 can be driven by itself.

Typically, each trolley 50 has a length of about 1800 mm,
The height is 900mm. This is approximately per channel 52, 54 for a rod-shaped article with a diameter of approximately 8 mm, such as a cigarette or a cigarette filter rod.
It gives a capacity of 1500 pieces or 45000 pieces per 50 trolleys.

If the bar carried within the system 40 is a filtered cigarette, the cigarette is inserted into the carriage channels 52, 54 with the filter tip end of the cigarette adjacent the central plate 56.
It is preferable to charge the Since cigarettes of this type tend to maintain a slightly larger average diameter at the filter tip end than at the tobacco end, some tip correction is applied to the channels 52, 54 so that the width of the channel is slightly reduced from said plate 56. It is preferable to provide

A machine 112 for producing filter rods of a predetermined length is connected to a pneumatic distribution unit 114, e.g.
Another conveyor system 110 for coupling to Molins APHIS is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. In system 110, a loading-unloading station 116, which is fundamentally similar to station 48, is provided as before. However, furthermore, the main passage 1 of the system 110
18 each include a spaced loading and unloading station 120 for a truck 124. A reversible storage device 119, such as a Molins MOLAR or OSCAR, is connected to passageway 118. Loading-unloading station 120, 12
2 are similar to the respective parts of the composite charging station 48 but are spaced apart from each other such that there is a carriageway 125 between them. A truck 124, which may be the same as truck 50, is loaded and unloaded in the same manner as truck 50. The difference in this portion of the system 110 is that all articles passing along the main aisle are first loaded into carts 124 at a loading station 120 and then unloaded at an unloading station 122 after passing along an aisle 125. and that the truck 124 travels in only one direction. Thus, trolleys 124 each holding approximately 45,000 items, for example.
The passage of each article from machine 112 to unit 114 is delayed because the movement along path 125 is relatively slow. Therefore, trolley passage 1
25 constitutes a delay line within the passage 118. In system 110, for example, the delay line consists of about two complete carriages 124, and thus about
Holds 90,000 items. As is well known, the use of this delay line in a system for transporting lengths of filter rods from the manufacturing machine 112 provides the curing time necessary for certain lengths of filter rods. That's true.

This delay line itself can perform the function of a storage device for system 110, if desired.
Eliminates the need for a bypass associated with station 116. Next, the cart 124 is moved to the station 12.
It would be necessary to move it in a reversible direction between 0 and 122. One possible drawback is that the unit 114
If the station were to be restarted after a temporary outage, a partially filled truck 124 would likely remain to the right of the station 122.

9 and 10 illustrate a system 140 that is very similar to the systems of FIGS. 3-6. Similar parts are given a numerical designation of the corresponding part in the system of FIGS. 3-6 plus 100. In the following description, additional and different points will be described.

A main passageway 169 connects a stack conveyor 143, which receives bar articles from an article making machine, to a chute 145 leading to an article packaging machine. The various drives at the loading and unloading station 148 are housed in a housing 149 that forms a tunnel through which the moving truck 150 passes.
As shown in FIG. 10, the truck 150 is advanced by a pair of rotary drive members 171. Specifically, each of the rotational drive members has a protruding nail 1.
73 and these nails are engaged in slots 175 in depending rails 177 attached to each truck 150. This arrangement is essentially similar to that described in GB 1117236.

Figures 11 and 12 show the modified trolley 3.
Yet another conveyor system 240 is illustrated for use with 50. system 24
0 are generally similar to systems 40 and 140 of FIGS. 3-6 and FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively. Only additional points and points of difference are described below.

Each truck 350 has fifteen rows 351, each row consisting of four vertical channels 352,354. Station 348 is adapted to simultaneously load or unload all channels of a row 351. Chute 268 first branches into chute 272 and 274, each of which branches into a pair of outlets 376 and 378, respectively.
Each outlet 376, 378 is provided with a closure device 380 which is operative to close said outlets together. Combined inlets 382 and 384 receive articles from channels 352 and 354, respectively, to combined chute 389 and conveyor 292.
are familiar with each. Channel 352, 35
The bottom of 4 is closed by a flat plate 364.

One important difference in system 240 to note is that articles do not have to pass through a twisted chute to enter carriage 350 and are correspondingly not meandered prior to returning to conveyor 292. This is possible because the articles are placed in a channel 350 parallel to the direction of movement of the carriage 350.
This is because it is accumulated to 2,354. This means that when the flat plate 364 is pulled out, the channels 352, 3
It has the further advantage of being carried out across the 54 articles. A platform corresponding to platform 100 for supporting a descending stack of articles in channel 352 or 354 also supports a bottom row of articles at appropriately spaced locations relative to the length of the articles. Just support it.

The movement of the truck 350 is fundamentally the same as before, but with rotatable drive members 37 spaced apart from each other.
1 is rotatable about a vertical axis and carries a nail 373 for engagement in a slot 375 provided in a horizontally extending channel 377 attached to the carriage 350. It is being done. A stationary roller 39 on which the carriage 350 engages a vertical panel 397 just above the wheels 366
5.

Besides the advantages that result from accumulating goods parallel to the direction of movement of the trolley 350, yet another important advantage is that the trolley 350 can be moved around the trolleys 50 or 15 without significantly increasing the problems of storage and transportation of the trolley itself.
It is possible to hold twice as many items as in the case of 0.

FIG. 13 includes a container 402 having an outlet 404 leading to a chute 406. An apparatus for handling rod-shaped articles is shown. Exit 4
04 can be closed in its entirety by a gate designated 408. The gate 408 consists of a pulley 410 mounted on a horizontally slidable support 412, which supports the outlet 404.
tension spring 414 toward a position extending across the
Pressed by A band 416 , secured at one end 418 , passes over the support 412 , around the pulley 410 , and around another pulley 420 to a reversible drive 422 . A platform 424 for supporting rod-like articles is reversibly movable within the chute 406.

Gate 408 can be operated to block outlet 404 and isolate the container from items within chute 406. For example, when articles are being passed outwardly from container 402 through chute 406 by controlled lowering of platform 424, drive 422 is actuated to release band 416 at a controlled rate. be able to. Tension spring 414 thereby advances support 412 and pulley 410 across outlet 404. The upper extent of band 416 (covering or at least shielding support 412)
remains stationary, so the pulley 41
There is minimal disturbance to the items within the container 402 as the 0 advances. If the spacing across the outlet 404 is reduced to a critical width depending on the diameter and nature of the article, lateral "bridging" of the article (as illustrated in this figure) can occur.
Further passage of gate 408 across outlet 404 does not disturb this "bridge", again due to the stationary upward travel of band 416. Gate 40 as the article approaches the opposite side of exit 404
If the article has a tendency to remain within the passage of 8,
Movement of the band 416 around the pulley 410 tends to move the article upwardly out of the gate passageway so that the article is not crushed. gate 408
To aid in insertion of the gate, platform 424 may be arranged to continue lowering within chute 406 for a short period of time after insertion of the gate has begun. Further lowering of platform 424 is unnecessary after the above-described "bridging" effect occurs.

Gate 408 can also be used to insulate container 402 after it has been dispensed with an article by chute 406, such as by upward movement of platform 424. In this case, the movement of platform 424 can be briefly reversed during initial insertion of gate 408.

The pulley 410 and the support 412 are connected to the spring 414
drive device 4 so that it can be retracted against the tension of
22 to move band 416, gate 408 is moved to open outlet 404.

The gate 408 can be moved by a pneumatic piston associated with a tensioning device for the band 416 without a direct action on the support 412, for example by a spring 414 and a drive device 422 for the band 416.

Exit 8 in FIG. 1 may be closed or
Closing body 80 in the figure, 180 in FIG. 9, or 11
A gate similar to gate 408 may be used as 380 in the diagram.

The tray loading and unloading apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16 consists of a conveyor system 430 for delivering a stack of bar articles to a connection with a stack elevator 432. A reversible storage conveyor section 434 is also connected to the connection. An elevator 432 leads downwards to a short horizontal conveyor section 436 behind which a further elevator 438 is arranged. The conveyors and elevators 430-438 consist of opposing bands laterally spaced from each other (which may have spaced protrusions). The construction and operation of an elevator for stacks of rod-shaped articles is disclosed in British Patent No. 1453193. The elevator 438 terminates in an outlet 440 onto which a tray 442 can be inverted for loading or unloading.

A tray 444, similar to tray 442, is delivered to and removed from equipment on a carriage 446 that moves on a path generally parallel to the articles in elevator 438. Tray 444 is moved to and from the loading-unloading position of tray 442 by support structure 448, which is rotatable about axis 450. Assembly 448 includes a pair of latches 452 and also carries bands 454,456.
The latches 452 are pivotable to engage ledges 458 on each side of the trays 442, 444 and also allow the trays to move when the support structure 448 is positioned above the tray 444 on the carriage 446. It can be moved upwardly with respect to the support structure so as to be clearly lifted from the carriage and fastened to the structure. The necessary movement of latch 452 can be accomplished by a pneumatic cylinder and/or a cam device. Slight lifting of tray 444, shown in phantom in FIG.
is rotated about axis 450 while carrying the tray, thus ensuring that the tray is spaced apart from carriage 446 during rotation. The support structure 448 thus moves the tray 444 from the carriage 446 to the position of the tray 442 for loading or unloading. After tray 442 is loaded or unloaded, it is returned by reverse rotation of support structure 448 and released onto carriage 446 by latch 452 for delivery.

Cart 446 is stepped one position forward or rearward (usually depending on whether the device is in loading or unloading mode) to bring other trays into alignment with support structure 448. One type of suitable carriage stepping mechanism is disclosed in British Patent No. 1,117,236. As illustrated in FIG. 15, successive carts 446 are moved in adjacent relation to each other such that the spacing between the trays 444 is constant. Trolley 44
6 are correctly oriented by opposite pole magnets at the front and rear of each truck. An alignment device consisting of a nail and a socket is mounted on a cart 44 with respect to each other.
6 can be used to provide lateral positioning.

The loading and unloading of trays 442 is described below with particular reference to FIG. Tray 442 has latch 4
52 to the support structure 448 and positioned directly above the exit 440 of the elevator 438. Bands 454, 456 are positioned beneath the open top of inverted tray 442. Although for convenience each band 454, 456 is referred to as a single band, in reality each band 454 and 456 is a pair of mutually spaced bands positioned just inside the plane of the laterally spaced bands of elevator 438. Consists of laterally spaced bands.
Bands 454, 456 (and elevator 438
(The band of the band is also formed with molded teeth 460 which serve to engage the respective drive pulleys 462, 464 for the band and also between the band and the rod-like article.) It also serves to provide additional driving contact.
For this latter purpose, preferably the recesses between the teeth 460 are of a suitable size to seat a single rod-shaped article.

In the area immediately above the outlet 440, the bands 454, 456 pass around respective pairs of mutually opposed pulleys 466, 468, which in the position shown in solid lines in FIG. Define an aperture of approximately the same width as. As will be explained below, this opening
66,468 and can be closed by a gate generally designated 465.
The pulley 466 has a plurality of pairs of V-shaped groove rollers 4.
70 (of which only one pair is shown in the drawings) slides 46 adapted to run within
It is rotatably mounted on 9. Slide 46
9 The position and movement of pulley 466 is therefore controlled by pneumatic piston 472. Similarly,
Pulley 468 is mounted on slide 474 which is movable relative to roller 476 by piston assembly 478 . Pulleys 466 and 468 are moved under the action of respective piston assemblies 472, 478 between the positions shown in solid and dotted lines in FIG. Can move.
To accommodate the movement of pulleys 466, 468,
Bands 454, 456 are connected to drive pulleys 462 and 46, respectively, as shown in FIG.
It passes around tension pulleys 480, 482 which can pivot about the axis of 4.

Furthermore, even when pulleys 466, 468 are closest to each other, there is still a small gap between the upper travels of bands 454, 456.
A pivoted bridge piece 48 that can move as shown in this figure as pulleys 466, 468 move together (e.g., by a cam arrangement synchronized with piston assembly 472).
4 is provided to close the gap.

A light source 486 and a photoelectric detector 488 are positioned directly below gate 465 and on opposite sides of exit 440 .

When the device is used as a tray unloading device, the full tray on cart 446 is picked up by support structure 448 and moved along axis 445 with said structure to the position of tray 442 in FIG.
Rotated around 0. Before and during rotation of the assembly 448, gate 465 is closed so that pulleys 466, 468 are in the closest position to each other and bands 454, 456 and bridge piece 484 close the open top of the tray. After rotation of the tray and assembly 448, pulleys 466, 468 are spaced apart and bridge pieces 484 are pivoted apart, thereby causing gate 465
to open. Next, bands 454, 456
are driven by their respective pulleys 462, 464 so that their respective upward strokes move toward each other and the articles in the tray 442 reach the open gate 4.
65 and moved through the outlet 44
Enter 0. Elevators 438 and 432 and conveyors 436 and 430 are driven to move items away from unloading tray 442. band 4
54,456 and the elevator 438 etc. until the detector 488 in the outlet 440 is exposed thereby indicating that the tray 442 is empty.
continue. When the tray is about 3/4 empty, the bands 454, 456 can be sped up to move the articles more quickly towards the central opening of the gate 465, thus preventing the formation of cavities in this area. desirable.

When the tray is empty, the pulley 46
6,468 are moved together to close gate 465 and tray 442 is returned to carriage 446 and released by assembly 448. If the apparatus is still needed to unload a tray, the carriage 446 is stepped one position to the pick-up position by the next full tray assembly 448.

When the apparatus is used as a tray unloader, empty trays are picked up by assembly 448 and moved to tray 442 in FIG. 16. As before, pulleys 466 and 468 are connected to structure 448.
are adjacent to each other during the movement of the gates 4 and then spaced apart from each other (and the bridge pieces 484 are pivoted apart) so that the gates 4
65 is released. During charging, bands 454, 45
6. Elevators 438 and 432 and conveyor 4
30 and 436 are driven to deliver the article to exit 44
0 and passes through this outlet into the empty tray 442. Bands 45 moving away from each other
A movement of 4,456 upward strokes causes the articles to unfold within the tray.

The bottom of each tray 442, 444 is provided with a slot for access for a sensor rod, shown at 490 in FIG. The sensor rod is attached to a mechanism within the apparatus and is arranged to rest lightly on the top layer of articles when the tray is loaded with articles. Bar 490 follows the upward movement of the items in the tray and helps maintain the upper surface level. Bar 490
reaches the upper position indicating that the tray is full, the tray is withdrawn upwardly through the slot and the bands 454,4
56, elevator 438, etc. are stopped. Sensor bar 490 may also be used to help level the descending surface of the article during unloading and may indicate when bands 454, 456 need to be sped up. The structure and use of the sensor rod is covered by British Patent No.
It is disclosed in the specification of No. 1339887.

Bands 454, 456 and elevator 438
etc. are stopped when tray 442 becomes full, then pulleys 466 and 468 are advanced towards each other for closing gate 465.
At the same time, elevator 438, conveyor 43
6 and elevator 432 are driven to carry the article away from outlet 440, thereby causing pulley 46
A void is created that allows 6,468 entries. Reversible storage device 434 accommodates this backflow of articles. This opposite movement of the elevator 438 etc. causes the light source 4
The light from 86 continues until it reaches photocell 488 .
This ensures a loosening of the article in the area above the outlet 440 which causes the pulleys 466, 468 to move towards each other. As with the embodiment of FIG. 13, when pulleys 466, 468 are brought close enough to each other, the article will naturally bridge the gap, thus creating a cavity below the pulleys. Typically, it is at this stage that reverse flow, such as in elevator 438, ceases. Pulleys 466, 468 (in cooperation with bridge piece 484) are then free to advance to completely close gate 465. pulley 466, respectively
The upward movement of bands 454, 456 around 468 helps prevent articles from becoming trapped between the pulleys. band 454,4
Disturbance to the items in tray 442 is minimal because the upper travel of pulleys 466, 468 remains stationary during operation.

Once gate 465 is closed, trolley 4
For the return of tray 442 to 46, assembly 448
is rotated about axis 450. Carriage 446 is then stepped to position another empty tray under support structure 448 for clamping to support structure 448 and subsequent rotation to the loading position.

Conveyor 430 may be part of (or be connected to) one or more article making machines (e.g., a cigarette making machine) to one or more article receiving machines (e.g., a cigarette wrapping machine). The device may operate as a tray loading device or as a tray unloading device as required (as indicated by the producer and receiver) depending on the conditions within the conveyor system. If necessary, the apparatus can be reversed between tray loading mode and tray unloading mode during operation with one tray. Carriage 446 may preferably be configured as shown in FIG. 15, for example. Preferably, full trays are always moved to the left of the device and empty trays are moved to the right, as shown in FIG.
48, it will be moved in a direction determined by the mode of operation of the device.

Instead of using bridge piece 484 to close the small distance between the upper runs of bands 454, 456, the bands overlap each other upon closing of gate 465 so that the upper range of bands 454, 456 The bands and respective pulleys 466, 468 can be staggered to close the gap. For example, pulleys 466, 468
can be moved toward each other until their respective axes are aligned. Otherwise, pulleys 466, 468 may be at different levels so that they overlap each other. In this case, the gap between the lower run of the upper band and the upper run of the lower band is preferably about one article diameter. This avoids the risk of damage to the article when the gate is closed.

Another possible modification of the apparatus of FIGS. 14-16 is to allow one or both of the conveyors on either side of the elevator 438 to be slightly laterally movable so that the gate after loading of the tray 442 During the closure of 465, the width of the elevator immediately below exit 440 is increased and pulleys 466, 468
Provision can be made to create the void space necessary to allow the entry of. If the device is given this modification, pulleys 466,4
Reversal of elevator 438 etc. to allow entry of 68 is unnecessary.

Yet another modification of the apparatus of FIGS. 14-16 is shown in FIG.
Illustrated in the figure.

The gate 465 and any modifications of the gate described herein are connected to the closures 8, 8 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 9 and 11, respectively.
0,180 and 380.

The present invention may also be adapted for use in dividing a stream 500 of stacks of bar articles on conveyor bands 502 laterally spaced from each other as illustrated in FIG. can. Plate 504 is guided for vertical movement between bands 502 and includes a first pair of laterally spaced pulleys 506 and a second pair of laterally spaced pulleys 506.
It carries at its upper end a pair of laterally spaced apart pulleys 508. The rotational axes of the first and second pair of pulleys 506, 508 are slightly offset. From a fixed position 512, the band 510 passes around a pulley 506 and a fixed rotatable pulley 514.
around which it extends to a reversible drive 515 for said band. Similarly, the band 516 passes from a fixed position around a pulley 518 and further passes through a fixed rotatable pulley 51.
4 to a reversible drive for band 516. The plate 504 is a tension spring 522
is forced upwardly against the tension within the bands 510,516.

The plate 504 has pulleys 506 and 508 connected to the band 5.
From the position where it can be retracted below the level of 02, plate 5
04 is moved to an upper position where it is projected through stream 500 on band 502. The position and movement of the plates are controlled by reversible drives 515 for bands 510, 516. Since the drive 515 allows more slack in the band, the spring 5
22 moves the plate upwardly thereby maintaining tension within the band. During this exercise, the flow 50
Bands 510, 516 in contact with articles in 0
The side parts of remain stationary. This minimizes obstruction and deterioration of articles within the stream. During protrusion of the plate into the stream, the movement of the bands around pulleys 506, 508 is in opposite directions away from each other so that articles tend to move away from the advancing plate. Conversely, if the plate 504 is withdrawn, the article will tend to be moved into the cavity left by the retracting plate.

Instead of exerting the plate by a tension spring 522 under controlled movement of the bands 510, 516, the plate can be moved directly with the band being kept under tension by a tensioning device.

Although the dividing device constructed by the arrangement of the invention is probably wider than prior art dividing plates for the flow of rod-shaped articles (such as those disclosed in the specification of GB 1404141, for example), this obvious The disadvantages are offset by the minimal disturbance to the flow that this arrangement can achieve due to the stationary side bands and the action of the top pulley in moving the articles out of the passage of the dividing device.

If the pulleys 506 and 508 were coaxial, they could be made narrower with this splitter.
In this case, additional pulleys or other guiding devices can be provided to keep the moving run of the band inside the stationary outer run.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the conveyor system for rod-shaped articles, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing another part of the conveyor system of FIG. 1, and FIG. A schematic diagram of the conveyor system; FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a portion of the conveyor system in FIG. 3 taken in the direction of the arrow; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line - in FIG. 4;
6 is an elevational view of a portion of the system shown in FIG. 4; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a further conveyor system for bar articles; and FIG. FIG. 9 is a side view of yet another conveyor system for rod-shaped articles, FIG.
0 is a view seen from the direction of the arrow in FIG. 9, FIG. 11 is a side view of yet another conveyor system for rod-shaped articles, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a side view of a device for handling rod-shaped articles incorporating a gate, FIG. 14 is a side view of a tray loading/unloading device, and FIG.
A partially sectional front view taken along the - line in the figure;
16 is a side view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 14; FIG. 17 is a view showing a modification of the details of the apparatus of FIG. 14; and FIG. 18 is a side view of the apparatus for dividing the flow of rod-shaped articles. It is a diagram. 2, 4, 69, 169, 269...First conveyor device, 20,92,192,292...Second conveyor device, 8,76,78,176,178,
376, 378...exit, 82, 84, 182,
184,382,384...Entrance, 12,52,
54,152,154,352,354...Division, 10,50,150,350...Movable storage device, 94,98,194,395...Passage defining device, 16...Conveyor device, 80,180,38
0...Removable closure device, 14,100...
Platform, 64,364...Exit closing device.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A conveyor system for rod-shaped articles belonging to the tobacco industry, in which the articles are stacked in multiple layers between a sending station, such as a cigarette making machine, and a receiving station, such as a cigarette packaging machine. A conveyor having a first conveyor device for moving articles and a second conveyor device for moving articles in a multilayer stacked form along a path extending from a joint with the first conveyor device. In the system, the passageways 402-40
6,438-442 includes a separating device 408,465 progressively projectable into a substantially continuous multilayer flow of articles across said passageway to close said passageway. at least one surface 416, 454, 456, 510, 5 that remains stationary with respect to the passageway when projected across;
A conveyor system for rod-shaped articles, characterized in that it has 16. 2. In the conveyor system according to claim 1, the passageway is connected to the separating device 408, 4.
65. A conveyor system characterized in that it has a side wall that can be moved laterally away from said separation device during closure of said separation device.