Apparatus and method for transferring rod-like articles

The invention relates to a device for transferring rod-shaped articles, in particular cigarettes, from a longitudinal conveyor for longitudinal axial conveying of the articles onto a transverse conveyor for transverse axial conveying of the articles, wherein the directions of transport of the longitudinal conveyor and the transverse Fördereres extend transversely to each other, comprising a conveying means with receptacles for receiving several articles from the longitudinal conveyor and for discharging the received articles onto the transverse conveyor. The invention further relates to a method for transferring rod-shaped articles, in particular cigarettes, from a longitudinal conveyor for longitudinal axial conveying of the articles onto a transverse conveyor for transverse axial conveying of the articles, the transport directions of the longitudinal conveyor and transverse conveyor run transversely to each other, comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality rod-shaped articles from the longitudinal conveyor by means of a conveyor, rotating the conveyor and thus moving the article to a predetermined angle, and discharging the article onto the cross conveyor.

Such devices and methods are in particular in the tobacco-processing industry. In a cigarette rod making machine strands of tobacco are produced, which are usually divided into individual or double-length tobacco rods. The tobacco rods are conveyed in their longitudinal direction and must be handed over for further processing, eg for Ansetzten a filter, a filter attachment. To this end, the rods must typically be transferred from their longitudinal axial transport direction in a cross-axial transport direction, the transport directions are still transverse to each other also.

There are a variety of devices for the transfer of rod-shaped articles from a longitudinal conveyor to a transverse conveyor. Known devices comprise a conveyor which receives several juxtaposed articles or tobacco sticks from the longitudinal conveyor and it delivers on the cross conveyor. All known devices of this type, however, are only suitable to pass uniformly juxtaposed tobacco sticks. The tobacco rods are separated from this evenly side by side stream feeder of a cigarette rod making machine and strands out for further processing to the transfer device. Particularly advantageous, however, the pair production of the strands has been found in the cigarette rod making machine. However, only a cigarette rod making machine for the manufacture of a single double strand is known, so that the device were formed only handover for handing over of a single item pair. However, there are efforts to produce cigarette rod machine, which are suitable to produce at least two continuous double rods simultaneously.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a simply constructed and compact device for transferring rod-shaped articles with increased performance. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a method which ensures a simple and inexpensive, yet compared to known processes more efficient handover.

This object is on the one hand by a device having the features mentioned solved in that the conveyor means for receiving at least two formed from in each case two articles item pairs, each pair of articles is delivered on a separate track of the longitudinal conveyor, and discharge of the pairs of articles is formed at two separate tracks of the transverse conveyor, wherein the conveying means comprises two separate drum for receiving a respective article pair of one of the tracks of the longitudinal conveyor and for delivering in each case one article-pair on one of the tracks of the transverse conveyor are formed and the drums are either opposite or concurrently driven. This inventive design provides a power doubling is guaranteed, so that is possible in particular, a combination with a cigarette-making machine for the production of two times two strands, which are conveyed in each case as a double strand. Through the combination of features according to the invention, a particularly cost-effective and flexible option is created to pass more than one pair of articles. For one, namely, be made of standard parts, which reduces the manufacturing cost of such devices. On the other independent receiving the articles of each track of the longitudinal conveyor and discharge of the articles onto the transverse conveyor is possible, whereby for example different types of tobacco can be processed on an apparatus. The choice of the drivability of the drums in opposite or co-rotating direction also increases the flexibility of the device and the possibility of a particularly compact arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment the two drums are arranged in the transport direction of the longitudinal conveyor in succession, so that a charge on two parallel tracks of the transverse conveyor is possible in a particularly simple manner.

In a further preferred embodiment the longitudinal conveyor in the region of the two tracks which run parallel to each other and each serving to support a double strand, in each case a separating means for separating the paired item is associated with one of the double strands. This facilitates removing pairs of articles from the longitudinal conveyor.

A further embodiment is characterized by a transverse conveyor, which comprises two separate, forming the webs transfer drums, wherein each transfer drum is in operative connection with one of the drums. With this arrangement, a flexible and compact transfer is ensured.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, one of the drums of the conveyor is arranged below the track and the other drum above the web and the distance A between the two separating means in the transport direction of the longitudinal conveyor is equal to the distance B between the two center axes of the drums in the transport direction of the longitudinal conveyor and equal to the distance C between the two transfer drums transverse to the direction of transport of the transverse conveyor. This results in a particularly space-saving arrangement can provide.

Secondly, the object is achieved by a method with the steps mentioned hereinbefore characterized in that at least two each consisting of two articles pairs of articles, each pair of articles is delivered on a separate track of the longitudinal conveyor, are received, and the article pairs are discharged to two separate tracks of the transverse conveyor, wherein each of the two pairs of articles is received with a separate drum of the conveying means and discharged to a separate transfer drum of the transverse conveyor. This combination of process steps, a simple and cost-effective method is proposed, which has a high efficiency.

Further advantageous features and embodiments will emerge from the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments as well as the method are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a schematic side view of the device in the transport direction of the longitudinal axial run articles with staggered in height and side drums,</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the device,</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the device,</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the device, and</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the device.</dd></dl>

The devices shown and the method used for the transfer of two times two articles, particularly two by two double-length tobacco rods from a rod maker to a filter tip cigarettes.

From Figure 1, the basic principle of the invention will become apparent. The apparatus 10 includes a conveyor 11, which is formed from two separate drums 12 and 13. FIG. The drums 12, 13, also called spinning, according to the principle of the respective<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="DE4129672C2"><text>DE 412 96 72 C2</text></patcit> work, are called, conventionally comprise a plurality (not shown) to shoot, the shots each for the simultaneous reception of two parallel and in the longitudinal direction on a web fed products, including cigarettes are in single or double use length, formed. The recordings are attached to, also not shown poor in the usual manner and moved, so that the recordings, for example, are connected to suction for retaining the products at least during the transport from the receiving to the dispensing parallel to a horizontal plane in which also articles are promoted, be kept. In the transport direction behind the drums 12, 13, a transverse conveyor 14 (conveying direction of the longitudinal conveyor extending transversely to the transport direction of the cross conveyor) is arranged which comprises two transfer drums 15, 16 that form the tracks 37, 38 for removal of the articles. Each transfer drum 15, 16 is provided with a drum 12, 13 is operatively connected and has receptacles for receiving the articles in the usual way on. The recordings are on the periphery of each Übemahmetrommel 15, 16 alternately fixed and on a pivoting lever mounted movable, one fixed and one movable receptacle each form a unit for receiving an item pair. The apparatus 10 of the invention has, generally speaking, two receiving means, namely the drums 12, 13, for receiving the articles from the longitudinal conveyor and two reception means, namely, the transfer drums 15, 16, for receiving the articles from the drums 12, 13th

From the Figure 2, an embodiment of the device 10 is shown, in which the conveyor 11 with two double strands 17, 18, each consisting of two individual strands 19, 20; 21, 22 are formed, is supplied. Each double-strand 17, 18 is guided on a separate path 23, 24, wherein the webs can be 23, 24 arranged in a plane or on different planes. The webs 23, 24 form the longitudinal conveyor 25 and parallel to each other and each has a release agent 26, 27 for separating single or multiple length rods 28 of the strands 19 to 22. Each separation means 26, 27 is used to separate two tobacco rods 28 on a web 23 and 24 simultaneously. In the transport direction 29 of the tracks 23, 24 behind the separating means 26, 27 of each web 23, 24 a of the drums 12, 13 is associated with both drums 12, 13 are arranged above the tracks 23, 24th

The web 23 is displaced in the transport direction 29 to the web 24 is arranged such that the drums 12, 13 are also arranged in the transport direction 29 one behind the other, wherein the distance A between the separating means 26, 27 the distance B between the center axes 30 and 31 of the drums 12, 13 corresponds. The drums 12, 13 are driven in the same. Transverse to the tracks 23, 24 of the longitudinal conveyor 25, the transfer drums 15, 16 of the transverse conveyor 14 for cross-axial transport of the tobacco sticks 28 are arranged. The travel angle or the angle of rotation of the drums 12, 13 between the consumption of the tobacco sticks 28 from the longitudinal conveyor 25 and the discharge of the tobacco sticks 28 on the cross conveyor 14 is in two drums 12, 13 to 90 °. The transfer drums 15, 16 are arranged side by side, such that the central axes 32, 33 of the transfer drums 15, 16 but offset in parallel in the transport direction 34 of the transfer drums 15, 16 to each other. The transfer drums 15, 16 are formed concurrently in this embodiment. The distance C between the two transfer drums 15, 16, namely the distance between the central axes of movement 35, 36 corresponds to the distances A and B. With this arrangement ensures a particularly compact design of the conveyor 11 itself. The transfer drums 15, 16 are arranged in the transport direction 29 of the webs 23, 24 respectively behind and to the corresponding drums 12 in operative connection, 13th

The embodiment of FIG 3 is similar to the embodiment shown in figure 2 is formed, so that the same reference numerals are used for like parts. However, the transfer drums 15, 16 are driven in opposite directions, while the drums 12, 13 are driven in the same. The angle of rotation of the drums 12, 13 are designed differently, namely for the drum 12, a rotational angle of 90 ° between receiving and dispensing is provided, while the angle of rotation between absorption and release of the drum 13 is 270 °. The two transfer drums 15, 16 are located between the drums 12, 13 so that the distance C between the transfer drums 15, 16 is smaller than the distances A and B, which correspond to. By this arrangement, a particularly compact design of the conveyor 11 subsequent device, eg the filter attachment, guaranteed. However vary the distances A, B and C in the embodiment of Figure 3 according to size of the distances A, B and C in the embodiment of FIG. 2

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 The same reference numerals are again used for like parts. The apparatus 10 described in this figure differs from the previously described device 10 in that both drums 12, 13 and the transfer drums 15, 16 are driven in opposite directions. Furthermore, the drum 12 is arranged below the web 23, while the drum 13 is arranged above the web 24th The angle of rotation is for both drums 12, 13 of the receptacle to the delivery of the tobacco sticks 28 90 °. The transfer drums 15, 16 are as in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 again in the transport direction 29 each arranged behind the drums 12, 13, so that in terms of the distances A, B and C results in the state, which was already explained for FIG. 2 The size of the distances A, B, C corresponding to those of FIG. 2

In the embodiment of Figure 5, in turn, the drum 12 is arranged below the web 23 and the drum 13 above the web 24th However, the transfer drums 15, 16 of the transverse conveyor 14 are both between the drums 12, 13 are arranged so that the condition regarding the distances (A = B, A, B&gt; C) is repeated according to Figure 3, which also applies to the size of the distances applies. In this embodiment, the drums 12, 13 are driven in opposite directions, while the transfer drums 15, 16 are driven in the same. The angle of rotation of the drum 12 is 90 °. The angle of rotation of the drum 13 is 270 °.

In the following the method is described with reference to particular embodiments:<ul><li>In the method with the device 10 according to FIG 2 two Doppelstränge17, 18 of tobacco or the like with the longitudinal conveyor 25 are longitudinally and axially guided on the conveyor 11th Each double-strand 17, 18 is guided along a separate path 23, 24th</li><li>Of the double strands 17, 18 27 tobacco rods 28 by means of the separating means 26, separated from the strands 19, 20 and 21, respectively, 22nd Since the webs 23, 24 placed in the transport direction 29 to each other, are also used to separate the</li><li>Tobacco sticks 28 locally and thus a time lag. The double strand 17 on the track 23 is spatially and temporally isolated on the web 24 before the double strand 18th The tobacco rods 28 are then paired each supplied a drum 12. 13 The rotating drums 12, 13 each receive a pair of articles, wherein the receiving of the top of the tracks 23, 24 is carried out. Since, however, are offset according to the offset of the separating means 26, 27 and the drums 12, 13, that is, the pick-up point for the tobacco rods 28 in space and time before the acceptance point for the rods 28 is located from the drum 12 of the drum 13, recording is carried out both Article pairs simultaneously. Both drums 12, 13 rotate with the received item pairs, namely, the total of four tobacco rods 28, through 90 ° and give the four tobacco rods 28 then simultaneously at the respective corresponding Übemahmetrommel 15 and 16 respectively from. The transfer drums 15, 16 transport the pairs of articles transversely axially on the tracks 37, 38 to the next processing station, for example, to filter attachment. For this, the transfer drums 15, 16 rotate the same direction, so that the pairs of articles are transported parallel to one another and in the same transport direction 34 on the two tracks 37, 38th</li></ul>

The method with the device of Figure 3 runs in principle from similar. However, the drums rotate 12, 13 due to the different arrangement of the transfer drums 15, 16 at different angles. The drum 12 rotates by receiving the tobacco sticks 28 to 90 ° and gives the rods 28 then to 15 Übemahmetrommel on. The drum 13 rotates with the tobacco sticks 28 through 270 ° before it passes the tobacco sticks 28 to the transfer drum 16th However, the transfer drums 15, 16 rotate to transport in transport direction 34 in opposite directions.

With the device 10 according to Figure 4, the tobacco sticks are added 28 on different sides (top and bottom) of the longitudinal conveyor 25th The drum 12 decreases, the pair of articles from the underside of the web 23, while the drum 13, the pair of articles from the top of the web 24 decreases. The counter-rotating drums 12, 13 both rotate through an angle of 90 ° and then enter the product pairs to also counter-rotating transfer drums 15, 16, which then promote the item pairs in parallel in the transport direction 34 transversely to their axis.

The process with the device 10 according to Figure 5 essentially corresponds to the method with the embodiment described in connection with FIG. 4 However, the drums rotate 12, 13 in opposite directions to a different angle. The drum 12 rotates with the tobacco rods 28 by 90 °. The drum 13 rotates with the tobacco sticks 28 through 270 °. After the simultaneous release of the two pairs of articles on the concurrently driven transfer drums 15, 16 the Arikel pairs are mutually supported in the transverse-axial direction parallel to the direction of transport 34th

Other configurations are mutually by varying the position of the separating means 26, 27, variation of the position of the drums 12, 13, variation of the transfer drums 15, 16 and arrangement of the webs 23, 24 is also possible. It is crucial that the conveyor 11 comprises two mounting points for at least two pairs of articles and two delivery points for the same.