US20190159512A1 - A method and an apparatus for emptying various types of trays filled with rod like articles of the tobacco industry, and converting unit designed to change tray's configuration - Google Patents

A method and an apparatus for emptying various types of trays filled with rod like articles of the tobacco industry, and converting unit designed to change tray's configuration Download PDF

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Publication number
US20190159512A1
US20190159512A1 US15/733,006 US201715733006A US2019159512A1 US 20190159512 A1 US20190159512 A1 US 20190159512A1 US 201715733006 A US201715733006 A US 201715733006A US 2019159512 A1 US2019159512 A1 US 2019159512A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
tray
type
wall
filled
configuration
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Abandoned
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US15/733,006
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English (en)
Inventor
Radoslaw Owczarek
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International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp zoo
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International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp zoo
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Assigned to INTERNATIONAL TOBACCO MACHINERY POLAND SP. Z O.O. reassignment INTERNATIONAL TOBACCO MACHINERY POLAND SP. Z O.O. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: OWCZAREK, RADOSLAW
Publication of US20190159512A1 publication Critical patent/US20190159512A1/en
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/35—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine
    • A24C5/352—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine using containers, i.e. boats
    • A24C5/356—Emptying the boats into the hopper of the packaging machine
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/35—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine
    • A24C5/352—Adaptations of conveying apparatus for transporting cigarettes from making machine to packaging machine using containers, i.e. boats
    • A24C5/358—Boat constructions

Definitions

  • the object of the invention is a method and an apparatus for emptying of a tray of different types filled with rod like articles of the tobacco industry, and a converting unit designed to change the tray configuration.
  • Plastic trays which are used for all types of rod like articles, among others for cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars and filter material rods, are commonly used in the tobacco industry. Plastic trays have the shape of a cuboid without two adjacent walls, i.e. these are trays having four walls. Plastic trays are rigid and are used for temporary storage and transport of rod like articles on the premises of tobacco factories. Cardboard trays designed as five-wall trays are commonly used for the transport of filter rods outside the factory premises. Cardboard trays have thinner walls, are less rigid and easily deformable, with one swinging wall.
  • the apparatuses for unloading of four-wall and five-wall trays are essentially similarly built, however, the mechanisms of the apparatus must be differently adjusted for each type of tray, moreover, one of the walls of the five-wall tray must be swung before unloading.
  • the type and the physical parameters of unloaded rod like articles also influence the unloading process.
  • the object of the invention is a machine adapted to empty the trays of two types with different configurations, the five-wall tray being the tray of the first type and the four-wall tray being the tray of the second type.
  • the four-wall tray may be made of any material.
  • a cardboard five-wall tray intended to be emptied is placed in a plastic four-wall tray whereas after placing it in the plastic tray, one wall of the five-wall tray is manually swung. Trays, which are put together and secured from separation by means of a special holder holding the swung wall, are placed on a tray unloader.
  • the object of the invention is an apparatus for emptying of two types of trays for rod like articles of the tobacco industry, while the five-wall tray being the tray of the first type and the four-wall tray being the tray of the second type, the apparatus is provided with a filled tray station of the first type or the second type, a turning unit designed to turn the filled tray of the first type or the second type, a lifting unit designed to lift the turning unit, a station for emptying of the tray of the first or the second type, a station for empty trays of the first or the second type, a control system controlling the subassemblies of the apparatus.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is characterised by further comprising a converting unit being adapted to change the configuration of the tray of the first type into a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the tray of the second type.
  • the converting unit is adapted to change the configuration of the tray of the first type into a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the tray of the second type when the tray of the first type is delivered for unloading, and to maintain the configuration of the tray of the second type when the tray of the second type is delivered for unloading
  • the converting unit is further provided with a linearly operating lifting mechanism designed to lift the hinged wall and the connecting members and a linearly operating pressing mechanism designed to press the hinged wall and the connecting members to other walls of the tray
  • the turning unit is adapted to add to the rotation of the tray a translation transversely to the axis of the rotation shaft, and in a direction with a tangent component to the rotation.
  • the manufacturers of articles for smoking who process semi-finished products stored in various trays in the production process may reduce the expenditure on the machinery because the apparatus according to the invention may unload both plastic and cardboard trays, whereas no additional parts are required to adapt the machine to any type of tray.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is further characterised in that the turning unit designed to turn the filled tray has a holding mechanism provided with gripping members designed to hold the tray and adapted to move the tray transversely to the axis of the shaft of the turning unit.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is further characterised in that the holding mechanism is attached to a linear guide designed to move the tray transversely to the axis of the shaft of the turning unit.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is further characterised in that the gripping members comprise lateral grippers, a bottom gripper, and a sliding cover.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is further characterised in that the apparatus is provided with a lifting unit designed to lift the filled tray from the filled tray station.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is further characterised in that the converting unit is an opening unit designed to swing a hinged wall of the tray of the first type.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is further characterised in that the opening unit designed to swing the hinged wall of the tray of the first type is situated above the lifting unit designed to lift the filled tray.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is further characterised in that the apparatus is provided with a tray type detection unit.
  • the object of the invention is also a method for emptying of two types of trays with different configuration for rod like articles of the tobacco industry while the five-wall tray being the tray of the first type and the four-wall tray being the tray of the second type, wherein the filled tray of the first type or the second type is placed on the filled tray station, the filled tray of the first type or the second type is conveyed along the filled tray station, the filled tray of the first type or the second type is gripped by means of the turning unit, the filled tray of the first type or the second type is lifted, the filled tray of the first type or the second type is turned by means of the turning unit, the filled tray of the first type or the second type is placed in the filled tray emptying station, the empty tray of the first type or the second type is conveyed to the empty trays station, the empty tray of the first type or the second type is received from the empty trays station.
  • the method according to the invention is characterised in that after the delivery of the filled tray of the first type the converting unit is activated, the configuration of the tray of the first type is converted to a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the tray of the second type, whereas the configuration of the tray of the first type is changed into a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the tray of the second type when the tray of the first type is delivered for unloading, and the configuration of the tray of the second type is maintained when the tray of the second type is delivered for unloading, moreover during the turning of the filled tray a translation transversely to the axis of the rotation shaft, and in a direction with a tangent component to the rotation is added.
  • the operator does not have to take any further action apart from placing the trays on the filled trays station and swinging the hinged wall. Thus the operator is not additionally engaged, in terms of time, in operating the apparatus according to the invention.
  • the method according to the invention is further characterised in that during the turning of the filled tray the filled tray is moved away transversely to the axis of the shaft of the turning unit.
  • the method according to the invention is further characterised in that before the tray is gripped by the turning unit, the filled tray is lifted on the lifting unit designed to lift filled trays.
  • the object of the invention is also a converting unit designed to change the configuration of the tray of the first type having at least one hinged wall provided with connecting members designed to connect the hinged wall with other walls of the tray into a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the tray of the second type not having a swinging wall, provided with pushing members designed to lift the hinged wall and the connecting members, and with pressing members designed do press the hinged wall and the connecting member to other walls of the tray.
  • the unit according to the invention is characterised in that the unit is further provided with a linearly operating lifting mechanism designed to lift the swinging wall and the connecting members, and a linearly operating pressing mechanism designed to press the hinged wall and the connecting members to other walls of the tray.
  • the unit according to the invention is further characterised in that the lifting mechanism is built of at least two actuators provided with pushing members.
  • the unit according to the invention is further characterised in that the pressing mechanism is built of at least two actuators provided with pressing members.
  • the tray emptying apparatus allows for the operation of the machine with various types of trays. As a result, the operator does not have to make a time-consuming change of machines configuration, and it is not necessary to store a set of parts required to change the configuration of the machine. The conversion of the tray takes place without extending the machine operation time.
  • FIG. 1 shows a filled four-wall tray (of the second type) in a perspective view, with the front side of the tray being visible,
  • FIG. 2 shows the filled five-wall tray (of the first type) in a configuration of the tray of the second type in a perspective view, with the front side of the tray being visible,
  • FIG. 2 a shows the filled five-wall tray (of the first type) in a configuration of the tray of the second type in a perspective view, with the back side of the tray being visible,
  • FIG. 2 b shows the filled five-wall tray (of the first type) in a configuration of the tray of the second type in a perspective view, with the front side of the tray being visible,
  • FIG. 3 shows a tray emptying machine in a side view
  • FIG. 3 a shows a turning unit and a tray lifting unit in a view from the back of the machine
  • FIG. 3 b shows a converting unit and the tray of the first type in a view from the back of the machine
  • FIG. 3 c shows the converting unit and the tray of the first type in a side view
  • FIG. 3 d shows pressing members of the converting unit and a tray of the first type in a top view
  • FIG. 3 e shows the pressing members of the converting unit and the tray of the first type in a top view
  • FIG. 4 shows the tray emptying machine in a side view
  • FIG. 5 shows a handling module in a side view
  • FIG. 6 shows the tray emptying machine in a side view, with the turning unit being shown in several working positions
  • FIG. 7 shows the paths of movement of the four-wall tray—of the second type
  • FIG. 8 shows the paths of movement of the four-wall tray—of the second type
  • FIG. 9 shows the paths of movement of the five-wall tray—of the first type
  • FIG. 10 shows the paths of movement of the five-wall tray—of the first type
  • FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 show successive phases of movement of the turning unit.
  • the four-wall tray 3 has a bottom wall 3 B on which its stands, a back wall 3 A and two lateral walls, a left lateral wall 3 L and a right lateral wall 3 R, whereas the designation of the sides refers to the position in which the tray can be seen by the operator putting a filled tray onto the filled trays station, with the open front side 3 G of the trays 3 being directed towards him. The filling and the emptying of the tray takes place through the open side 3 T.
  • Four-wall trays may be made of plastic or other suitable material ensuring an adequate rigidity and are usually designed for multiple uses.
  • the five-wall tray 13 has a bottom wall 13 B on which it stands, a back wall 13 A and two lateral walls, a left lateral wall 13 L and a right lateral wall 13 R.
  • the five-wall tray 13 has a swinging upper wall 13 T′ which is designated as self-aligning relative to the back wall 13 A of the tray 13 with which it is connected along the edge 13 E.
  • the upper wall 13 T′ has two swinging lugs 13 FL and 13 FR which, for the transport time, are inserted into a slot in the corresponding lateral walls 13 L and 13 R.
  • FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show the five-wall tray 13 at a later stage the emptying cycle of the five-wall tray 13 in an open configuration identical with the configuration of the four-wall tray.
  • the upper wall 13 T′ is swung so as to allow emptying the five-wall tray 13 through the upper open side 13 T of the five-wall tray.
  • the filling of the five-wall tray 13 also takes place through the upper side 13 T. Similar to the four-wall tray 3 , the operator puts the five-wall tray 13 onto the filled trays station while holding the five-wall tray 13 with the open side 13 G directed towards him.
  • Five-wall trays 13 may be made of cardboard or other cheap material, are usually softer than the four-wall trays and are usually designed for a single use.
  • the tray 3 , 13 emptying machine 1 described below being a tray unloader, is adapted to empty both rigid four-wall trays jest 3 and less rigid five-wall trays 13 without the necessity of changing the machine configuration.
  • the units belonging to the tray emptying machine 1 according to the invention were shown in FIG. 3 in simplified terms without the drive mechanisms; the outer contour of the machine was shown with a broken line.
  • the tray emptying machine 1 is provided with a filled trays station 2 onto which the filled four-wall trays 3 or five-wall trays 13 to be unloaded are placed by the operator.
  • the filled trays station 2 may be designed as a conveyor 4 provided with two conveyor belts for the conveyance of trays 3 , 13 ; the trays 3 , 13 may also be conveyed by means of chains having links with a flat bearing surface. From the filled trays station 2 , the trays 3 , 13 are fed as first filled trays 3 ′, 13 ′ in order to deliver them for unloading, whereas a plurality of filled trays 3 , 13 is collected on the filled trays station 2 . The feeding of the first filled tray 3 ′, 13 ′ from all filled trays 3 , 13 standing in the station 2 may take place after the lifting of all filled trays 3 , 13 from the conveyor 4 except for the first tray 3 ′, 13 ′ which is transported by the conveyor 4 .
  • the lifting of the trays 3 , 13 may take place by means of a lifting device 4 A with whose movement the lowering of a locking device 4 B is coupled, which allows the first filled tray 3 ′, 13 ′ transported by the conveyor 4 to pass through.
  • the lifting device 4 A is lowered, the trays 3 , 13 lifted earlier by the lifting device 4 A are put onto the conveyor 4 , and the locking device 4 B is lifted.
  • the filled trays station 2 is provided with lateral guides 4 C situated on two sides of the trays 3 , 13 conveyed along the filled trays station 2 .
  • the lateral guides 4 C are convergently positioned in the feeding direction i.e.
  • the convergence of the lateral guides 4 C may be adjusted depending on the kind of the tray 3 , 13 , for example on the rigidity of the tray 3 , 13 .
  • the lateral guides 4 C may be positioned at different heights also depending on the kind of the tray 3 , 13 , especially on the rigidity of lateral walls of the tray 3 , 13 and on the shape of lateral walls of the trays 3 , 13 .
  • the filled trays station 2 may be provided with an adjustable support element 5 ; the adjustment of position of the support element 5 is required to allow stopping the filled tray 3 , 13 at a place from which it may be easily collected or lifted.
  • the filled tray 3 , 13 is placed by the operator in the back part 2 A of the filled trays station 2 .
  • a lifting unit 6 designed to lift the filled tray 3 , 13 is situated in the front part 2 B of the filled trays station 2 .
  • the lifting unit 6 may be embodied as a lift designed to lift filled trays from the conveyor 4 of the filled trays 3 , 13 station 2 , with the mechanism of the lifting unit 6 being situated below the conveyor belts of the conveyor 4 .
  • the tray emptying machine 1 is provided with two opening units 21 L, 21 R ( FIG. 3 ) designed to open the upper wall 13 T′ of the five-wall tray 13 .
  • the opening units 21 L, 21 R have for example rotational working elements 22 L and 22 R ( FIG. 3 a ) which swing the upper wall 13 T′.
  • the five-wall tray 13 shown in FIG. 2 has a configuration hereinafter referred to as the configuration of the first type while the four-wall tray 3 shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration hereinafter referred to as the configuration of the second type.
  • the five-wall tray 13 may be gripped by the turning unit 10 only after the conversion of the five-wall tray to the configuration of the second type.
  • the opening unit 21 L and the opening unit 21 R together constitute a converting unit which changes the tray configuration from the configuration of the first type (i.e. the tray with the fifth wall covering the inside of the tray) to a configuration corresponding to the tray configuration of the second type (i.e. the four-wall tray in which the inside of the tray is not covered by the fifth wall).
  • the lifting unit 6 designed to lift the filled trays 3 , 13 is provided with brackets 7 A, 7 B and 7 C shown in FIG. 3 a .
  • brackets 7 A, 7 B and 7 C shown in FIG. 3 a .
  • the tray 3 , 13 is held by movable lateral clamping members 8 L and 8 R which in case of five-wall trays 13 made of cardboard have the task of eliminating the risk of deformation of the five-wall trays 13 and displacement (falling down) of rod like articles R in the upper corners of the five-wall tray 13 .
  • the lateral clamping members 8 L and 8 R may be moved for example by pneumatic actuators 9 , whereas the position of the clamping members 8 L and 8 R requires adjustment according to the rigidity and the overall dimensions of the trays 3 , 13 used. In case of four-wall trays 3 it is not necessary to exert pressure on the sidewalls 3 L, 3 R of the tray 3 and in this case the clamping members 8 L and 8 R constitute limiters of movement in the horizontal direction.
  • the lifting of the tray 3 , 13 by the lifting unit 6 may be accomplished by any linear movement mechanism with electric or pneumatic drive. The lifting unit 6 lifts the filled tray 3 , 13 to a height at which the turning unit 10 may grip the filled tray 3 , 13 .
  • the turning unit 10 is adapted to turn the filled tray 3 , 13 before unloading it at the filled tray emptying station 23 .
  • the turning unit 10 may be designed as stationary at a specific height or may be moved in the vertical direction by the lifting unit 11 .
  • the lowering of the turning unit 10 , and then the lifting of the filled tray 3 , 13 by the turning unit directly from the filled trays 3 , 13 station 2 is also possible, and it will be described in more detail below in this description.
  • FIGS. 3 b , 3 c , 3 d , 3 e show an alternative converting unit designed to open the five-wall tray.
  • FIG. 3 b shows the tray 13 which has been lifted by the lifting unit 6 in a view from the back of the machine.
  • the converting unit 21 comprises actuators 31 L and 31 R which are provided with pushing members 32 L and 32 R attached to piston rods of the actuators 31 L and 31 R.
  • the pushing members 32 L and 32 R are used to swing the wall 13 T′ together with the lugs 13 F in the axis passing through the edge 13 E.
  • the actuators 31 L and 31 R are inclined relative to the walls 13 L and 13 R in order to enable the pushing members to act on the surface of the wall 13 T′.
  • FIG. 3 c shows the upper wall 13 T′ of the tray 13 in the configuration of the first type.
  • the actuators 31 L and 31 R are in the pulled-out position, and the pushing members 32 L and 32 R abut against the wall 13 T′.
  • the task of the actuators 33 L and 33 R is to further bend the wall 13 T′ and the lugs 13 FL and 13 FR.
  • the pushing members 34 L and 34 R are attached to piston rods of the actuators 33 L and 33 R, whereas FIG. 3 d shows the position of the pushing members 34 L and 34 R before bending the wall 13 T′ and the lugs 13 FL and 13 FR, and FIG. 3 e after bending thereof.
  • the pushing member 34 L is attached to the actuator 33 L and is used to bend the wall 13 T′ so that it abuts against the wall 13 A, and to bend the lug 13 FL so that it abuts against the wall 13 L.
  • the pushing member 34 R is attached to the actuator 33 R and is used to bend the wall 13 T′ so that it abuts against the wall 13 A, and to bend the lug 13 FR so that it abuts against the wall 13 R.
  • the actuator 33 L with the pressing member 34 L and the actuator 33 R with the pressing member 34 R constitute a pressing mechanism 34 designed to press the self-aligning wall 13 T′ to the wall 13 A and the connecting members in the form of the lugs 13 FL and 13 FR to the walls 13 L and 13 R of the tray 13 .
  • the lifting mechanism 32 and the pressing mechanism 34 constitute a converting unit 35 being at the same time an opening unit.
  • the pushing members 34 L and 34 R may be attached to the turning unit 10 , for example to the body 14 , then the bending of the wall 13 T′ and the lugs 13 FL and 13 FR takes place during the lowering of the turning unit 10 .
  • the tray emptying machine 1 is provided with the filled tray emptying station 23 ( FIG. 4 ) in the front part 1 A of the machine underneath which the conveyor 24 receiving the rod like articles R unloaded from the trays 3 , 13 is situated.
  • an empty trays station 25 is situated in the back part 1 B of the tray emptying machine 1 .
  • the empty trays station 25 may be designed as a conveyor or an empty trays store.
  • the empty trays station 25 is provided with a receiving unit 28 comprising a self-aligning shelf 26 with a support 27 . On the shelf 26 , which has been pulled out, the empty tray 3 , 13 carried by the turning unit 10 after emptying at the filled tray emptying station 23 is placed.
  • the backward movement of the shelf 26 with the support 27 towards the back part 1 B of the machine 1 causes a displacement of all empty trays 3 , 13 collected at the station 25 .
  • the tray emptying machine 1 of FIG. 4 comprises the converting unit 21 situated at such height above the conveyor 4 of the filled trays station 2 which makes it possible to change the configuration for the tray 13 ′ being on the conveyor 4 .
  • the tray 13 is lifted by the lifting unit 6 or is taken by the lowered turning unit 10 .
  • the control system is adapted to activate the converting unit 21 when the machine is loaded with trays in the configuration of the first type. In case of feeding of the four-wall tray 3 onto the tray emptying machine 1 the converting unit remains in an inactive state. It is also possible to convert a tray of the first type to the configuration of a tray of the second type after the tray 13 has been lifted by the lifting unit 6 .
  • the tray emptying machine 1 is provided with a controller 40 shown in FIG. 3 connected with individual units of the machine 1 .
  • the machine 1 control system comprises a detection unit 41 designed to detect the type of tray placed on the filled trays station 2 . Depending on the type of trays placed on the station 2 , the activation of the converting unit 21 , 35 may take place.
  • the converting unit 21 , 35 may be in an active state irrespective of the type of fed tray because its working elements act on the walls of the five-wall tray in the configuration of the first type, and do not act on the walls of the four-wall tray in the configuration of the second type.
  • FIG. 5 shows the turning unit 10 which is attached to a rotating shaft 12 with the axis of rotation 12 A on a slide 11 A of the lifting unit 11 .
  • the turning unit 10 is provided with a main support element 14 on which the back wall 3 A, 13 A of the four-wall 3 or five-wall tray 13 , respectively, is supported.
  • the turning unit 10 is provided with gripping members designed to grip the tray jest 3 , 13 , namely at least one bottom gripper 15 L, 15 R designed to hold up the bottom wall 3 B, 13 B of the tray 3 , 13 , at least one pair of lateral grippers 16 L, 16 R designed to grip the lateral walls 3 L, 3 R, 13 L, 13 R of the tray 3 , 13 and a damper 18 designed to cover the rod like articles R being in the tray, with the gripping members being attached to a holding mechanism 10 A designed to hold the tray 3 , 13 in the turning unit 10 during the handling of the tray 3 , 13 .
  • the turning unit 10 and the lifting unit 11 constitute a handling unit 19 .
  • the handling of the tray 3 , 13 is to be understood as the lifting of the tray 3 , 13 by the lifting unit 11 and the turning of the tray 3 , 13 by the turning unit 10 as well as the moving of the tray 3 , 13 on the holding mechanism 10 A away from the axis 12 A of the shaft 12 of the turning unit 10 .
  • the tray 3 , 13 emptying cycle it is possible to freely combine the functions of tray 3 , 13 lifting, turning and moving from the axis of rotation 12 A.
  • the embodiment in FIG. 3 a shows a pair of self-aligning bottom grippers 15 L, 15 R designed to support the bottom wall 3 B, 13 B of the tray 3 , 13 , respectively.
  • a greater number of bottom grippers may be required for less rigid trays 3 , 13 and in case of heavy rod like articles R.
  • the embodiment shows lateral grippers 16 L and 16 R designed in the shape of longitudinal slats constituting clamping members.
  • the shape of the lateral grippers 16 L, 16 R may depend on the shape of the surface of lateral walls of the tray 3 , 13 , with the five-wall trays 13 having smooth lateral walls, whereas the four-wall trays 3 are ribbed and may have additional projections.
  • the lateral grippers 16 L, 16 R may be moved by means of pneumatic actuators 17 and may act on the tray 3 , 13 as clamping members eliminating the deformation of lateral walls of the tray 3 L and 3 R, and 13 L and 13 R, respectively.
  • the position of the clamping members 16 L and 16 R requires an adjustment of the tray 3 , 13 holding position according to the rigidity and overall dimensions of the trays 3 , 13 used.
  • the damper 18 which is slidably fastened to the guide 18 A of the holding mechanism 10 A in the turning unit 10 and is moved by means of any not shown drive unit with linear motion, for example a pneumatic or electric drive unit, is used to cover the rod like articles R in the tray 3 , 13 .
  • the holding mechanism 10 A comprises the lateral grippers 16 L, 16 R, the self-aligning bottom grippers 15 L, 15 R, the damper 18 and their drive elements attached to the body 14 , for example designed as a plate which constitutes the main support element for the tray.
  • the holding mechanism 10 A is attached to the linear guide 10 B which is connected with the rotating shaft 12 with the axis of rotation 12 A.
  • the holding mechanism 10 A may be moved along the guide 10 B by means of any not shown drive mechanism so as to ensure the movement of the holding mechanism 10 A transversely to the axis 12 A of the shaft 12 .
  • the holding mechanism 10 A has the task to change the distance of the tray 3 , 13 from the axis 12 A of the rotating shaft 12 .
  • the combination of rotational movement of the tray 3 , 13 with the linear movement allows any handling of the tray 3 , 13 during the transport thereof to the unloading position at the tray 3 , 13 emptying station 23 .
  • FIG. 6 shows the tray emptying machine 1 with its units in characteristic positions
  • the lifting unit 6 was shown in the bottom position and marked with a solid line and in the upper position 6 ′ marked with a broken line.
  • the turning unit 10 in the bottom position is shown with a solid line; in this position, the tray 3 , 13 is transferred from the lifting unit 6 .
  • the turning unit 10 in the upper position 10 ′ was shown with a broken line.
  • the rotational movement of the turning unit 10 may start in the upper position 10 ′, it may also start before reaching the upper position 10 ′ i.e. already during the lifting by the lifting unit 11 .
  • the turning unit 10 in the position just before the start of unloading of the tray 3 , 13 was shown with a broken line and marked as 10 ′′.
  • the receiving unit 28 of the empty trays station 25 shown with a solid line is in a waiting position, i.e. in the retracted position in which it does not receive empty trays.
  • the receiving unit 28 shown with a broken line is in the tray receiving position and is marked as 28 ′.
  • FIG. 7 shows the path of movement 70 of the four-wall tray 3 , whereas the successive stages of tray movement were shown with reference to the point situated in the middle of the back wall of the tray.
  • the path of movement 70 connecting successive characteristic points taken by the midpoints of the tray passing through the areas of operation of individual mechanisms was shown with a thick broken line.
  • the filled four-wall tray 3 passes through successive positions from point A to B.
  • the filled four-wall tray 3 from the point B is moved to the position controlled by the support element 5 or the lifting unit 6 and stops at the point C.
  • the lifting unit 6 starts the upward movement and lifts the four-wall tray 3 , and causes an inclination of the filled four-wall tray 3 by several degrees; the position of the four-wall tray 3 after the inclination is marked as C′.
  • the tray 3 is held by the clamps 8 L and 8 R.
  • the lifting unit 6 ends the upward movement when the four-wall tray 3 has reached the point D.
  • the turning unit 10 grips the four-wall tray 3 with the lateral grippers 15 L and 16 R and the self-aligning supports 15 L and 15 R, and the damper 18 covers the rod-like articles R collected in the tray.
  • the lifting unit 6 is lowered.
  • the turning unit 10 together with the gripped four-wall tray 3 is lifted by the lifting unit 11 i.e.
  • the handling unit 19 so that the tray 3 reaches the point E. From the point E starts the rotational movement of the turning unit 10 , whereas the turning unit 10 is shown with a broken line.
  • the start of rotational movement of the turning unit 10 starts the movement of the holding mechanism 10 A together with the four-wall tray 3 in order to increase the distance of the tray from the axis of the shaft of the turning unit 10 .
  • the movement of the holding mechanism 10 A takes place transversely to the axis 12 A of the rotating shaft 12 .
  • the movement of the holding mechanism 10 A may be started in any phase of the rotational movement.
  • the four-wall tray 3 will be moved from the point E to the point F on a nearly elliptical path or a path consisting of elliptical sections.
  • the path of movement on which the filled four-wall tray 3 is moved may comprise circular sections and a plurality of elliptical sections, whereas the shape of the path of movement depends on physical parameters of rod like articles R, primarily on their weight.
  • the four-wall tray 3 is swung by several degrees from the vertical direction before the start of unloading of the four-wall tray 3 .
  • the damper 18 is retracted and the unloading of the rod-like articles R from the four-wall tray 3 onto the conveyor 24 is started.
  • the four-wall tray 3 may be received by the handling unit 19 because the four-wall tray 3 all the time remains gripped by the holding unit 10 A of the turning unit 10 .
  • the four-wall tray 3 may remain at the point G in the unloading position until it has been completely emptied.
  • the tray 3 When receiving the empty tray 3 , first the tray 3 moves in the vertical direction in the section G-H and then in the section of the path H-J and it is delivered to the receiving unit 28 of the empty trays station 25 .
  • the section H-J runs above because when receiving the tray after partial unloading of the tray the section G-H must be rectilinear and vertical.
  • the section H-J of the path of movement may be similar to the path section E-F or overlap it (when receiving the tray after it has been completely emptied).
  • the movement of the tray 3 on the section H-J may be accomplished by another unit than the turning unit 10 of the handling unit 19 .
  • the empty four-wall tray 3 is moved to the point K by the receiving unit 28 and further along the empty trays station 25 to the point L from where it is collected by the operator.
  • the displacement of empty trays from the point K to L is forced by the movement of the receiving unit 28 related to received successive empty trays.
  • the transported rod like articles R require gentle treatment and the lowest possible mechanical loads. Due to different weight of rod like articles, the tray unloader mechanisms are subjected to various loads. The loads affect in particular the mechanisms of the turning unit 10 .
  • the rod like articles R contained in it may move to a certain degree relative to the tray 3 , 13 .
  • the movement of the rod like articles R relative to the tray 3 , 13 should be eliminated or at least limited because it may result in the ends of rod like articles R being damaged. Tests have proven that an optimal distribution of accelerations to which the rod like articles R are subjected and of loads of mechanisms of the turning unit 10 may be achieved by starting the rotational movement of the turning unit 10 around the axis 12 A before the end of lifting by the lifting unit 11 .
  • FIG. 8 shows a modified path of movement 80 of the four-wall tray 3 wherein the rotational movement of the turning unit 10 starts at the point M, where the moving of the four-wall tray 3 away from the axis of rotation 12 A by moving the mechanisms holding the four-wall tray 3 starts at a point on the section E-N, whereas the moving of the tray 3 may start on the section M-N.
  • Independent mechanisms of rotational movement of the turning unit 10 and linear movement of the mechanism 10 A holding the tray make it possible to freely shape the course of the path of movement of the four-wall tray 3 .
  • FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show a path of movement 90 , 100 of the five-wall tray 13 , whereas similarly as in case of the four-wall tray 3 the successive stages of tray movement were shown with reference to a point being the midpoint of the back wall of the tray 13 .
  • the machine operator preliminarily swings the upper wall 13 T′.
  • the path of movement connecting successive characteristic points taken by the midpoint of back wall of the five-wall tray 13 was shown with a thick broken line.
  • the passage from the point A to C is accomplished in the same way as in case of the four-wall tray 3 .
  • the lifting unit 6 lifts the five-wall tray 13 to the point D.
  • the converting unit swings the wall 13 T′ in order to make the later unloading of the five-wall tray 13 possible.
  • the turning unit 10 grips the five-wall tray 13 with the lateral clamps 16 L and 16 R and the self-aligning supports 15 L and 15 R, and the damper 18 covers the rod like articles R collected in the five-wall tray 13 .
  • the further part of the path of movement of the five-wall tray 13 i.e. a tray in the configuration of the first type
  • runs similarly as in case of the four-wall tray 3 i.e. a tray of the second type).
  • FIG. 10 shows the modified path of movement 100 of the five-wall tray 13 wherein the rotational movement of the turning unit 10 starts at the point P, where the moving of the tray 3 away from the axis of rotation 12 A by moving the holding mechanism 10 A starts at a point on the section E-S, whereas the moving of the tray 13 may start on the section P-S.
  • the path of movement 100 of the tray may be modified by initial lifting of the tray 13 on the section H-U, and then gentle lowering of the tray on the section U-J, with the lifting of the empty tray 13 being steeper than in case of the four-wall tray 3 .
  • Such path of movement of the five-wall tray 13 proved to be more favourable because five-wall trays 13 made of cardboard without rod like articles R inside are more prone to deformations caused by the pressure of lateral clamping members.
  • FIGS. 11 to 14 show successive phases of rotation of the turning unit 10 during which the tray 3 , 13 is moved away from the axis 12 A of the shaft 12 of the turning unit 10 , whereas the distance d 1 - 4 between the back wall of the tray and the axis 12 A of the shaft 12 gradually increases from d 1 to d 4 .
  • the distance d 1 - 4 is increased by moving the holding mechanism 10 A on the guide 10 B.
  • the initial minimum distance between the back wall of the tray and the axis 12 A of the shaft 12 shown in FIG. 11 is defined as d 1 .
  • the final maximum distance between the back wall of the tray and the axis 12 A of the shaft 12 is defined as d 4 , whereas d 1 ⁇ d 2 ⁇ d 3 ⁇ d 4 where d 2 and d 3 are successive intermediate distances between the back wall of the tray 3 , 13 and the axis 12 A.

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  • Manufacturing Of Cigar And Cigarette Tobacco (AREA)
  • Specific Conveyance Elements (AREA)
US15/733,006 2016-07-13 2017-07-12 A method and an apparatus for emptying various types of trays filled with rod like articles of the tobacco industry, and converting unit designed to change tray's configuration Abandoned US20190159512A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16179252.8 2016-07-13
EP16179252.8A EP3269264A1 (fr) 2016-07-13 2016-07-13 Procédé et appareil permettant de vider divers types de récipients remplis d'articles en forme de tige de l'industrie du tabac et unité de conversion destinée à changer la configuration du récipients
PCT/EP2017/067504 WO2018011250A1 (fr) 2016-07-13 2017-07-12 Procédé et appareil pour vider divers types de plateaux remplis d'articles en forme de tige pour l'industrie du tabac et unité de conversion conçu pour modifier la configuration du plateau

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US20190159512A1 true US20190159512A1 (en) 2019-05-30

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US15/733,006 Abandoned US20190159512A1 (en) 2016-07-13 2017-07-12 A method and an apparatus for emptying various types of trays filled with rod like articles of the tobacco industry, and converting unit designed to change tray's configuration

Country Status (9)

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US (1) US20190159512A1 (fr)
EP (2) EP3269264A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2019528045A (fr)
KR (1) KR20190026694A (fr)
CN (1) CN109475174A (fr)
BR (1) BR112019000399A2 (fr)
HU (1) HUE047787T2 (fr)
RU (1) RU2732112C1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2018011250A1 (fr)

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DE102023133958A1 (de) * 2023-12-05 2025-06-05 Focke & Co. (Gmbh & Co. Kg) Vorrichtung zum Handhaben von Schragen

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US3283930A (en) * 1964-07-30 1966-11-08 American Mach & Foundry Tray feed mechanism
GB1063233A (en) 1964-08-19 1967-03-30 Alfred Schmermund Apparatus for automatically charging a container with rod-like objects
GB1339886A (en) 1969-11-26 1973-12-05 Molins Machine Co Ltd Apparatus for unloading cigarettes or similar rod-like articles
IT1005300B (it) * 1974-04-08 1976-08-20 Gd Spa Apparecchiatura a testa girevole per il rifornimento di sigarette alle tramogge di alimentazione delle macchine impacchettatrici di sigarette veloci
IT1120322B (it) 1979-02-28 1986-03-19 Gd Spa Apparecchiatura perfezionata per lhalimentazione di contenitori di sigarette ad una macchina impacchettatrice
GB8329097D0 (en) 1983-11-01 1983-12-07 Molins Plc Tray carrier
DE3924098C2 (de) * 1989-07-20 1998-05-20 Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg Behälterfördervorrichtung
DE19945808B4 (de) * 1999-09-24 2008-09-04 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum aufeinanderfolgenden Entleeren von Behältern
DE10002190A1 (de) * 2000-01-19 2001-07-26 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum automatischen Öffnen und Entleeren von verschlossenen Kartons für stabförmige Artikel der tabakverarbeitenden Industrie
ITBO20010657A1 (it) * 2001-10-31 2003-05-01 Gd Spa Metodo ed apparecchiatura di alimentazione di elementi allungati
DE10355876A1 (de) * 2003-11-25 2005-07-28 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Anordnung zum Befüllen und/oder Entleeren von mit Artikeln gefüllten und/oder zu befüllenden Behältern sowie Handhabungsvorrichtung zum Transportieren der Behälter
DE102004055629A1 (de) 2004-11-12 2006-05-24 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum aufeinanderfolgenden Entleeren von mit Artikeln gefüllten Behältern
PL212815B1 (pl) * 2008-05-29 2012-11-30 Int Tobacco Machinery Poland Urzadzenie do rozladowywania wypelnionych elementami pretopodobnymi kaset wielosegmentowych stosowanych w przemysle tytoniowym
DE102009025568A1 (de) * 2009-06-13 2010-12-16 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum aufeinander folgenden Entleeren von mit stabförmigen Produkten gefüllten Behältern
DE102013100815A1 (de) * 2013-01-28 2014-07-31 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Schragenentleereinrichtung und Verfahren zum automatischen Entleeren von mit stabförmigen Artikeln gefüllten Schragen in eine Produktionsmaschine der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie sowie eine Produktionsanordnung mit einer Produktionsmaschine und mindestens zwei Schragenentleereinrichtungen
ITBO20130472A1 (it) 2013-09-05 2015-03-06 Gd Spa Macchina e metodo per lo svuotamento di casserini di contenimento di articoli cilindrici dell'industria del tabacco.
CN204998853U (zh) * 2015-08-18 2016-01-27 天海欧康科技信息(厦门)有限公司 一种页片开合装置

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Publication number Publication date
EP3269264A8 (fr) 2018-04-04
BR112019000399A2 (pt) 2019-04-30
RU2732112C1 (ru) 2020-09-11
JP2019528045A (ja) 2019-10-10
CN109475174A (zh) 2019-03-15
EP3484313B1 (fr) 2019-11-06
WO2018011250A1 (fr) 2018-01-18
HUE047787T2 (hu) 2020-05-28
EP3484313A1 (fr) 2019-05-22
KR20190026694A (ko) 2019-03-13
EP3269264A1 (fr) 2018-01-17

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