CA1188338A - Device for transferring rod-like articles - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The invention has for its object a device for transferring rod-like articles, particularly cigarettes, from a rectilinear horizontal path (PL) to a rotary fluted drum (T) having its axis of rotation substantially parallel to the said rectilinear path. The device according to the invention is characterized by the fact that it comprises two main rotary elements (5, 6) of which one is driven into rotation by suitable driving means, and which are rotatably mounted on two fixed shafts (2, 4) parallel and spaced apart, said main rotary elements being coupled with each other by means of at least one pair of main double cranks (7) con=
sisting each of an arm (107) integral with two opposed crank pins (507, 607) which rotatably engage the two main rotary elements (5, 6) facing each other, so as to form a first rotary system of the articulated parallelogram type, in which the arms (107) of the main double crank (7) are maintained always parallel to one another, while a crank pin (607) of at least one main double crank (7) is extended beyond the respective main rotary element (6) and terminates with a pin (13) arranged in eccentric position, so as to form a pair of orbiting axes parallel and spaced between each other, onto which there are rotatably mounted two secondary rotary elements (14, 15) coupled between each other by at least one pair of secondary double cranks (17) so as to form a second rotary system of the articulated parallelogram type, the crank pin (317) of at least one secondary double crank (17) extending beyond the respective secondary rotary element (15) so as to form an extension on which there is secured a pneumatic pick-up or suction head (1), while the other secondary rotary element (14) is driven into rotation and is coupled in such a manner to the fixed main shaft (4) around which it orbits, so as to rotate around itself upon rotation of the main rotary elements (5, 6), and more particularly to rotate around itself with an angular speed which is equal but contrary to that of the said pair of main rotary elements (5, 6).

Description

33~

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF T~E INVENTION .

The present invention relates to a device for transferring rod-like articles, and particularly cigarettes, from a longitudinal rectilinear supply path, which is preferably substantially horizontal, along which the rod--like articles move in their axial direc~ion and are aligned, to a subsequent path which is transverse to the supply path and along which the rod-like articles move in a direction transverse to their axes and are preferably carried by a fluted drum the axis of rotation of which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal rectilinear supply path of the rod-like articles. The transferring device comprises one or more pneumatic pick-up heads, or suction heclds, which are adapted each one to carry at least one rod-like article, and are directed parallelly to the longitudinal rectilinear supply path of the said articles. The said suction heads are moved by means of a control devic:e in such a manner as to be maintained always parallel to one another, ancl to move along a closed circuit path, more particularly an elliptical path which is substantiall~ tangent to the longitudinal recti=
linear supply path at a pick-up zone, where each suction head takes up due to suction at least one oncomin~ rod-like article, while the said elliptical path is contained in a plane which is tangent to the starting point of the sub=
sequent transverse path and more particularly in a plane tangent to a generatrix of the said fluted drum at a delivery zone, where each suction head deposits the rod-like article onto the subsequent transverse path and particularly inside a flute of the said fluted drum.

3~3~

-2-Transferring devices of the above mentioned type are known, in which there is provided for just one suction head, the closed circuit path of which is contained in a plane substantially ver~ical and consists of an elliptical path having its major axis substantially horizontal. The pick-up zone of the rod-like articles from the longitudinal rectilinear supply path is located at one extremity of the minor vertical axis of the said elliptical path, while the delivery zone of the articles to the subsequent transverse path, and more particularly to the fluted drum, is located at one extremity of the major horizontal axis of the elliptical path. The mechanism for driving the suction head is realized in such a manner that, at the extremities of the minor axis of the elliptical path and consequently at the pick-up zone of the articles from the horizontal recti=
linear supply path, the suction head presents a linear speed which is parallel and substantially equal or slightly greater than the speed of the articles arriving along the longitudinal rectili.near path, while at the extremities of the major axis of the elliptical path, and consequently at the delivery zone, the suction head presents a linear speed parallel and substantially equal to the peripheral speed of the fluted drum.

The above mentioned known~type device presents the advantage that while the suction head moves along the arc of the el.liptical path between the pick-up zone and the delivery zone~ the horizontal component of the tangential speed of the suction head decreases very gradually, and it is accordingly gradual also the increase of the vertical ~8 component of said speed~ In this manner, and particularly whenever the rod-like articles carried by the mentioned transferring device are cigarettes, there are avoided damages to the said cigarettes, and more particularly there is eliminated the dribbling out of tobacco from the cigarette ends, thanks to the reduction of the accelerations and decelerations of the suction head and particularly thanks to the graduality of the reduction of the horizontal component of the tangential speed of the suction head itself.

The known device of the above mentioned type presents one single suction head, and consequently can be employed in case of not too high speeds of the rod-like articles arriving on the longitudinal rectilinear supply pakh. Moreover, the mechanism which is utilized in this known device for the movement of the suction head along an elliptical path, is rather complicated in its construction, which is based on gear trains, and consequently is also noisy.

The purpose of the present inv~ntion is to eliminate the above inconveniences, by providing a transferring device of the above described type, which, besides the possibility of presenting a plurality of suction heads and therefore of maintaining within acceptable limits the values of the accelerations and of the decelerations to which the rod-like articles are subjected during their transfer even at higher supply speeds of the said articles along their longitudinal rectilinear path, presents also a more simple and less noisy constructive realization, is less expensive in construction and easier in maintenance.

The mentioned purpose is attained by providing, in accordance with the present invention, a transferring device of the above mentioned type which is substantially characte=
rized by the fact that it comprises two main rotary elements of which one is driven into rotation by suitable driving means, and which are rotatably mounted on two fixed shafts parallel and spaced apart, said main rotary elements being coupled with each other by means of at least one pair of main double cranks consisting each of an arm integral with two opposed crank pins which rotatably engage the two main rotary elements facing each other, so as to form a first rotary system of the articulated parallelogram type, in wh.ich the arms of the main double cranks are maintained al=
ways parallel to one another, while a crank pin of at least one main double crank is extended beyond the respective main rotary element and terminates ~with a pin arranged in eccentric position, so as to form a pair o~ orbiting axes p~rallel and spaced between each other, onto ~hich there are rotatably mounted two secondary rotary elements coupled between each other by at least one pair of secondary double cranks so as to form a second rotary system of the arti=
culated parallelogram type, the crank pin of at least one secondary double crank e~tending beyond the respective secondary rotary element so as to form an extension on which the~e is secured a pneumatic pick-up or suction head, while the other secondary rotary element is driven into rotation and is coupled in such a manner to the fixed main shaft around which it orbits, so as to rotate around itself upon 33~3 rotation of the main rotary elements, and more particularly to rotate around itself with an angular speed which is equal but contrary to that of the said pair of main rotary elements.

Preferably, according to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the secondary rotary element driven into rotation is coupled with the fixed shaft around which it orbits, by means of a toothed belt passed around a toothed pulley integral with the said secondary ro~ary element and passed around a toothed pulley integral with the said fixed shaft and having a diameter double than the diameter of the saicl first toothed pulley.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF_THE DRAWINGS

The above and other characteristic features of the invention, and the advantages deriving there~rom, will appear evident from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows diagrammatically in front ~levation a transferring device according to the invention, for transferring ciqarettes.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section along line II-II
of Figure 1.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
.

With reference to the drawings, the illustrated device is intended for transferring the cigarettes 5 from a rectilinear axial path PL, so-called "longitudinal" and preferably horizontal, along which the cigarettes S move in their axial direction and aligned, onto a rotary fluted suction drum T, the axis of rotation of which is substan=
tially parallel to the said rectilinear longitudinal path PL, and which feeds the cigarettes S, in a direction transverse to their axis, along a path which is transversal with respect to the mentioned rectilinear longitudinal path. The rnentioned t:ransfer of the cigarettes S is effected by means of a plurality of pneumatic pick- up heads (called suction heads) 1, which are adapted each one to carry two aligned cigarettes simultaneously and which move parallelly to each other along an elliptical path as it appears evident from Fi~ure 1 by looking at the instantaneous position of the illustrated suction heads 1.

The elliptical path of the suction heads 1 is contained in a substantially vertical plane and is arranged in such a manner that its major axis is substantially horizontal. The pick-up zone of the cigarettes S by the suction heads 1 from the rectilinear longitudinal horizontal path PL is located at one extremity (upper or lower) of the minor axis (which is substantially vertical) of the said elliptical path, while the delivery zone of the cigarettes from the suction heads 1 onto the fluted drum T is located at one of the extremities of the major axis (which is 33~

substantially horizontal) of the said elliptical path (at the right hand in the Figures~ The elliptical path of the suction heads 1 is therefore substantially tangent to the longitudinal rectilinear path PL of the oncoming cigarettes S, while the plane in which the said elliptical path lies, is substantially tangent to a generatxix of the fluted drum T. In the pick-up zone of the cigarettes S from the longi=
tudinal rectilinear inlet path PL, the suction heads 1 are connected to a source of vacuum so as to pick up by suction the cigarettes S. In the delivery zone of the cigarettes S
to the fluted drum T, the suction to the suction heads 1 is cut off and consequently the cigarettes S are deposited inside the flutes of the drum Tr where they are kept by suction, in a known manner.

The mechanism which causes the movement of the suction heads 1 along the said elliptical path comprises a first shaft 2 fixedly mounted on and projecting from the Erame 3 of the machine, and perpendicular to the vertical plane which contains the said elliptical path. At its free end, the said first fixed shaft 2 carries a second fixed shaft 4, which is parallel but eccentric with respect tc the said first shaft 2. On the first fixed shaft 2 there is rotatably mounted a first main rotary element S, consisting for example of a disk. An analogous second main rotary element 6 is rotatably mounted on the second fixed shaft 4.

The two main rotary elements 5 and 6 are coupled to each other by means of a plurality of main double cranks 7. In the illustrated embodiment there are provided eight 33~3 main double cranks 7, angularly equispaced between one another. Each main double crank 7 consists of an arm 107 integral with two opposed crank pins 507 and 607 of which the first pin 507 is rotatably mounted in the first main rotary element 5 and the second pin 607 is rotatably mounted in the second main rotary element 6. The arms 107 of the main double cranks 7 are directed in the same direction and are parallel to one another. The first main rotary element 5 is integral with a toothed pulley 8, which is engaged by a belt 9 which is toothed on both faces and is driven around two toothed pulleys 10 and 11, of which one pulley is a driving pu:Lley. In this manner, the first main rotary element 5 is entrained into rotati.on around the first fixed shaft 2, thus driving on its turn into rotation by means of the main double cranks 7 and around the second fixed shaft 4, also the second main rotary element 6. The two main rotary elements 5, 6 and the main double cranks 7 form a first rotary s~stem of the articulated parallelogram type, so that the arms 107 of the double cranks 7 remain parallel to one another during the rotation.

The crank pins 607 of the main double cranks 7, which are rotatably engaged in the second main rotary element 6, are extended through a coaxial sleeve 12 integral with the said main rotary element 6, so as to constitute each a first spindle which projects out of the side of the said second main rotary element 6 opposed to the first main rotary element 5, and orbits around the fixed shaft 4. The said orbiting spindle 607 terminates at is free end with an eccentric pin 13 which constitutes a further orbiting spindle ~ 8~313 g parallel to the firs~ spindle 607 and eccentric thereto.
Onto each sleeve 12 o~ the second main rotary element 6, and consequently practically on the orbiting spindle ronsistin~
of the crank pin 607 of each main double crank 7, there is rotatably mounted a first secondary rotary element 14 while on the parallel orbiting spindle consisting of the respective pin 13 there is rotatably mounted a further secondary rotary elemen~ 15. In the illustrated embodiment there are provided in total eight pairs of secondary rotary elements 14, 15.
The two secondary rotary elements of each pair of said elements are coupled with each other by means of a plurality of secondary double cranks 17, angularly equispaced between one another. In the illustrated embodiment, for each pair of secondaxy rotary elements 14, 15 there are provided a pair of secondary double cranks 17, but the said cranks 1'1 may be four, or even more.

Each secondary double crank 17 consists (similarly to the main double crank 7) of an arm 117 integral with a pair of opposite crank pins 217 and 317 which rotatably engage, the first one 217 the first secondary rotary element 14, and the other one 317 the second secondary rotary element 15. The arms 117 of the secondary double cranks 17 are directed in the same direction and are parallel to each other. The first secondary rotary element 14 is integral with a toothed pulley 114 which is coupled by means of a toothed belt 16, with a toothed pulley 18 which is fixed on the fixed shaft 4, around which there orbit the pairs of secondary rotary elements 14, 15~ In the illustrated embodiment~ around the toothed pulley 18 of the fixed shaft 33~
.
~10--4 there are passed two toothed belts 16 arranged side by side which engage each one the toothed pulleys 114 of the secondary rotary elements 14 of one half of the pairs of secondary rotary elements 14~ 15, as it appears evident particularly from Figure 1. The diameter of the toothed pulley 18 on the fixed shaft 4 is twice greater than the diameter of each of the toothed pulleys 114 integral with the secondary rotary element 14. Each pair of secondary rotary elements 14, 15 and the interposed secondary double cranks 117 form as a whole a second rotary system of the articulatecl parallelogram type, so that the arms 117 of the secondary clouble cranks 17 are maintained parallel to each other during the rotation. Inside each one of these systems, that is in each pair of secondar~ rotary elements 14, 15, the crank pin 317 of one of the secondary double cranks 117 is passed through the respective secondary rotary element 15 and projects forwardly with respect to same. On the said free forward end of the said cr~nk pin 317 there is secured the respective suction pick up head lo ~ y causing the rotation, by means of the toothed pulley 8, of the first xotary element 5 at constant angular speed, also the second main rotary element 6 rotates with the same angular speed, thus entraining into orbital motion the main double cranks 7 and the end pins 13 of the crank pins 607, the arms of which are maintained always parallel to each other, and for ex~mple they maintain their horizontal direction. More particularly, the spindle 607 describes a circumference having radius Rl around the fixed shaft 4. In consideration of the fact ~hat the toothed pulley lB is

3~3 fixed and the transmission ratio between the toothed pulleys 114 and 18 is equal to 2 (two) the pairs of secondary rotary elements 14, 15 rotate each around their own axes 12 (i.e, 607) and 13 with an angular speed which is equal but con-trary to the angular speed of the pair of main rotary elements 5, 6. Consequently, the crank pin 317 forming part of a secondary double crank 17 of each pair of secondary rotary elements and carrying a suction head 1, rotates around axis 13 at the same angular speed as the speed of the pair of main rotary elements 5, 6 bu~ in contrary directionO
As a consequence, each crank pin 317 and each suction head 1 follow an elliptical path having a major horizontal axis of length 2 (Rl ~ R2) and a minor vertical axi.s of length 2 (Rl - R2) where R2 i.s the radius of rotation of the crank pin 317 around axis 13. In consideration of the fact that during the rotation of the secondary rotary element 14, 15, th~ ~rms 117 of the secondary double cranks 17 are maintained always parallel to one another, the suction heads 1 will also be kept parallel to one anot:her, and more particularly they will remain directed horizontally throughout the whole elliptical path.

Each suction head 1 communicates, through a duct 19 provided in the respectivP secondary rotary element 15, with a duct 20 which is provided in the pin 13 and in the crank pin 607 and extends also inside the arm 107 of the corresponding main double crank 7 as well as into the other crank pin 507, engaging the first main rotary element 5. The said first main rotary element S carries on it~ rear side, opposed to the second main rotaxy element 6, a seal ring ~1 3~

which slides on an opposed seal ring 22 secured to the machine frame 3 and provided with a slot consisting of at least two subsequent and concentric circular sectors 23, 123 separated between each other. In the zones of said slot sectors 23, 123 of the opposed seal ring 22, on the seal ring 21 rotating together with the element 5, there open the ducts 20 of the crank pins 507 of all the main double cranks 7. Whenever the suction heads 1 are in the collecting or pick-up zone of the cigarettes S from the rectilinear longitudinal path PL, and throughout the whole path followed by the said suction heads 1 from the said pick up zone to the delivery zone of the cigarettes S onto tlle fluted drum T, the apertures of the respective ducts 20 on ~he seal ring 21 are located within a slot sector 23 of the opposed seal ring 22, which communicates with a vacuum chamber 24, so that the suction heads 1 exert a ~sucking action. Whenever, on the contrary, the suction heads 1 come to be located in the delivery zone of the cigarettes S onto the fluted drum T, the apertures of the respective ducts 20 on the seal ring 21 come to be located within a slot sector 123 of the opposed seal ring 22, which communicates with a chamber 25 communi=
cating with the atmospheric pressure, or inside which chamber 25 there is maintained a slight pressure, so as to cut off the suction from the suction heads 1 or even to exer~ a slight blow through same in order to better discharge the the cigarettes.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the just described and shown embodimen~, but many variations and modifications, particularly from the constructive point of view, are possible~ For example, any other suitahle distri=
butor means can be provided for applying suction to the suction heads 1. The transmission between the toothed pulleys can be effected by any suitable gear train, instead than by using the toothed belts. The first main rotary element 5 and the second main rotary element 14 may be driven into rotation by any other suitable driving means. For the coupling of the fixed toothed pulley 18 with the toothed pulleys 114 of the secondary rotary elements 14 there can bP used more than two toothed belts 16 arranged side by side. The main rotary elements 5, 6 and the secondary rotary elements 14, 15, can present changeable and/or shiftable parts, so as to consent the variation of the values of the radii Rl and R2.

It is believed that the invention will have been clearly understood from the foregoing detailed description of a preferred embodiment. Changes in the details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is accordingly intended that no limitation be implied and that the hereto annexed claims be given the broadest interpretation to which the employed language fairly admits.

Claims (4)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.

1) A device for transferring rod-like articles, particularly cigarettes, from a longitudinal rectilinear supply path (PL) preferably substantially horizontal, along which the rod-like articles (S) move in their axial direction and are aligned with respect to one another, to a subsequent path which is transverse to the supply path and along which the rod-like articles move in a direction transverse to their axes and are preferably carried by a rotary fluted drum (T) the axis of rotation of which is parallel to the said longitudinal rectilinear path (PL), presenting one or more pneumatic pick-up heads (1) which are adapted to carry each at least one rod-like article (S) and are directed parallelly to the horizontal rectilinear supply path (PL) of the said rod-like articles (S), said pneumatic pick-up heads being moved so as to be maintained parallel to one another and to move along a closed circuit path, more particularly an elliptical path having its major axis parallel to the longitudinal rectilinear supply path (PL), said elliptical path being substantially tangent to said rectilinear supply path (PL) at a pick-up zone preferably located at one extremity of the minor axis of the elliptical path, where each pneumatic pick-up head (1) takes up due to suction at least one rod-like article (S), while the said elliptical path is contained in a plane tangent to the starting point of the subsequent transverse path, more particularly tangent to a generatrix of the said fluted drum (T), at a delivery zone which is located preferably at one extremily of the major axis of the elliptical path, where each pneumatic pick up head (1) deposits the rod-like article (S) on the subsequent transverse path, and more particularly inside a flute of the said fluted drum (T), characterized by the fact that it comprises two main rotary elements (5, 6) of which one is driven into rotation by suitable driving means, and which are rotatably mounted on two fixed shafts (2, 4) parallel and spaced apart, said main rotary elements being coupled with each other by means of at least one pair of main double cranks (7) consisting each of an arm (107) integral with two opposed crank pins (507, 6073 which rotatably engage the two main rotary elements (5, 6) facing each other, so as to form a first rotary system of the articulated parallelogram type, in which the arms (107) of the main double cranks (7) are maintained always parallel to one another, while a crank pin (607) of at least one main double crank (7) is extended beyond the respective main rotary element (6) and terminates with a pin (13) arranged in eccentric position, so as to form a pair of orbiting axes parallel and spaced between each other, onto which there are rotatably mounted two secondary rotary elements (14, 15) coupled between each other by at least one pair of secondary double cranks (17) so as to form a second rotary system of the articulated parallelogram type, the crank pin (317) of at least one secondary double crank (17) extending beyond the respective secondary rotary element (15) so as to form an extension on which there is secured a pneumatic pick-up or suction head (1), while the other secondary rotary element (14) is driven into rotation and is coupled in such a manner to the fixed main shaft (4) around which it orbits, so as to rotate around itself upon rotation of the main rotary elements (5, 6), and more particularly to rotate around itself with an angular speed which is equal but contrary to that of the said pair of main rotary elements (5, 6).

2) A transferring device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the secondary rotary element (14) driven into rotation is coupled with the fixed shaft (4) around which it orbits, by means of a toothed belt (16) passed around a toothed pulley (114) integral with the said secondary rotary element (14), and passed around a toothed pulley (18) integral with the said fixed shaft (4) and having a diameter double than the diameter of the said first toothed pulley (114).

3) A transferring device according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that there are provided a plurality of toothed belts (16) arranged side by side, each belt passing around one or more toothed pulleys (114) each of which is integral with a secondary rotary element (14).

4) A transferring device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that each pneumatic pick-up or suction head (1) communicates with a duct (19, 20) obtained inside the extended crank pin (607) of the respective main double crank (7) and inside the . pin (13) provided in eccentric position at the free end of said crank pin, as well as inside the arm (107) and inside the other crank pin (507) of the same main double crank (7), which latter crank pin (507) is extended up to the rear surface of the respective main rotary element (5), where the respective duct (20) opens in correspondence with a fixed vacuum source.