GB2321441A - Cigarette grouping apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (1) for forming orderly groups (2) of cigarettes (3) inside respective pockets (7) equally spaced with a given spacing (P) on a continuously moving conveyor (6); each group (2) being defined by a given number of superimposed layers (8a, 8b, 8c); the device (1) having a pair of outlets (14, 15) for supplying each layer (8a, 8b, 8c) of the same type, i.e. each layer (8a, 8b, 8c) occupying the same position inside the pockets (7), and at least one transfer unit (4a, 4b, 4c) associated with each pair of outlets (14, 15) to transfer each type of layer (8a, 8b, 8c) from the outlets (14, 15) to a respective pocket (7); and each transfer unit (4a, 4b, 4c) having a number of rollers (36) each of which provides for withdrawing the cigarettes (3) of a respective layer (8a, 8b, 8c) from at least one outlet (14, 15), and has a pitch cylinder (41) of a circumference equal to a whole multiple of the spacing (P) of the pockets (7). Each outlet (14, 15) of each supply station (13a, 13b, 13c) may be associated with a respective transfer unit (Figure 3, not shown) the two transfer units transferring the same type of layer being located adjacent to each other.

Description

2321441 DEVICE FOR FORMING ORDERLY GROUPS OF CIGARETTES The present

invention relates to a device for forming orderly groups of cigarettes on a packing machine.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for forming groups of cigarettes, wherein each group comprises a given number of superimposed layers, each layer comprises a relative given number of cigarettes, and the device is of the type comprising a continuously moving conveyor having a succession of equally spaced pockets for receiving respective said groups; a hopper comprising a supply station for supplying each layer of the same type, i.e. each layer eventually occupying the same position inside the conveyor pockets; and at least one transfer unit for transferring each type of layer from the respective supply station to the pockets, each transfer unit comprising at least one pickup roller movable through the respective supply station and grooved externally to define a number of peripheral seats for receiving and retaining respective cigarettes, and which define a c pitch cylinder on the roller.

Patent Application WO-A-9521771 relates to a device of the type described above, for forming groups respectively containing twenty cigarettes divided into three superimposed layers respectively comprising seven, six and seven side by side cigarettes; and three transfer units each transfer a respective layer of cigarettes from a respective bottom opening of a respective outlet of a hopper into a conveying pocket traveling continuously along a given conveying path.

Each of the above known transfer units comprises a supply device for feeding a layer of cigarettes into a conveying pocket, and in turn comprising a first and second transfer roller tangent to each other at a transfer station, the second roller being substantially tangent to the conveying path; and a pickup device in turn comprising a number of pickup rollers, each having a pitch cylinder of a circumference equal to half the pitch of the pockets. The pickup rollers are equally spaced about the first roller, and travel along a respective path extending about the first roller and past an opening of a respective outlet.

The cigarettes are fed by gravity to the opening of the respective outlet along channels towards the opening.

converging The pickup rollers alternate with guide plates advanced integrally with the rollers and by which the cigarettes issuing by force of gravity from the supply channels are guided in gradual, controlled manner. In other words. as the rollers advance integrally with the guide plates, phases in which the cigarettes are guided out of the respective channels, as the guide plates travel past the opening of the outlet comprising the channels, alternate with phases in which the cigarettes are picked up, as the pickup rollers roll along the outlet opening.

As the cigarettes are fed by gravity along the channels to the outlet opening, the speed of the above known transfer unit depends on the speed at which the cigarettes drop down the channels, and is therefore limited physically to a given maximum value which inevitably limits the output rate of the packing machine as a whole.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a straightforward, low-cost group forming device designed to eliminate the above limitation in the output rate of the machine.

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for forming orderly groups of cigarettes, each group being defined by a given number of superimposed layers, each comprising a relative given number of cigarettes; and the device comprising a continuously moving conveyor having a succession of pockets for receiving respective said groups and equally spaced with a given spacing along the conveyor; a hopper comprising a supply station for supplying each layer of C_ the same type, i.e. each layer eventually same position inside the pockets; and transfer unit for transferring each type the respective supply station to the transfer unit comprising at least one movable through the respective supply station and grooved externally to define a number of peripheral seats for receiving and retaining respective cigarettes; said seats defining a pitch cylinder on the roller; characterized in that each supply station comprises a pair of supply outlets, each for supplying a respective said layer; each pickup roller picking up the cigarettes of a respective layer from at least one said outlet, and having a pitch cylinder of a circumference equal to said spacing or to a whole multiple of said spacing.

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a preferred embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a first variation of the Figure 1 device; Figure 3 shows a front view, with parts removed for clarity, of a second variation of the Figure 1 device.

Number 1 in Figure 1 occupying the at least one of layer from pockets, each pickup roller indicates a device for forming groups 2 of cigarettes 3, and comprising three transfer units 4a, 4b, 4c for transferring cigarettes 3 from a hopper 5 to a pocket conveyor 6 traveling continuously in a given direction D1 and along a given straight conveying path Pl. Conveyor 6 comprises a succession of substantially U-shaped pockets 7 equally spaced with a given spacing P, and each for housing and feeding layers 8a, 8b, 8c of cigarettes 3 along path P1 and transversely to the respective axes of cigarettes 3. Each pocket 7 comprises a bottom wall 9 connected integrally to a conveyor belt 10 of conveyor 6; and two walls 11 and 12 crosswise to direction D1 and each having a substantially rectangular recess 7a for the purpose described later on.

In the Figure 1 example, each group 2 is def ined by three types of layers 8a,.8b, 8c of cigarettes 3, each comprising a respective given number of side by side cigarettes 3. More specifically, layer 8a is a bottom layer, layer 8b an intermediate layer, and layer 8c a top layer of group 2.

Units 4a, 4b, 4c transfer respective layers 8a, 8b, 8c onto bottom wall 9 of pocket 7, onto layer 8a, and onto layer 8b respectively.

Hopper 5 containing cigarettes 3 is located over conveyor 6, and comprises three supply stations 13a, 13b, 13c for supplying respective layers 8a, 8b, 8c to respective units 4a, 4b, 4c. Each station 13a, 13b, 13c is defined by two outlets 14 and 15, each comprising a - 6 C- number of substantially vertical, side by side channels 16, which are each defined laterally by two substantially vertical partitions 17 between two lateral walls 18 of outlet 14, 15, and provide for directing respective continuous columns 19 of cigarettes 3 downwards by force of gravity in a given direction. Partitions 17 and walls 18 are defined at the bottom by respective tapered ends 20 and 21 defining a bottom opening 22, 23 through which cigarettes 3 are fed out of outlet 14, 15. At respective opening 22, 23 located along a respective sector of a cylinder 24, each outlet 14, 15 supplies an orderly succession of side by side cigarettes 3 comprising a sufficient number of cigarettes 3 to form a layer 8a, 8b, 8c.

Outlets 14 and 15 are so located with respect to each other that the corresponding points of respective openings 22 and 23, i.e. ends 20 of partitions 17 and ends 21 of walls 18, or the end portions of channels 16, are separated by a distance equal to spacing P.

Each transfer unit 4a, 4b, 4c is located between respective supply station 13a, 13b, 13c and a respective unloading station 25a, 25b, 25c defined by a respective layer 8a, 8b, 8c inside a pocket 7.

Each transfer unit 4a, 4b, 4c comprises a pickup device 26 for picking up a succession of cigarettes 3 along openings 22 and 23 of respective outlets 14 and 15, and so detaching a layer 8a, 8b, 8c of cigarettes 3 from the cigarettes 3 housed inside each outlet 14, 15; C, and a supply device 27 for successively receiving respective layers 8a, 8b, 8c from device 26, and feeding layers 8a, 8b, 8c to respective unloading station 25a, 25b, 25c.

Supply device 27 comprises a roller 28 rotating continuously about a horizontal axis 29 in a clockwise direction 30 in Figure 1, and in turn comprising a number of suction seats 31 parallel to the axes of cigarettes 3 and to axis 29. Seats 31 are formed along sectors 31a equally spaced with spacing P along the outer surface of roller 28, and the seats 31 of each sector 31a house a respective layer 8a, 8b, 8c.

More specifically, roller 28 is shorter in length than cigarettes 3, so as to retain cigarettes 3 inside seats 31 by cooperating with a central portion of each cigarette 3, and is located between openings 22, 23 of outlets 14, 15 and unloading station 25a, 25b, 25c.

Device 27 also comprises a roller 32 rotating continuously, in an opposite direction 34 to direction 30, about a horizontal axis 33 parallel to axis 29, and in turn comprising a number of suction seats 35 parallel to the longitudinal axes of cigarettes 3 and to axis 33, and formed along sectors 35a equally spaced with spacing P along the outer surface of roller 32. More specifically, roller 32 is shorter in length than cigarettes 3, so as to retain cigarettes 3 inside seats 35 by cooperating with a central portion of each cigarette 3, and is located between roller 28 and C, unloading station 25a, 25b, 25c. Roller 32 receives cigarettes 3 from roller 28 and, engaging recesses 7a in walls 11 and 12 of pocket 7, gradually releases the cigarettes inside pocket 7 by rolling over bottom wall 9 of pocket 7 when transferring a layer 8a, or over a layer 8a or 8b when transferring a layer 8b or 8c.

Pickup device 26 comprises a number of pickup rollers 36 smaller in diameter than roller 28 and equally spaced about roller 28 along a circular path centered about axis 29 of roller 28. Each roller P2 36 rotates continuously, in an opposite direction 38 to direction 30 of roller 28, about an axis 37 parallel to axis 29, and comprises a pair of half rollers 39 rotating continuously about axis 37. The half rollers 39 of each roller 36 comprise respective cradle-shaped seats 40, each of which is aligned with a corresponding seat 40 on the other half roller 39 to receive and retain a respective cigarette 3, so that roller 36 engages each cigarette 3 close to the opposite ends of the cigarette, and the axis of cigarette 3 coincides with a generating line of a pitch cylinder 41 of roller 36. A suction channel (not shown) terminates at the surface of each seat 40, and communicates with a suction device (not shown) via a known pneumatic distributor (not shown); and rollers 36 are supported for rotation by a train carrier (not shown) rotating continuously in direction 30 about axis 29 so that rollers 36 also revolve continuously about axis 29 in direction 30. By rotating about its own axis 37 and revolving about axis 29, each roller 36 rolls with its pitch cylinder 41 along a rolling path P3 defined by cylinder 24.

Seats 40 are formed along a sector 40a of pitch cylinder 41, which has a circumference equal to spacing P, while sector 40a is of the same length as pocket 7.

The circumference of cylinder 24 equals a whole multiple of spacing P, so that, for each complete turn, sector 40a of each pickup roller 36 is in phase with openings 22 and 23.

For each roller 36, pickup device 26 comprises a plate 42 fitted to a train carrier (not shown) and defined externally by a curved guide surface 43 of substantially the same curvature as cylinder 24, and which extends between two successive rollers 36 and is engaged between the half rollers 39 of the rear roller 36 in direction 30, and between paths P3 and P2.

Each plate 42 comprises a pair of plates 44 and 45 positioned side by side in direction 30 and fitted to said train carrier (not shown) so as to rotate in opposite directions, about respective axis (not shown) parallel to each other and crosswise to axis 29, between a work position W defining guide surface 43, and a rest position R wherein plates 44 and 45 are positioned facing each other and substantially perpendicular to axis 29.

In actual use, pocket conveyor 6 travels continuously along path P1 at a given speed V1; and a drive shaft (not shown) rotates first roller 28 in direction 30 about respective axis 29 at a surface speed equal to speed V1, and transmits motion (as described in Patent Application WO-A-9521771) to second roller 32, which rotates in anticlockwise direction 34 about respective axis 33 to transfer cigarettes 3 from first roller 28 to second roller 32. Via the train carrier (not shown), the drive shaft (not shown) rotates plates 42 about axis 29 in direction 30, rotates rollers 36 about respective axes 37 in the opposite direction to direction 30, and also rotates rollers 36 about axis 29 in the same direction 30 as respective plates 42, so that rollers 36 roll along path P3, and seats 40 of each roller 36 are rolled successively past the end portions of respective channels 16 (by means of a known epicyclic transmission with a fixed ring gear, as described in Patent Application WO-A-9521771).

Cigarettes 3 are fed by gravity in columns 19 along channels 16 to openings 22 and 23 of outlets 14 and 15 past which plates 42 and rollers 36 are fed successively. As plates 42 travel past, cigarettes 3 rest on guide surface 43 and partially emerge from channels 16 in gradual, controlled manner and in directions depending on the orientation of channels 16, while seats 40 are positioned successively to receive respective cigarettes 3.

on withdrawing a layer 8a, 8b, 8c from outlet 14, each roller 36 transfers layer 8a, 8b, 8c to roller 28 _1 and makes one complete turn about respective axis 37 to withdraw the layer 8a, 8b, 8c from outlet 15.

In the Figure 2 variation, rollers 36 of each transfer unit 4a, 4b, 4c are replaced by pickup rollers 46 rotating continuously about respective axes 47 in an anticlockwise direction 48. Each roller 46 comprises a pair of half rollers 49 having respective cradle-shaped seats 50, each of which is aligned with a corresponding seat 50 on the other half roller 49 to receive and retain a respective cigarette 3, so that roller 46 engages each cigarette 3 close to the opposite ends of the cigarette, and the axis of cigarette 3 coincides with a generating line of a pitch cylinder 51 of roller 46. A suction channel (not shown) terminates at the surface of each seat 50. and communicates with a suction device (not shown) via a known pneumatic distributor (not shown); and rollers 46 are supported for rotation by a train carrier (not shown) rotating continuously in direction 30 about axis 29 so that rollers 46 also revolve continuously about axis 29 in direction 30. By rotating about its own axis 47 and revolving about axis 29, each roller 46 rolls with its pitch cylinder 51 along a rolling path P3 defined by cylinder 24.

The circumference of pitch cylinder 51 equals twice spacing P; and seats 50 are formed along two sectors 50a spaced about pitch cylinder 51 with the same spacing as spacing P and of the same length as pocket 7.

outlets 14 and 15 are so positioned in relation to - 12 /1 each other that the corresponding points of respective openings 22 and 23, i.e. ends 20 of partitions 17 and ends 21 of walls 18, or the end portions of channels 16, are separated by a distance equal to spacing P.

The circumference of pitch cylinder 51 of each roller 46 equals twice spacing P of pockets 7, whereas the circumference of cylinder 24 equals a whole multiple of spacing P, so that, for each complete turn, each roller 46 is in phase with openings 22 and 23 along cylinder 24.

In actual use, roller 46 rolls a first sector 50a of seats 50 past opening 22 to successively withdraw a first layer 8a, 8b, 8c from opening 22, and, during transfer of first layer 8a, 8b, 8c onto roller 28, rolls second sector 50a of seats 50 past opening 23 to withdraw a second layer 8a, 8b, 8c from opening 23.

In the Figure 3 embodiment, device 1 comprises, for each supply station 13a, 13b, 13c, two transfer units 4a, 4c, 4b with respective axes 29 arranged side by side and crosswise to the traveling direction D1 of conveyor 6. The two units 4a withdraw layers 8a from respective outlets 14 and 15, and transfer layers 8a onto the bottom of successive pockets 7 traveling tangentially to respective rollers 32. Similarly, units 4b and 4c transfer respective layers 8b and 8c into respective pockets 7, and each unit 4a, 4b, 4c comprises pickup rollers 36 with a pitch cylinder 41 of a circumference equal to spacing P.

Claims (11)

1) A device for forming orderly groups of cigarettes, each group being def ined by a given number of superimposed layers, each comprising a relative given number of cigarettes; and the device comprising a continuously moving conveyor having a succession of pockets for receiving respective said groups and equally spaced with a given spacing along the conveyor; a hopper comprising a supply station for supplying each layer of the same type, i.e. each layer eventually occupying the same position inside the pockets; and at least one transfer unit for transferring each type of layer from the respective supply station to the pockets, each transfer unit comprising at least one pickup roller movable through the respective supply station and define a number of peripheral retaining respective cigarettes; said seats defining a pitch cylinder on the roller; characterized in that each supply station comprises a pair of supply outlets, each for supplying a respective said layer; each pickup roller picking up the cigarettes of a respective layer from at least one said outlet, and having a pitch cylinder of a circumference equal to said spacing or to a whole multiple of said spacing.

2) A device zs claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that each said transfer unit is associated with a respective pair of said supply outlets for supplying a grooved externally to seats for receiving and 14 1 -1 respective said type of layer; said outlets comprising respective output openings located along a given rolling path; and said pickup roller traveling along a given path extending past the respective said pair of supply outlets, so as to roll along said rolling path.

3) A device as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that said two openings are arranged along said rolling path with a spacing equal to that of said pockets or to a whole multiple of the spacing of said pockets.

4) A device as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said pitch cylinder has a circumference equal to the spacing of said pockets.

5) A device as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that said seats are equal in number to the cigarettes in the respective said type of layer, and are formed on a sector defined by a portion of the circumference of said pitch cylinder.

6) A device as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims from 1 to 3, characterized in that said pitch cylinder has a circumference equal to twice the spacing of said pockets.

7) A device as claimed in Claim 6, characterized in that said seats are equal in number to twice the number of cigarettes in the respective said type of layer; said seats being formed on two equal sectors arranged about said pitch cylinder with a spacing equal to the spacing of said pockets.

8) A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that each outlet of each said supply station is associated with a respective said transfer unit; the two transfer units transferring the same type of layer being located adjacent to each other.

9) A device as claimed in Claim 8, characterized in that said pitch cylinder has a circumference equal to the spacing of said pockets.

10) A device as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that said seats are equal in number to the cigarettes in the respective said type of layer; said seats being formed on a sector defined by a portion of the circumference of said pitch cylinder.

11) A device for forming orderly groups of cigarettes, substantially as described and illustrated herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.