A sorting and feeding device and method for multiple cigarette sticks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sorting and feeding device and method for multiple types of cigarette sticks, which are used to feed multiple types of cigarette sticks into a packaging machine. The device includes a feeding machine device, which is used to be installed on the packaging machine. The feeding machine device has a cigarette discharging channel, the upper end of the cigarette discharging channel is open, and the lower end is used to communicate with the packaging machine. The device also includes a combined cigarette tray, the lower end of the combined cigarette tray is open, and the combined cigarette tray is provided with partition plates inside, dividing the inside of the combined cigarette tray into multiple cigarette holding spaces. The feeding machine device is installed with a number of partition plates in the cigarette discharging channel, isolating the cigarette discharging channel into multiple material distribution channels. When the combined cigarette tray is placed downward with its lower end open at the upper end of the cigarette discharging channel, the cigarette holding spaces are aligned with the material distribution channels one by one. The sorting and feeding device of the present invention can simultaneously and separately feed multiple types of cigarette sticks into the packaging machine, reducing manual operation, improving the feeding work efficiency, and having a simple structure, which can be improved on existing equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of tobacco packaging machinery, and particularly relates to a sorting and feeding device and method for multiple types of cigarette sticks. Background Art

[0002] In the process of cigarette packaging production, the cigarette stick feeding equipment is an important equipment in the conveying process from the cigarette making and tipping machine to the packaging machine. In the existing feeding machines, the cigarette tray is carried and placed on the feeding machine, and the cigarette sticks in the cigarette tray fall into the channel in the feeding machine, and then pass through the stirring rod below the channel and fall into the single-cigarette-stick channels separated by the guiding smoke plates respectively, and then are conveyed into the packaging machine to realize the feeding of cigarette sticks. With the increasing demand for personalized cigarette packaging, single-pack cigarette products containing multiple combinations of cigarette sticks are becoming more and more popular in the market. However, the existing cigarette stick feeding equipment can only feed one type of cigarette stick. Therefore, the packaging work of single-pack cigarette products with multiple combinations of cigarette sticks usually needs to be manually sorted and then repackaged, resulting in low work efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an automatic combined feeding equipment for multiple types of cigarette sticks to meet the new packaging requirements of cigarette stick combinations in the tobacco industry. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sorting and feeding device and method for multiple types of cigarette sticks, which can simultaneously and separately combine and feed multiple types of cigarette sticks into the packaging machine to improve the feeding work efficiency.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sorting and feeding device for multiple types of cigarette sticks, which is used to feed multiple types of cigarette sticks into the packaging machine. The device includes a feeding machine device, which is used to be installed on the packaging machine. The feeding machine device has a cigarette unloading channel, the upper end of the cigarette unloading channel is open, and the lower end is used to communicate with the packaging machine. The device further includes a combined cigarette tray, the lower end of the combined cigarette tray is open, and the combined cigarette tray has a smoke separating plate inside, which divides the inside of the combined cigarette tray into multiple cigarette holding spaces. The feeding machine device is provided with a plurality of partition plates in the cigarette unloading channel, which divides the cigarette unloading channel into multiple material separation channels. When the combined cigarette tray is placed downward with its lower end open on the upper end of the cigarette unloading channel, the cigarette holding spaces and the material separation channels are aligned one by one.

[0005] Further, the combined cigarette tray is assembled by a plurality of sub-cigarette trays, and each sub-cigarette tray has a cigarette holding space. The sides of adjacent sub-cigarette trays are adjacent to each other to form a smoke separating plate.

[0006] Further, the combined cigarette tray can be installed in the cigarette unloading channel. The device further includes a single-type cigarette tray, the lower end of the single-type cigarette tray is open, and the size of the lower end opening of the single-type cigarette tray is the same as that of the combined cigarette tray.

[0007] Further, it further includes a handling device, the handling device includes a clamping mechanism, the clamping mechanism is used to clamp the combined cigarette tray, and the clamping mechanism is provided with a lower baffle for blocking the lower opening of the clamped combined cigarette tray.

[0008] Further, a movable smoke baffle is provided on the front side of the cigarette unloading channel of the feeding device, and a smoke baffle driving assembly for driving the smoke baffle to approach and move away from the cigarette unloading channel is also provided on the feeding device; a cigarette receiving mechanism is also provided on the feeding device, the cigarette receiving mechanism includes a seat plate, a cigarette receiving plate, a lifting driving assembly, and a cigarette receiving driving assembly, the seat plate is located on the front side of the cigarette unloading channel, the cigarette receiving plate is installed on the seat plate, and the number and position of the cigarette receiving plates correspond to the material distribution channels of the cigarette unloading channel, the cigarette receiving driving assembly drives the seat plate to approach or move away from the cigarette unloading channel, so that the cigarette receiving plate is inserted into or leaves the material distribution channel, and the lifting driving assembly drives the seat plate to move up and down.

[0009] Further, the cigarette receiving driving assembly includes a cigarette receiving cylinder installed on the lifting driving assembly, and the seat plate is fixed on the piston rod of the cigarette receiving cylinder.

[0010] Further, the lifting driving assembly includes a lifting ball screw module provided on the feeding device and a motor for driving the lifting ball screw module to move up and down, and the cigarette receiving cylinder is fixed on the lifting ball screw module.

[0011] Further, the smoke baffle driving assembly includes a smoke baffle cylinder fixed on the feeding device, and the smoke baffle is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the smoke baffle cylinder.

[0012] The present invention also provides a sorting and feeding method for multiple types of cigarettes, which is carried out by using the above-mentioned sorting and feeding device, and includes a feeding process, and the feeding process includes the following steps:

[0013] A1. After installing the feeding device on the packaging machine, according to the packaging requirements, different types of cigarettes are respectively placed in multiple cigarette holding spaces in the combined cigarette tray, the cigarettes in each cigarette holding space are the same, and the corresponding partition plates are installed in the cigarette unloading channel of the feeding device, so that the material distribution channels in the cigarette unloading channel correspond to the cigarette holding spaces one by one;

[0014] A2. Move the combined cigarette tray to be placed on the feeding device, so that the lower ends of the cigarette holding spaces are respectively aligned with the upper ends of the material distribution channels, and a lower baffle is provided at the lower opening of the combined cigarette tray during the handling process;

[0015] A3. Pull out the lower baffle, and different types of cigarettes respectively fall into different material distribution channels and enter the packaging machine through the material distribution channels.

[0016] Further, it further includes a sorting process, and the sorting process includes:

[0017] B1. Install the combined cigarette tray in the cigarette discharging channel of the loading machine device, with the lower opening of the combined cigarette tray facing upwards;

[0018] B2. Carry and place the single - type cigarette tray containing only one type of cigarette on the loading machine device. The lower opening of the single - type cigarette tray is aligned with the lower opening of the combined cigarette tray, and a lower baffle is provided at the lower opening of the single - type cigarette tray during the carrying process;

[0019] B3. Pull out the lower baffle, and the cigarettes in the single - type cigarette tray fall into different sub - cigarette trays of the combined cigarette tray; Take out the combined cigarette tray and disassemble it into independent sub - cigarette trays;

[0020] B4. Repeat steps B2 - B3 to obtain multiple sub - cigarette trays containing different types of cigarettes;

[0021] B5. According to the packaging requirements, combine and assemble the sub - cigarette trays containing different types of cigarettes to obtain a combined cigarette tray.

[0022] As described above, the sorting and loading device and method of the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0023] By setting a combined cigarette tray and installing several partition plates in the cigarette discharging channel, during use, according to the packaging requirements, different types of cigarettes are respectively placed in multiple cigarette - containing spaces in the combined cigarette tray. The combined cigarette tray is carried and placed on the loading machine device, and the lower opening of the combined cigarette tray is docked with the upper end of the cigarette discharging channel, so that the lower ends of the cigarette - containing spaces are respectively aligned with the upper ends of the material - distributing channels; Then pull out the lower baffle, and different cigarettes fall into different material - distributing channels respectively and enter the packaging machine separately through the different material - distributing channels, realizing the separate feeding of multiple types of cigarettes. Finally, a cigarette pack containing multiple types of cigarettes is obtained through packaging in the packaging machine. The sorting and loading device of the present invention can combine and feed multiple types of cigarettes into the packaging machine simultaneously and separately, reducing manual operation, improving the feeding work efficiency, and having a simple structure. It can be improved on the existing equipment with small modifications and low equipment costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the sorting and loading device of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 It is Figure 1 the front view in

[0026] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of the smoke - blocking mechanism in the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of the integrated combined cigarette tray in the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5Schematic diagram of the assembled combined cigarette tray in the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the single-type cigarette tray in the present invention.

[0030] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the lower baffle and the front baffle installed on the clamping mechanism in the present invention.

[0031] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the obtained cigarette pack in the present invention.

[0032] Description of component labels

[0033] 1 Combined cigarette tray

[0034] 1a Tobacco storage space

[0035] 1b Smoke partition board

[0036] 11 Sub-cigarette tray

[0037] 2 Loading machine device

[0038] 21 Tobacco unloading channel

[0039] 22 Smoke baffle

[0040] 3 Isolation board

[0041] 4 Cigarette receiving mechanism

[0042] 41 Base plate

[0043] 42 Cigarette receiving plate

[0044] 43 Cigarette receiving cylinder

[0045] 44 Lifting ball screw module

[0046] 45 Lifting guide rail

[0047] 5 Smoke blocking cylinder

[0048] 6 Packing machine

[0049] 7 Single-type cigarette tray

[0050] 8 Lower baffle

[0051] 9 Front baffle

[0052] 10 Clamping mechanism

[0053] 100 Cigarette pack

[0054] 101 Type A cigarette sticks

[0055] 102 Type B cigarette sticks Detailed implementation manners

[0056] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation manners of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification.

[0057] It should be noted that the structures, ratios, sizes, etc. shown in the drawings of this specification are only used to cooperate with the content disclosed in the specification for those skilled in the art to understand and read, and are not used to limit the limited conditions for the implementation of the present invention. Therefore, they do not have substantial technical significance. Any modification of the structure, change of the proportional relationship, or adjustment of the size, without affecting the effects that the present invention can produce and the purposes that can be achieved, should still fall within the scope covered by the technical content disclosed in the present invention. At the same time, the terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "middle", etc. cited in this specification are only for convenience of narration and are not used to limit the scope of implementation of the present invention. The change or adjustment of their relative relationships, without substantial change in the technical content, should also be regarded as the scope within which the present invention can be implemented.

[0058] See Figures 1 to 7 , the present invention provides a sorting and feeding device for multiple types of cigarette sticks, which is used to feed multiple types of cigarette sticks into a packaging machine 6. It includes a feeding machine device 2, the feeding machine device 2 is used to be installed on the packaging machine, and there is a cigarette discharging channel 21 in the feeding machine device 2. The upper end of the cigarette discharging channel 21 is open, and the lower end is used to communicate with the packaging machine 6. It further includes a combined cigarette tray 1, the lower end of the combined cigarette tray 1 is open, and there is a cigarette separating plate 1b in the combined cigarette tray 1, which divides the inside of the combined cigarette tray 1 into multiple cigarette holding spaces 1a. The feeding machine device 2 is provided with several separating plates 3 in the cigarette discharging channel 21, which divides the cigarette discharging channel 21 into multiple sub-feeding channels. When the combined cigarette tray 1 is placed downward with its lower end opening on the upper end of the cigarette discharging channel 21, the cigarette holding spaces 1a are aligned with the sub-feeding channels one by one.

[0059] The main working principle of the sorting and feeding device involved in the present invention is as follows: When in use, the feeding machine device 2 is installed on the packaging machine 6. According to the packaging requirements, different types of cigarette sticks are respectively placed in multiple cigarette holding spaces 1a in the combined cigarette tray 1. Taking the sorting and feeding device shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 as an example, there are two cigarette holding spaces 1a in the combined cigarette tray 1, and each cigarette holding space 1a holds a type of cigarette stick, which are respectively recorded as cigarette stick type A 101 and cigarette stick type B 102. And the corresponding cigarette separating plate 1b is installed in the cigarette discharging channel 21 of the feeding machine device 2, dividing the cigarette discharging channel 21 into two sub-feeding channels, which respectively correspond to the two cigarette holding spaces 1a. Then, the combined cigarette tray 1 can be transported and placed on the feeding machine device 2 manually or by a handling device. The lower end opening of the combined cigarette tray 1 is docked with the upper end of the cigarette discharging channel 21, so that the lower ends of the cigarette holding spaces 1a are respectively aligned with the upper ends of the sub-feeding channels. See Figure 1 andFigure 2 Moreover, during the handling process of the combined cigarette tray 1, a lower baffle 8 is provided at the lower opening thereof to prevent cigarettes from falling out. The lower baffle 8 can be directly installed on the combined cigarette tray 1 or on the handling device. Then, the lower baffle 8 is pulled out, and type A cigarettes 101 and type B cigarettes 102 respectively fall into two material distribution channels and are separated by the two material distribution channels and enter the packaging machine 6, realizing the separate feeding of multiple types of cigarettes. The packaging machine 6 packages multiple types of cigarettes according to the packaging rules, and finally forms a cigarette pack 100 with multiple types of cigarettes and layered packaging. See Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the cigarette pack 100 has two layers, with type A cigarettes 101 in the lower layer and type B cigarettes 102 in the upper layer. The sorting and feeding device of the present invention can simultaneously and separately combine and feed multiple types of cigarettes, reducing manual operation, improving the feeding work efficiency, and having a simple structure. It can be improved on the existing equipment, and the equipment cost is small.

[0060] The combined cigarette tray 1 in the present invention can be an integral type. See Figure 4 , Figure 4 The structural schematic diagrams of three combined cigarette trays 1 are given in the figure. The three combined cigarette trays 1 respectively have four, three, and two cigarette holding spaces 1a, and the cigarette separating plate 1b is an integral plate fixed inside the combined cigarette tray 1. The combined cigarette tray 1 can also be an assembled type. See Figure 5 At this time, the combined cigarette tray 1 is assembled by a plurality of sub - cigarette trays 11. Each sub - cigarette tray 11 has a cigarette holding space 1a, and the sides of adjacent sub - cigarette trays 11 are adjacent to each other to form the cigarette separating plate 1b.

[0061] See Figures 1 to 8 The following further illustrates the present invention with a specific embodiment:

[0062] In this embodiment, see Figure 1 As a preferred design, the combined cigarette tray 1 is assembled by a plurality of sub - cigarette trays 11. Each sub - cigarette tray 11 contains one type of cigarette. During operation, it can be flexibly combined as needed to obtain the combined cigarette tray 1. At this time, different types of cigarettes are respectively placed in the multiple cigarette holding spaces 1a inside the combined cigarette tray 1, which is flexible to use. Preferably, between the sub - cigarette trays 11 of the combined cigarette tray 1, a quick - connection structure can be used for connection, such as a snap - fastener structure, etc., which is convenient for assembly and disassembly. Bolt connection can also be used.

[0063] In this embodiment, as a preferred design, the front side of the combined cigarette tray 1 is open, which is convenient for loading cigarettes. It also includes a handling device. The handling device includes a clamping mechanism 10. The clamping mechanism 10 is used to clamp the combined cigarette tray 1, and the clamping mechanism 10 is installed on a robotic arm or other structures for handling. See Figure 7, the clamping mechanism 10 is provided with a lower baffle 8 for blocking the lower opening of the clamped combined cigarette tray 1, and also provided with a front baffle 9 for blocking the front opening of the clamped combined cigarette tray 1. Both the lower baffle 8 and the front baffle 9 are movable. In this way, through the clamping mechanism 10 and the robotic arm, the combined cigarette tray 1 can be automatically transported onto the feeding device 2, and the front opening and the lower opening of the combined cigarette tray 1 are blocked during the transportation process to prevent cigarette sticks from falling. The lower baffle 8 can be automatically withdrawn when the combined cigarette tray 1 is on the feeding device 2. Of course, in other embodiments, the lower baffle 8 and the front baffle 9 can also be directly installed on the combined cigarette tray 1. At this time, it can be directly manually transported or transported by other transportation devices.

[0064] As a preferred design, in this embodiment, the sorting and feeding device further includes a single-type cigarette tray 7, see Figure 6 , the single-type cigarette tray 7 is an ordinary cigarette tray, and its size and shape are the same as those of the combined cigarette tray 1. The size of the lower opening of the single-type cigarette tray 7 is the same as that of the lower opening of the combined cigarette tray 1. The difference is that the single-type cigarette tray 7 does not have a smoke partition 1b. The use of the single-type cigarette tray 7, the assembled combined cigarette tray 1, and the feeding device 2 can realize the automatic sorting of cigarette sticks. Specifically, two feeding devices 2 can be provided in the sorting and feeding device. One is installed on the packaging machine 6 and is specifically used for feeding cigarette sticks into the packaging machine 6; the other feeding device 2 is not installed on the packaging machine 6 and is specifically used for cigarette stick sorting. The unloading channel 21 in this feeding device 2 can be used for loading the combined cigarette tray 1. Specifically, when the rear side plate located behind the unloading channel 21 of this feeding device 2 is openable, the combined cigarette tray 1 can be loaded after opening the rear side plate. After the combined cigarette tray 1 is installed in the unloading channel 21, the single-type cigarette tray 7 containing one type of cigarette stick is placed on the feeding device 2, and the cigarette sticks in the single-type cigarette tray 7 will fall into different sub-cigarette trays 11 of the combined cigarette tray 1 and then be disassembled and assembled, so as to realize the automatic sorting work of cigarette sticks. The specific steps of its cigarette stick sorting are described in detail in the sorting process described later. In the present invention, the sizes of the unloading channels 21 of the feeding device 2 dedicated to feeding and the feeding device 2 dedicated to sorting can be different, and the latter is slightly larger and can accommodate the combined cigarette tray 1. Using two feeding devices 2 for feeding and sorting respectively can enable the feeding work and the sorting work to be carried out simultaneously and cooperate with each other. Of course, the size of the unloading channel 21 in the feeding device 2 can also be designed to be able to accommodate the combined cigarette tray 1 without affecting the fall of cigarette sticks during feeding. In this way, the feeding device 2 can be used for both feeding and sorting, and has good versatility. In this case, in some situations where equipment is limited, feeding and sorting can also be directly carried out in the feeding device 2 on the packaging machine 1.

[0065] In this embodiment, see Figure 1 and Figure 2, as a preferred design, a movable smoke baffle 22 is provided on the front side of the unloading smoke passage 21 of the loading machine device 2, and a smoke baffle driving assembly for driving the smoke baffle 22 to approach and move away from the unloading smoke passage 21 is further provided on the loading machine device 2; a smoke baffle driving assembly for driving the smoke baffle 22 to approach and move away from the unloading smoke passage 21 is provided on the loading machine device 2. A smoke receiving mechanism 4 is further provided on the loading machine device 2. The smoke receiving mechanism 4 includes a seat plate 41, a smoke receiving plate 42 mounted on the seat plate 41, a lifting driving assembly, and a smoke receiving driving assembly. The seat plate 41 is located on the front side of the unloading smoke passage 21. The smoke receiving plate 42 is mounted on the seat plate 41, and the number and position of the smoke receiving plates 42 correspond to the material distribution channels of the unloading smoke passage 21. The smoke receiving driving assembly drives the seat plate 41 to approach or move away from the unloading smoke passage 21, so that the smoke receiving plate 42 is inserted into or removed from the material distribution channel, and the lifting driving assembly drives the seat plate 41 to move up and down. Among them, a plurality of threaded holes are provided on the seat plate 41, and the smoke receiving plate 42 is mounted on the seat plate 41 through bolts, so that the smoke receiving plate 42 can be flexibly mounted according to the actual installation situation of the partition plate 3 in the unloading smoke passage 21 to ensure that the smoke receiving plate 42 can correspond to each material distribution channel.

[0066] In this embodiment, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the lifting driving assembly includes a lifting ball screw module 44 provided on the loading machine device 2 and a motor for driving the lifting ball screw module 44 to move up and down. Among them, the lifting ball screw module 44 is provided on the left and right sides of the unloading smoke passage 21. The smoke receiving driving assembly includes two smoke receiving cylinders 43 respectively mounted on the two lifting ball screw modules 44, and the seat plate 41 is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the smoke receiving cylinder 43. By the rotation of the motor, the lifting ball screw module 44 is driven to move up and down, thereby driving the smoke receiving cylinder 43, the seat plate 41 and the smoke receiving plate 42 to move up and down as a whole. And lifting guide rails 45 are further provided on the left and right sides of the loading machine device 2 for guiding the up and down movement of the smoke receiving cylinder 43. The telescopic movement of the smoke receiving cylinder 43 drives the seat plate 41 and the smoke receiving plate 42 to move back and forth, so that the smoke receiving plate 42 is inserted into or removed from the material distribution channel. The smoke baffle driving assembly includes a smoke baffle cylinder 5 fixed on the loading machine device 2, and the smoke baffle 22 is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the smoke baffle cylinder 5. By the telescopic principle of the smoke baffle cylinder 5, the smoke baffle 22 is driven to approach and move away from the unloading smoke passage 21. Of course, the smoke receiving driving assembly, the lifting driving assembly, and the smoke baffle driving assembly are not limited to the situations in this embodiment, and other mechanisms capable of realizing the above functions are also applicable.

[0067] The function of the cigarette receiving mechanism 4 in this embodiment is to reduce the drop height when the cigarette sticks fall from the cigarette unloading channel 21, play a buffering role, avoid the scattering or loss of cigarette sticks, and cooperate with the operation of the handling device. When the combined cigarette tray 1 stays on the feeding machine device 2 for too long and slows down the feeding speed, the function of the cigarette blocking mechanism is to prevent the cigarette sticks from falling out of the front open side of the cigarette unloading channel 21 and not to hinder the up and down movement of the cigarette receiving plate 42. Its specific working principle is as follows: The actions of the cigarette receiving mechanism 4 and the cigarette blocking mechanism are controlled by the control system. Before the handling device transports the combined cigarette tray 1 to the feeding machine device 2, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 , the cigarette blocking plate 22 is driven by the cigarette blocking cylinder 5 to leave the front open side of the cigarette unloading channel 21 and maintain a certain distance, and then the cigarette receiving plate 42 is inserted into the sorting channel and rises to the top of the sorting channel to wait. The cigarette blocking plate 22 will not hinder the lifting movement of the cigarette receiving plate 42. After the combined cigarette tray 1 is placed on the feeding machine device 2 and the lower baffle 8 is pulled out, the cigarette sticks in the combined cigarette tray 1 are first received by the cigarette receiving plate 42. Since the cigarette sticks are gradually consumed during continuous packaging operations, there will be a buffer of cigarette sticks in the cigarette unloading channel 21. When the cigarette sticks in the cigarette unloading channel 21 drop to a certain height, preferably, a corresponding sensor can be set to detect the position where the cigarette sticks drop, transmit the signal to the control system, and then the lifting drive assembly operates. The cigarette receiving plate 42 drops to a position close to the buffered cigarette sticks at the lower part of the cigarette unloading channel 21 and is located below the cigarette blocking plate 22. Then, the cigarette blocking cylinder 5 is used to drive the cigarette blocking plate 22 close to the front open side of the cigarette unloading channel 21, and the cigarette sticks received by the cigarette receiving plate 42 fall onto the cigarette sticks buffered below. This drop height is very low, and the cigarette sticks will not be scattered, ensuring that the cigarette sticks are neat and orderly. And when the cigarette receiving plate 42 is withdrawn from the cigarette unloading channel 21, the cigarette sticks will not be scattered or dropped under the action of the cigarette blocking plate 22. Then, after the cigarette sticks are consumed to a position lower than a certain level (lower than the position of the cigarette receiving plate 42), the cigarette receiving plate 42 enters the cigarette unloading channel 21 again and rises to the highest position to wait for the next combined cigarette tray 1 to arrive. Repeat the above actions to continuously perform the feeding work. In this embodiment, by setting the cigarette receiving mechanism 4 and the cigarette blocking mechanism and cleverly cooperating with the operation of the handling device, on the one hand, the cigarette sticks can be buffered in the cigarette unloading channel 21, and the handling device can withdraw the cigarette sticks in time after transporting them, avoiding in the cigarette unloading channel 21 and ensuring that the robotic arm can feed efficiently. On the other hand, it reduces the drop during the unloading and placement of cigarette sticks, avoiding the scattering of cigarette sticks and affecting subsequent packaging work.

[0068] The present invention also provides a sorting and feeding method for multiple types of cigarette sticks, which is carried out using the sorting and feeding device described above, including a feeding process. The feeding process includes the following steps A1 to A3:

[0069] A1. After installing the feeding machine on the packaging machine, according to the packaging requirements, different types of cigarette sticks are placed in multiple cigarette holding spaces 1a in the combined cigarette tray 1 respectively. The cigarette sticks in each cigarette holding space 1a are the same. And the corresponding partition boards 1b are installed in the cigarette discharging channel 21 of the feeding machine device 2, so that the material distribution channels in the cigarette discharging channel 21 correspond to the cigarette holding spaces 1a one by one. Specifically, taking the sorting and feeding device shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 as an example, the combined cigarette tray 1 is composed of two sub-cigarette trays 11. The cigarette holding spaces 1a in each sub-cigarette tray 11 hold one type of cigarette stick, which are respectively recorded as type A cigarette sticks 101 and type B cigarette sticks 102. Correspondingly, a partition board 1b is installed in the cigarette discharging channel 21 of the feeding machine device 2, dividing the cigarette discharging channel 21 into two material distribution channels, which respectively correspond to the cigarette holding spaces 1a of the two sub-cigarette trays 11. Of course, if three or four types of cigarette sticks need to be fed at the same time, flexible combination of three or four sub-cigarette trays 11 can be adopted.

[0070] A2. Move the combined cigarette tray 1 to be placed on the feeding machine device 2, so that the lower ends of the cigarette holding spaces 1a are respectively aligned with the upper ends of the material distribution channels. And a lower baffle 8 is provided at the lower end opening of the combined cigarette tray 1 during the handling process. Specifically, when using the sorting and feeding device in this embodiment, the combined cigarette tray 1 is moved onto the feeding machine device 2 by using the handling device, and the combined cigarette tray 1 is clamped well by the clamping mechanism 10. The lower baffle 8 is arranged on the clamping mechanism 10, and at the same time, the front baffle 9 on the clamping mechanism 10 blocks the front opening of the combined cigarette tray 1.

[0071] A3. Pull out the lower baffle 8, and different types of cigarette sticks respectively fall into different material distribution channels and enter the packaging machine 6 through the material distribution channels. Specifically, when using the sorting and feeding device in this embodiment, before the clamping mechanism 10 pulls out the lower baffle 8, the smoke blocking plate 22 leaves the cigarette discharging channel 21, and the cigarette receiving plate 42 inserts and rises to the upper position of the material distribution channel. After the lower baffle 8 is pulled out, the cigarette sticks respectively fall onto the cigarette receiving plate 42 in different material distribution channels. The cigarette receiving plate 42 descends, driving the cigarette sticks to descend to the specified position. The smoke blocking plate 22 blocks the front side of the cigarette discharging channel 21, and then the cigarette receiving plate 42 is pulled out. The cigarette sticks fall onto the cigarette sticks cached in the lower area of the material distribution channel, and finally all enter the packaging machine 6 through the lower end of the material distribution channel, completing the simultaneous and separate feeding of multiple types of cigarette sticks and realizing automatic feeding.

[0072] In the feeding machine device 2, after the cigarette sticks pass through the material distribution channels, they are respectively fallen into the single-cigarette-stick channels separated by the guiding smoke plates by the stirring rods below, and then are neatly sorted and fall into the packaging machine 6. The structure and working process of this part are the same as the existing ones, so they will not be elaborated here. In the packaging machine 6, operations are carried out according to the corresponding packaging rules to obtain a cigarette pack containing multiple types of cigarette sticks. Among them, different types in the cigarette pack can be arranged in layers, taking Figure 8Taking the example shown in [Figure], there are two layers in the cigarette pack 100. The lower layer is cigarette sticks of type A 101, and the upper layer is cigarette sticks of type B 102. Of course, in another cigarette pack, the cigarette sticks of type A 101 and the cigarette sticks of type B 102 can also be arranged symmetrically left and right, that is, one side is cigarette sticks of type A 101 and the other side is cigarette sticks of type B 102, forming a twin cigarette pack. Similarly, when a cigarette pack 100 with cigarette sticks of type A 101, cigarette sticks of type B 102 and cigarette sticks of type C is needed, the sub-tray 11 trays 1 containing cigarette sticks of type A 101, cigarette sticks of type B 102 and cigarette sticks of type C respectively are assembled into a combined tray 1 combined tray 1, and then feeding can be carried out, and the principle is the same. In addition, in the combined tray 1, the left and right assembly order of the sub-trays 11 containing different types of cigarette sticks is determined according to the packaging rules of the packaging machine 6 and the positions of different types of cigarette sticks in the cigarette pack.

[0073] As a preferred design, the sorting and feeding method of the present invention further includes a sorting process, and the sorting process includes the following steps B1 to B5:

[0074] B1. Install the combined tray 1 in the cigarette unloading channel 21 of the feeding device 2, and the lower opening of the combined tray 1 faces upward. Before installing the combined tray 1, the partition plate 3 in the cigarette unloading channel 21 is first removed.

[0075] B2. Carry the single-type tray 7 containing only one type of cigarette stick to the feeding device 2 and place it. The lower opening of the single-type tray 7 is aligned with the lower opening of the combined tray 1, and a lower baffle 8 is provided at the lower opening of the single-type tray 7 during the transportation process. The transportation of the single-type tray 7 is also carried out by the transportation device. The detailed process of this step is basically the same as step A2 in the feeding process, except that the combined tray 1 to be transported is changed to a single-type tray 7. Specifically, reference can be made to the description of step A2 above, and details are not described here again.

[0076] B3. Pull out the lower baffle 8, and the cigarette sticks in the single-type tray 7 fall into different sub-trays 11 of the combined tray 1; the detailed process of this step is basically the same as step A3 in the feeding process, and the actions and functions of the cigarette receiving mechanism 4 and the smoke baffle 22 are basically the same. The difference is that in this step, one type of cigarette stick in the single-type tray 7 is dispersed into each sub-tray 11 in the combined tray 1. When the combined tray 1 is installed in the cigarette unloading channel 21, the partition plate 1b in the combined tray 1 is equivalent to the partition plate 3 installed in the cigarette unloading channel 21, and the cigarette holding space 1a is equivalent to the material distribution channel. Therefore, the action process of the cigarette receiving mechanism 4 and the smoke baffle 22 is the same as that in step A3 of the feeding process. Reference can be made to the description of step A3 above, and details are not described here again. Then take out the combined tray 1 and disassemble it into independent sub-trays 11.

[0077] B4. Repeat steps B2 to B3 to obtain sub-trays 11 containing different types of cigarette sticks.

[0078] B5. According to the packaging requirements, the sub-tray 11 containing different types of cigarette sticks is assembled to obtain the combined tray 1. Different types of cigarette sticks are placed in multiple cigarette-holding spaces 1a in the combined tray 1. At this time, the obtained combined tray 1 can be used for the feeding process.

[0079] In this sorting and feeding method, the sorting process is carried out on another feeding machine device 2. Therefore, the sorting process and the feeding process can be carried out simultaneously and cooperate with each other. After the sorting process is completed, the combined tray 1 is automatically transported to the feeding machine device 2 on the packaging machine 6 for feeding work. The entire sorting and feeding work is automatic and efficient, which can effectively improve the overall work efficiency.

[0080] As can be seen from the above, the sorting and feeding device and method of the present invention have the following advantages:

[0081] 1. Through the combined tray 1 and the feeding machine device 2, different types of cigarette sticks can be fed simultaneously and separately, realizing automatic feeding. Compared with the existing manual feeding and packaging methods, the work efficiency can be greatly improved, and the packaging quality can be guaranteed.

[0082] 2. Through the assembled combined tray 1 and the feeding machine device 2, different cigarette sticks can be sorted into the combined tray 1 containing multiple different cigarette sticks, realizing automatic sorting and improving the work efficiency; and there is no need to use other additional equipment, which simplifies the equipment use and reduces the manufacturing cost; the sorting process and the feeding process can be carried out simultaneously and cooperate with each other, effectively improving the overall work efficiency.

[0083] 3. By using the cigarette receiving structure and the cigarette blocking device, during the feeding and sorting work, the drop during the unloading process of the cigarette sticks can be effectively reduced, avoiding the scattering or even damage of the cigarette sticks, and ensuring the quality of the cigarette sticks. And it can be used in cooperation with the handling device, coordinating with each other to improve the efficiency of the entire feeding work and sorting work.

[0084] In summary, the invention effectively overcomes various disadvantages in the prior art and has high industrial utilization value.

[0085] The above embodiments are only illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, and are not used to limit the present invention. Any person familiar with this technology can modify or change the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or changes completed by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field without departing from the spirit and technical idea disclosed by the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sorting and feeding device for multiple types of cigarette sticks, which is used to feed multiple types of cigarette sticks into a packaging machine (6), and includes a feeding machine device (2). The feeding machine device (2) is used to be installed on the packaging machine (6). The feeding machine device (2) has a cigarette discharging channel (21). The upper end of the cigarette discharging channel (21) is open, and the lower end is used to communicate with the packaging machine (6). It is characterized in that: It further includes a combined cigarette tray (1) with an open bottom end. There is a smoke separation plate (1b) in the combined cigarette tray (1), which divides the inside of the combined cigarette tray (1) into multiple cigarette storage spaces (1a). In the unloading channel (21) of the feeding device (2), a number of partition plates (3) are installed to isolate the unloading channel (21) into multiple sub-channels. When the combined cigarette tray (1) is placed with its open bottom end facing downwards at the upper end of the unloading channel (21), the cigarette storage spaces (1a) are aligned with the sub-channels one by one. The combined cigarette tray (1) is assembled by a number of sub-cigarette trays (11), and each sub-cigarette tray (11) has a cigarette storage space (1a). The sides of adjacent sub-cigarette trays (11) are adjacent to each other to form the smoke separation plate (1b). The combined cigarette tray (1) can be installed in the unloading channel (21). It further includes a single-type cigarette tray (7) with an open bottom end and the same opening size as that of the combined cigarette tray (1). On the front side of the unloading channel (21) of the feeding device (2), there is a movable smoke baffle (22), and the feeding device (2) is also provided with a smoke baffle driving component for driving the smoke baffle (22) to approach and move away from the unloading channel (21). The feeding device (2) is also provided with a cigarette receiving mechanism (4), which includes a seat plate (41), a cigarette receiving plate (42), a lifting driving component, and a cigarette receiving driving component. The seat plate (41) is located on the front side of the unloading channel (21). The cigarette receiving plate (42) is installed on the seat plate (41), and the number and position of the cigarette receiving plates (42) correspond to the sub-channels of the unloading channel (21). The cigarette receiving driving component drives the seat plate (41) to approach or move away from the unloading channel (21) so that the cigarette receiving plate (42) is inserted into or withdrawn from the sub-channel, and the lifting driving component drives the seat plate (41) to move up and down. There are two feeding devices (2) in the sorting and feeding device. One feeding device (2) is installed on the packaging machine (6) for feeding cigarettes into the packaging machine (6). The other feeding device (2) is not installed on the packaging machine (6) and is used for cigarette sorting. The unloading channel (21) in this feeding device (2) can be used for loading the combined cigarette tray (1), and when the combined cigarette tray (1) is loaded, its open bottom end faces upwards.

2. The sorting and loading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It further includes a handling device, which includes a clamping mechanism (10) for clamping the combined cigarette tray (1), and the clamping mechanism (10) is provided with a lower baffle (8) for blocking the open bottom end of the clamped combined cigarette tray (1).

3. The sorting and feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cigarette receiving driving component includes a cigarette receiving cylinder (43) installed on the lifting driving component, and the seat plate (41) is fixed on the piston rod of the cigarette receiving cylinder (43).

4. The sorting and feeding device according to claim 3, wherein: The lifting driving component includes a lifting ball screw module (44) arranged on the feeding device (2) and a motor for driving the lifting ball screw module (44) to move up and down, and the cigarette receiving cylinder (43) is fixed on the lifting ball screw module (44).

5. The sorting and feeding device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The smoke baffle driving assembly includes a smoke baffle cylinder (5) fixed on the loading machine device (2), and the smoke baffle (22) is fixedly connected to the piston rod of the smoke baffle cylinder (5).

6. A sorting and feeding method for multiple cigarette sticks, characterized in that: It is carried out by using the sorting and loading device as described in claim 2, including a loading process, and the loading process includes the following steps: A1. After the loading machine device (2) is installed on the packaging machine (6), according to the packaging requirements, different types of cigarette sticks are respectively placed in a plurality of cigarette holding spaces (1a) in the combined cigarette tray (1). The cigarette sticks in each cigarette holding space (1a) are the same, and the corresponding smoke baffle (1b) is installed in the cigarette unloading channel (21) of the loading machine device (2) so that the material distribution channels in the cigarette unloading channel (21) correspond to the cigarette holding spaces (1a) one by one; A2. The combined cigarette tray (1) is transported and placed on the loading machine device (2) so that the lower ends of the cigarette holding spaces (1a) are respectively aligned with the upper ends of the material distribution channels, and a lower baffle (8) is provided at the lower end opening of the combined cigarette tray (1) during the transportation process; A3. The lower baffle (8) is pulled out, and different types of cigarette sticks respectively fall into different material distribution channels and enter the packaging machine (6) through the material distribution channels.

7. The sorting and feeding method according to claim 6, wherein: It further includes a sorting process. The sorting and loading device further includes a single-type cigarette tray (7). The lower end of the single-type cigarette tray (7) is open, and the size of the lower end opening is the same as that of the combined cigarette tray (1). The combined cigarette tray (1) can be installed in the cigarette unloading channel (21). The combined cigarette tray (1) is assembled by a plurality of sub-cigarette trays (11), and each sub-cigarette tray (11) has a cigarette holding space (1a). The sides of adjacent sub-cigarette trays (11) are adjacent to each other to form a smoke baffle (1b). The sorting process includes: B1. The combined cigarette tray (1) is installed in the cigarette unloading channel (21) of the loading machine device (2), and the lower end opening of the combined cigarette tray (1) faces upward; B2. The single-type cigarette tray (7) containing only one type of cigarette stick is transported and placed on the loading machine device (2). The lower end opening of the single-type cigarette tray (7) is aligned with the lower end opening of the combined cigarette tray (1), and a lower baffle (8) is provided at the lower end opening of the single-type cigarette tray (7) during the transportation process; B3. The lower baffle (8) is pulled out, and the cigarette sticks in the single-type cigarette tray (7) fall into different sub-cigarette trays (11) of the combined cigarette tray (1); the combined cigarette tray (1) is taken out and disassembled into independent sub-cigarette trays (11); B4. Repeat steps B2 to B3 to obtain a plurality of sub-cigarette trays (11) containing different types of cigarette sticks; B5. According to the packaging requirements, the sub-cigarette trays (11) containing different types of cigarette sticks are combined and assembled to obtain the combined cigarette tray (1).

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