A special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging device and a sorting and packaging method using the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging device, including an automatic depackaging machine, a manual channel machine, a rail shuttle, a combined sorting machine, a side-dial sorting machine, a drop-down sorting machine, a sorting conveyor belt, a counting device, a stacking device and a packaging device; the automatic depackaging machine includes a medium cigarette depackaging machine position and a thin cigarette depackaging machine position, and the combined sorting machine includes a plurality of sorting units; the counting device is located on the conveying route of the sorting conveyor belt, the input end of the stacking device is docked with the output end of the sorting conveyor belt, and the input end of the packaging device is docked with the output end of the stacking device; the present invention also provides a method for sorting and packaging special-shaped cigarettes using the special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging device. The special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging device and the method for sorting and packaging using the same have the advantages of scientific design, high degree of automation, high sorting efficiency and strong practicality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cigarette logistics, and in particular to a device for sorting and packaging special-shaped cigarettes and a method for sorting and packaging the same. Background Art

[0002] The tobacco logistics distribution center needs to sort, code, stack, package and label special-shaped cigarette cartons of different varieties, specifications (hereinafter referred to as "specifications") and quantities according to user orders. Special-shaped cigarette cartons can be divided into slim cigarette cartons, medium cigarette cartons and special-shaped cigarette cartons. Compared with ordinary cigarette cartons, slim cigarette cartons are longer and thinner, medium cigarette cartons are of similar thickness and narrower width, and the length, width and height of special-shaped cigarette cartons are quite different from those of ordinary cigarette cartons and are very irregular. Due to the diversity of specifications and packaging methods of special-shaped cigarettes, it is difficult to realize order sorting and packaging automation in the existing tobacco logistics system.

[0003] At present, the method used by tobacco logistics distribution centers to complete the material configuration of special-shaped cigarette cartons in user orders is: manual unpacking, operators manually configuring cigarette cartons according to order requirements, manual stacking and film wrapping. This sorting and packaging method has problems such as low degree of automation, high labor intensity, high labor costs, and low production efficiency.

[0004] With the continuous increase in the specifications and sales of special-shaped cigarette cartons, the existing sorting and packaging methods of special-shaped cigarette cartons in tobacco logistics distribution centers can no longer meet the rapid growth of special-shaped cigarette cartons and the fast-paced and high-efficiency needs of modern logistics. The main manifestations are: 1. Manual unpacking, sorting and packaging, with a low degree of automation; 2. Manual configuration of cigarette cartons according to order requirements, which is prone to errors; 3. High labor intensity and slow operation speed.

[0005] With the development of personalized cigarette design and packaging technology, the specifications of special-shaped cigarette cartons are constantly increasing. The adoption of more efficient special-shaped cigarette cartons sorting and packaging methods and systems has become a problem that must be solved in the development of enterprises. Summary of the invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to address the deficiencies in the prior art and thereby provide a classification and sorting technology to classify special-shaped cigarette cartons into four categories, A, B, C, and D, according to different specifications, quantities, and packaging methods. By adopting different unpacking, replenishment, and sorting methods for different categories of special-shaped cigarette cartons, the sorting efficiency and automation level of the special-shaped cigarette cartons are greatly improved. Then, automatic coding, stacking, packaging, labeling, and other operations are performed to form a set of special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment with scientific design, high automation, high sorting efficiency, and strong practicality, as well as a method for sorting and packaging using the same.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical scheme adopted by the present invention is: a special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment, including an automatic decartoning machine, a manual channel machine, a rail shuttle car, a combined sorting machine, a side-dipping sorting machine, a drop-down sorting machine, a sorting conveyor belt, a counting device, a stacking device and a packaging device; the automatic decartoning machine includes a medium cigarette decartoning machine position and a thin cigarette decartoning machine position, the medium cigarette decartoning machine position, the thin cigarette decartoning machine position and the manual channel machine are all docked at the input end of the rail shuttle car, the combined sorting machine includes a plurality of sorting units, and the rail shuttle car can be docked with the input ends of the plurality of sorting units respectively by moving; the input end of the sorting conveyor belt extends to the cigarette outlets of the combined sorting machine, the side-dipping sorting machine and the drop-down sorting machine respectively, the counting device is located on the conveying route of the sorting conveyor belt, the input end of the stacking device is docked with the output end of the sorting conveyor belt, and the input end of the packaging device is docked with the output end of the stacking device.

[0008] Based on the above, the sorting unit includes an input chain plate, a cigarette pushing device, a vertical cigarette bin and a cigarette moving device. The two ends of the input chain plate are respectively connected to the rail shuttle and the vertical cigarette bin. The cigarette pushing device is used to push the cigarette strips into the vertical cigarette bin. The cigarette moving device is arranged in the smoke outlet at the bottom of the vertical cigarette bin.

[0009] Based on the above, the side-dipping sorting machine includes a vertical cigarette bin, a smoke outlet channel, a sprocket chain transmission mechanism and a cigarette plucking block. A rectangular smoke outlet is provided at the bottom of the vertical cigarette bin, and the long side of the rectangular smoke outlet is connected to the smoke inlet of the smoke outlet channel. The smoke outlet direction of the smoke outlet channel extends along the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor belt, and the smoke outlet of the smoke outlet channel is arranged directly above the sorting conveyor belt; the sprocket chain transmission mechanism drives the cigarette plucking block to move in a circulation, and the movement trajectory of the cigarette plucking block passes through the smoke outlet channel. When passing through the smoke outlet channel, the cigarette plucking block starts from the rectangular smoke outlet and moves along the direction of the smoke outlet trajectory in the smoke outlet channel.

[0010] Based on the above, the drop-down sorting machine includes a vertical cigarette drop bin, which is arranged directly above the sorting conveyor belt, and a cigarette drop gate is arranged in the bottom smoke outlet of the vertical cigarette drop bin.

[0011] Based on the above, the sorting conveyor belt includes a first input belt, a second input belt, a first lane belt, a second lane belt, a first output belt, a second output belt and a third output belt. The first input belt is arranged in front of and below the smoke outlet of the combined sorting machine, and the second input belt is arranged directly below the smoke outlet of the side-dial sorting machine and the drop-down sorting machine; the output end of the first input belt can be connected with the first output belt and the input end of the first lane belt respectively through a first lane mechanism, the input end of the second lane belt can be connected with the output end of the first lane belt and the second input belt respectively through a lane combining mechanism, the output end of the second lane belt can be connected with the input end of the second output belt and the third output belt respectively through a second lane mechanism, and the output ends of the first output belt, the second output belt and the third output belt are connected with the input port of the stacking device respectively.

[0012] Based on the above, the counting device includes two counting conveying devices and a gate separator, the two counting conveying devices are respectively arranged in the first output belt and the first lane belt, the counting conveying device includes a low-speed conveyor belt, a high-speed conveyor belt, a negative pressure suction device and a counter, the output end of the low-speed conveyor belt is connected to the input end of the high-speed conveyor belt, and multiple rows of air holes are respectively opened on the low-speed conveyor belt and the high-speed conveyor belt along the conveying direction, the negative pressure suction device provides negative pressure for the multiple rows of air holes, and the counter is arranged near the high-speed conveyor belt to record the number of output cigarettes; the gate separator includes at least two gates arranged along the conveying direction of the second input belt.

[0013] Based on the above, the stacking device includes a parallel manipulator and two mechanical cigarette stacking platforms arranged on both sides of the parallel manipulator, the two mechanical cigarette stacking platforms are located within the picking and placing range of the parallel manipulator, the parallel manipulator is docked with the output end of the second output belt, and the two mechanical cigarette stacking platforms are respectively docked with the output ends of the first output belt and the third output belt.

[0014] Based on the above, the packaging device includes two packaging machines, and the two packaging machines are respectively connected to the output ends of the two mechanical cigarette stacking platforms.

[0015] The present invention also provides a method for sorting and packaging special-shaped cigarettes using the special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment, comprising the following steps:

[0016] (1) Special-shaped cigarettes are divided into four categories, among which slim and medium-sized cigarette cartons packaged in cigarette boxes with conventional sizes are Category A, slim and medium-sized cigarette cartons packaged in cigarette boxes with unconventional sizes are Category B, special-shaped cigarette cartons that are longer or wider, and slim and medium-sized cigarette cartons with very small demand are Category C, and special-shaped cigarette cartons that are shorter in length and taller in height are Category D;

[0017] (2) Category A cigarette cartons are automatically unpacked by the unpacking machine, a whole box of slim cigarette cartons are unpacked by the slim cigarette unpacking machine, a whole box of medium cigarette cartons are unpacked by the medium cigarette unpacking machine, and after unpacking, the rail shuttle vehicle automatically replenishes the cigarette cartons of different varieties into the corresponding sorting units; Category B cigarette cartons are manually unpacked by the manual channel machine, and after unpacking, the rail shuttle vehicle automatically replenishes the cigarette cartons of different varieties into the corresponding sorting units; Category C cigarette cartons are loaded into the vertical cigarette bin of the side-dipping sorting machine by manual unpacking and manual replenishment; Category D cigarette cartons are loaded into the cigarette bin of the drop-down sorting machine by manual unpacking and manual replenishment;

[0018] (3) According to the order requirements, the required types of cigarette cartons are selected from the combined sorting machine, the side-dipping sorting machine and the drop-down sorting machine and placed on the sorting conveyor belt;

[0019] (4) Counting the number of cigarette cartons in the order by means of the counting device;

[0020] (5) The sorting conveyor belt conveys the cigarette cartons required by the order to the stacking device for stacking;

[0021] (6) The stacked cigarette orders are wrapped and packaged by the packaging device.

[0022] Based on the above, in step (3), the cigarette cartons in the combined sorting machine are dialed into the first input belt, and the cigarette cartons in the side-dial sorting machine and the drop-down sorting machine are dialed into the second input belt;

[0023] In steps (4)-(6), the cigarette cartons are divided into two routes for transportation, counting, stacking and film wrapping.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has outstanding substantial features and significant progress. Specifically, the present invention designs four cigarette replenishment methods, which can classify special-shaped cigarettes into four categories of A, B, C, and D according to product specifications and outer packaging styles. The medium-sized cigarette unpacking machine position and the slim cigarette unpacking machine position can be used for automatic unpacking of Class A cigarette cartons, and the manual channel machine can be used for manual unpacking of Class B cigarette cartons. The unpacked Class A and Class B cigarette cartons are automatically replenished by the rail shuttle car; Class C cigarette cartons are manually unpacked and replenished to the side-dipping sorting machine. Since Class C cigarette cartons are longer or wider, the side-dipping (i.e., pushing the long side of the cigarette cartons) method is used to discharge the cigarettes, which can avoid tilting when falling on the sorting conveyor belt; Class D cigarette cartons are manually unpacked and replenished. The cigarettes are put on the drop-down sorting machine by manual replenishment. Since the length of the D-type cigarette strips is short and the height is high, the vertical drop method can prevent them from rolling when they fall on the sorting conveyor belt. According to statistics, in actual demand, the A-type cigarettes account for about 70% of the total amount of special-shaped cigarettes, the B-type cigarettes account for about 15% of the total amount of special-shaped cigarettes, and the C-type and D-type cigarettes account for about 15% of the total amount of special-shaped cigarettes. The special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment can make most of the special-shaped cigarettes realize automatic unpacking and automatic replenishment, or manual unpacking and automatic replenishment. After the cigarette strips required for the order are sorted to the sorting conveyor belt, the complete process of sorting and packaging of special-shaped cigarette strips is completed after subsequent counting, stacking and film wrapping, thereby greatly improving the sorting efficiency and mechanization degree. It has the advantages of scientific design, high degree of automation, high sorting efficiency and strong practicality.

[0025] Furthermore, when the input chain plate conveys the cigarette cartons to the vertical cigarette bin, it can avoid slipping with the cigarette cartons, thereby ensuring the stability of cigarette supply. Finally, the cigarette pushing mechanism pushes the delivered cigarette cartons into the vertical cigarette bin to complete the replenishment.

[0026] Furthermore, the side-push sorting machine pushes the cigarette strips onto the sorting conveyor belt from the long side through the movement trajectory of the cigarette pushing block in the smoke outlet channel, so that the cigarette body will not tilt due to one end falling on the sorting conveyor belt first; the drop-down sorting machine can drop the cigarette strips vertically onto the sorting conveyor belt by opening and closing the cigarette drop gate arranged at the bottom of the vertical cigarette drop bin, so that Class D cigarettes will not roll over when in contact with the sorting conveyor belt, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the entire equipment.

[0027] Furthermore, the setting of the first input belt and the second input belt divides the four types of cigarettes into two input lines, with those with large demand going to the first input belt and those with small demand going to the second input belt, thereby improving the efficiency of cigarette output; the first branch belt divides the first input belt into two conveying lines, and the second branch belt aggregates the cigarettes from the first branch belt and the second input belt and divides them into two lines again, and finally connects with the stacking device through three output paths. This not only makes it convenient for the stacking device to select a suitable stacking method according to cigarettes of different specifications, but also improves packaging efficiency.

[0028] Furthermore, the counting and conveying device is used to count the number of A and B type cigarettes input by the two lines. The speed difference between the low-speed conveyor belt and the high-speed conveyor belt can pull the cigarettes apart, which is convenient for the counter to count accurately. It intermittently conveys cigarettes according to order requirements, which is convenient for coding. The negative pressure suction device can adsorb the cigarettes on its surface through the air holes, so that they remain stable during high-speed transportation; the gate counting device is used to count the number of C and D type cigarettes, and uses multiple gates to separate the C and D type cigarettes required for each cigarette order, and then transport them in batches according to the order.

[0029] Furthermore, the parallel manipulator is mainly used to grab C and D category cigarette cartons for stacking. Due to their special size, C and D category cigarette cartons are not suitable for mechanical stacking. The two mechanical cigarette stacking platforms are mainly used to mechanically stack A and B category cigarette cartons. The parallel manipulator finally places the grabbed cigarette cartons on the two mechanical cigarette stacking platforms to complete the order; the two packaging machines are docked at the output ends of the two mechanical cigarette stacking platforms to realize the simultaneous conveying, counting, stacking and packaging of two groups of orders, thereby further improving production efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment in the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the sorting unit of the combined sorting machine in the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the side-dipping sorting machine in the present invention.

[0033] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the counting and conveying device in the present invention.

[0034] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the gate plate partition device in the present invention.

[0035] In the figure: 1. Box cigarette input belt; 2. Automatic unpacking machine; 3. Manual channel machine; 4. Rail shuttle; 5. Combined sorting machine; 6. Side-pick sorting machine; 7. Drop sorting machine; 8. Swinging belt; 9. Counting conveyor; 10. Parallel manipulator; 11. Mechanical cigarette stacking platform; 12. Packing machine; 13. Gate partition device; 21. Medium cigarette unpacking machine position; 22. Slim cigarette unpacking machine position; 51. Sorting unit; 52. Input chain plate; 53. Cigarette pushing device; 54. Vertical cigarette bin; 55. Cigarette pulling device; 61. Vertical cigarette bin; 62. Cigarette outlet channel; 63. Sprocket chain transmission mechanism; 64. Cigarette pulling block; 81. First input belt; 82. Second input belt; 83. First lane belt; 84. Second lane belt; 85. First output belt; 86. Second output belt; 87. Third output belt. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The technical solution of the present invention is further described in detail below through specific implementation methods.

[0037] like Figure 1-5 As shown, a special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment includes an automatic decartoning machine 2, a manual channel machine 3, a rail shuttle 4, a combined sorting machine 5, a side-dial sorting machine 6, a drop-down sorting machine 7, a sorting conveyor belt, a counting device, a stacking device and a packaging device; the automatic decartoning machine 2 includes a medium-sized cigarette decartoning machine position 21 and a thin-sized cigarette decartoning machine position 22, the input end of the automatic decartoning machine 2 is connected to the box cigarette input belt 1, the medium-sized cigarette decartoning machine position 21 is used to disassemble medium-sized cigarette cartons packaged in cigarette boxes with a conventional size range, and the thin-sized cigarette decartoning machine position 22 is used to disassemble thin-sized cigarette cartons packaged in cigarette boxes with a conventional size range. The manual channel machine 3 has two positions. For cigarette cartons that are packaged outside the unconventional size range and cannot be automatically decartoned, they can be loaded by manual decartoning.

[0038] The medium cigarette unpacking machine position 21, the slim cigarette unpacking machine position 22 and the manual channel machine 3 are all connected to the input end of the rail shuttle 4. The combined sorting machine 5 includes multiple sorting units 51. The rail shuttle 4 can be connected to the input ends of the multiple sorting units 51 by moving, so as to facilitate the input of cigarettes of different specifications into the corresponding sorting units 51.

[0039] The sorting unit 51 specifically includes an input chain plate 52, a cigarette pushing device 53, a vertical cigarette bin 54 and a cigarette pushing device 55. The two ends of the input chain plate 52 are respectively connected to the rail shuttle 4 and the vertical cigarette bin 54. The cigarette pushing device 53 is used to push the cigarette carts into the vertical cigarette bin 54. The cigarette pushing device 55 is arranged in the smoke outlet at the bottom of the vertical cigarette bin 54. The input chain plate 52 will not slip with the cigarette cartons during the transportation of the cigarette cartons. The cigarette pushing device 55 is used to push the cigarette cartons out.

[0040] The side-pick sorting machine 6 specifically includes a vertical cigarette bin 61, a smoke outlet channel 62, a sprocket chain transmission mechanism 63 and a cigarette prying block 64. A rectangular smoke outlet 65 is provided at the bottom of the vertical cigarette bin 61. The long side of the rectangular smoke outlet 65 is connected to the smoke inlet of the smoke outlet channel 62. The smoke outlet direction of the smoke outlet channel 62 extends along the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor belt. The smoke outlet of the smoke outlet channel 62 is arranged directly above the sorting conveyor belt. The sprocket chain transmission mechanism 63 drives the cigarette prying block 64. The block 64 moves in a circular motion, and the movement trajectory of the cigarette-prying block 64 passes through the smoke outlet channel 62. When passing through the smoke outlet channel 62, the cigarette-prying block 64 starts from the rectangular smoke outlet 65 and moves along the direction of the smoke outlet trajectory in the smoke outlet channel 62. When in use, the side-prying sorting machine 6 pushes the cigarette strips from their long sides to the sorting conveyor belt through the movement trajectory of the cigarette-prying block 64 in the smoke outlet channel 62, so that the cigarette body will not be tilted due to one end falling on the sorting conveyor belt first.

[0041] The drop-down sorting machine 7 includes a vertical cigarette drop bin, which is arranged directly above the sorting conveyor belt, and a cigarette drop gate is arranged in the bottom smoke outlet of the vertical cigarette drop bin; when in use, the cigarette strips can be vertically dropped onto the sorting conveyor belt by opening and closing the cigarette drop gate, which will not cause the cigarette strips to roll when they come into contact with the sorting conveyor belt.

[0042] The sorting conveyor belt specifically includes a first input belt 81, a second input belt 82, a first lane belt 83, a second lane belt 84, a first output belt 85, a second output belt 86 and a third output belt 87. The first input belt 81 is arranged in front of and below the smoke outlet of the combined sorting machine 5, and the second input belt 82 is arranged directly below the smoke outlets of the side-dial sorting machine 6 and the drop-down sorting machine 7; the output end of the first input belt 81 can be connected to the input ends of the first output belt 85 and the first lane belt 83 respectively through a first lane mechanism, the input end of the second lane belt 84 can be connected to the output ends of the first lane belt 83 and the second input belt 82 respectively through a lane combining mechanism, the output end of the second lane belt 84 can be connected to the input ends of the second output belt 86 and the third output belt 87 respectively through a second lane mechanism, and the output ends of the first output belt 85, the second output belt 86 and the third output belt 87 are connected to the input port of the stacking device respectively.

[0043] The stacking device specifically includes a parallel manipulator 10 and two mechanical smoke stacking platforms 11 arranged on both sides of the parallel manipulator 10. The two mechanical smoke stacking platforms 11 are both located within the picking and placing range of the parallel manipulator 10. The parallel manipulator 10 is docked with the output end of the second output belt 86, and the two mechanical smoke stacking platforms 11 are docked with the output ends of the first output belt 85 and the third output belt 87 respectively; the packaging device includes two packaging machines 12, and the two packaging machines 12 are docked at the output ends of the two mechanical smoke stacking platforms 11 respectively.

[0044] The counting device specifically includes two counting conveying devices 9 and a gate partition device 13. The two counting conveying devices 9 are respectively arranged in the first output belt 85 and the first lane belt 83. The counting conveying device includes a low-speed conveying belt 91, a high-speed conveying belt 92, a negative pressure suction device 94 and a counter 93. The output end of the low-speed conveying belt 91 is connected to the input end of the high-speed conveying belt 92. The low-speed conveying belt 91 and the high-speed conveying belt 92 are respectively provided with multiple rows of air holes along the conveying direction. The negative pressure suction device 94 is provided with a plurality of air holes along the conveying direction. The suction device 94 provides negative pressure for the multiple columns of air holes, and the counter 93 is arranged near the high-speed conveyor belt 92 to record the number of output cigarettes. When in use, the cigarettes first pass through the low-speed conveyor belt 91 and then pass through the high-speed conveyor belt 92. Due to the speed difference between the two, the distance between the cigarettes is pulled apart when on the high-speed conveyor belt 92, which makes it convenient for the counter 93 to count accurately. It conveys the cigarettes intermittently according to the order requirements, which is convenient for coding. The negative pressure suction device 94 firmly adsorbs the cigarettes to the surface through the air holes, so that it can be transported at high speed without slipping.

[0045] The gate separation device 13 includes at least two gates arranged along the conveying direction of the second input belt 82; when in use, the cigarette cartons required by multiple orders are separated by the gates. For example, the rear gate can be opened first, and the front gate can be kept closed. All the cigarette cartons required for the first order are sorted out and transported to the front gate. Then the front gate is closed and all the cigarette cartons required for the second order are sorted out. And so on. When transporting the subsequent cigarette cartons, the gates are opened in sequence.

[0046] This embodiment also provides a method for sorting and packaging special-shaped cigarettes using the special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment, comprising the following steps:

[0047] (1) Special-shaped cigarettes are divided into four categories. Among them, slim and medium-sized cigarettes packaged in cigarette boxes with conventional sizes are Category A, accounting for about 70% of the total number of special-shaped cigarettes; slim and medium-sized cigarettes packaged in cigarette boxes with unconventional sizes are Category B, accounting for about 15% of the total number of special-shaped cigarettes; special-shaped cigarettes with longer length or wider width, and slim and medium-sized cigarettes with very small demand are Category C; special-shaped cigarettes with shorter length and higher height are Category D. Categories C and D together account for 15% of the total number of special-shaped cigarettes;

[0048] (2) Category A cigarette cartons are automatically unpacked by the unpacking machine 2, a whole box of slim cigarette cartons are unpacked by the slim cigarette unpacking machine position 22, and a whole box of medium cigarette cartons are unpacked by the medium cigarette unpacking machine position 21. After unpacking, the rail shuttle 4 automatically replenishes the cigarette cartons of different varieties into the corresponding sorting units 51;

[0049] The B-type cigarette cartons are manually unpacked by the manual channel machine 3, and after unpacking, the rail shuttle 4 automatically replenishes the cigarette cartons of different varieties into the corresponding sorting unit 51;

[0050] The C-type cigarette cartons are loaded into the vertical cigarette bin 61 of the side-dial sorting machine 6 by manual unpacking and manual replenishment;

[0051] The D-type cigarette cartons are loaded into the cigarette bin of the drop-down sorting machine by manual unpacking and manual replenishment;

[0052] (3) According to the order requirements, the required types of cigarettes are selected from the combined sorting machine, the side-dipping sorting machine and the drop-down sorting machine and placed on the sorting conveyor belt, of which category A and category B enter the first input belt 81, and category C and category D enter the second input belt 82. The cigarettes with high demand and those with low demand are divided into two input paths, thereby improving the input efficiency;

[0053] (4) A and B cigarette cartons can be divided into two conveying routes according to order requirements, and conveyed to the first output belt 85 and the first branch belt 83 respectively. The cigarette cartons are counted by the two counting and conveying devices 9 respectively, and output intermittently according to the orders; the cigarette cartons required for different orders are separated by the gate partition device 13, and conveyed to the second branch belt 84 intermittently according to the orders;

[0054] (5) Since the A and B cigarette cartons are suitable for mechanical palletizing, generally speaking, the cigarette cartons from the first lane 83 are finally sorted into the third output belt 87 for mechanical palletizing; since the C and D cigarette cartons are not suitable for mechanical palletizing, generally speaking, the cigarette cartons from the second input belt 82 are finally sorted into the second output belt 86, and after being palletized by the parallel manipulator 10, they are grabbed and placed on the mechanical cigarette stacking platforms 11 on both sides to merge with the A and B cigarette cartons;

[0055] (6) The cigarette cartons stacked on the mechanical cigarette stacking platform 11 are wrapped and packaged by the packaging machine 12 connected thereto.

[0056] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, ordinary technicians in the field should understand that the specific implementation methods of the present invention can still be modified or some technical features can be replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit of the technical solution of the present invention, which should be included in the scope of the technical solution for protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for sorting and packaging special-shaped cigarettes, characterized in that: It comprises an automatic unpacking machine, a manual channel machine, a rail shuttle, a combined sorting machine, a side-dipping sorting machine, a drop-down sorting machine, a sorting conveyor belt, a counting device, a stacking device and a packaging device; the automatic unpacking machine comprises a medium cigarette unpacking machine position and a thin cigarette unpacking machine position, the medium cigarette unpacking machine position, the thin cigarette unpacking machine position and the manual channel machine are all docked at the input end of the rail shuttle, the combined sorting machine comprises a plurality of sorting units, and the rail shuttle can be docked with the input ends of a plurality of the sorting units respectively by moving; the input end of the sorting conveyor belt extends to the cigarette outlets of the combined sorting machine, the side-dipping sorting machine and the drop-down sorting machine respectively, the counting device is located on the conveying route of the sorting conveyor belt, the input end of the stacking device is docked with the output end of the sorting conveyor belt, and the input end of the packaging device is docked with the output end of the stacking device; The special-shaped cigarettes are divided into four categories: thin and medium-sized cigarettes packaged in cigarette boxes with conventional sizes are Category A, thin and medium-sized cigarettes packaged in cigarette boxes with unconventional sizes are Category B, special-shaped cigarettes with longer lengths or wider widths, and thin and medium-sized cigarettes with very small demand are Category C, and special-shaped cigarettes with shorter lengths and higher heights are Category D; Among them, Class A cigarette cartons are automatically unpacked by the automatic unpacking machine, a whole box of slim cigarette cartons are unpacked by the slim cigarette unpacking machine position, and a whole box of medium cigarette cartons are unpacked by the medium cigarette unpacking machine position. After unpacking, they are automatically replenished by the rail shuttle car, and different varieties of Class A cigarette cartons are added to the corresponding sorting units; Class B cigarette cartons are manually unpacked by the manual channel machine, and after unpacking, they are automatically replenished by the rail shuttle car, and different varieties of Class B cigarette cartons are added to the corresponding sorting units; Class C cigarette carts are loaded into the vertical cigarette bin of the side-dipping sorting machine by manual unpacking and manual replenishment; Class D cigarette carts are loaded into the cigarette bin of the drop-down sorting machine by manual unpacking and manual replenishment; According to the needs of the order, the required varieties of cigarette cartons are selected from the combined sorting machine, the side-dipping sorting machine and the drop-down sorting machine and placed on the sorting conveyor belt; the number of cigarette cartons in the order is counted by the counting device; the sorting conveyor belt transports the cigarette cartons required for the order to the stacking device for stacking; the stacked cigarette cartons are wrapped and packaged by the packaging device.

2. The special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The sorting unit includes an input chain plate, a cigarette pushing device, a vertical cigarette bin and a cigarette moving device. The two ends of the input chain plate are respectively connected to the rail shuttle and the vertical cigarette bin. The cigarette pushing device is used to push cigarette cartons into the vertical cigarette bin. The cigarette moving device is arranged in the smoke outlet at the bottom of the vertical cigarette bin.

3. The special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The side-pick sorting machine comprises a vertical cigarette bin, a smoke outlet channel, a sprocket chain transmission mechanism and a cigarette prying block. A rectangular smoke outlet is provided at the bottom of the vertical cigarette bin. The long side of the rectangular smoke outlet is connected to the smoke inlet of the smoke outlet channel. The smoke outlet direction of the smoke outlet channel extends along the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor belt. The smoke outlet of the smoke outlet channel is arranged directly above the sorting conveyor belt. The sprocket chain transmission mechanism drives the cigarette removing block to circulate, and the movement trajectory of the cigarette removing block passes through the smoke outlet channel. When passing through the smoke outlet channel, the cigarette removing block starts from the rectangular smoke outlet and moves along the direction of the smoke outlet trajectory in the smoke outlet channel.

4. The special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The drop-down sorting machine comprises a vertical cigarette drop bin, which is arranged just above the sorting conveyor belt, and a cigarette drop gate is arranged in the bottom smoke outlet of the vertical cigarette drop bin.

5. The special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The sorting conveyor belt comprises a first input belt, a second input belt, a first lane belt, a second lane belt, a first output belt, a second output belt and a third output belt. The first input belt is arranged in front of and below the smoke outlet of the combined sorting machine, and the second input belt is arranged directly below the smoke outlets of the side-dial sorting machine and the drop-down sorting machine. The output end of the first input belt can be connected with the input ends of the first output belt and the first lane belt respectively through a first lane mechanism, the input end of the second lane belt can be connected with the output ends of the first lane belt and the second input belt respectively through a lane combining mechanism, the output end of the second lane belt can be connected with the input ends of the second output belt and the third output belt respectively through a second lane mechanism, and the output ends of the first output belt, the second output belt and the third output belt are connected with the input port of the stacking device respectively.

6. The special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment according to claim 5 is characterized in that: The counting device includes two counting conveying devices and a gate separator. The two counting conveying devices are respectively arranged in the first output belt and the first lane belt. The counting conveying device includes a low-speed conveyor belt, a high-speed conveyor belt, a negative pressure suction device and a counter. The output end of the low-speed conveyor belt is connected to the input end of the high-speed conveyor belt. Multiple rows of air holes are respectively opened on the low-speed conveyor belt and the high-speed conveyor belt along the conveying direction. The negative pressure suction device provides negative pressure for the multiple rows of air holes. The counter is arranged near the high-speed conveyor belt to record the number of output cigarettes. The gate separator includes at least two gates arranged along the conveying direction of the second input belt.

7. The special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment according to claim 6 is characterized in that: The stacking device includes a parallel manipulator and two mechanical cigarette stacking platforms arranged on both sides of the parallel manipulator, the two mechanical cigarette stacking platforms are both located within the picking and placing range of the parallel manipulator, the parallel manipulator is docked with the output end of the second output belt, and the two mechanical cigarette stacking platforms are respectively docked with the output ends of the first output belt and the third output belt.

8. The special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment according to claim 7 is characterized in that: The packaging device comprises two packaging machines, and the two packaging machines are respectively connected to the output ends of the two mechanical cigarette stacking platforms.

9. A method for sorting and packaging special-shaped cigarettes, characterized in that: The process of sorting and packaging the special-shaped cigarettes using the special-shaped cigarette sorting and packaging equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 8 comprises the following steps: (1) Special-shaped cigarettes are divided into four categories, among which slim and medium-sized cigarette cartons packaged in cigarette boxes with conventional sizes are Category A, slim and medium-sized cigarette cartons packaged in cigarette boxes with unconventional sizes are Category B, special-shaped cigarette cartons that are longer or wider, and slim and medium-sized cigarette cartons with very small demand are Category C, and special-shaped cigarette cartons that are shorter in length and taller in height are Category D; (2) Category A cigarette cartons are automatically unpacked by the unpacking machine, a whole box of slim cigarette cartons are unpacked by the slim cigarette unpacking machine, a whole box of medium cigarette cartons are unpacked by the medium cigarette unpacking machine, and after unpacking, the rail shuttle vehicle automatically replenishes the cigarette cartons of different varieties into the corresponding sorting units; Category B cigarette cartons are manually unpacked by the manual channel machine, and after unpacking, the rail shuttle vehicle automatically replenishes the cigarette cartons of different varieties into the corresponding sorting units; Category C cigarette cartons are loaded into the vertical cigarette bin of the side-dipping sorting machine by manual unpacking and manual replenishment; Category D cigarette cartons are loaded into the cigarette bin of the drop-down sorting machine by manual unpacking and manual replenishment; (3) According to the order requirements, the required types of cigarette cartons are selected from the combined sorting machine, the side-dipping sorting machine and the drop-down sorting machine and placed on the sorting conveyor belt; (4) Counting the number of cigarette cartons in the order by means of the counting device; (5) The sorting conveyor belt conveys the cigarette cartons required by the order to the stacking device for stacking; (6) The stacked cigarette orders are wrapped and packaged by the packaging device.

10. The method for sorting and packaging special-shaped cigarettes according to claim 9, characterized in that: In step (3), the cigarette cartons in the combined sorting machine are dialed into the first input belt of the sorting conveyor belt, and the cigarette cartons in the side-dipping sorting machine and the drop-down sorting machine are dialed into the second input belt of the sorting conveyor belt; In steps (4)-(6), the cigarette cartons are divided into two routes for transportation, counting, stacking and film wrapping.

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