Cigarette packing and filling method and system

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of cigarette packing methods and cigarette packing system. Among them, cigarette packing method includes the following steps: S10: after conveying cigarette package to packing station, whether N cigarette package is detected in packing station by visual recognition component;S20: if the cigarette package in packing station is N, then packing device packs N cigarette package into cigarette box, and forms a layer of cigarette package;S30: whether the layer of cigarette package just formed in cigarette box is N by visual recognition component;And S40: if the layer of cigarette package just formed in cigarette box is N by visual recognition component, then next process is carried out.Each layer of cigarette package filled into cigarette box is detected twice by vision, can avoid the situation that cigarette package is not completely put into box during the process of cigarette package filling due to negative pressure suction not in place after first image acquisition, less suction or drop, avoid the situation that cigarette package is not filled in place to cause lack of package and failure, improve the accuracy of detection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tobacco machinery, and more particularly to a method and system for filling cigarette packaging. Background Technology

[0002] In some related technologies, the cigarette pack filling method involves arranging the cigarette packs into a parallelepiped shape with two to five flat packs, and then filling the packs into a gift-style carton, which is a pre-formed carton. In some of these technologies, before the packs are pushed into the carton by the pusher, five photoelectric switches above the packs check the upper packs. Once five packs are detected, the pusher activates, pushing the packs in. This method of detecting missing packs has two problems: first, it can only detect the upper packs and cannot check the lower packs, leading to inaccurate results; second, if a pack in the upper pack is rotated 90 degrees and occupies the positions of two packs, the switch cannot detect the missing pack. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Some embodiments of the present invention provide a cigarette packing method and a cigarette packing system to avoid the problem of missing packs.

[0004] In one aspect of the present invention, a method for filling cigarette packaging is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0005] S10: After the cigarette packs are conveyed to the filling station, the visual recognition component is used to detect whether there are N cigarette packs in the filling station;

[0006] S20: If the visual recognition component detects that there are N cigarette packs in the filling station, the filling device will fill the N cigarette packs into the cigarette box to form a layer of cigarette packs;

[0007] S30: Detects whether there are N cigarette packs in the newly formed layer inside the cigarette box using a visual recognition component; and

[0008] S40: If the visual recognition component detects that there are N cigarette packs that have just formed inside the cigarette box, then proceed to the next process.

[0009] In some embodiments, in step S20, if the visual recognition component detects that there are not N cigarette packs in the filling station, an alarm is triggered and the machine is stopped; and / or, in step S40, if the visual recognition component detects that there are not N cigarette packs in the newly formed layer inside the cigarette box, an alarm is triggered and the machine is stopped.

[0010] In some embodiments, the visual recognition component includes a first image acquisition unit and a second image acquisition unit. In step S10 and / or step S30, the first image acquisition unit is located at the position corresponding to the first cigarette pack among the N cigarette packs, and the second image acquisition unit is located at the position corresponding to the Nth cigarette pack among the N cigarette packs.

[0011] In some embodiments, the filling device includes a pickup for picking up N packs of cigarettes;

[0012] In step S10 and / or step 30, the pickup is rotated so that the length extension direction of the pickup is substantially perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs, and the pickup is raised to be located above the first image acquisition unit and the second image acquisition unit.

[0013] In step S20, the pickup unit descends to a position below the first image acquisition unit and the second image acquisition unit, and the pickup unit rotates so that the length extension direction of the pickup unit is approximately parallel to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cigarette pack filling method further includes step S00: sequentially conveying cigarette packs online to a preparatory station. After the detection component at the preparatory station detects that N cigarette packs have arrived at the preparatory station, the cigarette pack downstream of the Nth cigarette pack stops being conveyed, and the N cigarette packs at the preparatory station are conveyed to the filling station.

[0015] In some embodiments, the detection component includes a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor is located at the position corresponding to the first cigarette pack at the preparatory station, and the second sensor is located at the position corresponding to the Nth cigarette pack at the preparatory station. After both the first sensor and the second sensor detect the presence of cigarette packs, it is determined that N cigarette packs have arrived at the preparatory station.

[0016] In some embodiments, during the process of transporting N cigarette packs from the preparatory station to the filling station, if the second sensor does not detect any cigarette packs, it is determined that the N cigarette packs from the preparatory station have been transported to the filling station.

[0017] In one aspect of the present invention, a cigarette packaging filling system is provided for implementing the above-described cigarette packaging filling method, wherein the cigarette packaging filling system includes:

[0018] A conveying device is configured to convey tobacco packages, the conveying device including a filling station configured to accommodate N tobacco packages;

[0019] A visual recognition component, disposed above the filling station, is configured to detect whether there are N cigarette packs at the filling station; and

[0020] A filling device is located above the filling station and is configured to fill N cigarette packs into a cigarette box after the visual recognition component detects that there are N cigarette packs at the filling station, forming a layer of cigarette packs. The visual recognition component is also configured to detect whether the newly formed layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box contains N cigarette packs.

[0021] In some embodiments, the visual recognition component includes:

[0022] The first image acquisition device is located at the position corresponding to the first cigarette pack among the N cigarette packs; and

[0023] The second image acquisition device is located at the position corresponding to the Nth cigarette pack out of the N cigarette packs.

[0024] In some embodiments, the filling device includes:

[0025] The pickup unit is configured to pick up N packs of cigarettes at a time.

[0026] A first driving member, driven and connected to the pickup member, is configured to drive the pickup member to rotate such that the length extension direction of the pickup member is substantially perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs, or substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs; and

[0027] A second drive unit is driven to the pickup unit and configured to drive the pickup unit to rise so that the pickup unit is above the first image acquisition unit and the second image acquisition unit, or to drive the pickup unit to fall so that the pickup unit is below the first image acquisition unit and the second image acquisition unit.

[0028] In some embodiments, the conveying device further includes a preparatory station located downstream of the filling station along the cigarette pack conveying direction, the preparatory station being configured to accommodate N cigarette packs; the cigarette pack filling system further includes a detection component disposed at the preparatory station, the detection component being configured to detect whether N cigarette packs have arrived at the preparatory station.

[0029] In some embodiments, the detection component includes:

[0030] The first sensor is located at the position corresponding to the first cigarette pack in the preparatory station; and

[0031] The second sensor is located at the position corresponding to the Nth cigarette pack in the preparatory station.

[0032] In some embodiments, the conveying device further includes a baffle located outside the position of the first tobacco pack at the preparatory station. The baffle is configured to abut against the first tobacco pack at the preparatory station when N tobacco packs are located at the preparatory station, and to avoid the tobacco packs when preparing to convey N tobacco packs from the preparatory station to the filling station.

[0033] In some embodiments, the conveying device further includes a clamping plate located downstream of the preparatory station. The clamping plate is configured to clamp the (N+1)th tobacco pack when there are N tobacco packs at the preparatory station, so as to prevent the (N+1)th tobacco pack from moving with the N tobacco packs upstream.

[0034] In some embodiments, the cigarette pack filling system further includes a controller electrically connected to the conveying device, the vision recognition component, and the filling device; the controller is configured to control the conveying device to convey cigarette packs to the filling station, and then control the vision recognition component to detect whether there are N cigarette packs in the filling station; if the vision recognition component detects that there are N cigarette packs in the filling station, the controller controls the filling device to fill the N cigarette packs into the cigarette box to form a layer of cigarette packs; then the controller controls the vision recognition component to detect whether the newly formed layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box contains N cigarette packs; if the vision recognition component detects that the newly formed layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box contains N cigarette packs, the next process is performed.

[0035] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0036] In some embodiments, each layer of cigarette packs filled into the cigarette box undergoes two visual inspections to avoid missing packs, improve the accuracy of the inspection results, and prevent situations where cigarette packs are not fully placed in the box due to insufficient negative pressure suction during the filling process after the first image acquisition, thus avoiding missing packs and malfunctions caused by inadequate filling. Attached Figure Description

[0037] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cigarette packing system provided according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a pickup device picking up a cigarette pack according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the pickup component after it has risen, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic flowchart of a cigarette packaging filling method provided according to some embodiments of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a cigarette packaging filling method according to some specific embodiments of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation flow of the visual recognition component and the filling device provided according to some specific embodiments of the present invention.

[0044] The labels in the attached diagram are explained as follows:

[0045] 1-Conveying device; 11-Preparation station; 12-Baffle; 13-Clamping plate;

[0046] 2-Visual recognition component; 21-First image acquisition component; 22-Second image acquisition component;

[0047] 3-Filling device; 31-Pick-up component; 32-First driving component; 33-Second driving component;

[0048] 4-Detection component; 41-First sensor; 42-Second sensor;

[0049] 10-Cigarette pack.

[0050] It should be understood that the dimensions of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Furthermore, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components. Detailed Implementation

[0051] Various exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The descriptions of the exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and are in no way intended to limit the invention or its application or use. The invention can be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are provided to make the invention thorough and complete, and to fully express the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement of components and steps, the composition of materials, numerical expressions, and values ​​set forth in these embodiments should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limiting.

[0052] The terms "first," "second," and similar words used in this invention do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different parts. Words such as "including" or "comprising" mean that the element preceding the word encompasses the element listed after it, without excluding the possibility of encompassing other elements. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0053] In this invention, when a specific device is described as being located between a first device and a second device, an intermediary device may or may not be present between the specific device and the first or second device. When a specific device is described as being connected to other devices, the specific device may be directly connected to the other devices without an intermediary device, or it may be not directly connected to the other devices but have an intermediary device.

[0054] All terms used in this invention (including technical or scientific terms) have the same meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant art, and not as idealized or highly formalized, unless expressly defined herein.

[0055] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, they should be considered part of the specification.

[0056] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of some embodiments of the cigarette packaging filling system according to the present invention. (Reference) Figure 1 In some embodiments, the cigarette pack filling system includes a conveying device 1, a vision recognition component 2, and a filling device 3.

[0057] The conveying device 1 is configured to convey cigarette packs 10. The conveying device 1 includes a filling station, which is configured to accommodate N cigarette packs 10.

[0058] The visual recognition component 2 is located above the filling station and is configured to detect whether there are N cigarette packs 10 at the filling station.

[0059] The filling device 3 is located above the filling station and is configured to fill N cigarette packs 10 into the cigarette box after the visual recognition component 2 detects that there are N cigarette packs 10 at the filling station, forming a layer of cigarette packs. The visual recognition component 2 is also configured to detect whether the newly formed layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box contains N cigarette packs.

[0060] In this embodiment of the invention, N is a natural number greater than 1. For example, N is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.

[0061] In this embodiment of the invention, the visual recognition component 2 collects images twice, before and after filling the cigarette packs, to detect missing packs, thereby improving the accuracy of the detection results. Furthermore, by performing two visual inspections on each layer of cigarette packs, it is possible to avoid situations where, after the first image acquisition, the negative pressure suction is not in place during the filling process, resulting in insufficient suction, falling packs, or N cigarette packs not being completely placed in the box. This avoids missing packs and malfunctions caused by incomplete filling of cigarette packs.

[0062] In some embodiments, the visual recognition component 2 includes a first image acquisition component 21 and a second image acquisition component 22.

[0063] The first image acquisition device 21 is located at the position corresponding to the first cigarette pack 10 among the N cigarette packs 10.

[0064] The second image acquisition device 22 is located at the position corresponding to the Nth cigarette pack 10 among the N cigarette packs 10.

[0065] Along the conveying direction of the cigarette pack 10, among the N cigarette packs 10, the one located at the top is the first cigarette pack 10, then the second cigarette pack 10, the third, the fourth, and so on.

[0066] In some embodiments, both the first image acquisition device 21 and the second image acquisition device 22 include a camera.

[0067] In some embodiments, the loading device 3 includes a pickup 31, a first drive 32, and a second drive 33.

[0068] Pickup component 31 is configured to pick up N cigarette packs 10 at a time.

[0069] The first driving member 32 is driven to connect to the pickup member 31 and is configured to drive the pickup member 31 to rotate so that the length extension direction of the pickup member 31 is substantially perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs 10, or the length extension direction of the pickup member 31 is substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs 10.

[0070] The second drive member 33 is driven to connect to the pickup member 31 and is configured to drive the pickup member 31 to rise so that the pickup member 31 is above the first image acquisition member 21 and the second image acquisition member 22, or to drive the pickup member 31 to fall so that the pickup member 31 is below the first image acquisition member 21 and the second image acquisition member 22.

[0071] refer to Figure 3 When it is necessary to acquire images of the cigarette packs through the first image acquisition unit 21 and the second image acquisition unit 22, the first driving unit 32 drives the picking unit 31 to rotate relative to the filling station so that the length extension direction of the picking unit 31 is approximately perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs 10. The second driving unit 33 drives the picking unit 31 to rise so that it is located above the first image acquisition unit 21 and the second image acquisition unit 22, without interfering with the first image acquisition unit 21 and the second image acquisition unit 22.

[0072] refer to Figure 2 After the first image acquisition unit 21 and the second image acquisition unit 22 complete the image acquisition of the cigarette packs, the second driving unit 33 drives the picking unit 31 to descend, so that the picking unit 31 is located below the first image acquisition unit 21 and the second image acquisition unit 22. The first driving unit 32 drives the picking unit 31 to rotate relative to the filling station, so that the length extension direction of the picking unit 31 is roughly parallel to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs 10, so that the picking unit 31 can pick up N cigarette packs 10 at a time.

[0073] Rotating the pickup component 31 so that its length extension direction is approximately perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs 10 can prevent interference between the pickup component 31 and the first image acquisition component 21 and the second image acquisition component 22 when the pickup component 31 rises or falls.

[0074] refer to Figure 1 In some embodiments, the conveying device 1 further includes a preparatory station 11 located downstream of the filling station along the conveying direction of the cigarette packs 10. The preparatory station 11 is configured to accommodate N cigarette packs 10. The cigarette pack filling system also includes a detection component 4 located at the preparatory station 11, which is configured to detect whether N cigarette packs 10 have arrived at the preparatory station 11.

[0075] In some embodiments, the detection component 4 includes a first sensor 41 and a second sensor 42.

[0076] The first sensor 41 is located at the position corresponding to the first cigarette pack 10 in the preparatory station 11.

[0077] The second sensor 42 is located at the position corresponding to the Nth cigarette pack 10 in the preparatory station 11.

[0078] In some embodiments, both the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 are photoelectric switches.

[0079] In some embodiments, the conveying device 1 further includes a baffle 12, which is disposed outside the location of the first cigarette pack 10 at the preparation station 11. The baffle 12 is configured to abut against the first cigarette pack 10 at the preparation station 11 when N cigarette packs 10 are located at the preparation station 11, and to open when preparing to convey N cigarette packs 10 from the preparation station 11 to the filling station to avoid the cigarette packs 10, so as to facilitate the conveying of the cigarette packs 10 from the preparation station 11 to the filling station.

[0080] In some embodiments, the action of the baffle 12 can be driven by a cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder.

[0081] In some embodiments, the conveying device 1 further includes a clamping plate 13, which is located downstream of the preparation station 11. The clamping plate 13 is configured to clamp the (N+1)th cigarette pack 10 when there are N cigarette packs 10 in the preparation station 11, so as to prevent the (N+1)th cigarette pack 10 from moving from the preparation station 11 to the filling station along with the N cigarette packs 10 upstream.

[0082] In some embodiments, the movement of the clamping plate 13 can be driven by a cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder.

[0083] Along the conveying direction of the tobacco packs, the (N+1)th tobacco pack 10 is located downstream of the Nth tobacco pack 10.

[0084] In some embodiments, the cigarette pack filling system further includes a controller electrically connected to the conveying device 1, the vision recognition component 2, and the filling device 3.

[0085] The controller is configured to control the conveying device 1 to convey cigarette packs 10 to the filling station, and then control the vision recognition component 2 to detect whether there are N cigarette packs 10 in the filling station. If the vision recognition component 2 detects that there are N cigarette packs 10 in the filling station, the controller controls the filling device 3 to fill the N cigarette packs 10 into the cigarette box to form a layer of cigarette packs. Then, the controller controls the vision recognition component 2 to detect whether there are N cigarette packs in the newly formed layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box. If the vision recognition component 2 detects that there are N cigarette packs in the newly formed layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box, the next process is performed.

[0086] For example, if a cigarette box needs to be filled with two layers of cigarette packs, each layer containing 5 cigarette packs, then the conveying device 1 first conveys the first layer of 5 cigarette packs to the filling station. The vision recognition component 2 detects whether there are 5 cigarette packs 10 in the filling station. After the vision recognition component 2 detects that there are 5 cigarette packs 10 in the first layer, the filling device 3 fills the first layer of 5 cigarette packs 10 into the cigarette box. Then, the vision recognition component 2 detects whether the first layer of cigarette packs 10 formed in the cigarette box contains 5. If the vision recognition component 2 detects that the first layer of cigarette packs 10 formed in the cigarette box contains 5, then the next process is carried out.

[0087] After the conveying device 1 conveys the second layer of cigarette packs 10 to the filling station, the vision recognition component 2 detects whether there are 5 cigarette packs 10 in the filling station. After the vision recognition component 2 detects that there are 5 cigarette packs 10 in the second layer, the filling device 3 fills the 5 cigarette packs 10 in the second layer into the cigarette box. Then the vision recognition component 2 detects whether there are 5 second layer cigarette packs 10 in the cigarette box. If the vision recognition component 2 detects that there are 5 second layer cigarette packs 10 in the cigarette box, the cigarette box filling is complete.

[0088] refer to Figure 4 Some embodiments of the present invention also provide a method for filling cigarette packaging, which includes the following steps:

[0089] S10: After conveying the cigarette pack 10 to the filling station, the visual recognition component 2 detects whether there are N cigarette packs 10 in the filling station;

[0090] S20: If the visual recognition component 2 detects that there are N cigarette packs 10 in the filling station, the filling device 3 will fill the N cigarette packs 10 into the cigarette box to form a layer of cigarette packs;

[0091] S30: Detect whether the newly formed layer of cigarette packs inside the cigarette box contains N cigarette packs using the visual recognition component 2; and

[0092] S40: If the visual recognition component 2 detects that there are N cigarette packs that have just formed inside the cigarette box, then proceed to the next process.

[0093] In this embodiment of the invention, the visual recognition component 2 detects whether the number of cigarette packs 10 conveyed in the first layer is N. If the visual recognition component 2 detects N, the filling device 3 fills the N cigarette packs 10 in the first layer into the cigarette box to form the first layer of cigarette packs. The visual recognition component 2 then detects whether the number of the newly formed first layer of cigarette packs 10 in the cigarette box is 5. If the visual recognition component 2 detects that the number of the newly formed first layer of cigarette packs 10 in the cigarette box is 5, the next process is then performed.

[0094] The visual recognition component 2 detects whether there are N cigarette packs 10 in the second layer. If the visual recognition component 2 detects that there are N cigarette packs 10 in the second layer, the filling device 3 fills the N cigarette packs 10 in the second layer into the cigarette box to form a second layer of cigarette packs. The visual recognition component 2 then detects whether there are 5 cigarette packs 10 in the newly formed second layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box. If the visual recognition component 2 detects that there are 5 cigarette packs 10 in the newly formed second layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box, the next process is then carried out.

[0095] In other words, each layer of cigarette packs is visually inspected twice before being placed in the cigarette box to avoid missing packs and improve the accuracy of the inspection results. Furthermore, by conducting two visual inspections on each layer of cigarette packs, it is possible to avoid situations where, after the first image acquisition, the cigarette packs are not fully sucked up or fall off during the filling process, resulting in N cigarette packs not being completely placed in the box, causing missing packs and malfunctions due to incomplete filling of the cigarette box.

[0096] In some embodiments, in step S20, if the visual recognition component 2 detects that there are not N cigarette packs 10 in the filling station, an alarm is triggered and the machine is stopped.

[0097] In some embodiments, in step S40, if the visual recognition component 2 detects that the newly formed layer of cigarette packs inside the cigarette box is not N, an alarm is triggered and the system stops.

[0098] In some embodiments, the visual recognition component 2 includes a first image acquisition component 21 and a second image acquisition component 22. In step S10, the first image acquisition component 21 is located at the position corresponding to the first cigarette pack 10 among the N cigarette packs 10 above the filling station, and the second image acquisition component 22 is located at the position corresponding to the Nth cigarette pack 10 among the N cigarette packs 10 above the filling station.

[0099] In some embodiments, the visual recognition component 2 includes a first image acquisition element 21 and a second image acquisition element 22. In step S30, the first image acquisition element 21 is located at the position corresponding to the first cigarette pack 10 among the N cigarette packs 10 above the newly formed layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box, and the second image acquisition element 22 is located at the position corresponding to the Nth cigarette pack 10 among the N cigarette packs 10 above the newly formed layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box.

[0100] In some embodiments, the filling device 3 includes a pickup 31 for picking up N packs 10 at a time.

[0101] In step S10, the pickup 31 is rotated so that the length extension direction of the pickup 31 is approximately perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs 10, and the pickup 31 is raised to be located above the first image acquisition unit 21 and the second image acquisition unit 22, so as to facilitate the acquisition of images by the first image acquisition unit 21 and the second image acquisition unit 22.

[0102] In step S20, the pickup 31 descends to a position below the first image acquisition unit 21 and the second image acquisition unit 22, and the pickup 31 rotates so that the length extension direction of the pickup 31 is approximately parallel to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs 10, so as to facilitate the pickup 31 to pick up N cigarette packs 10 at a time.

[0103] In step 30, the pickup 31 is rotated so that the length extension direction of the pickup 31 is substantially perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs 10, and the pickup 31 is raised and positioned above the first image acquisition unit 21 and the second image acquisition unit 22, so as to facilitate the acquisition of images by the first image acquisition unit 21 and the second image acquisition unit 22.

[0104] In some embodiments, the cigarette pack filling method further includes step S00: sequentially conveying cigarette packs 10 online to the preparation station 11. After the detection component 4 of the preparation station 11 detects that N cigarette packs 10 have arrived at the preparation station 11, the cigarette pack 10 located downstream of the Nth cigarette pack 10 stops being conveyed, and the N cigarette packs 10 of the preparation station 11 are conveyed to the filling station.

[0105] In some embodiments, the detection component 4 includes a first sensor 41 and a second sensor 42. The first sensor 41 is located at the position corresponding to the first cigarette pack 10 in the preparation station 11, and the second sensor 42 is located at the position corresponding to the Nth cigarette pack 10 in the preparation station 11. After both the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 detect the presence of a cigarette pack 10, it is determined that N cigarette packs 10 have arrived at the preparation station 11.

[0106] In some embodiments, during the process of conveying N cigarette packs 10 from the preparation station 11 to the filling station, if the second sensor 42 does not detect any cigarette packs 10, it is determined that the N cigarette packs 10 from the preparation station 11 have been conveyed to the filling station.

[0107] In some specific embodiments, both the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 42 are photoelectric switches. Five cigarette packs are placed in each layer of the cigarette box.

[0108] refer to Figure 5 The procedure for filling cigarette packaging is as follows:

[0109] Two photoelectric switches detect whether five cigarette packs have reached the ready position;

[0110] If less than 5 packs of cigarettes reach the ready position, an alarm will sound and the machine will stop.

[0111] If 5 tobacco packs reach the preparatory position, the cylinder control baffle 12 will retract to avoid the tobacco packs, and at the same time the clamping plate 13 will clamp. The 6th tobacco pack and the downstream tobacco packs will not continue to be conveyed. The first 5 tobacco packs will move forward 10mm and reach the filling position.

[0112] If the second photoelectric switch fails to detect the fifth cigarette pack, a signal is sent to the filling device 3.

[0113] When the picking part 31 of the filling device 3 reaches the top of the cigarette pack at the filling station, the visual recognition component 2 acquires the image.

[0114] The system determines whether there are 5 cigarette packs at the filling station based on the acquired images. If there are not 5, an alarm is triggered and the machine is shut down.

[0115] If there are 5, then pick up 5 cigarette packs and fill them into the cigarette box to form a layer of cigarette packs;

[0116] The visual recognition component 2 continues to acquire images and determines whether there are 5 cigarette packs in the newly formed layer inside the cigarette box. If there are not 5, an alarm is triggered and the machine is shut down.

[0117] If there are 5, proceed to the next step.

[0118] refer to Figure 6 In the above process, the operation flow of the visual recognition component 2 and the loading device 3 working together is as follows:

[0119] The picking member 31 of the filling device 3 is rotated so that the length extension direction of the picking member 31 is substantially perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs 10.

[0120] The pickup element 31 rises and is positioned above the first image acquisition element 21 and the second image acquisition element 22;

[0121] The first image acquisition device 21 and the second image acquisition device 22 acquire images;

[0122] Determine if there are 5 cigarette packs at the filling station. If there are not 5 cigarette packs at the filling station, trigger an alarm.

[0123] If there are 5 cigarette packs at the filling station, the pickup 31 descends to below the area between the first image acquisition unit 21 and the second image acquisition unit 22, and the pickup 31 rotates 90 degrees so that the length extension direction of the pickup 31 is roughly parallel to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs 10.

[0124] Pick-up component 31 picks up the cigarette packs from the filling station and fills them into the cigarette box to form a layer of cigarette packs; then, the pick-up component 31 rotates so that the length extension direction of the pick-up component 31 is approximately perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs 10; the pick-up component 31 rises and is positioned above the first image acquisition component 21 and the second image acquisition component 22.

[0125] The first image acquisition unit 21 and the second image acquisition unit 22 acquire images of the newly formed layer of cigarette pack inside the cigarette box;

[0126] Determine if the number of newly formed cigarette packs inside the cigarette box is 5. If the number of newly formed cigarette packs inside the cigarette box is not 5, then trigger an alarm.

[0127] If the number of cigarette packs that have just formed inside the cigarette box is 5, then proceed to the next step.

[0128] Based on the various embodiments of the present invention described above, in the absence of explicit denial or conflict, the technical features of one embodiment may be advantageously combined with one or more other embodiments.

[0129] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the above examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments or equivalent substitutions can be made to some technical features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for filling cigarette packaging, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S10: The pickup (31) of the filling device (3) rotates so that the length extension direction of the pickup (31) is approximately perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs (10), and the pickup (31) rises and is located above the first image acquisition unit (21) and the second image acquisition unit (22) of the visual recognition component (2); after the cigarette packs (10) are transported to the filling station, the first image acquisition unit (21) is located at the position corresponding to the first cigarette pack (10) among the N cigarette packs (10), and the second image acquisition unit (22) is located at the position corresponding to the Nth cigarette pack (10) among the N cigarette packs (10); by acquiring images through the first image acquisition unit (21) and the second image acquisition unit (22) of the visual recognition component (2), it is detected whether there are N cigarette packs (10) in the filling station; S20: If the visual recognition component (2) detects that there are N cigarette packs (10) in the filling station, the pickup (31) descends to the area between the first image acquisition component (21) and the second image acquisition component (22), and the pickup (31) rotates so that the length extension direction of the pickup (31) is roughly parallel to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs (10). The pickup (31) of the filling device (3) fills the N cigarette packs (10) into the cigarette box to form a layer of cigarette packs. S30: The pickup (31) is rotated so that the length extension direction of the pickup (31) is approximately perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs (10), and the pickup (31) rises and is located above the first image acquisition unit (21) and the second image acquisition unit (22); the first image acquisition unit (21) is located at the position corresponding to the first cigarette pack (10) in the N cigarette packs (10), and the second image acquisition unit (22) is located at the position corresponding to the Nth cigarette pack (10) in the N cigarette packs (10). The first image acquisition unit (21) and the second image acquisition unit (22) acquire images of the newly formed layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box. The images are acquired by the first image acquisition unit (21) and the second image acquisition unit (22) of the visual recognition component (2) to detect whether there are N cigarette packs in the newly formed layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box. as well as S40: If the visual recognition component (2) detects that there are N cigarette packs that have just formed inside the cigarette box, then proceed to the next step.

2. The cigarette packaging filling method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In step S20, if the visual recognition component (2) detects that there are not N cigarette packs (10) in the filling station, an alarm is triggered and the machine stops; and / or, in step S40, if the visual recognition component (2) detects that there are not N cigarette packs in the newly formed layer inside the cigarette box, an alarm is triggered and the machine stops.

3. The cigarette packaging filling method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes step S00: sequentially conveying cigarette packs (10) online to the preparation station (11). After the detection component (4) of the preparation station (11) detects that N cigarette packs (10) have arrived at the preparation station (11), the cigarette pack (10) located downstream of the Nth cigarette pack (10) stops being conveyed, and the N cigarette packs (10) of the preparation station (11) are conveyed to the filling station.

4. The cigarette packaging filling method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The detection component (4) includes a first sensor (41) and a second sensor (42). The first sensor (41) is located at the position corresponding to the first cigarette pack (10) in the preparatory station (11), and the second sensor (42) is located at the position corresponding to the Nth cigarette pack (10) in the preparatory station (11). After both the first sensor (41) and the second sensor (42) detect the presence of cigarette packs (10), it is determined that N cigarette packs (10) have arrived at the preparatory station (11).

5. The cigarette packaging filling method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, During the process of transporting N cigarette packs (10) from the preparatory station (11) to the filling station, if the second sensor (42) does not detect any cigarette packs (10), it is determined that the N cigarette packs (10) from the preparatory station (11) have been transported to the filling station.

6. A cigarette packaging filling system, characterized in that, For implementing the cigarette packaging filling method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cigarette packaging filling system comprises: A conveying device (1) is configured to convey tobacco packages (10), the conveying device (1) including a filling station configured to accommodate N tobacco packages (10); A visual recognition component (2) is disposed above the filling station and configured to detect whether there are N cigarette packs (10) at the filling station; and The filling device (3) is located above the filling station and is configured to fill N cigarette packs (10) into the cigarette box after the visual recognition component (2) detects that there are N cigarette packs (10) at the filling station, forming a layer of cigarette packs. The visual recognition component (2) is also configured to detect whether the newly formed layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box is N.

7. The cigarette packaging filling system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The loading device (3) includes: The pickup unit (31) is configured to pick up N cigarette packs (10) at a time; A first driving member (32) is driven to the pickup member (31) and configured to drive the pickup member (31) to rotate such that the length extension direction of the pickup member (31) is substantially perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs (10), or such that the length extension direction of the pickup member (31) is substantially parallel to the arrangement direction of the N cigarette packs (10); and A second drive member (33) is driven to the pickup member (31) and configured to drive the pickup member (31) to rise so that the pickup member (31) is above the first image acquisition member (21) and the second image acquisition member (22), or to drive the pickup member (31) to fall so that the pickup member (31) is below the first image acquisition member (21) and the second image acquisition member (22).

8. The cigarette packaging filling system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The conveying device (1) further includes a preparatory station (11) along the conveying direction of the cigarette packs (10). The preparatory station (11) is located downstream of the filling station and is configured to accommodate N cigarette packs (10). The cigarette pack filling system further includes a detection component (4) located at the preparatory station (11) and is configured to detect whether N cigarette packs (10) have arrived at the preparatory station (11).

9. The cigarette packaging filling system as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The detection component (4) includes: The first sensor (41) is located at the position corresponding to the first cigarette pack (10) in the preparatory station (11); and The second sensor (42) is located at the position corresponding to the Nth cigarette pack (10) in the preparatory station (11).

10. The cigarette packaging filling system as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The conveying device (1) further includes a baffle (12), which is located outside the position of the first tobacco pack (10) at the preparatory station (11). The baffle (12) is configured to abut against the first tobacco pack (10) at the preparatory station (11) when N tobacco packs (10) are located at the preparatory station (11), and to avoid the tobacco packs (10) when preparing to convey N tobacco packs (10) from the preparatory station (11) to the filling station.

11. The cigarette packaging filling system as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The conveying device (1) further includes a clamping plate (13), which is located downstream of the preparatory station (11). The clamping plate (13) is configured to clamp the (N+1)th cigarette pack (10) when there are N cigarette packs (10) in the preparatory station (11) to prevent the (N+1)th cigarette pack (10) from moving with the N cigarette packs (10) upstream.

12. The cigarette packaging filling system as described in claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a controller, which is electrically connected to the conveying device (1), the vision recognition component (2), and the filling device (3); the controller is configured to control the conveying device (1) to convey cigarette packs (10) to the filling station, and then control the vision recognition component (2) to detect whether there are N cigarette packs (10) in the filling station; if the vision recognition component (2) detects that there are N cigarette packs (10) in the filling station, it controls the filling device (3) to fill the N cigarette packs (10) into the cigarette box to form a layer of cigarette packs; then it controls the vision recognition component (2) to detect whether the newly formed layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box contains N cigarette packs, and if the vision recognition component (2) detects that the newly formed layer of cigarette packs in the cigarette box contains N cigarette packs, then proceed to the next process.

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