Cigarette packaging apparatus and cigarette delivery method

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of packaging equipment for tobacco and tobacco conveying method, wherein, packaging equipment for tobacco includes boxing machine (10), conveying device (30) and storage device (40), boxing machine (10) is configured to package tobacco stack (20);Conveying device (30) is configured to convey tobacco stack (20) to boxing machine (10);Storage device (40) is correspondingly arranged with conveying device (30), configured to store tobacco stack (20) from conveying device (30) during the stop operation of boxing machine (10), and output tobacco stack (20) to boxing machine (10) after the resumption of operation of boxing machine (10).The tobacco conveying method is used in the above-mentioned packaging equipment for tobacco, and the tobacco conveying method includes storing tobacco stack (20) from conveying device (30) using storage device (40) during the stop operation of boxing machine (10), and outputting tobacco stack (20) on storage device (40) to boxing machine (10) after the resumption of operation of boxing machine (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tobacco technology, and more particularly to a cigarette packaging device and a cigarette conveying method. Background Technology

[0002] In the tobacco industry, the production process of tobacco products mainly includes tobacco leaf processing, cigarette rolling, cigarette packing into cartons, and carton packaging. Among these, carton packaging is mainly carried out by carton sealing equipment. After being packaged by the packaging machine, the cartons are lifted into the air by an elevator and conveyed to the packing machine via a conveyor channel. The packing machine then conveys the cartons to the sealing machine.

[0003] If the packing machine stops (usually due to the sealing tape running out or a malfunction in the next stage of the sealing process), the cigarette packs produced by the packaging machine cannot enter the sealing machine, and the cigarette pack conveyor will alarm and stop. In this case, the cigarette packs produced by the packaging machine need to be unloaded through the emergency conveyor of the main equipment, and the cigarette packing process can only be carried out manually on site.

[0004] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the background section of this invention is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of this invention, and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that such information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a cigarette packaging device and a cigarette conveying method.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cigarette packaging apparatus is provided, comprising:

[0007] A carton sealing machine is configured to seal tobacco stacks;

[0008] A conveying device is configured to convey tobacco stacks to a carton sealing machine; and

[0009] A storage device, corresponding to the conveying device, is configured to store tobacco stacks from the conveying device during periods when the carton sealing machine is not in operation, and to output the tobacco stacks to the carton sealing machine after the carton sealing machine resumes operation.

[0010] In some embodiments, the tobacco packaging equipment further includes a control device that is signal-connected to a storage device and is configured to cause the storage device to output tobacco stacks to the sealing machine after the sealing machine resumes operation.

[0011] In some embodiments, the conveying device includes a conveying channel, and the storage device includes a storage channel corresponding to the conveying channel, the storage channel being configured to store stacks of tobacco from the conveying channel.

[0012] In some embodiments, the cigarette packaging equipment further includes a packaging machine, a conveying device disposed between the packaging machine and a carton sealing machine, the packaging machine being configured to output cigarette sticks to a conveying channel, and the conveying device further including a stacker being configured to stack multiple cigarette sticks on the conveying channel to form a cigarette stack.

[0013] In some embodiments, the conveying device includes a plurality of conveying channels, and the storage device includes a plurality of storage channels;

[0014] Cigarette packaging equipment also includes a control device; among which,

[0015] The control device is signal-connected to the storage device. After the carton sealing machine resumes operation, the control device is configured to select the storage channel with the highest smoke discharge priority based on the number of smoke stacks stored on multiple storage channels and / or the storage time of the smoke stacks, and to cause the storage channel with the highest smoke discharge priority to output the smoke stacks to the carton sealing machine; and / or

[0016] The control device is connected to the conveying device via signal. After the carton sealing machine resumes operation, the control device is configured to arrange the smoke discharge priority of multiple conveying channels from high to low according to the buffer amount of smoke strips on multiple conveying channels with smoke stacks, forming a smoke discharge sequence, and cause multiple conveying channels with smoke stacks to output the smoke stacks to the carton sealing machine in the smoke discharge sequence.

[0017] In some embodiments, the cigarette packaging equipment further includes a detection device that is signal-connected to the control device and is configured to detect the amount of cigarette packing material on the conveying channel.

[0018] In some embodiments, the detection device includes a plurality of photoelectric sensors arranged along the conveying channel, the photoelectric sensors being configured to detect whether a cigarette stick is continuously present at their location within a preset time period, and the control device being configured to obtain the amount of cigarette stick buffer on the conveying channel based on the detection results of the plurality of photoelectric sensors.

[0019] In some embodiments, the tobacco packaging equipment further includes a transfer device configured to transfer tobacco stacks from the storage device and the conveying device to the carton sealing machine.

[0020] In some embodiments, the cigarette packaging apparatus further includes a pushing device, which is configured to:

[0021] Push the smoke stacks on the conveyor to the storage device; and / or

[0022] The stacks of tobacco on the storage and conveying devices are moved to the transplanting device.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for conveying cigarettes is provided for the above-described cigarette packaging apparatus, comprising:

[0024] Step S1, during the period when the carton sealing machine is not running, the tobacco stacks from the conveyor are stored using a storage device; and

[0025] Step S2: After the carton sealing machine resumes operation, the tobacco stacks on the storage device are output to the carton sealing machine.

[0026] In some embodiments, the storage device includes a plurality of storage channels, and step S2 includes:

[0027] Step S21: Select the storage channel with the highest smoke emission priority; and

[0028] Step S22: Output the smoke stack on the storage channel with the highest smoke priority to the carton sealing machine.

[0029] In some embodiments, step S21 includes:

[0030] Step S211: Compare the storage quantity of smoke stacks on multiple storage channels, and select the storage channel with the largest storage quantity of smoke stacks as the storage channel with the highest smoke emission priority; and

[0031] Step S212: If the number of smoke stacks stored on multiple storage channels is the largest and the number of storage stacks is the same, then compare the storage time of the smoke stacks on multiple storage channels with the largest and the same number of storage stacks, and select the storage channel with the longest storage time of the smoke stack as the storage channel with the highest smoke emission priority.

[0032] In some embodiments, step S22 includes:

[0033] Step S221: Output a preset number of smoke stacks from the storage channel with the highest smoke output priority to the carton sealing machine; and

[0034] Step S222: While performing step S221, check whether there are smoke stacks on the conveying device.

[0035] In some embodiments, step S2 further includes:

[0036] Step S23: If there are smoke stacks on the conveying device, after outputting a preset number of smoke stacks from the storage channel with the highest smoke priority to the sealing machine, output the smoke stacks on the conveying device to the sealing machine; or

[0037] Step S24: If there are no smoke stacks on the conveying device, after outputting a preset number of smoke stacks from the storage channel with the highest smoke output priority to the sealing machine, continue to output the smoke stacks on the storage device to the sealing machine.

[0038] In some embodiments, the conveying device includes multiple conveying channels, and the operation of outputting the tobacco stacks on the conveying device to the carton sealing machine includes:

[0039] Step S231: Determine multiple conveying channels with smoke stacks and sort the smoke discharge priority of the multiple conveying channels from high to low to form a smoke discharge sequence; and

[0040] Step S232: The smoke stacks on multiple conveying channels are output to the sealing machine according to the smoke output sequence.

[0041] In some embodiments, step S231 includes:

[0042] The buffer amount of tobacco strips conveyed by the packaging machine onto multiple conveyor channels with tobacco stacks is detected; and

[0043] The larger the buffer capacity of the cigarette packs, the higher the cigarette discharge priority of the conveyor channel.

[0044] In some embodiments, the operation of detecting the buffer amount of tobacco sticks on multiple conveyor channels with tobacco stacks includes:

[0045] Multiple photoelectric sensors positioned at various locations along the conveying channel detect whether a cigarette stick remains at its location within a preset time period; and

[0046] The buffer amount of cigarette sticks on the conveying channel is obtained based on the detection results of multiple photoelectric sensors.

[0047] Based on the above technical solution, the present invention, by setting up a storage device, can store the tobacco stacks from the conveying device during the shutdown of the sealing machine and output the tobacco stacks to the sealing machine after the sealing machine resumes operation. Thus, the conveying device can maintain normal operation during the shutdown of the sealing machine, and at the same time, it can avoid the upstream equipment of the conveying device (such as tobacco processing equipment, cigarette making equipment, cigarette packaging production equipment, etc.) from being affected by the shutdown of the sealing machine. After the sealing machine resumes operation, it can also quickly return to normal production status, thereby ensuring the reliability and stability of the entire tobacco production line. Attached Figure Description

[0048] 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:

[0049] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of one embodiment of the cigarette packaging device of the present invention is shown;

[0050] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the tobacco stacking process in one embodiment of the tobacco conveying method of the present invention is shown;

[0051] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the arrangement of photoelectric sensors is shown in one embodiment of the cigarette packaging device of the present invention.

[0052] In the picture:

[0053] 10. Carton sealing machine; 11. Carton feeding and pushing unit; 12. Tobacco stack removal unit; 13. Carton sealing unit;

[0054] 20. Chimney stack; 21. Tobacco strips;

[0055] 30. Conveying device; 31. Conveying channel;

[0056] 311. Cigarette bar lifting section; 312. First cigarette bar conveying section; 313. Packaging machine; 314. Second cigarette bar conveying section; 32. Stacker crane;

[0057] 40. Storage device; 41. Storage channel;

[0058] 50. Packaging machine; 60. Photoelectric sensor; 70. Transplanting device; 80. Pushing device; 90. Carton forming device; 100. Material hopper. Detailed Implementation

[0059] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0060] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "lateral," "longitudinal," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention.

[0061] refer to Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments of the cigarette packaging equipment provided by the present invention, the cigarette packaging equipment includes a box sealing machine 10, a conveying device 30, and a storage device 40. The box sealing machine 10 is configured to package cigarette stacks 20; the conveying device 30 is configured to convey the cigarette stacks 20 to the box sealing machine 10; the storage device 40 is correspondingly arranged with the conveying device 30 and is configured to store the cigarette stacks 20 from the conveying device 30 during the period when the box sealing machine 10 is not running, and to output the cigarette stacks 20 to the box sealing machine 10 after the box sealing machine 10 resumes operation.

[0062] By setting up the storage device 40, the tobacco stacks 20 from the conveyor device 30 can be stored during the period when the sealing machine 10 is not running (usually when the sealing tape is used up and needs to be replaced, or when the next process of sealing the box is under maintenance). After the sealing machine 10 resumes operation, the tobacco stacks 20 can be output to the sealing machine 10. Thus, the conveyor device 30 can maintain normal operation during the period when the sealing machine 10 is not running. At the same time, it can also prevent the upstream equipment of the conveyor device 30 (such as tobacco processing equipment, cigarette making equipment, cigarette packaging equipment, etc.) from being affected by the shutdown of the sealing machine 10. After the sealing machine 10 resumes operation, it can also quickly return to normal production status, thereby ensuring the reliability and stability of the entire tobacco production line.

[0063] In the above embodiments, the storage capacity of the storage device 40 can be adjusted according to actual production needs.

[0064] In some embodiments, the tobacco packaging equipment further includes a control device that is signal-connected to the storage device 40 and is configured to cause the storage device 40 to output the tobacco stack 20 to the sealing machine 10 after the sealing machine 10 resumes operation.

[0065] By enabling the storage device to output the tobacco stacks 20 to the sealing machine 10 after the sealing machine 10 resumes operation, it helps to restore production order and avoid the situation where the storage capacity of the storage device 40 may be insufficient when the sealing machine 10 stops again during a single batch of production, thus further ensuring the smooth progress of the production process.

[0066] refer to Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the conveying device 30 includes a conveying channel 31, and the storage device 40 includes a storage channel 41 corresponding to the conveying channel 31, the storage channel 41 being configured to store the tobacco stacks 20 from the conveying channel 31 during periods when the carton sealing machine 10 is not in operation.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the structural forms of the conveying channel 31 and the storage channel 41 can be selected in various ways. For example, the storage channel 41 can be set as a long strip channel, a circular channel, a disc-shaped channel, etc. Then, the input and output of the smoke stack 20 can be realized by the forward and backward movement, forward and reverse rotation of the storage channel 41, which facilitates the efficient transportation of the smoke stack 20.

[0068] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, the cigarette packaging equipment further includes a packaging machine 50, a conveying device 30 disposed between the packaging machine 50 and the carton sealing machine 10, the packaging machine 50 being configured to output cigarette sticks 21 to the conveying channel 31, and the conveying device 30 further includes a stacker 32 being configured to stack multiple cigarette sticks 21 on the conveying channel 31 to form a cigarette stack 20.

[0069] In actual production, the conveying channel 31 is usually quite long. The packaging machine 50 continuously outputs packaged cigarette sticks 21 to the conveying channel 31. Multiple cigarette sticks 21 are buffered on the conveying channel 31. The stacker 32 can stack different numbers of cigarette sticks 21 on the conveying channel 31 to form cigarette stacks 20 of different specifications, thereby meeting different production needs.

[0070] refer to Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the conveying device 30 includes a plurality of conveying channels 31, and the storage device 40 includes a plurality of storage channels 41; the cigarette packaging equipment also includes a control device.

[0071] The control device is signal-connected to the storage device 40. After the sealing machine 10 resumes operation, the control device is configured to select the storage channel 41 with the highest smoke discharge priority based on the number of smoke stacks 20 stored on the multiple storage channels 41 and / or the storage time of the smoke stacks 20, and cause the storage channel 41 with the highest smoke discharge priority to output the smoke stacks 20 to the sealing machine 10; and / or

[0072] The control device is connected to the conveying device 30 by a signal. After the sealing machine 10 resumes operation, the control device is configured to arrange the smoke output priority of the multiple conveying channels 31 from high to low according to the buffer amount of the smoke sticks 21 on the multiple conveying channels 31 with smoke stacks 20 to form a smoke output sequence, and to make the multiple conveying channels 31 with smoke stacks 20 output the smoke stacks 20 to the sealing machine 10 in the smoke output sequence.

[0073] In the above embodiments, the number and arrangement of conveying channels 31 and storage channels 41 can be determined according to actual needs such as production scale. For example, the conveying channels 31 and storage channels 41 can be set up in a one-to-one correspondence, or multiple conveying channels 31 can correspond to one storage channel 41.

[0074] In some embodiments, the cigarette packaging equipment further includes a detection device that is signal-connected to the control device and is configured to detect the buffer amount of cigarette sticks 21 on the delivery channel 31.

[0075] In the above embodiments, there are various options for the specific form and arrangement of the detection device. For example, the detection device can be an electronic scale, a photoelectric sensor, etc., and one or more detection devices can be arranged, or they can be arranged at multiple positions on the conveying channel 31.

[0076] refer to Figure 3As shown, in some embodiments, the detection device includes a plurality of photoelectric sensors 60 arranged along the conveying channel 31. The photoelectric sensors 60 are configured to detect whether a cigarette stick 21 is continuously present at their location within a preset time period. The control device is configured to obtain the buffer amount of cigarette stick 21 on the conveying channel 31 based on the detection results of the plurality of photoelectric sensors 60.

[0077] As described above, unstacking cigarette sticks 21 are buffered on the conveyor channel 31. If the photoelectric sensor 60 detects that cigarette sticks 21 are continuously present at its location within a preset time period, it indicates that the cigarette sticks 21 have accumulated from the downstream end of the conveyor channel 31 to the location of the photoelectric sensor 60. Therefore, the number of cigarette sticks 21 buffered on the conveyor channel 31 can be obtained from the setting position of the photoelectric sensor 60. Simultaneously considering the data from multiple photoelectric sensors 60 improves the reliability of the detection results and facilitates comparison of the number of cigarette sticks 21 buffered on multiple conveyor channels 31. The preset detection time period can be adjusted according to actual conditions, for example, set to 2 seconds, 3 seconds, etc.

[0078] refer to Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the tobacco packaging equipment further includes a transfer device 70, which is configured to transfer the tobacco stacks 20 on the storage device 40 and the conveying device 30 to the box sealer 10.

[0079] The transplanting device 70 can take many forms, such as a robot, a robotic arm, or a turntable.

[0080] refer to Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, the cigarette packaging apparatus further includes a pushing device 80, which is configured to:

[0081] Push the smoke stack 20 on the conveyor 30 to the storage device 40; and / or

[0082] The stacks 20 on the storage device 40 and the conveying device 30 are moved to the transplanting device 70.

[0083] By setting up the pushing device 80, the tobacco stack 20 can be transferred between the conveying device 30, the storage device 40 and the transplanting device 70, which facilitates the connection and transfer of the tobacco stack 20 between the various components.

[0084] Based on the above-mentioned cigarette packaging equipment, the present invention also proposes a cigarette conveying method, which includes:

[0085] Step S1, during the period when the carton sealing machine 10 is not running, the tobacco stacks 20 from the conveyor 30 are stored using the storage device 40; and

[0086] Step S2: After the carton sealing machine 10 resumes operation, the tobacco stack 20 on the storage device 40 is output to the carton sealing machine 10.

[0087] In the tobacco conveying method provided by the present invention, the tobacco stacks 20 can be temporarily stored through the storage device 40, so that the normal operation of the conveying device 30 and the upstream equipment of the conveying device 30 can still be guaranteed when the sealing machine 10 stops running. After the sealing machine 10 resumes operation, the tobacco stacks 20 on the storage device 40 are output, freeing up the storage space on the storage device 40 for the next use, thereby ensuring the reliability and stability of the entire tobacco production line.

[0088] In some embodiments, the storage device 40 includes a plurality of storage channels 41, and step S2 includes:

[0089] Step S21: Select the storage channel 41 with the highest smoke emission priority; and

[0090] Step S22: The smoke stack 20 on the storage channel 41 with the highest smoke output priority is output to the sealing machine 10.

[0091] In the above embodiments, the smoke output priority of the storage channel 41 can be determined based on the storage status of the smoke stack 20 on the storage channel 41. By distinguishing the smoke output priorities of multiple storage channels 41, the orderliness of the smoke stack 20 output by multiple storage channels 41 can be guaranteed, thereby realizing the reasonable management of the storage space on the storage channel 41.

[0092] For example, in some embodiments, the quantity and storage time of the smokestacks 20 stored on the storage channel 41 are used as parameters for evaluating the storage status of the smokestacks 20, and the above step S21 includes:

[0093] Step S211: Compare the storage quantity of smoke stacks 20 on multiple storage channels 41, and select the storage channel 41 with the largest storage quantity of smoke stacks 20 as the storage channel 41 with the highest smoke emission priority; and

[0094] In step S212, if the number of smoke stacks 20 stored on multiple storage channels 41 is the largest and the number of storage stacks 20 is the same, then the storage time of the smoke stacks 20 on multiple storage channels 41 with the largest and the same number of storage stacks is compared, and the storage channel 41 with the longest storage time of the smoke stack 20 is selected as the storage channel 41 with the highest smoke emission priority.

[0095] In some embodiments, step S22 includes:

[0096] Step S221: Output a preset number of smoke stacks 20 from the storage channel 41 with the highest smoke output priority to the sealing machine 10; and

[0097] Step S222: While performing step S221, check whether there is a stack of smoke 20 on the conveying device 30.

[0098] It takes a certain amount of time to output the smoke stack 20. During this period, the conveying device 30 is running continuously, which means that it is also continuously forming the smoke stack 20. Therefore, detecting whether there is a smoke stack 20 on the conveying device 30 while the storage channel 41 is discharging smoke helps to understand the buffering status of the smoke stack 20 on the conveying device 30, so as to make the next smoke discharging decision.

[0099] Setting the storage channel 41 to output only a preset number of smoke stacks 20 at a time can prevent the conveying device 30 from having too many buffered smoke sticks 21 during the smoke output process of the storage channel 41. The number of smokes output each time can be adjusted according to the actual situation of the equipment. For example, if the capacity of the storage channel 41 is five smoke stacks 20, one or two smoke stacks 20 can be output at a time. If the capacity of the storage channel 41 is ten smoke stacks 20, three or four smoke stacks 20 can be output at a time.

[0100] In some embodiments, step S2 further includes:

[0101] Step S23: When there are smoke stacks 20 on the conveying device 30, after outputting a preset number of smoke stacks 20 on the storage channel 41 with the highest smoke output priority to the sealing machine 10, the smoke stacks 20 on the conveying device 30 are output to the sealing machine 10; or

[0102] In step S24, if there are no smoke stacks 20 on the conveying device 30, after outputting a preset number of smoke stacks 20 on the storage channel 41 with the highest smoke output priority to the sealing machine 10, the smoke stacks 20 on the storage device 40 continue to be output to the sealing machine 10.

[0103] In the above embodiment, after a preset number of smoke stacks 20 on the storage channel 41 with the highest smoke output priority are output to the sealing machine 10, the formed smoke stacks 20 on the conveying device 30 are processed first, thereby avoiding the situation where the formed smoke stacks 20 on the conveying device 30 cannot be output to the sealing machine 10, which would affect the normal operation of the upstream equipment of the conveying device 30.

[0104] In some embodiments, the conveying device 30 includes a plurality of conveying channels 31, and the operation of outputting the tobacco stacks 20 on the conveying device 30 to the carton sealing machine 10 includes:

[0105] Step S231: Determine multiple conveying channels 31 with smoke stacks 20 and sort the smoke discharge priority of the multiple conveying channels 31 from high to low to form a smoke discharge sequence; and

[0106] Step S232: The smoke stacks 20 on the multiple conveying channels 31 are output to the sealing machine 10 according to the smoke output sequence.

[0107] In practical applications, the smoke discharge priority of multiple conveying channels 31 can be determined based on various factors, such as the operating speed of the conveying channel 31 and the amount of goods buffered on the conveying channel 31. Discharging smoke according to the order of priority helps to achieve orderly management of the smoke stacks 20 on the conveying channel 31 and improve smoke discharge efficiency.

[0108] In some embodiments, step S231 includes:

[0109] The buffer amount of tobacco sticks 21 conveyed onto the conveyor channels 31 by the packaging machine 50 is detected on multiple conveyor channels 31 with tobacco stacks 20; and

[0110] The larger the buffer capacity of the cigarette pack 21, the higher the cigarette discharge priority of the conveying channel 31.

[0111] During the production process, the packaging machine 50 continuously outputs packaged cigarette sticks 21 to the conveyor channel 31. Multiple cigarette sticks 21 are then stacked to form a shaped cigarette stack 20. If the cigarette stack 20 is not output in time, the cigarette sticks 21 will be buffered on the conveyor channel 31. Therefore, by making the conveyor channel 31 with a larger buffer capacity of cigarette sticks 21 prioritize the output of cigarettes, it is possible to avoid the normal operation of the packaging machine 50 being affected by too many cigarette sticks 21 accumulating on the conveyor channel 31.

[0112] In some embodiments, the operation of detecting the buffer amount of tobacco sticks 21 on a plurality of conveying channels 31 having tobacco stacks 20 includes:

[0113] Multiple photoelectric sensors 60, positioned at various locations along the conveying channel 31, detect within a preset time period whether a cigarette bar 21 remains at its location; and

[0114] The buffer amount of the cigarette bar 21 on the conveying channel 31 is obtained based on the detection results of multiple photoelectric sensors 60.

[0115] The position of the photoelectric sensor 60 can be adjusted according to actual needs. If the photoelectric sensor detects that there is a continuous presence of cigarette sticks 21 at its location within a preset time period, it indicates that the cigarette sticks 21 on the conveying channel 31 have accumulated to that location. Combining the position of the photoelectric sensor 60 with the data from multiple photoelectric sensors 60, the buffer amount of cigarette sticks 21 on the conveying channel 31 can be determined. Furthermore, considering the data from multiple photoelectric sensors 60 improves the reliability of the detection results. By comparing the detection results of the photoelectric sensors 60 on different conveying channels 31, the buffer amount data of cigarette sticks 21 on multiple conveying channels 31 can be obtained, providing a data basis for determining the cigarette dispensing sequence.

[0116] The following describes specific embodiments of the cigarette packaging device and cigarette conveying method of the present invention:

[0117] The cigarette packaging equipment of the present invention includes a carton sealing machine 10, a conveying device 30, a storage device 40, a packaging machine 50, a detection device, a transfer device 70, a pushing device 80, a carton forming device 90, and a silo 100. The conveying device 30 includes a conveying channel 31 and a stacker 32. The storage device 40 includes a storage channel 41 corresponding to the conveying channel 31. The packaging machine 50 is configured to output cigarette sticks 21 to the conveying channel 31. The stacker 32 is configured to stack multiple cigarette sticks 21 on the conveying channel 31 to form a cigarette stack 20. The storage channel 41 is configured to store the cigarette stacks 20 from the conveying channel 31 when the carton sealing machine 10 is not running.

[0118] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the conveying channel 31 includes a cigarette stick lifting section 311, a first cigarette stick conveying section 312, a packing machine 313, and a second cigarette stick conveying section 314. After the cigarette sticks 21 are packaged by the packaging machine 50, they are lifted into the air by the cigarette stick lifting section 311, and then conveyed to the packing machine 313 by the first cigarette stick conveying section 312. The packing machine 313 sends the cigarette sticks to the second cigarette stick conveying section 314. The stacker 32 stacks fifty cigarette sticks 21 to form a cigarette stack 20. Then the cigarette stack 20 is pushed to the transplanting device 70 by the pushing device 80, and then the transplanting device 70 sends the cigarette stack 20 to the sealing machine 10.

[0119] In this embodiment, the transplanting device 70 is a tobacco stack transplanting robot.

[0120] Specifically, the carton sealing machine 10 includes a carton feeding push section 11, a cigarette stack rejection section 12, and a carton sealing section 13. Cigarette stacks 20 from the conveying channel 31 or the storage channel 41 enter the carton feeding push section 11. Some unqualified cigarette stacks 20 are rejected at the cigarette stack rejection section 12. The carton forming device 90 receives the signal that a cigarette box is needed, picks up the cigarette box shell from the hopper 100 and sends it to the cigarette box forming station to form a cigarette box. The carton feeding push section 11 pushes the corresponding cigarette stacks 20 into the cigarette box. The cigarette stacks 20 meet the cigarette boxes conveyed by the carton forming device 90 at the carton sealing section 13 and are sealed with tape to complete the sealing process.

[0121] refer to Figure 3 As shown, three photoelectric sensors 60 are installed on each conveying channel 31. One is installed at position A on the first cigarette bar conveying section 312, and the other two are installed at positions B and C on the transverse conveying channel of the second cigarette bar conveying section 314, for detecting the signal of the cigarette bar 21.

[0122] In this embodiment, the conveying device 30 includes six conveying channels 31, and the storage device 40 includes six storage channels 41 corresponding to the conveying channels 31. The storage capacity of the tobacco stacks in the storage channel 41 is five tobacco stacks 20, and each tobacco stack 20 contains fifty tobacco sticks 21.

[0123] When the carton sealing machine 10 stops running, for example, during the replacement of the sealing tape after it has been used up, or during the repair of a malfunction in the next stage of the carton sealing process, the storage channel 41 stores the stacks of tobacco 20 from the conveyor channel 31.

[0124] When the carton sealing machine 10 resumes operation and smoke needs to be discharged from the storage channel 41, only one storage channel 41 can be used for output at a time, and two or more channels cannot be discharged at the same time.

[0125] In this embodiment, the second tobacco stick conveying section 314 has a tobacco stick buffer capacity of 18 sticks, the packing machine 313 has a tobacco stick buffer capacity of 5 sticks, and the first tobacco stick conveying section 312 has a tobacco stick buffer capacity of 3 sticks, for a total maximum buffer capacity of 26 tobacco sticks 21, which means a total buffer time of 50 seconds. Based on the specific settings of relevant production parameters, the optimal time for each tobacco stack 20 to be processed by the storage channel 41 is 7.5 seconds.

[0126] The process of producing smoke includes the following steps:

[0127] 1. Collect the number of tobacco stacks N (N: 1-5) stored in each storage channel 41. For example, if the first channel stores three tobacco stacks, then N = 3, where N is the value detected in real time.

[0128] 2. Set the smoke emission priority for each storage channel 41:

[0129] Determine the storage capacity of the smoke stacks 20 on the six storage channels 41. The channel with the largest storage capacity N has the highest smoke emission priority. If the storage capacity of the smoke stacks 20 on multiple channels is the same, the channel with the longer storage time has a higher smoke emission priority.

[0130] 3. Based on the priority order determined above, allow smoke to escape from storage channel 41 (taking the first channel of storage channel 41 as the example with the highest smoke escape priority):

[0131] (1) When the storage channel 41 stores a stack of cigarettes, the photoelectric sensor 60 at position A does not detect cigarette stick 21 for 2 consecutive seconds (i.e., the first cigarette stick conveying section 312 has buffer capacity). After the stacker 32 of the corresponding channel is fully packed, the stacking and lifting of cigarette stick 21 is paused. The cigarette stick 21 is buffered in the second cigarette stick conveying section 314. The belt of the storage channel 41 reverses and sends the stack of cigarettes 20 into the box-entry pushing section 11. Then the box is sealed. After the end, the normal box-packing process is resumed.

[0132] (2) When the storage channel 41 stores two stacks of cigarettes, the photoelectric sensor 60 at position A does not detect cigarette stick 21 for 2 consecutive seconds (i.e., the first cigarette stick conveying section 312 has buffer capacity). The system starts to dispense cigarettes. When the first cigarette is dispensed, the stacker 32 of the corresponding channel is fully packed and sealed. The stacking and lifting of cigarette stick 21 is paused. Cigarette stick 21 is buffered in the second cigarette stick conveying section 314. The belt of the storage channel 41 reverses and sends the cigarette stack into the box-entry push section 11. Then the box is sealed. At this time, it is determined whether the cigarettes on the other five conveying channels 31 are stacked. If not, the cigarettes of the storage channel 41 with the highest priority are dispensed. If so, the stacked cigarette stack 20 on the conveying channel 31 is transferred first. After completion, the cigarettes of the storage channel 41 are dispensed according to the priority.

[0133] (3) When the storage channel 41 stores three stacks of cigarettes, the photoelectric sensors 60 at positions A and B do not detect cigarette sticks 21 for 2 consecutive seconds (i.e., the first cigarette stick conveying section 312 has buffer capacity, the second cigarette stick conveying section 314 has remaining buffer capacity, and a total buffer capacity of 40 seconds). The system starts to output cigarettes, prioritizing the output of two stacks of cigarettes 20. After the stacker 32 of the corresponding channel is fully sealed, the stacking and lifting of cigarette sticks 21 is paused. Cigarette sticks 21 are buffered in the second cigarette stick conveying section 314. The belt of the storage channel 41 reverses and sends the stacks of cigarettes 20 into the box-entry push section 11, and then the box is sealed. After the output of the above two stacks of cigarettes 20 is completed, it is determined whether the cigarettes on the other five conveying channels 31 are stacked. If not, the cigarettes of the storage channel 41 with the highest priority continue to be output. If so, the stacks of cigarettes 20 stacked on the conveying channel 31 are first transferred. After completion, the cigarettes of the storage channel 41 are output according to the priority.

[0134] (4) When the storage channel 41 stores four stacks of cigarettes, the photoelectric sensors 60 at positions A and B do not detect cigarette sticks 21 for 2 consecutive seconds (i.e., the first cigarette stick conveying section 312 has buffer capacity, the second cigarette stick conveying section 314 has remaining buffer capacity, and a total buffer capacity of 40 seconds). The system starts discharging cigarettes, prioritizing the discharging of two stacks of cigarettes 20. After the stacker 32 of the corresponding channel is fully sealed, the stacking and lifting of cigarette sticks 21 is paused. Cigarette sticks 21 are buffered in the second cigarette stick conveying section 314. The belt of the storage channel 41 reverses and sends the cigarette stacks into the box-entry push section 11, and then the box is sealed. At this time, it is determined whether the cigarettes on the other five conveying channels 31 are stacked. If not, the cigarettes of the storage channel 41 with the highest priority continue to be discharged. If so, the stacks of cigarettes 20 that are stacked on the conveying channel 31 are transferred first. After completion, the cigarettes of the storage channel 41 are discharged according to the priority.

[0135] (5) When five stacks of cigarettes are stored in storage channel 41, the photoelectric sensors 60 at positions A, B and C do not detect cigarette sticks 21 for 2 consecutive seconds (i.e., the first cigarette stick conveying section 312 has buffer capacity and the second cigarette stick conveying section 314 has buffer capacity, which can buffer for a total of 50 seconds). The system starts to dispense cigarettes. After the stacker 32 of the corresponding channel is fully packed with cigarettes, the stacking and lifting of cigarette sticks 21 is paused. Cigarette sticks 21 are buffered in the second cigarette stick conveying section 314. The belt of storage channel 41 reverses and sends the cigarette stacks into the box-entry push section 11. Then, the boxes are sealed. At this time, it is determined whether the cigarettes on the other five conveying channels 31 are stacked. If not, the cigarettes of the storage channel 41 with the highest priority are dispensed. If so, it is determined whether the photoelectric sensor 60 at position B has smoke for 3 consecutive seconds. If so, the stacked cigarette stacks 20 on the conveying channel 31 are processed first. After completion, the cigarettes of storage channel 41 are dispensed according to priority.

[0136] Through the description of several embodiments of the tobacco packaging equipment and tobacco conveying method of the present invention, it can be seen that the tobacco packaging equipment and tobacco conveying method of the present invention can store tobacco stacks during the period when the sealing machine is not running, and output the tobacco stacks to the sealing machine after the sealing machine resumes operation. This allows the conveying device and its upstream equipment to maintain normal operation during this period, unaffected by the shutdown of the sealing machine, which helps to maintain normal production order and thus ensures the reliability and stability of the entire tobacco production line.

[0137] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the specific implementation of the present invention or equivalent substitutions can still be made to some technical features without departing from the principle of the present invention, and such modifications and equivalent substitutions should all be covered within the scope of the technical solutions claimed in the present invention.

Claims

1. A cigarette packaging device, characterized in that, include: A carton sealing machine (10) is configured to seal the tobacco stacks (20); The conveying device (30) is configured to convey the tobacco stack (20) to the carton sealing machine (10) and includes a plurality of conveying channels (31). and A storage device (40), corresponding to the conveying device (30), is configured to store the tobacco stacks (20) from the conveying device (30) during the period when the carton sealing machine (10) is not in operation, and to output the tobacco stacks (20) to the carton sealing machine (10) after the carton sealing machine (10) resumes operation. The storage device (40) includes multiple storage channels (41), and the cigarette packaging equipment also includes a control device. The control device is signal-connected to the conveying device (30) and the storage device (40). The control device is configured to select the storage channel (41) with the highest priority after the sealing machine (10) resumes operation, and output a preset number of cigarette stacks (20) on the storage channel (41) with the highest cigarette output priority to the sealing machine (10) while simultaneously detecting whether there are cigarette stacks (20) on the conveying device (30). When there are tobacco stacks (20) on the conveying device (30), after a preset number of tobacco stacks (20) on the storage channel (41) with the highest smoke output priority are output to the sealing machine (10), the buffer amount of tobacco sticks (21) conveyed on the multiple conveying channels (31) with tobacco stacks (20) is detected. The conveying channel (31) with a larger buffer amount of tobacco sticks (21) has a higher smoke output priority, and the tobacco stacks (20) on the highest priority conveying channel (31) are output to the sealing machine (10). If there are no smoke stacks (20) on the conveying device (30), after outputting a preset number of smoke stacks (20) on the storage channel (41) with the highest smoke output priority to the sealing machine (10), the smoke stacks (20) on the storage device (40) continue to be output to the sealing machine (10).

2. The cigarette packaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control device is configured to cause the storage device (40) to output the tobacco stack (20) to the sealing machine (10) after the sealing machine (10) resumes operation.

3. The cigarette packaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying channel (31) is provided in correspondence with the storage channel (41), and the storage channel (41) is configured to store the tobacco stack (20) from the conveying channel (31).

4. The cigarette packaging equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a packaging machine (50), the conveying device (30) being disposed between the packaging machine (50) and the box sealing machine (10), the packaging machine (50) being configured to output the tobacco sticks (21) to the conveying channel (31), the conveying device (30) also including a stacker (32), the stacker (32) being configured to stack multiple tobacco sticks (21) on the conveying channel (31) to form the tobacco stack (20).

5. The cigarette packaging equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, After the carton sealing machine (10) resumes operation, the control device is configured to select the storage channel (41) with the highest smoke discharge priority based on the number of smoke stacks (20) stored on the plurality of storage channels (41) and / or the storage time of the smoke stacks (20), and to cause the storage channel (41) with the highest smoke discharge priority to output the smoke stacks (20) to the carton sealing machine (10); and / or After the sealing machine (10) resumes operation, the control device is configured to arrange the smoke discharge priority of the multiple conveying channels (31) from high to low according to the buffer amount of the smoke sticks (21) on the multiple conveying channels (31) with the smoke stacks (20) to form a smoke discharge sequence, and to make the multiple conveying channels (31) with the smoke stacks (20) output the smoke stacks (20) to the sealing machine (10) according to the smoke discharge sequence.

6. The cigarette packaging equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a detection device that is signal-connected to the control device and is configured to detect the buffer amount of the tobacco sticks (21) on the conveying channel (31).

7. The cigarette packaging equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The detection device includes a plurality of photoelectric sensors (60) arranged along the conveying channel (31). The photoelectric sensors (60) are configured to detect whether the cigarette stick (21) is continuously present at their location within a preset time period. The control device is configured to obtain the buffer amount of the cigarette stick (21) on the conveying channel (31) based on the detection results of the plurality of photoelectric sensors (60).

8. The cigarette packaging equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, It also includes a transplanting device (70) configured to transplant the tobacco stacks (20) on the storage device (40) and the conveying device (30) to the box sealing machine (10).

9. The cigarette packaging equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes a pushing device (80), which is configured to: The stack (20) on the conveying device (30) is moved to the storage device (40); and / or The stack (20) on the storage device (40) and the conveying device (30) is moved to the transplanting device (70).

10. A method for conveying cigarettes, used in the cigarette packaging equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, include: Step S1, during the period when the carton sealing machine (10) is not running, the storage device (40) stores the tobacco stack (20) from the conveying device (30). and Step S2: After the carton sealing machine (10) resumes operation, the tobacco stack (20) on the storage device (40) is output to the carton sealing machine (10).

11. The method for conveying smoke according to claim 10, characterized in that, Step S2 includes: Step S21, select the storage channel (41) with the highest smoke emission priority; and Step S22: The smoke stack (20) on the storage channel (41) with the highest smoke output priority is output to the sealing machine (10).

12. The method for conveying smoke according to claim 11, characterized in that, Step S21 includes: Step S211: Compare the storage quantity of the smoke stacks (20) on multiple storage channels (41), and select the storage channel (41) with the largest storage quantity of the smoke stacks (20) as the storage channel (41) with the highest smoke emission priority; and Step S212: If the number of smoke stacks (20) on multiple storage channels (41) is the largest and the number of storage stacks (20) is the same, then compare the storage time of the smoke stacks (20) on multiple storage channels (41) with the largest and the same number of storage stacks (20), and select the storage channel (41) with the longest storage time of the smoke stacks (20) as the storage channel (41) with the highest smoke emission priority.

13. The method for conveying smoke according to claim 11, characterized in that, Step S22 includes: Step S221: Output a preset number of the smoke stacks (20) on the storage channel (41) with the highest smoke output priority to the sealing machine (10); and Step S222: While performing step S221, check whether there is the smoke stack (20) on the conveying device (30).

14. The method for conveying smoke according to claim 13, characterized in that, Step S2 further includes: Step S23: When there are smoke stacks (20) on the conveying device (30), after outputting a preset number of smoke stacks (20) on the storage channel (41) with the highest smoke output priority to the sealing machine (10), the smoke stacks (20) on the conveying device (30) are output to the sealing machine (10); or In step S24, if there are no smoke stacks (20) on the conveying device (30), after outputting a preset number of smoke stacks (20) on the storage channel (41) with the highest smoke output priority to the sealing machine (10), the smoke stacks (20) on the storage device (40) continue to be output to the sealing machine (10).

15. The method for conveying smoke according to claim 14, characterized in that, The operation of outputting the tobacco stack (20) on the conveyor (30) to the carton sealing machine (10) includes: Step S231: Determine multiple conveying channels (31) having the smoke stacks (20) and sort the smoke discharge priorities of the multiple conveying channels (31) from high to low to form a smoke discharge sequence; and Step S232: The smoke stacks (20) on the multiple conveying channels (31) are output to the sealing machine (10) according to the smoke output sequence.

16. The method for conveying smoke according to claim 15, characterized in that, Step S231 includes: The buffer quantity of tobacco strips (21) conveyed by the packaging machine (50) onto the conveying channel (31) of the plurality of tobacco stacks (20) is detected; and The larger the buffer capacity of the smoke bar (21), the higher the smoke output priority of the conveying channel (31).

17. The method for conveying smoke according to claim 16, characterized in that, The operation of detecting the buffer amount of the tobacco sticks (21) on the conveying channel (31) having the tobacco stacks (20) includes: Multiple photoelectric sensors (60) located at multiple positions on the conveying channel (31) detect whether the tobacco stick (21) is continuously present at its location within a preset time period; and The buffer amount of the cigarette bar (21) on the conveying channel (31) is obtained based on the detection results of the plurality of photoelectric sensors (60).

Images