Modular packaging equipment for producing hard-pack cigarettes.

Abstract

This invention provides a modular packaging device for producing hard-pack cigarettes, including an inner packaging forming module, a vertical-to-horizontal conversion module, and a hard-pack packaging module. The inner packaging forming module includes either a vertical inner packaging forming module or a horizontal inner packaging forming module. The vertical inner packaging forming module is used to package cigarette packs to form a vertical inner package, and the horizontal inner packaging forming module is used to package cigarette packs to form a horizontal inner package. The vertical-to-horizontal conversion module receives the vertical or horizontal inner package output from the inner packaging forming module and outputs the vertical or horizontal inner package in the same orientation. The hard-pack packaging module receives the inner package output from the vertical-to-horizontal conversion module and wraps a label paper on the outside of the inner package to form a hard-pack cigarette pack. The advantage of this invention is that it utilizes a modular design concept, allowing for flexible combination of modules to produce hard-pack cigarettes with either horizontal or vertical inner packages, thus increasing the flexibility of the equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tobacco packaging technology, and more particularly to a modular packaging device for producing hard-pack cigarettes. Background Technology

[0002] Tobacco packaging is a crucial step in the production of tobacco products (such as cigarettes and cigars), and its quality directly impacts the overall image and market competitiveness of cigarette manufacturers. Tobacco packaging machines are specialized pieces of equipment used to package these tobacco products. With the continuous development of the tobacco industry, the types and functions of tobacco packaging equipment are constantly being enriched and improved.

[0003] Cigarette packaging, from a manufacturing process perspective, can be divided into two types: inner packaging wrapped in foil (i.e., aluminum foil) and outer packaging wrapped with a label. Generally speaking, the inner packaging, wrapped in foil, is to preserve the aroma of the cigarettes and prevent them from getting damp, thus avoiding affecting their taste and flavor; while the outer packaging, wrapped with a label, displays the cigarette manufacturer's brand logo and serves an advertising purpose.

[0004] Currently, the main types of hard-pack cigarette packaging machines on the market include straight-packing machines and horizontal-packing machines. The terms "straight-packing" and "horizontal-packing" primarily refer to the state of the cigarettes when they are wrapped in the packaging paper: such as... Figure 1-3 As shown, the inner wrapping formed when the packaging paper 6 is wrapped along the length direction H1 of the tobacco group 5 is called a straight inner wrapping; the inner wrapping formed when the packaging paper 6 is wrapped along the width direction H2 of the tobacco group 5 is called a transverse inner wrapping. Straight and transverse wrapping equipment have played an important role in improving production efficiency, ensuring product quality, and reducing labor costs, and have met market demand to a certain extent. However, they still have the following shortcomings:

[0005] 1. Insufficient modularity: Existing tobacco packaging machines have relatively fixed designs and low modularity. If a customer's packaging needs change, it is often necessary to redesign a dedicated packaging machine, making it difficult to flexibly adjust and configure according to different packaging requirements.

[0006] 2. Insufficient equipment versatility: Due to the lack of modular design, existing tobacco packaging machines are typically only suitable for specific types of packaging tasks, exhibiting poor versatility. This forces companies to purchase multiple different types of packaging equipment to meet varying packaging needs, increasing equipment investment and maintenance costs.

[0007] 3. Inability to switch between horizontal and vertical packaging: Straight-packing and horizontal-packing equipment differ significantly in structure and function, and are used as dedicated machines, making flexible switching between horizontal and vertical inner packaging impossible. For example, the straight-packing equipment disclosed in Chinese invention patent CN102971234B can only produce cigarettes with vertical inner packaging; similarly, the horizontal-packing equipment disclosed in European invention patent EP2248724B1 can only produce cigarettes with horizontal inner packaging. While the inner packaging differs in orientation (vertical vs. horizontal), the outer packaging and label paper are almost identical. However, because these two types of equipment belong to different companies with different design philosophies, the molding processes and equipment for the outer packaging also differ significantly. This limitation forces companies with both horizontal and vertical inner packaging production needs to purchase both types of equipment simultaneously, multiplying equipment maintenance costs and hindering rapid response to changes in market demand. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To overcome the above shortcomings, the present invention aims to provide a modular packaging equipment for producing hard-pack cigarettes. It features innovative designs in improving modularity, enhancing equipment versatility, and enabling flexible switching between horizontal and vertical packaging, aiming to provide a more efficient, flexible, and economical tobacco packaging solution.

[0009] This invention provides a modular packaging device for producing hard-pack cigarettes, comprising an inner packaging forming module, a vertical-to-horizontal conversion module, and a hard-pack packaging module. The inner packaging forming module includes either a vertical inner packaging forming module or a horizontal inner packaging forming module. The vertical inner packaging forming module is used to package cigarette packs to form a vertical inner package, and the horizontal inner packaging forming module is used to package cigarette packs to form a horizontal inner package. The vertical-to-horizontal conversion module is used to receive the vertical or horizontal inner package output from the inner packaging forming module and output the vertical or horizontal inner package in the same orientation. The hard-pack packaging module is used to receive the inner package output from the vertical-to-horizontal conversion module and wrap a trademark paper on the outside of the inner package to form a hard-pack cigarette pack.

[0010] Preferably, the straight inner packaging forming module includes a straight tobacco storage chamber, a first conveyor belt, a first packaging paper feeding system, and a straight inner packaging folding channel. The first conveyor belt transports tobacco along the X direction and has multiple first mold boxes spaced apart on it. The straight tobacco storage chamber is used to transport the tobacco packs to the first mold boxes. The straight inner packaging folding channel is located between the first conveyor belt and the straight-to-horizontal conversion module, and includes an inner packaging conveyor belt transporting tobacco along the Y direction, the first packaging paper feeding system, and several folders.

[0011] Preferably, the transverse inner packaging forming module includes a transverse tobacco storage chamber, a second conveyor belt, a second packaging paper feeding system, a tobacco group transfer wheel, and a transverse inner packaging wheel. The second conveyor belt transports tobacco along the Y direction and has multiple second mold boxes spaced apart on it. The transverse tobacco storage chamber is used to transport the tobacco group to the second mold boxes. The tobacco group transfer wheel and the transverse inner packaging wheel are sequentially arranged between the second conveyor belt and the straight-to-transverse conversion module, and the rotation axes of both are parallel to the X direction. The second packaging paper feeding system is arranged between the tobacco group transfer wheel and the transverse inner packaging wheel. Several folding devices are also provided on the outside of the transverse inner packaging wheel.

[0012] Preferably, the straight-to-horizontal conversion module includes an inner packaging conversion wheel and an inner packaging transfer wheel disposed between the inner packaging forming module and the rigid box packaging module. The rotation axis of the inner packaging conversion wheel is parallel to the Z direction, and N inner packaging conversion wheel molds are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the inner packaging conversion wheel, where N is an integer multiple of 4. The inner packaging transfer wheel is disposed above the inner packaging conversion wheel, and its rotation axis is parallel to the X direction. Multiple inner packaging transfer wheel molds are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the inner packaging transfer wheel. The ejection station of the inner packaging conversion wheel is directly opposite the input station of the inner packaging transfer wheel.

[0013] Preferably, the inner packaging conversion wheel has a first push-in station located at the three o'clock position and a second push-in station located at the six o'clock or twelve o'clock position, and the ejection station of the inner packaging conversion wheel is located at the nine o'clock position; the transverse inner packaging output by the transverse inner packaging forming module enters the first push-in station, and the vertical inner packaging output by the vertical inner packaging forming module enters the second push-in station.

[0014] Preferably, it further includes an inner frame paper transfer wheel disposed outside the inner packaging transfer wheel and a paper pressing rod disposed at the output station of the inner frame paper transfer wheel. The rotation axis of the inner frame paper transfer wheel is parallel to the X direction, and multiple inner frame paper suction discs are spaced apart along the circumference of the inner frame paper transfer wheel. The paper pressing rod can move along the Z direction and is used to press the inner frame paper adsorbed by the inner frame paper suction discs into the inner packaging transfer wheel mold box to form a U-shaped inner frame paper.

[0015] Preferably, it also includes a ticket transfer wheel disposed outside the inner transfer wheel.

[0016] Preferably, the rigid box packaging module includes a main packaging wheel, an adhesive folding wheel, and a label paper suction wheel, wherein the rotation axes of the main packaging wheel, the adhesive folding wheel, and the label paper suction wheel are all parallel to the X direction.

[0017] Preferably, a first cold glue gun is provided on the outside of the label paper suction roller, and a second cold glue gun and a hot glue gun are provided on the outside of the glue application folding roller.

[0018] Preferably, the hard box packaging module further includes a label paper library and a label paper transfer wheel, wherein the axis of rotation of the label paper transfer wheel is parallel to the X direction.

[0019] The advantages of this invention are:

[0020] 1. Enhanced Flexibility: The modular design of the equipment allows for quick switching between different inner packaging methods. Through different module combinations, it can meet the production needs of various mainstream cigarette packaging such as conventional straight packaging, horizontal packaging, double aluminum packaging, and lubricated cigarette packaging, adapting to changing market demands and production plans.

[0021] 2. Improved Production Efficiency: The entire machine is preferably driven by a servo motor, which enhances the automation and intelligence of the equipment. Through an automated and intelligent control system, manual intervention in the production process is reduced, the production cycle is shortened, and production speed is increased.

[0022] 3. Cost savings: The direction of the cigarette pack is adjusted by the vertical-horizontal conversion module, which ensures the versatility of the hard box packaging module, greatly reduces the types of parts in the equipment, and lowers the manufacturing and maintenance costs of the equipment.

[0023] 4. Enhanced scalability: The equipment design allows for greater functional expansion and upgrades in the future based on technological advancements and market demands. For example, the hard-box packaging module can be optimized and upgraded to enable packaging of soft-box label paper, achieving full coverage of vertical and horizontal packaging, soft and hard packaging, and personalized needs.

[0024] 5. Increased market competitiveness: This equipment can provide diversified packaging solutions, enhancing the product's competitiveness in the market. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the smoke assembly;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a straight inward wrapping;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a horizontal inner enclosure;

[0028] Figure 4 A 3D view of a modular packaging equipment with a vertical inner wrapping system;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a 3D view of the inwardly shaped molding module;

[0030] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the cigarette pack and the first packaging paper working together to form a straight inward wrapping;

[0031] Figure 7 A 3D view of a horizontally integrated modular packaging equipment;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a 3D view of the horizontally enclosed molding module;

[0033] Figure 9 A schematic diagram showing the combination of the cigarette pack and the second wrapping paper to form a horizontal inner package;

[0034] Figure 10 A three-dimensional view of the inner enclosure;

[0035] Figure 11 This is a 3D view of the portrait-to-landscape conversion module;

[0036] Figure 12 This is a front view of the portrait / landscape conversion module;

[0037] Figure 13 This is a top view of the inner conversion wheel;

[0038] Figure 14 This is a front view of the rigid box packaging module;

[0039] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram showing the fit between the inner packaging, the U-shaped inner frame paper, and the label paper.

[0040] Figure 16 A three-dimensional diagram of a basic folding cigarette pack;

[0041] Figure 17 This is a 3D view of a hard-pack cigarette pack.

[0042] Component designation explanation:

[0043] 1. Straight Inward Encapsulation Molding Module

[0044] 11 First Box

[0045] 12 Directly towards the tobacco warehouse

[0046] 13 First Conveyor Belt

[0047] 14 First Packaging Paper Feeding System

[0048] 15. Straight inward folding channel

[0049] 151 Inner Pack Conveyor Belt

[0050] 2. Horizontal inner molding module

[0051] 21 Second Box

[0052] 22 Horizontal tobacco storage

[0053] 23 Second Conveyor Belt

[0054] 24 Second Packaging Paper Feeding System

[0055] 25 Smoke Group Transfer Wheel

[0056] 26 Horizontal inner packaging wheels

[0057] 3. Vertical / Horizontal Conversion Module

[0058] 31 Third Box

[0059] 32 Inner Conversion Wheel

[0060] 321 First cigarette pusher

[0061] 322 Second Push Smoking Bar

[0062] 323 Third Push Smoking Bar

[0063] 324 Inner Conversion Wheel Mold Box

[0064] 324a First Push-in Station

[0065] 324b Second Push-in Station

[0066] 324c Second Push-in Station

[0067] 324d Ejection Station

[0068] 33 Inner pass wheel

[0069] 331 Inner Packaging Transfer Wheel Mold Box

[0070] 332 First cigarette holder

[0071] 333 Fourth Smoking Bracelet

[0072] 34 Inner frame paper transfer rollers

[0073] 341 Paper Press Rod

[0074] 342 Inner Frame Paper Suction Plate

[0075] 35 Ticket Passing Wheel

[0076] 4. Hard-box packaging module

[0077] 41. Fourth Box

[0078] 42 Main Packaging Wheels

[0079] 421 Main Packaging Wheel Mold Box

[0080] 422 Folder

[0081] 423 Main Packaging Wheel Suction Plate

[0082] 424 Second cigarette holder

[0083] 425 Fifth Smoking Pole

[0084] 43 Glued Folding Wheels

[0085] 431 Adhesive-coated folding wheel mold box

[0086] 432 Second Cold Glue Gun

[0087] 433 Hot glue gun

[0088] 434 Third cigarette holder

[0089] 435 Sixth Push Smoking Bar

[0090] 44 Label Paper Suction Rollers

[0091] 441 First paper suction rod

[0092] 442 First Cold Glue Gun

[0093] 443 Label Paper First Suction Arm

[0094] 45 Label Paper Transfer Wheel

[0095] 451 Second paper suction bar

[0096] 452 Third paper suction bar

[0097] 453 Label Paper Second Suction Arm

[0098] 46 Trademark Paper Warehouse

[0099] 47 Output Channels

[0100] 5 smoke groups

[0101] 51 cigarettes

[0102] 6. Wrapping paper

[0103] 61 First Packaging Paper

[0104] 62 Second Packaging Paper

[0105] 7. Inner frame paper

[0106] 71 U-shaped inner frame paper

[0107] 8 tickets

[0108] 9. Label Paper

[0109] 91 First side

[0110] 92 Second side

[0111] 100 Insourcing

[0112] 101 Direct Insourcing

[0113] 102 Horizontal Inner Wrap

[0114] 110 Primary Folding Cigarette Pack

[0115] 110a First side view

[0116] 110b Second side

[0117] 120 Hard Pack Cigarettes

[0118] L1 Inner Conversion Wheel Axle

[0119] L2 inner drive wheel shaft

[0120] L3 Inner Frame Paper Transfer Wheel Axle

[0121] L4 Main Packaging Wheel Axle

[0122] L5 Glue-applied folding wheel axle

[0123] L6 Label Paper Suction Roller Shaft

[0124] L7 Label Paper Transfer Wheel Axle Detailed Implementation

[0125] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0126] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "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 used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for 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 limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0127] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0128] Furthermore, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0129] Figure 12The image shown is a front view of the portrait / landscape conversion module. In the following description, it will be referred to as... Figure 12 The attached diagram serves as a reference for direction. Figure 12 In this context, the direction perpendicular to the view plane and pointing outwards is the forward direction; the direction perpendicular to the view plane and pointing inwards is the backward direction; the direction upwards along the view plane is the upward direction; the direction downwards along the view plane is the downward direction; the direction to the right along the view plane is the right direction; and the direction to the left along the view plane is the left direction. Here, the up-down direction is defined as the Z-direction, the left-right direction as the Y-direction, and the forward-backward direction as the X-direction. When describing other views, use... Figure 12 The determined direction serves as the basis.

[0130] like Figure 4 and Figure 7 As shown, this invention provides a modular packaging device for producing hard-pack cigarettes. The modular packaging device includes an inner packaging forming module, a vertical-to-horizontal conversion module 3, and a hard-pack packaging module 4, arranged sequentially from right to left along the Y-direction. The inner packaging forming module includes either a vertical inner packaging forming module 1 or a horizontal inner packaging forming module 2. The vertical inner packaging forming module 1 is used to package cigarette packs 5 to form a vertical inner package 101, and the horizontal inner packaging forming module 2 is used to package cigarette packs 5 to form a horizontal inner package 102. The vertical-to-horizontal conversion module 3 receives the vertical inner package 101 or the horizontal inner package 102 output from the inner packaging forming module and outputs the vertical inner package 101 or the horizontal inner package 102 in the same orientation. The hard-pack packaging module 4 receives the inner package 100 output from the vertical-to-horizontal conversion module 3, completes the conveying and gluing of the label paper 9, packages the label paper 9 on the outside of the inner package 100, folds it to form a hard-pack cigarette pack 120, and then outputs the hard-pack cigarette pack 120 to downstream production equipment to realize the production of hard-pack cigarettes.

[0131] The modular packaging equipment provided by this invention utilizes a modular design concept, allowing for flexible combination of modules to produce hard-pack cigarettes with either horizontal or vertical inner packaging, thus enhancing the equipment's flexibility. Furthermore, through the vertical-to-horizontal conversion module 3, the equipment ensures that the vertical inner packaging 101 or the horizontal inner packaging 102 is conveyed in the same direction when attached to the label paper 9. This allows the hard-pack packaging module 4 to be suitable for both vertical inner packaging 101 and horizontal inner packaging 102, resulting in strong module versatility and significantly reducing equipment investment and maintenance costs.

[0132] like Figure 1 , Figure 4-6As shown, the vertical inner packaging forming module 1 includes a first housing 11 and a vertical cigarette storage 12, a first conveyor belt 13, a first packaging paper feeding system 14, and a vertical inner packaging folding channel 15 installed in the first housing 11. The first conveyor belt 13 conveys along the X direction and has multiple first mold boxes spaced apart on it. The vertical cigarette storage 12 includes multiple cigarette storage boxes arranged along the X direction. Each cigarette storage box is used to store discrete cigarettes 51 and output multiple cigarettes 51 in the form of cigarette groups 5 to the first mold boxes. The vertical inner packaging folding channel 15 is located between the front end of the first conveyor belt 13 and the vertical-horizontal conversion module 3, and extends along the Y direction. It includes an inner packaging conveyor belt 151 that conveys along the Y direction, and a first packaging paper feeding system 14 and several folders arranged sequentially from right to left along the Y direction. The right end of the inner packaging conveyor belt 151 is located below the front end of the first conveyor belt 13 and rotates counterclockwise. As the first conveyor belt 13, carrying multiple tobacco packs 5, rotates clockwise, the tobacco packs 5 gradually move to the conveying station located at the bottom front end of the first conveyor belt 13. There, they are pushed out of the first mold box by the pusher on the inner packaging conveyor belt 151, and the inner packaging conveyor belt 151 carries the tobacco packs 5 to continue moving to the left along the Y direction. At this time, the first packaging paper feeding system 14 conveys the first packaging paper 61 extending along the Z direction to the left side of the tobacco packs 5. The first packaging paper 61 adheres to the tobacco packs 5 and is folded into the shape shown in the image. Figure 2 The U-shape shown wraps around the tobacco pack 5 along its length direction H1 (the fold line is parallel to the width direction H2 of the tobacco pack 5), forming an incompletely folded vertical inner package 101. The incompletely folded vertical inner package 101 moves towards the vertical-to-horizontal conversion module 3 under the push of the inner package conveyor belt 151. During this movement, the first packaging paper 61 is folded by a folder located in the vertical inner package folding channel 15, ultimately forming a U-shape as shown. Figure 10 The folded, rectangular inner enclosure 101 shown is a straight inner package 101. The length direction H1 of the straight inner package 101 output by the straight inner package forming module 1 is parallel to the Y direction, the width direction H2 is parallel to the X direction, and the thickness direction H3 is parallel to the Z direction.

[0133] like Figure 1 , Figure 7-9As shown, the transverse inner packaging forming module 2 includes a second housing 22 and, installed within the second housing 22, a transverse cigarette storage chamber 22, a second conveyor belt 23, a second packaging paper feeding system 24, a cigarette pack transfer wheel 25, and a transverse inner packaging wheel 26. The second conveyor belt 23 conveys along the Y direction and has multiple second mold boxes spaced at intervals along it. The transverse cigarette storage chamber 22 includes multiple cigarette storage chambers arranged along the Y direction. Each cigarette storage chamber stores discrete cigarettes 51 and outputs multiple cigarettes 51 in the form of cigarette packs 5 to the second mold boxes. The cigarette pack transfer wheel 25 and the transverse inner packaging wheel 26 are arranged sequentially from right to left between the second conveyor belt 23 and the straight-to-transverse conversion module 3. The rotation axes of both are parallel to the X direction, and both rotate around their own rotation axes. The second packaging paper feeding system 24 is arranged between the cigarette pack transfer wheel 25 and the transverse inner packaging wheel 26. Several folding devices are also provided on the outside of the transverse inner packaging wheel 26. As the second conveyor belt 23, carrying multiple tobacco packs 5, rotates counterclockwise, the tobacco packs 5 gradually move to the output station located at the left end of the second conveyor belt 23 and are pushed into the mold box arranged circumferentially along the tobacco pack transfer wheel 25. The tobacco pack transfer wheel 25 rotates counterclockwise, and when the tobacco pack 5 rotates to the output station located to the left of the tobacco pack transfer wheel 25, it is pushed into the mold box arranged circumferentially along the transverse inner packaging wheel 26. During this pushing process, the second packaging paper feeding system 24 conveys the second packaging paper 62 extending along the Z direction to the left side of the tobacco pack 5. The tobacco pack 5 will adhere to the second packaging paper 62, and the second packaging paper 62 will be folded into the shape shown in the image. Figure 3 The U-shape shown wraps around the width H2 of the tobacco pack 5 (the fold line is parallel to the length H1 of the tobacco pack 5), forming an incompletely folded transverse inner wrap 102. Then, the transverse inner wrapping wheel 26 rotates clockwise. During this rotation, the second wrapping paper 62 is folded by a folder located outside the transverse inner wrapping wheel 26, ultimately forming a U-shape as shown. Figure 10 The folded, rectangular inner enclosure 102 shown is complete. The length direction H1 of the inner enclosure 102 output by the inner enclosure forming module 2 is parallel to the X direction, the width direction H2 is parallel to the Y direction, and the thickness direction H3 is parallel to the Z direction.

[0134] The first packaging paper 61 and the second packaging paper 62 mentioned above are both flexible packaging papers, specifically aluminum foil paper or plastic film paper, etc. The inner packaging conveyor belt 151, the first conveyor belt 13 and the second conveyor belt 23 are all conveyor belts connected to the roller group for transmission, and the roller group is driven to rotate by a servo motor. The cigarette group transfer wheel 25 and the transverse inner packaging wheel 26 are each driven to rotate by a servo motor or a mechanical transmission mechanism (such as a cam linkage mechanism), preferably by a servo motor.

[0135] As can be seen from the above, the orientations of the vertical inner package 101 output by the vertical inner package forming module 1 and the horizontal inner package 102 output by the horizontal inner package forming module 2 are not the same. To facilitate the label paper packaging by the rigid box packaging module 4, the orientations of the vertical inner package 101 and the horizontal inner package 102 need to be adjusted by the vertical-horizontal conversion module 3 so that both are output from the vertical-horizontal conversion module 3 with the same orientation and enter the rigid box packaging module 4, thereby improving the versatility of the rigid box packaging module 4.

[0136] like Figure 4 , Figure 7 , Figure 11-13 As shown, the vertical-to-horizontal conversion module 3 includes a third housing 31 disposed between the inner packaging forming module and the rigid box packaging module 4, and an inner packaging conversion wheel 32 and an inner packaging transfer wheel 33 installed in the third housing 31. When producing cigarette packs that require inner frame paper 7 or ticket 8 packaging, the vertical-to-horizontal conversion module 3 also includes an inner frame paper transfer wheel 34 or a ticket transfer wheel 35 disposed outside the inner packaging transfer wheel 33.

[0137] The inner packaging conversion wheel 32 is horizontally arranged, with its rotation axis L1 parallel to the Z direction. The inner packaging conversion wheel 32 rotates intermittently around the rotation axis L1. N inner packaging conversion wheel mold boxes 324 are arranged at circumferential intervals along the inner packaging conversion wheel 32, where N is an integer multiple of 4. Specifically, N = 8. The inner packaging conversion wheel 32 is positioned directly above the output station of the inner packaging forming module.

[0138] The inner packaging conversion wheel 32 has two push-in stations and one push-out station, including a first push-in station 324a located at the three o'clock position, a second push-in station 324b / 324c located at the six o'clock or twelve o'clock position, and a push-out station 324d located at the nine o'clock position. That is, the angle between the first push-in station 324a and the second push-in station 324b / 324c is 90°. A first push rod 321 movable in the Z-direction is located directly below the first push-in station 324a; a second push rod 322 movable in the Z-direction is located directly below the second push-in stations 324b / 324c; and a third push rod 323 movable in the Z-direction is located directly below the push-out station 324d.

[0139] When the horizontal-vertical conversion module 3 is combined with the horizontal inner packaging forming module 2, the horizontal inner package 102 is pushed from the output station of the horizontal inner packaging wheel 26 by the first pusher rod 324a into the inner packaging conversion wheel mold box 324 located at the first push-in station 324a; when the horizontal-vertical conversion module 3 is combined with the vertical inner packaging forming module 1, the vertical inner package 101 is pushed from the output station of the inner packaging conveyor belt 151 by the second pusher rod 322 into the inner packaging conversion wheel mold box 324 located at the second push-in stations 324b / 324c. As the inner packaging conversion wheel 32 rotates clockwise, the horizontal inner package 102 and the vertical inner package 101, which have different initial postures, are adjusted to the same posture at the ejection station 324d. In the following text, the horizontal inner package 102 and the vertical inner package 101 output by the inner packaging conversion wheel 32 are collectively referred to as inner package 100. The inner package 100 output by the inner package conversion wheel 32 has its length direction H1 parallel to the X direction, its width direction H2 parallel to the Y direction, and its thickness direction H3 parallel to the Z direction. This helps to improve the versatility of the rigid box packaging module 4, making it suitable for both types of inner package label paper packaging.

[0140] The inner packaging transfer wheel 33 is arranged vertically, with its rotation axis L2 parallel to the X direction. The inner packaging transfer wheel 33 rotates intermittently around the rotation axis L2. The inner packaging transfer wheel 33 is positioned above the inner packaging conversion wheel 32. Multiple inner packaging transfer wheel molds 331 are spaced apart along the circumference of the inner packaging transfer wheel 33. Each mold has an input station located at the six o'clock position and an output station located at the nine o'clock position. The input station of the inner packaging transfer wheel 33 is directly opposite the ejection station 324d of the inner packaging conversion wheel 32, which ensures that the inner package 100 can smoothly enter the inner packaging transfer wheel 33 from the inner packaging conversion wheel 32. A first cigarette receiving rod 332 movable in the Z direction is provided at the input station of the inner packaging transfer wheel 33, and a fourth cigarette pushing rod 333 movable in the Y direction is provided at the output station of the inner packaging transfer wheel 33.

[0141] like Figure 11-12 As shown, according to packaging type requirements, an inner frame paper transfer wheel 34 and / or a ticket transfer wheel 35 are provided on the outside of the inner packaging transfer wheel 33. The inner frame paper transfer wheel 34 is located at the twelve o'clock position of the inner packaging transfer wheel 33, and the ticket transfer wheel 35 is located at the three o'clock position of the inner packaging transfer wheel 33. The installation positions of the two can be interchanged. The rotation axis L3 of the inner frame paper transfer wheel 34 is parallel to the X direction, and the inner frame paper transfer wheel 34 rotates intermittently around the rotation axis L3. Multiple inner frame paper suction discs 342 are provided at intervals along the circumference of the inner frame paper transfer wheel 34. The bottom of the inner frame paper transfer wheel 34 has an output station located at the bottom of the inner frame paper transfer wheel 34, and a paper pressing rod 341 that can move in the Z direction is also provided at the output station.

[0142] When the inner frame paper 7 is conveyed by the paper feeding system to the inner frame paper transfer wheel 34, it will be attracted by the inner frame paper suction plate 342. Then the inner frame paper transfer wheel 34 carries the inner frame paper 7 and rotates clockwise. When the inner frame paper 7 rotates to the output position of the inner frame paper transfer wheel 34, the inner frame paper 7 will be pressed into the inner packaging transfer wheel mold box 331 by the paper pressing rod 341 to form a U-shaped inner frame paper 71. Then the inner packaging transfer wheel 33 carries the U-shaped inner frame paper 71 and rotates clockwise intermittently. When the U-shaped inner frame paper 71 moves to the input position of the inner packaging transfer wheel 33 (i.e., directly above the ejection position 324d of the inner packaging conversion wheel 32), the third push rod 323 pushes the inner package 100 upward, while the first receiving rod 332 pushes the U-shaped inner frame paper 71 against the inner package 100. The inner package 100 and the U-shaped inner frame paper 71 are attached together, and under the clamping action of the third push rod 323 and the first receiving rod 332, they enter the inner packaging transfer wheel mold box 331 together. The inner packaging transfer wheel 33 carries the inner package 100 and the U-shaped inner frame paper 71 together to the output position, and the fourth push rod 333 pushes the inner package 100 and the U-shaped inner frame paper 71 out of the inner packaging transfer wheel 33 together.

[0143] The ticket transfer wheel 35 and the inner frame paper transfer wheel 34 have roughly the same structure and function, and are used to push the corresponding tickets 8 into the inner packaging transfer wheel mold box 331.

[0144] like Figure 4 , Figure 7 and Figure 14 As shown, the rigid packaging module 4 is used to complete the conveying of the label paper 9, the attachment of the label paper 9 to the inner package 100, and the folding of the label paper 9, ultimately forming a complete rigid cigarette pack 120, which is then conveyed to downstream production equipment. The rigid packaging module 4 includes a fourth housing 41 and, installed in the fourth housing 41, a main packaging wheel 42, an adhesive folding wheel 43, a label paper suction wheel 44, a label paper transfer wheel 45, a label paper storage 46, and an output channel 47. Among them, the main packaging wheel shaft L4, the adhesive folding wheel shaft L5, the label paper suction wheel shaft L6, and the label paper transfer wheel shaft L7 are all parallel to the X direction.

[0145] The trademark paper warehouse 46 is set at an angle and contains trademark paper 9.

[0146] The label paper suction roller 44 is located below the label paper magazine 46. It separates the label papers 9 one by one in the label paper magazine 46. After the first cold glue spraying of the label paper 9 is completed, the label paper 9 is transferred to the label paper transfer roller 45. Multiple label paper first suction arms 443 are evenly spaced along the circumference of the label paper suction roller 44, and the label paper first suction arms 443 extend radially along the label paper suction roller 44. When the label paper first suction arm 443 rotates to the vicinity of the label paper magazine 46, the first suction rod 441 located near the outlet of the label paper magazine 46 will pick up a label paper 9 and transfer the label paper 9 to the label paper first suction arm 443. The label paper 9 rotates with the label paper suction roller 44 to the first work station, where the first cold glue gun 442 located at the first work station performs the first cold glue spraying on the label paper 9, which facilitates the subsequent bonding of the U-shaped inner frame paper 71, inner packaging 100 and label paper 9 together. After the label paper 9 is coated with cold glue, it continues to rotate with the label paper suction wheel 44 to the handover station. The second suction rod 451 set at the handover station picks up the label paper 9 and passes it to the label paper transfer wheel 45 located to the right of the label paper suction wheel 44.

[0147] The label paper transfer wheel 45 is used to transfer the label paper 9 to the suction station of the main packaging wheel 42. Multiple second suction arms 453 are evenly spaced along the circumference of the label paper transfer wheel 45. These second suction arms 453 extend radially along the label paper transfer wheel 45 and are used to pick up the label paper 9 transferred from the second suction rod 451, causing the label paper 9 to rotate counterclockwise with the label paper transfer wheel 45. When the label paper 9 rotates to the suction station of the main packaging wheel 42, the third suction rod 452 located at the suction station picks up the label paper 9 from the label paper transfer wheel 45 and then transfers it to the main packaging wheel 42.

[0148] Multiple main packaging wheel mold boxes 421 are evenly spaced along the circumference of the main packaging wheel 42. Each main packaging wheel mold box 421 has a main packaging wheel suction plate 423 on its outer side. The main packaging wheel suction plate 423 is used to adsorb the label paper 9, so that the label paper 9 rotates synchronously with the main packaging wheel mold box 421. When the label paper 9 rotates to the inner packaging entry station located at the three o'clock position of the main packaging wheel 42, the second smoke receiving rod 424 set on the inner side of the main packaging wheel 42 will push the label paper 9 and the U-shaped inner frame paper 71 and inner package 100 pushed by the fourth smoke pushing rod 333 to meet. Under the clamping of the fourth smoke pushing rod 333 and the second smoke receiving rod 424, the label paper 9, the U-shaped inner frame paper 71 and the inner package 100 are... Figure 15 The combined form enters the main packaging wheel mold 421. The main packaging wheel 42 continues to rotate counterclockwise, and the folding device 422 located on the outside of the main packaging wheel 42 will fold the corners of the passing trademark paper 9 accordingly, forming a shape like... Figure 16The primary folding cigarette pack 110 is shown. Except for the first side 91 and the second side 92, all other corners of the primary folding cigarette pack 110 are folded. When the primary folding cigarette pack 110 rotates to the output position of the main packaging wheel 42, the fifth pusher rod 425 located at the output position will push the primary folding cigarette pack 110 out of the main packaging wheel 42, allowing the primary folding cigarette pack 110 to enter the input position of the gluing folding wheel 43.

[0149] Multiple glue-applying folding wheel mold boxes 431 are evenly spaced along the circumference of the glue-applying folding wheel 43. When the primary folded cigarette pack 110 is pushed out of the main packaging wheel 42 output station by the fifth pusher rod 425, the third receiving rod 434, located at the input station of the glue-applying folding wheel 43, extends and, together with the fifth pusher rod 425, clamps the primary folded cigarette pack 110, causing it to enter the glue-applying folding wheel mold box 431. The glue-applying folding wheel mold box 431 can clamp the first side 110a and the second side 110b of the primary folded cigarette pack 110, and allows the first side 91 and the second side 92 to be in an open state, and then carries the primary folded cigarette pack 110 to rotate counterclockwise intermittently. During rotation, the second cold glue gun 432, located outside the glue-applying folding wheel 43, first applies cold glue to the first side 91 and the second side 92. Then, the hot glue gun 433, also located outside the glue-applying folding wheel 43, applies hot glue to the first side 91 and the second side 92. Finally, the first side 91 and the second side 92 are folded together by the folding mechanisms located on both sides of the glue-applying folding wheel mold box 431, forming a shape as shown in the image. Figure 17 The hard-pack cigarette pack 120 is shown. The adhesive-coated folding wheel 43 carries the hard-pack cigarette pack 120 and continues to rotate. When it reaches the output position of the adhesive-coated folding wheel 43, it is pushed out into the output channel 47 by the sixth push rod 435 located at that position. Finally, the output channel 47 transports the hard-pack cigarette pack 120 to the downstream production equipment. This completes the hard-pack packaging of the cigarettes.

[0150] The aforementioned inner packaging conversion wheel 32, inner packaging transfer wheel 33, inner frame paper transfer wheel 34, ticket transfer wheel 35, main packaging wheel 42, gluing folding wheel 43, label paper suction wheel 44, and label paper transfer wheel 45 are each driven by an independent servo motor. The aforementioned inner frame paper suction plate 342, main packaging wheel suction plate 423, first suction rod 441, label paper first suction arm 443, second suction rod 451, third suction rod 452, and label paper second suction arm 453 are respectively connected to a negative pressure source, using negative pressure to absorb the label paper or inner frame paper.

[0151] Figure 4 The first modular combination method of the modular packaging equipment of the present invention is shown, including a straight inward forming module 1, a straight-to-horizontal conversion module 3 and a hard box packaging module 4. This embodiment can complete the straight inward hard box packaging of cigarettes. Figure 7The diagram shows a second modular combination of the modular packaging equipment of the present invention, including a horizontal inner packaging forming module 2, a vertical-to-horizontal conversion module 3, and a hard box packaging module 4. This embodiment can complete the horizontal inner packaging of cigarettes into a hard box. The vertical inner packaging forming module 1 and the horizontal inner packaging forming module 2 cannot coexist; when one module is used, the other is not applicable. The vertical-to-horizontal conversion module 3 and the hard box packaging module 4 can be combined into one module without affecting its packaging function. Each module is equipped with a box, and adjacent modules can be connected through the boxes, thereby achieving the combined connection of different modules.

[0152] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and substitutions can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and substitutions should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A modular packaging device for producing hard-pack cigarettes, characterized in that, This includes an inner packaging forming module, a vertical-to-horizontal conversion module, and a rigid box packaging module. The inner packaging forming module includes either a straight inner packaging forming module or a transverse inner packaging forming module. The straight inner packaging forming module is used to package the cigarette pack to form a straight inner package, and the transverse inner packaging forming module is used to package the cigarette pack to form a transverse inner package. The straight-to-horizontal conversion module is used to receive the straight inner package or the horizontal inner package output by the inner package forming module, and output the straight inner package or the horizontal inner package in the same posture; The hard-pack packaging module is used to receive the inner package output by the vertical-to-horizontal conversion module and wrap the trademark paper on the outside of the inner package to form a hard-pack cigarette pack; The transverse inner packaging forming module includes a transverse tobacco storage chamber, a second conveyor belt, a second packaging paper feeding system, tobacco group transfer wheels, and transverse inner packaging wheels. The second conveyor belt transports materials along the Y direction and has multiple second molds spaced apart on it. The transverse tobacco storage compartment is used to transport the tobacco pack to the second mold box; The tobacco group transfer wheel and the transverse inner packaging wheel are sequentially arranged between the second conveyor belt and the straight-to-horizontal conversion module, and the rotation axes of both are parallel to the X direction. The second packaging paper feeding system is arranged between the tobacco group transfer wheel and the transverse inner packaging wheel. Several folding devices are also provided on the outside of the transverse inner packaging wheel; The vertical-to-horizontal conversion module includes an inner packaging conversion wheel and an inner packaging transfer wheel disposed between the inner packaging forming module and the rigid box packaging module. The axis of rotation of the inner packaging conversion wheel is parallel to the Z direction, and N inner packaging conversion wheel molds are provided at circumferential intervals along the inner packaging conversion wheel, where N is an integer multiple of 4; The inner packaging transfer wheel is positioned above the inner packaging conversion wheel, and its axis of rotation is parallel to the X direction. Multiple inner packaging transfer wheel molds are provided at circumferential intervals along the inner packaging transfer wheel. The ejection station of the inner packaging conversion wheel is set directly opposite the input station of the inner packaging transfer wheel; The inner packaging conversion wheel has a first push-in station located at the three o'clock position and a second push-in station located at the six o'clock or twelve o'clock position. The ejection station of the inner packaging conversion wheel is located at the nine o'clock position. The transverse inner packaging output by the transverse inner packaging forming module enters the first push-in station, and the vertical inner packaging output by the vertical inner packaging forming module enters the second push-in station.

2. The modular packaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vertical inward packaging forming module includes a vertical tobacco storage chamber, a first conveyor belt, a first packaging paper feeding system, and a vertical inward packaging folding channel. The first conveyor belt conveys along the X direction and has multiple first mold boxes spaced apart on it. The straight-through smoke chamber is used to transport the smoke pack to the first mold box; The straight inner packaging folding channel is located between the first conveyor belt and the straight-to-horizontal conversion module, and includes an inner packaging conveyor belt that transports along the Y direction, the first packaging paper feeding system, and several folders.

3. The modular packaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes an inner frame paper transfer wheel disposed outside the inner packaging transfer wheel and a paper pressing rod disposed at the output station of the inner frame paper transfer wheel. The rotation axis of the inner frame paper transfer wheel is parallel to the X direction, and multiple inner frame paper suction discs are spaced apart along the circumference of the inner frame paper transfer wheel. The paper pressing rod can move along the Z direction and is used to press the inner frame paper adsorbed by the inner frame paper suction discs into the inner packaging transfer wheel mold box to form a U-shaped inner frame paper.

4. The modular packaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a ticket transfer wheel located outside the inner transfer wheel.

5. The modular packaging equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rigid box packaging module includes a main packaging wheel, an adhesive folding wheel, and a label paper suction wheel. The rotation axes of the main packaging wheel, the adhesive folding wheel, and the label paper suction wheel are all parallel to the X direction.

6. The modular packaging equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, A first cold glue gun is provided on the outside of the label paper suction roller, and a second cold glue gun and a hot glue gun are provided on the outside of the glue application folding roller.

7. The modular packaging equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The rigid box packaging module also includes a label paper library and a label paper transfer wheel, the axis of which is parallel to the X direction.

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