DEVICE FOR PROCESSING ROD-SHAPED ARTICLES AND METHOD FOR THE First FILLING OF SUCH A DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a device designed and arranged for processing, in particular for transporting and / or storing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, comprising: a receiving space as a receiving reservoir for receiving rod-shaped articles; at least one module as a feeding device for inputting the articles into the receiving space; a channel-like hoistway connected to the receiving space, the hoistway having a rear wall, a front wall and two side walls, the hoistway for storing articles from the receiving space and / or transporting articles from the receiving space to a device downstream of the hoistway in the transport direction T of the articles, the device being characterized in that the hoistway is arranged in the receiving space, the channel-like hoistway has an at least substantially vertical orientation and at least one closing element to be opened and closed is arranged in the region of the hoistway, by means of which closing element the hoistway can be divided into at least two separate hoistway sections. The invention also relates to a method for the first filling of such a device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device designed and arranged for processing, in particular for transporting and / or storing rod-shaped products for the tobacco processing industry, the device comprising: a receiving space as a receiving storage for receiving rod-shaped products; at least one module as a feeding device for inputting products into the receiving space; a channel-shaped shaft (Schacht) connected to the receiving space, the shaft having a rear wall, a front wall and two side walls, the shaft being used to store products from the receiving space and / or transport products from the receiving space to a device downstream of the shaft along the conveying direction T of the products.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for automatically filling the shaft of an apparatus for processing, in particular transporting and / or storing rod-shaped products for the tobacco processing industry for the first time, the method comprising the steps of: inputting the products into the receiving space of the apparatus for processing the products by means of a feeding device; transporting the product flow flowing into the receiving space from the receiving space to a device downstream of the shaft through the shaft of the apparatus, wherein the product flow first stays in a transition area from the receiving space to the shaft, and the product flow then descends downward in a controlled manner to the downstream device. Background Art

[0003] Such devices and methods are used for various purposes in the tobacco processing industry when rod-shaped products are transported as intermediate products or as end products, for example from a first production station or processing station or treatment station to a downstream production station or processing station or treatment station or packaging station and are stored there if necessary along the way. Examples of such devices are, for example, so-called elevator shafts. Or the corresponding shaft in the horizontal storage. Taking the lifting shaft as an example, the pipeline is used, for example, as a feed device to input individual rod-shaped products (such as filter tips, filter tips of single or multiple lengths, etc.) into the area of ​​the receiving module. The products, especially after a format change (for which the lifting shaft must be completely emptied), are guided into the receiving space for the first filling with the aid of the receiving module, from which they flow via a vertically oriented shaft toward the device downstream of the shaft and flow to the device downstream of the shaft. Here, distances of up to 150 cm or more need to be overcome in the vertical direction.

[0004] Taking a horizontal storage as an example, which, for example, connects a so-called production machine for producing cigarettes with a so-called packaging machine for packaging cigarettes, the horizontal storage moves its side walls toward each other when idling, so that a substantially vertically aligned shaft is obtained. For example, during the first filling, a belt conveyor is used as a feed device to convey a multilayer mass flow formed by products substantially horizontally into the area of ​​a receiving space, from which the products flow via the vertically oriented shaft toward and to the device downstream of the shaft. Here, too, distances of up to 150 cm or more need to be overcome in the vertical direction.

[0005] The known devices have a common disadvantage: for example, during or after a format change, for which the device must be completely idling or completely emptied, the first filling can only be carried out semi-automatically. During the first filling of an empty device or an empty shaft, the product must flow through a shaft that is at least partially oriented essentially vertically, which can lead to undesirable lateral scattering, etc. when falling freely over the entire distance. In order to prevent this lateral scattering and to produce a uniform and continuous product flow during the first filling, manual auxiliary means (such as pigs) are used in the prior art, which move in front of the product flow and are gradually guided from the receiving space in the conveying direction to the end of the shaft. At the beginning of the first filling, the pig or a similar element that moves with it in the shaft is located in the transition area from the receiving space to the shaft. Due to the inflow of products and / or active drive, the pig moves in the direction of the end of the shaft in the area of ​​the downstream device in front of the product flow in the shaft. Once the first filling is completely completed, that is, a complete and continuous product flow is formed between the receiving space and the downstream device, the pig must be removed from the shaft. Therefore, this solution is only semi-automatic and time- and labor-intensive. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a simple and reliable device by means of which a fully automatic initial filling of a shaft can be achieved. The object of the present invention is also to provide a corresponding method.

[0007] This object is achieved by a device of the type mentioned at the outset in the following manner: the channel-shaped shaft has an at least substantially vertical orientation and at least one closing element to be opened and closed is arranged in the region of the shaft, by means of which the shaft can be divided into at least two separate shaft sections. By means of the vertical orientation, mainly because it also includes a slightly inclined shaft, the products fall into the lifting shaft only due to gravity along the conveying direction T. The product flow is first stopped by the or each closing element in the closed position, thereby preventing free fall over a greater distance. The products fall from the receiving space to the maximum extent into the first shaft section divided by the closing element. After opening the closing element, in the next step, the product flow falls into the shaft section located below it. Therefore, the division of the shaft into at least two shaft sections makes it necessary for the product flow to always only have to overcome a small distance in a continuous manner. Therefore, the device according to the invention ensures that a fully automatic first filling is carried out without lateral scattering.

[0008] Advantageously, the shaft can be divided into more than two, preferably three to nine, stacked shaft sections by means of a movable closing element, wherein in particular two or three or more than three shaft sections have substantially the same product receiving volume. The shaft has a predetermined total height of, for example, 100cm to 180cm. The total height determines the number of shaft sections required to reach a drop height that can avoid lateral scattering. The height of the shaft section, i.e., the extension of each shaft section in the conveying direction T, is, for example, 40mm or 30mm or 20mm or 10mm, and the height of the shaft section even approximately determines the drop height of the product from the receiving space or the corresponding shaft section located above it. The number of shaft sections and the number of closing elements are obtained by the total height of the shaft and the selected height of the shaft section. The shaft section can have different sizes in terms of height in the conveying direction T, but all shaft sections are preferably designed to be the same height and have the same product receiving volume. The height of the shaft, the height of the shaft section and their design can certainly also be changed.

[0009] A particularly preferred embodiment is characterized in that each closing element is designed and arranged as a plug that can be moved linearly. On the one hand, these traction plugs are stable enough to at least temporarily block the product flow. On the other hand, these (traction-) plugs can also move back and forth linearly quickly and accurately. The plug can move quickly and suddenly, and at the same time does not have a negative impact on the product flow located thereon. It is thus safely and reliably ensured that the shaft is partially or gradually opened, and then the controlled release of the shaft and therefore the controlled release of the product flow when first filled. Instead of the (traction-) plug, the closing element can also be alternatively designed as, for example, a flip plug, more precisely, an integral flip plug or a multi-part, especially a two-part flip plug. The or each flip plug or flip plug element can be pivotally arranged at, for example, the side wall of the shaft. Instead of the plug as a traction plug or a flip plug, other integral or multi-part closing plates, flaps, etc. can also be used.

[0010] Advantageously, a slot is formed in the region of the rear wall of the shaft, and a closing element is arranged in the region of the slot, which passes through the slot in the rear wall from a waiting or release position into a closed position to divide the shaft into individual shaft sections, and from a closed position into a waiting or release position to release the shaft or shaft sections. The flapper is guided through the slot in the rear wall as a closing element. The direction of movement of the flapper is preferably horizontal. Optionally, a slot or other crack and / or opening may also be formed, for example, in the front wall and / or one or both side walls.

[0011] In a preferred improvement of the device, the shaft comprises a partition in the vertical direction, by means of which the shaft space is divided into two shaft sections arranged side by side. The partition can extend over part of the height of the shaft or over the entire height of the shaft. Optionally, a plurality of partitions can also be provided. For example, each partition can be a flat continuous wall. Guide elements for the product flow can also be arranged in the region of the partitions and / or at the side walls of the shaft.

[0012] Each closing element preferably has a slot which, with respect to its dimension transverse to the conveying direction T, corresponds essentially to the thickness of the partition dividing the shaft in the vertical direction. The width of the slot in the plug as closing element is slightly greater than the thickness of the partition, in order to ideally ensure a contactless and frictionless movement of the closing element relative to the partition. For shafts without partitions, the closing element can be closed continuously. For shafts that are divided vertically, in addition to the slotted closing element, two separate closing elements / plugs can also be provided, which are guided to both sides of the partition.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, each closing element is respectively assigned at least one drive, in particular a pneumatic drive, which is designed and arranged to move the closing element from a waiting position or a release position of the shaft to a closed position to form a shaft section and back. With this embodiment, a rapid release and closing of the corresponding shaft section is reliably and accurately guaranteed. In addition, the pneumatic drive also includes a base body around the compressed air cylinder or forming the compressed air cylinder and a pneumatically driven guide rod as well as a mechanism, valve and pipeline for generating compressed air. Instead of the pneumatic drive, other drive mechanisms, such as stepper motors, etc., can also be used.

[0014] Each closing element is preferably connected to a guide body, which is linearly guided on a drive, in particular a pneumatic drive. More precisely, the guide body is guided on the base body, wherein the guide body is operatively connected to a guide rod. The movement of the guide rod causes the guide body to move, which in turn moves the closing element. The closing element and the guide body can be multi-part and connected to each other. However, they are preferably designed as a single piece.

[0015] In a preferred improvement of the device, the receiving space can be divided into at least two space segments stacked one above the other by means of a separation element. The receiving space is preferably divided into two space segments. Optionally, the receiving space can also be divided into more than two space segments stacked one above the other. Comparable to the plug plate, the separation element can be moved from the closed position to the release position and back through the slot and can also be driven by means of a pneumatic drive or an alternative drive solution. It is also possible to use a pivoting flap or the like as a divider for the receiving space.

[0016] An advantageous development of the device is characterized in that the spatial section of the receiving space closest to the shaft in the conveying direction T is separated from the shaft by a closing element. As a result, before the shaft is gradually filled, a pre-given number of products can first be collected in the receiving space, after which a continuous flow of products is gradually guided vertically downward into the shaft.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment, for the first filling of the device, all separation and closing elements are automatically movable into the closed position and are automatically movable successively from top to bottom into the waiting or release position in the conveying direction T for filling the shaft. After a format change and the device has been completely idle, i.e. for any type of first filling, all separation and closing elements are initially in their closed position. The closing elements initially prevent the products from flowing into the vertically oriented shaft, so that the products accumulate in the receiving space. Only when a certain amount of products has accumulated in the receiving space, the closing elements are gradually opened from top to bottom in order to transport the product flow in the direction of the device downstream of the shaft.

[0018] In one embodiment, at least two, preferably three receiving modules are arranged as feed devices in the area of ​​the receiving space, wherein the separation element is designed and arranged to separate the section of the receiving space assigned to the first receiving module from the said or each section assigned to the second and any other receiving modules. The receiving module can be supplied with products via pipelines, etc. The products arrive in the receiving space via the receiving module. It can be freely selected here whether the first receiving module at the bottom first guides the products into the receiving space as the first and / or another receiving module located above it or multiple or all receiving modules guide the products into the receiving space at the same time. For the case where the receiving space is not divided, it is preferred to fill the receiving space from bottom to top, wherein the products are kept on the closing element, which is in the closed position in the transition area from the receiving space to the shaft. A fixing mechanism, such as a short chain mail (Kettenhemd), prevents lateral scattering in the products flowing into the receiving space. For the case where the receiving space is divided, the products can also be first transported and gathered in the upper space section of the receiving space so that the products are initially retained on the separation element. Other filling options of the receiving space and / or the shaft are also possible. In other embodiments of the device, for conveying the multilayer mass flow formed by the products, for example, a conveying element (e.g. a conveyor belt) can also be arranged in the area of ​​the receiving space as a feed element for horizontally inputting the products into and at the receiving space.

[0019] Advantageously, at least one detection element for detecting the filling level is arranged in the area of ​​the receiving space, so that the first closing element and all other closing elements along the conveying direction T are opened accordingly only when an additional product volume formed by products detected by the detection mechanism has been formed in the receiving space, the additional product volume substantially corresponding to the receiving volume of the shaft section to be filled next time to form a closed product flow, and the products fall onto the closing element following the closing element along the conveying direction T after opening the first or the following closing element. The or each detection element can, for example, include mechanical and / or electronic components, such as a filling level sensor, a deflectable filling level flap with a contact element, etc. Optionally, a plurality of detection mechanisms can be arranged at different positions within the receiving space, preferably at different heights, preferably spaced apart from each other and arranged one above the other in each space section.

[0020] A preferred development of the device is characterized in that the device further comprises a control device which is designed and arranged to control the separating and / or closing element based on the filling level of the receiving space. For this purpose, the control device is connected at least to a detection element and a drive, in particular a pneumatic drive, for the separating and closing element. Depending on the filling level of the receiving space or individual space sections of the receiving space, the drive, in particular the pneumatic drive, of the separating or closing element is actuated.

[0021] Particularly advantageously, the separating element is arranged in the transition region between the receiving space and the shaft at a distance of 100 mm to 150 mm, preferably at a distance of approximately 120 mm, from the first closing element in the conveying direction T. With this drop height, the product flow can be transported reliably and without lateral scattering in the transport direction first from room section to room section and then from shaft section to shaft section, which preferably have comparable drop heights.

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the device is characterized in that each separating element and each closing element is designed and arranged to be fixed in position relative to the conveying direction T of the products at the housing of the receiving space and / or at the shaft and is designed and arranged to be movable only transversely to the conveying direction T. If only closing elements are present, they are always arranged at the same position along the shaft, only optionally in a closed-or waiting-or release position, i.e. always at the same height. However, the fixed position does not explicitly exclude the following situation: in order to open and close the shaft and parts of the receiving space, the closing element (which also applies to the separating element) is designed either to be movable transversely to the conveying direction T or to be pivotable about a fixed pivot point.

[0023] The object is also achieved by a method having the steps mentioned at the outset in such a way that in the region of the shaft at least one closing element is first closed in order to stop the product flow and collect it in the receiving space, and when a defined filling level of the receiving space is reached, the or each closing element is opened to allow a controlled descent of the product flow. As has already been described in conjunction with the device, the method according to the invention ultimately enables fully automatic first filling of vertically oriented shafts, regardless of the type and field of application of the device.

[0024] Preferably, a plurality of gates arranged in succession along the conveying direction T as closing elements are initially all held in a closed position blocking the shaft and, in order to release a respective shaft section, are pulled backwards through the rear wall of the shaft from top to bottom in a defined sequence into a release position releasing the shaft section. As a result, during the initial filling of the shaft, a continuous product flow can be conveyed automatically over long distances reliably and without lateral dispersion from the receiving space into which the products are fed via any feed device to a device downstream of the shaft.

[0025] It is particularly advantageous that each insert is pulled back quickly and suddenly from the closed position into the release position, so that the product flow is guided into the shaft in sections and stepwise from top to bottom in defined steps and intervals or falls deeper into the shaft until a continuous product flow from the receiving space to the downstream device is formed. Quickly and suddenly describes the principle of the tablecloth, i.e. the tablecloth is pulled away from under the components located on it, without the components being pulled away with it. This means that the rapid and sudden movement of the insert has the result that the products do not fall / drop individually into the next shaft section, but that the product flow is conveyed approximately in a block-like manner.

[0026] Advantageously, the actuation of the closing element to release the shaft section is carried out by querying the filling level in the receiving space. Particularly preferably, the first closing element and all further closing elements in the conveying direction T are opened accordingly only when an additional product volume formed by products detected by the detection mechanism has been formed in the receiving space, the additional product volume essentially corresponding to the receiving volume of the shaft section to be filled next time to form a closed product flow, and the products fall onto the subsequent closing element in the conveying direction T after opening the first or subsequent closing element. Advantageously, the filling level in the receiving space, which is reduced by opening the first closing element, is increased again by further feeding of products into the receiving space until the detection mechanism triggers the opening of the subsequent closing element again, wherein the process is repeated until all closing elements are opened. The advantages resulting from the aforementioned steps have already been described in conjunction with the device according to the invention, so reference may be made to the corresponding paragraphs to avoid repetition.

[0027] In an advantageous development, by opening the closing elements successively from top to bottom, the products fall in portions by about 100 to 150 mm, preferably 120 mm, in order to form a continuous product flow from shaft section to shaft section in the shaft until the last shaft section located in front of the subsequent device is filled. When the products fall onto the first closing element in the transition area from the receiving space to the shaft, or when the products fall from one space section to the next, the small drop height of the products or the product flow, which is also reached in the receiving space, ensures a particularly reliable and trouble-free automatic first filling.

[0028] It is particularly advantageous if the product supply formed by the products fed into the receiving space is at least partially covered from above. A short chain mail or the like prevents so-called lateral scattering of the products fed into the receiving space.

[0029] A particularly preferred development of the method is characterized in that the method is carried out with a device according to one or more of claims 1 to 16 . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Further beneficial and / or advantageous features and improvements of the device and method for the first filling are derived from the dependent claims and the description. A particularly preferred embodiment and method are explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention having a vertical elevator shaft at the beginning of the first filling,

[0032] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a hoistway with a plurality of closing elements in a closed position,

[0033] Figure 3 is a further enlarged view of the two hoistway sections.

[0034] Figure 4 is a separate view of a flap as a closing element with a pneumatic drive, wherein the pneumatic drive is shown in the retracted state, ie in the closed position of the closing element,

[0035] Figure 5 is a rear view of the device with a plurality of closing elements in a closed position,

[0036] Figure 6 is a separate view of a flap as a closing element with a pneumatic drive, wherein the pneumatic drive is shown in the extended state, ie in the released position of the closing element,

[0037] Figure 7 is a rear view of the device with a plurality of closing elements in a released position,

[0038] Figure 8 is based on Figure 1 a device having a partially filled receiving space,

[0039] Fig. 9 is based on Figure 8 A device having a further filled receiving space, wherein the product is located on a separate element in the upper space section,

[0040] Fig.10 is based on Fig. 9 a device having a further filled receiving space, wherein the product is located on a closing element in the transition to the shaft,

[0041] Fig.11 is based on Fig.10 a device having a further filled receiving space, wherein the product fills the receiving space and exceeds a defined filling height,

[0042] Fig.12 is based on Fig.11 a device having a further filled receiving space, wherein the product is located on a closing element in the shaft,

[0043] Fig.13 is based on Fig.12 a device having a further filled receiving space, wherein the products are located on the closing element further downward in the conveying direction T,

[0044] Fig.14 is based on Fig.13 a device having a further filled receiving space, wherein the products are located on the lowermost closing element in the conveying direction T, so that the closed product flow extends from the receiving space to the device downstream of the shaft,

[0045] Fig.15 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the device according to the invention, which has a vertical elevator shaft at the beginning of the first filling,

[0046] Fig.16 is based on Fig.15 a device having a horizontal conveyor for feeding the products into the receiving space,

[0047] Fig.17 is based on Fig.16 a device having a filled receiving space, wherein the product is located on a closing element in the transition region to the shaft,

[0048] Fig.18 is based on Fig.17 a device having a further filled receiving space, wherein the product is located on a closing element in the shaft,

[0049] Fig.19 is based on Fig.18 a device having a further filled receiving space, wherein the products are located on the lowermost closing element in the conveying direction T, so that the closed product flow extends from the receiving space to the device downstream of the shaft, and

[0050] Fig. 20 It is in normal operation Fig.19 A device in which, during normal operation, a closed product flow extends from the receiving space to a device downstream of the shaft, wherein at least one side wall of the shaft is designed to be movable in order to expand the receiving volume of the shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The device shown in the drawings is used for transporting and / or storing rod-shaped products of the tobacco processing industry between filter making machines and filter fitting machines on the one hand and between so-called production machines for producing cigarettes and so-called packaging machines for packaging cigarettes on the other hand. The device according to the invention can also be used for transporting and / or storing other products in any plant with a vertically oriented shaft.

[0052] The device 10 shown in the accompanying drawings is designed for transporting and / or storing rod-shaped products 11 for the tobacco processing industry, and includes: a receiving space 12 as a receiving storage for receiving rod-shaped products 11; at least one module as a feeding device 13 for inputting products 11 into the receiving space 12; a channel-shaped shaft 14 connected to the receiving space 12, the shaft having a rear wall 15, a front wall (not explicitly shown for the sake of clarity) and two side walls 16, 17, the shaft being used to store products 11 from the receiving space 12 and / or transport products 11 from the receiving space 12 to a device (not shown) downstream of the shaft 14 along the conveying direction T of the products 11.

[0053] According to the invention, the device 10 is characterized in that the channel-shaped shaft 14 has an at least essentially vertical orientation and at least one closing element 18 to be opened and closed is arranged in the area of ​​the shaft 14, by means of which the shaft 14 can be divided into at least two separate shaft sections 14.1, 14.2.

[0054] The features and improvements described below are preferred embodiments of the device 10 either by themselves or in combination with one another. It is explicitly pointed out that the features summarized in the claims and / or the description and / or the drawings or described in common embodiments can also functionally independently improve other devices 10 described above.

[0055] The vertically oriented shaft 14 can be divided into more than two, preferably three to nine, shaft sections 14.1 to 14.n arranged one above the other by means of a movable closing element 18. Figure 1In a specific embodiment, seven shaft sections 14.1 to 14.7 are provided, which are arranged one above the other and are separated from each other by a closing element 18. Another closing element 18 is arranged in the transition area between the receiving space 12 and the shaft 14. Each closing element 18 is designed and arranged as a linearly movable plug plate 19. Each plug plate 19 is a simple bending-resistant plate. The placement surface of each plate can be designed to be continuous, for example in the transition area between the receiving space 12 and the shaft 14, where the plate approximately cuts off the shaft from above. However, the placement surface of each plate can also be designed to be interrupted, as will be further explained below. A groove 20 is formed in the area of ​​the rear wall 15 of the shaft 14. A closing element 18 is arranged in the area of ​​the groove 20, which passes through the groove 20 in the rear wall 15 from a waiting or release position (see, for example Figure 7 ) into the closed position (see e.g. Figure 5 ) to divide the shaft 14 into individual shaft sections 14.1 to 14.7, and from the closed position into the waiting or release position to release the shaft 14 or the shaft sections 14.1 to 14.7. The closing elements 18 can be controlled sequentially.

[0056] The shaft 14 includes a partition 21 in the vertical direction, by means of which the shaft space 22 is divided into two shaft space sections 22.1 and 22.2 arranged side by side. The two shaft space sections 22.1 and 22.2 are approximately the same size because the partition 21 extends approximately in the middle. A guide element 23 protruding into the shaft space sections 22.1 and 22.2 toward the two sides is arranged at the partition 21. In addition, the guide element 24 is also arranged or formed on the inner side facing the shaft space sections 22.2 and 22.2 at the side walls 16 and 17. Due to the partition 21, in the embodiment shown, each closing element 18 needs to have a groove 25, which corresponds essentially to the thickness of the partition 21 that divides the shaft 14 in the vertical direction in terms of the dimension transverse to the conveying direction T. The plate forming the insert plate 19 is slotted in the middle, wherein the width of the slot 25 is wider than the thickness of the partition plate 21 , so that the insert plate 19 can move from the closed position to the released position and back without contact with the partition plate 21 .

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment of the device 10, each closing element 18 is respectively assigned at least one pneumatic drive 26, which is designed and arranged to move the closing element 18 from the waiting or release position of the shaft 14 to the closed position to form the shaft sections 14.1 to 14.7, and back. In addition, the pneumatic drive 26 also includes a base 27. The base 27 can surround the compressed air cylinder or form the compressed air cylinder. The pressure cylinder is operatively connected to a guide rod 28. The closing element 18 is movably arranged at or on the base 27. Each closing element 18 is connected to a guide body 28, which is linearly guided on the pneumatic drive 26 or the base 27. The guide body 28 is operatively connected to a guide rod 29, which is guided in the base 27 and is operatively connected to the compressed air cylinder. The movement of the compressed air cylinder and thus the guide rod 29 causes the guide body 28 to move, which in turn causes the closing element 18 to move. In the illustrated embodiment, the closing element 18 and the guide body 28 are formed in one piece. Figure 4 : The compressed air cylinder is shown in the retracted position, wherein the closing element 18 is in the closed position. Figure 5 All closing elements 18 are shown in the closed position at the beginning of the first filling, since no closing element 18 has moved backwards through the rear wall 15. Figure 6 : The compressed air cylinder is shown in the extended position, wherein the closing element 18 is in the released position. Figure 7 All closure elements 18 are shown in the released position at the end of the initial filling, since all closure elements 18 have been moved backwards out through the rear wall 15 .

[0058] Not only is the shaft 14 divided into a plurality of shaft sections 14.1 to 14.7. In the illustrated embodiment of the device 10, the receiving space 12 is also divided into at least two space sections 12.1 and 12.2 stacked one above the other by means of a separation element 30. The separation element 30 is designed to be comparable to the closing element 18 and can likewise be moved from the closed position to the release position and back by means of a pneumatic drive 26. The space section 12.1 of the receiving space 12 that is closest to the shaft 14 in the conveying direction T is separated from the shaft 14 by another closing element 18.

[0059] For the first filling of the device 10, all separation and closing elements 18, 30 can be automatically moved into the closed position and can be automatically moved sequentially from top to bottom in the conveying direction T into the waiting or release position in order to fill the shaft 14. Figure 8 1 shows the starting position of the device 10. All closing elements 18 are in the closed position. The shaft 14 is empty. The separating elements 30 in the receiving space 12 can be selectively in the starting position in the closed position (as shown) or in the released position.

[0060] In the sequence of figures 1 to 14, a device 10 is shown in which at least two, preferably three receiving modules 31.1 to 31.3 are arranged as a feed device 13 in the region of a receiving space 12, wherein a separation element is designed and arranged to separate the space segment 12.1 of the receiving space 12 which is assigned to the first receiving module 31.1 from the or each space segment assigned to the second and any further receiving modules 31.2, 31.3. Each receiving module 31.1 to 31.3 can be supplied with products 11 via a line 32. The products 11 can be introduced into the receiving space 12 by means of one receiving module 31.1 or via a plurality of receiving modules 31.1 and / or 31.2 and / or 31.3, optionally into the space segment 12.1 and / or the space segment 12.2, which change the filling level of the receiving space 12 there. The products 12 which flow into the receiving space 12 and change the filling level are at least temporarily covered by a flexible chain mail 33 or the like.

[0061] The sequence of figures 15 to 20 shows an apparatus 10 in which the feed device 13 is a horizontally oriented conveyor belt 34, by means of which the products 11 are conveyed as a multi-layer mass flow 35 in the direction of the receiving space 12 and into the receiving space 12. Fig.16 1 shows the starting position of the device 10. All closing elements 18 are in the closed position. The shaft 14 is empty.

[0062] In both embodiments, in particular, the closing elements 18 assigned to the shaft 14 are sequentially moved from the closed position (see in particular Figure 8 and Fig.16 ) to the release position (see especially Figures 9 to 14 Or Figures 17 to 20 ). Each separation element 30 and in particular each closing element 18 is designed and arranged to be fixed in position relative to the conveying direction T of the products 11 at the housing of the receiving space 12 and / or at the shaft 14 and is designed and arranged to be movable only transversely to the conveying direction T. The distances between the separation elements 30 and the closing elements 18 and the distances between the closing elements 18 are preferably the same and are approximately 100 mm to 150 mm, and preferably approximately 120 mm.

[0063] In both embodiments, at least one detection element 36 for detecting the fill level is arranged in the region of the receiving space 12. Figures 1 to 14 In an embodiment of the invention, the detection device 36 comprises an optical fill level sensor 37. Figures 15 to 20In the embodiment of the invention, a mechanical flap element 38 is provided as a detection mechanism 36, which is operatively connected to the contact switch. The device 10 also includes a control device, not explicitly shown, which is designed and arranged to control the separation and / or closing elements 18, 30 based on the filling level of the receiving space 12. For this purpose, the detection mechanism 36 and all pneumatic drives 26 of the closing and separation elements 18, 30 are connected to the control device.

[0064] The invention also relates to a method for the automatic initial filling of a shaft of a device for processing, in particular transporting and / or storing, rod-shaped products for the tobacco processing industry.

[0065] The first filling begins when the device 10 is started up for the first time or when the device 10 is completely idling for a format change, i.e. when no products 11 are present in the receiving space 12 and the shaft 14. For this purpose, the products 11 are first introduced into the receiving space 12 of the device 10 for processing the products 11 by means of a feed device 13, the products being optionally individual products 11 or a mass flow of a single layer or multiple layers of products 11. Subsequently, the product flow formed by the products 11 is transported from the receiving space 12 to the device downstream of the shaft 14 through the shaft 14 of the device 10, wherein the product flow first stops in the transition region from the receiving space 12 into the shaft 14 and then descends in a controlled manner downwards to the device downstream of the shaft.

[0066] According to the invention, the method is characterized in that at least one closing element 18 is first closed in the area of ​​the shaft 14 in order to block the product flow and to accumulate it in the receiving space 12; and when a defined filling level of the receiving space 12 is reached, the or each closing element 18 is opened to allow a controlled descent of the product flow.

[0067] The method is used to achieve an automatic first filling of the device 10, since the filling of the receiving space 12 and the shaft 14 is carried out fully automatically and in a controlled manner without any intervention by an operator. In the case where a large distance has to be overcome in the shaft 14, i.e., in the case where the shaft 14 has a height so great that it is difficult or impossible to achieve a free fall of the product flow from the receiving space 12 to the device downstream of the shaft without lateral dispersion, a plurality of flaps 19 arranged one after another in the conveying direction T as closing elements 18 are initially all held in a closed position blocking the shaft 14 (see the starting point of the first filling). Figure 8 and Fig.16 ). First, the receiving space 12 is filled with the product 11. The receiving space 12 can first be filled to the maximum extent up to a predetermined filling level (see, for example, Fig.17 ), or first partially fill the receiving space 12 by filling the space section 12.2 with the product 11 (see, for example Fig. 9) and the receiving space 12 is completely filled only after the separation element 30 which divides the receiving space 12 has moved from the closed position into the released position by filling the space sections 12.1 and 12.2 with the product 11 (see, for example, Fig.10 ). When the products 11 have reached a defined filling height in the receiving space 12, in order to release a respective shaft section 14.1 to 14.7, each closing element 18 is pulled backwards through the rear wall 15 of the shaft 14 from top to bottom in a defined sequence into a release position that releases the shaft sections 14.1 to 14.n. First, only the closing element 18 closest to the receiving space 12 in the conveying direction T of the product flow is opened, so that the product flow falls into the shaft section 14.1 (see, for example Fig.12 ). The receiving space 12 is then filled further until a defined filling height is reached again. The closure element 18 closest in the conveying direction T is then opened, so that the product flow falls into the shaft section 14.2. This is repeated until all shaft sections 14.1 to 14.n (in the example up to 14.7) are filled, so that a continuous product flow is formed from the receiving space 12 to the device downstream in the shaft (see, for example Fig.14 and Fig.19 ).

[0068] In order to open the shaft sections 14.1 to 14.7, each plug plate 19 is quickly and suddenly pulled back from the closed position into the release position, so that the product flow is guided into the shaft 14 in sections and step by step from top to bottom until a continuous product flow is formed from the receiving space 12 to the downstream device. The closing element 18 is controlled by querying the filling level in the receiving space 12, but the separation element 30 is also controlled to release the space sections 12.1 and 12.2 of the receiving space 12 and the shaft sections 14.1 to 14.7. Accordingly, the first closing element 18 along the conveying direction T is opened only when the receiving space 12 is filled up to the lowest detection mechanism 36 for detecting the filling level. Due to the opening, the product 11 falls onto the closing element 18 behind along the conveying direction T. The filling level in the receiving space 12 which has been reduced due to the opening of the first closing element 18 is increased again by further feeding of the product 11 into the receiving space 12 until the detection mechanism 36 again triggers the opening of the subsequent closing element 18, wherein the process is repeated until all closing elements 18 are opened.

[0069] By opening the closing elements 18 successively from top to bottom, the products fall in portions or as a product stream by approximately 100 to 150 mm, preferably 120 mm, to form a continuous product stream in the shaft 14 from the shaft section 14.1 to the shaft sections 14.2 to 14.7 until the last shaft section 14.7 located in front of the downstream device is filled. This sequence of steps ensures that the product stream is transported uniformly and without lateral scattering from the receiving space 12 to the downstream device. In order to also prevent lateral scattering in the receiving space 12, the product reserve formed by the input products 11 in the receiving space 12 is at least partially covered from above by chain mail 33 or the like.

[0070] The method is particularly preferably carried out using a device 10 according to one or more of claims 1 to 16 .

Claims

1. A device (10) designed and arranged for handling, in particular for transporting and / or storing, rod-shaped products (11) for the tobacco processing industry, comprising: A receiving space (12) as a receiving storage for receiving rod-shaped products (11); at least one module as a feeding device (13) for inputting products (11) into the receiving space (12); a channel-shaped shaft (14) connected to the receiving space (12), the shaft having a rear wall (15), a front wall and two side walls (16, 17), the shaft being used to store products (11) from the receiving space (12) and / or to transport products (11) from the receiving space (12) to a device downstream of the shaft (14) along a conveying direction T of the products (11), characterized in that the channel-shaped shaft (14) has an at least substantially vertical orientation and at least one closing element (18) to be opened and closed is arranged in the area of ​​the shaft (14), by means of which the shaft (14) can be divided into at least two separate shaft sections (14.1, 14.2).

2. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The shaft (14) can be divided into more than two, preferably three to nine, shaft sections (14.1 to 14.n) stacked one above the other by means of a movable closing element (18), wherein in particular two or three or more than three shaft sections (14.1 to 14.n) essentially have the same receiving volume for the products (11).

3. The device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Each closing element (18) is designed and arranged as a slide plate (19) capable of linear movement.

4. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that A groove (20) is formed in the area of ​​the rear wall (15) of the shaft (14), and a closing element (18) is arranged in the area of ​​the groove (20), which passes through the groove (20) in the rear wall (15) from a waiting or releasing position to a closed position to divide the shaft (14) into individual shaft sections (14.1 to 14.n), and from the closed position to a waiting or releasing position to release the shaft (14) or the shaft sections (14.1, 14.2).

5. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The shaft (20) comprises a partition (21) in the vertical direction, and the shaft space (22) is divided into two shaft space sections (22.1, 22.2) arranged side by side by means of the partition.

6. The device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that Each closing element (18) has a groove (25) which, with respect to its dimension transversely to the conveying direction T, corresponds essentially to the thickness of a partition (21) which divides the shaft (14) in the vertical direction.

7. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that At least one drive, in particular a pneumatic drive (26), is assigned to each closing element (18), which is designed and arranged to move the closing element (18) from a waiting or release position of the shaft (14) into a closed position to form a shaft section (14.1 to 14.n) and back.

8. The device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that Each closing element (18) is connected to a guide body (28) which is linearly guided on a drive, in particular a pneumatic drive (26).

9. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The receiving space (12) can be divided into at least two space sections (12.1, 12.2) arranged one above the other by means of a separation element (30).

10. The device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that A space section (12.1) of the receiving space (12) which is closest to the shaft (14) in the conveying direction T is separated from the shaft (14) by a closing element (18).

11. The device (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that For the first filling of the device (10), all separation and closing elements (18, 30) are automatically movable into a closed position and successively from top to bottom along the conveying direction T into a waiting or release position for filling the shaft (14).

12. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that At least two, preferably three receiving modules (31.1 to 31.3) are arranged as feed devices (13) in the area of ​​a receiving space (12), wherein a separation element (30) is designed and arranged to separate a spatial segment (12.1) of the receiving space (12) assigned to a first receiving module (31.1) from the or each spatial segment (12.2) assigned to a second and any other receiving module (31.2, 31.3).

13. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that At least one detection element (36) for detecting the filling level is arranged in the area of ​​the receiving space (12), so that in particular only when an additional product volume formed by the product (11) has been formed in the receiving space (12) and detected by the detection mechanism (36), the first closing element (18) and all other closing elements (18) along the conveying direction T are opened accordingly, and the additional product volume basically corresponds to the receiving volume of the shaft section (14.1 to 14.n) to be filled next time to form a closed product flow, and the product (11) falls onto the closing element (18) behind the closing element (18) along the conveying direction T after opening the first or subsequent closing element (18).

14. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that The device further comprises a control device which is designed and arranged to control the separating and / or closing element (18, 30) on the basis of the filling level of the receiving space (12).

15. Device according to one or more of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that The separating element (30) is arranged in the transition region between the receiving space (12) and the shaft (14) at a distance of 100 mm to 150 mm, preferably approximately 120 mm, from the first closing element in the conveying direction T.

16. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that Each separation element (30) and each closing element (18) is designed and arranged to be fixedly located on the shaft (14) relative to the conveying direction T of the products, and is designed and arranged to be movable only transversely to the conveying direction T.

17. A method for automatically first filling a shaft (14) of a device (10) for processing, in particular transporting and / or storing, rod-shaped products (11) for the tobacco processing industry, the method comprising the steps of: - feeding the product (11) into a receiving space (12) of a device (10) for processing the product (11) by means of a feed device (13), - conveying the product flow flowing into the receiving space (12) from the receiving space (12) through the shaft (14) of the device (10) to a device downstream of the shaft (14), - wherein the product flow first stops in the transition zone from the receiving space (12) into the shaft (14) and then descends in a controlled manner downwards to the downstream device, It is characterized in that Firstly, in the region of the shaft (14), at least one closing element (18) is closed in order to stop the product flow and collect it in the receiving space (12); And when a defined filling level of the receiving space (12) is reached, the or each closing element (18) is opened to allow a controlled descent of the product flow.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that A plurality of plug plates (19) arranged successively along the conveying direction T as closing elements (18) are first all held in a closed position of the shut-off shaft (14) and, in order to release a corresponding shaft section (14.1 to 14.n), are pulled backwards from top to bottom in a defined sequence through the rear wall (15) of the shaft (14) to a release position for releasing the shaft section (14.1 to 14.n).

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that Each plug plate (19) is quickly and suddenly pulled back from the closed position to the released position, so that the product flow is guided into the shaft (14) in sections and step by step from top to bottom until a continuous product flow is formed from the receiving space (12) to the downstream device.

20. The method according to one or more of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that The closing element (18) is actuated to release the shaft sections (14.1 to 14.n) by querying the filling level in the receiving space (12).

21. The method according to one or more of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that Only when an additional product volume consisting of products (11) detected by the detection mechanism (36) has been formed in the receiving space (12), the first closing element (18) and all other closing elements (18) along the conveying direction T are opened accordingly, and the additional product volume basically corresponds to the receiving volume of the shaft section (14.1 to 14.n) to be filled next time to form a closed product flow, and the product (11) falls onto the closing element (18) behind along the conveying direction T after opening the first or subsequent closing element (18).

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The filling level in the receiving space (12), which is reduced due to the opening of the first closing element (18), is increased again by further feeding of products (11) into the receiving space (12) until the detection mechanism (36) again triggers the opening of the subsequent closing element (18), wherein the process is repeated until all closing elements (18) are open.

23. The method according to one or more of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that By opening the closing elements (18) in sequence from top to bottom, the products (11) fall in portions by about 100 to 150 mm, preferably 120 mm, to form a continuous product flow in the shaft (14) from shaft section (14.1 to 14.n) to shaft section (14.1 to 14.n) until the last shaft section (14.n) located in front of the subsequent device is filled.

24. The method according to one or more of claims 17 to 23, characterized in that The product supply formed by the introduced products (11) in the receiving space (12) is at least partially covered from above.

25. The method according to one or more of claims 17 to 24, characterized in that The method is performed using a device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 16.

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