Cigarette feeding mechanism and tobacco production line

Abstract

A cigarette feed mechanism includes at least one of a hopper device (10) having a V-shaped cavity for receiving a plurality of cigarettes to be pushed and a groove at a bottom thereof for receiving a single cigarette, and a pushing device (30) for moving the single cigarette in the groove along the groove.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of tobacco production, and in particular to cigarette feeding mechanisms. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, online laser perforation devices for cigarettes are used to perforate the filter portion of the cigarette, thereby achieving accurate control of the filter's ventilation volume. However, during production, issues such as dirt on the cigarette and lenses along the laser path, or grime buildup on the laser drum and pusher wheel, can lead to problems like aperture deviations or insufficient hole counts during laser perforation. This results in excessive filter ventilation data and fluctuations in the smoking flavor. Currently, portable microscopes are used to inspect the quality of laser perforation in cigarettes, requiring manual counting, which cannot accurately quantify the aperture, resulting in low accuracy and efficiency.

[0003] Currently, the use of portable microscopes to inspect the quality of laser-drilled holes in cigarettes requires manual counting, which cannot accurately quantify the hole diameter, resulting in low accuracy and efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the aforementioned technical deficiencies, this application provides a cigarette feeding mechanism, comprising at least one of the following:

[0005] A hopper device having a V-shaped cavity and a groove at the bottom for accommodating a single cigarette, the V-shaped cavity being used to accommodate multiple cigarettes to be pushed; and

[0006] A pushing device for pushing a single cigarette along the groove.

[0007] In some embodiments, the pushing device includes a push rod that is slidable in the groove to push the cigarette along the groove;

[0008] The hopper device includes:

[0009] A front baffle and a rear baffle are arranged in parallel. The bottom of the front baffle has a front opening for the cigarette to be discharged from the front opening, and the bottom of the rear baffle has a rear opening for the push rod to pass through.

[0010] The left and right hoppers are arranged between the front and rear baffles, forming the V-shaped cavity between the left and right hoppers, and the gap between the bottoms of the left and right hoppers forms the groove.

[0011] In some embodiments, the cigarette feeding mechanism includes a stirring device arranged on the right hopper and includes a connected inclined plate and a horizontal portion. The right hopper has a vertically extending channel, and the horizontal portion passes horizontally through the channel, such that when the horizontal portion moves vertically along the channel, the inclined plate moves vertically along the inner side of the right hopper to cause one of the cigarettes to fall into the groove.

[0012] In some embodiments, the agitation device includes a first motor and an eccentric block arranged on the outside of the right hopper. The eccentric block is eccentrically driven connected to the drive shaft of the motor and abuts against the lower end of the horizontal section to push the horizontal section to move up and down, thereby driving the inclined plate to move up and down reciprocally along the inside of the right hopper.

[0013] In some embodiments, the pushing device includes a second motor, a drive belt, and a guide rail. The drive belt is fixedly connected to the push rod. The second motor drives the drive belt to cause the push rod to reciprocate along the guide rail between a push position and an initial position. In the push position, the push rod pushes the cigarette out of the front opening. In the initial position, the front end of the push rod moves to the rear opening to prepare to push the next cigarette.

[0014] In some embodiments, the pushing device includes:

[0015] A connecting rod, the upper end of which is connected to the front end of the push rod, and the drive belt is clamped in the opening groove of the connecting rod;

[0016] The marker piece is connected to the connecting rod;

[0017] A first sensor is disposed inside the front opening of the front baffle. When the marking piece is detected by the first sensor, the push rod is in the extended position; and

[0018] The second sensor is located outside the rear opening of the rear baffle. When the marker is detected by the second sensor, the push rod is in the initial position.

[0019] In some embodiments, the guide rail is provided with an elongated groove, the push rod is located above the guide rail, the connecting rod passes through the elongated groove, and the marking piece is fixed to the lower end of the connecting rod.

[0020] The cigarette feeding mechanism includes a controller for sending commands to the second motor to rotate in the reverse direction when the push rod reaches the initial position and the push-out position.

[0021] In some embodiments, the lower edge of the inclined plate is provided with elongated protrusions.

[0022] On the other hand, this application provides a tobacco production line, including the aforementioned cigarette feeding mechanism.

[0023] The cigarette feeding mechanism provided in this application can achieve at least one of the following technical effects:

[0024] The hopper device has a V-shaped cavity with a smoke groove at the bottom, allowing the cigarette stick and push rod to pass through;

[0025] The stirring device drives the inclined plate to move up and down along the right hopper, so that one of the cigarettes falls smoothly into the tobacco trough of the hopper device.

[0026] The pusher moves the push rod back and forth between the initial position and the push position through the push device. The sensor detects the marker and ensures that the push rod is fully retracted to the rear baffle of the hopper device or the push rod pushes the cigarette away from the front baffle. Attached Figure Description

[0027] By convention, the various features in the accompanying drawings described below are not necessarily drawn to scale. The dimensions of the various features and elements in the drawings may be enlarged or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of this application.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the cigarette feeding mechanism according to an embodiment of this application; and

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the hopper device of the cigarette feeding mechanism according to an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 3 and 4 This is a schematic diagram of the right hopper of the hopper device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the agitation device of the cigarette feeding mechanism according to an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the pushing device of the cigarette feeding mechanism according to an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the guide rail of the pushing device according to an embodiment of this application; and

[0034] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the linkage of the pushing device according to an embodiment of this application; Detailed Implementation

[0035] The embodiments of the technical solution of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application and are therefore merely examples, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit this application; the terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification, claims and foregoing description of the drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0037] In the description of the embodiments of this application, technical terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish different objects and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0038] In this application, the reference to "embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described in this application can be combined with other embodiments.

[0039] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. In addition, if the character " / " appears in this application, it generally indicates that the related objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship.

[0040] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "multiple" refers to two or more (including two), similarly, "multiple sets" refers to two or more (including two sets), and "multiple pieces" refers to two or more (including two pieces).

[0041] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "at least one" refers to one or more (including two), similarly, "at least one group" refers to one or more (including two) groups, and "at least one piece" refers to one or more (including two) pieces. In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "at least part" refers to part or all of them.

[0042] Unless otherwise specified, in the description of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and are not intended to 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 embodiments of this application.

[0043] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, technical terms such as "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the cigarette feeding mechanism includes a hopper device 10, a stirring device 20, and a pushing device 30. The hopper device 10 has a V-shaped cavity for accommodating multiple cigarettes 40 to be pushed. The bottom of the V-shaped cavity is provided with a groove 15 for accommodating a single cigarette. The stirring device 20 is arranged on the hopper device 10 and is used to send a cigarette from the V-shaped cavity into the groove 15. The pushing device 30 is used to push the single cigarette 40 along the groove 15 and discharge the single cigarette 40 from the hopper device 10.

[0045] like Figure 2 As shown, the hopper device 10 includes a front baffle 11, a rear baffle 12, a left hopper 13, and a right hopper 14. The front baffle 11 and the rear baffle 12 are arranged in parallel, and the left hopper 13 and the right hopper 14 are arranged between the front baffle 11 and the rear baffle 12. The gap between the bottoms of the left hopper 13 and the right hopper 14 forms the groove 15. The V-shaped cavity is formed between the left hopper 13 and the right hopper 14. The bottom of the front baffle 11 is provided with a front opening 111 for the cigarette to be discharged from the front opening 111 along the groove 15. The bottom of the rear baffle 12 is provided with a rear opening 121 for the push rod 35 to pass through.

[0046] like Figure 3-5As shown, the cigarette feeding mechanism includes a stirring device 20, which is arranged on the right hopper 14 and includes a connected inclined plate 21 and a horizontal part 22. The right hopper 14 is provided with a vertically extending channel 141, and the horizontal part 22 passes horizontally through the channel 141. When the horizontal part 22 moves up and down along the channel 141, the inclined plate 21 moves up and down along the inner side of the right hopper 14, so that one of the cigarettes falls into the groove.

[0047] The agitation device 20 includes a first motor 22 and an eccentric block 23 arranged in a recess 142 on the outside of the right hopper 14. The eccentric block 23 is eccentrically driven to the drive shaft of the motor 22 and supports against the horizontal part 22 to push the horizontal part 22 to move up and down, thereby driving the inclined plate 21 to move up and down along the inner side of the right hopper 14.

[0048] like Figure 5 As shown, the lower edge of the inclined plate 21 is provided with a slender protrusion 25, which is used to ensure that the cigarettes fall smoothly into the tobacco trough of the hopper device when the inclined plate 21 moves up and down along the right hopper 14.

[0049] like Figure 6 As shown, the pushing device 30 includes a push rod 35, a second motor 31, a drive belt 34, and a guide rail 38. The push rod 35 is slidable in the groove 15 to push the cigarette along the groove 15. The drive belt 34 is fixedly connected to the push rod 35. The second motor 31 drives the drive belt 34 to drive the push rod 35 to reciprocate along the guide rail 38 between a push-out position and an initial position. In the push-out position, the push rod 35 pushes the cigarette out of the front opening. Then, the drive belt 34 rotates in the opposite direction, causing the front end of the push rod 35 to move to the rear opening. The push rod 35 is in the initial position, ready to push the next cigarette.

[0050] like Figure 7 As shown, the guide rail 38 is provided with an elongated groove 381, the push rod 35 is located above the guide rail 38, and the connecting rod 37 passes through the elongated groove 381.

[0051] like Figure 6 and 8As shown, the pushing device 30 includes a connecting rod 37, a marker piece 39, and first and second sensors 36 and 33. The upper end of the connecting rod 37 is connected to the front end of the push rod 35. The drive belt 4 is clamped in the opening groove 371 of the connecting rod 37. The marker piece 39 is fixed to the lower end of the connecting rod 37. The first sensor 36 is arranged inside the front opening 110 of the front baffle 11. When the marker piece 39 is detected by the first sensor 36, the push rod 35 is in the pushed-out position. The second sensor 33 is arranged outside the rear opening 120 of the rear baffle 12. When the marker piece 39 is detected by the second sensor 33, the push rod 35 is in the initial position.

[0052] In some embodiments, the cigarette feeding mechanism includes a controller that sends a command to the second motor 31 to rotate in the opposite direction when the push rod 35 reaches the initial position and the push position, respectively, thereby causing the drive belt 34 to drive the connecting rod 37 and the push rod 35 to reciprocate between the initial position and the push position.

[0053] On the other hand, this application provides a tobacco production line, including the aforementioned cigarette feeding mechanism.

[0054] The foregoing description of this application illustrates and describes some exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, alterations, etc., can be made to these exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. All content contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Furthermore, this application only shows and describes selected embodiments of this application; however, within the scope of the inventive concept expressed herein, in accordance with the foregoing teachings, and / or within the skill or knowledge of those skilled in the art, this application can be used and modified in various other combinations, modifications, and environments. Moreover, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and unillustrated embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A cigarette feeding mechanism, comprising: a hopper device (10) having a V-shaped cavity for accommodating a plurality of cigarettes to be pushed, and a groove (15) at the bottom for accommodating a single cigarette; and a pushing device (30) for pushing a single cigarette to move along the groove (15); wherein the pushing device (30) comprises a push rod (35) slidable in the groove (15) to push the cigarette along the groove (15); the hopper device (10) comprises: a front baffle (11) and a rear baffle (12) arranged in parallel, the front baffle (11) being provided with a front opening (111) at the bottom for the cigarette to be discharged from the front opening (111), and the rear baffle (12) being provided with a rear opening (121) at the bottom for the push rod (35) to pass through; and a left hopper (13) and a right hopper (14) arranged between the front baffle (11) and the rear baffle (12), forming the V-shaped cavity between the left hopper (13) and the right hopper (14), and the gap between the bottoms of the left hopper (13) and the right hopper (14) forming the groove (15); wherein the cigarette feeding mechanism further comprises an agitating device (20) arranged on the right hopper (14) and comprising a connected inclined plate (21) and a horizontal part (22), the right hopper (14) being provided with a passage (141) extending upward and downward, and the horizontal part (22) horizontally passing through the passage (141), so that when the horizontal part (22) moves upward and downward along the passage (141), the inclined plate (21) reciprocates upward and downward along the inner side of the right hopper (14) to make one of the cigarettes fall into the groove; wherein the pushing device (30) comprises a second motor (31), a driving belt (34) and a guide rail (38), the driving belt (34) being fixedly connected with the push rod (35), and the second motor (31) being used to drive the driving belt (34) to drive the push rod (35) to reciprocate along the guide rail (38) between an ejecting position and an initial position, at the ejecting position, the push rod (35) pushes the cigarette out of the front opening, and at the initial position, the front end of the push rod (35) moves to the rear opening in preparation for pushing the next cigarette; the pushing device (30) comprises: a connecting rod (37) having its upper end connected with the front end of the push rod (35), and the driving belt (4) being clamped in the open slot of the connecting rod (37); a marker sheet (39) connected with the connecting rod (37); a first sensor (36) arranged inside the front opening (110) of the front baffle (11), when the marker sheet (39) is detected by the first sensor (36), the push rod (35) is at the ejecting position; and a second sensor (33) arranged outside the rear opening (120) of the rear baffle (12), when the marker sheet (39) is detected by the second sensor (33), the push rod (35) is at the initial position.

2. The cigarette feeding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the agitating device (20) comprises a first motor (23) arranged outside the right hopper (14) and an eccentric block (24) which is eccentrically connected with the driving shaft of the motor (22) and abuts against the lower end of the horizontal part (22) to push the horizontal part (22) to move up and down, thereby driving the inclined plate (21) to reciprocate up and down along the inner side of the right hopper (14).

3. The cigarette feeding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail (38) is provided with an elongated slot (381), the push rod (35) is located above the guide rail (38), the connecting rod (37) passes through the elongated slot (311), and the marker sheet (39) is fixed to the lower end of the connecting rod (37).

4. The cigarette feeding mechanism according to claim 1, comprising a controller for sending a command to reverse the rotation of the second motor (31) when the push rod (35) reaches the initial position and the push-out position.

5. The cigarette feeding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the lower edge of the inclined plate (21) is provided with an elongated protrusion (25).

6. A tobacco production line comprising the cigarette feeding mechanism according to any one of claims 1-5.

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