Automatic overturning and manual complementing device and method for cigarette cartons in narrow and small space

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic overturning and manual code complementing device and method for cigarette cartons in a narrow space, and the device comprises a longitudinal five-layer conveying line which is provided with a code scanner and a transfer device A, the head end of the longitudinal five-layer conveying line is connected with a horizontal five-layer conveying line, one side of the longitudinal five-layer conveying line is provided with a longitudinal five-layer auxiliary conveying line, and the other side of the longitudinal five-layer conveying line is provided with a transverse five-layer auxiliary conveying line; transfer devices are arranged at the two ends of the longitudinal five-layer auxiliary conveying line, the right side of the tail transfer device is connected with a horizontal single-layer conveying line through a reciprocating type multi-layer elevator A, two cigarette turning mechanisms and a transfer device D are arranged on the horizontal single-layer conveying line, a manual processing station is arranged at the tail of the horizontal single-layer conveying line, a transfer device E is arranged in front of the transfer device D, and a manual processing station is arranged at the tail of the transfer device D. The left side of the transferring device E is connected with a horizontal supplement five-layer conveying line through a reciprocating type multi-layer elevator B. The tail of the horizontal supplement five-layer conveying line is connected with the head end of the horizontal supplement five-layer conveying line. For cigarette cartons with stacking problems, workers do not need to climb up and down on the ground and between the two operation platforms, and the labor intensity of the workers is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an automatic flipping and manual repackaging device and method for cigarettes in confined spaces, belonging to the field of cigarette logistics sorting technology in the tobacco industry. Background Technology

[0002] like Figure 3-4 As shown, when cigarettes are transported in the logistics sorting center, a five-layer conveyor line is used to improve the conveying capacity. During the conveying process, the cigarettes are scanned by barcode scanners installed on each layer of the conveyor line. When the scan finds that the barcode is located at the bottom of the cigarette or is damaged, the problematic cigarette is transferred to an auxiliary conveyor line via a transfer device behind the barcode scanner. Then, workers on the ground or operating platform process the problematic cigarette (flipping the cigarette or re-coding it). The processed cigarette is then transferred to the fifth-layer conveyor line via the transfer device at the end of the auxiliary conveyor line. Cigarettes with intact barcodes but located at the bottom are classified as problematic and require flipping to ensure all barcodes are on the top surface. This is because the cigarettes will undergo multiple scans during subsequent conveying. By unifying the barcodes on the surface, only an upper barcode scanner is needed for subsequent scans, eliminating the need for both upper and lower barcode scanners.

[0003] like Figure 4 As shown, due to the considerable height of the five-layer conveyor line, workers standing on the ground can only control the lowest layer. Therefore, two additional operating platforms are needed above ground, each controlling two layers of conveyor lines. Currently, this manual processing point only has one worker, forcing the worker to climb up and down between the ground and the two operating platforms. This is not only inconvenient but also physically demanding, and sometimes the worker cannot keep up with the workload. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic flipping and manual re-coding device and method for cigarette packs in confined spaces. This device and method eliminates the need for workers to climb up and down the ground and between two operating platforms for cigarette packs with coding problems, thus reducing the labor intensity of workers.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention: An automatic flipping and manual recoding device for cigarettes in confined spaces, comprising a longitudinal five-layer conveyor line, each layer of the longitudinal five-layer conveyor line equipped with a barcode scanner, and a transfer device A on each layer of the conveyor line behind the barcode scanner. A horizontal five-layer conveyor line is connected to the head end of the longitudinal five-layer conveyor line. An auxiliary longitudinal five-layer conveyor line is located on the side of the longitudinal five-layer conveyor line facing the horizontal five-layer conveyor line. Transfer devices B and C are respectively located at the head and tail ends of the auxiliary longitudinal five-layer conveyor line. The position of transfer device B is... Corresponding to transfer equipment A, the right side of transfer equipment C is connected to a horizontal single-layer conveyor line via a reciprocating multi-layer elevator A. The horizontal single-layer conveyor line is sequentially equipped with two smoke-turning mechanisms and transfer equipment D from head to tail. A manual processing station is provided at the tail of the horizontal single-layer conveyor line. Transfer equipment E is provided in front of transfer equipment D. The left side of transfer equipment E is connected to a horizontal supplementary five-layer conveyor line via a reciprocating multi-layer elevator B. The tail of the horizontal supplementary five-layer conveyor line is connected to the head of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line. A smoke replenishment conveyor line is provided in front of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line.

[0006] The reciprocating multi-layer elevator A and the reciprocating multi-layer elevator B have the same structure, including a reciprocating multi-layer elevator body. The lifting cargo box of the reciprocating multi-layer elevator body has an opening structure at both the left and right ends, and a transfer conveyor line is provided inside the lifting cargo box. The two ends of the transfer conveyor line correspond to the openings at both the left and right ends of the lifting cargo box.

[0007] The manual processing station includes a longitudinal single-layer conveyor line, with transfer equipment F and transfer equipment G respectively located at the beginning and end of the longitudinal single-layer conveyor line. The positions of transfer equipment F and transfer equipment G correspond to transfer equipment D and transfer equipment E respectively.

[0008] In the aforementioned device for automatic flipping and manual replenishment of cigarettes in confined spaces, the replenishment conveyor line is a five-layer conveyor line. Multiple replenishment conveyor lines are arranged sequentially along the length of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line. Each layer of the conveyor line at the connection point between the horizontal five-layer conveyor line and each replenishment conveyor line is equipped with a transfer device H.

[0009] In the aforementioned automatic cigarette flipping and manual replenishment device for confined spaces, the leftmost cigarette replenishment conveyor line is aligned with the five-layer longitudinal conveyor line.

[0010] In the aforementioned automatic flipping and manual repacking device for cigarettes in confined spaces, the longitudinal five-layer auxiliary conveyor line extends forward to contact the rear end of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line.

[0011] In the aforementioned device for automatic flipping and manual code replenishment of cigarettes in confined spaces, the barcode scanner includes an upper barcode scanner and a lower barcode scanner.

[0012] A method for automatic flipping and manual recoding of cigarette packs in confined spaces is provided. The method is based on the aforementioned device and specifically involves: cigarette packs with problematic codes scanned by a barcode scanner on a longitudinal five-layer conveyor line are transferred to a longitudinal five-layer auxiliary conveyor line and conveyed to its tail end. They are then transferred to a horizontal single-layer conveyor line via a reciprocating multi-layer elevator A. After being flipped 180° by two cigarette-flipping mechanisms, cigarette packs with intact codes and located at the top are transferred to the reciprocating multi-layer elevator B via transfer devices D and E. Cigarette packs with damaged codes are finally sent to a manual processing station for recoding and then transferred back to the reciprocating multi-layer elevator B. The reciprocating multi-layer elevator B then replenishes the cigarette packs into different layers of the horizontal supplementary five-layer conveyor line.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: Compared with the prior art, this invention adopts the above-mentioned technical solution, using a reciprocating multi-layer elevator A to transfer problematic cigarette packs from the longitudinal five-layer auxiliary conveyor line to the horizontal single-layer conveyor line. By flipping the cigarettes twice, packs stacked at the bottom can be adjusted to be stacked at the top. For cigarette packs with damaged packs, they are sent to a manual processing station for repacking, and then the processed cigarette packs are returned to their original corresponding conveyor layer via a reciprocating multi-layer elevator B. Throughout the entire process, workers only need to repack at the manual processing station; there is no need for cigarette flipping or climbing back and forth between the ground and the two operating platforms, reducing the labor intensity of workers. Furthermore, problematic cigarette packs can be processed quickly with 100% efficiency.

[0014] Moreover, the present invention only adds some devices to the inside of the original conveyor line, and the added devices do not require a lot of temporary space, making it suitable for technical upgrades and renovations of production lines with limited space. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a structure that combines five conveyor lines into one conveyor line using a reciprocating multi-layer elevator.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the existing conveying device;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing how workers process different conveyor line layers in an existing conveying system.

[0019] Reference numerals: 1-Vertical five-layer conveyor line, 2-Bar scanner, 3-Transfer equipment A, 4-Horizontal five-layer conveyor line, 5-Vertical five-layer auxiliary conveyor line, 6-Transfer equipment B, 7-Transfer equipment C, 8-Reciprocating multi-layer elevator A, 9-Horizontal single-layer conveyor line, 10-Smoke turning mechanism, 11-Transfer equipment D, 12-Manual processing station, 13-Transfer equipment E, 14-Reciprocating multi-layer elevator B, 15-Horizontal supplementary five-layer conveyor line, 16-Reciprocating multi-layer elevator body, 17-Lifting cargo box, 18-Transfer conveyor line, 19-Vertical single-layer conveyor line, 20-Transfer equipment F, 21-Transfer equipment G, 22-Supplementary smoke conveyor line, 23-Transfer equipment H. Specific implementation methods

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, but this should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0021] An embodiment of the present invention: An automatic cigarette flipping and manual re-coding device for narrow spaces includes a longitudinal five-layer conveyor line 1, a barcode scanner 2 is provided at the same position on each layer of the longitudinal five-layer conveyor line 1, a transfer device A3 is provided on each layer of the conveyor line behind each barcode scanner 2, a horizontal five-layer conveyor line 4 is connected to the head end of the longitudinal five-layer conveyor line 1, and a cigarette replenishment conveyor line 22 is provided in front of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line 4. The longitudinal five-layer conveyor line 1 is provided with a longitudinal five-layer auxiliary conveyor line 5 on the side facing the horizontal five-layer conveyor line 4. At the beginning and end of the longitudinal five-layer auxiliary conveyor line 5, each layer of the conveyor line is provided with a transfer device B6 and a transfer device C7, respectively. The position of the transfer device B6 corresponds to the position of the transfer device A3. A reciprocating multi-layer elevator A8 is provided on the right side of the transfer device C7. The right side of the reciprocating multi-layer elevator A8 is connected to the horizontal single-layer conveyor line 9. Two smoke-turning mechanisms 10 and a transfer device D11 are arranged sequentially from beginning to end on the horizontal single-layer conveyor line 9. A manual processing station 12 is provided at the end of the horizontal single-layer conveyor line 9. A transfer device E13 is provided in front of the transfer device D11. A reciprocating multi-layer elevator B14 is provided on the left side of the transfer device E13. The left side of the reciprocating multi-layer elevator B14 is connected to the horizontal supplementary five-layer conveyor line 15. The end of the horizontal supplementary five-layer conveyor line 15 is connected to the beginning of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line 4.

[0022] This invention also protects a method for automatic flipping and manual recoding of cigarette packs in confined spaces. This method is based on the aforementioned device and specifically involves the following steps: After cigarette packs produced at the cigarette factory are transported to the logistics sorting center, a depalletizing robot picks up the packs and places them on a recoding conveyor line 22. The recoding conveyor line 22 then transports the packs to each layer of a horizontal five-layer conveyor line 4, and then to each layer of a vertical five-layer conveyor line 1. When a pack of cigarettes reaches the barcode scanner 2 on the vertical five-layer conveyor line 1, the scanner 2 scans the packs on each conveyor line. If the barcode is located at the bottom of the pack or is damaged (whether at the top or bottom), it is considered a problematic pack and needs to be reprocessed. Specifically, packs with intact barcodes but located at the bottom need to be flipped so that the barcode is at the top, while packs with damaged barcodes need to have a new barcode affixed to their top surface.

[0023] As the problematic cigarette continues to be conveyed forward to transfer device A3, transfer device A3 transfers the problematic cigarette to transfer device B6 on the adjacent five-layer longitudinal auxiliary conveyor line 5. During the continuous operation of transfer device B6, the cigarette moves to the center position on the five-layer longitudinal auxiliary conveyor line 5. Then, transfer device B6 retracts, and the problematic cigarette is conveyed from its head end to its tail end by the conveying action of the five-layer longitudinal auxiliary conveyor line 5. At this time, the reciprocating multi-layer elevator A lifts the problematic cigarette to the corresponding conveyor layer, for example, if the problematic cigarette is located on the five-layer longitudinal auxiliary conveyor line 5. On the third layer, the reciprocating multi-layer elevator A lifts the cigarette to the same height as the third layer. Then, the transfer device C transfers the problematic cigarette to the reciprocating multi-layer elevator A. The reciprocating multi-layer elevator A then descends to the same height as the horizontal single-layer conveyor line 9, and then sends the problematic cigarette out to be transferred onto the horizontal single-layer conveyor line 9. The problematic cigarette is conveyed along the horizontal single-layer conveyor line 9, passing through two cigarette-turning mechanisms 10 in sequence. Each cigarette-turning mechanism 10 can turn the cigarette by 90°. After the cigarette is turned by 180° by the two cigarette-turning mechanisms 10, it is then... When intact cigarette packs located at the top pass through transfer device D11, D11 transfers them to transfer device E13 in front of them. Cigarette packs with damaged codes (regardless of whether the codes are at the top or bottom) are conveyed via horizontal single-layer conveyor line 9 to manual processing station 12 for manual code replacement before being transferred to transfer device E13. The processed cigarette packs on transfer device E13 are then transferred to reciprocating multi-layer elevator B14. Reciprocating multi-layer elevator B14 then moves upwards, lifting the processed cigarette packs to their original position. If the problematic cigarette pack was originally located on the third layer of the five-layer conveyor line, then the processed cigarette pack is lifted to the third layer of the five-layer conveyor line. The cigarette pack is then transferred from the reciprocating multi-layer elevator B14 to the horizontal supplementary five-layer conveyor line 15. Since there is a gap between the horizontal five-layer conveyor line 4 and the reciprocating multi-layer elevator B14, the horizontal supplementary five-layer conveyor line 15 is set up as an extension of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line 4, thus transferring the processed cigarette pack back to the horizontal five-layer conveyor line 4 for further transport. At this point, the processing of the problematic cigarette pack is complete. Throughout the process, the reciprocating multi-layer elevator A8 transfers the problematic cigarette pack from the five-layer conveyor line to the horizontal single-layer conveyor line 9. This facilitates processing, eliminates the need for workers to climb up and down between the ground and the two operating platforms, and eliminates the need for manual cigarette turning, reducing the labor intensity of the workers. The processed cigarette pack is then returned to its original conveyor layer via the reciprocating multi-layer elevator B14.

[0024] The reciprocating multi-layer elevator A8 and the reciprocating multi-layer elevator B14 have the same structure, including a reciprocating multi-layer elevator body 16. The lifting cargo box 17 of the reciprocating multi-layer elevator body 16 has an opening structure at both the left and right ends, and a transfer conveyor line 18 is provided inside the lifting cargo box 17. The two ends of the transfer conveyor line 18 correspond to the left and right openings of the lifting cargo box 17. For example, when the processed cigarette packs are transferred to the third conveyor of the horizontal supplementary five-layer conveyor line 15 via the reciprocating multi-layer elevator B14, the reciprocating multi-layer elevator B14 first descends so that the transfer conveyor line 18 is level with the transfer device E. Then, the transfer device E moves to transfer the processed cigarette packs onto the transfer conveyor line 18. The transfer conveyor line 18 then starts and transports the cigarette packs to its middle section. Then, the lifting container 17 drives the transfer conveyor line 18 upwards until it is level with the third conveyor of the horizontal supplementary five-layer conveyor line 15. Then, the transfer conveyor line 18 starts again and feeds the cigarette packs from its tail onto the third conveyor of the horizontal supplementary five-layer conveyor line 15. This achieves the lifting and horizontal transport of the cigarette packs. The reason this invention uses a reciprocating multi-layer elevator is that, compared to other equipment that can combine multiple conveyor lines into a single conveyor line or split a single conveyor line into multiple layers, this invention is merely a technical upgrade of the existing cigarette conveyor line. It occupies a smaller area, and the upgrade process will not affect the use of other equipment, making it suitable for logistics sorting centers with limited space. Other equipment, on the other hand, is larger and requires more space to install.

[0025] The manual processing station 12 includes a longitudinal single-layer conveyor line 19. Transfer devices F20 and G21 are respectively installed at the beginning and end of the longitudinal single-layer conveyor line 19, corresponding to transfer devices D11 and E13 respectively. Cigarettes requiring manual relabeling are transferred from transfer device D11 to transfer device F20. After being redirected by transfer device F20, they are conveyed along the longitudinal single-layer conveyor line 19. At this point, the operator only needs to affix the new label to the top surface of the cigarette pack. After the cigarette pack reaches the end of the longitudinal single-layer conveyor line 19, it is redirected again by transfer device G21 and conveyed to transfer device E13. The automatic redirection and conveying of cigarette packs on the longitudinal single-layer conveyor line 19 is achieved through the installation of transfer devices F20 and G21.

[0026] The cigarette replenishment conveyor line 22 is a five-layer conveyor line. Each five-layer conveyor line consists of a single-layer conveyor line at the beginning and five layers at the end. A rotatable swing arm is installed at the end of each single-layer conveyor line. A depalletizing robot places the cigarette packs it grips onto the single-layer conveyor line. As the cigarette packs are conveyed along the single-layer conveyor line to its end, the swing arm connects the different layers of conveyor lines, thus replenishing the cigarette packs into different conveyor line layers. Multiple cigarette replenishment conveyor lines 22 are sequentially arranged along the length of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line 4, ensuring the conveying flow rate of each layer.

[0027] At the connection point between each layer of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line 4 and each layer of the replenishment smoke conveyor line 22, a transfer device H23 is provided on each layer of the conveyor line. The transfer device H23 realizes the transfer of the cigarette from the replenishment smoke conveyor line 22 to the horizontal five-layer conveyor line 4.

[0028] Since the head end of the longitudinal five-layer conveyor line 1 is connected to the left head end of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line 4, a transfer device needs to be set at the connection point to transfer cigarettes between the two. Similarly, a transfer device needs to be set at the connection point to transfer cigarettes between the supplementary cigarette conveyor line 22 and the horizontal five-layer conveyor line 4. By aligning the leftmost supplementary cigarette conveyor line 22 with the longitudinal five-layer conveyor line 1, the supplementary cigarette conveyor line 22 and the longitudinal five-layer conveyor line 1 on the same layer can share a single transfer device H23, eliminating the need for separate transfer devices for each of them.

[0029] The longitudinal five-layer auxiliary conveyor line 5 extends forward to contact the rear end of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line 4. The advantage of this setting is that there is no need to set up a transition conveyor line between the transfer device D11 and the transfer device E13, and the cigarette can be directly transferred from the transfer device D11 to the transfer device E13.

[0030] The barcode scanner 2 includes an upper barcode scanner and a lower barcode scanner, which can simultaneously scan the top and bottom of the cigarette pack to determine the location of the barcode and whether the barcode is damaged. Cigarette packs with the barcode on the top surface and no damage are directly conveyed to the next layer via the longitudinal five-layer conveyor line 1. Cigarette packs with the barcode on the bottom surface (regardless of whether it is damaged) and cigarette packs with damaged barcodes (whether the barcode on the top or the barcode on the bottom) are transferred to the longitudinal five-layer auxiliary conveyor line 5 for further processing.

[0031] The improvement of this invention lies in combining existing devices with different functions according to requirements, thereby enabling automatic flipping and manual repacking of cigarettes in confined spaces. It does not involve technical improvements to any specific device structure. The conveying device, transfer device, and cigarette-flipping mechanism 10 used in the device structure of this invention all employ existing Changshu technologies, therefore their specific structures will not be described in detail here. For example, the cigarette-flipping mechanism 10 can adopt the relevant technologies described in CN202420840196.4 and CN202323525649.9.

Claims

1. An automatic flipping and manual recoding device for cigarettes in confined spaces, comprising a longitudinal five-layer conveyor line (1), each layer of the longitudinal five-layer conveyor line (1) is equipped with a barcode scanner (2), each layer of the conveyor line behind the barcode scanner (2) is equipped with a transfer device A (3), and the head end of the longitudinal five-layer conveyor line (1) is connected to a horizontal five-layer conveyor line (4), characterized in that: The longitudinal five-layer conveyor line (1) is provided with a longitudinal five-layer auxiliary conveyor line (5) on the side facing the horizontal five-layer conveyor line (4). The first and last ends of the longitudinal five-layer auxiliary conveyor line (5) are respectively provided with transfer device B (6) and transfer device C (7). The position of transfer device B (6) corresponds to that of transfer device A (3). The right side of transfer device C (7) is connected to the horizontal single-layer conveyor line (9) via a reciprocating multi-layer elevator A (8). Two smoke-turning devices are arranged sequentially from head to tail on the horizontal single-layer conveyor line (9). The mechanism (10) and the transfer equipment D (11) are provided. The tail of the horizontal single-layer conveyor line (9) is equipped with a manual processing station (12). The transfer equipment D (11) is equipped with a transfer equipment E (13) in front of it. The left side of the transfer equipment E (13) is connected to the horizontal supplementary five-layer conveyor line (15) via the reciprocating multi-layer elevator B (14). The tail of the horizontal supplementary five-layer conveyor line (15) is connected to the head of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line (4). A smoke supply conveyor line (22) is provided in front of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line (4). The reciprocating multi-layer elevator A (8) and the reciprocating multi-layer elevator B (14) have the same structure, including a reciprocating multi-layer elevator body (16). The lifting cargo box (17) of the reciprocating multi-layer elevator body (16) has an opening structure at both the left and right ends, and a transfer conveyor line (18) is provided inside the lifting cargo box (17). The two ends of the transfer conveyor line (18) correspond to the openings at both the left and right ends of the lifting cargo box (17). The manual processing station (12) includes a longitudinal single-layer conveyor line (19). The beginning and end ends of the longitudinal single-layer conveyor line (19) are respectively equipped with transfer device F (20) and transfer device G (21). The positions of transfer device F (20) and transfer device G (21) correspond to transfer device D (11) and transfer device E (13), respectively.

2. The automatic flipping and manual repackaging device for cigarettes in confined spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that: The smoke replenishment conveyor line (22) is a five-layer conveyor line. Multiple smoke replenishment conveyor lines (22) are arranged sequentially along the length direction of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line (4). Each layer of conveyor line at the connection point between the horizontal five-layer conveyor line (4) and each smoke replenishment conveyor line (22) is equipped with a transfer device H (23).

3. The automatic flipping and manual repackaging device for cigarettes in confined spaces according to claim 2, characterized in that: The leftmost smoke supply line (22) is aligned with the longitudinal five-layer conveyor line (1).

4. The automatic flipping and manual repackaging device for cigarettes in confined spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that: The longitudinal five-layer auxiliary conveyor line (5) extends forward to contact the rear end of the horizontal five-layer conveyor line (4).

5. The automatic flipping and manual repackaging device for cigarettes in confined spaces according to claim 1, characterized in that: The barcode scanner (2) includes an upper barcode scanner and a lower barcode scanner.

6. A method for automatic flipping and manual repacking of cigarette packs in confined spaces, characterized in that: The method is implemented based on the device in claims 1-5. Specifically, the cigarettes with problems are transferred to the longitudinal five-layer auxiliary conveyor line (5) by the barcode scanner (2) on the longitudinal five-layer conveyor line (1), and then transported to its tail. They are then transferred to the horizontal single-layer conveyor line (9) by the reciprocating multi-layer elevator A (8). The cigarettes are flipped 180° by two cigarette flipping mechanisms (10). At this time, the cigarettes with intact codes and located at the top are transferred to the reciprocating multi-layer elevator B (14) by the transfer equipment D (11) and the transfer equipment E (13). The cigarettes with damaged codes are finally sent to the manual processing station (12) for code replacement and then transferred to the reciprocating multi-layer elevator B (14). The reciprocating multi-layer elevator B (14) then adds the cigarettes to different conveyor layers of the horizontal supplementary five-layer conveyor line (15).

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