Packaging device for realizing mixed packaging of special-shaped cigarettes

Abstract

The invention discloses a packaging device for achieving mixed packaging of special-shaped cigarettes, and relates to the technical field of product packaging, the packaging device comprises a chain scraper conveyor, a cigarette stacking mechanism and a first belt conveyor, the cigarette stacking mechanism is arranged at the conveying front end of the chain scraper conveyor and used for stacking and feeding cigarette cartons onto the chain scraper conveyor, and the first belt conveyor is arranged at the conveying front end of the chain scraper conveyor; the conveying tail end of the first belt conveyor is connected with the feeding end of the cigarette stacking mechanism and used for conveying standard cigarette cartons, and the mixing unit is arranged in the middle of the chain scraper conveyor and used for stacking the cigarette cartons of other specifications on a standard cigarette carton stack. Seamless mixing and automatic packaging of standard cigarettes and special-shaped cigarettes on a main line are achieved, the sorting and packaging efficiency is greatly improved, meanwhile, the direction of the medium-long cigarettes is adjusted through the direction adjusting mechanism, the situation that when traditional cigarette stack cigarettes are mixed and packaged, due to the fact that the lengths of the cigarettes are different, the cigarettes in the cigarette stack are damaged in the transportation process is avoided, and the production efficiency is improved. And the cigarette loss rate during transportation is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of product packaging technology, and in particular to a packaging device for mixing irregularly shaped cigarettes. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing volume of cigarette sales and the growing number of brands, new opportunities and challenges have arisen for the entire cigarette logistics sorting and distribution technology. This necessitates a gradual improvement in the technology of cigarette logistics sorting and distribution systems, placing higher demands on the accuracy, compatibility, stability, and efficiency of sorting system equipment. In particular, the cigarette damage rate of the sorting system is the primary evaluation indicator for the entire sorting system, and the damage rate of cigarette packs during palletizing and transportation is also a significant factor in cigarette damage.

[0003] Existing cigarette packaging equipment typically stacks all cigarette cartons with their lengths aligned in the same direction. However, since cigarette cartons come in various sizes (including standard, slim, and medium-length cartons), and medium-length cartons are significantly longer than standard and slim cartons, some of the medium-length cartons will protrude beyond the stack during mixed packaging, as shown in the attached image. Figure 5 As shown, uneven compression during stacking, handling and transportation can easily cause cigarettes to deform, break or even fall out of the box. This phenomenon not only directly increases the cigarette damage rate and affects the product's appearance and quality, but also requires manual placement and adjustment in specific directions during the subsequent stacking process, further increasing the complexity and labor intensity of the operation. Therefore, a packaging device for mixed packaging of irregularly shaped cigarettes is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems in the prior art by proposing a packaging device for mixing irregularly shaped cigarettes.

[0005] A packaging device for mixing and packaging irregularly shaped cigarettes includes a chain conveyor, a cigarette stacking mechanism, and a first belt conveyor. The cigarette stacking mechanism is located at the front end of the chain conveyor and is used to stack and feed cigarette packs onto the chain conveyor. The rear end of the first belt conveyor is connected to the feed end of the cigarette stacking mechanism for conveying standard cigarette packs. A mixing unit is located in the middle of the chain conveyor for stacking cigarette packs of other specifications onto the standard cigarette pack.

[0006] Preferably, the mixing unit includes a second belt conveyor and a side-pushing mechanism. Multiple lifting and combining mechanisms are symmetrically installed on both sides of the chain conveyor at the middle position. The side-pushing mechanism is installed between two of the lifting and combining mechanisms and above the chain conveyor. The conveying end of the second belt conveyor is connected to the feeding end of the side-pushing mechanism for conveying thin cigarettes and medium-length cigarettes. A steering mechanism is provided above the side-pushing mechanism via a bracket for handling and turning medium-length cigarettes.

[0007] Preferably, the orientation mechanism includes a robotic arm and a spline rod. The robotic arm is mounted on a bracket, and a spline rotary joint is connected to the front end of the robotic arm. The spline rotary joint is connected to the spline rod to drive the spline rod to move up and down. A support is connected to the lower end of the spline rod, and a connecting frame is connected to the support. Multiple hollow suction cup fixing rods are slidably connected to the connecting frame. A suction cup is connected to the bottom of each suction cup fixing rod, and a vacuum generator is connected to the upper end of each suction cup fixing rod through a conduit.

[0008] Preferably, the system further includes a wrapping and sealing mechanism, a heat shrink oven, and a labeling machine. The wrapping and sealing mechanism is installed at the conveying end of the chain conveyor. The outlet of the wrapping and sealing mechanism is connected to a first conveyor. The other end of the first conveyor is connected to the inlet of the heat shrink oven. The outlet of the heat shrink oven is connected to a second conveyor. The labeling machine is installed on the second conveyor.

[0009] Preferably, a smoke-pressing mechanism is installed at one end of the second belt conveyor near the side-pushing mechanism to controllably allow the cigarettes on the second belt conveyor to enter the side-pushing mechanism.

[0010] Preferably, the side-push mechanism is provided with an identification mechanism for real-time identification of the specifications of the cigarette packs on the side-push mechanism, and sends the identification signal to the side-push mechanism and the adjustment mechanism.

[0011] Preferably, each suction cup fixing rod is fitted with a spring, and the two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the lower end of the suction cup fixing rod and the connecting frame.

[0012] Preferably, the lifting and packing mechanism is used to receive the cigarette packs conveyed from the side pushing mechanism or the adjusting mechanism, and to pack the received cigarette packs together with the standard cigarette packs already stacked on the chain conveyor.

[0013] Preferably, the number of suction cups on the connecting frame is a multiple of three.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are: 1. This invention features an independent mixing unit, enabling seamless mixing and automated packaging of standard and non-standard cigarettes on the main line. This significantly improves sorting and packaging efficiency. At the same time, the orientation mechanism adjusts the direction of medium and long cigarettes, avoiding damage to the cigarette stacks and cigarettes during transportation caused by varying lengths of cigarettes in traditional mixed packaging, thus reducing the cigarette damage rate during transportation.

[0015] 2. The mixed tobacco stacks after the reorientation process of this invention have a neat shape and stable structure, which not only facilitates subsequent automated wrapping and transportation, but also eliminates the need for special orientation adjustment when manually stacking them into cage cars, thus reducing labor intensity.

[0016] 3. This invention can be directly integrated into existing standard cigarette packaging lines without requiring large-scale modifications to the main structure. By adding modular units, functional upgrades are achieved, saving hardware investment and possessing high practical and promotional value. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a partial structural side view of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the orientation mechanism in this invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the mixing unit processing cigarettes in this invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the conventional mixed stacking of standard cigarette packs, slim cigarette packs, and medium-length cigarette packs.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the stacking of medium-length cigarette packs with standard cigarette packs after the cigarette packs have been reoriented in this invention.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the mixed stacking of standard cigarette packs and slim cigarette packs in this invention.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the mixed stacking of standard cigarette packs, slim cigarette packs, and medium-length cigarette packs in this invention.

[0025] Figure 9 A comparative diagram of conventional mixed stacking and directional mixed stacking of standard cigarette packs, slim cigarette packs, and medium-length cigarette packs.

[0026] In the diagram: 1 Chain conveyor, 2 Smoke stacking mechanism, 3 First belt conveyor, 4 Mixing unit, 5 Second belt conveyor, 6 Side push mechanism, 7 Lifting and closing mechanism, 8 Smoke pressing mechanism, 9 Support, 10 Direction adjustment mechanism, 101 Robotic arm, 102 Spline rotary joint, 103 Spline rod, 104 Support, 105 Connecting frame, 106 Suction cup fixing rod, 107 Suction cup, 11 Wrapping and sealing mechanism, 12 First conveyor, 13 Heat shrink oven, 14 Second conveyor, 15 Labeling machine. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0028] Reference Figure 1-4 As shown, a packaging device for mixing and packaging irregularly shaped cigarettes includes a chain conveyor 1, a cigarette stacking mechanism 2, and a first belt conveyor 3. The cigarette stacking mechanism 2 is located at the front end of the chain conveyor 1 and is used to stack cigarette packs and feed them onto the chain conveyor 1. The rear end of the first belt conveyor 3 is connected to the feed end of the cigarette stacking mechanism 2 for conveying standard cigarette packs. A mixing unit 4 is provided in the middle of the chain conveyor 1 for stacking cigarette packs of other specifications onto the standard cigarette pack.

[0029] In this embodiment, the mixing unit 4 includes a second belt conveyor 5 and a side-pushing mechanism 6. Multiple lifting and combining mechanisms 7 are symmetrically installed on both sides of the chain conveyor 1 at the middle position. The side-pushing mechanism 6 is installed between two of the lifting and combining mechanisms 7 and above the chain conveyor 1. The conveying tail end of the second belt conveyor 5 is connected to the feeding end of the side-pushing mechanism 6 for conveying thin and medium-length cigarettes. A steering mechanism 10 is provided above the side-pushing mechanism 6 via a bracket 9 for handling and turning medium-length cigarettes. A cigarette pressing mechanism 8 is installed at one end of the second belt conveyor 5 near the side-pushing mechanism 6 for controllably releasing cigarettes from the second belt conveyor 5 into the side-pushing mechanism 6. The number of suction cups 107 on the connecting frame 105 is a multiple of three.

[0030] In this embodiment, the orientation mechanism 10 includes a robotic arm 101 and a spline rod 103. The robotic arm 101 is mounted on a bracket 9. A spline rotary joint 102 is connected to the front end of the robotic arm 101. The spline rotary joint 102 is connected to the spline rod 103 to drive the spline rod 103 to move up and down. A support 104 is connected to the lower end of the spline rod 103. A connecting frame 105 is connected to the support 104. Multiple hollow suction cup fixing rods 106 are slidably connected to the connecting frame 105. A suction cup 107 is connected to the bottom of each suction cup fixing rod 106. The number of suction cups 107 on the connecting frame 105 is a multiple of three. A vacuum generator is connected to the upper end of each suction cup fixing rod 106 through a conduit. A spring is sleeved on each suction cup fixing rod 106. The two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the lower end of the suction cup fixing rod 106 and the connecting frame 105. The spring can provide cushioning during suction and placement to protect the cigarette pack.

[0031] In this embodiment, the system also includes a wrapping and sealing mechanism 11, a heat shrink oven 13, and a labeling machine 15. The wrapping and sealing mechanism 11 is installed at the conveying end of the chain conveyor 1. The outlet of the wrapping and sealing mechanism 11 is connected to a first conveyor 12. The other end of the first conveyor 12 is connected to the inlet of the heat shrink oven 13. The outlet of the heat shrink oven 13 is connected to a second conveyor 14. The labeling machine 15 is installed on the second conveyor 14.

[0032] In this embodiment, the lifting and packing mechanism 7 is used to receive the cigarette packs conveyed from the side pushing mechanism 6 or the adjusting mechanism 10, and to pack the received cigarette packs together with the standard cigarette packs already stacked on the chain conveyor 1. The lifting and packing mechanism 7 consists of a liftable platform and a pneumatic pusher. The platform can receive the thin cigarette packs pushed in by the side pushing mechanism 6 and the medium and long cigarette packs sucked up by the suction cup 017 in the adjusting mechanism 10. When the thin cigarette packs need to be stacked, the platform can be lowered by the thickness of one cigarette pack to continue receiving the thin cigarette packs pushed in by the side pushing mechanism 6. The stacking of medium-length and long cigarette cartons can be achieved through the adjusting mechanism 10. The adjusting mechanism 10 can also stack the sucked-up medium-length cigarette cartons on top of the thin cigarette cartons to achieve a mixed stacking of thin and medium-length cigarette cartons. When it is necessary to combine the stacked thin, medium-length, or mixed cigarette cartons with the standard cigarette cartons already stacked on the chain conveyor 1, the platform will descend so that its height is slightly higher than the top surface of the stacked cigarette cartons on the chain conveyor 1. Then, the cigarette cartons on the platform are pushed onto the standard cigarette cartons by a pneumatic pusher plate, forming a stacking effect as shown in the image. Figure 6-8 As shown.

[0033] The side-pushing mechanism 6 is equipped with an identification mechanism for real-time identification of the specifications (slim or medium-length cigarettes) of the cigarettes on the side-pushing mechanism 6, and sends the identification signal to the side-pushing mechanism 6 and the adjusting mechanism 10. If it is identified as a slim cigarette, the side-pushing mechanism 6 will work; if it is a medium-length cigarette, the adjusting mechanism 10 will work.

[0034] The working process and principle of this invention are as follows: In use, standard cigarette packs are conveyed to the stacking mechanism 2 via the first belt conveyor 1, and after being stacked, they are pushed into the chain conveyor 20. Simultaneously, slim and medium-length cigarette packs are conveyed via the second belt conveyor 5. At the end of the second belt conveyor 5, the pressing mechanism 8 controls the cigarette packs to enter the side-pushing mechanism 6 in a single, orderly manner. The identification mechanism identifies the cigarette pack information to determine its specifications. When it is a slim cigarette pack, it is pushed sideways into the lifting and merging mechanism 7 adjacent to the side-pushing mechanism 6. When it is a medium-length cigarette pack, it is adjusted... The robotic arm 101 in mechanism 10 moves the suction cup 107 directly above the medium-length cigarette pack. The spline drive joint 102 drives the spline rod 103 to descend, so that the suction cup 107 contacts the medium-length cigarette pack. The vacuum generator is then turned on, thus completing the suction of the medium-length cigarette pack. After suction, the medium-length cigarette pack is adjusted and rotated 90° by the movement of the robotic arm 101 and placed in the designated lifting and packing mechanism 7. Afterwards, it can be combined with the standard cigarette packs that have been stacked on the chain conveyor 1 according to the order.

[0035] After being packaged, the cigarette packs are conveyed by the chain conveyor 1 into the wrapping and sealing mechanism 11 to complete the wrapping and sealing. Then, they are conveyed by the first conveyor 12 into the heat shrink oven 13 to complete the final packaging of the cigarette packs. After that, the second conveyor 14 conveys the cigarette packs to the labeling machine 15 for labeling. Finally, the cigarette packs are manually moved to the cage cart for stacking.

[0036] As is known from common technical knowledge, this invention can be implemented through other embodiments that do not depart from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments described above are merely illustrative in all respects and are not the only ones. All modifications within the scope of this invention or its equivalents are included in this invention.

Claims

1. A packaging apparatus for implementing a package of mixed cigarettes of different types, characterized in that: The application relates to a chain plate conveyor (1), a cigarette stacking mechanism (2) and a first belt conveyor (3), wherein the cigarette stacking mechanism (2) is arranged at the conveying front end of the chain plate conveyor (1) and is used for stacking and feeding standard cigarettes into the chain plate conveyor (1); the conveying tail end of the first belt conveyor (3) is connected with the feeding end of the cigarette stacking mechanism (2) and is used for conveying standard cigarettes; and a mixing unit (4) is arranged at the middle position of the chain plate conveyor (1) and is used for stacking other specifications of cigarettes on the standard cigarette stack.

2. The packaging apparatus for implementing a mixed pack of cigarettes of different types according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mixing unit (4) comprises a second belt conveyor (5) and a side pushing mechanism (6), a plurality of lifting and combining mechanisms (7) are symmetrically arranged at both sides of the middle position of the chain plate conveyor (1), the side pushing mechanism (6) is arranged between two lifting and combining mechanisms (7) and above the chain plate conveyor (1), the conveying tail end of the second belt conveyor (5) is connected with the feeding end of the side pushing mechanism (6) and is used for conveying slim cigarettes and medium-long cigarettes, and a direction adjusting mechanism (10) is arranged above the side pushing mechanism (6) through a support (9) and is used for carrying and turning the medium-long cigarettes.

3. The packaging apparatus for implementing a mixed pack of odd-shaped cigarettes according to claim 2, characterized in that: The direction adjusting mechanism (10) comprises a mechanical arm (101) and a spline rod (103), the mechanical arm (101) is arranged on the support (9), the front end of the mechanical arm (101) is connected with a spline rotary joint (102), the spline rotary joint (102) is connected with the spline rod (103) and is used for driving the spline rod (103) to move up and down, the lower end of the spline rod (103) is connected with a support base (104), the support base (104) is connected with a connecting frame (105), a plurality of hollow sucker fixing rods (106) are slidably connected to the connecting frame (105), the bottom of each sucker fixing rod (106) is connected with a sucker (107), and the upper end of each sucker fixing rod (106) is connected with a vacuum generator through a pipeline.

4. The packaging apparatus for implementing a mixed pack of cigarettes of different shapes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The application further comprises a film wrapping and cutting mechanism (11), a heat shrinkage furnace (13) and a labeling machine (15), the conveying tail end of the chain plate conveyor (1) is provided with the film wrapping and cutting mechanism (11), the outlet of the film wrapping and cutting mechanism (11) is connected with a first conveyor (12), the other end of the first conveyor (12) is connected with the inlet of the heat shrinkage furnace (13), the outlet of the heat shrinkage furnace (13) is connected with a second conveyor (14), and the labeling machine (15) is arranged on the second conveyor (14).

5. The packaging apparatus for implementing a mixed pack of cigarettes of different shapes according to claim 2, characterized in that: The end of the second belt conveyor (5) close to the side pushing mechanism (6) is provided with a cigarette pressing mechanism (8) and is used for controllably releasing the cigarettes on the second belt conveyor (5) into the side pushing mechanism (6).

6. The packaging apparatus for implementing a mixed pack of cigarettes of different shapes according to claim 2, characterized in that: The side pushing mechanism (6) is provided with an identification mechanism and is used for identifying the specifications of the cigarettes on the side pushing mechanism (6) in real time and sending an identification signal to the side pushing mechanism (6) and the direction adjusting mechanism (10).

7. The packaging apparatus for implementing the special-shaped cigarette mixed packaging according to claim 3, characterized in that: A spring is sleeved on each sucker fixing rod (106), and the two ends of the spring are respectively connected with the lower end of the sucker fixing rod (106) and the connecting frame (105).

8. The packaging apparatus for implementing a mixed pack of cigarettes of different shapes according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lifting and combining mechanism (7) is used for receiving the cartons from the side pushing mechanism (6) or the direction adjusting mechanism (10) and combining the received cartons with the standard cartons on the chain conveyor (1).

9. The packaging apparatus for implementing a mixed pack of cigarettes of different shapes according to claim 3, characterized in that: The number of the suction cups (107) on the connecting frame (105) is a multiple of three.

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