Stacking and lifting device for cartons of cigarettes

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of packaging automation equipment technology, and in particular to a cigarette stacking and lifting device, comprising: an input belt conveyor for receiving cigarette packs and conveying them to the end; a reciprocating lifting component disposed at the end of the input belt conveyor for lifting the cigarette packs layer by layer on the input belt conveyor; and a stacking limiting component disposed above the reciprocating lifting component for limiting the lifting of the cigarette packs and supporting them layer by layer to form a complete cigarette pack stack. This solution addresses the shortcomings of existing technologies in the stable and continuous production of multiple specifications of cigarette packs on the same line, achieving flexible, efficient, stable, and reliable stacking of multiple specifications of cigarette packs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of packaging automation equipment technology, and in particular to a cigarette stacking and lifting device. Background Technology

[0002] In the packaging and sealing process of tobacco products, the industry's equipment is gradually moving towards multi-specification compatible integrated design to meet the industry application requirements of precise traceability between cigarette cartons and packaging boxes throughout the entire process.

[0003] The original, early-stage standardized carton sealing equipment had a single structure and function, lacking the ability to adapt to multiple product specifications on the same production line. This made it difficult to meet the current diversified production needs, and it has been gradually replaced by a new generation of intelligent carton sealing equipment. This new generation of carton sealing equipment generally features multi-specification compatibility and the ability to independently complete carton sealing operations, and has now become the mainstream configuration in the industry.

[0004] However, existing new-generation box-sealing equipment still has significant shortcomings in practical industrial applications. Some equipment adopts a multi-unit linkage layout structure, which occupies a large amount of factory space. In addition, most equipment adopts a single core mechanism centralized operation mode, relying on the same set of box-folding and sealing stacking mechanisms to undertake all process tasks. The mechanism operation load is concentrated, and a single sealing mechanism needs to match the cigarette stacks produced by multiple cigarette conveying channels at the same time.

[0005] After the cigarette stacks are completed and output in the turnover baskets, the packaging mechanism still needs to perform multi-dimensional position adjustments based on the shape and size of different types of cigarette cartons. This includes multiple adjustments such as aligning the sleeve opening, matching the folding angle of the carton, and calibrating the sealing station. This long-term, high-frequency overall position adjustment not only exacerbates wear and tear on the mechanism but also restricts the production line's operating cycle time.

[0006] Due to limitations in the existing equipment structure and operating modes, the equipment struggles to stably and continuously produce multiple specifications of cigarette cartons under co-line conditions. Production sites often have to abandon multi-specification compatibility, limiting production to a single type of cigarette carton, failing to achieve true flexible production. This is incompatible with the tobacco industry's trend towards multi-variety, small-batch, and rapid-change production, and also hinders the improvement of the overall automation level and production efficiency of the production line. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention provides a cigarette stacking and lifting device to solve the problem of the difficulty in stable and continuous production of multiple specifications of cigarettes on the same line in the prior art, and to realize flexible, efficient and stable stacking of multiple specifications of cigarettes.

[0008] The present invention provides a cigarette stacking and lifting device, comprising: an input belt conveyor for receiving cigarettes and conveying them to the end; a reciprocating lifting component disposed at the end of the input belt conveyor for lifting the cigarettes on the input belt conveyor layer by layer; and a stacking limiting component disposed above the reciprocating lifting component for limiting the lifting of the cigarettes and supporting them layer by layer to form a complete cigarette stack.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the reciprocating lifting component includes a servo motor, a rocker arm, a connecting rod, a lifting seat, a vertical plate, a lifting plate, a slider, a slide rail, a detection plate, and a slotted switch; the slotted switch, the slide rail, and the servo motor are mounted on a frame; the output shaft of the servo motor is fixedly connected to one end of the rocker arm, and the other end of the rocker arm is hinged to one end of the connecting rod; the other end of the connecting rod is hinged to the lifting seat, and sliders are fixedly installed on both sides of the lifting seat, the sliders slidingly engaging with the vertically arranged slide rail; vertical plates are fixedly installed at both ends of the lifting seat, and a lifting plate is fixedly connected to the upper end of the vertical plate, the lifting plate being located on both sides of the input belt conveyor; the detection plate is installed on one side of the lifting seat, and the detection plate corresponds to the position of the slotted switch.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the upper surface of the lifting plate is lower than the upper surface of the input belt conveyor, and the width of the lifting plate is less than the distance between the input belt conveyor and its adjacent guardrail.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the stacking limiting component includes an adjusting shaft assembly, a cigarette length adjusting mechanism, a supporting mechanism, a cigarette width adjusting mechanism, and an outlet opening and closing mechanism; the adjusting shaft assembly serves as the support structure for the entire stacking limiting component and is mounted on a frame; the cigarette length adjusting mechanism is disposed on the adjusting shaft assembly and is used to adjust the length dimension of the stacking space; the supporting mechanism is disposed on the cigarette length adjusting mechanism and is used to support the cigarettes lifted layer by layer by the reciprocating lifting component; the cigarette width adjusting mechanism is disposed on the cigarette length adjusting mechanism and is used to adjust the width dimension of the stacking space; the outlet opening and closing mechanism is disposed on the cigarette width adjusting mechanism and is used to control the opening and closing of the stacking space outlet.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting shaft assembly includes multiple cross-shaped fixed shafts and multiple double-hole optical axis cross clamps; the double-hole optical axis cross clamps fix the cross-shaped fixed shafts in a shaft-hugging manner.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cigarette length adjustment mechanism includes a cigarette length adjustment base plate, a cigarette length adjustment slide rail, a cigarette length adjustment slider, a cigarette length adjustment sliding plate, a cigarette length adjustment frame, a cigarette length adjustment handle, two connecting rods, and a central torsion plate; both ends of the cigarette length adjustment base plate are fixed to the adjustment shaft assembly, and two parallel cigarette length adjustment slide rails are fixedly installed at the bottom of the cigarette length adjustment base plate; the cigarette length adjustment slider is slidably fitted on the cigarette length adjustment slide rails, and the cigarette length adjustment slider is fixedly installed on the cigarette length adjustment sliding plate; the cigarette length adjustment handle is rotatably installed on the cigarette length adjustment base plate, and the lower end of the cigarette length adjustment handle is connected to the cigarette length adjustment sliding plate on one side; the central torsion plate is rotatably installed in the middle of the cigarette length adjustment base plate, one end of each of the two connecting rods is hinged to both ends of the central torsion plate, and the other ends of the two connecting rods are hinged to the cigarette length adjustment sliding plates on both sides; the cigarette length adjustment frame is fixedly installed on the cigarette length adjustment sliding plate.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the supporting mechanism includes multiple sets of parallel-arranged rotating shafts, multiple ratchet blocks, multiple tension springs, and multiple hooks; the rotating shafts are fixed in parallel on the cigarette length adjustment frame, and at least one ratchet block is rotatably mounted on each rotating shaft; two tension springs are hung on each ratchet block, and the other end of the tension spring is hung on a hook on the cigarette length adjustment frame; a supporting space for the cigarette is formed between two corresponding ratchet blocks on both sides of the cigarette length adjustment frame.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cigarette width adjustment mechanism includes a cigarette fixing positioning plate, a cigarette width adjusting positioning plate, a cigarette width adjusting handle, a cigarette width adjusting slider, and a cigarette width adjusting slide rail; the cigarette fixing positioning plate is fixedly installed on a cigarette length adjusting frame on one side; the cigarette width adjusting slide rail is fixedly installed on the cigarette length adjusting frame, the cigarette width adjusting slider slides in sliding engagement with the cigarette width adjusting slide rail, and the cigarette width adjusting positioning plate is fixedly installed on the cigarette width adjusting slider; the cigarette width adjusting handle is rotatably installed on the cigarette length adjusting frame, and the cigarette width adjusting handle is drively connected to the cigarette width adjusting positioning plate.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the outlet opening and closing mechanism includes two sets of outlet opening and closing cylinders and two outlet opening and closing plates; the two sets of outlet opening and closing cylinders are respectively mounted on the cigarette fixing positioning plate and the cigarette width adjusting positioning plate; the two outlet opening and closing plates are respectively hinged to the cigarette fixing positioning plate and the cigarette width adjusting positioning plate, and the piston rod of the outlet opening and closing cylinder is hinged to the outlet opening and closing plate.

[0017] The cigarette stacking and lifting device provided by this invention utilizes a coordinated operation of an input conveyor belt, a reciprocating lifting component, and a stacking limiting component. The input conveyor belt transports the cigarettes to the end, the reciprocating lifting component collects and lifts the cigarettes layer by layer to the required quantity for a single layer, and the stacking limiting component precisely positions and supports each layer of cigarettes. In subsequent lifting actions, the layers are stacked to form a complete cigarette stack. This structure avoids the high load and frequent mechanical adjustments required by traditional equipment that relies on a single centralized packaging mechanism to complete all stacking and adjustment tasks. It achieves modular and standardized control of the cigarette stacking process, effectively improving the equipment's compatibility with different specifications of cigarettes and supporting flexible production needs for multiple varieties, small batches, and rapid changeover. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the cigarette stacking and lifting device provided by the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the reciprocating lifting component provided by the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the supporting mechanism provided by the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the stacking limiting component of the cigarette stacking lifting device provided by the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 This is the second schematic diagram of the structure of the cigarette stacking and lifting device provided by the present invention.

[0024] Figure label: 10. Input belt conveyor; 20. Reciprocating lifting component; 21. Servo motor; 22. Rocker arm; 24. Lifting seat; 25. Vertical plate; 26. Lifting plate; 29. ​​Detection plate; 291. Slotted switch; 30. Stacking limit component; 31. Adjusting shaft assembly; 321. Cigarette length adjustment base plate; 322. Cigarette length adjustment slide rail; 323. Cigarette length adjustment slider; 324. Cigarette length adjustment sliding plate; 325. Cigarette length adjustment frame; 326. Cigarette length adjustment handle; 327. Center torsion plate; 33. Supporting mechanism; 331. Rotating shaft; 332. Ratchet; 333. Tension spring; 334. Hook; 341. Cigarette fixing positioning plate; 342. Cigarette width adjustment positioning plate; 343. Cigarette width adjustment handle; 351. Outlet opening and closing cylinder; 352. Outlet opening and closing plate. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0026] The specific terms used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the illustrated embodiments. For example, expressions such as "same" and "identical" not only indicate a strictly identical state, but also indicate a state with tolerances or differences in the degree of functionality. For example, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangement such as "in a certain direction," "along a certain direction," "side by side," "perpendicular," "centered on," "concentric," or "coaxial" not only strictly indicate such an arrangement, but also indicate a state of relative displacement by tolerances or angles or distances with the same degree of functionality.

[0027] The 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 used only for the convenience of describing the present invention 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 limiting the present invention.

[0028] Furthermore, features specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of those features. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. 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, B1 and / or B2 can represent: B1 existing alone, B1 and B2 existing simultaneously, and B2 existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0029] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0030] This invention provides a cigarette stacking and lifting device for a multi-specification flexible packing machine, which is an automated device integrating automatic receiving, lifting, and stacking functions. This device can flexibly adjust the stacking size according to different cigarette specifications (such as regular cigarettes, medium-sized cigarettes, and slim cigarettes) by quickly adjusting or replacing individual module components, achieving efficient compatibility for multiple product specifications. This effectively supports the flexible production needs of the tobacco industry.

[0031] The following is combined Figures 1 to 5 This invention describes a specific embodiment of the cigarette stacking and lifting device.

[0032] like Figure 1 and Figure 5As shown, this invention provides a cigarette stacking and lifting device, comprising: an input conveyor belt 10 for receiving cigarettes and conveying them to the end; a reciprocating lifting component 20, disposed at the end of the input conveyor belt 10, for lifting the cigarettes layer by layer on the input conveyor belt 10; and a stacking limiting component 30, disposed above the reciprocating lifting component 20, for limiting the lifted cigarettes and supporting them layer by layer to form a complete cigarette stack. Specifically, the input conveyor belt 10 continuously conveys single cigarettes from upstream to its end, where the reciprocating lifting component 20 at the end collects them one by one. When the collected quantity reaches a preset single-layer packing quantity, the reciprocating lifting component 20 moves upward as a whole, precisely lifting the entire layer of cigarettes into the stacking limiting component 30 above. The stacking limiting component 30 preferably has an adjustable set of 332 ratchet blocks inside, which can limit each layer of cigarettes laterally and longitudinally and stably support them. Subsequently, the reciprocating lifting component 20 returns to its original position and continues to receive the next layer of cigarettes. Upon lifting again, it pushes the new layer of cigarettes into the stacking limiting component 30, simultaneously lifting the already stacked upper layer of cigarettes upwards, thus achieving layer-by-layer accumulation and stacking. The downstream robotic arm or conveyor removes the cigarette stack for the sealing process, completing the operation cycle of this device.

[0033] In practical applications, the aforementioned cigarette stacking and lifting device can quickly adjust the spacing of the ratchet blocks 332 and the lifting stroke in the stacking limit component 30 according to the specifications of the cigarettes running on the production line (such as regular cigarettes, medium cigarettes, and slim cigarettes), either manually or semi-automatically. This allows for flexible adaptation of the stacking size without replacing the entire machine or core modules, significantly reducing specification changeover time. The device has a compact structure, allowing multiple sets to be arranged in parallel within a limited space, each connecting to different cigarette streams, effectively alleviating the operational bottleneck caused by the centralized operation of traditional single-set packaging mechanisms. Furthermore, due to its modular and lightweight design, the initial investment cost is low, and maintenance is simple.

[0034] like Figure 2As shown, according to a cigarette stacking lifting device of the present invention, the reciprocating lifting component 20 includes a servo motor 21, a rocker arm 22, a connecting rod, a lifting seat 24, a vertical plate 25, a lifting plate 26, a slider, a slide rail, a detection plate 29, and a slotted switch 291; the slotted switch 291, the slide rail, and the servo motor 21 are mounted on a frame; the output shaft of the servo motor 21 is fixedly connected to one end of the rocker arm 22, and the other end of the rocker arm 22 is hinged to one end of the connecting rod; the other end of the connecting rod is hinged to the lifting seat 24, and sliders are fixedly installed on both sides of the lifting seat 24, with the sliders slidingly engaging with the vertically arranged slide rail; vertical plates 25 are fixedly fixed to both ends of the lifting seat 24, and the lifting plate 26 is fixedly connected to the upper end of the vertical plate 25, with the lifting plate 26 located on both sides of the input belt conveyor 10; the detection plate 29 is installed on one side of the lifting seat 24, and the detection plate 29 corresponds to the position of the slotted switch 291. The reciprocating lifting component 20 uses a servo motor 21 as the drive source. Its output shaft is fixedly connected to one end of the rocker arm 22. When the servo motor 21 rotates, it drives the rocker arm 22 to swing. The other end of the rocker arm 22 is connected to a connecting rod via a hinge, and the connecting rod is then hinged to the lifting seat 24. This converts the rotational motion of the servo motor 21 into the linear reciprocating motion of the lifting seat 24 via the rocker arm 22 and the connecting rod mechanism. Slider blocks are fixedly installed on both sides of the lifting seat 24. The sliders form a sliding fit with the slide rails vertically installed on the frame, ensuring that the lifting seat 24 maintains stable and precise guidance during its up and down movement, effectively avoiding swaying or jamming. The lifting seat 24 has upright plates 25 at both ends. The upper end of the upright plates 25 is connected to the lifting plate 26, so that the lifting plate 26 is located on both sides below the outlet end of the input belt conveyor 10. During the lifting stroke, it can pass upward through the gap between the belt conveyor body and the cigarette guide rail, lifting the entire layer of cigarettes. In addition, a detection plate 29 is installed on one side of the lifting seat 24. The detection plate 29 moves synchronously with the lifting seat 24 and forms a position detection unit with the slotted switch 291 fixed on the frame. Specifically, when the lifting seat 24 completes its descent and returns to its initial low position, the detection plate 29 triggers the slotted switch 291 to provide a feedback signal indicating that the equipment is in a safe starting state before the next cycle begins. This prevents obstruction of cigarette delivery or cigarette jamming due to the lifting plate 26 not fully returning to its original position, thereby improving the reliability and safety of the system operation.

[0035] Furthermore, according to the cigarette stacking and lifting device of the present invention, the upper surface of the lifting plate 26 is lower than the upper surface of the input conveyor belt 10, and the width of the lifting plate 26 is smaller than the distance between the adjacent conveyor belt body and the cigarette guide rail. This structure allows the lifting plate 26 to be completely hidden in the gap of the input conveyor belt 10 in the non-lifting state, without interfering with the normal continuous conveying of cigarettes on the conveyor belt. When stacking is required, the lifting plate 26 rises from the belt gap to precisely lift the entire layer of cigarettes that has been placed in place. This layout not only ensures the smoothness of cigarette conveying but also avoids spatial interference between the lifting mechanism and the belt movement, improving the space utilization and compatibility of the equipment.

[0036] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, according to a cigarette stacking and lifting device of the present invention, the stacking limiting component 30 includes an adjusting shaft assembly 31, a cigarette length adjusting mechanism, a supporting mechanism 33, a cigarette width adjusting mechanism, and an outlet opening and closing mechanism. The adjusting shaft assembly 31 serves as the support structure for the entire stacking limiting component 30 and is mounted on a frame. The cigarette length adjusting mechanism is disposed on the adjusting shaft assembly 31 and is used to adjust the length of the stacking space. The supporting mechanism 33 is disposed on the cigarette length adjusting mechanism and is used to support the cigarettes lifted layer by layer by the reciprocating lifting component 20. The cigarette width adjusting mechanism is disposed on the cigarette length adjusting mechanism and is used to adjust the width of the stacking space. The outlet opening and closing mechanism is disposed on the cigarette width adjusting mechanism and is used to control the opening and closing of the outlet of the stacking space. Specifically, the stacking limiting component 30 adopts a modular design and is composed of the adjusting shaft assembly 31, the cigarette length adjusting mechanism, the supporting mechanism 33, the cigarette width adjusting mechanism, and the outlet opening and closing mechanism working together to form a flexible stacking space that can be quickly reconfigured. Among them, the adjusting shaft assembly 31 serves as the overall support frame, providing an installation reference for other functional modules. The cigarette length adjustment mechanism and the cigarette width adjustment mechanism respectively enable stepless or stepped adjustment of the stacking cavity in the length and width directions to accommodate different specifications such as regular cigarettes, medium cigarettes, and slim cigarettes. The support mechanism 33 automatically supports and releases each layer of cigarettes through the elastic ratchet block 332 structure, completing the layer-by-layer stacking. The outlet opening and closing mechanism controls the opening and closing of the stacking compartment outlet to ensure stable stacking process and smooth stacking action. This structure forwards and decomposes the complex multi-specification adaptation task of traditional centralized packaging systems into multiple independent, miniaturized stacking units. Each unit can independently complete the stacking operation of a specific specification, thereby significantly improving the adaptability of the entire line to multi-specification co-production.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a cigarette stacking and lifting device includes an adjusting shaft assembly 31 comprising multiple cross-shaped fixed shafts and multiple double-hole optical shaft cross clamps; the double-hole optical shaft cross clamps fix the cross-shaped fixed shafts in a clamping manner, forming a stable three-dimensional support frame. This connection method is not only convenient to install, but also allows for axial sliding adjustment at any position, achieving stepless adjustment of the installation point. This structure enhances the spatial alignment flexibility of the stacking limiting component 30 with upstream and downstream equipment (such as the input belt conveyor 10, carton sealing machine, etc.), facilitating rapid integration and adaptation to different production line configurations in multi-specification co-line flexible carton sealing machines.

[0038] Furthermore, according to a cigarette stacking and lifting device of the present invention, the cigarette length adjustment mechanism includes a cigarette length adjustment base plate 321, a cigarette length adjustment slide rail 322, a cigarette length adjustment slider 323, a cigarette length adjustment sliding plate 324, a cigarette length adjustment frame 325, a cigarette length adjustment handle 326, two connecting rods, and a central torsion plate 327; both ends of the cigarette length adjustment base plate 321 are fixed to the adjustment shaft assembly 31, and two parallel cigarette length adjustment slide rails 322 are fixedly installed at the bottom of the cigarette length adjustment base plate 321; the cigarette length adjustment slider 323 is slidably engaged on the cigarette length adjustment slide rails 322. The cigarette length adjustment slider 323 is fixedly installed on the cigarette length adjustment sliding plate 324; the cigarette length adjustment handle 326 is rotatably installed on the cigarette length adjustment base plate 321, and the lower end of the cigarette length adjustment handle 326 is connected to the cigarette length adjustment sliding plate 324 on one side; the central torsion plate 327 is rotatably installed in the middle of the cigarette length adjustment base plate 321, one end of the two connecting rods is hinged to both ends of the central torsion plate 327 respectively, and the other end of the two connecting rods is hinged to the cigarette length adjustment sliding plates 324 on both sides respectively; the cigarette length adjustment frame 325 is fixedly installed on the cigarette length adjustment sliding plate 324. The cigarette length adjustment mechanism preferably achieves synchronous adjustment on both sides via a handle drive: when the operator rotates the cigarette length adjustment handle 326, its lower end directly pushes the cigarette length adjustment sliding plate 324 on one side to move along the slide rail; this sliding plate drives the central torsion plate 327 to rotate via a connecting rod, and the central torsion plate 327 then transmits the motion to the opposite sliding plate via the connecting rod on the other side, thereby achieving synchronous movement of the two sliding plates towards or away from the input belt conveyor 10. Since the cigarette length adjustment frame 325 is fixed on the sliding plate, the length dimension of the entire stacking cavity changes accordingly.

[0039] Furthermore, according to a cigarette stacking and lifting device of the present invention, the supporting mechanism 33 includes multiple sets of parallel-arranged rotating shafts 331, multiple ratchet blocks 332, multiple tension springs 333, and multiple hooks 334; the rotating shafts 331 are fixed parallel to the cigarette length adjusting frame 325, and at least one ratchet block 332 is rotatably mounted on each rotating shaft 331; two tension springs 333 are hung on each ratchet block 332, and the other end of the tension spring 333 is hung on the hook 334 on the cigarette length adjusting frame 325; a cigarette supporting space is formed between two corresponding ratchet blocks 332 on both sides of the cigarette length adjusting frame 325. The supporting mechanism 33 utilizes the rotating shafts 331, ratchet blocks 332, tension springs 333, and hooks 334 to form a self-resetting supporting unit. Each set of ratchet blocks 332 is symmetrically installed on both sides of the cigarette length adjusting frame 325, and a cigarette supporting gap is formed between two ratchet blocks 332. When the reciprocating lifting component 20 lifts a layer of cigarettes upwards, the bottom of the cigarettes contacts the inclined surface of the ratchet block 332, forcing the ratchet block 332 to rotate inwards around the pivot 331, making way. After the cigarettes have completely passed the ratchet block 332, under the tension of the tension spring 333, the ratchet block 332 automatically springs back to its original position, supporting the bottom of the layer of cigarettes. When the next layer of cigarettes is lifted up, the above process is repeated. The new layer of cigarettes raises the entire stack of cigarettes, and the ratchet block 332 supports the bottom of the new layer again. This cycle completes the stacking of the entire stack. This mechanism does not require servo control or complex sensors. It can achieve reliable support and automatic reset through a purely mechanical structure. Furthermore, by adjusting the spacing of the ratchet blocks 332, it can quickly adapt to cigarettes of different lengths.

[0040] Furthermore, according to a cigarette stacking and lifting device of the present invention, the cigarette width adjustment mechanism includes a cigarette fixing and positioning plate 341, a cigarette width adjusting and positioning plate 342, a cigarette width adjusting handle 343, a cigarette width adjusting slider, and a cigarette width adjusting slide rail; the cigarette fixing and positioning plate 341 is fixedly installed on a cigarette length adjusting frame 325 on one side; the cigarette width adjusting slide rail is fixedly installed on the cigarette length adjusting frame 325, the cigarette width adjusting slider slides in sliding engagement with the cigarette width adjusting slide rail, and the cigarette width adjusting and positioning plate 342 is fixedly installed on the cigarette width adjusting slider; the cigarette width adjusting handle 343 is rotatably installed on the cigarette length adjusting frame 325, and the cigarette width adjusting handle 343 is drively connected to the cigarette width adjusting and positioning plate 342. The cigarette width adjustment mechanism can achieve lateral limiting of the stacking cavity through manual adjustment. The cigarette pack fixing positioning plate 341 is fixed to one side of the frame as a reference baffle, while the cigarette pack width adjusting positioning plate 342 is installed on the opposite side frame via a slider and slide rail, and is driven to move along the slide rail by the cigarette pack width adjusting handle 343. Rotating the handle allows for precise adjustment of the distance between the two positioning plates, thus accommodating cigarette packs of different widths. This structure is simple, reliable, and intuitive to adjust. Together with the length adjustment mechanism, it creates a stacking space with variable cross-sections, enabling a single device to be compatible with all specifications, avoiding frequent hardware replacements due to product switching, and effectively supporting flexible continuous production.

[0041] Furthermore, according to a cigarette stacking lifting device of the present invention, the outlet opening and closing mechanism includes two sets of outlet opening and closing cylinders 351 and two outlet opening and closing plates 352; the two sets of outlet opening and closing cylinders 351 are respectively mounted on the cigarette fixing positioning plate 341 and the cigarette width adjusting positioning plate 342; the two outlet opening and closing plates 352 are respectively hinged to the cigarette fixing positioning plate 341 and the cigarette width adjusting positioning plate 342, and the piston rod of the outlet opening and closing cylinder 351 is hinged to the outlet opening and closing plate 352. The outlet opening and closing mechanism, consisting of two sets of cylinders and two hinged plates, forms the movable door of the stacking compartment. Specifically, during the stacking process, the outlet opening and closing cylinders 351 keep the outlet opening and closing plates 352 closed, forming a relatively closed stacking cavity together with the side positioning plates and the length frame, providing stable support and lateral restraint for layer-by-layer stacking. The control system issues a command, and the two sets of outlet opening and closing cylinders 351 move synchronously, driving the outlet opening and closing plate 352 to flip outward and open, forming a channel to facilitate the downstream robotic arm or conveyor mechanism to smoothly remove the entire stack of cigarettes. This opening and closing action is fast and reliable, and seamlessly integrated with the stacking and inspection processes, ensuring the continuity of the entire production line and the level of automation.

[0042] The cigarette stacking and lifting device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a modular and highly adaptable front-end stacking unit specifically designed for multi-specification co-line flexible packing machines. Multiple completely independent stacking units can be arranged in parallel on a single production line, each corresponding to cigarette streams from different input channels. Each unit integrates an input belt conveyor 10, a servo-driven reciprocating lifting component 20, and a rapidly adjustable stacking limiting component 30 (including a support mechanism 33, a length / width adjustment mechanism, and an outlet opening and closing mechanism), enabling it to independently complete the entire process from cigarette receiving, layer-by-layer stacking, missing cigarette detection, and cigarette stack output.

[0043] Each stacking unit can quickly adjust the spacing of its internal ratchet blocks 332, the position of the limiting plate, and the number of stacking layers, manually or semi-automatically, according to the specifications of the cigarettes currently being produced (such as regular cigarettes, medium cigarettes, and slim cigarettes). This directly outputs a standardized cigarette stack with precise dimensions, regular shape, and stable position. This implementation method eliminates the need for frequent and complex mechanical adjustments to the back-end mechanisms such as box fitting, box folding, and box sealing. They only need to maintain a standard interface state to operate stably, reducing action delays and the risk of failure. This not only improves the overall production line cycle time but also enhances long-term operational reliability.

[0044] With its simple structure, convenient adjustment, and reliable support, this device can efficiently and stably process multiple cigarette pack specifications alternately or simultaneously on the same production line.

[0045] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cigarette stacking and lifting device, characterized in that, include: The input belt conveyor is used to receive the cigarette packs and transport them to the end. A reciprocating lifting component is located at the end of the input belt conveyor and is used to lift the cigarette packs on the input belt conveyor layer by layer. A stacking limiting component is disposed above the reciprocating lifting component to limit the lifting of the cigarette packs and support them layer by layer to form a complete stack of cigarette packs.

2. The cigarette stacking and lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reciprocating lifting component includes a servo motor, rocker arm, connecting rod, lifting seat, upright plate, lifting plate, slider, slide rail, detection plate and slotted switch; The slotted switch, the slide rail, and the servo motor are mounted on the frame; The output shaft of the servo motor is fixedly connected to one end of the rocker arm, and the other end of the rocker arm is hinged to one end of the connecting rod. The other end of the connecting rod is hinged to the lifting seat, and sliders are fixedly installed on both sides of the lifting seat. The sliders slide in cooperation with the vertically set slide rail. The lifting seat has vertical plates fixed at both ends, and a lifting plate is fixedly connected to the upper end of the vertical plates. The lifting plates are located on both sides of the input belt conveyor. The detection plate is installed on one side of the lifting seat, and the detection plate corresponds to the position of the slotted switch.

3. The cigarette stacking and lifting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The upper surface of the lifting plate is lower than the upper surface of the input conveyor belt, and the width of the lifting plate is less than the distance between the input conveyor belt and its adjacent guardrail.

4. The cigarette stacking and lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stacking limiting component includes an adjusting shaft assembly, a cigarette length adjusting mechanism, a supporting mechanism, a cigarette width adjusting mechanism, and an outlet opening and closing mechanism; The adjusting shaft assembly serves as the support structure for the entire stacking limiting component and is mounted on the frame. The cigarette length adjustment mechanism is mounted on the adjustment shaft assembly and is used to adjust the length of the stacking space; The supporting mechanism is installed on the cigarette length adjustment mechanism and is used to support the cigarettes lifted by the reciprocating lifting component layer by layer. The cigarette width adjustment mechanism is mounted on the cigarette length adjustment mechanism and is used to adjust the width of the stacking space. The outlet opening and closing mechanism is installed on the cigarette width adjustment mechanism and is used to control the opening and closing of the stacking space outlet.

5. The cigarette stacking and lifting device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The adjusting shaft assembly includes multiple cross-shaped fixed shafts and multiple double-hole optical axis cross clamps; The dual-hole optical axis cross clamp fixes the cross-shaped fixed axis in a clamping manner.

6. The cigarette stacking and lifting device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cigarette length adjustment mechanism includes a cigarette length adjustment base plate, a cigarette length adjustment slide rail, a cigarette length adjustment slider, a cigarette length adjustment sliding plate, a cigarette length adjustment frame, a cigarette length adjustment handle, two connecting rods, and a central torsion plate; The two ends of the cigarette length adjustment base plate are fixed on the adjustment shaft assembly, and two parallel cigarette length adjustment slide rails are fixedly installed at the bottom of the cigarette length adjustment base plate. A cigarette length adjustment slider is slidably fitted on the cigarette length adjustment slide rail, and the cigarette length adjustment slider is fixedly installed on the cigarette length adjustment slide plate. The cigarette length adjustment handle is rotatably mounted on the cigarette length adjustment base plate, and the lower end of the cigarette length adjustment handle is connected to the cigarette length adjustment sliding plate on one side. The central torsion plate is rotatably installed in the middle of the cigarette length adjustment base plate. One end of each of the two connecting rods is hinged to both ends of the central torsion plate, and the other end of each of the two connecting rods is hinged to the cigarette length adjustment sliding plates on both sides. The cigarette length adjustment frame is fixedly installed on the cigarette length adjustment sliding plate.

7. The cigarette stacking and lifting device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The supporting mechanism includes multiple sets of parallel-arranged rotating shafts, multiple ratchet blocks, multiple tension springs, and multiple hooks; The rotating shaft is fixed in parallel to the cigarette length adjustment frame, and at least one ratchet block is rotatably mounted on each rotating shaft; Two tension springs are attached to each ratchet block, with the other end of the springs attached to a hook on the cigarette length adjustment frame. The two corresponding ratchet blocks on the two sides of the cigarette length adjustment frame form a support space for the cigarette.

8. The cigarette stacking and lifting device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cigarette width adjustment mechanism includes a cigarette fixing positioning plate, a cigarette width adjustment positioning plate, a cigarette width adjustment handle, a cigarette width adjustment slider, and a cigarette width adjustment slide rail; The cigarette pack fixing and positioning plate is fixedly installed on the cigarette pack length adjustment frame on one side; The cigarette width adjustment slide rail is fixedly installed on the cigarette length adjustment frame, the cigarette width adjustment slider slides in cooperation with the cigarette width adjustment slide rail, and the cigarette width adjustment positioning plate is fixedly installed on the cigarette width adjustment slider; The cigarette width adjustment handle is rotatably mounted on the cigarette length adjustment frame, and the cigarette width adjustment handle is connected to the cigarette width adjustment positioning plate.

9. The cigarette stacking and lifting device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The outlet opening and closing mechanism includes two sets of outlet opening and closing cylinders and two outlet opening and closing plates; The two sets of outlet opening and closing cylinders are respectively installed on the cigarette fixing positioning plate and the cigarette width adjusting positioning plate; The two outlet opening and closing plates are respectively hinged to the cigarette fixing positioning plate and the cigarette width adjusting positioning plate, and the piston rod of the outlet opening and closing cylinder is hinged to the outlet opening and closing plates.

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