Processing plant for the production of products, and preferably smoking products.

Abstract

Processing plant (1) for the production of products and comprising: several machines (2), each comprising: a frame (4), several working elements (5) supported by the frame (4), and several actuator devices (6) supported by the frame (4), coupled to respective working elements (5) and using electrical energy; and at least one first electrical line (7) supplying energy to the machines (2); wherein the processing plant (1) is characterized in that it comprises several storage devices (9) which are each configured to store electrical energy, are coupled to a respective machine (2) and are configured to exchange electrical energy both with the first electrical line (7) and with the actuator devices (6) of the respective machine (2).

Description

Cross-reference to related registrations

[0001] This patent application claims priority over Italian patent application No. 102023000022959, filed on October 31, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0002] The present invention relates to a processing plant for the production of products.

[0003] The present invention finds advantageous application in a plant for the production and packaging of cigarettes, to which the following disclosure will refer without thereby losing generality. State of the art

[0004] A system for the production and packaging of cigarettes, such as the type described in patent application EP1587380A1, comprises a production line formed by several machines, with an output of a preceding machine connected to an input of a subsequent machine. The production line typically includes, from top to bottom, a cigarette-making machine (which forms the beginning of the production line and produces unfiltered cigarettes), a filter-applying machine (which receives the unfiltered cigarettes from the manufacturing machine and applies a filter to each cigarette), a packaging machine (which receives the cigarettes with filters from the filter-applying machine and packages them into individual packs), and a cellophane-wrapping machine (which receives the cigarette packs from the packaging machine and applies an appropriate transparent plastic wrapping to each cigarette pack).a cartoning machine (which receives the wrapped cigarette packs from the cellophane wrapping machine and packs them into individual cartons) and a cartoning machine (which forms the end of the production line and receives the cartons containing the cigarette packs from the cartoning machine and packs them into appropriate boxes).

[0005] Other examples of a plant for the production and packaging of cigarettes are described in patent applications WO3074361A1, EP1041006A2, DE3519580C1, EP1346651A1, US20080289642A1, EP0882411A1, EP2121449A1, EP1273541A2, US5209247A1, EP2004530, EP0261508A2 and EP0347586A1.

[0006] In recent years, there have been increasing demands to reduce the environmental impact of processing plants, and for this reason, buildings housing processing plants are often equipped with a system for generating electricity from a renewable energy source, with photovoltaic panels being the usual choice. However, photovoltaic panels only generate electricity when exposed to sunlight, and therefore only produce electricity during daylight hours (and, as can be seen, the more intense the sunlight, the more electricity is generated).To try to compensate for the extreme fluctuations in electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic panels, an electrical energy storage system is used that stores the excess energy generated during the day and releases it during the night or periods of low solar production; overall, an electrical energy storage system combined with photovoltaic generation provides better control, flexibility, and efficiency when using solar-generated electricity, increases energy resilience, and contributes to a more sustainable energy future.

[0007] However, installing a properly functioning electrical energy storage system in a processing plant can be problematic because it requires a relatively large space that may be difficult to find (also due to the weight of the storage system), and also has a suboptimal energy efficiency if the electrical energy storage system is located relatively far from the electrical energy consumers.

[0008] Patent application WO2018069882A1 describes an industrial system comprising: an AC line that can be connected to a power source, an AC / DC converter connected to the power source via the AC line, a DC line downstream of the AC / DC converter, a critical load supplied by the DC line and comprising at least one DC / AC converter and an electric motor driven by the DC / AC converter, and an energy storage system that starts operating in the event of a failure of the AC line and comprising a flywheel, an electric machine connected to the flywheel, and a bidirectional AC / DC converter inserted between the electric machine and the DC line.The electric machine functions as a motor that turns the flywheel when the AC power line is available, and functions as a generator that is driven by the inertia of the flywheel when the AC power line is not available. Description of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to create a processing plant for the production of products that is free from the disadvantages described above and is at the same time easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0010] According to the present invention, a processing plant for the production of products as claimed in the attached claims is created.

[0011] The claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention and form an integral part of the present description. Brief description of the drawings

[0012] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein: • Fig. 1 a schematic top view of a processing plant for the production and packaging of cigarettes, designed according to the present invention; • Fig. 2 a schematic and perspective view of a machine of the processing plant Fig. 1 is; and • Fig. 3 a schematic view of an electrical system of a machine of the processing plant Fig. 1 is. Preferred embodiments of the invention

[0013] In Fig. 1 denotes the number 1 as a processing plant for the production and packaging of cigarettes as a whole.

[0014] The processing plant 1 comprises (at least) one production line formed by several machines 2, wherein an output of a preceding machine 2 is connected to an input of a subsequent machine 2 (possibly with the interpretation of a balancing storage unit that makes it possible to temporarily compensate for the speed differences between the machines 2).

[0015] In particular, the processing plant 1 comprises, from top to bottom, a manufacturing machine 2a, which produces flavor pieces based on tobacco (which forms the beginning of the production line), an assembly or filter-applying machine 2b (which receives the flavor pieces from the manufacturing machine 2a and produces the cigarettes by assembling the flavor pieces with the respective filter pieces), a packaging machine 2c (which receives the cigarettes from the assembly machine 2b and packages them into respective cigarette packs, and as an example in Fig. 2 is illustrated), a cellophane wrapping machine 2d (which receives the cigarette packs from the packaging machine 2c and applies a corresponding transparent plastic wrapping to each cigarette pack 1), a cartoning machine 2e (which receives the cigarette packs, which are covered, from the cellophane wrapping machine 2d and packs them into respective cartons), and a cartoning machine 2f (which forms the end of the production line and receives the cartons containing the cigarette packs from the cartoning machine 2e and packs them into corresponding boxes).

[0016] A balancing storage unit 3 is provided between the assembly or filter application machine 2b and the packaging machine 2c, which makes it possible to temporarily compensate for the speed differences between the machines 2b and 2c.

[0017] As in Fig. As better illustrated in Figure 2, each machine 2 comprises a frame 4 (a base) that rests on the ground and supports several working elements 5 (which perform the actual processing of the materials, resulting in the final product); generally, the frame 4 has a vertical front wall on which most of the working elements 5 are mounted. Each machine 2 also comprises several actuator devices 6 (which are located in Fig. 1 are illustrated schematically), which are supported by the frame 4, are coupled to respective working elements 5 and use electrical energy to carry out processes (such as driving a movement, heating and taking action).

[0018] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, and in a similar manner to the machines 2, the storage unit 3 also includes working elements 5 which are coupled to respective actuator devices 6.

[0019] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, the processing plant 1 includes (at least) one electrical line 7, which operates on alternating current, supplies all machines 2 and the storage unit 3 and begins in a main distribution board 8.

[0020] The processing plant 1 further comprises several storage devices 9, each configured to store electrical energy, coupled to a respective machine 2 (or to the respective storage unit 3) and configured to exchange electrical energy both with the electrical line 7 and with the actuator devices 6 of the respective machine 2 (or the respective storage unit 3).That is, each storage device 9 is configured to receive electrical energy from the electrical line 7 (when there is a “surplus” of electrical energy in the electrical line 7) and to release electrical energy into the electrical line 7 (when there is a “deficiency” of electrical energy in the electrical line 7); furthermore, each storage device 9 is configured to release electrical energy to the actuator devices 6 (when the actuator devices 6 operate as motors, converting electrical energy into mechanical energy) and to receive electrical energy from the actuator devices 6 (when the actuator devices 6 operate as generators during a braking process, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy).

[0021] According to one possible embodiment, the storage devices 9 are housed within the frames 4 of the respective machines 2 and the storage unit 3 (specifically, the storage devices 9 are located inside the frames 4 of the respective machines 2 and the storage unit 3) and / or the storage devices 9 are housed above the frames 4 of the respective machines 2 and the storage unit 3 (specifically, the storage devices 9 are supported on the upper wall of the frames 4 of the respective machines 2 and the storage unit 3); in this way, the presence of the storage devices 9 does not increase the overall dimensions of the machines 2 and the storage unit 3. Alternatively, the storage devices 9 could be arranged next to the frames 4 of the respective machines 2 and the storage unit 3.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the storage devices 9 use electrochemical cells; however, according to other embodiments, the storage devices 9 may use other methods to store energy.

[0023] According to one possible embodiment, illustrated in the accompanying figures, the processing plant 1 comprises an electrical line 10, which is independent and separate from the electrical line 7, operates with direct current, and connects the storage devices 9. The electrical line 10 enables the storage devices 9 to exchange electrical energy with each other in the form of direct current and therefore does not have to undergo a double conversion (from direct current to alternating current and therefore from alternating current to direct current).

[0024] The electrical line 10 can be connected to a system 11 for generating electrical energy that uses renewable energy sources, such as an electrical energy generation system that uses photovoltaic panels or an electrical energy generation system that uses wind generators.

[0025] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 3, each machine 2 (and likewise the storage unit 3) comprises an electrical energy system 12, which is connected to the AC electrical line 7 by means of a bidirectional AC / DC converter 13 (which can specifically convert both AC electrical energy into DC electrical energy and DC electrical energy into AC electrical energy). The storage device 9 is connected to the DC side of the electrical energy system 12 (specifically downstream of the converter 13) and is also connected to the AC electrical line 10.

[0026] As in Fig.Figure 1 illustrates this. A control unit 14 is also provided, which manages the flow of electrical energy into and out of the storage device 9: typically, the storage devices 9 are activated to store electrical energy when there is a "surplus" of electrical energy and are activated to release electrical energy when there is a "shortage" of electrical energy; the transfer of electrical energy can take place between (at least) one storage device 9 and the AC electrical line 7, it can take place (alternatively or simultaneously) via the DC electrical line 10 directly between (at least) two storage devices 9, and it can take place (alternatively or simultaneously) via the DC electrical line 10 between (at least) one storage device 9 and the generation system 11.

[0027] For example, a machine 2 (and the storage unit 3) may have a rated power on the order of 10-20 kW, while a storage device 9 may have a capacity to store electrical energy equal to at least one operating hour of the respective machine 2 (or the respective storage unit 3) at the rated power (and therefore corresponds to several hours of actual operation), and may therefore have a capacity to store electrical energy on the order of 10-50 kWh.

[0028] According to one possible embodiment, the electrical line 7 and / or the electrical line 10 (if provided) can be designed to run along conveying devices that connect the machines 2 (and the storage unit 3) to each other in order to transfer the products from a preceding machine 2 to a subsequent machine 2.

[0029] In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying figures, the processing plant 1 has a single production line; according to other embodiments, which are not illustrated, the processing plant 1 may include several production lines, each generally containing its own electrical line 7 originating at the main distribution panel 8. In the case of multiple production lines, the exchange of electrical energy between the production lines is common, since on average at least one production line is frequently in standby mode (due to shift changes, maintenance or cleaning, brand changes, etc.).

[0030] The embodiments described here can be combined with one another without deviating from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] The processing plant 1 described above has numerous advantages.

[0032] Firstly, the processing plant 1 described above enables a significant increase in long-term energy efficiency, since the capacity to store electrical energy is distributed precisely to where the electrical energy is consumed (thus minimizing the transport and conversion of electrical energy, which inevitably lead to energy loss).

[0033] Furthermore, the processing plant 1 described above enables a high capacity to store electrical energy with virtually no increase in the actual size, since the free space in the machines 2 (and in the storage unit 3) is used to accommodate the storage devices 9.

[0034] It is also important to mention that each machine 2 (and storage unit 3) has a built-in capacity to store a portion of the electrical energy required for its operation; therefore, the capacity of processing plant 1 to store electrical energy is consequently increased or decreased when a machine 2 (or a storage unit 3) is added or removed.

[0035] Finally, the processing plant 1 described above is easy to implement. List of reference symbols for the figures 1 processing plant 2 machines 3 storage units 4 frames 5 work elements 6 actuator devices 7 electrical line 8 main distribution boards 9 storage devices 10 electrical lines 11 Generation system 12 electrical energy system 13 converters 14 Control unit QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] IT 102023000022959

[0001] EP 1587380A1

[0004] WO 3074361A1

[0005] EP 1041006A2

[0005] DE 3519580C1

[0005] EP 1346651A1

[0005] US 20080289642A1

[0005] EP 0882411A1

[0005] EP 2121449A1

[0005] EP 1273541A2

[0005] US 5209247A1

[0005] EP 2004530

[0005] EP 0261508A2

[0005] EP 0347586A1

[0005] WO 2018069882A1

[0008]

Claims

Processing plant (1) for the production of products and comprising: several machines (2), each comprising: a frame (4), several working elements (5) supported by the frame (4), and several actuator devices (6) supported by the frame (4), coupled to respective working elements (5) and using electrical energy; and at least one first electrical line (7) supplying energy to the machines (2); wherein the processing plant (1) is characterized in that it comprises several storage devices (9), each configured to store electrical energy, coupled to a respective machine (2), and configured to exchange electrical energy both with the first electrical line (7) and with the actuator devices (6) of the respective machine (2). Processing plant (1) according to claim 1, wherein each storage device (9) is configured to receive electrical energy from the first electrical line (7) and to release electrical energy into the first electrical line (7). Processing plant (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each storage device (9) is configured to release electrical energy to the actuator devices (6) and to receive electrical energy from the actuator devices (6). Processing plant (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first electrical line (7) operates with alternating current. Processing plant (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4 and comprising a second electrical line (10) which is independent and separate from the first electrical line (7) and connects the storage devices (9) to each other. Processing plant (1) according to claim 5, wherein the first electrical line (7) operates with alternating current and the second electrical line (10) operates with direct current. Processing plant (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second electrical line (10) can be connected to a system (11) for generating electrical energy using renewable energy sources. Processing plant (1) according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the second electrical line (10) is configured to allow the storage devices (9) to exchange electrical energy in the form of direct current. Processing plant (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8 and comprising a control unit (14) configured to manage the flow of electrical energy into and out of the storage devices (9) such that the storage devices (9) are activated to store electrical energy when there is an excess of electrical energy and are activated to release electrical energy when there is a shortage of electrical energy. Processing plant (1) according to claim 9, wherein the transmission of electrical energy through the second direct current electrical line (10) can take place directly between at least two storage devices (9). Processing plant (1) according to one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the second electrical line (10) runs along conveying devices that connect the machines (2) to each other in order to transfer the products from a preceding machine (2) to a subsequent machine (2). Processing plant (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each storage device (9) has a capacity to store electrical energy equal to at least one operating hour of the respective machine (2). Processing plant (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one storage device (9) is housed in the frame (4) of the respective machine (2). Processing plant (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one storage device (9) is housed above the frame (4) of the respective machine (2). Processing plant (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the machines (2) are configured to process smoking products.

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