Arrangement and method for conveying a product mass flow formed from rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement designed and configured to convey a product mass flow formed from rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry while maintaining the original structure and the original cross-section of the supplied product mass flow, comprising a first continuously and circulatingly driven conveying element for conveying the product mass flow in a preferably horizontal or slightly inclined transport direction T or TR, a second continuously and circulatingly driven conveying element for conveying containers in a horizontal transport direction T or TR.TR, wherein the two conveying elements have substantially the same conveying direction and the second conveying element for conveying the containers is arranged in a transport plane EU below the transport plane EO of the first conveying element for conveying the product mass flow, a plurality of discrete containers for receiving or dispensing portions of the product mass flow, and a channel formed by an overpass and an underpass for guiding the product mass flow from the transport plane EO into the transport plane EU or vice versa.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for conveying a product mass flow formed from rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry while maintaining the original structure and the original cross section of the supplied product mass flow, in particular with an arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, with the steps: continuously conveying a product mass flow in a preferably horizontal or slightly inclined transport direction T on a first conveying element in the transport plane EO, continuously conveying containers in a horizontal transport direction T on a second conveying element in the transport plane EU below the product mass flow and with essentially the same conveying direction as the product mass flow.

[0003] Such arrangements and methods are used in the tobacco processing industry. In the tobacco processing industry, which also includes the processing, treatment and manufacture of non-tobacco-containing articles, product mass flows consisting of rod-shaped articles, in particular cigarettes and filters, are conveyed. Such usually multi-layered or multi-ply product mass flows are formed, for example, at the outlet of so-called makers for cigarettes or filters. The rod-shaped articles lie in the continuous product mass flow with their longitudinal axis perpendicular to the conveying direction. These product mass flows or parts thereof are to be discharged from the arrangement, temporarily stored and then fed back in again in order to decouple downstream processes. For this purpose, the product mass flow is filled in portions into containers which can later be emptied again.

[0004] Such arrangements are known under the term RTS ("Rod Transfer System") and are used to transport rod-shaped articles, such as cigarettes, filters, filter rods, and the like, in a multi-layer mass flow from a first station, such as a cigarette manufacturing machine, to a second station, such as a packaging machine. It may be necessary or desirable to first discharge or temporarily remove the product mass flow or parts thereof before transport to the destination station, for example in order to carry out certain processing steps (such as curing, drying, or the like) and / or to compensate for temporary or permanent performance differences between a manufacturing machine and a further processing machine. For this purpose, so-called tray fillers and / or tray emptyers have previously been assigned to the arrangement.In conventional arrangements, the rod-shaped articles are removed from the product mass flow via the tray fillers and filled into trays. The articles are returned from the trays to the arrangement via the tray unloaders. Such solutions require considerable installation space and have a correspondingly large footprint. Furthermore, the articles are subjected to considerable stress during repositioning. Filling or emptying the trays, even overhead, can also result in so-called cross-flying, which at least impairs the transport process or even leads to an interruption.

[0005] GB 2 008 526 A discloses an arrangement in which the product mass flow is filled directly into containers or the product mass flow is formed from the articles. In this case, the product mass flow is more or less broken up during transport through the arrangement. If one considers the transport of the product mass flow in the direction of the containers to be filled, the height of the product mass flow, the so-called stack height, changes several times over when the product mass flow moves into the containers. In other words, there are considerably more articles stacked on top of each other in the containers than in the product mass flow. In the opposite direction of transport, the stack height is reduced several times over. The articles are therefore exposed to great stress due to the relocation on the one hand and the high stacking in the containers on the other.Since the containers used here contain many items stacked on top of each other and the containers are open at the front due to the process, there is a risk that individual items will slip out and subsequently protrude or even fall out during manual or automatic handling of these containers.

[0006] The existing arrangements and methods therefore have the disadvantage that the items sometimes have to be relocated several times for portioning, i.e., filling the containers, or to regenerate the product mass flow, i.e., emptying the containers. This means that the items are subjected to considerable stress. A further disadvantage is that the items are subjected to a drop height during relocation and / or are subjected to high accelerations and forces.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a simple and cost-effective arrangement that ensures gentle conveyance of a product mass flow. The object is further to propose a corresponding method.

[0008] A product mass flow within the meaning of this application consists of a plurality of rod-shaped objects conveyed transversely axially, with at least three rod-shaped articles always lying one above the other in a loose arrangement, touching one another, in particular without any gaps, and at least partially overlapping one another in the vertical direction. A product mass flow is further characterized in that the rod-shaped articles conveyed transversely axially touch one another, in particular are in at least linear contact via their respective lateral surfaces. A product mass flow is characterized, particularly in the case of curve-free conveying, in that the rod-shaped articles conveyed transversely axially are moved without relative movement in a hexagonal arrangement of at least three layers. In a product mass flow, the rod-shaped articles are arranged one above the other in several horizontal layers at all times, in particular with circumferential contact of the rod-shaped articles.

[0009] This object is initially achieved by the arrangement mentioned at the outset in that the channel and the containers are structurally coordinated with one another in such a way that the filling or emptying of the containers during the continuous transport of containers and product mass flow is ensured, wherein the containers are characterized by a base body formed from two side walls and two end walls pointing in the transport direction T or TR, as well as a bottom wall to form a receiving space for the rod-shaped articles, wherein the end walls are at least partially open, namely slotted, and wherein the underpass is designed as a slotted guide element and extends into the region of a bottom wall of the container, wherein the slot-like design of the guide element contributes to the slot-like design of the rod-shaped articles pointing in the transport direction T or TR.TR facing end walls of the container, in such a way that collision-free conveying of the containers through the guide element is ensured. Maintaining the original structure and the original cross-section naturally means that an essentially identical structure and an essentially identical cross-section are also included, since product mass flows can usually be subject to slight changes during transport. An identical structure and an identical cross-section can naturally not be achieved. Maintaining also refers to the continuous product mass flow at least on the inlet side of the first conveying element and the portioned / discretized product mass flow in the containers on the outlet side of the second conveying element being the same.In other words, the containers filled with articles represent the continuous product mass flow supplied, with the exception of the discrete division of the product mass flow by the end walls of the containers. In the context of the inventive solution, structure means that the position, packing density, packing height, orientation of the articles, and the layered arrangement of loose articles as article bundles remain fundamentally unchanged.

[0010] In this context, discrete containers describe containers that initially only subdivide the product mass flow, but ultimately retain its structure, shape, and size, subdivided only by the container walls. These containers, each of which replicates a section of the product mass flow, can be removed, stored, and subsequently reassembled into the original product mass flow form without relocating the individual items. By maintaining the product mass flow in its structure, i.e., in particular, in its formation or assembly, and in its cross-section, the load on the individual items, especially in the containers, is also reduced. The term "in a preferably horizontal or slightly inclined transport direction" with respect to the product mass flow refers to a substantially horizontal transport direction and a transport direction at an angle of less than 45°.With the solution according to the invention, so-called process memories for storing / buffering the product mass flow during container changes can be dispensed with. In addition to conveying / portioning the articles gently, the arrangement according to the invention is also simple, space-saving and cost-effective. Since the product mass flow flows into the containers according to the invention without significant rearrangement and at a constant stack height, a higher granularity is achieved compared to tray-based systems, which is advantageous for product tracking and the FIFO principle. With the inventive embodiment of the underpass, e.g. as a single or multi-slotted sheet metal and the appropriate design of the end walls, the underpass projects like a ramp into the conveying path of the containers, which can, however, virtually drive through the underpass due to the slot-like design of the end walls of the container.The product mass flow flowing out of the channel is gently deposited through the underpass directly onto the bottom wall of the container without any fall height.

[0011] The primary objective of the invention is to discretize / portion the product mass flow while maintaining the original structure and cross-section. However, the conveying of the articles within the arrangement can also be reversed. In other words, the filling of the discrete containers is also reversible by reversing the conveying direction of the two conveying elements, so that the arrangement results in the formation of a continuous product mass flow as the containers are emptied.

[0012] In a practical development of the invention, the conveying speeds of the two conveying elements and their velocity vectors are essentially the same. This ensures uniform and gentle filling of the containers during the transport of the product mass flow, on the one hand, and the containers themselves, on the other.

[0013] Advantageously, the containers are arranged flush with one another in the transport direction T or TR. Because the containers are flush with one another, the product mass flow can be placed into the containers extremely gently, virtually without changing its structure and cross-section.

[0014] In a preferred development of the invention, the conveying speeds and conveying directions of the second conveying element for conveying the containers and / or the first conveying element for conveying the product mass flow can be controlled and / or regulated. This development is particularly suitable for compensating for the volume change in the product mass flow caused by the end walls of the containers protruding into or dipping into the product mass flow, for example by driving the lower conveying element for conveying the containers slightly faster than the upper conveying element for conveying the product mass flow, at least during the actual filling process. This development can ultimately also achieve a transformation of the stack height if the fill level in the containers is not to be identical to the stack height of the supplied product mass flow.Advantageously, detection means for detecting the volume flow are arranged in the region of the first conveying element for conveying the product mass flow, preferably in the region of the overhead guide. This allows for even better control of the conveying and / or discretization or portioning and / or formation of the product mass flow. In particular, the information from the sensor can be used to control the conveying speeds of the conveying elements.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper guide is optionally designed as a fixed guide, a fixed guide with an articulated flap on the outlet side, a fixed guide with a flexible element on the outlet side, or a drivable chain. This ensures that the product mass flow is guided gently, particularly during the transition from the upper transport level EO to the lower transport level EU. Furthermore, the geometric design and / or the weight of the upper guide can also control the fill level of the containers.

[0016] Advantageously, the conveying element for conveying the containers is associated with means for exerting a relative movement between a bottom wall of the container and the base body of the container formed by side walls and end walls. This allows the items of the product mass flow to be picked up, so to speak, without the items being subjected to a drop height. The relative movement allows the product mass flow to be easily discretized / portioned by immersing the end walls of the containers into the product mass flow.

[0017] In a further development of the aforementioned embodiment according to the invention, the means is designed and configured to lower the bottom wall of the container relative to the base body. With this design, the base bodies can be conveyed exclusively horizontally, while the containers are filled by gradually lowering the bottom wall. This process is particularly reversible with this embodiment.

[0018] In a further inventive development of the aforementioned embodiment, the means for raising the base body is designed and arranged relative to the bottom wall. In this embodiment, the base bodies of the containers are gradually raised, while the bottom wall continues to be conveyed exclusively horizontally. This leads to particularly uniform filling of the containers.

[0019] Preferably, the height of the container or the receiving space essentially corresponds to the height of the product mass flow to be portioned or formed, namely in particular 80-120 mm. Such a container, which is particularly adapted to the aforementioned arrangement, enables the discretization / portioning of the product mass flow with a consistent stack height. Such containers, which are at least partially closed on five sides, enable highly dynamic transport without articles slipping. Furthermore, the container according to the invention enables simple encapsulation, thereby improving the storability of the articles. Thanks to the aforementioned design, the containers can also be stored upside down when empty, thus preventing contamination.Because the container according to the invention is closed at the sides and bottom, i.e., only open at the top, this prevents articles from protruding or falling out, improving process reliability. The closed design also allows the containers to be transported at significantly higher accelerations during automated handling.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom wall is designed to be movable relative to the base body along guides.

[0021] A practical development is characterized by the containers being designed to be vertically stackable. This ensures space-saving storage and, in particular, block handling.

[0022] Advantageously, at least one of the side walls is at least partially transparent. This improves monitoring of the discretization by an operator and / or optical monitoring systems. It can also be provided that the number and / or quality of the rod-shaped articles is recorded using an optical recording device.

[0023] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the two end walls are of different heights, and a guide rail is assigned to the free end of the shorter end wall. This design, in which the guide rail is preferably slightly higher than the longer end wall, supports the smooth and gentle filling of the containers by guiding articles directly onto the free edges pointing upwards in the direction of the product mass flow into the receiving space of the respective container.

[0024] The object is also achieved by a method which is characterized by the steps: filling the discrete containers during the continuous transport of containers and product mass flow via a channel which connects the upper transport level EO to the lower transport level EU, so that in the transport direction T the product mass flow is divided into predeterminable equal portions and filled into the discrete containers, wherein in order to discretize or portion the continuous product mass flow the empty containers are filled with the product mass flow during the conveyance by conveying the containers in a horizontal direction, immersing them horizontally in the product mass flow guided through the channel from the transport level EO to the transport level EU and being filled during this.

[0025] In a not claimed embodiment, in order to discretize or portion the continuous product mass flow, the empty containers are filled with the product mass flow during conveyance by depositing the continuous product mass flow through the channel from the conveyance level EO onto the initially raised bottom walls of the containers moving in the conveyance direction T and conveying it along with the container, and then lowering the bottom walls until the bottom walls are located approximately in the lower conveyance level EU, wherein the containers continue to be conveyed horizontally while the bottom walls are lowered.

[0026] In a further unclaimed embodiment, in order to discretize or portion the continuous product mass flow, the empty containers are filled with the product mass flow during conveyance by depositing and carrying the continuous product mass flow through the channel from the transport plane EO onto the bottom walls in the transport plane EU, which move in the transport direction T, and then lifting the base bodies of the containers so that the end walls of the base body dip into the continuous product mass flow lying on the bottom wall and discretize or portion it.

[0027] The advantages resulting from the aforementioned method steps have already been described in detail in connection with the arrangement according to the invention, which is particularly suitable for implementing the method. Therefore, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the relevant passages. Further useful and / or advantageous features and developments as well as method steps emerge from the subclaims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments and method steps are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention in side view, Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a container which is connected to the arrangement according to Figure 1 Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an underpass for arrangement according to Figure 1, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention in side view, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a means for lowering the bottom walls of the containers in the arrangement according to Figure 4 , Fig. 6 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention in side view, Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a means for lifting base bodies of the containers in the arrangement according to Figure 6 , Fig. 8 a greatly enlarged view of a section of a further embodiment of the container, and Fig. 9 an enlarged view of the formation of the end walls of a container.

[0028] The arrangements shown in the drawing are used to convey cigarettes or filters as rod-shaped articles. During conveying, the continuous product mass flow can be divided / portioned into any number of equal portions in containers. In a corresponding and converse manner, the discretized / portioned portions can be converted back into a continuous product mass flow using the same arrangements. Of course, other rod-shaped articles from the tobacco processing industry can also be conveyed using these arrangements.

[0029] The Figures 1 , 4 and 6The arrangements 10 shown are designed and configured to convey a product mass flow 12 formed from rod-shaped articles 11 of the tobacco processing industry. The arrangement 10 comprises a first continuously and circulatingly driven conveying element 13 for conveying the continuous product mass flow 12 in a preferably horizontal or slightly inclined transport direction T or TR, and a second continuously and circulatingly driven conveying element 14 for conveying containers 15 in a horizontal transport direction T or TR, wherein the two conveying elements 13, 14 have essentially the same conveying direction and the second conveying element 14 for conveying the containers 15 is arranged in a transport plane EU below the transport plane EO of the first conveying element 13 for conveying the product mass flow 12.Furthermore, the arrangement 10 comprises a plurality of discrete containers 15 for receiving or dispensing portions 16 of the product mass flow 12 and a channel 19 formed by an overpass 17 and an underpass 18 for guiding the continuous product mass flow 12 from the transport level EO into the transport level EU or vice versa, wherein the channel 19 and the containers 15 are structurally coordinated with one another in such a way that the filling or emptying of the containers 15 during the continuous transport of containers 15 and product mass flow 12 is ensured.What is crucial in the arrangement 10 according to the invention is that it is designed and configured such that the product mass flow is conveyed, regardless of whether as a continuous product mass flow 12 on the upper first conveying element 13 or as a discretized product mass flow 20 formed from portions 16 of the product mass flow 12 lying side by side in containers 15 on the lower second conveying element 14, while maintaining the original structure and the original cross-section of the supplied continuous product mass flow 12. Both product mass flows 12, 20 have essentially the same structure, i.e. in particular the same formation or the same arrangement, and the same cross-section, at least when the product mass flow 12 on the conveying element 13 is compared with the product mass flow 20 in the outlet region of the conveying element 14.Optionally, the structure and cross-section of the supplied continuous product mass flow 12 are also maintained throughout the entire arrangement 10.

[0030] The conveying speeds of the two conveying elements 13, 14 and their speed vectors are essentially the same. This means that the conveying elements 13, 14 are preferably driven at the same conveying speed and in the same direction T or TR, wherein the transport planes EO and EU of the conveying elements 13, 14 are preferably directed horizontally and aligned parallel to one another. The conveying speeds can preferably vary within a range of + / - 20%, for example to form a product mass flow with a stack height of 100 mm from a product mass flow with a stack height of 120 mm, or vice versa. In a further embodiment, the conveying element 14 for conveying the containers 15 and / or the conveying element 13 for conveying the continuous product mass flow 12 can be controlled and / or regulated in their conveying speeds and conveying directions. This allows the fill level of the containers 15 to be individually controlled.Furthermore, the control and / or regulating unit enables simple switching between a filling process of the containers 15 and an emptying process of the containers 15. The containers 15 are designed and configured according to one of claims 16 to 21 and are described in more detail below.

[0031] Each container 15 is designed and configured to receive or dispense portions 16 of a product mass flow 12 formed from rod-shaped articles 11 of the tobacco processing industry and is preferably adapted to the arrangement 10 according to one of claims 1 to 11. Each container 15 comprises two side walls 21, 22, preferably parallel and spaced from one another, and two end walls 23, 24 pointing in the transport direction T or TR. The side walls 21, 22 and the end walls 23, 24 are firmly connected to one another to form a base body 25. Furthermore, the container 15 comprises a bottom wall 26 for forming a receiving space for the rod-shaped articles 11 or portions 16 of the continuous product mass flow 12 together with the base body 25. The base body 25 is thus only completely open when opened. The height of the container 15 or the receiving space essentially corresponds to the height of the product mass flow 12 to be portioned or formed.This is ultimately intended to ensure that each container 15 only contains portions whose height corresponds to the stack height of the product mass flow 12.

[0032] The end walls 23, 24 of the base body 25 are partially open. This means, in one example, that the end walls 23, 24 are vertically slit almost over their entire height, such that the container 15 can be conveyed through the assembly 10 without collision. A single slit is possible. In the embodiment according to Figure 2 Two slots are provided. The Figure 8 A further embodiment can be seen in which the end walls 23, 24 have a plurality of slots. The opening of the end walls 23, 24 can also have recesses other than slot-shaped ones. The end walls 23, 24 of the base body 25 can be slotted corresponding to one another (see, for example, Figure 8), so that the webs of an end wall 23 or 24 are each located within the slots of the end wall 24, or 23 of the adjacent base body 25. As a result, less volume is displaced when the end walls 23, 24 are immersed in the product mass flow 12, which is advantageous in terms of low relocation and low article stress.

[0033] Optionally, the bottom wall 26 can be designed to be movable relative to the base body 25, preferably along guides (not shown). The container 15 can have its own drive means for moving the bottom wall 26 relative to the base body 25. Preferably, however, the drive means are assigned to the conveyor element 14 for conveying the containers 15, as will be described further below. The containers 15 are preferably designed to be stackable vertically, i.e. one above the other or on top of each other. For this purpose, the containers 15 can have corresponding edges, noses, projections or the like, for example on the underside of the bottom wall 26 and / or on the edges of the side walls 21, 22 and / or the end walls 23, 24 facing the bottom wall 26. In further preferred embodiments of the container 15, at least one of the side walls 21, 22 is designed to be at least partially transparent.In particular, the side wall 21 or 22 facing the operator is designed to be almost completely transparent. In further embodiments, all side walls 21, 22 and end walls 23, 24 can be transparent.

[0034] The height of all side walls 21, 22 and end walls 23, 24 can be of the same height. In a preferred embodiment, at least the end walls 23, 24 are of different heights. Preferably, the leading end wall 23 or 24 in the transport direction T or TR is lower than the trailing end wall 24 or 23. The shorter end wall 23 or 24 is assigned a guide aid 27 at the free end facing the product mass flow 12. Figure 9Such a guide aid 27 is shown purely schematically, which preferably has a rounded, spherical peripheral surface so that articles 11 that may fall onto the free edges of the end walls 23, 24 are gently guided into the adjacent receiving space of a container 15. Preferably, the container 15 is designed and configured universally for use in all embodiments of the arrangement 10.

[0035] In order to be able to control and / or regulate the volume flows on the conveyor element 13, the fill level in the containers 15, and other aspects relevant for filling or emptying the containers 15 and / or forming a continuous product mass flow 12 even more individually and precisely, detection means 28 for detecting the volume flow of the continuous product mass flow 12 are arranged in the region of the first conveyor element 13 for conveying the continuous product mass flow 12. These detection means 28, for example sensors, are preferably arranged in the region of the overhead guide 17 on the inlet side of the channel 19. In addition to the signals from the sensors, clock signals from an upstream station can also be used to record the number of articles per unit of time.

[0036] The overhead guide 17 itself can be designed either as a fixed guide, as a fixed guide with an articulated flap on the outlet side, as a fixed guide with a flexible element on the outlet side, or as a drivable chain. The geometric design of the overhead guide 17 can vary, which can influence the fill level in the containers 15. The weight of the overhead guide 17 can also vary, which can also contribute to controlling the fill level of the containers 15.

[0037] Regarding the design of the underpass 18, there are several explicitly illustrated embodiments. In the arrangement 10 according to Figure 1 the underpass 18 is designed as a slotted guide element 29 (see e.g. Figure 3). The guide element 29 extends into the area of ​​the bottom wall 26 of the container 15. The slot-like design of the guide element 29 corresponds to the slot-like design of the end walls 23, 24 pointing in the transport direction T or TR, such that a collision-free conveying of the containers by the guide element 29 is ensured. The slots and the webs delimiting the slots are arranged offset from one another such that the guide element 29 can virtually comb through the containers 15. In the illustrated embodiment of the Figures 1 to 3The end walls 23, 24 each have two slots through which so-called prongs 30 of the guide element 29 can be guided. In each case, the guide element 29 is adapted to the shape of the opening, the recess, the slot or slots in the end walls 23, 24. In other words, the design / shape of the guide element 29, on the one hand, and the container 15 or the slot-like recess in the end walls 23, 24, on the other hand, fit together in such a way that the guide element 29, although it protrudes into the container 15 or the receiving space, does not hinder the continuous conveyance of the container 15.

[0038] In the case of orders 10 according to the Figures 4 and 6the underpass 18 is designed as a shortened guide element 31. The shortening expresses that the guide element 31 or its free end ends above the containers 15 conveyed underneath, such that the container 15 can be conveyed collision-free below the guide element 31. However, the guide element 31 extends just as in the embodiment according to Figure 1 up to the area of ​​the bottom wall 26 of the container 15. The shortened guide element 31 can be a simple sheet metal. However, other conventional guide elements can also be used. The underpass 18, i.e. all guide elements 29, 31 of all embodiments, can also be designed as driven belts or the like in order to convey the product mass flow 12 formed from the portions 16 of the containers 15 from the lower transport level EU through the channel 19 into the upper transport level EO.

[0039] As already mentioned, the bottom wall 26 of the container 15 is optionally designed to be movable relative to the base body 25. This design of the container 15 is particularly suitable for the embodiments of the arrangement 10 according to the Figures 4 and 6 of importance. The conveying element 14 for conveying the containers 15 is assigned means 32 for exerting a relative movement between the bottom wall 26 of the container 15 and the base body 25 of the container 15. These can be, for example, pneumatic rams 33. Other conventional actuating elements can, however, also be used. The rams 33 are optionally designed and configured to lower and raise the bottom wall 26 relative to the base body 25 of the container 15. Preferably, the rams 33 rotate with the conveying element 14. The rams 33 can preferably be controlled individually.

[0040] The method according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing: The method according to the invention is described by way of example in the transport direction T for portioning / discretizing the product mass flow 12.

[0041] The method is used to convey a product mass flow 12 formed from rod-shaped articles 11 of the tobacco processing industry while maintaining the original structure and cross-section of the supplied product mass flow 12. First, the product mass flow 12 is continuously conveyed in a preferably horizontal or slightly inclined (inclination preferably less than 45°) transport direction T on the first conveyor element 13 in the transport plane EO. The containers 15 are continuously conveyed in a (substantially) horizontal transport direction T on the second conveyor element 14 in the transport plane EU below the product mass flow 12, with essentially the same conveying direction as the product mass flow 12.The discrete containers 15 are filled during the continuous transport of containers 15 and product mass flow 12 via the channel 19, which connects the upper transport level EO with the lower transport level EU, so that the product mass flow 12 is divided into predeterminable, equal-sized portions 16 and filled into the discrete containers 15. After the containers 15 have been completely filled, the portions 16 in the containers 15 virtually identically replicate the product mass flow 12 lying on the upper conveyor element 13 in structure and cross-section, namely as a discretized product mass flow 20 lying in portions 16 within the containers 15 on the conveyor element 14, which is unchanged from the product mass flow 12 except for the end walls 23, 24 of the containers 15 that divide the product mass flow 20.

[0042] In the reverse order, i.e. reversibly in the transport direction TR, several of the containers 15 can also be emptied from the portions 16, forming a continuous product mass flow 12.

[0043] In the embodiment according to Figure 1In order to discretize or portion the continuous product mass flow 12, the empty containers 15 are filled with the product mass flow 12 during conveyance by conveying the containers 15 in a horizontal direction. The containers 15 are immersed horizontally into the product mass flow 12 guided through the channel 19 from the transport level EO to the transport level EU and are filled during this process. The immersion of the containers 15 is made possible by the fact that the end walls 23, 24 are vertically slit and the product mass flow 12 is guided on its underside through the suitably designed guide element 29 down to the base wall 26. The product mass flow 12 is thus gently deposited on the base wall 26 without any fall height, which is essentially conveyed further beneath the guide element 29 so that the containers 15 are gradually filled by the incoming product mass flow 12.

[0044] In the embodiment according to Figure 4In order to discretize or portion the continuous product mass flow 12, the empty containers 15 are filled with the product mass flow 12 during conveyance by depositing the continuous product mass flow 12 through the channel 19 from the transport level EO onto the initially raised base walls 26 of the containers 15 moving in the transport direction T and conveying them along with it. For this purpose, the means 32 have brought the base walls 26 into an upper position. Because the guide element 31 reaches as far as the base wall 26 in the transfer position, the product mass flow 12 is gently deposited on the respective base wall 26 without any fall height. The base walls 26 are then gradually lowered by moving the pistons 33 from an upper pick-up position to a lower filling position until the base walls 26 are approximately in the lower transport level EU, wherein the containers 15 continue to be conveyed horizontally while the base walls 26 are lowered.By lowering the bottom walls 26, the containers 15 are filled.

[0045] In the embodiment according to Figure 6In order to discretise or portion the continuous product mass flow 12, the empty containers 15 are filled with the product mass flow 12 during conveyance by depositing and carrying the continuous product mass flow 12 through the channel 19 from the transport plane EO onto the base walls 26 in the transport plane EU, which move in the transport direction T. The base bodies 25 of the containers 15 are then lifted by the plungers 33 from a lower waiting position to an upper filling position, so that the end walls 23, 24 of the base body 25 dip into the continuous product mass flow 12 lying on the base wall 26 and discretise or portion it. The containers 15 are filled by lifting the base bodies 25. It has proven advantageous to carry out the lifting movement of the base bodies 25 in two steps in order to achieve a uniform and, as horizontal as possible, surface of the product mass flow 20.During the first step, the base body 25 is raised approximately 85% of the total stroke, so that the end walls 23, 24 are not yet fully immersed. During this time, the surface of the product mass flow is leveled by a traveling chain or similar device, so that no mounds / accumulations can form above the immersed end walls 23, 24. In the second step, the remaining stroke of approximately 15% is carried out without using an overhead guide. This prevents individual items from becoming trapped between the end walls 23, 24 and the overhead guide.

[0046] The speed of the lower conveyor element 14, which is basically driven at substantially the same speed as the upper conveyor element 13, can be slightly increased, at least temporarily. An example of a short-term acceleration of the conveyor element 14 for conveying the containers 15 in the embodiment according to Figure 1lies in driving the containers 15 slightly faster as they pass through the end walls 23, 24 through the product mass flow 14 flowing out of the channel 19, in order to convey the area in which no articles 11 can be fed into the container 15, or the articles 11 would fall onto the free edges of the end walls 23, 24, as quickly as possible. Another example of a temporary increase in the drive speed of the lower conveyor element 14 for conveying the containers 15 exists in the example of the embodiment according to Figure 6 . Because the end walls 23, 24 dip into the discretized product mass flow 20, a volume displacement occurs compared to the continuous product mass flow 12. In order to create sufficient space for the dipping end walls 23, 24, the lower conveyor 14 is driven at least temporarily slightly faster than the upper conveyor element 13.

Claims

1. Arrangement (10) configured and adapted for conveying a product mass flow (12, 20) formed of rod-shaped articles (11) of the tobacco processing industry while retaining the original structure and original cross section of the product mass flow (12) being supplied, comprising a first conveyor element (13), driven continually and in a circulating manner, for conveying the product mass flow (12) in a preferably horizontal or slightly tilted transport direction T or TR, a second conveyor element (14), driven continually and in a circulating manner, for conveying containers (15) in a horizontal transport direction T or TR, wherein the two conveyor elements (13, 14) having substantially the same conveyance direction and the second conveyor element (14) for conveying the containers (15) being arranged in a transport plane EU below the transport plane EO of the first conveyor element (13) for conveying the product mass flow (12), a plurality of discrete containers (15) for receiving or dispensing portions (16) of the product mass flow (12), and a channel (19), formed by an upper guide (17) and a lower guide (18), for routing the product mass flow (12) out of the transport plane EO into the transport plane EU or vice versa, characterised in that the channel (19) and the containers (15) are structurally adapted to one another such as to guarantee that the containers (15) are filled or emptied while containers (15) and the product mass flow (12) are being continually transported, wherein the containers (15) being characterised by a main body (25) formed out of two side walls (21, 22) and two end walls (23, 24) pointing in the transport direction T or TR, and by a bottom wall (26) for forming a receiving space for the rod-shaped articles (11), wherein the end walls (23, 24) being formed in an open manner, namely being slotted, at least in part, and the lower guide (18) being in the form of a slotted routing element (29) and extending as far as into the region of a bottom wall (26) of the container (15), the slot-like configuration of the routing element (29) corresponding to the slot-like configuration of the end walls (23, 24) of the container (15) that point in the transport direction T or TR, in such a way as to guarantee that the containers (15) are conveyed by the routing element (29) without any collisions.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the conveyance speeds of the two conveyor elements (13, 14) and the speed vectors thereof are substantially the same.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the containers (15) are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T or TR so as to abut each other in a flush manner.

4. Arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the conveyance speeds and conveyance directions of the second conveyor element (14) for conveying the containers (15) and / or of the first conveyor element (13) for conveying the product mass flow (12) can be controlled and / or regulated.

5. Arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that detection means (28) for detecting the volume flow rate are arranged in the region of the first conveyor element (13) for conveying the product mass flow (12), preferably in the region of the upper guide (17).

6. Arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the upper guide (17) is optionally in the form of a fixed guide, a fixed guide having a hinged flap at the output thereof, or a fixed guide having a flexible element at the output thereof, or a drivable chain.

7. Arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that means (32) for performing a relative movement between a bottom wall (26) of the container (15) and the main body (25) of the container (15), said main body being formed by side walls (21, 22) and end walls (23, 24), are assigned to the conveyor element (14) for conveying the containers (15).

8. Arrangement according to claim 7, characterised in that the means (32) is configured and adapted for lowering the bottom wall (26) of the container (15) relative to the main body (25).

9. Arrangement according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterised in that the means (32) is configured and adapted for raising the main body (25) relative to the bottom wall (26).

10. Arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the height of the container (15) or of the receiving space corresponds substantially to the height of the product mass flow (12) that is to be portioned out or formed, namely in particular 80-120 mm.

11. Arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the bottom wall (26) is configured to be movable relative to the main body (25) along guides.

12. Arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the containers (15) are configured to be vertically stackable.

13. Arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that at least one of the side walls (21, 22) is configured to be transparent at least in part.

14. Arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the two end walls (23, 24) are configured to be of different heights, and a routing aid (27) is assigned to the shorter end wall (23 or 24) at the free end thereof.

15. Method for conveying a product mass flow (12) formed of rod-shaped articles (11) of the tobacco processing industry while retaining the original structure and original cross section of the product mass flow (12) being supplied, in particular using an arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, comprising the steps of: - continually conveying a product mass flow (12) in a preferably horizontal or slightly tilted transport direction T on a first conveyor element (13) in the transport plane EO, - continually conveying containers (15) in a horizontal transport direction T on a second conveyor element (14) in the transport plane EU below the product mass flow (12) and in substantially the same conveyance direction as the product mass flow (12), characterised by filling the discrete containers (15) while containers (15) and the product mass flow (12) are being continually transported via a channel (19) that connects the upper transport plane EO to the lower transport plane EU, such that in the transport direction T the product mass flow (12) is divided into predeterminable equal-sized portions (16) and filled into the discrete containers (15), wherein the empty containers (15) being filled with the product mass flow (12) during the conveyance, in order to discretise or portion out the continual product mass flow (12), by the containers (15) being conveyed in the horizontal direction and, in the process, horizontally entering the product mass flow (12) guided through the channel (19) from the transport plane EO into the transport plane EU and being filled during this process.