Modular controlled feeding system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular controlled feeding system (10), which prevents the entire packaging system from stopping due to accumulation in the buffer chamber, where cigarette tubes or similar cylindrical products are collected before being filled into packages with a capacity so as to receive a large number of tubes and prevents defective products from entering the package.

Description

[0001] MODULAR CONTROLLED FEEDING SYSTEM

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a modular controlled feeding system, which prevents the entire packaging system from stopping due to accumulation in the buffer chamber, where cigarette tubes or similar cylindrical products are collected before being filled into packages with a capacity so as to receive a large number of tubes and prevents defective products from entering the package.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] Cigarette tubes or similar cylindrical products filled with tobacco in cigarette making machines are filled in packages that have the capacity to receive many tubes in the subsequent step. The tubes coming out of the production line are collected in the buffer chamber so as to properly place the tubes in the packages, and then they are sent to the packaging system in an upright manner during this filling process. Tubes that do not descend vertically from the buffer chamber during the shipping process cause accumulation in the packaging system and as a consequence of this accumulation, the system is stopped, and the malfunction is tried to be eliminated. The downtimes caused by said accumulations cause loss of time in production and thereby increase in production costs.

[0006] In the state of the art, the products that cause accumulation fall into a chamber placed under the inlet part of the packaging system and are backed up here in the machine park where cigarette tubes or similar cylindrical products are produced, and the production flow is partially maintained. However, since the volume of this chamber, called a hopper, is very small, it fills up in a short time. Therefore, this backup duration is not sufficient to prevent the production flow from being interrupted.

[0007] A machine for packaging items such as cigarette tubes, consisting of a region where tubes from a feeding hopper are fed and a region where stacked tubes are placed in packing boxes is disclosed in the patent application numbered W02007060271A1 , which was found related to the subject in the preliminary research in the literature. The machine subject to the application has vertical channels, where the tubes already stacked in the packaging box are stacked in such a way that they are emptied from said vertical channels. Whereby the tubes are disposed inside the box in the desired stacking arrangement. The vertical channels are closed at the bottom by a collapsible cover sensitive to bending between a closed position for holding the tubes stacked in the vertical channels and an open position for unloading the tubes into a corresponding packing box arranged below the vertical channel. When the collapsible cover returns to the open position, a vacuum system is placed relative to the bottom of the vertical channels, which is applied via a perforated plate so as to keep the tubes in their stacked position and the perforated plate with the tubes stacked on top of it is lowered until the tubes are arranged inside the packing box.

[0008] In the embodiment revealed in the subject application, the tubes fed by the hopper move in free falling until they stop towards the collapsible cover located at the bottom of the vertical channels. It causes the tubes to oscillate during free falling movements along the vertical channels and thus can cause the channels to become clogged.

[0009] A machine for packing cigarette tubes, which solves the problem of free fall of cigarette tubes in vertical channels is disclosed in the patent application numbered ES2396522. The collapsible cover described in the application may tend to move vertically along vertical channels until it is arranged in a position near the feeding hopper, such as creating a stack of tubes at the desired height, as well as allowing controlled lowering of tubes in vertical channels. In addition to this, a perforated plate with a vacuum system is used so as to hold the tubes when the collapsible cover is removed and place them in the corresponding packaging box and in this case, they may be misaligned or deformed when they enter the packing box.

[0010] As a result, due to the abovementioned disadvantages, deficiencies, there is a requirement to make an innovation in the relevant technical field.

[0011] Aim of the Invention

[0012] The present invention relates to a modular controlled feeding system which fulfils the abovementioned requirements, eliminates all disadvantages, and brings some additional advantages.

[0013] The aim of the present invention is to reveal a modular controlled feeding system, which prevents the entire packaging system from stopping due to accumulation in the buffer chamber, where cigarette tubes or similar cylindrical products are collected before being filled into packages with a capacity so as to receive a large number of tubes and prevents defective products from entering the package. The aim of the present invention is to ensure that instead of stopping the whole system against blockages that may occur in the buffer chamber, the entire system is prevented from stopping by only stopping the area where the accumulation is seen.

[0014] The aim of the present invention is to reveal a feeding system that allows the modules to be stopped only in the area where the accumulation is seen since it consists of independent modules. Thus, other modules continue to operate, providing an uninterrupted flow of cigarette tubes or similar cylindrical products.

[0015] The aim of the present invention is to prevent time loss and cost increase due to accumulations.

[0016] The aim of the present invention is to prevent the entry of products with defective filter and / or tobacco content into the package.

[0017] In order to fulfil the above-mentioned aims, the present invention is a modular controlled feeding system which prevents the entire packaging system from stopping due to accumulations that may occur in the buffer chamber where the cigarette tubes or similar cylindrical products are collected before being filled into packs capable of holding a large number of tubes, comprises separation mechanism through which cigarette tubes or similar cylindrical products collected in the buffer chamber flow through its vertical channels to be conveyed to the packaging system, power and motion mechanism that provides the mechanical motion required for the operation of the feeding system, characterized in that, it comprises the following;

[0018] • beater module, which is bedded in the module bed so as to align the products flowing through the vertical channels,

[0019] • adjustment mechanism positioned between the module bed and the separation mechanism for transferring said mechanical motion to the beater module,

[0020] • module control mechanism, which includes a piston that controls the operation of the beater module, in line with the information received from the control sensors that detect that the side / defective cylindrical products do not flow through the vertical channels by positioning the same between the vertical channels so as to provide local intervention to the beater module against blockages in the feeding system,

[0021] • filter-loose-end control mechanism, which provides filter and loose-end control before packaging with its filter sensor and loose-end sensor, and comprises holding covers that open the flaps mutually and close the channel by means of the air coming from the air inlet so as to prevent the product from entering the package in case of detecting a defective product.

[0022] In order to achieve the aims of the present invention, the beater module comprises a beater that provides the necessary motion to regulate the products flowing in the feeding system by cooperating with male coupling element that enables the start and stop of the beater module and the pinion gear male coupling element that simultaneously transmits the received motion to the male coupling element to which it is connected, with the help of the hexagonal shaped space created in its internal structure so as to ensure the continuous operation of the feeding system by transmitting the motion initiated from a single motion source on top of each other.

[0023] The structural and characteristic features of the present invention will be understood clearly by the following detailed description and therefore the evaluation shall be made by taking the detailed description into consideration.

[0024] Figures Clarifying the Invention

[0025] Figure-1 : A perspective view of the feeding system of the present invention.

[0026] Figure-2: A front detail view of the separation mechanism and filter-loose end control mechanism.

[0027] Figure-3: A detail view of the module bed.

[0028] Figure-4: A detail view of the power and motion mechanism.

[0029] Figure-5: A detail view of the adjustment mechanism.

[0030] Figure-6: A detail view of the beater mechanism.

[0031] Figure-7: A detail view of the module control mechanism.

[0032] Figure-8: A perspective view of the module control mechanism with the beater module connection.

[0033] Figure-9: A front view of the pinion gear.

[0034] Figure-9A: A perspective view of the pinion gear.

[0035] Figure-10: A side section view of the beater module.

[0036] Figure-11 : A side section view of the separation of the male coupling element of the beater module and the beater.

[0037] Figure-12: A detail view of the filter-loose end control mechanism.

[0038] Figure-12a: A detail view of the holding cover.

[0039] Figure-12b: Another detail view of the holding cover.

[0040] The figures are not required to be scaled and the details which are not necessary for understanding the present invention may be neglected. Moreover, the elements that are at least substantially identical or have at least substantially identical functions are shown by the same number.

[0041] Description of the Part References

[0042] 10. Feeding system

[0043] 11. Separation mechanism

[0044] 111. Vertical channel

[0045] 112. Control sensor

[0046] 12. Module bed

[0047] 13. Beater module

[0048] 131. Male coupling element

[0049] 132. Pinion gear

[0050] 1321. Space

[0051] 133. Beater

[0052] 14. Power and motion mechanism

[0053] 15. Adjustment mechanism

[0054] 16. Module control mechanism

[0055] 161. Piston

[0056] 17. Filter-loose end control mechanism

[0057] 171. Filter sensor

[0058] 172. Loose-end sensor

[0059] 173. Holding cover

[0060] 1731. Air inlet

[0061] 1732. Flap

[0062] 174. Channel

[0063] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0064] In this detailed description, the modular controlled feeding system (10) is described only for clarifying the subject matter in a manner such that no limiting effect is created.

[0065] The present invention relates to a modular controlled feeding system (10), which prevents the entire packaging system from stopping due to accumulation in the buffer chamber, where cigarette tubes or similar cylindrical products are collected before being filled into packages with a capacity so as to receive a large number of tubes. In Figure-1 a perspective view of the feeding system (10) of the present invention is given. The feeding system (10) comprises the following in its basic structure; separation mechanism (11 ), through which cigarette tubes or similar cylindrical products collected in the buffer chamber flow through its vertical channels (111 ) to be conveyed to the packaging system, beater module (13) that is mounted in the module bed (12) so as to align the products flowing in the separation mechanism (11 ), power and motion mechanism (14) that provides the mechanical motion required for the operation of the feeding system (10), adjustment mechanism (15) that is positioned between the module bed (13) and the separation mechanism (11 ) so as to transfer said motion to the beater module (13), module control mechanism (16) that provides the necessary drive for the beater module (13) to operate and filter-loose end control mechanism that detects whether the filter is stuck in the cigarette before packaging and whether there is any spillage in the tobacco section (17). The front detail view of the separation mechanism (11 ) and filter-loose end control mechanism (17) is given in Figure-2, the detail view of the module bed (12) is given in figure-3, the detail view of the power and motion mechanism (14) is given in figure-4 and the detail view of the adjustment mechanism (15) is given in figure-5.

[0066] In Figure-6, a detail view of the beater module (13) is given. The beater module (13), which is placed in the module bed (12), aligns the products flowing on the separation mechanism (11 ) and transfers the same to a lower unit for packaging. The operation of the beater module (13) is controlled by the piston (161 ) of the module control mechanism (16) to which it is connected. Therefore, local intervention is provided to the beater module (13) against blockages in the feeding system (10). For this reason, only the blocked areas are stopped in the feeding system (10) and a continuous product flow is provided to the packaging section. In Figure-7, a detail view of the module control mechanism (16) is given.

[0067] In Figure-8, a perspective view of the module control mechanism (16) connected to the beater module (13) is given. Two beater modules (13) are preferably connected to each module control mechanism (16), and these two beater modules (13) are simultaneously controlled by a piston (161 ) of the module control mechanism (16). Male coupling element (131 ), pinion gear (132) and beater (133) that make up the beater module (13) transmit the motion initiated from a single source of motion (motor) on top of each other, thus ensuring the continuous operation of the feeding system (10). The male coupling element (131 ) is directly connected to the piston (161 ) and provides the start and stop of the beater module (13). The beater (133), on the other hand, operates together with the male coupling element (131 ) so as to provide the necessary motion to regulate the products flowing in the feeding system (10). The pinion gear (132), on the other hand, simultaneously transmits the received motion from the rack (not shown on the figure) connected to the motor (not shown on the figure) to the male coupling element (131 ) to which it is connected, with the help of the hexagonal shaped space (1321 ) formed in its internal structure. The front general view of the pinion gear is given in figure-9, perspective view is given in figure-9A.

[0068] It is detected by means of the control sensors (112) positioned between the vertical channels (111 ) that the side / defective incoming cylindrical products do not flow over the vertical channels (111 ) in the area where the accumulation occurs, the signal formed in the control sensor (112) is sensed by the piston (161 ) to which the control sensor (112) is connected. The piston (161 ) moves in the A direction (10 mm) with the compressed air coming to the piston (161 ) and the male coupling element (131) and the beater (133) forming the beater module (13) are separated from each other and the operation of the beater module (13) ends. The operator manually picks up and removes the side / defective cylindrical products from the relevant section. The restart button on the main panel is pressed and the piston (161 ) is activated again by eliminating the accumulation. The reactivated piston (161 ) is operated in the opposite direction, allowing the same to be moved in the B direction (10 mm and) the beater module (13) is started to operate again by combining the male coupling element (131 ) and the beater (133). The feeding system (10) can be stopped modularly by disconnecting only the male coupling element (131 ) of the beater module (13) and the beater (133) with the help of the piston (161 ) during the operation of the feeding system (10). In the meantime, the pinion gear (132) continues to operate continuously, regardless of blockages. In Figure-10, the side section view of the beater module (13) is given, and in Figure-11 , the side section view of the separation of the male coupling element (131 ) and the beater (133) of the beater module (13) from each other is given.

[0069] In Figure-12, a detail view of the filter-loose end control mechanism (17) is given. In case the cylindrical products flowing through the vertical channels (111 ) of the separation mechanism

[0070] (I I ) are cigarette tubes, the vertical channels (111 ) go through a second control by means of filter sensors (171 ) and loose end sensors (172) positioned to face each other at the outlet

[0071] (I I I ). Filter sensors (171 ) control whether the filter section of the cigarette tube is intact, while loose end sensors (172) control the amount of tobacco in the cigarette tube. The flaps (1732) of the holding covers (173) positioned opposite each other open towards each other and close the channel (174) with the help of the air coming from the air inlet (1731 ) of the holding cover (173) when a loose end or filter problem is detected in the cigarette tube with these sensors (171 , 172). A warning is sent to the main panel and the operator is warned with this closing action. The operator takes the defective product in the closed channel (174) and removes the same from the system. In this way, the defective product is prevented from entering the package. In figure-12a a detail view of the holding cover (173) is given, and in figure-12b, another detail view of the holding cover (173) is given.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, 13 independent module control mechanisms (16) and 26 beater modules (13) connected to 13 pistons (161 ) are used in the feeding system (10), 13 separate zones are formed on the feeding system (10). The number of zones can preferably be increased or decreased.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A modular controlled feeding system (10) that prevents the entire packaging system from stopping due to accumulations that may occur in the buffer chamber where the cigarette tubes or similar cylindrical products are collected before being filled into packs capable of holding a large number of tubes, and comprises separation mechanism (11 ) through which cigarette tubes or similar cylindrical products collected in the buffer chamber flow through its vertical channels (111 ) to be conveyed to the packaging system, power and motion mechanism (14) that provides the mechanical movement needed for the operation of the feeding system (10) characterized by comprising;• a beater module (13) that is bedded in the module bed (12) to align the products flowing through the vertical channels (111 ),• an adjustment mechanism (15) that is positioned between mentioned module bed (13) and the separation mechanism (11 ) for transferring said mechanical motion to the beater module (12),• a module control mechanism (16), which includes a piston (161 ) that controls the operation of the beater module (13), in line with the information received from the control sensors (112) that detect that the side / defective cylindrical products do not flow through the vertical channels (111 ) by positioning the same between the vertical channels (111 ) so as to provide local intervention to the beater module (13) against blockages in the feeding system (10), and• a filter-loose-end control mechanism (17), which provides filter and loose-end control before packaging with its filter sensor (171 ) and loose-end sensor (172), and comprises holding covers (173) that open the flaps (1732) mutually and close the channel (174) by means of the air coming from the air inlet (1731 ) so as to prevent the product from entering the package in case of detecting a defective product.

2. A modular controlled feeding system (10) according to claim 1 characterized by comprising; beater module (13) having a beater (133) that provides the necessary motion to regulate the products flowing in the feeding system (10) by cooperating with male coupling element (131 ) that enables the start and stop of the beater module (13) and the pinion gear (132) male coupling element (131 ) that simultaneously transmits the received motion to the male coupling element (131 ) to which it is connected, with the help of the hexagonal shaped space (1321 ) created in its internal structure so as to ensure the continuous operation of the feeding system (10) by transmitting the motion initiated from a single motion source on top of each other.

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