Storage device and machine for the tobacco processing industry

Abstract

The invention is a storage device (100, 101) of the tobacco processing industry, which is designed and configured to temporarily store groups of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, which are designed as blocks (70) and introduced into packaging material (73), comprising at least one channel (102) into which the blocks (70) can be introduced linearly one after the other, wherein the at least one channel (70) is designed to be sloping, so that the blocks (70) slide up to a stop (103) of the storage device (100, 101).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a storage device of the tobacco processing industry, which is designed and configured to temporarily store groups of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, which are formed as blocks and placed in packaging material.

[0002] The invention further relates to a machine in the tobacco processing industry for conveying, sorting, and packaging rod-shaped products from the tobacco processing industry. Devices for conveying rod-shaped articles from an input station to an output station are used in various industrial sectors, whereby the articles should preferably arrive in the area of ​​the output station in a complete and unbroken batch. In the tobacco processing industry, for example, cigarettes are produced in a production machine as the input station and transported in a continuous product or mass flow to the area of ​​the transport device. The mass flow is transferred from the transport device or conveyor device to a packaging machine as the output station.Since each package can and should hold a defined number of items that are grouped together in a lot or block, gaps on the conveyor are undesirable as they make filling the packages more difficult or delay them.

[0003] To avoid gaps on the conveyor system directly upstream of the packaging machine, a disordered, multi-layered mass flow can be transported to the packaging machine using a conveyor system, with the items being separated again before packaging. However, such multi-layered mass flows have the disadvantage of reducing the quality of the items. Furthermore, separating items before packaging is highly prone to failure.

[0004] Therefore, other methods and devices are known by which a single-layer, orderly mass flow can be conveyed. However, the mass flow can contain gaps for various reasons. For example, items, in this example cigarettes, can be sampled individually or in groups or, if appropriate quality control is in place, rejected due to a negative test result. Furthermore, a malfunction, particularly in the input station, can lead to defects in the troughs of transport elements or gaps in the single-layer mass flow. Therefore, various methods and devices are known by which the described defects or gaps can be closed or compensated.

[0005] US Pat. No. 5,366,064 A discloses a device comprising multiple receiving and / or transfer drums and a filling drum. In the event of a gap in the mass flow, multiple articles are fed by a transport element consisting of a receiving drum and a filling drum. Articles are ejected from the filling drum into a storage chute. A receiving drum located behind the storage chute guides the ejected articles to a transfer drum. The articles lie in receptacles on the transfer drum, from which they are mechanically ejected for return / transfer to the transport element.

[0006] From DE 10 2005 034 245 A1 a transport device for transporting a single-layer mass flow formed from rod-shaped articles from an input station to an output station is known, comprising a transport element with troughs for receiving the articles transversely to the transport direction, wherein the transport element is assigned a device for compensating gaps on the transport element, wherein the device comprises a filling drum and a transfer drum, wherein both the filling drum and the transport element can be brought into operative connection with the transfer drum.

[0007] In the production of rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, a continuous flow of products until the packaged final product is advantageous. To avoid interruptions, intermediate storage devices are often used, such as trays that can be temporarily filled with rod-shaped articles inserted into packaging material or can be filled directly with rod-shaped articles.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage device and a machine for the tobacco processing industry by means of which an efficient and safe flow of materials in the production of rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry up to the packaged product is possible.

[0009] This object is achieved by a storage device of the tobacco processing industry, which is designed and configured to temporarily store groups of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, which are introduced into packaging material, in the form of blocks, comprising at least one channel, into which the blocks can be introduced linearly one after the other, wherein the at least one channel is designed to be sloping, so that the blocks slide up to a stop of the storage device.

[0010] The storage device according to the invention allows for efficient intermediate storage of blocks of rod-shaped articles that are inserted into a packaging material, for example, an inner liner, in order to enable them to be further packaged. Preferably, the at least one channel is designed as a chute. The storage device preferably comprises a storage device configured as a first-in, first-out storage device. Such a FIFO storage device ensures that the blocks inserted first can also be dispensed first.

[0011] In the context of the invention, a block is understood to be a combined plurality of rod-shaped articles which are inserted into a packaging material, for example an inner liner, for example made of paper. The rod-shaped articles are preferably arranged parallel to one another in the block. In particular, the rod-shaped articles can be arranged in the block in one layer, two layers or three layers. In the context of the invention, a block can have two layers with, in particular an equal number of, rod-shaped articles, for example two layers each with 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 rod-shaped articles. In the context of the invention, a block can have three layers of rod-shaped articles, wherein in particular one layer can have a different number of rod-shaped articles than the other two layers, for example one article more or less.For example, a block can have three layers of 7, 6, and 7 rod-shaped articles, or three layers of 6, 7, and 6 rod-shaped articles, or another combination. The layers are preferably offset transversely axially from one another or lie exactly one above the other. With three layers, 5, 6, 5 or 6, 5, 6 rod-shaped articles can also be provided, or a different number.

[0012] Preferably, the stopper is removable from the at least one channel for dispensing the blocks. For example, the stopper can be extendable, foldable, or pivotable. The removal of the stopper from the at least one channel can be automated and / or motorized. For example, a groove can be provided along the channel in which the stopper is movable. For example, the stopper can be folded or pivoted into this groove. In this case, the channel is free of any obstructions to the blocks, allowing them to be dispensed.

[0013] Preferably, a roller is provided, particularly preferably with cams, which interacts with the blocks to release them. This allows blocks to be removed from a channel in a targeted manner. The roller preferably extends over several parallel channels, preferably channels arranged in alignment with one another, so that with the movement of one roller, several blocks can be removed from the storage device, particularly simultaneously.

[0014] Preferably, the stop is designed to be linearly movable in the at least one channel. The movement is preferably along the channel, i.e., a longitudinal axis of the channel. This allows for gentle handling of the blocks and also allows for adjustment of the storage volume. When filling a channel with blocks, the stop can be continuously or at least partially continuously moved toward the exit at a predeterminable speed to ensure gentle deceleration of the blocks in the channel.

[0015] Preferably, several channels are provided, which are arranged in particular parallel to one another. This increases the storage volume of the storage device.

[0016] The memory device preferably comprises a memory module and a memory.

[0017] Preferably, an insertion selector is provided, by means of which the blocks can be inserted into a channel inlet of the storage device. The insertion selector can be pivoted vertically or laterally such that its output can be brought into operative connection with a predeterminable or selectable channel inlet of a channel or is aligned therewith. For this purpose, the insertion selector preferably has a pivot axis. The insertion selector can preferably also be referred to as a 3D storage shaft selector.

[0018] Preferably, each channel has a channel input.

[0019] If adjacent channel inlets are preferably arranged offset from one another in height relative to the longitudinal axis of a channel, in particular offset from one another in the shape of a circular segment, the transfer of the blocks into different channels, in particular channels at different heights, is reliably possible. The radius of the circular segment preferably corresponds to the distance between the pivot axis of the insertion selector and the channel inlets. The pivot axis is preferably a first pivot axis.

[0020] Preferably, laterally adjacent channel inlets are offset from one another relative to the longitudinal axis of a channel, in particular arranged in a circular segment. This also enables the transfer of the blocks to different channels, in particular to different adjacent channels, reliably. The radius of the circular segment preferably corresponds to the distance between the pivot axis of the insertion selector and the channel inlets.

[0021] The insertion selector preferably has a second pivot axis perpendicular to the first pivot axis. The distance between the channel inlets, which are arranged laterally offset from one another, and the second pivot axis corresponds to the radius of the circular segment. This also enables a safe transfer of the blocks into the channel inlets.

[0022] The storage device preferably has an ejection device, by means of which one block is or are conveyed out of a channel or one block is or are conveyed out of several channels. Preferably, one ejection element of the ejection device is provided for each channel, wherein the stop device can preferably also serve as an ejection element. For example, the stop device can be arranged on a conveyor belt that runs through the channel and initially serves to brake blocks that are introduced into the channel and to adjust the storage volume, in order to then push the blocks from the input side of the respective channel, for example, to discharge the blocks from the channel.

[0023] The ejection device can, for example, be a cam roller or a roller with cams. One roller with cams can be provided for each channel, or one cam roller or roller with cams can be provided for multiple channels.

[0024] Preferably, a damming section is provided upstream of the storage device, which damming blocks conveyed in order to compensate for possible gaps in blocks.

[0025] Furthermore, an acceleration device is preferably provided, which is designed and configured to deliver blocks at an accelerated rate into the respective channel entrance or toward the channel entrance. This makes it possible, in particular, to compensate for different gradients of a delivery element of the insertion selector, which are generated by different heights of the channel entrances.

[0026] Furthermore, an upward transport device is preferably provided, which is arranged upstream of the insertion selector and is designed and configured to convey blocks upwards and deliver them into the insertion selector. This enables stable transport of the blocks to the insertion selector and, in particular, allows gravity to be utilized to reliably fill the storage device's reservoir.

[0027] The upward transport device comprises, for example, a conveyor belt equipped with webs to allow the blocks to rest against it. It can also be provided to apply suction air to the conveyor belt so that the blocks adhere to the conveyor belt. A further conveyor belt running parallel to the conveyor belt can be provided to create a kind of upward chute between the two conveyor belts for the blocks, so that the blocks can be transported upwards with complete certainty and transferred to the infeed selector.

[0028] The introduction selector preferably has a conveyor chute as a discharge member, which is designed to be pivotable and can be aligned with the channel inlets of the channels of the storage device.

[0029] Preferably, an inner liner in a packing module is filled with rod-shaped products, for example heat-not-burn sticks, and sealed with glue. The rod-shaped articles placed in the inner liner are then transferred as blocks onto a conveyor belt, in particular with webs, of an upward transport device. The upward transport device in turn transports the blocks to a height of preferably between 2 m and 4 m, in particular 3 m. The blocks thus leave the usual construction space of a multi-segment maker, for example for the production of heat-not-burn products or filter cigarettes or multi-segment filters. At the top, the blocks are transferred to an insertion selector. This has the task of distributing the blocks to storage shafts, which in the context of the invention are also referred to as storage channels. When a channel is full, the insertion selector switches to the next channel. Care is taken to ensure that a FIFO principle is maintained.The slope of the channels is selected so that the blocks slide down by gravity. A potential blockage can be prevented by a tapping device attached to the reservoir. The blocks are then removed from the bottom of the reservoir and placed in a packer.

[0030] It can also be provided that, instead of first filling one channel and then filling another, the feed selector is controlled or switched so that the channels are filled as evenly as possible. In this case in particular, a packing device connected to the storage device could be operated so that blocks can be processed there in parallel. For example, two or three blocks can be taken from the storage device, i.e. from two or three channels, at the same time in order to process them so that they are packed together in one package. In this case, two or three blocks are then arranged next to one another in the package, for example. The number of blocks per package can also be four, five or six or even higher.

[0031] The infeed selector doesn't have to be directly connected to the upward transport device, but can be located somewhat further away. In this case, a transport path for the blocks is provided up to the infeed selector. For example, a distance of one to 20 meters can be provided.

[0032] The object is further achieved by a machine of the tobacco processing industry for conveying, sorting and packaging rod-shaped products of the tobacco processing industry, comprising a first conveying device which is designed and configured to convey a first single-layer mass flow of rod-shaped articles cross-axially and to convey a second single-layer mass flow of rod-shaped articles cross-axially, wherein a second conveying device is provided which conveys the first and the second mass flow in such a way that in the first mass flow, except for a predeterminable number of n empty spaces arranged one behind the other cross-axially, an uninterrupted flow of cross-axially conveyed rod-shaped articles with a number of axn articles is provided,and in a second mass flow, up to a predeterminable number of m cross-axially arranged empty spaces one behind the other, an uninterrupted flow of cross-axially conveyed rod-shaped articles with a number of bxm articles is provided, or if m = n-1, an uninterrupted flow of cross-axially conveyed rod-shaped articles, each with one empty space, with a number of bxm articles is provided, wherein in particular m = n or the amount of mn = 1 and / or a = b, wherein a packing device is provided which introduces a two-layer stack of n and m rod-shaped articles into a packaging material, wherein a storage device with a memory is provided which stores the articles introduced into the packaging material as blocks.

[0033] The machine according to the invention makes it possible to provide the tobacco processing industry with very efficient, safe blocks made of a packaging material, preferably an inner liner, and a predeterminable number of n and m rod-shaped articles, for example, heat-not-burn products. Particularly preferably, this machine is followed by a packaging machine that further packages the temporarily stored blocks.

[0034] Here, n, m, a and b are natural numbers. For example, n is between 4 and 12, in particular 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12. For example, m is between 3 and 13, in particular 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13. Here, m and n can be the same or different from one another. m and n are preferably predeterminable. The numbers a and b depend in particular on the manufacturing process for the rod-shaped articles. The less scrap is produced, the longer the sequences of cross-axially conveyed rod-shaped articles without gaps are possible, so that a and b can be large. A and b are in particular greater than or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, etc. Preferably, a and b are the same size.

[0035] Preferably, the machine of the tobacco processing industry comprises a storage device as disclosed above and according to the invention or preferred. Preferably, the packaging material is an inner liner. Preferably, a packaging machine is provided downstream of the storage device, wherein the blocks are transferred or can be transferred from the storage device to the packaging machine and can preferably be packaged there with a packaging material.

[0036] A method and a device are specified by means of which rod-shaped articles are conveyed and sorted efficiently and gently, so that the rod-shaped articles can be packaged in a resource-saving and safe manner.

[0037] One embodiment is a method for conveying a first single-layer mass flow formed from rod-shaped articles, in particular from the tobacco processing industry, wherein the rod-shaped articles are conveyed on a conveying device in a direction that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped articles, whereby the first mass flow is formed, wherein the method is further developed in that further rod-shaped articles, in particular from the tobacco processing industry, are conveyed on the conveying device in a direction that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped articles, whereby a second single-layer mass flow is formed, wherein on the conveying device the first mass flow is conveyed on a first track and the second mass flow is conveyed on a second track, wherein individual selectable rod-shaped articles are shifted or displaced from one track to the other track.

[0038] In the case where the rod-shaped articles in the first single-layer mass flow and the rod-shaped articles in the second single-layer mass flow are formed as double-layered or multiple-layered articles, it may be advisable to turn the rod-shaped articles of one of the two single-layered mass flows by 180°. Turning can occur before or after the aforementioned process.

[0039] This process allows the total number of rod-shaped articles conveyed by the two mass flows to be equalized. Preferably, the first and second tracks run parallel to each other.

[0040] Preferably, the first mass flow and the second mass flow run on paths parallel to each other.

[0041] Preferably, the individual selectable rod-shaped articles are shifted or relocated from one track to the other while maintaining the orientation of the rod-shaped articles. The shifting or relocating is preferably possible in both directions. The shifting or relocating preferably takes place in a longitudinal axial direction, i.e., in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped article to be shifted or relocated, in particular in a receiving trough of a conveyor element in which the rod-shaped article is conveyed transversely axially. It is possible to shift or relocate a rod-shaped article from the first track to the second track, or vice versa, in the receiving trough.

[0042] One embodiment is a method for conveying two single-layer mass flows formed from rod-shaped articles, in particular from the tobacco processing industry, which provides the following method steps: Conveying the rod-shaped articles in a direction which is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped articles on a conveying device, wherein on the conveying device the mass flows are each conveyed on a track which runs parallel to one another, wherein individually selectable rod-shaped articles are shifted from one track to the other track.

[0043] Preferably, the rod-shaped articles are displaced longitudinally axially, in particular preferably in a trough or receiving trough of the conveying device. In particular, the rod-shaped articles are arranged longitudinally axially one behind the other in the troughs, wherein an article of the first mass flow and an article of the second mass flow can be arranged in the same trough. There is also a combination in which an article is provided in one mass flow and an empty space or gap exists in the same trough of the conveying device. It can also be provided that empty spaces are present in the two mass flows at the same location, i.e. in particular in the same trough of the conveying device.

[0044] The conveying device can be designed as a balancing drum. Balancing the two mass flows can also be achieved on a balancing conveyor belt, with the conveyor belt having receiving troughs for the rod-shaped articles of the two mass flows.

[0045] Preferably, the selectable rod-shaped articles are moved into empty spaces. Within the scope of the invention, empty space is also understood to mean a gap.

[0046] Preferably, the shifting balances the total number of rod-shaped articles conveyed by the two mass flows. For this purpose, in particular, the total number of articles in one lane and the total number of articles in the other lane are calculated, and shifting or relocating the articles from one lane to the other lane ensures that the totals are as equal as possible. Preferably, the total number of rod-shaped articles conveyed by the respective mass flows is balanced. Preferably, the total is calculated over a predeterminable period of time and / or a predeterminable number of consecutive pickups for the rod-shaped articles.

[0047] Preferably, at least some of the voids in the mass flows arise from the exclusion of defective rod-shaped articles, which have been preemptively eliminated, in particular by inspecting the properties of the rod-shaped articles and determining that the respective inspected rod-shaped articles do not meet the desired standards. This creates the voids or gaps in the mass flows.

[0048] By balancing the total number of rod-shaped articles conveyed by the first mass flow and the total number of rod-shaped articles conveyed by the second mass flow, it is possible for the sets of rod-shaped articles subsequently assembled into blocks, with one set being formed from the first mass flow and the second set from the second mass flow, to be formed with a higher probability into a complete block for filling into a container, for example, the inner liner of a cigarette pack. Thus, significantly fewer rod-shaped articles are rejected during packaging.

[0049] Preferably, the rod-shaped articles in the two mass flows are monitored and counted, and if a threshold value of a different number of rod-shaped articles in the two mass flows is exceeded, the rod-shaped articles are shifted. For example, a threshold value can be two rod-shaped articles, three rod-shaped articles, or just one rod-shaped article.

[0050] Preferably, image recognition of the mass flows is performed, specifically across multiple rod-shaped articles of each mass flow, to enable more precise balancing. Instead of image recognition, mechanical detection, for example, via a sensor, optical detection, for example, via a light barrier, capacitive measurement, and / or microwave measurement of the rod-shaped articles can be performed to enable reliable balancing.

[0051] One embodiment of a sorting device has a base drum that receives a first mass flow and a second mass flow of rod-shaped articles. For this purpose, receiving troughs are provided, in each of which an article from the first mass flow and one from the second mass flow can be arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis. Sorting drums are provided that move rod-shaped products from a mass flow in such a way that a further transverse axial movement is superimposed in order to enable a trough offset of this rod-shaped article on the base drum. For this purpose, one sorting drum or the sorting drums have a trough-free area that serves to turn or rotate the respective sorting drum at a different speed than the transfer drum at the moment the trough-free area is opposite a transfer drum.This allows a transverse axial offset of the rod-shaped articles held in the troughs of the sorting drum to be achieved in the transverse axial direction.

[0052] Preferably, the sorting device is memory-free. In particular, no storage chute is required, enabling continuous operation of the sorting device, which significantly increases reliability and process speed.

[0053] One embodiment is a method for conveying a first single-layer mass flow formed from rod-shaped articles, in particular from the tobacco processing industry, wherein the rod-shaped articles are conveyed on a conveying device in a direction which is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped articles, as a result of which the first mass flow is formed, wherein the rod-shaped articles of the first mass flow are re-sorted by means of a sorting device such that a predeterminable number of consecutive gaps are provided in the first mass flow and a predeterminable number of consecutive rod-shaped articles without gaps are provided, wherein for this purpose a rotational movement of a first sorting drum is controlled such that it temporarily has a different peripheral speed than a transfer drum which can be brought into operative connection with the first sorting drum.To change the peripheral speed of the first sorting drum, a superimposed speed is added to the base speed. This speed is not constant, i.e., variable and preferably adapted to the conditions. This results in a temporarily different peripheral speed of the first sorting drum compared to the transfer drum. The transfer drum is preferably operated at a constant peripheral speed, which essentially corresponds to the conveying speed of the first mass flow.

[0054] Preferably, a rod-shaped article removed from a receiving trough of the transfer drum by the first sorting drum can be or is deposited into another trough of the transfer drum. This results in, in particular, a trough offset that can range from -10 to +10 troughs; in particular, the trough offset is up to -8 to +8 troughs, further preferably up to -6 to +6 troughs, further preferably up to -4 to +4 troughs. The invention, in particular, eliminates a deterministic assignment of a trough of the transfer drum to a trough of the sorting drum.

[0055] Preferably, when removing and / or delivering rod-shaped products from the transfer drum and / or onto the transfer drum, the peripheral speed of the first sorting drum substantially corresponds to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum.

[0056] Preferably, a trough-free area is provided on the circumference of the first sorting drum, wherein the peripheral speed of the first sorting drum differs from the peripheral speed of the transfer drum when the trough-free area borders the transfer drum. The trough-free area is preferably approximately 180°, i.e., half the circumference of the first sorting drum.

[0057] Preferably, the trough-free area is provided between 1 / 3 and 2 / 3 of the circumference of the first sorting drum.

[0058] Several trough-free areas can also be provided on the sorting drum, particularly on the first sorting drum. The sorting drum or the first sorting drum can be designed such that, for example, troughs are provided over a 90° circumference, followed by a 90° trough-free area, followed by another area with troughs over 90°, and then another 90° trough-free area. The trough areas, whereby here we are talking about two areas with troughs, can also extend over a section of 40° to 90°, particularly 50° to 80°. The trough-free areas are then provided accordingly over a larger section of the circumference.

[0059] In one embodiment, a sorting drum has a region with troughs and a region without troughs around the circumference of the sorting drum, with the trough-free region extending over between 1 / 3 and 2 / 3 of the circumference of the sorting drum, with the radius of the sorting drum being smaller in the trough-free region than in the region with troughs. Preferably, the trough-free region extends over between 4 / 10 and 6 / 10, in particular over 1 / 2, of the circumference of the sorting drum.

[0060] Preferably, the first mass flow is guided over a base drum, wherein the mass flow is conveyed for more than one complete revolution on the base drum. In particular, the transfer drum has a trough spacing that is as large as the trough spacing on the base drum, and in particular, the spacing of the rod-shaped articles conveyed to the base drum is twice as large as the trough spacing on the base drum. This makes it possible for the rod-shaped articles to complete almost two revolutions on the base drum, so that they can be manipulated, removed, and / or placed on the base drum at least twice.

[0061] The base drum preferably has an odd number of receiving cavities. The transfer drum preferably has an even or odd number of receiving cavities.

[0062] In particular, the rod-shaped articles of the second mass flow are re-sorted by the sorting device such that a predeterminable number of consecutive gaps are provided in the second mass flow and a predeterminable number of consecutive rod-shaped articles are provided. For this purpose, a second sorting drum is provided, which has the same functionality as the first sorting drum as described above and receives and discharges rod-shaped articles of the second mass flow. Re-sorting by the sorting device makes it possible to form sets of rod-shaped articles without gaps, which can later be pushed into containers so that a complete number of rod-shaped articles are placed in the containers.

[0063] If there are not enough rod-shaped articles in the mass flows, an empty block is created, i.e., the number of consecutive empty spaces or gaps in the first and second mass flows is provided that would allow a container to be completely unfilled. In this case, the used container can simply be discarded, so that no rod-shaped article needs to be discarded, or simply no container is provided, so that no empty container needs to be discarded.

[0064] Preferably, a rod-shaped article removed from one receiving trough of the transfer drum by the second sorting drum can be deposited into another receiving trough of the transfer drum. Here, too, the trough offset can be configured in the same way as when the first sorting drum interacts with the transfer drum. Here, too, the deterministic assignment is eliminated.

[0065] Preferably, when removing and / or delivering rod-shaped articles from the transfer drum and / or onto the transfer drum, the peripheral speed of the second sorting drum substantially corresponds to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum.

[0066] Preferably, a trough-free area is provided on the circumference of the second sorting drum, wherein in particular the circumferential speed of the second sorting drum deviates from the circumferential speed of the transfer drum when the trough-free area borders on the transfer drum.

[0067] Furthermore, the second mass flow is preferably guided over a base drum, wherein the second mass flow is conveyed for more than one complete revolution on the base drum, wherein in particular the transfer drum has a trough spacing which is as large as the trough spacing on the base drum, wherein in particular the spacing of the rod-shaped articles fed to the base drum is twice as large as the trough spacing of the base drum.

[0068] The base drum is thus preferably designed so that the first and second mass flows can be conveyed. For this purpose, the receiving troughs of the base drum preferably have a length that is at least twice as long as the rod-shaped articles.

[0069] Preferably, a first set of n consecutive rod-shaped articles is formed from the first mass flow, and a second set of m consecutive rod-shaped articles, where n and m are integers, is formed from the second mass flow as a block on a packing drum. In particular, the sets are arranged in a transverse axial alignment or in a substantially transverse axial alignment on the packing drum. m and n can be the same or different and can range between 5 and 14. For example, m can be 10 and n can also be 10. The exemplary embodiments are essentially explained using this example (number m, n = 10).

[0070] Preferably, the sets are arranged and / or conveyed in an increasingly aligned transverse axial direction on their way to the packing drum. As a result, the rod-shaped articles of the sets are increasingly arranged one behind the other in a transverse axial alignment, thus simplifying subsequent transfer into a container that is preferably rectangular in cross-section.

[0071] Preferably, the packing drum rotates at a constant base speed over which a variable speed is superimposed. This allows for the provision of edges between the sets and a faster rotation at the moment the edges are opposite to an adjacent drum.

[0072] Preferably, the sets of a block are arranged on two spaced-apart levels before being inserted into a container. Preferably, the first set is located on a first level and the second set on a second level, with the two levels essentially being spaced apart by a distance that is approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of a rod-shaped article. The levels are at different distances from the rotational axis of the packing drum.

[0073] Preferably, a block can be completely empty. This also preferably eliminates the need for a container into which the empty block would be inserted. This container, which would not be filled, can be removed from the feeder beforehand and later conveyed to the packing drum. Alternatively, a cycle that conveys containers toward the packing drum can be suspended.

[0074] Preferably, to insert a block into a container, the second set is first pushed longitudinally over the first set and then the block from both sets is pushed into the container.

[0075] Preferably, the container is a package, an inner liner, or a chamber of a chamber belt. If the container is a package, it only needs to be closed, and the package can be conveyed further. If the container is an inner liner, this filled inner liner is then pushed into a package, or a package is folded or formed around the inner liner. If the container is a chamber of a chamber belt, the contents of the chamber belt are then pushed into a package or an inner liner.

[0076] One embodiment comprises a conveying device for conveying a first single-layer mass flow formed from rod-shaped articles, in particular from the tobacco processing industry, and a second single-layer mass flow formed from rod-shaped articles, in particular from the tobacco processing industry, wherein the rod-shaped articles in the mass flows are conveyed transversely axially in a respective path which is further developed in that a conveying element with receiving troughs is provided which is designed to shift or displace selected or selectable rod-shaped articles from one path to the other path.

[0077] Preferably, a control device is provided which sends control signals to the conveyor member so that rod-shaped articles are moved from one track to the other track.

[0078] Preferably, a sensor system is provided that detects empty spaces and / or areas of the web or webs occupied by rod-shaped articles. The sensor system can enable optical detection, microwave measurement, capacitive measurement, and / or mechanical detection.

[0079] Preferably, the conveying member has receiving troughs, wherein a rod-shaped article of the first mass flow and a rod-shaped article of the second mass flow can be received in a receiving trough, wherein a rod-shaped article of the first mass flow and a rod-shaped article of the second mass flow are arranged or can be received one behind the other in a receiving trough in a longitudinal axial direction, wherein there is an empty space in the receiving trough for displacing a rod-shaped article into the path into which the rod-shaped article is to be displaced.

[0080] Preferably, the displacement is achieved by means of a compressed air blast. Alternatively, a ram could also provide the displacement. Preferably, however, a compressed air nozzle is provided, which is stationary and always generates a compressed air blast at the moment a rod-shaped article in the receiving recess moves past the compressed air nozzle and is to be displaced.

[0081] Preferably, a monitoring device is provided which detects or monitors the rod-shaped articles in the tracks, wherein the sum of the rod-shaped articles conveyed by the two mass flows is balanced by the displacement of the rod-shaped articles between the tracks. The monitoring device can count the number of articles in the tracks or the mass flows during detection or monitoring. For example, the monitoring device can be equipped with a photocell or a camera. If a camera is provided, image processing is used to determine which receiving troughs are occupied by rod-shaped articles and where there are empty spaces. The monitoring device detects the rod-shaped articles and empty spaces in the two mass flows, in particular upstream of the conveyor element on which the displacement of the rod-shaped articles takes place.

[0082] The conveyor element can also be designed as a compensating drum. Alternatively, the conveyor element can be configured as a conveyor belt with receiving troughs, on which elements are provided for moving rod-shaped articles.

[0083] Preferably, a testing device is arranged upstream of the conveyor element. The testing device checks at least one property of the conveyed rod-shaped articles and removes defective articles from the respective mass flow. In this context, a "defective" means a rod-shaped article that does not conform to a predefined standard or lies outside predefined tolerances. For example, a cigarette, as a rod-shaped article, could have an incorrect degree of ventilation or a head end from which too much tobacco has trickled out during transport or filling.

[0084] According to one embodiment, a conveying device is formed by a first single-layer mass flow consisting of rod-shaped articles, in particular from the tobacco processing industry, and a second single-layer mass flow consisting of rod-shaped articles, in particular from the tobacco processing industry, wherein the rod-shaped articles are conveyed in the mass flows transversely axially in one track each, wherein a sorting device is provided by means of which rod-shaped articles from one of the mass flows or both mass flows are or can be displaced transversely axially to a predeterminable number of receiving troughs.

[0085] One embodiment comprises a conveying device which is further developed in that a sorting device is provided which comprises a base drum, a transfer drum and a sorting drum, wherein the base drum has receiving troughs for receiving at least one web of rod-shaped articles in a single-layer mass flow, wherein the receiving troughs are arranged parallel to a rotational axis of the base drum, wherein the transfer drum is designed to transfer rod-shaped articles from the base drum to the sorting drum and to transfer rod-shaped articles from the sorting drum to the base drum, which is further developed in that a control device is provided which controls the peripheral speed of the sorting drum in such a way that the peripheral speed of the sorting drum is temporarily changed compared to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum.

[0086] By changing the peripheral speed of the sorting drum compared to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum, it is possible according to the invention to cancel a deterministic assignment of receiving troughs in the sorting drum to the transfer drum.

[0087] This makes it possible to offset rod-shaped articles held in the transfer drum by a predefined number of troughs. This makes it possible to arrange the rod-shaped articles conveyed in the base drum in such a way that a predefined number of rod-shaped articles are transferred consecutively from the base drum to a subsequent conveyor without a gap.

[0088] Preferably, the control is such that the removal of a rod-shaped article from the transfer drum and the release of the rod-shaped article onto the transfer drum occurs with a predeterminable trough offset. The trough offset is preferably between -10 and +10, in particular up to -8 to +8, in particular up to -6 to +6, in particular up to -5 to +5, furthermore in particular up to -4 to +4, and furthermore in particular up to -3 to +3 or up to -2 to +2.

[0089] The control device is further designed or configured such that when removed from the transfer drum and when placed on the transfer drum, the transfer drum and the sorting drum have the same or substantially the same peripheral speed.

[0090] Preferably, the removal or delivery of rod-shaped articles is assisted by a compressed air blast, in particular in such a way that the rod-shaped article is released from the receiving trough in the transfer drum or the sorting drum not only by terminating the suction air supply, but by a compressed air blast from the receiving trough.

[0091] The sorting drum preferably has a region around its circumference in which troughs are provided and a region that is trough-free, with the trough-free region having a smaller outer radius than the region in which troughs are provided. This allows for very efficient and trouble-free rotation with different peripheral speeds of the transfer drum and the sorting drum, particularly when the trough-free region borders the transfer drum. The outer radius corresponds to the distance of the outer circumference from the axis of rotation.

[0092] Preferably, the base drum has a trough spacing that corresponds to the trough spacing of the transfer drum.

[0093] Preferably, the trough spacing of the base drum is half the spacing of the troughs of a conveyor unit delivering the mass flow or mass flows to the base drum. Thus, only every second trough of the base drum is filled by the mass flow or mass flows from the conveyor unit delivering the rod-shaped articles to the base drum.

[0094] Preferably, the base drum has an odd number of troughs. The other drums can have an even number of troughs or receiving troughs.

[0095] In particular, at least one sorting drum, in particular two sorting drums, is provided for each mass flow. The sorting drums can be provided with rotation axes offset transversely to one another or can also have the same rotation axis. In particular, the depth of a sorting drum is half or approximately half the depth of the transfer drum. In this case, the transfer drum can accommodate rod-shaped articles from two mass flows, whereas each sorting drum can accommodate rod-shaped articles from one mass flow.

[0096] Preferably, the base drum and the transfer drum have troughs of a length that allows space for two rod-shaped articles arranged one behind the other. In particular, the sorting drum has shorter troughs or receiving troughs.

[0097] In the context of this application, troughs are in particular receiving troughs, wherein rod-shaped articles are preferably held in the troughs by suction air.

[0098] One embodiment is a conveyor device in which a packaging device is provided, which is arranged in particular downstream of the base drum, wherein the packaging device is designed to form blocks from a first set of n consecutive rod-shaped articles and a second set of m consecutive rod-shaped articles, where n and m are integers that are ≥ 5, wherein the packaging device has a packing drum that is designed as a polygon in cross-section, wherein the polygon has corners and, between the corners, has sides that are straight or curved outwards, and wherein the sides have n or m troughs arranged next to one another for receiving a set of rod-shaped articles. In particular, the conveyor device has the above features of the conveyor device according to the invention and further developed, which is described above.

[0099] Preferably, the radius of curvature of the outwardly bent sides is larger than the radius of the packing drum, in particular at least twice as large.

[0100] Preferably, the packing drum has two different diameters, so that a set of n consecutive rod-shaped articles is arranged on a different plane than a set of m consecutive rod-shaped articles. Preferably, the packing drum has two different diameters, so that a set of n consecutive receiving troughs for rod-shaped articles is arranged on a different plane than a set of m consecutive receiving troughs for rod-shaped articles.

[0101] The packing drum preferably has a front region and a rear region, with the front region being the region adjacent to a device by means of which containers for holding rod-shaped articles can be conveyed out of the packing drum. The device for conveying the containers can also be part of the packing drum. Preferably, the front region of the packing drum has a smaller diameter than the rear region of the packing drum. This allows the different levels for the sets of rod-shaped articles to be created.

[0102] Particularly preferably, the packaging device comprises conveyor drums arranged upstream of the packing drum, whose cross-sections become more polygonal the closer they are arranged to the packing drum. This makes it possible to ensure a reliable transfer of rod-shaped articles during the conveying process from one conveyor drum to the next conveyor drum up to the packing drum. This is particularly well-achieved when the packing drum rotates at a speed that has a constant base speed overlaid by a variable speed.

[0103] Preferably, an insertion device is provided that is designed to push the second set of rod-shaped articles over the first set of rod-shaped articles and to push the two sets as a block into a container. Furthermore, the insertion device preferably has an upper guide so that the rod-shaped articles from the second set, which are preferably arranged on an upper level, do not fall out, since the moment the rod-shaped articles are moved, the suction air from the receiving troughs is preferably switched off.

[0104] The insertion device preferably has pushers configured to displace the rod-shaped articles. The pushers are preferably configured such that one rod-shaped article from the first set and one rod-shaped article from the second set can be displaced simultaneously with one pusher, or even two rod-shaped articles from the first set and two rod-shaped articles from the second set can be displaced simultaneously.

[0105] Furthermore, a guide plate is preferably provided, which can be inserted into a container and ensures a tapered cross-section in the direction of the container's insertion movement. The guide plate is temporarily partially inserted into the respective container and preferably protrudes beyond it. The guide plate preferably protrudes horizontally and / or vertically beyond the opening of the container.

[0106] It may also be useful to rotate blocks conveyed to the upward conveyor by 90° around an axis perpendicular to the conveying direction or around an axis longitudinal to the conveying direction before they are transported upwards. This can be advantageous if the blocks have a certain height-to-width ratio. This can prevent, for example, tilting during further transport. Furthermore, a different orientation of the blocks may be more advantageous for further processing, for example, rotating them by 90° along their longitudinal axis, which coincides with the conveying direction.

[0107] As already mentioned, the infeed selector can be spaced apart from the exit of the upward transport device. This is particularly preferred if the finished blocks are to be transported first to a packer or packing device. This preferably occurs via an overhead transport of the blocks. The storage device can then be positioned directly above the packing device.

[0108] Preferably, the storage device can also be arranged so that the channels are arranged vertically, in particular perpendicular to the horizontal. The storage device can then be designed, for example, as a type of small compensator with, for example, 30,000 to 100,000 rod-shaped articles, in particular 50,000 to 70,000 rod-shaped articles. For a smaller storage device that is not too large in height, for example, up to one meter, in particular preferably up to 70 cm, in particular preferably up to 50 cm, a design perpendicular to the horizontal of the channels of the storage device is preferably possible.

[0109] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments of the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention may incorporate individual features or a combination of several features.

[0110] The invention is described below, without limiting the general inventive concept, using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, whereby express reference is made to the drawings for all details of the invention not explained in more detail in the text. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a conveying device in a first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of two mass flows and a defragmentation module, Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a sorting device in one embodiment, Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the interaction of a sorting drum according to the invention with a transfer drum, Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of the rotational speeds of the respective drums over time, Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a drum run to a packing drum and the packing drum with schematic representations of the rotational speeds over time, Fig. 7 is a schematic three-dimensional representation of a packing process, Fig. 8 is a schematic three-dimensional representation of a section of a packing drum, Fig. 9 is a further schematic three-dimensional representation of part of a packing drum, Fig. 10 is a schematic three-dimensional representation of a sorting device, Fig.11the embodiment of the . Fig. 10 in another schematic three-dimensional representation, namely from a different perspective, Fig. 12 a further schematic three-dimensional representation of an embodiment of a sorting device, Fig. 13 a schematic representation of a machine according to the invention of the tobacco processing industry, Fig. 14 a schematic three-dimensional representation of a storage device according to the invention in a first embodiment, Fig. 15 a schematic three-dimensional detail representation of Fig. 14 from a different perspective, Fig. 16 a schematic side view of the embodiment of Fig. 14 in a first pivoting position of the insertion selector, Fig. 17 a schematic view according to Fig. 16 , but in a different pivoting position of the insertion selector, and Fig. 18 a schematic three-dimensional representation of a further embodiment of a storage device according to the invention.

[0111] Within the scope of the invention, features marked with "in particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.

[0112] In the drawings, identical or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numbers, so that a repeated presentation is omitted.

[0113] Fig. 1 shows a schematic of a conveying device 10 according to the invention. Rod-shaped articles are conveyed transversely axially in the conveying direction 15. First, filters, for example, are attached to tobacco rods in a filter applicator 11. Typically, a filter of twice the usable length is placed between two tobacco rods and wrapped with a tipping paper, and then cut in half to form two filter cigarettes. The rod-shaped articles can alternatively also be heat-not-burn products. The conveying device can be a combiner or a multi-segment maker in which the various segments are assembled.

[0114] In the testing device 12, the properties of the filter cigarettes are checked and, if these properties do not correspond to the specified properties, they are rejected. This results in a first mass flow 21 and a second mass flow 22 of rod-shaped articles, in this example, filter cigarettes 30, which flow or are conveyed in the cross-axially conveyed mass flow and have gaps 31 (see, for example, Fig. 2 ).

[0115] In a defragmentation module 13, which will be described in more detail below, the rod-shaped articles 30 arranged in the two mass flows 21, 22 are re-sorted in such a way that complete sets of, in this example, ten cigarettes are formed, namely a first set 32 ​​and a second set 33 (see again Fig. 2 ). The gaps 31 are controlled in such a way that a complete set of gaps is formed in the form of a first empty set 34 and a second empty set 35.

[0116] The cigarette sets are then transferred into a packing module 14 in blocks, which are placed in containers, such as a cigarette package.

[0117] In order to compensate for differences in production speed between cigarette manufacturing machines and cigarette packaging machines, logistics components have been used to date that store products in mass flows comprising multiple layers, thus compensating for the speed differences. The disadvantage of this is that the products are released, i.e. are no longer held in a defined manner, for example, in receiving troughs, but are transported in loose mass flows, thus creating a risk of cross-flying products and product damage. It is therefore preferable if cigarette packaging can be filled directly in the cigarette production line, as such packets or cigarette packs can be stored much more easily. For this purpose, it is very preferable if the correct number of cigarettes is available to fill a cigarette pack.Incorrect occupancy in receiving troughs in conveyor systems, which may have arisen due to ejections, for example, must therefore no longer exist.

[0118] This problem has so far been solved by over-producing cigarettes, meaning that more cigarettes are produced than are packaged, and at least the surplus cigarettes, if not all of them, are placed in a warehouse of individual products, and the individual articles or products are taken from the warehouse to fill any gaps.

[0119] According to the invention, the aim is not to fully fill all troughs, but rather to skillfully sort the rod-shaped articles to ensure that a package or container can always be completely filled or, if there are gaps, is not filled at all.

[0120] For this purpose, an input sample or sample of rod-shaped articles is taken into a first mass flow and / or a second mass flow and divided into sets. A set contains all the rod-shaped articles present in one layer of a block required to fill a package. The pattern can, for example, be the sequence of rod-shaped products arranged one behind the other and gaps. For example, a set can have ten rod-shaped products, a block two sets, and thus a package twenty rod-shaped articles. It is important that the sets and blocks are completely filled. The subsequent process can then be designed so that a cycle, and thus the filling of a package, can be skipped, and otherwise the packages are always fully filled. To better understand this solution approach, Fig. 2 A defragmentation module 13 is shown schematically.

[0121] For example, if the sampled item contains 30 stick-shaped items at the same location in each of the two mass streams, three packs of stick-shaped items can be formed from two sets of 10 items each without re-sorting. If a stick-shaped item is missing from a mass stream, this empty space should be filled with an item. This item is then missing from another location, so that after 10 refills in a mass stream, an empty set of 10 gaps or empty spaces can be formed one after the other. If multiple items are missing, an empty set can be formed more quickly.

[0122] Fig. 2 schematically shows a defragmentation module 13 into which a first mass flow 21 of rod-shaped articles 30 and a second mass flow 22 of rod-shaped articles 30 are introduced in the conveying direction 15. The first mass flow 21 is conveyed on a first path 26 transversely axially to the rod-shaped articles 30, and the second mass flow 22 is accordingly conveyed in a second path 27 transversely axially to the rod-shaped articles 30.

[0123] Some rod-shaped articles have been discharged by the inspection device 12, resulting in gaps 31 in the two mass flows of rod-shaped articles 30. The rod-shaped articles in this case are filter cigarettes that are coming from the filter applicator 13 or are still being conveyed in the filter applicator 13.

[0124] In this case, the second mass flow 22 must first be turned from its orientation in the receiving troughs. This is done using a turning device 23, which can be designed as a cone turner. The spacing between the rod-shaped articles 30 in this exemplary embodiment is 6π, i.e. a spacing of approximately 18.8 mm. Downstream of the turning device 23 in the conveying direction 15 is a compensating drum 24, which has troughs that are slightly longer than twice the length of the rod-shaped articles 30. In the compensating drum 24, rod-shaped articles 30 can be selectively exchanged between the lanes. If there is an empty trough on one lane, it can be filled with a rod-shaped article from the other lane if a rod-shaped article is located at this point. This type of displacement of the rod-shaped products can be achieved using compressed air or suction air.The primary goal here is to ensure that, on average, there are the same number of rod-shaped articles on both lanes.

[0125] This is followed by a sorting device 25, which is described in more detail below and ensures that complete sets 32 and 33 of rod-shaped articles are arranged in the mass flows and, if necessary, complete empty sets 34 and 35. These sets can then be packaged efficiently and in a resource-saving manner.

[0126] Fig. 3 shows schematically a sorting device 25. The sorting device 25 includes Fig. 2 to the compensating drum 24.

[0127] At the entrance of the sorting device 25 are two mass flows 21, 22, which are conveyed in two tracks 26, 27, wherein the mass flows in total contain approximately the same number of rod-shaped products. The sorting device 25 then ensures that the gaps or the missing rod-shaped articles and the rod-shaped articles are sorted or combined in such a way that coherent sets of rod-shaped articles 30 and coherent sets of gaps are formed. In this exemplary embodiment, there are ten rod-shaped articles as a set or ten gaps as a set.

[0128] The two mass flows 21 and 22 are transferred to the base drum 40 in the conveying direction 15, specifically at a distance of 6π. The base drum 40 has an odd number of receiving troughs arranged at a distance of 3π, i.e., half the distance between the rod-shaped articles being conveyed.

[0129] At the outlet of the base drum, the rod-shaped products are discharged again into the two mass streams 21 and 22 at a distance of 6π. Due to the smaller trough spacing on the base drum and the odd number of receiving troughs, the rod-shaped articles 30 run through two circuits on the base drum.

[0130] To facilitate re-sorting, a transfer drum 41 and a sorting drum 43 or 44 are provided for each mass flow 21, 22. The sorting device comprises two or more sorting drums 43, 44, 45, 46, which are equipped with troughs only along 180° of their circumference.

[0131] The sorting drums rotate synchronously with the machine speed and / or with the transfer drum 41 and the base drum 40. However, in the area where no troughs are provided or at the moment where the sorting drums 43 to 46 border the transfer drum 41, 42 with the trough-free area, a further movement can be superimposed on the movement of the sorting drum or the sorting drums, so that a trough offset of up to + / - ten troughs can be generated.

[0132] The sorting drums can pick up and release rod-shaped items. By combining the available parameters, the control system, or rather the control system's algorithm, can find a solution to create a desired pattern in mass flows 21 and 22.

[0133] In the concrete design of the Fig. 3 Two sorting drums 43, 45 and 44, 46 are provided for each mass flow 21, 22. Since the rod-shaped articles essentially run two rounds over the base drum 40, each sorting drum can influence the article flow twice. Together with the compensating drum 24 (see Fig. 2 ), which shifts articles between the article runs as needed, it will in most cases be possible to find a solution for shifting rod-shaped articles so that complete sets of rod-shaped articles 30 and complete sets of empty spaces can be provided in the mass flows 21 and 22 discharged from the base drum 40. If this is not possible or the computing time exceeds twice the circulation time on the base drum, an emergency discharge of individual rod-shaped articles is carried out. This is preferably done by the sorting drums 45 and 46, which are indicated by the arrows at the top left in the Fig. 3 are indicated.

[0134] Three sorting drums can also be provided per mass flow.

[0135] A selective transfer of rod-shaped articles takes place from the base drum to the transfer drum and from the transfer drum to the sorting drum and in the opposite direction. Fig. 3 Some rod-shaped articles are schematically shown in some of the receiving troughs of the sorting drums 43 to 46. For clarity, not all receiving troughs in the sorting drums are shown here, and no troughs are shown in the transfer drums 41 and 42, nor in the base drum 40. These, of course, also have troughs.

[0136] It may also be the case that rod-shaped articles are not transferred. Transfer can be achieved, for example, by deliberately interrupting the vacuum supply to a receiving trough, specifically the trough holding the rod-shaped article to be transferred. The transfer can be supported by a targeted compressed air pulse, which can be triggered, for example, by a quick-acting valve. The compressed air pulse can be directed through a suction air opening where the suction air for holding the rod-shaped article is otherwise applied.

[0137] In order to enable a trough offset or a re-sorting of the rod-shaped articles in the mass flows 21, 22, the sorting drums 43, 44, 45, 46 are accelerated or decelerated during the time in which the troughs are not engaged and then the synchronous peripheral speed to the transfer drum 41 or 42 is restored. This is shown schematically in the Fig. 4 und 5 shown.

[0138] In Fig. 4 schematically shows the transfer drum 41 with receiving troughs 47 and the sorting drum 43, in which in this embodiment all receiving troughs are occupied with a rod-shaped article 30.

[0139] In Fig. 5 In each case, the rotational speed or the peripheral speed is plotted over time, namely the rotational speed or the peripheral speed of the sorting drum 43 in the upper diagram and that of the transfer drum 41 in the lower diagram.

[0140] 52 shows a base speed, which for a transfer drum 41 of the same size as the sorting drum 43 can be, for example, 125 revolutions per minute. Fig. 4 However, the circumferences of the two drums are different, so the speed must be adjusted accordingly so that the base speed of the respective drum is selected so that the peripheral speed of both drums is the same. In the upper diagram of the Fig. 5 In addition, a speed 50 is shown for a positive trough offset, at which the speed is increased over a period of time, and 51 is the speed for a negative trough offset, at which the speed is reduced for a certain period of time.

[0141] In Fig. 3 The different radii r1 and r2 are also shown. r1 is the first radius of the sorting drum 44 to an area in which no troughs are provided, and r2 is the second radius to an area in which troughs are provided. r2 is preferably larger than r1.

[0142] The process and also the software of the control device must be derived from a known but undefined input pattern, such as this one in Fig. 2 shown on the right or in Fig. 3 shown on the right, produce an ordered pattern like this one in Fig. 3 shown on the left. The influencing parameters for finding a solution are the number of sorting drums, the jump distance of a trough offset from -10 to +10 troughs or other predeterminable maximum trough jump distances. It must be taken into account that the receiving troughs in the transfer drum and in the respective sorting drum can, for example, be 3π, i.e. half the size of those on the conveyor elements that convey the rod-shaped articles to the base drum. Selected products can be picked up and delivered, combinations of the sorting drums can be made with one another, and products can be picked up and removed in both the first and second cycle of the base drum. In addition, depending on the input pattern, the compensating drum can be controlled so that less trough offset needs to be generated.

[0143] In addition, it should be ensured that there is always sufficient vacuum in the open troughs that are occupied to keep the products safe.

[0144] To get the Fig. 3 In order to be able to package the discharged mass flows 21 and 22, a packaging device is provided which ensures that the respective sets 32 and 33 are brought together as a block and can be discharged into a container. To this end, the pitch, i.e. the distance between the rod-shaped products, is first reduced again in order to enable block formation, which allows the rod-shaped articles to be packed relatively tightly. For example, the pitch is reduced from 6π to 3π. For this purpose, a braking drum or a staggered drum with pivoting receiving troughs can be used, for example.

[0145] Subsequently, the sets of rod-shaped articles, in this embodiment of ten rod-shaped articles each, are brought to a level in order to then insert them into packages or a container. To bring the sets to a level, a drum conveyor can be provided, as for example in Fig. 6 In the upper area, three drums 60a, 61a, and 62a are shown, which become increasingly polygonal in the conveying direction 15.

[0146] The respective drums consist of the Fig. 6 shown two drums shown one above the other, namely a drum containing the shown drums or drum parts 60a and 60b. These two drums 60a and 60b are arranged on the same axis or a parallel offset axis, which here in Fig. 6 however, is shown separately. Accordingly, a further drum 61a and 61b is provided, which also rotates on a common axis, and a packing drum 62, which comprises the drums or drum parts 62a and 62b, which also rotate on a common axis.

[0147] In this embodiment, the diameter of the drums 60b, 61b and 62b is larger than the corresponding diameter of the drums 60a, 61a and 62a. This automatically arranges the first set 32 ​​of rod-shaped articles 30 on a different plane than the second set 33 of rod-shaped articles 30. The first mass flow 21 is conveyed transversely axially via the drum parts 60a, 61a and 62a, and the second mass flow 22 is conveyed transversely axially via the drum parts 60b, 61b and 62b. The first drum, consisting of the two drum components 60a and 60b, is still round as usual. The speed, which is shown below in Fig. 6 shown on the far left, in which the speed is plotted against time, is marked 52 and is a constant base speed or a speed that is adapted to the speed of the manufacturing machine and / or packaging machine.

[0148] The adjoining second drum, consisting of drum components 61a and 61b, is already provided with corners, thus tending towards a polygonal shape. There, trough sets 63a and 63b are shown, each having seven troughs and an edge 64 between them. The sets, which in the embodiment according to Fig. 6 are formed, thus comprising seven rod-shaped articles. This drum is already controlled at a variable speed superimposed on the base speed 52, so that at the moment when the corners of drum 61 with components 61a and 61b border on drum 60 with components 60a and 60b, drum 61 is moved somewhat slower.

[0149] The last drum, namely packing drum 62, consisting of components 62a and 62b, is already completely polygonal, with corners 64 and sets 63a and 63b, each with seven receiving troughs, each arranged in a single plane. Here, the speed at which packing drum 62 is driven is also provided with a base speed 52, onto which a variable speed is superimposed. In this embodiment, the variable speed is higher than in the middle drum 61. Here, too, the variable speed serves to move edges 64 past the adjacent drum 61 more quickly.

[0150] Preferably, the variable speed is a sine function.

[0151] In Figur 6 Sets of 7 receiving troughs are shown. The invention is explained below using sets of 10 receiving troughs and 10 rod-shaped articles.

[0152] To enable the filling of containers with rod-shaped articles 30 from two sets of rod-shaped articles in a later process, it is necessary for one set to run on a larger diameter than the other set. This can be achieved by radially lifting the set, which should run above the other set, controlled by a cam. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 6 As shown, different diameters of the drums or drum parts may be provided for the respective sets.

[0153] For increased process reliability, the filling of containers using a packing drum 62 is provided. For this purpose, it is advisable to arrange the rod-shaped articles 30 in two levels of a predetermined number of articles, for example, seven or ten. For this purpose, the rod-shaped articles are transferred from a curved surface to a surface that is as flat as possible, as shown in Fig. 6 shown. In addition, it is advisable to push the rod-shaped products together as close as possible. For this purpose, the shape of the drums can be changed piece by piece using three or more drums. The number of drums required depends on the permissible deviation from the ideal transfer and the diameter of the drums. In addition, the creation of gaps between the individual sets, which is achieved by the intermediate edges 64, which are Fig. 6 It is useful to allow for secure packaging by allowing the gaps shown in the figure. These gaps can also be gradually enlarged and / or adapted to the geometry.

[0154] Fig. 7 shows schematically a packing drum according to the invention in operation, in a three-dimensional schematic representation.

[0155] Rod-shaped articles 30 are fed in the conveying direction 15 from a drum (not shown) in two tracks, preferably at different levels. The rod-shaped products 30 are received in a first set 32 ​​and a second set 33 on the packing drum 62.

[0156] On the packing drum 62, a cover in the form of an overhead guide 71 is provided for each block of two sets, which ensures that the rod-shaped articles 30 do not fly away when they are pushed over one another and the suction air in the troughs is stopped.

[0157] The containers 73 are also guided over the drum 62. During the rotation of the drum 62, the rod-shaped articles 30 are filled with the products via pushers 72, which are guided, for example, over curves. This allows the sets 32, 33 to be securely inserted into the containers 73. For this purpose, an upper guide 71 moves together with the pushers 72 toward the containers 73. The movement of the pushers is preferably parallel to the rotation axis of the packing drum 62.

[0158] As a result, the second set 33 is first pushed over the first set 32, and then both sets are inserted into the container 73. The filled containers 73, into which a block 70 from the two sets 32 and 33 has been inserted, are then transferred to the next product line. The container 73 can, for example, be an inner liner of a cigarette pack. Alternatively, the blocks 70 can also be inserted into chamber belts.

[0159] Fig. 8 shows a schematic and three-dimensional view of part of a packing drum 62 according to the invention. For the sake of simplicity, only a first set 32 ​​and a second set 33 of rod-shaped articles are shown here. The different levels of the receiving troughs 74 are clearly shown. Recesses are provided between the receiving troughs 74 through which the pushers 72 can pass. Each pusher 72 can move a total of four rod-shaped articles, namely two rod-shaped articles from the second set 33 and two rod-shaped articles from the first set 32.

[0160] Fig. 9 shows a schematic further partial representation of a packing drum 62 according to the invention. In addition to the previous representations, this representation shows a guide device 75 which can be temporarily inserted into a container 73 and ensures that the rod-shaped articles 30, in particular of the second set 33, can be safely pushed into the container 73. Here, for the sake of clarity, part 62a of the packing drum and part 62b of the packing drum are shown again. It is clearly visible that the diameters of these two parts 62a and 62b of the packing drum 62 are different. This enables the different levels for the sets.

[0161] The upper guide 71 and the plungers 72 move axially during the rotation of the drum and thus push the articles into the containers.

[0162] The guide device 75, which can be designed as a guide plate, ensures that the articles are neatly inserted into the container, for example, an inner liner. The guide device 75 can be pivoted or pushed into the container 73. It would also be conceivable for the guide device 75 to be stationary and rotating with the packing drum 62, and for the containers 73 to move axially by a small amount, for example, a few millimeters, toward the guide device 75.

[0163] Before the filled container 73 leaves the packing drum 62, the guide device 75 should have left the container 73 or the container 73 should have been pivoted away again or moved linearly away from the guide device 75.

[0164] In the event that empty sets are present, it may also be provided that no container 73 is fed in. The upper guide 71 and the rams 72 can then still move as usual; they can be guided on curves.

[0165] Fig. 10 shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of a further embodiment of a sorting device 25. Two parallel mass flows in the form of a first mass flow 21 and a second mass flow 22 are fed in the conveying direction 15 to a transfer drum 48. The transverse axial product spacing is, for example, 6 pi. An undefined but known input pattern of the mass flows 21 and 22 is preferably provided, with an approximate balance of rod-shaped products in the first mass flow 21 and in the second mass flow 22. There is thus a front product run or mass flow 22 and one in the Fig. 10 rear product run or mass flow 21.

[0166] The transfer drum 48 has receiving troughs that receive the rod-shaped products from the first mass flow 21 and the second mass flow 22. On the transfer drum 48, only every second receiving trough is filled, so the spacing there is also 6 pi. The products are transferred to the base drum 40. The base drum 40 has an odd number of troughs, so the products typically circulate twice around the base drum 40. The products themselves are arranged at a spacing of 3 pi, i.e., half the spacing that previously existed in the first mass flow 21 and the second mass flow 22.

[0167] To enable a trough offset of rod-shaped articles arranged on the base drum 40, rod-shaped articles from the first mass flow 21 and the second mass flow 22 are removed from the transfer drum 41, in particular selectively, selected, or predetermined, and from there transferred to the sorting drum 43 or 44, and then picked up again from there and returned to the base drum 40. The sorting drum 43 is provided for the first mass flow 21, and the sorting drum 44 for the second mass flow 22. The sorting drums 43 and 45 are thus arranged axially offset from one another. The sorting drum 44 is provided for the front product run, and the sorting drum 43 for the rear product run.A similar configuration is provided slightly downstream of the base drum 40 with a transfer drum 42 which removes products from the first mass flow 21 and the second mass flow 22 and delivers them to the sorting drum 46 for products from the first mass flow and to the sorting drum 45 for products from the second mass flow.

[0168] Because the sorting drums 43, 44, 45, and 46 can be rotated at a speed that is either accelerated or decelerated at the moment the trough-free area is opposite the transfer drum, a trough offset of up to + / - 10 troughs can be achieved for the products held in the troughs. The trough spacing here is also 3 pi. The rod-shaped articles, thus predeterminably offset transversely, are transferred back to the transfer drums and from there to the base drum.

[0169] By using the sorting device 25, two irregular mass flows are converted into two regular mass flows with predefined larger product spacing or a larger gap between products. The thus more uniform mass flows of rod-shaped products are discharged via the transfer drum 49 in the conveying direction 15.

[0170] Fig. 11 shows schematically in a different perspective the embodiment according to the invention from Fig. 10 Here, the axial offset of the sorting drums 43, 44, 45 and 46 is clearly visible.

[0171] The mass flow 21, 22 downstream of the transfer drum 49 is provided with a distance of the rod-shaped articles of 6pi, for example.

[0172] In Fig. 12 A three-dimensional schematic representation of another embodiment of a sorting device 25 is shown. The sorting drums 43, 44, 45 and 46 are not as in Fig. 10 They are not arranged transversely offset from each other, but are arranged on a coaxial rotation axis. Otherwise, the coaxially arranged sorting drums 43 and 44, or 45 and 46, are rotatable separately from each other, but on the same axis. This allows for a more compact design. The other functionalities are in principle the same as in the embodiment of the Fig. 10 und 11 .

[0173] Fig. 13 shows a schematic representation of a machine according to the invention for the tobacco processing industry, which in itself is as in Fig. 1 a conveying device 10, which has a filter applicator 11, followed in the conveying direction 15 by a testing device 12, then a defragmentation module 13 and a packing module 14. In this respect, the device according to Fig. 13 the exemplary embodiments described above. In the packing module 14, several rod-shaped articles from the tobacco processing industry are wrapped, preferably in two layers, in an inner liner, which is preferably also glued, so that a block of inner liner and rod-shaped articles from the tobacco processing industry, for example, heat-not-burn products, is provided. Adjacent to this in the conveying direction 15 is a storage device comprising a storage module 100 and a storage unit 101. This storage device comprising the storage module 100 and the storage unit 101 is explained in more detail in the following figures.

[0174] In Fig. 14 A three-dimensional representation of such a storage device is shown, comprising a storage module 100 with a storage unit 101. The storage module 100 receives blocks from a packing module (not shown), which are conveyed in the conveying direction 15. A buffer zone is preferably provided here to eliminate any missing blocks.

[0175] The blocks 70 are conveyed via a conveyor belt 113, which is deflected around a roller 120 and another roller 119, into an upwardly directed channel, i.e., an upward transport device 109. For this purpose, the upward transport device provides two conveyor belts 112 and 113, wherein at least one conveyor belt can be provided with stops or other mechanical means to reliably transport the blocks 70. At least one of the conveyor belts 112 or 113 can also be designed with suction air. The conveyor belt 112 runs over rollers 114 and 121. The blocks 70 are thereby conveyed upwards towards an infeed selector 104, from where the blocks are discharged onto a chute of the infeed selector or a conveying element of the infeed selector 104, designed as a conveyor track 117. An acceleration device may also be provided during delivery to compensate for any different gradients in the conveyor track 117.For example, the blocks 70 can be accelerated more when the conveyor track 117 is less steep than in a state in which the conveyor track 117 is steeper.

[0176] The conveyor track 117 and the elements related thereto are designed in relation to the Fig. 15 explained in more detail.

[0177] The blocks 70 are conveyed via the conveyor track 117 to the storage unit 101. The storage unit 101 has a plurality of channels 102, which are arranged parallel to one another at least in sections. In this exemplary embodiment, 21 × 3 channels are shown, of which 11 channels are filled with blocks 70. It can be seen in the storage unit 101 not only that the channels 102 are aligned parallel to one another, but also that they converge at the beginning, i.e., at the entrance, namely in the direction of a pivot axis of the insertion selector.

[0178] In this embodiment, the pivot axis with respect to height is identical to the rotation axis of roller 114. The pivot axis with respect to the lateral orientation of the infeed selector 104 can also be arranged there, but is perpendicular to the pivot axis relating to height. However, a pivot axis can also be provided that is defined at the location where the blocks leave the circular path and enter the conveyor track 117, i.e., the pivot axis with respect to lateral pivoting can be provided at the tangent of the conveyor belt 112 guided around the roller 114.

[0179] Fig. 15 shows a schematic section of the embodiment from Fig. 14 in a different perspective view. The channel inlets 105 are better shown here. These are operatively connected to the outlet 106 of the insertion selector 104. The outlet 106 of the insertion selector 104 can be pivoted laterally according to the double arrow 110 in order to fill another adjacent channel with blocks 70. The lateral pivoting is limited by the boundary walls 116.

[0180] The conveyor track 117 has lateral guide devices 115 to prevent the blocks 70 from flying out of the conveyor track 117. To select a different channel entrance in height, the double arrow 111 is shown for pivoting in height. It is therefore possible to insert blocks into any channel of the storage unit 101. Furthermore, as can be seen more clearly in Figures 14 and 18, a stop 103 is provided, which is movable in the respective channel, preferably along the respective channel, in order to, on the one hand, adjust the receiving capacity of the respective channel 102 and, on the other hand, gently brake the inserted blocks. For this purpose, the stop 103 moves with the inserted blocks from the top right to the bottom left.

[0181] In Fig. 15 an ejection device 107 is shown very schematically, which ensures that the blocks are ejected from the channel in order to deliver them, for example, to a subsequent packing device not shown.

[0182] The Figuren 16 und 17 show schematically in a side view a section of the storage device according to the invention comprising the storage module 100 and the memory 101. Various height settings of the insertion selector 104 are shown. In Fig. 16 A channel is set approximately in the middle so that the blocks can be placed in this channel and in Fig. 17 a channel located further down is set with the feed selector 104. Due to the different gradients, different feed speeds of the blocks 70 result. These different feed speeds can be compensated by an acceleration device that can deliver the blocks 70 onto the conveyor track 117, for example, in Fig. 16 a higher acceleration is provided than in Fig. 17 . In the constellation of Fig. 17 Preferably, the blocks are not accelerated. Alternatively, the conveyor track 117 can be provided with a circulating conveyor belt that has an anti-slip surface or has limiting webs, so that the blocks 70 can be transported to the exits 106 and thus the channel entrances 105 at a predetermined speed.

[0183] Fig. 18 shows very schematically a memory device according to the invention with a memory module 110 and a memory 101, some elements being omitted for the sake of clarity. In this embodiment, in the memory 101, in each channel, which is shown in the Fig. 18 visible, a stop 103 is shown, which are each arranged at different locations or partially different locations.

[0184] The invention enables very efficient and product-friendly packaging of rod-shaped articles, particularly in the tobacco processing industry.

[0185] All mentioned features, including those revealed solely in the drawings as well as individual features disclosed in combination with other features, are considered essential to the invention, both individually and in combination. Embodiments according to the invention may be fulfilled by individual features or a combination of several features. Bezugszeichenliste

[0186] 10 Conveyor device 11 Filter applicator 12 Testing device 13 Defragmentation module 14 Packing module 15 Conveyor direction 21 First mass flow 22 Second mass flow 23 Turning device 24 Compensation drum 25 Sorting device 26 First lane 27 Second lane 30 Rod-shaped article 31 Gap 32 First set of rod-shaped articles 33 Second set of rod-shaped articles 34 First empty set 35 Second empty set 40 Base drum 41, 42 Transfer drum 43 - 46 Sorting drum 47 Pick-up trough 48 Transfer drum 49 Transfer drum 50 Speed ​​for positive trough offset 51 Speed ​​for negative trough offset 52 Base speed 60, 60a, 60b Conveyor drum 61, 61a, 61b Conveyor drum 62, 62a, 62bPacking drum 63a,63bTrough set 64Intermediate edge 65Packaging device 70Block 71Top guide 72Push rod 73Container 74Trough 75Guard device 100Storage module 101Storage 102Channel 103Stop 104Infeed selector 105Channel inlet 106Outlet 107Ejection device 108Acceleration device 109Upward transport device 110Swivel sideways 111Swivel vertically 112Conveyor belt 113Conveyor belt 114Roller 115Guard device 116Boundary wall 117Conveyor track 118Roller 119Roller 120Roller , r1first radius r2second radius

Claims

1. Storage device (100, 101) of the tobacco processing industry, which is designed and configured to temporarily store groups of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, which are designed as blocks (70) and introduced into packaging material (73), comprising at least one channel (102) into which the blocks (70) can be introduced linearly one after the other, wherein the at least one channel (70) is designed to be sloping, so that the blocks (70) slide up to a stop (103) of the storage device (100, 101).

2. Storage device (100, 101) according to claim 1, characterized in that the memory device comprises a memory (101) which is designed as a first in - first out memory.

3. Storage device (100, 101) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that to release the blocks (70) the stop (103) is removable from the at least one channel (102).

4. Storage device (100, 101) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatthe stop (103) is designed to be linearly movable in the at least one channel (102).

5. Storage device (100, 101) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that several channels (102) are provided, which are arranged in particular parallel to one another.

6. Storage device (100, 101) according to claim 5, characterized in that each channel (102) has a channel inlet (105), wherein in particular channel inlets (105) which are adjacent in height are arranged offset from one another relative to the longitudinal axis of a channel (102), in particular offset from one another in the form of a circular segment.

7. Storage device (100, 101) according to claim 6, characterized in that laterally adjacent channel inlets (105) are arranged offset from one another relative to the longitudinal axis of a channel (102), in particular offset from one another in the form of a circular segment.

8. Storage device (100, 101) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in thatan insertion selector (104) is provided, by means of which the blocks (70) can be introduced into a channel inlet (105) of the storage device (101), wherein the insertion selector (104) can be pivoted vertically or laterally such that its outlet (106) is in operative connection or aligned with a predeterminable or selectable channel inlet (105) of a channel (102).

9. Storage device (100, 101) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that an ejection device (107) is provided, by means of which one block (70) is or are conveyed away from one channel (102) or one block (70) from several channels (102).

10. Storage device (100, 101) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that an acceleration device (108) is provided which is designed and configured to deliver blocks (70) in an accelerated manner into the respective channel inlet (105).

11. Storage device (100, 101) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in thatan upward transport device (109) is provided which is designed and arranged to convey blocks (70) upwards and to deliver them into the insertion selector (104).

12. A machine of the tobacco processing industry for conveying, sorting, and packaging rod-shaped products (30) of the tobacco processing industry, comprising - a first conveying device (13) which is designed and configured to convey a first single-layer mass flow (21) of rod-shaped articles (30) transversely axially and to convey a second single-layer mass flow (22) of rod-shaped articles (30) transversely axially, - wherein a second conveying device (25) is provided which conveys the first and second mass flows (21, 22) such that, in the first mass flow (21), except for a predeterminable number of n empty spaces arranged transversely axially one behind the other, an uninterrupted flow of transversely conveyed rod-shaped articles (30) with a number of axn articles is provided,- and in a second mass flow (22), up to a predeterminable number of m cross-axially arranged empty spaces, an uninterrupted flow of cross-axially conveyed rod-shaped articles (30) with a number of b x m articles is provided, or, if m = n-1, an uninterrupted flow of cross-axially conveyed rod-shaped articles (30) with one empty space each with a number of b x m articles is provided, wherein in particular m = n or the value of mn is 1 and / or a = b, - wherein a packing device (62, 62a, 62b) is provided which introduces a two-layer stack of n and m rod-shaped articles into a packaging material (73), wherein a storage device (100, 101) with a storage (101) is provided which stores the articles (30) introduced into the packaging material (73) as blocks (70).

13. Machine according to claim 12, characterized in that the storage device (100, 101) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Machine according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the packaging material (73) is an inner liner.

15. Machine according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that a packaging machine is provided downstream of the storage of the storage device (100, 101), wherein the blocks (70) are transferred or can be transferred from the storage (101) to the packaging machine.

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