Apparatus and method for forming and distributing organized groups of smoking articles - Patents.com

Abstract

The apparatus (10) for forming and supplying an organized group of smoking articles (20) comprises a storage compartment (11) having a lower opening (16) and configured to store the smoking articles (20), a plurality of conveying channels (30) each having an upper opening (34) communicating with the lower opening (16) of the storage compartment, and a conveying device (40) including a support structure (41) having an elongated shape, formed parallel to each other, and on which two or more conveying members (42) corresponding to the upper openings (34) of the conveying channels (30) are attached.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming and dispensing organized groups of smoking articles, such as, for example, cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, etc., to create packets of smoking articles. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Feed devices for providing a supply of smoking articles which are transferred to one or more packing machines and for forming organised groups with these smoking articles are known.

[0003] Known feeding devices usually include a compartment for accommodating smoking articles, configured as a hopper device defining an upper chamber into which the smoking articles can be inserted and subdivided into organized groups and then packaged. The hopper device has at least one lower opening communicating with a plurality of channels for conveying the smoking articles. Between the lower opening of the hopper device and the plurality of conveying channels a conveying device is arranged, which conveying device includes a support structure to which are attached a plurality of conveying members formed in an elongated shape, parallel to one another and positioned corresponding to the upper openings of the conveying channels.

[0004] The conveying members are configured as rods oriented parallel to the smoking articles present in the upper chamber, and the rods can rotate in opposite directions about their respective longitudinal axes to facilitate conveying the smoking articles toward the lower conveying channel. More specifically, the conveying rods are attached in pairs on either side of the upper opening of the corresponding channel near its inlet so as to convey the smoking articles one by one toward the lower channel.

[0005] For this purpose, the conveying member has a portion, intended to engage the smoking article, formed in elongated shape, usually with a hexagonal cross section, which is made in one piece with a cylindrical portion and inserted into the support structure of the conveying device so as to rotate in alternate opposite directions about its longitudinal axis.

[0006] In some solutions known from the prior art, it is possible to remove several rods in order to install other rods of appropriate size, or to remove the corresponding channels if they are not in use, depending on the size of the smoking articles to be packed and the number of smoking articles in each box to be produced.

[0007] Another solution according to the prior art is described in DE 69205797 A1, in which each rod is provided with at least one tapered end, which, during rotation of the rod, can sometimes be arranged laterally to facilitate the advancement of the smoking article, preventing other smoking articles from descending towards the underlying channel.

[0008] One drawback of the known devices is the complex operation for removing the rods, since it is necessary to access the interior of the device in order to reach the rear of the device and remove the rods from the support structure to which they are attached. The solution described in DE 692 05 797 A1 also suffers from the same drawback, since, corresponding to the rear ends of the rods, all these rods are fixed to a drive device which rotates them.

[0009] This is a lengthy and tedious process, involving machine downtime of several hours, resulting in lost productivity and increased fixed maintenance costs and equipment reconfiguration efforts.

[0010] Another drawback of known devices is that removal of the rod requires the intervention of a specialist technician and the use of suitable tools, which can be particularly problematic if a specialist technician is not available and can result in extended machine downtime.

[0011] Thus, there exists a need for an apparatus for creating and dispensing organized groups of smoking articles that overcomes at least one of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art.

[0012] To achieve this, a technical problem needs to be solved that simplifies removal and replacement of the conveying members.

[0013] In particular, one object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for forming and dispensing organized groups of smoking articles, and to complete a method for forming and dispensing organized groups of smoking articles, in which the smoking article carrier members can be easily, reliably and quickly removed.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for forming and dispensing organized groups of smoking articles, and to complete a method for forming and dispensing organized groups of smoking articles, in which removal of the carrier member can be performed by a non-professional without special equipment or specific training.

[0015] Applicant has conceived, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to obtain these and other objects and advantages. Summary of the Invention

[0016] The invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe further features of the invention or variants of the main inventive idea.

[0017] In order to meet the above objectives, solve the above mentioned technical problems in a new and original way and obtain significant advantages over the prior art, the present invention provides an apparatus for forming and supplying an organized group of smoking articles, comprising: a storage compartment configured to store the plurality of smoking articles; at least one conveying channel arranged below the storage compartment and communicating with the storage compartment; and a conveying device including a support structure to which are attached two or more conveying members having an elongated shape, formed parallel to each other and configured to facilitate the descent of the smoking articles from the storage compartment to the conveying channel.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, each of the conveying members includes a first element rotatably mounted to the support structure so as to rotate about its longitudinal axis, and a second element coupled to the first element so as to rotate together with the first element.

[0019] In this way, the first element is in fact rotatably attached about its longitudinal axis to the support structure which is the fixed part of the device, and the second element is configured to interact with the smoking article to transport the smoking article towards the transport channel and can be coupled to the first element rotatably about a similar longitudinal axis without being directly constrained by the support structure.

[0020] The coupling between the first and second elements is created in a manner that constrains the first and second elements from rotating together about their longitudinal axes, such that rotational motion imparted to one of the two elements is also transmitted to the other element.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, the first element includes a first coupling end and the second element includes a second coupling end, the first coupling end and the second coupling end being configured to create a stable mechanical coupling between each other even in the absence of assistance from an auxiliary attachment means.

[0022] In this way, the bond is both stable, in the sense that the two elements cannot separate in an undesirable way, and strong, in the sense that the rotation of one element determines the rotation of the other element.

[0023] In this sense, the device according to the invention has the advantage that it does not require any type of auxiliary attachment means, the expression auxiliary attachment means meaning any suitable additional attachment means different from the first and second elements.

[0024] Advantageously, in this way, a stable connection between the first and second elements is formed by corresponding first and second connecting ends and does not require suitable additional auxiliary attachment means distinct from these connecting ends.

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the first coupling end has a seat and the second coupling end is configured to be inserted into the seat of the first coupling end, preferably the seat has a blind hole and the second coupling end of the second element preferably has a member that can be inserted into the seat to form a male-female type mechanical coupling.

[0026] It will be apparent that the reverse arrangement may also be provided, ie the seat may be provided on the second element and the insertable member on the first element.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, the connection is of the Morse cone type.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, the second coupling end has a length greater than or equal to a length of the base of the first coupling end.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, the first and second coupling ends are configured to generate a magnetic coupling between each other. This allows to generate a stable coupling from which the extractable element can be easily removed in a simple manner. The first coupling end comprises a magnetic member and is preferably insertable into the base. This magnetic member may for example be a magnet. The second coupling end preferably comprises an appendage configured to be inserted into the base and is advantageously made of a magnetic or ferromagnetic material to generate a magnetic coupling with the magnet.

[0030] Preferably, even if said magnetic coupling is provided, the first coupling end and the second coupling end are configured to also create a conformal coupling, which ensures that the two coupled elements rotate together.

[0031] For example, the seat may be formed with a shape different from the seat's own shape and may include a portion for entering the seat. Conventionally, this inlet opening is configured to create a homomorphic coupling with the second element. In particular, this inlet opening may have a cross section with at least one rectilinear segment and the extractable element may also have a cross section with at least one rectilinear segment. Advantageously, the inlet opening has a section adapted to engage with the cross section of the second element, which is usually hexagonal.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the first element and the first connecting end have a substantially cylindrical shape, the first connecting end having a larger outer diameter than the rest of the first element. In particular, the first connecting end is configured as a cylinder coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the first element on which the seat is formed. Advantageously, the latter has an inner diameter substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the first element.

[0033] The above-mentioned configuration of the first connecting end allows the creation of a seat having a size that ensures a stable and secure connection between the first and second elements. Furthermore, there is an abutment surface between the first connecting end and the remaining part of the first element, transverse to said longitudinal axis, which abutment surface is preferably provided to correspond to the change in diameter between the first connecting end and the remaining part of the first element.

[0034] The transverse abutment surface serves, for example, as an end point of movement for the insertion of the first element in a corresponding seat of the transport device.

[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, the storage compartment includes a rear wall having a plurality of through holes, each of which is coaxial with a corresponding longitudinal axis of one of the first elements. Each first coupling end is rotatably inserted into a corresponding one of the through holes, and each corresponding second element protrudes into the storage compartment. Preferably, the first coupling end has an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of the through hole, thereby making the conveying member more stable and maintaining it parallel to the other conveying members. Additionally or alternatively, the first coupling end has a length equal to the length of the through hole corresponding to the thickness of the rear wall of the storage compartment, such that only the second element of the conveying member protrudes from the front of the rear wall to interact with the smoking article.

[0036] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for forming and supplying an organized group of smoking articles, the method comprising a first step of making available an apparatus comprising a storage compartment configured to store a plurality of said smoking articles, at least one transport channel arranged below said storage compartment and communicating with said storage compartment, and a transport device comprising a support structure to which are attached two or more transport members having an elongated shape, formed parallel to each other and configured to facilitate the descent of the smoking articles from said storage compartment into said transport channel.

[0037] The method includes a second step in which the conveying members are manufactured in the following manner, i.e. each of the conveying members includes a first element rotatably attached to the support structure so as to rotate about its longitudinal axis, and a second element selectively and removably coupled to the first element so as to rotate together with the first element about the longitudinal axis, and configured to interact with the smoking articles and convey them towards one or more conveying channels.

[0038] This method creates a stable mechanical connection between the first coupling end of the first element and the second coupling end of the second element, even in the absence of assistance from an auxiliary attachment means.

[0039] Preferably, the device is of the type described above.

[0040] Advantageously, the method further comprises a third step in which the second element is extracted from the first element whilst the first element remains rotatably mounted on the support structure.

[0041] Obviously, this method means that the carrier member is already attached to the carrier device, and after extraction of the second element, it becomes possible to insert into the insertion seat left free another second element, for example of a different size and / or shape than the extracted second element.

[0042] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of use of a conveying member in an apparatus for forming and supplying an organized group of smoking articles, the conveying member comprising both a first element rotatably mounted on the support structure of the apparatus so as to rotate about its longitudinal axis, and a second element coupled to the first element so as to rotate together with the first element, the conveying member interacting with the smoking articles to facilitate a flow of the smoking articles towards at least one storage compartment of the apparatus. In particular, the apparatus may be of the type described above.

[0043] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of several embodiments given as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0044] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view of an apparatus for producing and dispensing an organized group of smoking articles according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail of FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a plan partial cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 taken along the plane having the line III-III of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the conveying device of the device of FIG. 1 taken along the plane having the line IV-IV of FIG. 3; [Diagram 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the conveying device of the device of FIG. 1 taken along the plane having the line VV of FIG. 3; [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an enlarged three-dimensional view of a conveying member in an assembled state according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an enlarged three-dimensional view of a conveying member in a detached state according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the conveying member in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is an enlarged three-dimensional view of a conveying member in an assembled state according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an enlarged three-dimensional view of a conveying member in a detached state according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged detail of the rod in FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the transport rod in FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] It must be made clear that the expressions and terms used in this specification have the sole function of better describing the invention with reference to the attached drawings, and should in no way be used to limit the scope or field of the invention itself and the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.

[0046] To facilitate understanding, the same reference numbers have been used wherever possible in the drawings to identify identical common elements, and it will be understood that elements and features of the same embodiment may be combined or incorporated into other embodiments as appropriate without further description.

[0047] 1, an apparatus 10 according to the present invention, configured for producing and dispensing an organized group of, for example, cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, or similar smoking articles 20, includes a storage compartment or feed hopper arrangement 11 of known type which, during use, accumulates a plurality of smoking articles 20 and dispenses them in an organized and orderly manner through three compartments 31, 32, 33 located downstream of said hopper arrangement 11 (see FIG. 1 ). The three compartments 31, 32, 33 include a central compartment 32 and two lateral compartments 31, 33.

[0048] The hopper apparatus 11 includes a front wall 12 and a rear wall 13 parallel to the front wall 12 and connected thereto by two side walls 14, 15 (see Figures 1 and 3). The front wall 12, the rear wall 13 and the side walls 14, 15 are located at their lower ends and define a lower opening 16 through which the smoking article 20 can pass and be conveyed towards the channel 30 (see Figures 1 and 2).

[0049] The rear wall 13 defines a substantially vertical plane having a front surface 17 along which the smoking articles 20 are stored, and a rear surface 18 (see Figures 4 and 5) which is exterior to the hopper apparatus 11.

[0050] The conveying channels 30 have a vertical or substantially vertical extension, but may be slightly inclined. Each conveying channel 30 includes a corresponding inlet opening 34 at its upper portion, which opens into the hopper apparatus 11 and is located in particular in the vicinity of its lower opening 16, so that the channel 30 can be accessed immediately after the smoking articles 20 leave the hopper apparatus 11. Alternatively, the inlet opening 34 of the channel 30 may be located directly within the hopper apparatus 11.

[0051] In either case, the inlet openings 34 are positioned such that each channel 30 communicates with the hopper arrangement 11. It should be noted that all of the inlet openings 34 are aligned with one another along a horizontal axis parallel to the lateral direction Y, and that the smoking articles 20 accumulate due to gravity, forming a mass or accumulation 21 (see FIG. 1).

[0052] The device 10 comprises a linear support structure 41 and a number of conveying members 42 (see Figures 1 and 2) configured as rods, each having its own longitudinal axis X and inserted into a number of pedestals 43 formed in the support structure 41, the pedestals 43 being configured as through holes (see Figures 3, 4 and 5). In each pedestal 43 a rotatable sleeve 44 integral with the corresponding conveying member 42 is accommodated. The pedestals 43, and therefore also the longitudinal axes X, are uniformly distributed along the support structure 41 and are spaced apart from one another by a constant centre distance δ (see Figure 2).

[0053] The support structure 41 is disposed correspondingly on the rear face 18 of the rear wall 13 of the hopper apparatus 11, and the conveying members 42 pass through corresponding through holes 19 formed in the rear wall 13 of the hopper apparatus 11 and protrude from the front face 17 of the hopper apparatus 11 (see Figures 4 and 5). The through holes 19 are disposed directly above and aligned with the inlet openings 34 of the channels 30, i.e. oriented horizontally in the lateral direction Y. The number of conveying members 42 and their centre distance δ from each other are determined such that each inlet opening 34 is disposed between two adjacent conveying members (see Figure 2).

[0054] In the example shown, the three compartments 31, 32, 33 have a total of 21 channels 30 and 24 conveying members 42, one located near each side of the entrance opening 34 (see Figures 1 and 2). In particular, two conveying members 42 are arranged on either side of each entrance opening 34. Between two adjacent entrance openings 34, one conveying member 42 is provided that can convey the smoking article 20 to either of the two adjacent channels. In the example shown here, the support structure 41 includes a total of 34 seats 43, 10 of which remain free.

[0055] In the example shown, the conveying member 42 is arranged outside the hopper device 11, directly below its lower opening 16 (see FIG. 2). However, the conveying member 42 may also be arranged inside the hopper device 11, i.e. above the lower opening 16. In such a case, advantageously, as will be described later, the front wall 12 of the hopper device 11 is preferably openable or removable in order to facilitate removal of the conveying member 42.

[0056] The conveying device 40 further comprises three motors 45, 46, 47 mounted on the support structure 41 behind the hopper device 11 on either side thereof, substantially at the height of the conveying members 42 (see Figs. 1 and 3). The shaft of each motor 45, 46, 47 is connected to a respective rack 51, 52, 53 by means of a respective eccentric or connecting rod-crank mechanism 48, 49, 50. The conveying members 42 are divided into three groups 54, 55, 56 (see Fig. 3), each of which engages with a corresponding rack 51, 52, 53 by means of a gear 57, 58, 59, each of which is integral with a corresponding sleeve 44 and is coaxial with a corresponding longitudinal axis X. Each of the three groups 54, 55, 56 comprises eight consecutive conveying members 42 arranged on a corresponding compartment 31, 32, 33.

[0057] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the device 10, a first motor 45 and a second motor 46 are arranged side by side on a first side of the hopper device 11 (see Figures 1 and 3) and drive a first rack 52 and a second rack 52, respectively. The two racks 51, 52 are parallel to the lateral direction Y (see Figures 1, 4 and 5) and mesh with gears 57, 58, respectively (see Figures 3, 4 and 5).

[0058] The third motor 47 is instead arranged on the other side of the hopper arrangement 11 and drives a third rack 53 by means of a third connecting rod crank mechanism 50, the third rack 53 meshing with a gear 59 (see Figures 1 and 3) and arranged so as not to interfere with the second rack 52 which drives the second group 55 of the conveying members 42.

[0059] According to one aspect of the invention, each conveying member 42 is made up of two parts, which can be joined together. In particular, each conveying member 42 comprises a support rod 60 including a pedestal 61 at one end thereof and a shaped rod 62 with a joining end 63, the shaped rod 62 being configured to engage the pedestal 61 in a stable but removable manner (see Figures 6 to 12). In use, i.e. when the support rod 60 and the shaped rod 62 are joined together, they are coaxial and aligned along the longitudinal axis X (see Figures 8 and 12). Each pedestal 61 is made corresponding to a respective widened end 64, the outer diameter of which is larger than the outer diameter of the remaining part of the support rod 60. The pedestal 61 is formed as a blind hole formed in the widened end 64.

[0060] Each support rod 60 has a thread 65 at the end opposite the widened end 64 configured to be screwed into a respective nut 66 so as to prevent the support rod 60 from being displaced axially relative to the support structure 41 while allowing it to rotate relative to the latter (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0061] Each shaped rod 62 has a substantially hexagonal cross section, although it is also possible to provide the shaped rods 62 with other cross sections, for example circular or square. These cross-sectional shapes allow each of the smoking articles 20 to facilitate the flow from the hopper device 11 into the channel 30 by alternately rotating in opposite directions about its own longitudinal axis X. The hexagonal shape is advantageous because, during rotation of the shaped rods 62, an edge separating two adjacent faces accompanies the smoking articles, facilitating the entry of the smoking articles into the channel 30 one after the other.

[0062] Each widened end 64, the outside diameter of which is greater than that of the rest of the support rod 60, forms an abutment surface 67 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, which abuts against the corresponding end of the sleeve 44 into which the support rod 60 is inserted, thereby ensuring a stable insertion and axial positioning of the support rod 60 in the support 41. In fact, any displacement in the longitudinal direction, i.e. along the longitudinal axis X, is prevented by the abutment surface 67 which abuts against the sleeve 44 on the one hand and against the nut 66 on the other hand.

[0063] Each widened end 64 is received in a corresponding through hole 19 in the rear wall 13 of the hopper arrangement 11. For this purpose, each widened end 64 has a length equal to the thickness of the rear wall 13 itself and is inserted completely therein (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0064] As can be seen from Figures 3, 4 and 5, during use, only the forming rod 62 comes into contact with the smoking article 20, and therefore the forming rod 62 must rotate in such a way that the support rod 60 is completely outside the hopper apparatus 11, while facilitating the descent of the smoking article 20 from the hopper apparatus 11 to the channel 30. The forming rod 62 and the support rod 60 are therefore rigidly coupled to each other. As a result, the rotational movement imparted to the support rod 60 by the racks 51, 52, 53 driven by the motors 45, 46, 47 is transmitted to the forming rod 62 in a similar manner.

[0065] 6 to 8 show a first embodiment of the conveying member 42, in which the connection between the support rod 60 and the shaping rod 62 is a mechanical connection with interference. In particular, the connection end 63 of the shaping rod 62 and the widened end 64 of the support rod 60 are configured as morse cones having interfitting shapes. The connection end 63 of the shaping rod 62 is a male element of the morse cone, but it is also possible that the widened end 64 of the support rod 60 is such a male element.

[0066] The male coupling end 63 of each shaped rod 62 has a length equal to or greater than the depth of the blind hole 61. Additionally, each shaped rod 62 includes an intermediate portion 68 for gradually connecting between the coupling end 63 and the shaped portion, the intermediate portion 68 being disposed outside the blind hole 61 of the support rod 60 during use (see Figures 4, 5, 6 and 8).

[0067] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned Morse cone allows the connection between each support rod 60 and the corresponding shaping rod 62 to be axially rigid and stable, so that during use, the support rods 60 and the shaping rods 62 cannot become dislodged by the movements imparted by the motors 45, 46, 47. At the same time, this also ensures a rotationally rigid connection, i.e. a rotation imparted to the support rod 60 is transferred to the shaping rod 62.

[0068] In a second embodiment, as shown in figures 9 to 12, the coupling between each support rod 60 and the corresponding shaped rod 62 is generated by magnetic means, for example configured as a magnet 69 housed in the bottom of a blind hole 61 defining the seat of the support rod 60. The coupling end 63 of each shaped rod 62 is thus made of a ferromagnetic material in order to generate a coupling with the magnet 69.

[0069] The connection by the magnets 69 is stable since it can hold the corresponding shaped rod 62. However, to ensure that each shaped rod 62 rotates together with the corresponding support rod 60, a conformal connection between each support rod 60 and the corresponding shaped rod 62 is also provided.

[0070] In particular, in the example shown, a homomorphic bond is generated between the base 60, which comprises an elongated opening 70 and two parallel straight walls 71, and the corresponding molded part of the molded rod 62 (see Figs. 9, 10 and 11). More precisely, the distance between the two straight faces 71 is equal to the distance between the two opposite faces of the hexagonal molded rod 62. In this way, the two straight faces 71 can engage in turn with the two opposite faces of the molded rod 62 to form a homomorphic bond (see Fig. 12).

[0071] It should be noted that in this case, the length of the connecting end 63 of the forming rod 62 is less than the depth of the blind hole 61, so that the opening 70 directly interferes with the forming rod 62 itself.

[0072] In this case, the connecting end 63 has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the forming rod 62, which makes it possible to form an abutment 72 that abuts against the opening 70, and the opening 70 has a greater lateral extension than the blind hole 61 (see FIG. 11).

[0073] The operation of the feeder 10 is entirely similar to that of devices equipped with known unitary conveying members, whereby the motors 45, 46, 47 which drive the racks 51, 52, 53 in alternating linear motion are started, causing the sleeve 44 to rotate in the opposite direction thanks to the gears 57, 58, 59, thereby determining the alternating rotation of the conveying members which interact with the smoking articles 20 in contact therewith, thereby regulating the flow of the smoking articles 20 through the inlet opening 34 of the channel 30 (see FIG. 2).

[0074] Unlike prior art devices, with the device 10 according to the present invention, if it is necessary to change part of the conveying member 42, for example to change the diameter, lateral size or style of the conveying member 42, or simply to remove them completely, it is sufficient to extract the shaping rod 62 relative to the corresponding support rod 60 and, if necessary, insert a new shaping rod 62 into the base 61 of the support rod 60.

[0075] A change in the number and / or type of conveying members 42 is usually necessary when changing the diameter and / or length of the smoking articles 20 to be fed, or the number of smoking articles 20 in each box packed downstream of the device 10. Indeed, when the diameter of the forming rods 62 is changed, only the round trip distance between two adjacent forming rods 62 changes with respect to the passage of the smoking articles 20, while the center distance δ between two adjacent conveying members 42 remains unchanged.

[0076] It is clear that the task of removing the conveying member is considerably facilitated since it is not necessary to remove the support rod 60 from the support structure 41 and thus to access the interior of the device 10 in order to remove the corresponding nuts 66. Indeed, it is sufficient to extract the shaped rod 62 from its support rod 60 in a manner that is simple and accessible to anyone.

[0077] In the example shown, the conveying member 42 is located outside the hopper arrangement 11, so that it is not covered by the front wall 12 and the forming rod 62 can be easily removed. If the conveying member 42 were covered by the front wall 12 of the hopper arrangement 11, the front wall 12 would have to be opened or removed before the forming rod 62 could be removed.

[0078] Thus, the removal and / or replacement of parts of the conveying member 42 no longer requires the intervention of a specialist technician, which facilitates and streamlines the management of the work and personnel assigned to the device 10. And the use of special tools is no longer necessary, it being sufficient to use only tools that are commonly available at the location where such device 10 is installed.

[0079] It will be apparent that modifications and / or additions of components and / or steps may be made to the apparatus 10 and corresponding method for producing and dispensing organized groups of smoking articles described hereinabove without departing from the field and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

[0080] Furthermore, although the invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, it is clear that a person skilled in the art can certainly realise many other equivalent forms of devices and / or methods for producing and supplying organised groups of smoking articles, all of which have the characteristics set out in the accompanying claims and are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0081] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the symbols in parentheses is to facilitate readability; they shall not be considered as limiting elements with regard to the field of protection claimed in the claims themselves.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) for forming and dispensing organized groups of smoking articles (20), said apparatus (10) comprising: a storage compartment (11) configured to store said plurality of smoking articles (20); at least one conveying channel (30) arranged below said storage compartment (10) and communicating with said storage compartment (10); a conveying device (40) having an elongated shape and including a support structure (41) on which are mounted two or more conveying members (42) formed parallel to one another and configured to facilitate the descent of the smoking articles (20) from the storage compartment (11) into the conveying channel (30); Including, Each of the conveying members (42) comprises a first element (60) rotatably mounted on the support structure (41) so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis (X), and a second element (62) coupled to the first element (60) so as to be rotatable therewith; The first element (60) includes a first connecting end (64), and the second element (62) includes a second connecting end (63); The device (10) is characterized in that the first coupling end (64) and the second coupling end (63) are configured to create a stable mechanical coupling between each other even without the assistance of an auxiliary attachment means.

2. 2. The device (10) of claim 1, wherein the mechanical coupling is created in a manner that constrains the first element (60) and the second element (62) from rotating together about the longitudinal axis (X).

3. 2. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said mechanical coupling is of the Morse cone type.

4. 2. The apparatus (10) of claim 1, wherein the first coupling end (64) and the second coupling end (63) are configured to generate a magnetic coupling between each other.

5. 2. The device (10) of claim 1, wherein the first coupling end (64) includes a magnetic member (69) and the second coupling end (63) is made of a magnetic or ferromagnetic material.

6. 2. The device (10) of claim 1, wherein the first coupling end (64) includes a seat (61) and the second coupling end (64) includes an appendage configured to be inserted into the seat (61).

7. 7. The apparatus (10) of claim 6, wherein the first coupling end (64) includes an inlet opening (70) formed for entering the base (64), having a cross-sectional shape different from that of the base (61), and configured to create a conformal coupling with the second element (62).

8. the first element (60) and the first coupling end (64) have a substantially cylindrical shape; The first coupling end (64) has a larger outer diameter than the remainder of the first element (60); 2. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an abutment surface (67) between the first connecting end (64) and the other part of the first element (60) transverse to the longitudinal axis (X).

9. The storage compartment includes a rear wall (13) having a plurality of through holes (19) each coaxial with a corresponding longitudinal axis (X) of one of the first elements (60); 2. The device (10) of claim 1, wherein the first coupling end (64) of each of the first elements (60) of the conveying member (42) is rotatably inserted into one of the corresponding through holes among the plurality of through holes, and each of the corresponding second elements (62) protrudes into the storage compartment (11).

10. 1. A method for forming and supplying an organized group of smoking articles (20), said method comprising: A first step of making the device (10) ready for use, said device (10) comprising: a storage compartment (11) configured to store a plurality of said smoking articles (20); at least one conveying channel (30) arranged below said storage compartment (10) and communicating with said storage compartment (10); a first step including a conveying device (40) having an elongated shape and including a support structure (41) to which are attached two or more conveying members (42) configured to facilitate the descent of the smoking articles (20) from the storage compartment (11) into the conveying channel (30), the conveying members (42) being parallel to one another and configured to facilitate the descent of the smoking articles (20) from the storage compartment (11) into the conveying channel (30); a second step of manufacturing said conveying members (42), each of said conveying members (42) comprising a first element (60) rotatably mounted on said support structure (41) so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis (X), and a second element (62) coupled to said first element (60) so as to be rotatable together with said first element (60); Including, 1. A method for producing a stable mechanical connection between a first connecting end (64) of said first element (60) and a second connecting end (63) of said second element (62) even in the absence of assistance from an auxiliary attachment means.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising a third step in which the second element (62) is extracted from the first element (60) while the first element (60) remains rotatably mounted on the support structure (41).

12. 2. A method of using the conveying member (42) in the device (10) for forming and dispensing organized groups of the smoking articles (20) of claim 1, comprising: the conveying member (42) comprises both a first element (60) rotatably mounted on the support structure (41) of the device (10) so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis (X), and a second element (62) coupled to the first element (60) so as to be rotatable therewith; The method of use, characterized in that the conveying member (42) interacts with the smoking article (20) to facilitate the flow of the smoking article (29) towards at least one storage compartment (11) of the device (10).

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