Rod-shaped article treatment apparatus and initial filling method for the apparatus

Abstract

To provide an apparatus which is formed and configured to treat rod-shaped articles of a tobacco processing industry, particularly to convey and / or store the same.SOLUTION: An apparatus (10) comprises: a storage chamber as a receiving storehouse for storing rod-shaped articles; a feed device for feeding the articles into the storage chamber; and a passage-shaped shaft (14) to be connected to the storage chamber, which has one back wall, one front wall and two side walls, stores the articles and / or conveys the same from the storage chamber to the device arranged downstream of the shaft in the conveyance direction of the articles. In the apparatus, the passage-shaped shaft has at least almost vertical orientation and disposed with at least one openable / closable closure element (18) within the region of the shaft, and the shaft can be divided into at least two separate shaft sections by the closure element. Also disclosed is an initial filling method for the device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus shaped and configured for handling, in particular transporting and / or storing, rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, comprising a storage chamber as a receiving reservoir for receiving the rod-shaped articles, at least one module as a feeding device for feeding the articles into the storage chamber, and a passage-like shaft connecting the storage chamber and having a back wall, a front wall and two side walls, for storing and / or transporting the articles from the storage chamber to an apparatus arranged downstream of the shaft in the conveying direction T of the articles.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for automatic initial filling of the shaft of a device for handling, in particular for transporting and / or storing, rod-shaped products in the tobacco processing industry, comprising the steps of feeding the products by means of a feeding device into a chamber of the device for handling the products, and transporting the product stream flowing into the chamber, through the shaft of the device, from the chamber to a device arranged downstream in the shaft, whereby the product stream is first intercepted in the transition area from the chamber into the shaft and then lowered in a controlled manner downwards to the device arranged downstream. [Background technology]

[0003] Such devices and methods are used for various purposes in the tobacco processing industry, when rod-shaped articles are transported, as intermediate products or as final products, for example from a first production or processing or treatment station to a downstream arranged production or processing or treatment station or packaging station, and possibly also stored on the way there. Examples of such devices can be, for example, so-called drop shafts or corresponding shafts arranged in horizontal stores. In the example of a drop shaft, for example, a line is used to feed individual rod-shaped articles, for example filters, filter rods of single or multiple usable lengths or the like, into the area of ​​a receiving module as a feed device. By means of the receiving module, the articles are guided into a receiving chamber for initial filling, in particular after a format change, during which the drop shaft must be completely emptied, from which they flow via a vertically oriented shaft towards and to a device arranged downstream of the shaft. In this case, a distance of up to 150 cm or more must be overcome in the vertical direction.

[0004] In the example of a horizontal store, for example connecting a so-called maker for producing cigarettes to a so-called packer for packaging cigarettes, the horizontal store, when discharged, runs its side walls close to each other, resulting in an approximately vertically oriented shaft. During initial filling, for example a belt conveyor is used as a feed device to transport the multi-layer mass flow formed from the articles approximately horizontally into the area of ​​the receiving chamber, from where they flow via the vertically oriented shaft towards and to a device arranged downstream of the shaft. Here too, a distance of up to 150 cm or more must be overcome in the vertical direction.

[0005] The known devices have the common drawback that the initial filling can only be carried out semi-automatically, for example during or after a format change, so-called brand change, process, during which the device must be completely emptied or completely emptied. During the initial filling of an empty device or an empty shaft, the goods must flow through a shaft that is oriented approximately vertically at least in sections, which, during free fall over the entire distance, would lead to undesirable mispositioning of goods or the like. In order to prevent this mispositioning and to generate a uniform and continuous flow of goods during the initial filling, the prior art uses manual auxiliary means, for example a submersible, which precedes the goods flow and is gradually guided in the conveying direction starting from the storage chamber to the end of the shaft. At the start of the initial filling, the submersible, or an equivalent element that moves together in the shaft, is present in the region of the transition from the storage chamber to the shaft. Due to the following flowing goods and / or active drive, the submersible moves towards the end of the shaft in the area of ​​the downstream device as a sort of braking block in front of the goods flowing into the shaft. As soon as the initial filling is completed, i.e. as soon as a complete and continuous goods flow is formed between the receiving chamber and the downstream device, the submersible must be removed from the shaft. This solution is correspondingly only semi-automatic and requires time and manpower. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a simple and reliable device with which a fully automatic initial filling of the shaft can be realized.A further object of the present invention is to provide a corresponding method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The object is achieved by a device according to the initially mentioned embodiment in that the passage-like shaft has an at least approximately vertical orientation and at least one closure element, which can be opened or closed, is arranged in the area of ​​the shaft, by means of which the shaft can be divided into at least two separated shaft sections. With an approximately vertical orientation, the articles fall into the drop shaft in the conveying direction T only by gravity, since shafts with a slightly inclined position can also be included. With the or each closure element in the closed position, the article flow is first blocked, so that a free fall over a relatively large distance is blocked. The articles fall at most from the receiving chamber into the first shaft section bounded by the closure element. After the opening of this closure element, the article flow falls in a next step into the shaft section located below. Dividing the shaft into at least two shaft sections therefore leads to the article flow always having to overcome only a small distance together. The device according to the invention thereby ensures a fully automatic initial filling without the occurrence of misaligned articles.

[0008] Advantageously, the shaft can be divided by the movable closure element into more than two, preferably three to nine, shaft sections arranged one above the other, in particular the two or three or more than three shaft sections having substantially the same storage volume for the goods. The shaft has a predetermined total height, for example between 100 cm and 180 cm. How many shaft sections are required to achieve a drop height which still allows to avoid misaligned goods depends on the total height. The height of the shaft sections, i.e. the extension dimension of each shaft section in the conveying direction T, which determines, as it were, the drop height of the goods from the storage compartment or the shaft section located respectively directly above, is for example 40 mm or 30 mm or 20 mm or 10 mm. From the total height of the shaft and the selected height of the shaft sections, the number of shaft sections and thus the number of closure elements is obtained. The shaft sections may have different dimensions in the conveying direction T in terms of height, but preferably all shaft sections are formed the same in terms of height and have the same storage volume for the goods. It will be appreciated that the shaft height, shaft section heights and their configuration may be varied.

[0009] A particularly preferred embodiment is characterized in that each closure element is formed and configured as a linearly movable blade. These pull blades are, on the one hand, sufficiently stable to at least temporarily block the goods flow. On the other hand, these (pull) blades are linearly reciprocated quickly and precisely. The blades can be moved quickly and instantaneously without negatively influencing the goods flow located thereon. This ensures a portion-wise or progressive opening of the shaft and thus a controlled release of the shaft and thus of the goods flow during initial filling in a reliable and reliable manner. Instead of (pull) blades, the closure elements can alternatively be formed, for example, as flap blades, in particular as one-part flap blades or as multi-part, in particular two-part, flap blades. The or each flap blade or flap blade element can be pivotally supported, for example, on the side wall of the shaft. Instead of the blade as a pull blade or a flap blade, a separate closing plate, flap or the like consisting of one or more members may be used.

[0010] Expediently, a slit is formed in the region of the rear wall of the shaft, and in the region of the slit, a closure element is arranged through the slit in the rear wall from a waiting or release position to a closing position to divide the shaft into individual shaft sections, and from the closing position to a waiting or release position to release the shaft or shaft section. A blade as a closure element is guided through the slit in the rear wall. The direction of movement of the blade is preferably horizontal. Optionally, a slit or another opening and / or an opening may be formed, for example, in the front wall and / or in one or both side walls.

[0011] In a preferred development of the device, the shaft has a partition wall in the vertical direction, by which the shaft chamber is divided into two shaft sections arranged next to each other. The partition wall may extend over a part of the shaft height or over the entire shaft height. Optionally, several partition walls may be provided. Each partition wall may be, for example, a flat continuous wall. Guide elements for the article flow may be arranged in the region of the partition wall and / or on the side walls of the shaft.

[0012] Preferably, each closure element has a slit, which in its dimension transverse to the conveying direction T corresponds substantially to the thickness of the partition wall dividing the shaft vertically. The width of the slit in the blade as closure element is ideally slightly larger than the thickness of the partition wall in order to ensure a contact-free and friction-free movement of the closure element relative to the partition wall. The closure element may be continuously closed for shafts without partition walls. For vertically divided shafts, in addition to the slit closure element, two separate closure elements / blades may be provided, which are guided on both sides of the partition wall.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, each closing element is respectively assigned at least one drive, in particular a pneumatic drive, which is formed and designed to move the closing element from a waiting or release position for the shaft to a closed position for forming the shaft section and in the opposite direction. This embodiment ensures a fast release and closing of the respective shaft section reliably and precisely. The pneumatic drive in particular comprises a base body surrounding or forming the compressed air cylinder, a pneumatically driven guide rod system, a means for generating compressed air, valves and lines. Instead of the pneumatic drive, other drive means can also be used, for example a stepper motor or the like.

[0014] Preferably, each closure element is connected to a guide body, which is linearly guided on a drive, in particular a pneumatic drive. More precisely, the guide body is guided on a basic body, which is in an interacting relationship with a guide rod system. By moving the guide rod system, the guide body is moved, which in turn moves the closure element. The closure element and the guide body may be made of several parts and connected to each other. Preferably, the closure element and the guide body are, however, formed in one piece.

[0015] In a preferred development of the device, the storage chamber can be divided by a partition element into at least two chamber sections arranged one above the other. Preferably, the storage chamber is divided into two chamber sections. Optionally, the storage chamber can be divided into more than two chamber sections arranged one above the other. The partition element, like the blade, is movable through a slit from the closed position to the open position and in the opposite direction and can also be driven by a pneumatic drive or an alternative drive concept. Also, a swinging flap or the like can be used as a storage chamber divider.

[0016] An advantageous development of the device is characterized in that the chamber section which is located adjacent to the shaft in the conveying direction T of the chamber is separated from the shaft by a closure element, so that, before the gradual filling of the shaft, a predetermined amount of goods can first be accumulated in the chamber, and then a continuous flow of goods is guided section by section vertically downwards into the shaft.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment, for the initial filling of the device, all separation and closure elements are automatically movable into the closed position and sequentially automatically movable from top to bottom in the conveying direction T into the waiting or release position for filling the shaft. After a format change and the complete discharge of the device, i.e. for the various initial fillings, all separation and closure elements are first in their closed position. The closure elements first prevent the flow of goods into the vertically oriented shaft, so that the goods can be piled up in the receiving chamber. Only when a certain amount of goods has been accumulated in the receiving chamber are the closure elements gradually opened from top to bottom, so that the goods flow can be conveyed towards the device arranged downstream in the shaft.

[0018] In one embodiment, at least two, preferably three, receiving modules as feed devices are arranged in the area of ​​the receiving chamber, the separation element being formed and configured to separate the section of the receiving chamber assigned to the first receiving module from the section or sections assigned to the second receiving module and each further receiving module. The receiving modules can be fed with the articles via a line or the like. Via the receiving modules, the articles reach the receiving chamber. It is freely selectable whether the first, lowest receiving module first guides the articles into the receiving chamber and / or whether another, upper receiving module or several or all receiving modules guide the articles into the receiving chamber at the same time. For cases in which the receiving chamber is not divided, a filling of the receiving chamber from below to above is preferred, whereby the articles remain on the closing element in the closed position in the transition area from the receiving chamber to the shaft. A holding means, for example a short chainmail, prevents misalignment of the articles in the flow of the articles into the receiving chamber. For cases where the chamber is divided, the articles can be conveyed first into the upper chamber section of the chamber and collected so that the articles first remain on the separating element. Other filling options of the chamber and / or shaft are also possible. In another embodiment of the device, in the region of the chamber, a conveying element, for example a conveying belt, which conveys a mass flow of, for example, layers of articles, can also be arranged as a supply element which supplies the articles horizontally towards and into the chamber.

[0019] Advantageously, at least one detection element for detecting the filling level is arranged in the region of the receiving chamber, such that the first closing element and each further closing element in the conveying direction T are only opened once an additional article volume formed from the articles has been formed in the receiving chamber, detected by the detection means, which article volume essentially corresponds to the receiving volume of the next shaft section to be filled in order to form a closed article flow, and the articles fall onto the subsequent closing element in the conveying direction T after opening of the first or subsequent closing element. The or each detection element may for example have mechanical and / or electronic components, such as a filling level sensor, a displaceable filling level flap with contact elements or the like. Optionally, a plurality of detection means may be arranged in different positions in the receiving chamber, preferably at different heights, preferably spaced apart above and below in each chamber section.

[0020] A preferred development of the device is characterized in that it further comprises a control device, which is formed and configured to control the separation element and / or the closing element depending on the filling level of the receiving chamber. For this purpose, the control device is connected at least to the detection element and to the drives, in particular pneumatic drives, for the separation element and the closing element. Depending on the filling level of the receiving chamber or of the individual chamber sections of the receiving chamber, the drive, in particular the pneumatic drive, of the separation element or the closing element is controlled in operation.

[0021] Particularly advantageously, the separation element is arranged in the transition area between the storage chamber and the shaft at a distance of 100 mm to 150 mm, preferably approximately 120 mm, relative to the first closure element in the conveying direction T. Due to this drop height, the article stream can be transported reliably and without misaligned articles in the conveying direction firstly from chamber section to chamber section and subsequently, preferably from shaft section to shaft section with comparable drop height.

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the device is characterized in that the respective separation element and the respective closure element are formed and configured on the housing of the storage chamber and / or on the shaft in a fixed position with respect to the transport direction T of the goods and are formed and configured so as to be movable only transversely to the transport direction T. When only the closure element is present, it is always arranged in the same position along the shaft, alternatively only in the closed position or in the waiting or release position, i.e. always at the same height. It should be noted, however, that the fixed position does not exclude the possibility that the closure element (and the corresponding also applies to the separation element) is formed so as to be movable transversely to the transport direction T, or, however, to be pivotable about a fixed pivot point, in order to open and close the shaft and to separate the storage chamber.

[0023] The object is further achieved by a method comprising the steps mentioned at the outset, in that in the region of the shaft at least one closure element is first closed, thereby blocking and collecting the goods flow in the receiving chamber, and the or each closure element is opened upon reaching a defined filling level of the receiving chamber, for a controlled descent of the goods flow. As already explained in connection with the device, the method according to the invention makes possible a fully automatic initial filling of a vertically oriented shaft, i.e. independently of the type and field of use of the device.

[0024] Preferably, several blades as closing elements arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction T are first all held in a closing position in which they close the shaft and then pulled backwards through the rear wall of the shaft to a releasing position in which they release one shaft section each time from above to below in a defined sequence, so that a continuous stream of goods can be transported over long distances in the stream of the initial filling of the shaft, reliably and automatically and without misaligned goods, from a receiving chamber, where the goods are fed via any feed device, to a device arranged downstream in the shaft.

[0025] Particularly advantageously, each blade is quickly and instantly pulled from the closed position backwards to the open position, so that the article stream is guided section by section and progressively from top to bottom in defined steps and intervals into the shaft, or falls to a lower position in the shaft, until a continuous article stream is formed from the receiving chamber to the device arranged downstream. Quickly and instantly describes the principle of a tablecloth, where a tablecloth is pulled out from under the articles located on it without dragging the articles with it. This expresses that, due to the quick and instantaneous movement of the blades, the articles do not fall / spill individually into the next shaft section, but the article stream is transported, so to speak, in blocks.

[0026] Advantageously, the control of the closure element to release the shaft section is carried out via a query of the filling level in the receiving chamber. Particularly preferably, the first closure element and all further closure elements in the conveying direction T are only opened once an additional article volume formed from the articles in the receiving chamber, detected by the detection means, has been formed which substantially corresponds to the receiving volume of the next shaft section to be filled in order to form a closed article flow, and the articles fall onto the subsequent closure element in the conveying direction T after the opening of the first or subsequent closure element. Expediently, the filling level in the receiving chamber, which has been reduced by the opening of the first closure element, is raised again by the further supply of articles into the receiving chamber, until the detection means again triggers the opening of the subsequent closure element, and this process is repeated until all closure elements are open. The advantages resulting from the aforementioned steps have already been explained in connection with the device according to the invention, so that in order to avoid repetition, reference is made to the corresponding text.

[0027] In an advantageous development, the articles fall by sequentially opening the closure elements from top to bottom, each by approximately 100-150 mm, preferably 120 mm, per portion, from shaft section to shaft section until the last shaft section located upstream of the subsequent device is filled, in order to form a continuous article flow in the shaft. The small fall height of the articles or article flow, which is also achieved in the receiving chamber, when the articles fall onto the first closure element provided in the transition area from the receiving chamber to the shaft or when the articles fall from one chamber section to the next, ensures a particularly reliable and trouble-free automatic initial filling.

[0028] It is particularly advantageous to at least partially cover the stock of goods formed in the storage chamber by the goods being fed from above. A short chain mail or the like prevents so-called misaligned goods from being fed into the storage chamber.

[0029] A particularly preferred development of the method is characterized in that the method is carried out by means of an apparatus according to one or more of claims 1 to 16.

[0030] Further expedient and / or advantageous features and developments of the device and the pre-filling method can be seen from the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments and methods are explained in more detail with the aid of the attached drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention with a vertical drop shaft at the start of the initial filling. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a shaft having multiple closure elements in a closed position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is another close-up view of the two shaft sections. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 shows an isolated view of a blade as a closure element with a pneumatic drive in the engaged state, i.e. in the closed position of the closure element; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a rear view of a device with multiple closure elements in a closed position. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 shows an isolated view of the blade as a closure element with a pneumatic drive, the pneumatic drive being shown in the withdrawn state, i.e. in the release position of the closure element; [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a rear view of a device with multiple closure elements in an open position. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the device shown in FIG. 1 with the containment chamber partially filled. [Figure 9] 9 is a view of the device shown in FIG. 8 with a further filled storage chamber and with the article located on a separating element provided in the upper chamber section. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view of the device shown in FIG. 9 with a further filled receiving chamber and with the article located on a closure element provided in the transition to the shaft. [Figure 11] 11 is a view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 10 with a further filled chamber and when the articles fill the chamber and exceed the prescribed fill height. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a view of the device shown in FIG. 11 with a further filled receiving chamber and an article located on one closure element provided in the shaft. [Figure 13] 13 shows a view of the device shown in FIG. 12 with a further filled receiving chamber and with the article located on a closure element which is located further down in the conveying direction T. FIG. [Figure 14] 14. A view of the device shown in FIG. 13 with a further filled storage chamber, when the goods are located on the lowermost closure element in the conveying direction T and a closed goods flow extends from the storage chamber to a device arranged downstream in the shaft. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the device according to the invention with a vertical drop shaft at the start of the initial filling. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram of the apparatus shown in FIG. 15 with a horizontal conveyor feeding the articles into the chamber. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a view of the device shown in FIG. 16 with a filled storage chamber and an article located on a closure element provided in the transition area to the shaft. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a view of the device shown in FIG. 17 with a further filled storage chamber and an article located on one closure element provided in the shaft. [Figure 19] 19. A view of the device shown in FIG. 18 with a further filled storage chamber, when the goods are located on the lowermost closure element in the conveying direction T and a closed goods flow extends from the storage chamber to the device arranged downstream in the shaft. [Figure 20] A diagram of the device shown in Figure 19, during normal operation when a closed article flow extends from the storage chamber to a device located downstream in the shaft, in which at least one side wall of the shaft is movable to expand the storage volume of the shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] The device shown in the drawing is used for transporting and / or storing rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry between a filter making machine and a filter application machine on the one hand, and between a so-called maker that produces cigarettes and a so-called packer that packs the cigarettes on the other hand. The device according to the invention can also be used for transporting and / or storing other articles in any machine with a vertically oriented shaft.

[0033] The device 10 shown in the drawings is configured for transporting and / or storing rod-shaped articles 11 of the tobacco processing industry and comprises a storage chamber 12 as a receiving reservoir for receiving the rod-shaped articles 11, at least one module as a supply device 13 for supplying the articles 11 into the storage chamber 12, and a passage-like shaft 14 connected to the storage chamber 12, having a back wall 15, a front wall not explicitly shown for the sake of clarity, and two side walls 16, 17, and used to store and / or transport the articles 11 from the storage chamber 12 to an apparatus (not shown) arranged downstream of the shaft 14 in the transport direction T of the articles 11.

[0034] The device 10 is characterized in that, according to the invention, a passage-shaped shaft 14 has an at least approximately vertical orientation and in that at least one closure element 18 which can be opened and closed is arranged in the area of ​​the shaft 14, by means of which the shaft 14 can be divided into at least two separated shaft sections 14.1, 14.2.

[0035] The features and developments described below, taken on their own or in combination with one another, form preferred embodiments of the device 10. It is expressly stated that the features summarized in the claims and / or the description and / or the drawings or described in one common embodiment may also functionally independently result in further developments of the device 10 described above.

[0036] The vertically oriented shaft 14 can be divided by the movable closure elements 18 into more than two, preferably three to nine, one above the other, shaft sections 14.1 to 14.n. In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1, seven shaft sections 14.1 to 14.7 are provided, which are arranged one above the other and separated from each other by the closure elements 18. In the transition area between the receiving chamber 12 and the shaft 14, a further closure element 18 is arranged. Each closure element 18 is formed and configured as a linearly movable blade 19. Each blade 19 is a simple, bending-rigid plate. The resting surface of each plate can be formed continuously, for example in the transition area between the receiving chamber 12 and the shaft 14, where the plate, so to speak, closes the shaft from above. The resting surface of each plate can, however, also be formed discontinuously, as will be explained further below. In the region of the rear wall 15 of the shaft 14, a slit 20 is formed. In the region of the slit 20, the closure element 18 is arranged through the slit 20 in the rear wall 15 from a waiting or releasing position (see, for example, FIG. 7) to a closing position (see, for example, FIG. 5) in order to divide the shaft 14 into the individual shaft sections 14.1 to 14.7, and from the closing position to the waiting or releasing position in order to release the shaft 14 or the shaft sections 14.1 to 14.7. The closure element 18 can be controlled to move sequentially.

[0037] The shaft 14 has a partition wall 21 in the vertical direction, by which the shaft chamber 22 is divided into two shaft chamber sections 22.1, 22.2 arranged next to each other. The dimensions of the two shaft chamber sections 22.1, 22.2 are approximately the same, since the partition wall 21 runs approximately in the middle. On both sides of the partition wall 21, guide elements 23 are arranged, which protrude into the shaft chamber sections 22.1, 22.2. In addition, guide elements 24 are also arranged or formed on the side walls 16, 17 on their inner faces facing the shaft chamber sections 22.2, 22.2. The partition wall 21 requires that in the illustrated embodiment, each closure element 18 has a slit 25, which in its dimension transverse to the conveying direction T essentially corresponds to the thickness of the partition wall 21 dividing the shaft 14 in the vertical direction. The plate forming the blade 19 is centrally slitted, the width of the slit 25 being wider than the thickness of the partition wall 21, so that the blade 19 can be moved from the closed position to the open position and back without contacting the partition wall 21.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment of the device 10, each closure element 18 is respectively assigned at least one pneumatic drive 26, which is formed and designed to move the closure element 18 from a waiting or release position for the shaft 14 to a closed position for forming the shaft sections 14.1 to 14.7 and in the opposite direction. The pneumatic drive 26 has in particular a base body 27. The base body 27 can surround or form a compressed air cylinder. This pressure cylinder is in an interacting relationship with a guide rod system 28. On or on the base body 27, the closure element 18 is movably arranged. Each closure element 18 is connected to a guide body 28, which is linearly guided on the pneumatic drive 26 or on the base body 27. The guide body 28 is in an interacting relationship with a guide rod system 29, which is guided in the base body 27 and interacts with the compressed air cylinder. By moving the compressed air cylinder and thus the guide rod system 29, the guide body 28 is moved, which in turn moves the closure element 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure element 18 and the guide body 28 are formed from one part. In FIG. 4, the compressed air cylinder is shown in an advanced position, in which the closure elements 18 are in the closed position. In FIG. 5, all the closure elements 18 are shown in the closed position at the beginning of the initial filling, since none of the closure elements 18 have been retracted backwards through the rear wall 15. In FIG. 6, the compressed air cylinder is shown in a retracted position, in which the closure elements 18 are in the released position. In FIG. 7, all the closure elements 18 are shown in the released position at the end of the initial filling, since all the closure elements 18 have been retracted backwards through the rear wall 15.

[0039] Not only the shaft 14 is divided into a number of shaft sections 14.1 to 14.7. In the illustrated embodiment of the device 10, the receiving chamber 12 is also divided by a partition element 30 into at least two chamber sections 12.1 and 12.2 arranged one on top of the other. The partition element 30 is configured identically to the closure element 18 and is likewise movable from the closed position to the open position and in the opposite direction by the pneumatic drive 26. The chamber section 12.1 of the receiving chamber 12, which is located adjacent to the shaft 14 in the conveying direction T, is separated from the shaft 14 by another closure element 18. For the initial filling of the device 10, all the partition elements and the closure elements 18, 30 are automatically movable to the closed position and are automatically movable sequentially from above to below in the conveying direction T to the waiting position or the open position for filling the shaft 14. The initial position of the device 10 is shown in FIG. 8. All the closure elements 18 are in the closed position. The shaft 14 is empty. In the initial position, a separating element 30 provided in the receiving chamber 12 may be selectively in a closed position (as shown) or in an open position.

[0040] The series of figures 1 to 14 shows an apparatus 10 in which at least two, preferably three, receiving modules 31.1 to 31.3 as supply devices 13 are arranged in the region of a storage chamber 12, a separation element 30 being formed and configured to separate a room section 12.1 of the storage chamber 12, which is assigned to the first receiving module 31.1, from the or each room section 12.2, which is assigned to the second receiving module and each further receiving module 31.2, 31.3. Each receiving module 31.1 to 31.3 can be supplied with articles 11 via a line 32. The articles 11 can be guided by one receiving module 31.1 or via several receiving modules 31.1 and / or 31.2 and / or 31.3 into the storage chamber 12, selectively into the chamber section 12.1 and / or into the chamber section 12.2, where they change the filling level of the storage chamber 12. The articles 12 which have flowed into the storage chamber 12 and have changed the filling level are at least temporarily covered by a flexible chainmail 33 or the like.

[0041] The sequence of figures 15 to 20 shows the device 10, in which the feed device 13 is a horizontally oriented conveyor belt 34, by means of which the articles 11 are fed as a multi-layer mass flow 35 towards and into the receiving chamber 12. Figure 16 shows the initial position of the device 10. All closing elements 18 are in the closed position. The shaft 14 is empty.

[0042] In both embodiments, in particular the closure element 18 assigned to the shaft 14 can be moved sequentially from a closed position (see in particular Figures 8 and 16) to an open position (see in particular Figures 9 to 14 or 17 to 20). Each separation element 30, and in particular each closure element 18, is formed and configured on the housing of the receiving chamber 12 and / or on the shaft 14 in a fixed position with respect to the conveying direction T of the articles 11 and is formed and configured so as to be movable only transversely to the conveying direction T. The spacing of the separation elements 30 relative to one another and to the closure elements 18 and the spacing of the closure elements 18 relative to one another are preferably the same and amount to approximately 100 mm to 150 mm, preferably approximately 120 mm.

[0043] In both embodiments, at least one detection element 36 is arranged in the region of the receiving chamber 12, which detects the filling level. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 14, the detection means 36 comprises an optical filling level sensor 37. In the embodiment shown in Figures 15 to 20, a mechanical flap element 38 is provided as the detection means 36, which is in an interactive relationship with a contact switch. The device 10 further comprises a control device, not explicitly shown, which is designed and constructed to control the separating element and / or the closing element 18, 30 as a function of the filling level of the receiving chamber 12. For this purpose, both the detection means 36 and all pneumatic drives 26 of the closing and separating elements 18, 30 are connected to the control device.

[0044] The invention further relates to a method for the automatic initial filling of shafts of devices for handling, in particular for transporting and / or storing, rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry.

[0045] The initial filling starts when the device 10 is first put into operation or when the device 10 is completely discharged for a format change, i.e. when there are no more articles 11 in the storage chamber 12 and the shaft 14. For this purpose, the articles 11 are first fed by the feed device 13 into the storage chamber 12 of the device 10 for handling the articles 11, optionally as individual articles 11 or as a mass flow of one or more layers formed from the articles 11. The article flow formed by the articles 11 is then conveyed through the shaft 14 of the device 10 from the storage chamber 12 to the device arranged downstream of the shaft 14, with the article flow first being intercepted in the transition area from the storage chamber 12 into the shaft 14 and then being lowered in a controlled manner downwards to the device arranged downstream of the shaft.

[0046] The method is characterized in that, according to the invention, in the area of ​​the shaft 14, at least one closure element 18 is first closed, thereby blocking and collecting the goods flow in the storage chamber 12, and then the or each closure element 18 is opened in order to allow a controlled descent of the goods flow when a defined filling level of the storage chamber 12 is reached.

[0047] With this method, an automatic initial filling of the device 10 is performed, since the filling of the storage chamber 12 and the shaft 14 is performed fully automatically and controlled, without any operator intervention. For cases in which a relatively large distance has to be overcome in the shaft 14, i.e. the shaft 14 has such a large height that the free fall of the article flow from the storage chamber 12 to the device arranged downstream of the shaft can only be realized with difficulty or is impossible without misaligned articles, a number of blades 19 arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction T as closing elements 18 are first all held in a closing position blocking the shaft 14 (see Figs. 8 and 16 as starting point for the initial filling). First, the storage chamber 12 is filled with articles 11. The receiving chamber 12 can first be filled up to a pre-given filling level (see for example FIG. 17) or can initially be partially filled by filling the chamber section 12.2 with the items 11 (see for example FIG. 9) and can only be completely filled by filling the chamber sections 12.1 and 12.2 with the items 11 after the partition element 30 separating the receiving chamber 12 has been moved from the closed position to the open position (see for example FIG. 10). When the items 11 in the receiving chamber 12 have reached a defined filling level, each closing element 18 is withdrawn backwards through the rear wall 15 of the shaft 14 to a release position which releases the shaft sections 14.1 to 14.n, in order to release in each case one shaft section 14.1 to 14.7 from above downwards in a defined sequence. First, only the closure element 18 which is adjacent to the receiving chamber 12 in the conveying direction T of the goods stream is opened, so that the goods stream falls into the shaft section 14.1 (see for example FIG. 12). The receiving chamber 12 is then again further filled until a defined filling level is reached. The closure element 18 which is adjacent to it in the conveying direction T is then opened, so that the goods stream falls into the shaft section 14.2. This process is repeated until all shaft sections 14.1 to 14.n (in this example up to 14.7) are filled and a continuous goods stream is formed from the receiving chamber 12 to the device arranged downstream in the shaft (see for example FIGS. 14 and 19).

[0048] To open the shaft sections 14.1 to 14.7, each blade 19 is quickly and instantly withdrawn from the closed position backwards to the release position, so that the goods flow is guided section by section and progressively from top to bottom into the shaft 14 until a continuous goods flow is formed from the receiving chamber 12 to the device arranged downstream. The control of the movement of the closure elements 18, but also the separation element 30, to open the chamber sections 12.1 and 12.2 of the receiving chamber 12 and the shaft sections 14.1 to 14.7 is carried out via a query of the filling level in the receiving chamber 12. Correspondingly, the first closure element 18 in the conveying direction T is only opened if the receiving chamber 12 is filled up to the lowermost detection means 36 for detecting the filling level. This opening causes the goods 11 to fall onto the following closure element 18 in the conveying direction T. The filling level in the storage chamber 12, which has been reduced by the opening of the first closure element 18, is increased again by further supply of articles 11 into the storage chamber 12 until the detection means 36 again triggers the opening of the subsequent closure element 18, and this process is repeated until all closure elements 18 are open.

[0049] By sequentially opening the closure elements 18 from above to below, the articles 11 fall in portions or as article streams of about 100-150 mm each, preferably 120 mm each, from the shaft section 14.1 to the shaft sections 14.2 to 14.7, until the last shaft section 14.7, located upstream of the following device, is filled, so as to form a continuous article stream in the shaft 14. By this sequence of steps, it is achieved that the article stream is transported uniformly and without mispositioned articles from the storage chamber 12 to the device arranged downstream. In order to prevent the occurrence of mispositioned articles in the storage chamber 12, the article stock formed in the storage chamber 12 by the supplied articles 11 is at least partially covered from above by a chainmail 33 or the like.

[0050] Particularly preferably, the method is carried out by means of an apparatus 10 according to one or more of claims 1 to 16.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10) configured and arranged for handling, in particular for transporting and / or storing, rod-shaped articles (11) of the tobacco processing industry, comprising: a receiving chamber (12) as a receiving reservoir for receiving a rod-shaped article (11); at least one module as a supply device (13) for supplying the items (11) into the storage chamber (12); a passage-like shaft (14) connected to said chamber (12), said shaft (14) having a back wall (15), a front wall and two side walls (16, 17) and for storing and / or transporting said items (11) from said chamber (12) to a device arranged downstream of said shaft (14) in a transport direction T of said items (11); Equipped with In the apparatus (10), the passage-like shaft (14) is oriented at least approximately vertically and at least one closure element (18) that can be opened and closed is arranged in the region of the shaft (14), by means of which the shaft (14) can be divided into at least two separated shaft sections (14.1, 14.2); An apparatus (10).

2. 2. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaft (14) can be divided by a movable closure element (18) into more than two, preferably three to nine, one above the other, shaft sections (14.1 to 14.n), in particular the two or three or more than three shaft sections (14.1 to 14.n) having substantially the same storage volume for the goods (11).

3. 3. The device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each closing element (18) is formed and configured as a linearly movable blade (19).

4. A slit (20) is formed in the area of ​​the back wall (15) of the shaft (14), 4. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the region of the slit (20), the closure element (18) is arranged through the slit (20) provided in the back wall (15) from a waiting position or a release position to a closing position in order to divide the shaft (14) into individual shaft sections (14.1 to 14.n) and from the closed position to the waiting position or the release position in order to release the shaft (14) or the shaft sections (14.1, 14.2).

5. 5. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the shaft (20) has a partition wall (21) in the vertical direction, by which the shaft chamber (22) is divided into two shaft chamber sections (22.1, 22.2) arranged next to each other.

6. 6. The device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that each closure element (18) has a slit (25) which, in its dimension transverse to the conveying direction T, substantially corresponds to the thickness of the partition wall (21) vertically separating the shaft (14).

7. 7. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that each closure element (18) is respectively assigned at least one drive, in particular a pneumatic drive (26), which is formed and configured to move the closure element (18) from a waiting or release position for the shaft (14) to a closed position for forming the shaft sections (14.1 to 14.n) and in the opposite direction.

8. 8. The device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that each closure element (18) is connected to a guide body (28), which is linearly guided on the drive, in particular on the pneumatic drive (26).

9. 9. The device (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the storage chamber (12) can be divided by a partition element (30) into at least two chamber sections (12.1, 12.2) arranged one on top of the other.

10. 10. The device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the chamber section (12.1) of the storage chamber (12) located adjacent to the shaft (14) in the conveying direction T is separated from the shaft (14) by a closure element (18).

11. 11. The device (10) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that for the initial filling of the device (10), all separation and closing elements (18, 30) are automatically movable to a closed position and are automatically movable sequentially from top to bottom in the conveying direction T to a waiting position or a release position for filling the shaft (14).

12. 12. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the area of ​​the storage chamber (12), at least two, preferably three, receiving modules (31.1 to 31.3) as supply devices (13) are arranged, and the partition element (30) is shaped and configured to separate the room section (12.1) of the storage chamber (12) assigned to a first receiving module (31.1) from the or each room section (12.2) assigned to the second receiving module and each further receiving module (31.2, 31.3).

13. 13. The device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the region of the storage chamber (12) at least one detection element (36) is arranged for detecting the filling level, in particular the first closure element (18) in the conveying direction T and all further closure elements (18) are only opened once an additional article volume formed from the articles (11) in the storage chamber (12), detected by the detection means (36), has been formed which article volume substantially corresponds to the storage volume of the next shaft section (14.1 to 14.n) to be filled in order to form a closed article flow, and the articles (11) fall onto the subsequent closure element (18) in the conveying direction T after the opening of the first or subsequent closure element (18).

14. 14. The device (10) according to any one or more of claims 8 to 13, further comprising a control device, the control device being formed and configured to control the separating element and / or the closing element (18, 30) based on the filling level of the receiving chamber (12).

15. Device according to any one or more of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the partition element (30) is arranged in the transition area between the storage chamber (12) and the shaft (14) at a distance of 100 mm to 150 mm, preferably about 120 mm, relative to the first closure element in the conveying direction T.

16. 16. The device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that each partition element (30) and each closure element (18) is formed and configured on the shaft (14) in a fixed position with respect to the conveying direction T of the goods and is formed and configured to be movable only transversely to the conveying direction T.

17. A method for automatic initial filling of a shaft (14) of a device (10) for handling, in particular for transporting and / or storing, rod-shaped articles (11) of the tobacco processing industry, comprising: A step of supplying an article (11) into a storage chamber (12) of the device (10) for handling the article (11) by a supply device (13); conveying the flow of goods into the storage chamber (12) through a shaft (14) of the device (10) from the storage chamber (12) to a device located downstream of the shaft (14); the flow of goods being first intercepted in a transition area from the chamber (12) into the shaft (14) and then being lowered in a controlled manner downwards to a device arranged downstream; Including, In the method, first closing at least one closure element (18) in the region of the shaft (14), thereby blocking and collecting the goods flow in the receiving chamber (12), and then opening the or each closure element (18) for a controlled descent of the goods flow upon reaching a defined filling level of the receiving chamber (12), 1. A method for the automatic initial filling of a shaft (14) of a device (10) for handling, in particular for transporting and / or storing, rod-shaped articles (11) in the tobacco processing industry, characterized in that

18. 18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that a number of blades (19) arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction T as closure elements (18) are first all held in a closing position in which they close the shaft (14) and then pulled backwards through a rear wall (15) of the shaft (14) to a release position in which they release the shaft sections (14.1 to 14.n) in order to release one shaft section (14.1 to 14.n) in each case from above to below in a defined sequence.

19. 19. A method according to claim 18, characterized in that each blade (19) is rapidly and instantaneously withdrawn from the closed position backwards to the released position, so that the goods stream is guided section by section and progressively from top to bottom into the shaft (14) until a continuous goods stream is formed from the storage chamber (12) to the device arranged downstream.

20. 20. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the operation of the closure element (18) to release the shaft sections (14.1 to 14.n) is performed via an inquiry of the filling level in the receiving chamber (12).

21. 21. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the first closure element (18) in the conveying direction T and each of the further closure elements (18) are only opened once an additional article volume formed from the articles (11) in the receiving chamber (12), detected by a detection means (36), has been formed which substantially corresponds to the receiving volume of the next shaft section (14.1 to 14.n) to be filled in order to form a closed article flow, and the articles (11) fall onto the subsequent closure element (18) in the conveying direction T after the opening of the first or subsequent closure element (18).

22. 22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the filling level in the chamber (12), which has been reduced by the opening of a first closure element (18), is increased again until a further supply of articles (11) into the chamber (12) causes the detection means (36) to trigger the opening of a subsequent closure element (18) anew, and this process is repeated until all closure elements (18) are open.

23. 23. The method according to any one or more of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that by sequentially opening the closure elements (18) from top to bottom, the articles (11) fall from shaft section (14.1 to 14.n) to shaft section (14.1 to 14.n) in portions of about 100 to 150 mm, preferably 120 mm, respectively, to form a continuous article flow in the shaft (14) until the last shaft section (14.n) located upstream of the subsequent device is filled.

24. 24. Method according to any one or more of claims 17 to 23, characterized in that the stock of goods formed in the receiving chamber (12) by the goods (11) supplied is at least partially covered from above.

25. 25. The method according to any one or more of claims 17 to 24, characterized in that it is carried out by means of a device (10) according to any one or more of claims 1 to 16.

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