Hopper for rod-shaped products, production line for rod-shaped products and method for removing a rod-shaped product from a hopper
The hopper design addresses inefficiencies in handling shape deviations by using guide partitions and deflectors to remove defective products, enhancing production efficiency and cost-effectiveness without complex detection systems.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- RU · RU
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FILIP MORRIS PRODAKTS
- Filing Date
- 2022-12-01
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-08
Smart Images
Figure 00000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a hopper for rod-shaped products, and in particular, the present invention relates to a hopper with the ability to remove rod-shaped products from the hopper.
[0002] When manufacturing rod-shaped products, such as rod-shaped consumables, the products may be transported using bins. Bins are typically designed to handle products with substantially identical geometry. Any deviation in product shape, such as a deformed or broken product, can adversely affect the bin's performance to the point that the bin must be temporarily taken out of service. This is particularly true for bins in which products are transported in substantially vertical columns. Solutions for removing defective products from bins typically include detection means for identifying defective products and active ejection means for ejecting defective products from the bin.
[0003] There is a need for a rod-shaped product bin with simple structure and cost-effective means to remove defective products.
[0004] The present invention relates to a hopper for rod-shaped articles having a longitudinal axis, wherein the hopper comprises a plurality of guide partitions defining adjacent guide channels between the guide partitions, wherein the guide channels are provided for guiding the rod-shaped articles through the hopper in a transport direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the articles. The guide channels comprise substantially vertical side walls formed by the guide partitions and are open along at least the front side, so that the articles can pass from the guide channels and beyond the front surfaces of the guide partitions. The hopper further comprises a deflector located on the front surface of at least one guide partition. The deflector is designed to remove the rod-shaped article from the hopper, wherein the article passes transversely to the front surface of at least one guide partition.For example, the product passes in the direction of or even into an adjacent guide channel.
[0005] By providing a deflector, defective or broken products can be removed from the guide channels and the hopper using very simple and cost-effective mechanical means. The deflector is located in an area where only defective products are present and where these elements could interfere with normal product processing in the hopper.
[0006] The hopper according to the present invention has the advantage of eliminating or at least reducing the disruption of the downward flow of products within the hopper. This can improve production speed and increase manufacturing cost-effectiveness. The simple design of the deflector facilitates implementation, including integration into existing devices. The present invention provides a cost-effective and reliable means of overcoming some of the difficulties inherent in hoppers.
[0007] Each guide channel has a guide channel length or a longitudinal extension of the guide channel in the conveying direction of the products to be conveyed.
[0008] The guide channels also have a guide channel depth extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the articles when the articles are positioned in the guide channels. The guide channel width correspondingly extends in the transverse direction relative to the length and depth and is adapted to the diameter of the article to be transported in the channel. For example, the guide channel width is preferably slightly larger than the article diameter. The guide channel width can be in the range of 1 percent to 20 percent greater than the article diameter, preferably 10 percent greater, more preferably at least 5 percent greater than the article diameter.
[0009] Alternatively, the guide channel width may be slightly greater than several product diameters. That is, in some embodiments, multiple products, such as two or three products, may be positioned and transported simultaneously along the guide channel width.
[0010] The term "substantially vertical" when referring to the inner walls of the guide baffles forming the guide channel or relating to the guide channel includes an absolutely vertical arrangement, as well as deviations from the absolutely vertical arrangement of up to approximately 45 degrees. "Substantially vertical" arrangement preferably includes deviations from the absolutely vertical from 0 degrees to 30 degrees, more preferably from 0 degrees to 15 degrees. In this document, 0 degrees refers to absolutely vertical, and 90 degrees refers to horizontal. Preferably, the guide channels are arranged in a non-absolutely vertical arrangement and include an angle of from approximately 10 degrees to 20 degrees with an absolutely vertical arrangement.
[0011] Opposite the front surface of the guide baffle, a rear surface of the guide baffle is provided. The front surface of the guide baffle extends between two adjacent opposite lateral sides of the guide baffle. The lateral sides of the guide baffle may form inner walls of at least a portion of adjacent guide channels. The front surface of the guide baffle extends in the conveying direction. Thus, the front surface of the guide baffle may extend in a vertical direction or in a direction having a substantially vertical component. The front surface of the guide baffle may be flat or include a flat portion. The rear surface of the guide baffle may be flat or include a flat portion. A reflector may be provided on a portion of the front surface of the guide baffle of the front surface.
[0012] A deflector or deflectors located at the front of the hopper allow products to be removed through the front of the hopper. Similarly, a deflector or deflectors located at the rear of the hopper allow products to be removed through the rear of the hopper.
[0013] Any aspect of a reflector disclosed herein with reference to a front surface of a baffle may accordingly also be applied to a rear surface of a baffle.
[0014] Preferably, the reflector protrudes from the front surface of the guide baffle of at least one guide baffle. The reflector may protrude in a direction normal to the front surface of the guide baffle. A reflector protruding from the front surface of the guide baffle enables or facilitates the reflector's positioning parallel to the guide channels. The reflector can thus reflect articles exiting the guide channel, particularly in the transverse direction, for example, at least partially across the front surface of the guide baffle. In a non-limiting example, the article may comprise a curved longitudinal axis such that the article extends across the front surface of the guide baffle.When the article reaches the reflector position, the reflector may reflect the article as the reflector engages with a portion of the article extending across the front surface of the guide baffle. In a further non-limiting example, the article may be at least partially fractured to such an extent that a fragment of the article is positioned rotated or bent relative to the portion of the article located in the guide channel. The article, which in this particular case may be a fragment of the article, extends across the front surface of the guide baffle. When the article reaches the reflector position, the reflector may reflect the article as the reflector engages with a fragment of the article extending across the front surface of the guide baffle.
[0015] The reflector may be attached to the front surface of at least one guide baffle, for example, by adhesive, welding, or soldering. A reflector attached to the front surface of a guide baffle may, for example, mechanically transmit the oscillatory motion of the guide baffle to the reflector, thereby causing the reflector to vibrate.
[0016] The reflector can be manufactured as a single unit with the baffle plate. A single unit with the baffle plate may be preferable for reliability. Furthermore, manufacturing the reflector and baffle plate as a single unit can simplify the manufacturing process.
[0017] Preferably, the sides of the reflector are flush with the corresponding sides of at least one guide baffle. Such a flush arrangement can facilitate the smooth transfer of products in the guide channel without unwanted interaction with mechanical protrusions between the side of the guide baffle and the side of the reflector. The width of the reflector, i.e., the distance between the sides of the reflector, can be smaller than the width of the guide baffle in the reflector position, i.e., smaller than the distance between the sides of the guide baffle. The width of the reflector is, for example, at least 50 percent of the width of the guide baffle, preferably at least 70 percent, and most preferably 100 percent of the width of the guide baffle. These relative dimensions also apply when the width of the guide baffle varies.For example, in a section of the guide channels located somewhat further downstream, the guide baffles may taper relative to the lower portion of the guide channel. In this case, the relative dimensions refer to the local position of the reflector on the guide baffle.
[0018] The reflector may comprise a reflective surface. The reflective surface mechanically reflects the product off the reflective surface simply in response to its movement along the guide channel, for example, under the influence of gravity. Furthermore, the reflective surface can detect and support the product's movement in a predetermined direction, such as radial movement away from the front surface of the guide baffle, preferably combined with further movement in the conveying direction.
[0019] Preferably, the reflective surface comprises a flat portion or a curved portion, or comprises a flat portion and a curved portion. The flat portion can minimize the frictional effects between the product and the reflective surface as the product slides or rolls along the reflective surface. The curved portion can determine a specific reflection path for the product to be reflected.
[0020] The reflective surface may have a reflective surface depth, that is, an extension along the depth direction of the guide channel, in the range of 5 millimeters to 40 millimeters, preferably 10 millimeters to 30 millimeters, more preferably in the range of 15 millimeters to 25 millimeters, for example, approximately 21 millimeters.
[0021] The reflective surface may have a reflective surface height, that is, an extension along the length direction of the guide channel, in the range of 10 millimeters to 25 millimeters, preferably 12 millimeters to 20 millimeters, for example, approximately 15 millimeters.
[0022] The reflective surface may have an extension in the direction of the length of the rod-shaped article corresponding to a range of from 5 percent to 90 percent of the length of the rod-shaped article, preferably from 20 percent to 70 percent, for example, approximately 50 percent of the length of the rod-shaped article.
[0023] The reflective surface may have a height corresponding to a range of 100 percent to 400 percent of the diameter of the rod-shaped article, preferably a range of 180 percent to 300 percent, for example, approximately 200 percent of the diameter of the rod-shaped article.
[0024] The length of the reflective surface extending along the reflective surface may be in the range of 5 millimeters to 50 millimeters, preferably 10 millimeters to 40 millimeters, more preferably 20 millimeters to 30 millimeters, for example, about 26 millimeters.
[0025] The sizes of the reflective surfaces in the above ranges located on the front surface of the guide baffle have been found to be preferable for effectively reflecting the product, in particular for rod-shaped products with the sizes specified below.
[0026] The rod-shaped product can have a diameter of 5 millimeters to 10 millimeters, such as 7 millimeters.
[0027] The rod-shaped article may have a length of from 5 millimeters to 150 millimeters, more preferably from about 30 millimeters to 150 millimeters or from 25 millimeters to 50 millimeters, such as 90 millimeters or 45 millimeters.
[0028] The reflective surface preferably has a slope in the direction of transport of the rod-shaped article in the guide channels. Preferably, the reflective surface has a flat portion that extends at an angle in the transport direction. The slope in the transport direction can facilitate reflection of the article, as reflection is assisted by gravity.
[0029] The reflective surface can have an inclination angle in the range of 10 degrees to 50 degrees, preferably 20 degrees to 40 degrees, more preferably 30 degrees to 40 degrees, such as 35 degrees, relative to a plane perpendicular to the transport direction. Reflective surface inclination angles in these ranges have proven advantageous for effectively reflecting the product or part of the product.
[0030] The reflector shape can be freely selected to achieve the desired reflective effect for the product or product fragment facing the front of the bin. The reflector shape is preferably kept as simple as possible.
[0031] The reflector preferably has a triangular cross-section or comprises a main portion having a triangular cross-section, such as a right triangle or an equilateral triangle. A reflector that is a right triangle or comprises a main portion in the shape of a right triangle can facilitate attachment to the preferably flat front surface of the guide baffle. Furthermore, the right triangle is inclined in the conveying direction, reflecting the product away from the front surface of the guide baffle and thus away from the front of the hopper, forming a flat reflective surface for the product to be reflected. The triangular shape is particularly easy to manufacture.
[0032] The reflector may be made of any suitable material. For example, the reflector may be made of plastic, such as Plexiglas, or metal, such as steel or aluminum. Preferably, the reflector is made of the same material as the baffle or front cover, as further described below.
[0033] The reflector may be located on the front surface of the guide baffle of at least one guide baffle and at a position between the inlet of the guide channel and the outlet of the guide channel partially formed by the at least one guide baffle. The reflector, located between the inlet of the guide channel and the outlet of the guide channel, may reflect products that have entered the guide channel through the inlet of the guide channel, which either have defects or have been deformed or damaged during their transportation in the guide channel.
[0034] The deflector is preferably located on the upstream portion of the front surface of the guide baffle, for example, near the inlet of the guide channel. By providing the deflector on the upstream portion, defective products can be deflected early and thus removed from the bin before they can block or damage other products located in the guide channel.
[0035] Alternatively or additionally, a deflector is located on a downstream portion of the front surface of the guide baffle of at least one guide baffle, for example, near the outlet of the guide channel. By providing the deflector on the downstream portion, a defective product that has not yet been reflected, for example, by a deflector provided on an upstream portion, can be reflected before its further transport along with correctly aligned products, for example, to a further manufacturing device.
[0036] More than one reflector can be located on the front surface of at least one guide baffle. Having multiple reflectors on the same guide baffle can improve the overall removal of defective products.
[0037] Preferably, a reflector is located on several or all of the front surfaces of the guide baffles. In this document, the position of the reflector on the front surface of a guide baffle may be the same as the position of the reflector on the adjacent front surface of the guide baffle. Alternatively, the position of the reflector on the front surface of the guide baffle may differ from the position of the reflector on the adjacent front surface of the guide baffle. The relative positions of the reflectors on adjacent guide baffles can affect the interaction of the reflection of products in adjacent guide channels, preferably reducing the blocking effect of products that can be eliminated by a single reflector.
[0038] It has been demonstrated that bin operation can be improved by using a simple mechanical means in the form of a reflector for reflecting an item or item fragment. The reflector function is independent of any electromechanical actuators, pneumatic actuators, or hydraulic actuators. Such a known system can be eliminated in the bin of the present invention. Furthermore, known item detection systems, such as optical sensors or electrically driven detection devices, can be completely eliminated.
[0039] The hopper may additionally contain a vibrating device designed to create vibrations in the guide baffles. This vibration facilitates the transport of products in the guide channels.
[0040] The front boundary of the guide channel in the depth direction can be designed as a front cover. The word "front" refers to the front part of the hopper, which is typically located near the operator. Accordingly, the rear boundary of the guide channel in the depth direction can be designed as a rear cover. Furthermore, the longitudinal extent of the guide channel can be limited by the bottom wall. This allows products to move within the guide channels in the direction of transport toward the bottom wall.
[0041] Preferably, the front clearance is provided between the front end of the product being transported in the guide channel and the front cover or the inside of the front cover, respectively. Similarly, the rear clearance may be provided between the rear end of the product and the rear cover.
[0042] Front and rear clearances can prevent friction between the ends of products transported in the guide channels and the inside of the front or rear cover. Otherwise, such friction can cause the products to tilt and rotate in the guide channels, potentially causing them to become blocked in the guide channel.
[0043] The front gap or rear gap may be in the range of a few millimeters. Preferably, the front gap or rear gap, referring to the distance between the front cover and the front end of the product, is smaller than the product diameter. Thus, such a front gap or rear gap may range from 2 millimeters to 10 millimeters, preferably from 2 millimeters to 6 millimeters.
[0044] The front clearance may also be specified relative to the distance between the front surface of the baffle plate and the inside of the front cover. Similarly, the rear clearance is provided between the rear surface of the baffle plate and the rear cover. In these examples, the front clearance or rear clearance may also be in the range of a few millimeters. However, the front clearance or rear clearance may then preferably range from 2 millimeters to 30 millimeters, preferably from 5 millimeters to 25 millimeters.
[0045] The front gap and rear gap may be the same size or may be different size.
[0046] The guide channel depth can be adjusted to be less than the product length. For example, the guide channel depth can be 5 to 40 percent less than the product length. This minimizes blockage of the guide channel by a defective product, since only a portion of the product is located in the guide channel.
[0047] The hopper may include a front cover covering the front side of the guide channels. The front cover can limit the movement of the product in the guide channels along the product's longitudinal axis, thereby preventing the product from falling out of the guide channels. Preferably, the front cover is positioned such that the products in the guide channels can move to some extent along their longitudinal axis. Thus, the regular transport of the products in the guide channels is not disrupted by the presence of the front cover.
[0048] The front cover may preferably be transparent to allow visual inspection while processing items in the guide channels. For example, the front cover could be made of Plexiglas or similar materials.
[0049] The front cover comprises at least one opening. The opening is located near the front surface of the guide baffle of at least one guide baffle provided with a reflector, and is positioned at the reflector's position.
[0050] In particular, the front cover comprises at least the same number of openings as the number of reflectors, with at least one opening associated with each reflector.
[0051] The reflector may protrude from the front surface of the guide partition of at least one guide partition and may pass at least partially through at least one opening. Preferably, the reflector protrudes from the front surface of the guide partition of at least one guide partition and passes through at least one opening. By passing through the opening, the reflector is thus capable of safely reflecting the product into and through the opening in the front cover and in the direction away from the hopper. Thus, an opening is provided through which the product can exit the hopper, preventing the product from becoming stuck in the hopper.
[0052] Preferably, at least one opening has an elongated shape, preferably a rectangle with rounded corners. Such shapes can be easily produced in the front cover, for example, by milling.
[0053] Preferably, the length of at least one hole is at least the same as the length of the reflector.
[0054] Preferably, the length of the opening of at least one opening in the conveying direction corresponds to a value that is at least three times the length of the reflector in the conveying direction, preferably at least twice the length of the reflector, more preferably at least one and a half times the length of the reflector.
[0055] Preferably, the opening width of at least one opening corresponds to at least the width of the reflector, preferably the opening width of at least one opening is approximately 10 percent larger than the width of the reflector, more preferably approximately 5 percent larger.
[0056] Preferably, the opening width of at least one opening corresponds to the width of the guide channel. Thus, the opening width of at least one opening may correspond to the diameter of the products transported in the hopper plus 10 percent of the product diameter, preferably plus 5 percent of the product diameter.
[0057] The length of individual holes may be the same or may be different for two or more holes.
[0058] The presence of a reflector in combination with an opening advantageously allows the hopper to support and guide the reflected product even after it has been reflected from the guide channel to a position in which the product is located at least partially within the opening. The reflector then supports the product from below, while the inner edges of the opening can position the product laterally and in a suitable position for passage through the opening. The product can then slide down the inclined portion of the reflector and out of the hopper.
[0059] In some embodiments, the front cover may include a reflector. For example, the reflector may be attached to the front cover, i.e., to the inner surface of the front cover, for example, by adhesive, welding, or soldering. Alternatively, the reflector may be integral with the front cover. In this case, the reflector remains stationary relative to the guide baffles during bin operation.
[0060] A reflector may protrude from the inner surface of the front cover facing the guide baffles. The reflector may be provided by a front cover located adjacent to the front surface of the guide baffle. Preferably, the sides of the reflector are flush with the sides of the guide baffle. The reflector may extend into the front gap.
[0061] However, as an alternative or addition, a reflector can be provided, subject to the necessary modifications as indicated above, on the back cover.
[0062] The guide baffles can taper in the conveying direction so that the guide channels converge in the conveying direction. This means that the width of the guide baffle can decrease in the conveying direction. The width of the guide baffle corresponds to the thickness of the guide baffle. This ensures that the products in the respective guide channels are in close proximity to each other, which can facilitate additional processing after they leave the bin, for example, for packaging.
[0063] Preferably, the lower portion of the guide channels is closed. In such embodiments, the products are preferably reflected from the front of the bin or from the rear of the bin.
[0064] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a production line for rod-shaped products comprising a hopper as described in this application.
[0065] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for removing a rod-shaped article from a hopper described in this application. The method includes receiving articles in adjacent guide channels formed by a plurality of substantially vertically arranged guide baffles; causing the guide baffles to oscillate, thereby causing the articles to oscillate downward through the guide channels; and removing the rod-shaped article that passes beyond the front surface of the guide baffle by reflecting the article in a direction radially from the front surface of the guide baffle by means of a reflector located on the front surface of the guide baffle.
[0066] The method may further include closing the front side of the hopper using a front cover, wherein the front cover covers the front side of the guide channels. The method may further include providing at least one opening in the front cover; and removing the rod-shaped product from the hopper by reflecting the rod-shaped product through at least one opening using a reflector.
[0067] The front cover may comprise multiple front cover sections. Each front cover section of the multiple front cover sections then covers the front portion of the multiple guide channels. Preferably, at least one of the multiple front cover sections is separately detachable from the hopper. More preferably, each of the multiple front cover sections is separately detachable from the hopper.
[0068] In this method, the rod-shaped product may be a finished product, a semi-finished product, a fragment of a product, or a fragment of a semi-finished product.
[0069] In this method, the guide channel width is preferably at least several times the diameter of the product. More preferably, the guide channel width is at least as large as the product diameter.
[0070] The advantages and features of the present invention described with respect to the hopper are applicable to the production line and method, respectively.
[0071] Expressions such as "along the extent" used in this document in relation to an extent, such as "along the extent of the width", generally mean a direction parallel to the corresponding extent of the guide channel.
[0072] As used in this context, the term "rod-shaped article" refers to a finished article, a semi-finished article, a fragment of a finished article, or a fragment of a semi-finished article. A finished article may comprise multiple rod-shaped elements arranged end-to-end, with the elements wrapped, for example, in wrapping paper.
[0073] Accordingly, in the context of this document, the term "defective article" refers to an article that has been pinched, beveled, broken, bent, or otherwise deformed; "defective article" also refers to individual parts of the article, such as a fragment of the article. As an example, a fragment of the article may be an element of the article that is at least partially broken off from the article. A fragment of the article may also be a part of the article whose longitudinal axis is bent or folded. In the latter examples, the fragment of the article may bend, rotate, or be bent outward from the guide channel on the open front side of the guide channel.
[0074] The word "reflect" may in this context include one or more of passively influencing the direction of displacement of an article in response to physical contact with the article, or passively manipulating the shape of the article in response to physical contact with the article, such as rotating or bending a portion of the article, or passively changing the orientation of the article in response to physical contact with the article, where "physical contact" may refer to physical abutment or physical engagement.
[0075] The present invention is defined in the claims. However, a non-exhaustive list of non-limiting examples is provided below. Any one or more features of these examples may be combined with any one or more features of another example, embodiment, or aspect described herein.
[0076] Example Ex1: A hopper for rod-shaped articles having a longitudinal axis, wherein the hopper comprises a plurality of guide partitions defining adjacent guide channels between the guide partitions, wherein the guide channels are provided for guiding the rod-shaped articles through the hopper in a transport direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the articles, wherein the guide channels comprise generally vertical internal walls formed by the guide partitions and are open along at least the front side so that the articles can pass from the guide channels and beyond the front surfaces of the guide partitions; a deflector located on the front surface of at least one guide partition, wherein the deflector is intended to remove the rod-shaped article from the hopper, wherein the article passes transversely to the front surface of at least one guide partition.
[0077] Example Ex2: The hopper according to example Ex1, in which the reflector protrudes from the front surface of the guide baffle of at least one guide baffle.
[0078] Example Ex3: A hopper according to any of the previous examples, wherein the reflector is attached to the front surface of the guide baffle of at least one guide baffle.
[0079] Example Ex4: A hopper according to any of the previous examples, wherein the reflector is formed as a single unit with at least one guide baffle.
[0080] Example Ex5: A hopper according to any of the previous examples, in which the side surfaces of the reflector are flush with the corresponding side surfaces of the guide baffle of at least one guide baffle.
[0081] Example Ex6: A hopper according to any of the previous examples, wherein the reflector comprises a reflective surface.
[0082] Example Ex7: A hopper according to example Ex6, wherein the reflective surface comprises a flat portion or a curved portion.
[0083] Example Ex8: The hopper according to any one of examples Ex6-Ex7, wherein the depth of the reflective surface along the depth direction of the guide channel is in the range of 5 millimeters to 40 millimeters, preferably from 10 millimeters to 30 millimeters, more preferably in the range of 15 millimeters to 25 millimeters, for example, is approximately 21 millimeters.
[0084] Example Ex9: The hopper according to any one of examples Ex6 to Ex8, wherein the height of the reflective surface along the length direction of the guide channel is in the range of 10 millimeters to 25 millimeters, preferably 12 millimeters to 20 millimeters, for example, approximately 15 millimeters.
[0085] Example Ex10: The hopper according to any one of examples Ex6 to Ex9, wherein the length of the reflective surface extending along the reflective surface is in the range of 5 millimeters to 50 millimeters, preferably 10 millimeters to 40 millimeters, more preferably 20 millimeters to 30 millimeters, for example, is approximately 26 millimeters.
[0086] Example Ex11: A hopper according to any one of examples Ex6 to Ex10, wherein the reflective surface comprises a slope in the direction of conveying the rod-shaped products.
[0087] Example Ex12: A hopper according to example Ex11, wherein the slope has an angle of inclination in the range of 10 degrees to 50 degrees, preferably 20 degrees to 40 degrees, more preferably 30 degrees to 40 degrees, such as 35 degrees, relative to a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction.
[0088] Example Ex13: A hopper according to any of the previous examples, wherein the reflector has a triangular cross-section or comprises a main part having a triangular cross-section, such as a right triangle or an equilateral triangle.
[0089] Example Ex14: The hopper according to any of the previous examples, wherein the reflector is located on at least one front surface of the guide baffle in a position between the inlet opening of the guide channel and the outlet opening of the guide channel partially formed by the at least one guide baffle.
[0090] Example Ex15: A hopper according to example 14, in which the deflector is located on an upstream portion of the front surface of the guide baffle of at least one guide baffle, for example near the inlet opening of the guide channel.
[0091] Example Ex16: The hopper according to example 14, in which the deflector is located on a downstream portion of the front surface of the guide baffle, at least one guide baffle, for example an outlet opening of the guide channel.
[0092] Example Ex17: A hopper according to any of the previous examples, wherein more than one reflector is located on the front surface of a guide baffle of at least one guide baffle.
[0093] Example Ex18: The hopper according to any of the previous examples, wherein the reflector is located on the front surface of a guide baffle of several or all of the guide baffles.
[0094] Example Ex19: The hopper according to example Ex18, wherein the position of the reflector on the front surface of the guide baffle is the same as the position of the reflector on the front surface of the guide baffle of the adjacent guide baffle.
[0095] Example Ex20: The hopper according to any one of examples Ex18 to Ex19, wherein the position of the reflector on the front surface of the guide baffle is different from the position of the reflector on the front surface of the guide baffle of the adjacent guide baffle.
[0096] Example Ex21: The hopper according to any of the previous examples further comprises a vibrating device adapted to create vibrations of the guide partitions.
[0097] Example Ex22: The hopper according to any of the previous examples further comprises a front cover covering the front side of the guide channels.
[0098] Example Ex23: A hopper according to example Ex22, wherein the front cover comprises at least one opening, and wherein the opening is located near the front surface of the guide baffle of at least one guide baffle provided with a reflector, and is located in the position of the reflector.
[0099] Example Ex24: The hopper according to example Ex23, in which the reflector protrudes from the front surface of the guide baffle of at least one guide baffle and passes through at least one opening.
[0100] Example Ex25: A hopper according to any of examples Ex22-Ex24, wherein at least one opening has an elongated shape, preferably in the shape of a rectangle with rounded corners.
[0101] Example Ex2b: A hopper according to any of examples Ex22 to Ex25, wherein the length of at least one opening is at least the same as the length of the reflector.
[0102] Example Ex27: The hopper according to example Ex26, in which the length of the opening of at least one opening in the conveying direction corresponds to a value that is at least three times greater than the extension of the reflector in the conveying direction, preferably at least twice the extension of the reflector, more preferably at least one and a half times greater than the extension of the reflector.
[0103] Example Ex28: A hopper according to any of examples Ex22-Ex27, wherein the opening width of at least one opening corresponds to at least the diameter of the article; preferably, the opening width of at least one opening is in the range of 5-20 percent greater than the diameter of the article, more preferably approximately 15 percent greater than the diameter of the article.
[0104] Example Ex29: A hopper according to any one of examples Ex22 to Ex28, wherein the front cover comprises a deflector.
[0105] Example Ex30: The hopper according to any one of examples Ex22 to Ex29, wherein the front gap is located between the front surface of at least one guide partition and the inner side of the front cover.
[0106] Example Ex31: The hopper according to any one of examples Ex22 to Ex30, wherein the front gap is located between the front end of the article in the guide channel and the inside of the front cover.
[0107] Example Ex32: A hopper according to any one of examples Ex22 to Ex30, wherein the front cover comprises a plurality of front cover sections, wherein each front cover section of the plurality of front cover sections covers a front portion of the plurality of guide channels.
[0108] Example Ex33: A hopper according to example Ex32, wherein at least one of the plurality of front cover sections is separately removable from the hopper.
[0109] Example Ex34: A hopper according to any one of examples 32-33, wherein each of the plurality of front cover sections is separately removable from the hopper.
[0110] Example Ex35: A hopper according to any of the previous examples, wherein the width of the guide partition is narrowed in the conveying direction so that the guide channels converge in the conveying direction.
[0111] Example Ex36: A hopper according to any of the preceding examples, wherein the lower part of the guide channels is closed.
[0112] Example Ex37: A production line for rod-shaped products, comprising a bin according to any of the preceding examples.
[0113] Example Ex38: A method for removing a rod-shaped article from a hopper according to any one of examples Ex1-Ex36, wherein the method comprises: receiving rod-shaped articles in adjacent guide channels formed by a plurality of generally vertically arranged guide partitions; causing the guide partitions to oscillate, thereby causing the rod-shaped articles to oscillate in a downward direction through the guide channels; removing the rod-shaped article that passes beyond the front surface by reflecting the rod-shaped article in a direction radially from the front surface of the guide partition by means of a reflector located on the front surface of the guide partition.
[0114] Example Ex39: The method according to example Ex38, which includes closing the front side of the bin by means of a front cover; providing at least one opening in the front cover; and removing the rod-shaped article from the bin by reflecting the rod-shaped article through at least one opening by means of a reflector.
[0115] Example Ex40: The method according to any one of examples Ex38 to Ex39, wherein the rod-shaped product is a finished product, a semi-finished product, a fragment of a product, or a fragment of a semi-finished product.
[0116] Example Ex41: The method according to any one of examples Ex38 to Ex40, wherein the width of the guide channel is at least greater than several diameters of the product.
[0117] Example Ex42: The method according to any one of examples Ex38 to Ex40, wherein the width of the guide channel is at least greater than the diameter of the product.
[0118] The following examples will be further described with reference to figures in which:
[0119] Fig. 1 shows the details of the rod-shaped products in the hopper;
[0120] Fig. 2 shows the details of the hopper according to the present invention;
[0121] Fig. 3 shows the details of the hopper according to the present invention;
[0122] Fig. 4 shows details of a hopper containing a cover plate;
[0123] Fig. 5 shows a front view image of the hole in the cover plate and the reflector on the front surface of the guide partition;
[0124] Fig. 6 shows a side view of the reflector;
[0125] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of the front view of the bunker;
[0126] Fig. 8 shows a flow chart of the method according to the present invention;
[0127] Fig. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the production line.
[0128] Fig. 1 shows details of the hopper 102, wherein the rod-shaped products 20 are located in the hopper 102. The rod-shaped products 20 move vertically downwards in the guide channels 14 along the length 5 of the guide channel in the direction of transporting the products and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the products 20.
[0129] The articles 20 are located at least partially in the guide channels 14 and protrude, in this example, from the front portion of the guide channels. In particular, the articles 20 extend beyond the front surfaces 8 of the guide partitions.
[0130] As can be seen in Fig. 1, in the lower position of the guide channel, the second part 22 of the article is offset, for example, rotated, relative to the first part 21 of the article. For example, the second part 22 was broken off or partially broken off from the first part 21.
[0131] The first part 21 of the article is still located in the guide channel 14. The second part 22 of the article passes from the guide channel 14 and across the front surface 8 of the guide partition so that the second part 22 of the article can interfere with the processing of the articles 20 in the adjacent guide channel 14.
[0132] An embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 shows a row, here of three, adjacently located guide partitions 7, wherein the guide partitions form two adjacent and parallel guide channels 14. Each guide channel 14 has a length of 5 guide channel in the direction of transporting the products 20.
[0133] The depth 6 of the guide channel extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the articles 20, when the articles 20 are located in the guide channels 14. The width 4 of the guide channel, accordingly, extends in the transverse direction relative to the length 5 and depth 6 of the guide channel 14. The width 4 of the guide channel corresponds to the distance between adjacent guide partitions 7.
[0134] The heads 11 of the cylindrical baffles form the inlet openings 15 of the guide channel. The heads 11 of the baffles guide the articles 20 into the adjacent guide channels 14. Each guide baffle 7 comprises a front surface 8 of the guide baffle extending along the length 5 of the guide channel and guiding toward the front of the hopper 102. The guide baffles 7 may comprise an opposite rear surface 9 of the guide baffle extending along the length 5 of the guide channel. The side faces 10 of the guide baffle of the adjacent guide baffles 7 form at least a part of the guide channel 14. The guide channels 14 are open along at least the front side of the guide channel 14.
[0135] Figure 2 shows a situation similar to that shown in Figure 1, during the processing of articles 20, wherein the second part 22 of the article exits from the front portion of the guide channel 14. The second part 22 of the article has been shifted and tilted relative to the adjacent guide channel 14, as shown by the curved arrow, and passes across the front surface 8 of the guide partition. The second part 22 of the article can, therefore, interfere with the processing of articles 20 in the adjacent guide channel 14.
[0136] All front surfaces 8 of the guide partitions are provided with a reflector 12. The reflectors 12 have a triangular cross-section and protrude from the front surface 8 of the guide partitions 7. The upper side of the triangular reflectors 12 forms a reflective surface 13. The reflective surface 13 is flat and has an angle of inclination 17 relative to the front surface of the guide partition 7 in the direction of transporting the products 20.
[0137] The second part 22 of the article, inclined toward the side and relative to the adjacent guide channel (see curved arrow), meets the reflective surface 13 when moving downward. Thus, the second part 22 of the article is reflected along the reflective surface 13 and in the direction from the front side of the guide channels 14. The reflector 12, as a simple mechanical means, passively reflects the second part 22 of the article, passing across the front surface 8 of the guide partition, in the direction from the hopper 102 when the articles move downward in the guide channels 14.
[0138] The processing of the articles 20 typically includes the displacement of the articles 20 in the transport direction 6 under the action of forces acting on the article 20, such as the force of gravity and forces arising from the oscillation of the guide partitions 7, which cause the article 20 to move in a direction generally vertically downwards. The guide partitions 7 can oscillate during the operation of the hopper 102. The oscillation of the guide partitions 7 can be achieved, for example, by means of a vibrating device 24 (not shown), configured to cause oscillations of the guide partitions 7 during the operation of the hopper 2. Reflectors are provided on the guide partitions. They can be attached to the front surfaces 8 of the guide partitions 7 or can be made as a single unit with the guide partitions 7. Thus, the reflector 12 oscillates with the guide partitions 7 during the operation of the distribution device 2.Accordingly, the oscillatory movements of the guide partitions 7 are transmitted to the second part of the product 22, which can facilitate the reflection of the second part of the product when moving along the reflector 12.
[0139] If the first part 21 of the article and the second part 22 of the article remain partially engaged with each other, the reflector 12 can ensure that the first part 21 of the article and the second part 22 of the article are completely disengaged from each other in response to physical contact with the reflector 12. For example, a force acting on the part of the article that is engaged with the reflector can twist or otherwise displace this part of the article so that the wrapping paper is torn, which causes the second part 22 of the article to be disengaged from the first part of the article.
[0140] Fig. 3 shows an example in which the inclined second part 22 of the product is inclined backward relative to the first part 21 of the product due to interaction with the reflector 12. Thus, the reflector 12 can also carry out the repeated placement of parts of the product into the guide channel 14, so that also defective products and fragments of the product can be guided along the guide channel without blocking the guide channel.
[0141] In Fig. 4, the front boundary of the guide channel in the direction of the channel depth is formed in the form of a front cover 31. The hopper 102 comprises a front cover 31 that covers the front side of the hopper 102 and, in particular, the front side of the guide channels 14. The front cover 31 limits the movement of the product in the guide channels 14 in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the product. The front cover 31 prevents the products 20 from falling out of the guide channels during their transportation along the guide channels. The front cover 31 is located at a distance relative to the front surfaces 8 of the guide partitions 7 forming the guide channels 14, and is also located at a distance relative to the front ends of the products, so that the products 20 in the guide channels 14 can move to some extent along their longitudinal axis in the guide channels 14.Due to this, friction between the ends of the products and the front cover 31 is prevented during normal transportation of the products 20 in the guide channels 14.
[0142] The front cover 31 has an opening 33. The opening 33 is located near the front surface 8 of the guide partition 7 provided with a reflector 12. The opening 33 is located in the same position as the reflector 12.
[0143] Preferably, the front cover 1 comprises at least the same number of openings 33 as the number of reflectors 12, wherein the opening 33 is connected to the reflector 12. For the sake of simplicity, only one opening is shown in Fig. 4.
[0144] The reflector 12 protrudes from the front surface 8 of the guide partition 12 and passes at least partially through the opening 33. Due to the fact that the reflector 12 passes through the opening 33, the reflector 12 is able to safely reflect the article 20 into and through the opening 33, through the front cover 31 and in the direction from the hopper 102.
[0145] The hole 33 shown in Fig. 4 has an elongated rectangular shape with rounded corners.
[0146] The front cover 31 and, if present, also the rear cover 32 have a thickness extending in the depth direction 6. The inner circumference of the opening 33 forms an inner edge 34 extending in the depth direction 6. The inner edge 34 can facilitate the guidance of the article 20 through the opening 33.
[0147] The reflector 12 supports the reflected article 20 also after the article has been reflected from the guide channel 14 to a position in which the article 20 is located at least partially in the opening 33. In this position, the reflector 12 supports the article 20 from below, while the inner edge 34 of the opening 33 positions the article 20 laterally along the width of the opening. The article 20 then slides down along the inclined reflective surface 13 of the reflector 12 and out of the distribution device 2.
[0148] In Fig. 4, the article 20 is reflected so that it is displaced along the width 4 and along the depth 6 of the guide channel 14, as can be understood using the indicators 4, 6. The article 20 contacts the reflective surface 13 of the reflector 12, which thereby guides the article 20 and facilitates the displacement of the article 20 in a predetermined direction of the reflector. Removal of the defective article 20 from the hopper 102 is necessary. Therefore, the reflector 12 is configured to reflect the article 20 from the guide channel 14 when the article 20 slides along the reflective surface 13. The sliding of the article 20 along the reflective surface 13 is facilitated by the reflector 12, oscillating with the guide partition 7. Due to the angle 17 of inclination of the reflective surface, the displacement of the article 20 is facilitated by the force of gravity.
[0149] Figure 4 also shows an illustrative article 20, wherein the first part 21 of the article and the second part 22 of the article are not coaxially aligned. In this example, the article 20 is broken and the second part 22 of the article remains at least partially attached to the first part 21 of the article. The second part 22 of the article can thus extend across the front surface 8 of the guide partition.
[0150] The front cover 31 may be transparent for the purposes of visual inspection of the guide channels 14 and the processing of the products 20 in the hopper 102. For example, the front cover may be made of a transparent plastic material, such as, for example, Plexiglas.
[0151] The guide channels 14 can be closed at their lowermost ends by a bottom wall (not shown). The articles 20 are thus displaced in the guide channels 14 in the transport direction toward the bottom wall.
[0152] As shown in Fig. 4, the depth 5 of the guide channel is less than the longitudinal length of the article 20. A front gap 25 is provided between the front surface 8 of the guide partition and the inner side of the front cover 31 facing the front surface 8 of the guide partition. Similarly, a rear gap can be provided between the rear surface 9 of the guide partition and the rear cover 32. The diameter 23 of the article can be less than the front gap 25.
[0153] The depth of the guide channel can preferably be adjusted to be in the range of 5-10 percent less than the length of the article 20. This minimizes the interaction between the articles 20 and the front or rear boundaries 32, 32. The depth 5 of the guide channel is determined by the extension of the guide partitions in the depth direction.
[0154] Figure 5 and Figure 6 show the reflector in more detail. Figure 5 shows a front view of the reflector 12 through the opening 33 in the front cover 31 according to the embodiment of Figure 4. Figure 6 shows a side view of the reflector 12.
[0155] As shown in Fig. 5, a reflector 12 is provided on the front surface 8 of the guide partition. The reflector 12 can be attached to the front surface 8 of the guide partition or be formed as a single unit with the guide partition 7. The front surface 8 of the guide partition extends between the side faces 10 of the guide partition 7 located opposite to each other. The reflector 12 comprises a flat reflective surface 13. The reflective surface 13 extends between the side faces 19 of the reflector that are opposite to each other. The reflector 12 projects in a direction perpendicular to the front surface 8 of the guide partition. The side faces 19 of the reflector are located flush with the side faces 10 of the guide partition.
[0156] The length of the opening 33 is greater than the length of the reflector 12. Specifically, the length of the opening is greater than the height 28 of the reflector (along the length direction 5). Similarly, the width of the opening is greater than the width 27 of the reflector. Preferably, the width of the opening is at least as large as the diameter 23 of the product, for example, 20 to 50 percent larger. As an example, the diameter 23 of the product may be 7 millimeters, and the width of the opening may be between 9 millimeters and 12 millimeters.
[0157] In Fig. 6, the reflector 12 projects in a direction perpendicular to the front surface 8 of the guide partition. The height 28 of the reflector extends along the longitudinal direction 5 and is in the range of 10 millimeters to 25 millimeters, preferably from 12 millimeters to 20 millimeters, for example, approximately 15 millimeters.
[0158] The depth of the reflector 29 extends along the depth extension 4 and is in the range of 5 millimeters to 40 millimeters, preferably 10 millimeters to 30 millimeters, more preferably in the range of 15 millimeters to 25 millimeters, for example, it is approximately 21 millimeters.
[0159] The length of the reflective surface 13 may be in the range of 5 millimeters to 50 millimeters, preferably 10 millimeters to 40 millimeters, more preferably 20 millimeters to 30 millimeters, for example, approximately 26 millimeters.
[0160] The reflector 12 has a main part having a cross-section in the shape of a triangle with a right angle, as shown in Fig. 6. This simple shape makes it possible to easily attach the reflector 12 to the front surface 8 of the guide partition while providing a reflective surface 13 with an inclination angle 17. In Fig. 6, the reflective surface 13 constitutes the hypotenuse of the triangle.
[0161] Fig. 7 schematically shows a hopper 102 containing a tank 2 containing a plurality of rod-shaped articles 20. A vibrating device 24 is connected to the hopper 102 and is configured to cause the guide partitions 7 to vibrate. Guide channels 14 are formed between the guide partitions 7. The guide channels 14 extend in a substantially vertical direction 60, but not absolutely vertically. The guide channels 14 have an angle of approximately 15 degrees relative to the absolutely vertical line.
[0162] The vertical direction 60 and the horizontal direction 61 are respectively indicated for reference. The guide channels 14 extend between the corresponding inlet openings 15 of the guide channel and the outlet openings 16 of the guide channel. The front cover 31 and the rear cover 32 (not shown) restrict the movement of the articles 20 along the depth 6 of the guide channel.
[0163] The length 5 of the guide channels contains a substantially vertical component. The width of the guide partition narrows along the length 5 of the guide channel so that the guide channels 14 converge in the conveying direction, as shown in Fig. 7. This ensures that the products 20 processed in the hopper 102 are in close proximity to each other during their movement in the conveying direction to the outlets 16 of the guide channels.
[0164] The front cover 31 is provided with several openings located in the location of the reflectors 12. The positions of the openings 33 along the height of the bin 102, as well as the sizes of the openings 33, vary.
[0165] The hole length is optimized to remove defective products from bin 102. Several holes 33 have the same size and position. Some holes 33 are located further downstream than other holes 33.
[0166] The position of the reflectors 12 along the length 5 of the guide channel varies accordingly. Some reflectors 12 are located on the front surface 8 of the guide baffle in a position upstream of the guide channel 14, while some reflectors are located on the front surface of the guide baffle in a position downstream of the guide channel. In Fig. 7, one reflector 12 and one opening 33 are provided on each guide baffle. However, according to other embodiments, more than one reflector may be located on the same guide baffle, preferably in different vertical positions.
[0167] In the example of Fig. 7, the front cover 31 comprises three separate sections: a central section 310 and two adjacent side sections 311. Each separate section 310, 311 covers the front part of some of the guide channels 14. The separate sections 310, 311 provide access to some of the guide channels 14. Thus, if a blockage occurs in the guide channel 14 in one section of the hopper 1, then only the front cover of this section can be removed. The processing of products can continue undisturbed in other sections of the hopper.
[0168] The individual sections 310, 311 of the front cover 31 may be detachably or hingedly connected to the hopper body so that they can be individually removable or opened.
[0169] Fig. 8 shows a flow chart of a method 50 for removing articles 20 from a bin 102 described in this document. The method 50 includes a step 51 of receiving articles 20 in adjacent guide channels 14 formed by a plurality of guide partitions 7; a step 52 of causing the guide partitions 7 to oscillate, thereby causing the articles 20 to oscillate in a downward direction through the guide channels 14; and a step 53 of removing articles 20 that pass beyond the front surface 8 of the guide partition by reflecting the articles 20 in a radial direction from the front surface 8 of the guide partition by means of a reflector 12 located on the front surface 8 of the guide partition.
[0170] The method 50 may further include a sub-step 54 of closing the front side of the bin 102 by means of the front cover 31 and providing at least one opening 33 in the front cover 31; and a sub-step 55 of removing the articles 20 from the bin 102 by reflecting the article 20 through at least one opening 33 by means of the reflector 12.
[0171] Fig. 9 shows a schematic illustrative production line 40 for processing rod-shaped products 20, containing a hopper 102 according to the present invention. The production line 40 contains an assembly unit 41 for assembling rod-shaped products 20, a transport unit 42 and a hopper 102 located between the assembly unit 41 and the transport unit 42. The production line 40 may further contain, for example, one or more of a sorting unit for sorting products and a packaging unit for packaging rod-shaped products 20.
[0172] For the purposes of the present description and the appended claims, except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, amounts, percentages, etc., shall be understood as modified in all instances by the term "about." Also, all ranges include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and include any intermediate ranges therebetween, which may or may not be specifically listed herein. Therefore, in this context, the number A is understood as A±5% of A. In this context, the number A can be considered to include numerical values that are within the common standard error for the measurement of the property that the number A modifies.In some cases, the number A, when used in the appended claims, may vary by the percentages listed above, provided that the amount by which A is varied does not materially affect the essential or novel characteristic(s) of the claimed invention. All ranges also include the disclosed maximum and minimum points and any intermediate ranges therebetween, which may or may not be specifically listed herein.
Claims
1. A hopper for rod-shaped articles having a longitudinal axis, comprising a plurality of guide partitions defining adjacent guide channels between the guide partitions, wherein the guide channels are provided for guiding the rod-shaped articles through the hopper in a transport direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the articles, wherein the guide channels comprise vertical internal walls formed by the guide partitions and are open along at least a front side so that the articles can pass out of the guide channels and beyond the front surfaces of the guide partitions; a deflector located on a front surface of at least one guide partition, wherein the deflector is designed to remove the rod-shaped article from the hopper, wherein the article passes transversely to the front surface of at least one guide partition.
2. The hopper according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflector protrudes from the front surface of the guide partition, at least one guide partition.
3. A hopper according to any of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the reflector comprises a reflective surface.
4. The hopper according to item 3, characterized in that the reflective surface contains an inclination in the direction of transportation of rod-shaped products.
5. A hopper according to any of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the reflector has a triangular cross-section or contains a main part having a triangular cross-section, for example, in the form of a right triangle or an equilateral triangle.
6. A hopper according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reflector is located on at least one front surface of the guide baffle in a position between the inlet opening of the guide channel and the outlet opening of the guide channel, partially formed by at least one guide baffle.
7. A hopper according to any of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the reflector is located on the front surface of the guide partition of several or all guide partitions.
8. The hopper according to claim 7, characterized in that the position of the reflector on the front surface of the guide partition differs from the position of the reflector on the front surface of the guide partition of the adjacent guide partition.
9. A hopper according to any of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that it additionally comprises a front cover that covers the front side of the guide channels.
10. The hopper according to claim 9, characterized in that the front cover contains at least one opening, and the opening is located near the front surface of the guide partition, at least one guide partition provided with a reflector, and is located in the position of the reflector.
11. A hopper according to any one of paragraphs 9, 10, characterized in that the front cover contains a reflector.
12. A hopper according to any one of paragraphs 9-11, characterized in that the front gap is located between the front surface of at least one guide partition and the inner side of the front cover.
13. A production line for rod-shaped products comprising a hopper according to any of the preceding claims.
14. A method for removing a rod-shaped product from a hopper according to any one of paragraphs 1-12, comprising: receiving rod-shaped products in adjacent guide channels formed by a plurality of vertically located guide partitions; ensuring the oscillation of the guide partitions, thereby ensuring the oscillation of the rod-shaped products in a downward direction through the guide channels; removing a rod-shaped article that extends beyond the front surface of the guide partition by reflecting the rod-shaped article in a direction radially from the front surface of the guide partition by means of a reflector located on the front surface of the guide partition.
15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that it includes closing the front side of the hopper by means of a front cover; providing at least one opening in the front cover; and removing the rod-shaped article from the bin by reflecting the rod-shaped article through at least one opening by means of a reflector.