Unit for feeding articles for a manufacturing machine, preferably for electronic cigarettes

Abstract

A unit (4) for feeding articles (A) along a feeding path (R) is described, the unit comprising at least one handling unit (12) configured to retrieve, transfer and release the articles (A) and comprising an upper pillar (15) that supports a pair of pick-and-place devices (14) configured to retrieve, transfer, and release the articles (A) through a number of stations arranged in succession along the feeding path (R), wherein a first pick-and-place device (14A) is configured to cyclically move the articles (A) from a first station (8) to an intermediate station (9) and a second pick-and-place device (14B) is configured to cyclically move the articles (A) from the intermediate station (9) to a third station (4); wherein both the first and the second pick-and- place device (14A, 14B) are provided with a respective upper striker element (16) vertically movable between two positions and connected to a pressure head (17) provided with elastic means, in particular with at least one spring, and configured to adjust the pressure applied by the upper element (16) to the article (A) during the steps of retrieving and releasing the articles (A); and a number of outer gripper members (18) configured to place themselves, when in use, in contact with a respective outer surface (A**) of the articles (A).

Description

[0001] “Unit for feeding articles for a manufacturing machine, preferably for electronic cigarettes”

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102024000006928 filed on March 28, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] This invention relates to a unit for feeding articles for a manufacturing machine, preferably in the electronic cigarette sector.

[0006] PRIOR ART

[0007] As is well known, a manufacturing machine for the production and / or assembly of articles, e.g. in the context of electronic cigarettes, generally comprises a feed system that extends along a processing path and comprises multiple processing stations that are arranged in succession along the feed system and are implemented to feed components of the article or to perform processing on the semi-finished articles.

[0008] Feed systems with a linear transport conveyor, which in turn comprises a number of trolleys (or trays) independent of each other and designed to receive and hold the article components, are becoming increasingly popular. In particular, the linear transport conveyor supports the trolleys and moves them cyclically through the operating stations where processing is carried out on the semi-finished articles or components are fed to the semi-finished articles.

[0009] In some cases, there is a processing station configured to feed components with rather small dimensions.

[0010] CN117602287, W02018200297 and EP1078870 describe component feeding units for a known manufacturing machine.

[0011] Since these components are small, the handling (pick-up and / or release) and transfer of the components are extremely delicate and the release must be as precise as possible. There is therefore an increasing need for technical solutions to improve the operation of said processing stations, in particular to avoid damaging the components, to release them extremely precisely and to handle / transfer them safely. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The purpose of this invention is to provide a unit for feeding articles for a manufacturing machine preferably in the electronic cigarette sector that is free from the drawbacks of the state of the art and is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0013] According to this invention a unit for feeding articles to a manufacturing machine, preferably in the electronic cigarette sector according to the appended claim, is provided.

[0014] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] This invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein:

[0016] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of an operating unit for a number of semifinished articles produced in accordance with this invention and with parts removed for clarity;

[0017] Figures 3 to 9 are side views with parts removed for clarity of successive steps for retrieving semi-finished articles using a station handling device from Figure 1; and

[0018] Figures 10 to 14 are side views with parts removed for clarity of successive steps for releasing semi-finished articles using a station handling device from Figure 1.

[0019] PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In Figures 1 and 2, the reference number 1 is used to denote, as a whole, a manufacturing machine for producing articles A, for example in the electronic cigarette sector.

[0021] In particular, the articles A are substantially parallelepiped and preferably but not necessarily hollow; the articles A have two essentially flat and mutually parallel larger surfaces A* and two essentially flat smaller surfaces A**. Each of the two smaller surfaces A** is preferably provided with a respective through opening A'.

[0022] The manufacturing machine 1 comprises a feed system 2 that extends along a processing path P and comprises multiple operating (or processing) stations 3 that are arranged in succession along the feed system 2 and are implemented to feed components of the article A or to perform processing on the semi-finished articles A.

[0023] The feed system 2 comprises a linear transport conveyor, which in turn comprises a number of trolleys 4 (or trays). Said trolleys 4 are independent of each other, and are designed to receive and hold the components of the article A. The linear transport conveyor 3 supports the trolleys 4 and moves them cyclically through the operating stations 3. The linear transport conveyor 3 preferably includes a guide that is arranged in a fixed position; in particular, the guide is preferably made from a single fixed track (i.e. without movement) or a double track. In addition, the linear transport conveyor comprises a number of slides, each of which supports a corresponding trolley 4 and is coupled to the guide to slide freely along it.

[0024] Finally, the linear transport conveyor comprises an electric linear motor (of a known type) that moves the slides carrying the trolleys 4 along the processing path P. According to a preferred variant, the linear electric motor comprises a stator (i.e. a fixed primary) that is advantageously arranged in a fixed position along the guide and multiple movable sliders (i.e. movable secondary), each of which is electro-magnetically coupled to the stator to receive a drive force from the stator and is rigidly connected to a corresponding slide. Each slide is driven intermittently, i.e. a non-continuous motion involving a cyclic alternation of motion phases, in which the slide is in motion to move between adjacent operating stations 3, and stop phases at operating stations 3. Each slide is controlled independently of each other.

[0025] The trolleys 4 are arranged on the sides of their respective slides facing, in use, the various operating stations 3 to receive components of the article A or to carry out processing on semi-finished articles A.

[0026] The manufacturing machine 1 also includes, among other things, an operating station 3 built to feed a number of semi-finished articles A. The semi-finished articles A travel along a feeding path R, which is essentially transverse to the processing path P. The processing path P has a longitudinal extension. The operating station 3 comprises a device 5 for feeding the semi-finished articles A shown in Figures 3 to 9. The feeding device 5 is configured to feed semi-finished articles A along the feeding path R from a storage unit (not shown) to a transfer station 6. The feeding device 5 comprises a number of conveying devices 7 on which the semi-finished articles A are arranged in succession. In particular, according to a first embodiment, the conveyor devices 7 comprise vibrating channels within which semi-finished articles A are collected and fed out in succession with their respective smaller surfaces A** facing each other. According to another embodiment, the conveyor devices 7 comprise conveyor belts. The semi-finished articles A are arranged on the conveyor belt 7 one after the other with their respective smaller surfaces A** facing each other; in other words, each semi-finished article A is arranged on the conveyor belt 7 with its respective smaller surfaces A** facing the adjacent semi-finished articles A. Advantageously, the feeding device 5 comprises a pair of conveying devices 7 arranged side by side, substantially parallel to each other and operated independently of each other. At the transfer station 6, a number of lifting devices 8 are provided; each lifting device 8 is configured to accommodate the first semi-finished article A in the succession of semifinished articles A arranged on the feeding device 5. In other words, the feeding device 5 is configured to transfer a single semi-finished article A at a time to the lifting device 8. The lifting device 8 is movable in the vertical direction along the axis X between a lowered position, in which it receives the single semi-finished article A from the feeding device 5, and a raised position, in which the single semi-finished article A is transferred downstream along the feeding path R as described in more detail below, and vice versa from the raised position to the lowered position. A number of lifting devices 8 equal to the number of conveying devices 7 is advantageously provided at the transfer station 6. In other words, a lifting device 8 is provided at and in a position facing each conveying device 7. At the transfer station 6, there are preferably two lifting devices 8 arranged side by side and operated independently of each other.

[0027] The operating station 3 comprises an orienting device 9 (or an intermediate station) orienting the semi-finished articles A arranged along the feeding path R downstream of the lifting device 8.

[0028] The orienting device 9 is configured to receive the semi-finished articles A from the lifting device 8, to change their orientation and to feed them to the trolleys 4 arranged downstream along the feeding path R. In particular, the orienting device 9 comprises a number of drums 10 on which the semi-finished articles A are arranged in succession. Advantageously, the orienting device 9 comprises two drums 10 arranged side by side and operated independently of each other. Each drum 10 is configured to accommodate a single semi-finished article A at a time coming from the lifting device 8. Each drum 10 includes a support element 11 to accommodate and hold the semi-finished articles A during re-orientation. In particular, the support elements 11 define seats made to receive and hold semi-finished articles A. Advantageously, each drum 10 comprises a single support element 11.

[0029] Each drum 10 rotates around a respective, essentially vertical axis Y. The two drums 10 rotate around their respective parallel axes Y. More specifically, each drum 10 is configured to rotate at least partially around the axis Y to change the orientation of the semi-finished article A. More specifically, each drum 10 rotates +90° or, alternatively, - 90° as required to change the orientation of the semi-finished article A and achieve the desired orientation.

[0030] In other words, each drum 10 is movable between a receiving position in which the semifinished article A coming from the lifting device 8 is accommodated on the support element 11 and a transfer position in which the semi-finished article A is retrieved to be transferred to a respective trolley 4 arranged downstream of the orienting device 9 along the feeding path R; and vice versa from the transfer position to the receiving position. Advantageously, in the transfer position, the drum 10 is rotated +90° or, alternatively, - 90° around the axis Y in relation to the receiving position.

[0031] Finally, the operating station 3 includes a unit (or device) 12 for handling the semifinished articles A. The handling unit 12 is configured to retrieve, transfer and release the semi-finished articles A. More specifically, the handling unit 12 is configured to transfer semi-finished articles A from the lifting device 8 to the orienting device 9 and then from the orienting device 9 to the trolley 4.

[0032] The handling unit 12 comprises at least one handling unit 13.

[0033] Advantageously, the handling unit 12 comprises multiple handling robots 13.

[0034] Since each handling robot 13 is configured to simultaneously handle a small number of semi-finished articles A (e.g. two semi-finished articles A as better described in the following discussion), multiple handling robots 13 are provided to increase the productivity of the feeding unit 12. More specifically, the handling unit 12 comprises two handling robots 13 (only one of which will be described in detail in the following discussion); the two handling robots 13 are arranged side by side (so that each handling robot 13 does not interfere with the other handling robot 13). The handling robots 13 are preferably driven independently of each other. The number of handling robots 13 is determined according to the capacity of the trolley 4.

[0035] The handling robot 13 comprises a pair of pick-and-place devices 14 (only one of which will be described in detail in the following discussion) by means of which the semifinished articles A are retrieved, transferred and released. The handling robot 13 comprises an upper pillar 15 that supports the pick-and-place devices 14 and moves them cyclically from the lifting device 8 to the orienting device 9 and from the orienting device 9 to the trolley 4, respectively, and vice versa (i.e., from the orienting device 9 to the lifting device 8 and from the trolley 4 to the orienting device 9).

[0036] Advantageously, the upper pillar 15 supports the two pick-and-place devices 14 in a fixed position and the handling robot 13 includes drive means, preferably a linear electric motor, which moves the pillar 15 carrying the pick-and-place devices 14 along the feeding path R.

[0037] Alternatively, the upper pillar 15 includes a guide that is arranged in a fixed position; in particular, the guide is preferably made from a single fixed track (i.e. without movement) or a double track. In addition, the upper pillar 15 comprises a number of slides, each of which supports a corresponding pick-and-place device 14 and is coupled to the guide to slide along it. Finally, the handling robot 13 comprises drive means, preferably an electric linear motor, which moves the slides carrying the pick-and-place devices 14 along the feeding path R. The two pick-and-place devices 14 are moved together; in other words, the two pick-and-place devices 14 are not operated independently of each other.

[0038] More specifically, the pick-and-place device indicated with 14A is configured to cyclically move semi-finished articles A from the lifting device 8 to the orienting device 9, while the pick-and-place device indicated with 14B is configured to cyclically move the semi-finished articles A from orienting device 9 to the respective trolley 4.

[0039] The two pick-and-place devices 14 are both movable between a retrieving position and a release position, and vice versa from the release position to the retrieval position.

[0040] In the retrieving position, the pick-and-place device 14A is arranged at the lifting device

[0041] 8 to retrieve the semi-finished article A from the lifting device 8 while the pick-and-place device 14B is arranged at the orienting device 9 to retrieve the semi-finished article A from the orienting device 9.

[0042] In the release position, the pick-and-place device 14A is arranged at the orienting device

[0043] 9 to retrieve the semi-finished article A from the orienting device 9 while the pick-and- place device 14B is arranged at the trolley 4 to release the semi-finished article A from the trolley 4.

[0044] Each pick-and-place device 14 comprises an upper striker element 16 (or arm) that is vertically movable between two end positions. More specifically, when the pick-and- place device 14 has to retrieve the semi-finished article A from the lifting device 8 or from the orienting device 9, the upper striker element 16 moves from a raised position to a lowered position in which the upper striker element 16 comes into contact with the semifinished article A; advantageously, an upper end of the semi-finished article A engages a seat formed in the upper striker element 16. To allow the transfer of the semi-finished article A from the lifting device 8 to the orienting device 9 or from the orienting device 9 to the respective trolley 4, the upper striker element 16 returns to the raised position. Finally, when the pick-and-place device 14 has to release the semi-finished article A onto the orienting device 9 or the trolley 4, the upper striker element 16 moves from the raised position to the lowered position.

[0045] The striker element 16 is connected to an upper pressure head 17 equipped with elastic means, in particular at least one spring. The pressure head 17 is configured to adjust the pressure applied by the upper element 16 on the semi-finished article A during the retrieval step and especially during the release step.

[0046] Finally, each pick-and-place device 14 comprises a number of outer gripper members 18 configured to contact the smaller surface A** and apply gentle external pressure during retrieval and transfer. Advantageously, each gripper member 18 comprises a clamp (or vice) element with two Cartesian or hinged levers 19 that are diametrically opposite each other. Each lever 19 preferably comprises a head 20 arranged at one end configured to engage, when in use, a respective through opening A'.

[0047] Each gripper member 18 is movable between an open position in which the two levers 19 are not arranged in contact with the semi-finished article A and a closed position in which the two levers 19 are arranged in contact with the semi-finished article A and the heads 20 engage the through openings A'. More specifically, when the pick-and-place device 14 is to retrieve and transfer the semi-finished article A from the lifting device 8 or the orienting device 9, the gripper members 18 only move into the closed position once the upper striker element 16 has moved into the raised position in contact with the semifinished article A. Finally, when the pick-and-place device 14 has to release the semi- finished article A on the orienting device 9 or on the trolley 4, the gripper elements 18 move to the closed position before the upper striker element 16 moves from the lowered to the raised position and the pressure head 17 releases the semi-finished article A.

[0048] The gripper members 18 are operated independently of the striker element 16.

[0049] Advantageously, there is at least one detection device for detecting the presence and / or position of the semi-finished articles A; more specifically, said detection device comprises at least one sensor configured to detect the presence and / or position of the semi-finished articles A.

[0050] Finally, the operating station 3 comprises a control unit configured to control (drive) the movement of the handling robot 13, more specifically of the pick-and-place devices 14. The method for feeding a number of semi-finished articles A via the operating station 3 described in the preceding discussion is described below. In particular, the following steps occur in succession: the semi-finished articles A are fed in succession onto the conveyor device 7 with their respective smaller surfaces A** facing each other until they reach the lifting device 8; the lifting device 8 cooperates with the pick-and-place device 14A to allow the pick-and-place type device 14A to retrieve; more specifically, the lifting device 8 moves from the lowered position to the raised position while the upper striker element 16 moves from the raised position to the lowered position so that the upper striker element 16 contacts the semi-finished article A and the upper end of the semi-finished article A progressively engages the seat formed in the upper striker element 16; subsequently, the gripper member 18 moves from the open position to the closed position in which the two levers 19 are arranged in contact with the semi-finished article A and the heads 20 engage the through openings A'; the pick-and-place device 14A moves from the retrieving position near the lifting device 8 to the release position near the orienting device 9; as illustrated in succession from Figure 9 to Figure 14, at the orienting device 9, the semi-finished article A is housed on the support element 11; the gripper member 18 moves from the closed position to the open position in which the two levers 19 are arranged at a distance from the semi-finished article A and the heads 20 disengage the through openings A' and, subsequently, the upper striker element 16 moves from the lowered position to the raised position by adjusting the pressure applied on the semi-finished article A by means of the pressure head 17; finally, the upper end of the semi-finished article A progressively disengages the seat obtained in the upper striker element 16; the drum 10 rotates, preferably by +90° or, alternatively, by -90°, around the axis Y, also rotating the semi-finished article A to change its orientation; the pick-and-place device 14B is arranged at the orienting device 9; the upper striker element 16 moves from the raised position to the lower position so that the upper striker element 16 contacts the semi-finished article A and the upper end of the semi-finished article A progressively engages the seat formed in the upper striker element 16; subsequently, the gripper member 18 moves from the open position to the closed position in which the two levers 19 are arranged in contact with the semi-finished article A and the heads 20 engage the through openings A'; the pick-and-place device 14B moves from the retrieving position near the orienting device 9 to the release position near the trolley 4; near the trolley 4, the semi-finished article A is housed on a respective support element; the gripper member 18 moves from the closed position to the open position in which the two levers 19 are arranged at a distance from the semifinished article A and the heads 20 disengage the through openings A' and, subsequently, the upper striker element 16 moves from the lowered position to the raised position by adjusting the pressure applied on the semi-finished article A by means of the pressure head 17; finally, the upper end of the semi-finished article A progressively disengages the seat obtained in the upper striker element 16.

[0051] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0052] 1 manufacturing machine

[0053] 2 feed system

[0054] 3 operating station

[0055] 4 trolleys

[0056] 5 feeding device 6 transfer station

[0057] 7 conveyor device

[0058] 8 lifting device

[0059] 9 orienting device

[0060] 10 drum

[0061] 11 support element

[0062] 12 handling unit

[0063] 13 robot

[0064] 14 pick-and-place device

[0065] 14A pick-and-place device

[0066] 14B pick-and-place device

[0067] 15 upper pillar

[0068] 16 striker element

[0069] 17 pressure head

[0070] 18 outer gripper members

[0071] 19 lever

[0072] 20 head

[0073] A article

[0074] A* larger surface

[0075] A** smaller surface

[0076] A' through opening

[0077] P processing path

[0078] R feeding path

[0079] X axis

[0080] Y axis

Claims

C L A I M S1. A unit for feeding articles (A) along a feeding path (R) comprising: an inlet station (6) arranged along the feeding path (R) comprising a lifting device (8) configured to receive the single semi-finished articles (A); an intermediate station (9) configured to change the orientation of the articles (A) arranged along the feeding path (R) downstream of the inlet station (6); an outlet station (4) arranged along the feeding path (R) downstream of the intermediate station (9); and a handling robot (13) comprising an upper pillar (15), which supports a pair of pick and place devices (14), each pick and place device (14) is configured to retrieve, transfer and release a single article (A) at a time; a first pick and place device (14A) is configured to cooperate with the lifting device (8) to retrieve the single article (A) and to move the single article (A) from the inlet station (6) to the intermediate station (9) and a second pick and place device (14B) is configured to move the single article (A) from the intermediate station (9) to the outlet station (4) while the first pick and place device (14A) transfers the respective single article (A) from the inlet station (6) to the intermediate station (9); wherein the two pick and place devices (14A, 14B) each comprise:- a respective upper striker element (16) vertically movable between two positions and connected to a pressure head (17) provided with elastic means, in particular with at least one spring, and configured to adjust the pressure applied by the upper element (16) to the single article (A) during the steps of retrieving and releasing the single article (A); and- a number of outer gripper members (18) configured to place themselves, when in use, in contact with a respective outer surface (A**) of the single article (A).

2. The unit according to claim 1, wherein the upper striker element (16) is configured to at least partially accommodate an upper end of the single article (A) within a seat obtained internally.

3. The unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each gripper member (18) comprises aclamp element with two Cartesian or hinged levers (19) diametrically opposite one another.

4. The unit according to claim 3, wherein each lever (19) comprises a head (20) arranged at one end and configured to engage, when in use, a respective through opening (A’) formed on the outer surface (A**).

5. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper pillar (15), which supports the pick and place devices (14), comprises a guide, which is preferably arranged in a fixed position to which the pick and place devices (14) are coupled in order to slide; wherein the two pick and place devices (14) are moved together along said guide.

6. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when the first pick and place device (14A) is in the area of the inlet station (6), the second pick and place device (14B) is in the area of the intermediate station (9); and, when the first pick and place device (14A) is in the area of the intermediate station (9), the second pick and place device (14B) is in the area of the outlet station (4).

7. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate station (9) is configured to change the orientation of each single article (A).

8. The unit according to claim 7, wherein the intermediate station (9) comprises at least one rotary drum (10) rotatable around a first axis (Y) between a receiving position, in which the first pick and place device (14A) releases the respective, single semi-finished article (A), and a transfer position, in which the second pick and place device (14B) retrieves said single article (A), wherein the article (A) has a different orientation in the receiving position and in the transfer position.

9. The unit according to claim 8, wherein the drum (10) makes a ± 90° rotation around the first axis (Y) in order to move from the receiving position to the transfer position.

10. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting device (8) is movable in a vertical direction and is configured to receive the single semi-finished articles (A) from a feeding device (5) and to cooperate with the first pick and place device (14A) in order to allow a single article (A) to be retrieved.

11. The unit according to any of the preceding claims and comprising multiple, in particular two, handling robots (13) arranged side by side and, preferably, independent of one another.

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