Hopper Channel Segmentation for Rod-Like Smokers' Articles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for feeding rod-like smokers' articles are prone to flattening and damage due to weight and handling issues, especially when operating at high speeds, as the articles are easily damaged within the hopper and during transfer.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a hopper with individual channels to distribute and subdivide the articles, counter-rotating pickup and transfer rollers with suction flutes, and cutting means to divide the articles, along with feed and retaining elements to manage the transfer and prevent damage, ensuring each article supports only its own weight and is handled gently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If rod-like smokers' articles are stored in a hopper in mass, then the hopper can contain sufficient articles for continuous operation, but the articles at the bottom are flattened and marked by creasing due to the weight of the mass above them
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper is divided into multiple channels (at least two channels) that extend from the bottom of the hopper to the pickup roller. Each channel receives and conveys articles individually, preventing the weight of articles in one channel from affecting articles in other channels. This segmentation maintains article shape while enabling continuous supply.
2Productivity
If high operating speeds are reached to increase productivity, then more articles can be processed per unit time, but damage to the rod-like articles increases during withdrawal from the hopper by the receiving flutes
Solution Approach 1:
The pickup roller is provided with multiple suction flutes arranged to receive articles from different channels simultaneously. This allows parallel processing of multiple articles, maintaining high productivity while each article is handled individually and gently by its own flute, preventing damage even at high speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
Suction flutes are used instead of mechanical gripping mechanisms. The pneumatic suction gently holds each article during transfer without applying excessive mechanical force that could cause damage, enabling high-speed operation while protecting delicate articles.
3Device complexity
If a single pickup roller with suction flutes is used to withdraw articles from the hopper, then the structure is simple, but articles are damaged during the withdrawal process especially at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper is divided into multiple channels with each channel having its own pickup path to the roller. This segmentation allows articles to be withdrawn from different locations simultaneously, reducing the mechanical stress on each individual article during transfer while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively prevents flattening and damage to the articles by distributing weight evenly and using gentle handling mechanisms, allowing for efficient and damage-free transfer of delicate rod-like smokers' articles.
Implementation Method 1
a pickup and transfer roller provided with a plurality of suction flutes. Each suction flute receives a single rod-like smokers' article. With its suction flutes the pickup roller withdraws the smokers' articles from the inside of the hopper and conveys them to operating stations downstream.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
This invention relates to a device for feeding rod-like smokers' articles in an automatic machine for the tobacco industry; the device comprises at least one hopper (3) for containing a plurality of rod-like articles (2) and at least one pickup and transfer roller (4, 6, 7), located downstream of the hopper (3), which picks up and transfers the rod-like articles (2) and which has a plurality of suction flutes (5) on its cylindrical surface; the device comprises means (11) for distributing and subdividing the rod-like articles (2) which are fed by and contained in the hopper (3); the distributing and subdividing means (11) being capable of positioning the rod-like articles (2) relative to each other so as to prevent them from being flattened.