Rod article distribution apparatus

The present application relates to a rod article distribution apparatus (10) for distributing rod articles (50) between at least two storage columns. The apparatus (10) has a rod article infeed (20), a rod article distributor (30) having an epicyclic drum arrangement, and at least two rod article receiving channels (41). The rod article distributor (30) is configured to distribute rod articles (50) between the at least two rod article receiving channels (41). The present application also relates to a rod article making apparatus and a method of distributing rod articles between at least two storage columns.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rod article distribution apparatus. The present invention also relates to a rod article making apparatus and a method of distributing rod articles between at least two storage columns.

BACKGROUND

During the manufacture of fragile rod articles, it is known to pass them along a conveyor drum arrangement. However, it is known to be difficult to remove them from a high-speed manufacturing path without causing damage to the rod articles. Furthermore, such rod articles need to be distributed for storage without creating defects in the rod articles.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a rod article distribution apparatus for distributing rod articles between at least two storage columns comprising a rod article infeed, a rod article distributor having an epicyclic drum arrangement, and at least two rod article receiving channels, the rod article distributor being configured to distribute rod articles between the at least two rod article receiving channels.

The rod article distributer may be configured to drop rod articles into each of the at least two rod receiving channels.

The at least two rod receiving channels may form a rod article transfer feed configured to align and feed rod articles into corresponding at least two storage columns of a rod storage unit.

The rod article distribution apparatus may further comprise a rod storage unit having at least two storage columns, wherein the pitch of the at least two storage columns of the rod storage unit corresponds to the pitch of the at least two rod receiving channels.

The rod receiving channels may extend substantially parallel to each other.

The epicyclic drum arrangement may comprise a sun drum, a rotational annular carrier around the sun drum, the annular carrier and the sun drum being rotatable about a common axis, and planetary drums rotatable about their own axis, the planetary drums being on the rotational annular carrier.

The sun drum may rotate at a higher speed than the annular carrier.

The planetary drums may have a tangential speed that equals a tangential speed of the carrier.

The sun drum may comprise an outer circumferential surface formed with grooves for receiving rod articles and the grooves may be evenly spaced apart from one another in a direction about the common axis.

The rod article infeed may comprise an infeed drum configured to supply rod articles to the sun drum.

The sun drum may comprise a cam arrangement so as to enable rod articles to be received by the sun drum from the rod article infeed.

The sun drum may comprise segments movable relative to one another in a direction parallel to the common axis.

The segments may be movable relative to one another so as to enable rod articles to be received by the sun drum from the rod article infeed.

The rod article distributor may be configured to pass rod articles along a path so that the longitudinal axis of each rod article is aligned substantially vertically.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a rod article making apparatus comprising a rod article distribution apparatus according to any of the claims.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of distributing rod articles between at least two storage columns, comprising distributing rod articles from a rod article infeed between at least two rod article receiving channels using a rod article distributor having an epicyclic drum arrangement.

The method may further comprise picking up rod articles on a sun drum of the epicyclic drum arrangement, and using planetary drums of the epicyclic drum arrangement to decelerate the rod articles to allow them to be dropped into each of the at least two rod receiving channels.

The method may further comprise rotating the planetary drums about their own axis and about an axis of a carrier supporting the planetary drums, and rotating the sun drum at a speed higher than the rotational speed of the carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings,FIG. 1shows a part of a rod article distribution apparatus10. The rod article distribution apparatus10comprises a rod article infeed20, a rod article distributor30, and a rod article transfer feed40.

The rod article distributor30has an epicyclic drum arrangement31. The rod article distributor30is used for transferring rod articles towards a subsequent storage stage where rod articles50can be stored. The rod article distribution apparatus30defines a rod article distribution path. The rod article distribution apparatus10is usable with fragile and/or brittle rod articles50, such as those formed from or including glass. Rod articles50are elongate cylindrical articles, typically having a diameter of less than or equal to 10 mm. The rod articles have a longitudinal axis.

The rod articles50may be elements forming a tobacco industry product or forming part of a tobacco industry product. A tobacco industry product refers to any item made in, or sold by the tobacco industry, typically including a) cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, tobacco for pipes or for roll-your-own cigarettes, (whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes); b) non-smoking products incorporating tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes such as snuff, snus, hard tobacco, and tobacco heating devices including those tobacco heating devices in which glass fibre is wrapped around a charcoal element; and c) other nicotine-delivery systems such as inhalers, aerosol generation devices including e-cigarettes, lozenges and gum. This list is not intended to be exclusive, but merely illustrates a range of products which are made and sold in the tobacco industry.

In particular, the rod articles50may be elements forming a smoking article or forming part of a smoking article. Rod articles50forming part of a smoking article may be elements for inclusion in a filter, in a tobacco rod, or in another part of the smoking article. As used herein, the term “smoking article” includes smokeable products such as cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos whether based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substitutes and also tobacco heating devices and other nicotine delivery product such as aerosol generation devices including e-cigarettes. The smoking article may be provided with a filter for the gaseous flow drawn by the smoker.

The rod articles50may be formed from different materials, or a combination of materials, for example glass, ceramic, and carbon.

The rod article infeed20comprises an infeed drum21. The infeed drum21is a rotatable drum, also known as a roller. The infeed drum21is rotatable about a central axis. The infeed drum21is fed rod articles50by known means. For example, the infeed drum21may be supplied rod articles50from a cons ever drum arrangement (not shown). The conveyor drum arrangement may enable the manufacture of rod articles50.

The infeed drum21comprises a number of grooves22for receiving rod articles50. The grooves22extend axially on an outer circumferential surface23of the infeed drum21. The rod articles50are held in the grooves22by negative air pressure. The rod articles50are released from the grooves22by removing the negative air pressure or by applying a positive air pressure. The air pressure differential is applied through one or more air vents (not shown) at the surface of the grooves22.

The infeed drum21causes rod articles50received in grooves22to travel in a direction transverse to their longitudinal axis. That is, the rod articles50move in a direction which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to their longitudinal axis. The grooves23are evenly spaced apart from one another in a direction about the central axis.

The rod article infeed20conveys the rod articles50to the rod article distributer30. Although in the present embodiment the rod article infeed20is the infeed drum21, it should be understood that alternative arrangements are possible. In an alternative embodiment, the rod article infeed20comprises a conveyor belt or other means for transporting the rod articles to the rod article distributer30. The rod article infeed20transfers the rod articles50from the conveyor drum arrangement (not shown) to the rod article distributer30. That is, the point at which they are received from the conveyor drum arrangement to a point at which the infeed drum21meets a sun drum32of the epicyclic drum arrangement30. At this point, the rod articles50on the infeed drum21are fed into corresponding grooves33of the sun drum32.

The epicyclic drum arrangement31comprises the sun drum32, planetary drums34, and a rotatable annular carrier35. The sun drum32forms a central drum. The planetary drums34are disposed in a circumferential arrangement around the sun drum32. The planetary drums34are supported by the carrier35. The carrier35is rotatable about a central axis. The sun drum32is disposed within the carrier35and is rotatable about the same common axis as the carrier35.

A circumferential outer surface of the sun drum32is facing an inner surface of the carrier35. The circumferential outer surface of the sun drum32is formed with the grooves33extending parallel to the common axis about which the sun drum32is rotatable. In the particular embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the circumferential outer surface of the sun drum32is formed with thirty grooves33. The number of grooves33may differ. Each groove33may carry a single rod article50. The rod articles50are held in the grooves33by suction being applied to the rod articles50through valve-operated holes (not shown) formed at the grooves33. The thirty grooves33are equally spaced apart from one another in a rotational direction about the common axis.

However this arrangement is optional, as in an alternative embodiment the grooves33are formed into groups such that the outer surface of the sun drum32is formed with a single or multiple group(s) of grooves.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, there are eight planetary drums34supported by a rotatable annular carrier35. Although eight planetary drums34are shown, it should be understood that the number of planetary drums34may differ. Each planetary drum34is rotatable about their own central axis in a clockwise direction, and the carrier35is rotated about its central axis in an anti-clockwise direction. Each planetary drum34has six grooves36and each groove36is configured to receive at least one rod article50from one of the corresponding grooves22on the sun drum32. The number of grooves36may differ. The grooves36on each planetary drum34are equally spaced apart from one another in a rotational direction about the planetary drum's central axis. The spacing of the grooves36on each planetary drum34corresponds to the spacing of the grooves33on the sun drum32. The rod articles50are held in the grooves36by suction being applied to the rod articles50through valve-operated holes (not shown) formed in the grooves36.

The rod article transfer feed40comprises nine channels41. The channels41are spaced from each other. The channels41are formed by vanes42. The channels42are configured to allow rod articles50to pass therealong. Each channel41has a width corresponding to one rod article50, however this is optional. The channels42are elongate and are arranged to extend vertically. Each channel42has an inlet43. The inlet43is configured to received rod articles50. The inlet43receives rod articles50from the rod article distributor30. The rod article transfer feed40is disposed below the rod article distributor30. That is, rod articles50carried by the rod article distributor30are able to fall to the rod article transfer feed40. The inlet43of each channel42is configured to receive rod articles50from the grooves36on each planetary drum34. Each channel42has an outlet44. Each outlet44is configured to align with corresponding storage columns (not shown) of a rod storage unit (not shown). Rod storage units are positionable below the outlets44of the rod article transfer feed40. The channels41are configured to feed rod articles50into the corresponding storage columns.

The rod storage units (not shown), also called trays, comprise opposing side walls (not shown) and dividers (not shown) extending between the side walls. The dividers define the storage columns. The storage columns extend parallel to each other. An upper end of the rod storage unit is open so as to be able to receive rod articles50therethrough. The pitch of the channels41of the rod article transfer feed40corresponds to the pitch of the storage columns of the rod storage units. Therefore, the channels41of the rod article transfer feed40are alignable with the storage columns of the rod storage units. When one of the rod articles50is fed from the outlet44of one of the channels42it is receivable in a corresponding storage column aligned therewith.

Rod articles50are transferred from the grooves22on the infeed drum21onto the grooves33of the sun drum32, and then onto the grooves36of the planetary drums34. The rod articles50are then transferred to the channels41of the rod article transfer feed40. The tangential speed of the sun drum32corresponds to the tangential speed of the infeed drum21. The infeed drum21rotates in a clockwise direction. The sun drum32rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. The sun drum32is continuously supplied with rod articles50from the infeed drum21.

The rotation of the planetary drums34as they rotate about their own axis corresponds to the rotation of the sun drum32such that rod articles50in the grooves33of the sun drum32are transferred to the grooves36of the planetary drums34. The sun drum32is configured to rotate at a higher angular speed than the carrier33. The tangential speed of the planetary drums36as they rotate about their own axis equals the tangential speed of the carrier35rotating in the opposite direction such that a rod article50is released and falls into one of inlets43of the channels41. Therefore, rod articles50are transferred from a high tangential speed along a rotational path to a reduced speed along a linear path. Therefore, the rod articles50are decelerated. The rod articles50then pass along the channels41and into corresponding storage columns (not shown) of the rod storage unit (not shown). It should be understood that the valves of the holes formed in the grooves22,33,36of the infeed drum21, sun drum32and planetary drums34are operated such that vacuum is applied at the correct rotational position so as to allow for rod articles50to be picked up, transferred and released as described above.

The rod article distribution apparatus10may be supported by a single support, or alternatively, the components of the rod article distribution apparatus10may be supported on several separate supports. The rod article transfer feed40is not limited to comprising nine channels41. It should be understood that the size of each component, the number of channels, planetary drums and their grooves, as well as the number of grooves on the sun drum can be varied so as to suit the desired distribution rate of rod articles, as well as the size of the rod articles being distributed.

The planetary drums34, carrier35and sun drum32, are operated by a set of gears and shafts (not shown) driven by a driver, such as a motor (not shown). Various gearing/driving arrangements will be evident to those skilled in the art. The rotational movement of the planetary drums34as the planetary drums34are being rotated by the carrier35can be described as an epicyclic motion. In one embodiment, the planetary drums34, carrier35and the sun drum32are rotated in the opposite direction to that described above such that the planetary drums34have an epicyclic motion in the opposite direction about the common axis.

Referring now toFIG. 2, the sun drum32comprises a cam arrangement37configured to provide alignment of rod articles50on the infeed drum32with grooves33of the sun drum32so that rod articles50on the infeed drum32can be transferred to the sun drum32. In the present embodiment a barrel cam arrangement is used however, it should be understood that alternative arrangements may be used to provide for a similar motion, for example a plate cam arrangement.

In the present arrangement, the sun drum32comprises movable segments38supported by a stationary barrel (not shown). The barrel is omitted from the Figures so that the segments38can be clearly shown. An outer circumferential surface of the barrel is formed with a barrel cam which cooperates with a corresponding cam or track formed on an inner surface of the segments38facing the circumferential surface of the barrel. The segments38are supported by two ring structures (not shown) located at the end of the segments38such that the segments38are sandwiched in between the ring structures. The ring structures are formed with pins which locate in holes of the segments. The ring structures are configured to rotate about the common axis and as their pins locate in the segments38, the segments38rotate with the ring structures about said common. The barrel cam cooperating with the cam or track on the inner surface of the segments causes the segments38to move relative to one another in a direction parallel to the common axis of the sun drum32as the ring structures and the segments38are rotated about the barrel. As the segments38are rotated about the barrel, the segments38are moved from a pick-up position39ato a drop-off position39b. The segments38are in the pick-up position39awhen they are proximal to the infeed drum21, and in the drop-off position39bwhen they are proximal to the rod article transfer feed4. The movable segments38of the sun drum32enables rod articles50to be transferred from the infeed drum21to the sun drum32without the interference of the carrier35and/or the planetary drums34. In particular, the movable segments38enable the infeed drum21to overlap with the carrier35such that the infeed drum21engages the sun drum32.

Operation of the rod article distribution apparatus10will now be described in greater detail. The carrier35rotates in an anti-clockwise direction and a first planetary drum34approaches the set of nine channels41. As the first planetary drum34rotates about its own axis in a clockwise direction rod articles50held in the grooves33of the sun drum32are transferred to the first planetary drum34such that a rod article50locates in each groove36of the first planetary drum34. As the first planetary drum34rotates at a high rotational speed to pick up rod articles50it simultaneously drops off rod articles50that are aligned with one of the corresponding channels41of the rod article transfer feed40. As the planetary drums34are following an orbital path about the common axis, due to rotation of the carrier35, the rod articles50are decelerated and drop into respective channel41upon release from the groove36. As there are nine channels41, and each planetary drum34has six grooves36, each planetary drum34transfers nine rod articles50to the rod article transfer feed40per rotation of the carrier35. Thus, the first three grooves36of each planetary drum34transfer two rod articles50in one rotation. The rod articles50are then guided by the channels41into the corresponding storage columns (not shown) of the rod storage unit (not shown). With this arrangement it is possible to distribute rod articles50between multiple storage columns (not shown). This distribution may occur at a rapid pace without exerting a large force on each rod article50which may result in damage to the rod articles50. Furthermore, the epicyclic drum arrangement provides for the rod articles50to be rapidly decelerated to a stationary condition from the rotational speed of the infeed drum21.

In the above described embodiment, the epicyclic drum arrangement31is configured to pass rod articles50along the rod article distribution path in which the longitudinal axis of each rod article is aligned substantially horizontal as the rod articles50pass along the rod article distribution path. With this embodiment, rod articles are fed from each planetary drum34to one of the corresponding channels41of the rod article transfer feed40under gravity. However, it will be understood that the alignment of the epicyclic drum arrangement may differ. For example, in another embodiment, the epicyclic drum arrangement31is configured to pass rod articles50along a rod article distribution path in which the longitudinal axis of each rod article50is aligned substantially vertical as the rod articles50pass along the rod article distribution path. In such an embodiment, the rod articles50may be transferred to the corresponding channels41of the rod article transfer feed40using an urging element (not shown). Such an urging element, may include a biasing finger which acts to flick the rod article from it's groove36into one of the corresponding channels41.

In order to address various issues and advance the art, the entirety of this disclosure shows by way of illustration various embodiments in which the claimed invention(s) may be practiced and provide for a superior rod article distribution apparatus. The advantages and features of the disclosure are of a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. They are presented only to assist in understanding and teach the claimed features. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects of the disclosure are not to be considered limitations on the disclosure as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the disclosure. Various embodiments may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, various combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc. In addition, the disclosure includes other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.