Apparatus for feeding cigarettes or the like to a packaging machine

A cigarette transfer apparatus is used for transporting the cigarettes to a packaging machine when the cigarettes are supplied periodically, especially in trestles (11), and this apparatus consists of an intermediate container (13) with several conveyors driven at increasing speed in the conveying direction, namely a receiving conveyor (22), an intermediate conveyor (24) and a discharge conveyor (23). A continuous cigarette stream (26) is formed within the intermediate container (13), and reductions (valley 39) in the cross-section of this cigarette stream as a result of an interrupted supply of cigarettes are compensated by a controlled drive of the conveyors, while ensuring continuous delivery to the packaging machine. The cigarette stream (26) is loaded at the top by a closely matching cigarette cover (40) consisting of individual rollers (41).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
The invention relates to an apparatus for feeding cigarettes or the like to 
a packaging machine, the cigarettes being supplied in batches, especially 
in cigarette containers (trestles) which are overturned for emptying with 
an upper opening side downwards, in such a way that the cigarettes or the 
like run off from the cigarette container under their own weight to form a 
continuous cigarette stream consisting of cigarettes which are oriented 
parallel to one another and transversely to the direction of transport and 
which are fed by means of conveyors between lateral limitations (side 
walls) of the packaging machine. 
The transfer of cigarettes from the production machine to the packaging 
machine always presents special problems arising within the flow of 
cigarettes between production and packaging. In practice, the cigarettes 
are mostly fed to the packaging machine in groups in special containers, 
so-called trestles. The problem is to guarantee uninterrupted continuous 
feeding to the packaging machine despite the fact that the cigarettes are 
supplied in batches. 
In a known apparatus for feeding cigarettes extracted from a trestle to a 
packaging machine, the trestles are emptied, with an opening side directed 
downwards, over a conveyor belt which transfers a cigarette stream to a 
transfer conveyor leading to the packaging machine. Formed underneath the 
conveyor belt is a cigarette store which guarantees a continuous cigarette 
stream in the region of the transfer conveyor even when the cigarette 
supply is interrupted, particularly when an emptied trestle is changed. 
This apparatus has proved appropriate in practice. - EP-A-22 943 -. 
The invention starts from the above mentioned or a similar apparatus for 
feeding cigarettes to a packaging machine or the like. The object on which 
the invention is based is to improve the flow of cigarettes and at the 
same time make the design of the apparatus simpler and less susceptible to 
faults. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
To achieve this object, the apparatus according to the invention is 
characterised in that located above the cigarette stream, at least in a 
part region of the latter, is a cigarette cover which matches the (upper) 
contour of the cigarette stream. 
The cigarette cover according to the invention can be designed in various 
ways and preferably consists of a chain of rotatable rollers arranged in a 
row next to one another. The cigarette cover comes to rest on the top side 
of the cigarette stream under its own weight, matching the ever-changing 
heights of the cigarette stream. 
The cigarette cover guarantees that the cigarettes arranged above one 
another within the cigarette stream and oriented parallel to one another 
and transversely to the conveying direction maintain this relative 
position during transport. Furthermore, the transport of a relatively 
bulky cigarette stream is guaranteed because of the cigarette cover. As a 
result of the rotatable mounting of the rollers, the cigarettes are 
prevented from jumping over. 
Moreover, the cigarette cover ensures that the lower cigarettes and 
therefore the entire cigarette stream are taken up by the conveyors 
carefully and in a fault-free manner. The cover also produces a continuous 
cigarette stream free of interruption because the cigarettes within the 
cigarette stream are gripped as a result of the slight pressure eperted by 
the cover. 
For transporting the cigarettes or the cigarette stream, there are, 
according to the invention, several separately controllable conveyor belts 
or belt conveyors lying in a (horizontal) plane and succeeding one 
another, namely preferably a receiving conveyor, an intermediate conveyor 
and a discharge conveyor adjoining it. These are driven at different 
conveying speeds, which, in particular, increase in the conveying 
direction. An especially appropriate design is one in which a discharge 
conveyor facing the packaging machine is driven continuously, specifically 
preferably at a constant conveying speed. Within the framework of this 
solution, an intermediate conveyor located in front thereof is likewise 
driven continuously, but at different speeds, particularly at a reduced 
speed when the adjacent receiving conveyor is switched off momentarily 
because the cigarette supply is interrupted. 
Further features of the invention relate to the arrangement of movement 
means or compensating bodies which are located within the cigarette 
stream, especially underneath the particular trestle which is emptied. 
These movement means are bodies with a special geometrical shape, 
particularly with conical or frusto-conical shell surfaces. The relative 
arrangement is such that a converging position of the cigarettes, caused 
by the slight thickening of these in the region of a filter mouthpiece, is 
compensated. According to the invention, the movement means are driven to 
rotate, the axis of rotation being offset slightly in relation to the 
longitudinal centre axis, so that slight sideways movements are executed. 
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below 
with reference to the drawings,

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The exemplary embodiment illustrated intentionally refers to the feeding of 
a packaging machine with cigarettes 10. These are supplied in relatively 
large batches in a special cigarette container, namely in a trestle 11. 
The cigarettes 10 can be extracted from the trestle via open top 12 which 
initially points upwards. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, this is 
directed downwards, since the cigarettes 10 are extracted from the trestle 
11 because the latter is overturned. 
The trestle 11 is arranged, in this position, on an elongate, essentially 
rectangular intermediate container 13, overlying a feed orifice 14 of the 
latter. Moreover, the intermediate container 13 is limited by an upper 
wall 15, by end walls 16 and 17 extending at the ends, by side walls 18 
and 19 and, at the bottom, by conveyors (belt bands). The upper wall 15 
defines together with the adjacent end wall 17 the feed orifice 14. On the 
lower side of the intermediate container 13, located approximately 
diagonally opposite, the cigarettes are extracted from it, specifically in 
the region of an outflow orifice 20 formed in the lower plane of the 
intermediate container 13. 
A particular feature of the present exemplary embodiment is that the 
intermediate container 13 performs the function of an otherwise 
conventional cigarette magazine. In accordance with a magazine of this 
type, there are formed in the region of the outflow orifice 20 essentially 
vertical cigarette shafts 21 which converge downwards in a conventional 
way and between which wedge-shaped shaft walls 27 are arranged. Cigarette 
groups assigned to a cigarette pack are extracted in a known way at the 
bottom end of these cigarette shafts 21. In the present exemplary 
embodiment, two groups of cigarette shafts 21 of this type are formed. 
In the present case, the lower limitation or bottom of the intermediate 
container 13 is formed (outside the region of the outflow orifice 20) by 
three conveyors, namely a receiving conveyor 22, a discharge conveyor 23 
and an intermediate conveyor 24 located between conveyors 22 and 23. The 
conveyors 22, 23 and 24 consisting endless of belt bands adjoin one 
another in a common (horizontal) plane. The receiving conveyor 22 extends 
to the end wall 17 and consequently underneath the feed orifice 14. The 
discharge conveyor 23, which is shorter in comparison with it, is directly 
adjacent to the outflow orifice 20. The intermediate conveyor 24, which is 
shorter than either of them, is located between the two. The transitions 
between the conveyors are formed by short bridges 25 fixed in place. The 
conveyors 22, 23 and 24 extend over the entire width of the intermediate 
container 13, that is to say at least from one side wall 18, 19 to the 
other. 
The intermediate container 13 serves to hold the cigarettes after they have 
been extracted from the trestle 11, until they are transferred to the 
cigarette shafts 21 or to any further conveyor. However, the intermediate 
container 13 also performs the function of a store for the purpose of 
guaranteeing a constant uninterrupted feed of cigarettes when the supply 
of these trestles is discontinuous. During the time when an empty trestle 
11 is exchanged for a full one, the transfer of cigarettes to the 
packaging machine should continue to take place. For this purpose, a 
sufficient cigarette stock is built up within the intermediate container 
13, specifically by forming a continuous cigarette stream 26 extending 
from the feed orifice 14 to the outflow orifice 20. This cigarette stream 
is fed with a varying height to the outflow orifice 20 by the conveyors. 
The conveyors 22, 23 and 24 are driven in a special manner and in different 
ways. During the emptying of a trestle 11 (FIG. 1), all the conveyors are 
driven, specifically at speeds with increase in the direction of 
transport. Accordingly, the receiving conveyor 22 revolves at the lowest 
speed, the intermediate conveyor 24 has a higher speed in comparison with 
this, and the discharge conveyor 23 revolves at the highest conveying 
speed. For conveying, for example, approximately 8,000 cigarettes per 
minute, belt speeds of 3.2 m/sec (discharge conveyor 23), 2.8 m/sec 
(intermediate conveyor 24) and 2 m/sec (receiving conveyor 22) are 
appropriate. The increasing belt speed makes it possible to convey away 
the entire quantity of cigarettes running off downwards from the trestle 
11 with a deflection of 90.degree. C. into the direction of the cigarette 
stream 26. The latter diminishes progressively in cross-section, 
particularly in height, so that the cigarette stream 26 is of relatively 
small height in the region of the run-in into the cigarette shaft 21. 
During the time when the receiving conveyor 22 is stationary, that is to 
say when a trestle is changed, the discharge conveyor 23 continues to be 
driven at the same speed (for example, 3.2 m/sec). However, the 
intermediate conveyor 24 is driven at a reduced speed, for example at the 
same speed as the running receiving conveyor 22, thus, for example, 2 
m/sec. The intermediate conveyor 24 above all performs the function of 
forming a transition stage in the transport path of the cigarettes. It is 
possible, as a result, to transfer the cigarettes with care from the 
relatively low conveying speed of the receiving conveyor 22 to the 
conveying speed of the discharge conveyor 23 which is relatively high in 
comparison with it. During the time when the receiving conveyor 22 is 
stationary, the transition is likewise made by the intermediate conveyor 
24 running at a lower speed. 
Because of their different functions, the conveyors or their conveyor belts 
have different designs. The receiving conveyor 22 and the discharge 
conveyor 23 are preferably designed along the lines of FIG. 3 with a 
surface shaping which improves the transporting effect, for example with 
sawtooth-like ribs 28 directed transversely. In contrast to this, the 
surface of the intermediate conveyor 24 is appropriately made smooth. 
In the present exemplary embodiment, the (three) conveyors are driven by 
two drive motors 29 and 30. In the present case, these are mounted above 
the intermediate container 13, particularly above the upper wall 15. 
Driving wheels 33, 34, 35 and 36 in the region of deflection of the 
conveyors are driven via drive chains 31 and 32 respectively. 
The drive motor 29 is assigned on the one hand to the driving wheel 33 for 
the discharge conveyor 23 and also to a driving wheel 34 of the 
intermediate conveyor. The drive motor 30 is connected to the driving 
wheel 36 of the receiving conveyor 22 and moreover to a further driving 
wheel 35 of the intermediate conveyor 24. The driving wheels 34 and 35 of 
the intermediate conveyor 24 are mounted on a common drive shaft 37 of the 
intermediate conveyor 24. The connection between the driving wheels 34 and 
35, on the one hand, and the drive shaft 37, on the other hand, is such 
that one or the other drive motor 29, 30 for the intermediate conveyor 24 
takes effect alternately. The drive motor 29 for the discharge conveyor 23 
is driven continuously, apart from exceptional interruptions. As a result, 
the discharge conveyor 23 is likewise driven continuously. A driving force 
is transmitted likewise continuously to the intermediate conveyor 24 by 
means of the drive motor 29 via the driving wheel 34 which is of 
appropriate dimensions and is assigned to the drive motor 29, but at the 
lower speed. Accordingly, this comes into effect when the drive motor 30 
is stopped. The intermediate conveyor 24 is now driven by the drive motor 
29 at the reduced speed. 
When the drive motor 30 is started, on the one hand the receiving conveyor 
22 is driven, and moreover also the intermediate conveyor 24, at the 
higher speed as a result of the appropriate dimensions of the driving 
wheel 35 assigned to the drive motor 30. The drive via the driving wheel 
34 is now ineffective, so that the intermediate conveyor 24 revolves at 
the higher speed. In the present exemplary embodiment, these alternations 
of speed are possible because the driving wheels 34 and 35 are connected 
to one another by an overrunning clutch 38. This can be designed in a 
known way and so that the faster drive movement (the drive motor 30 via 
the driving wheel 35) takes effect, the driving wheel 34 which continues 
to rotate being "overtaken". 
The drive motor 30 is switched off momentarily for the change of trestles 
in the way described. The above-described coupling of the intermediate 
conveyor 24 to the drive of the receiving conveyor 22 and the discharge 
conveyor 23 ensures that the intermediate conveyor always has the best 
possible speed for conveying the cigarettes. 
The above-described transport mechanism for the cigarette stream 26 effects 
continuous feeding of the packaging machine by supplying sufficient 
quantities of cigarettes in the region of the outflow orifice 20. Periodic 
interruption of the cigarette supply results in a reduction in 
cross-section, travelling in the conveying direction, of the cigarette 
stream, namely a valley 39. However, the "depth" of this is lessened 
considerably because of the effect of the intermediate conveyor 24 above 
all, so that a substantially uniform cigarette stream 26, particularly 
with slight heigh variations, but with an intentionally decreasing height, 
is produced. 
The conveyors are especially effective when a cigarette cover 40 is 
arranged on the top of the cigarette stream 26. On the one hand, the 
purpose of this is to maintain the proper orientation of the cigarettes 10 
transversely to the conveying direction and parallel to one another during 
transport and the relative movements caused thereby. On the other hand, 
the cigarette cover 40 effects proper transport as a result of its own 
weight which is slight and finely proportioned and with which it rests on 
the cigarette stream 26, without damaging the cigarettes. The cigarette 
cover 40 can match the contours of the cigarette stream 26 closely. 
For this purpose, in the present exemplary embodiment the cigarette cover 
40 consists of a number of rollers 41 connected pivotably or in an 
articulated manner to one another. These are likewise arranged 
transversely to the direction of transport, particularly axis-parallel to 
the cigarettes 10. Each roller 41 is rotatable about its own longitudinal 
axis, thus assisting the transport of the cigarettes 10. 
In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6, the rollers 41 are 
equipped with ball bearings 60. The cylindrical roller casing 61, 
preferably consisting of plastic, is mounted rotatably via these on a 
continuous pin-like roller axle 42. The latter emerges from the roller 
casing 41 at the ends and the ends are capped at 64. In the region of a 
projecting length 62 located at both ends, connecting plates or links 43 
and 44 are connected to the adjacent rollers on both sides. The connecting 
plates 43 and 44 are mounted rotatably or pivotably on the roller axles 
42, so that a link chain with high movability is obtained. 
In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 7, the roller casing 61 of 
the roller 41 is mounted rotatably so as to slide about collars 63 on the 
roller axle 42. 
The dimensions of the cigarette cover 27 designed in this way also match 
those of the cigarettes 10. The distance between the roller casings 61 is 
approximately 2 mm. The diameter of the rollers or of the roller casings 
is set at approximately 16 mm. A centre-to-centre distance of 18 mm is 
therefore obtained, all this allowing for a diameter of the cigarettes of 
8 mm. 
The dimensions mentioned above ensure that the cigarettes 10 do not 
penetrate into a gap between adjacent rollers 41 and become wedged here. 
On the contrary, during the relative movement, the cigarettes are moved 
past the rollers 41 while the latter rotate. At the same time, a certain 
slight braking effect is exerted on the cigarette stream 26. Furthermore, 
the bearing pressure generated by the cigarette cover 27 on the cigarette 
stream 26 is selected so that the cigarettes are taken up by the conveyors 
with a slight slip. The pressing function is the essential purpose of the 
cigarette cover. It therefore extends substantially over the entire 
conveying distance of the cigarettes, that is to say over the length of 
the feed stream 26. Over their entire length, the rollers 41 match the 
width of the intermediate container 13 in a longitudinal direction, so 
that the cigarette cover 40 can fit, with a slight gap, between the side 
walls 18 and 19. At the same time, rounded heads 64 can rest against the 
side walls 18, 19. The cigarettes 10 have approximately the same length 
and are therefore conveyed along the side walls 18, 19 likewise with a 
slight distance between these walls and their ends. 
The cigarette cover 40 is anchored to the edge of the feed orifice 14, on 
the one hand, and above the outflow orifice 20, particularly to the side 
wall 19. The latter anchoring can be moved up and down in a guide rail 45. 
Accordingly, the cigarette cover 40 extends over approximately the entire 
length and width of the cigarette stream 26. 
The height of the cigarette level within the intermediate container 13 is 
monitored constantly, specifically, on the one hand in the region of the 
cigarette feed and, on the other hand, in the region of the transfer to 
the packaging machine. For this purpose, two light barriers 47, 49 
extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes 10 
are located above the outflow orifice 20. The upper light barrier 47 
monitors the maximum level of cigarettes 10 in the intermediate container 
13 and causes the discharge conveyor 23 (or one of the conveyors located 
in front of it) to stop as soon as the cigarette stream 26 rises up to the 
light barrier 47. The minimum level is monitored by the light barrier 49 
which acts on the packaging machine, located after the cigarette shaft 21 
and not shown in the Figures, in such a way that this is stopped as soon 
as the stock of cigarettes 10 becomes too small. Following the feed 
orifice 14, a further light barrier 46 is formed above a part region of 
the conveying distance transversely to the longitudinal direction of the 
cigarettes 10, to monitor the maximum height of the cigarette stream 26 in 
this region. To correspond to this, a second transversely directed light 
barrier 48 (acting in the longitudinal direction of the cigarettes) 
extends underneath the light barrier 46. This serves for monitoring a 
minimum permissible level of cigarettes in the cigarette stream 26. 
The light barrier 46 acts on the drive motor 30 to stop the latter so that 
the further supply of cigarettes is interrupted. On the other hand, the 
light barrier 48 is assigned to the drive motor 29, specifically likewise 
for the purpose of stopping it. 
Located in the cigarette stream 26, that is to say within the intermediate 
container 13, are movement means 50, FIGS. 8, 9, which extend transversely 
to the conveying direction, that is to say approximately parallel to the 
cigarettes 10. In the present exemplary embodiment, three movement means 
50 of this type are arranged, offset relative to one another in terms of 
height, in the region underneath the feed orifice 14, that is to say 
underneath the trestle 11. The cigarettes flow around the movement means 
50, and the purpose of these is to align the cigarettes and prevent 
incorrect positioning within the cigarette stream as a result of a 
loosening effect. 
A special feature is that the movement means 50 are designed with a conical 
or converging (frustoconical) shell surface, specifically directed 
opposite the slightly fanned-out position of the cigarettes. This 
converging relative position of the cigarettes 10 arises because of the 
larger diameter in the region of a filter 51 caused by the covering sheet 
resting on the outside. The movement means counteract this intrinsically 
undesirable relative position of the cigarettes 10 by compensating it as a 
result of their frustoconical shape. Further movement means of this type 
can be provided distributed within the cigarette stream. 
In the present exemplary embodiment, a conical body of revolution 52 is 
mounted so as to be freely rotatable on a supporting journal 53. The 
latter is driven to move to and fro, specifically to rotate and to move in 
a transverse direction. For this purpose, a cam 54 is located on one end 
of the supporting journal 53. An eccentric drive shaft 55 is provided, 
outside the intermediate container 13, with a pinion 56. Pinion 56 is 
driven appropriately by a rack 57 moved to and fro. A common rack is 
provided for the three movement means of the exemplary embodiment 
illustrated. Accordingly, this ensures that the movement means are moved 
slightly to and fro transversely to the cigarettes, and the bodies of 
revolution 52 can be rotated by the cigarettes. 
In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, special dimensions of the 
conveyors are predetermined as being the best possible. The receiving 
conveyor 22 has a length which is greater than the transverse dimension of 
the trestle 11, in particular 1.5 times the width of the latter. In 
contrast to this, the adjoining intermediate conveyor 24 is made 
considerably shorter, in particularly approximately 0.5 times the width of 
the trestle. The length of the discharge conveyor 23 depends on the local 
conditions governing the packaging machine, so that the cigarettes can be 
fed to this in the proper way. 
As is evident especially in FIG. 2, the pivot axles of the conveyor belts 
are mounted in the side walls 18 and 19 of the intermediate container 13.