ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS

Abstract: Holders (20) for articles such as newly-formed packets or groups of cigarettes are used to constrain and protect the articles while being conveyed by handling apparatus (22), e.g. in a packing machine (10). Holders (20) of similar external shape, adapted to interface with the handling apparatus, may be provided with differing internal features (28), adapted for receiving different articles, so that the articles may be readily conveyed by the same apparatus. The apparatus may be employed at the exit end of a cigarette packing machine to maintain the shape of newly-formed packets in a packet stabilising region. This region may comprise a reservoir including a series of compartmented drums (24, 26) in which each compartment receives a line of abutting holders which is indexed in an axial direction during rotation of the drums.

Description: l . Article Handling Apparatus 2 3 This invention relates to article handling apparatus, particularly but A not exclusively apparatus forming part of a manufacturing system for 5 articles of the tobacco industry such as cigarettes or cigarette packets. β Machines for packing cigarettes typically form and seal a packet 7 blank around a bundle comprising a collation of cigarettes contained in a s foil wrapper. For a relatively short time after formation it is necessary to 9 constrain the newly-formed packet in its desired final shape until the ιo adhesive used to seal the packet sets. For this reason such machines a commonly have packet stabilising or drying regions including a drum or i2 similar conveyor arranged at the exit end of the machine and which i3 maintain the shape of the packet for a predetermined period before delivering it from the machine. In one of its aspects the present is invention provides apparatus capable of use for this purpose. i6 According to a first aspect, the invention provides apparatus for i7 handling articles of the tobacco industry, comprising a plurality of is holders each having means for receiving at least one article, and i conveyor means adapted to convey holders and including at least two 20 conveyors arranged in series, whereby articles may be transferred 2i between said conveyors while constrained and protected in a holder. 22 The articles could comprise newly-formed packets, so that the 23 apparatus forms part of a drying station of a machine for packing 2 4 cigarettes, particularly in hinged-lid packets. Alternatively, the articles 25 could be groups of cigarettes formed into collations at or near a cigarette 26 making machine, or bundles of wrapped collations of cigarettes ready for 27 packing. Thus the apparatus could be provided between the collation 28 former and the bundle former and/or between the bundle former and the 29 packet former, and/or between the packet former and a delivery station 30 (i.e. in this latter case as part of a packet drying station). 3i In all cases the receiving means of the holder preferably 32 comprises a recess or other formation adapted to maintain the geometry 33 or integrity of the article and to protect it during conveyance. The 3 4 holders may preferably also be formed with features separate from said 35 receiving means which are adapted to interface with the conveyor 36 means. By loading the articles into holders which subsequently interface 37 with conveying means further handling of the articles is effectively 38 eliminated: this can be important in avoiding damage or degradation of 1 . delicate articles such as cigarettes or packets (particularly when 2 newly-formed). 3 Conveying apparatus which handles articles in holders, which 4 may be substantially rigid, is less prone to product-related faults, as the 5 interface with the holders can be made more precise, with no variation in e geometry as inevitably happens with articles such as cigarettes or 7 packets. In addition, articles maintained and protected in holders may s be handled in ways which would not be appropriate for handling 9 unprotected articles, e.g. they may be stacked to increased levels ιo without risk of crushing, and the holders may be subjected to increased ii impacts by pushers or the like. Additionally, the product itself may be i2 handled better: for example, where the article is a collation of cigarettes i3 conveyed from the vicinity of a cigarette making machine to a cigarette i4 packing machine the occurrence of crossed cigarettes in the conveying is path between the machines may be considerably reduced as compared i6 with conventional forms of conveyance such as in a mass flow stream or i7 in trays. is The holders may provide convenient temporary storage for i9 articles in manufacturing processes. It is known in the tobacco industry 20 to link machines with conveyor means which includes a variable capacity 2i buffer reservoir between the machines so that one machine can continue 22 to operate (at least temporarily) if the other machine stops for any 23 reason. Thus, buffer reservoirs are commonly provided between linked 2 cigarette making and packing machines and between cigarette packing 25 and wrapping machines. Apparatus according to the present invention 26 including conveyor means incorporating a buffer reservoir for holders 27 may be employed in these positions or in any other positions between 28 machines or parts of machines. The buffer reservoir may be of variable 29 capacity. 30 Lin king machi nes or parts of machines with apparatus 3i incorporating conveyor means for holders can provide improved 32 efficiency and flexibility. For example, the conveying apparatus need not 3 be different for different sizes of article: holders of similar external shape 34 may be used with different article receiving means, or the same holders 35 could be used with a different article receiving means (e.g. a removable 36 insert). Thus, where the apparatus is required to handle articles of 37 different sizes this may be relatively easily achieved by replacement or 38 modification of the holders. 1 . According to another aspect, the invention provides apparatus for 2 handling articles of the tobacco industry, including means for conveying 3 a plurality of separable holders on an endless path adjacent the exit end 4 of a cigarette packing machine, and means for loading newly-formed 5 packets into holders on said endless path, said conveying means being 6 arranged to convey said packets in said holders through a packet 7 stabilising or drying region. In a preferred arrangement the apparatus a includes conveyor means (e.g. a fluted drum) for conveying a line of 9 holders transversely, and means for advancing the line in a lengthwise ιo direction during said transverse movement, so that holders may be a successively loaded at one end of the line and removed from the other i2 end of the line. i3 The invention will be further described, by way of example only, i4 with particular reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in is which: i6 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette packing machine i7 incorporating packet handling apparatus according to the invention, is Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of part of the packet i9 handling apparatus of the machine shown in Figure 1 , 20 Figure 3 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Figure 2, 2i Figure 4 is a side view of the apparatus in the direction of the 22 arrow IV in Figure 3, 23 Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modified packet handling 24 apparatus, 25 Figure 6 is an enlarged view of part of the apparatus shown in ∑β Figure 5, 27 Figure 7 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Figure 5, 28 Figure 8 is a side view of the apparatus in the direction of the 29 arrow VIII in Figure 7, 30 Figure 9 is a perspective view from one side of one form of packet 3i holder usable with the apparatus of Figure 2 or Figure 5, 32 Figure 10 is a perspective view from another side of the packet 33 holder of Figure 9, 34 Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of a different form of packet 35 holder, 36 Figure 12 is a perspective view of part of another packet handling 37 apparatus, 38 Figure 13 is a side view of another part of the apparatus of Figure i . 12, 2 Figure 14 is a view in the direction of arrow XIV in Figure 13, and 3 Figure 15 is a schematic plan of a cigarette making system 4 incorporating handling apparatus according to the invention. 5 Figure 1 shows a machine 10 for packing cigarettes in hinged-lid 6 packets, comprising a hopper 12 in which cigarettes are received from a 7 cigarette making machine (not shown), a collation drum assembly 14 in s which groups of cigarettes received from the hopper are formed into 9 collations for packing, and a packing process drum 16 on which the ιo packet forming materials are wrapped and sealed around the collations. ii The detailed construction of the drum assembly 14 and process drum 16 i2 forms no part of the invention of this application but may be substantially is as described in patent applications Nos. PCT/GB97/03167 and i4 PCT/GB97/03398, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated is herein in their entireties and to which reference is directed for further i6 details. i7 The process drum 16 performs a packing process on the cigarette is collations received from the collation drum assembly 14 at or near one i9 end of the drum 16, during which process the collations and associated 2o wrapping materials are progressed in a generally axial direction towards 2i an exit end of the drum, on which are mounted a series of carriers 18 22 which, as explained in more detail below, convey individual packet 23 holders or pucks 20 so as to receive newly-formed packets. The holders 24 20 are separable from the carriers 18 and convey the packets to a pack 25 drying station 22, which includes pack drying drums 24 and 26, 26 arranged in series. 27 As shown in Figures 9 and 10, each packet holder 20 comprises a 28 disc-like element having a substantially rectangular aperture 28 for 29 receiving a packet. The aperture 28 extends through the holder but 30 support fingers 30 extend partly across the aperture on one side and 3i serve to support a packet in the aperture. Pins 32 extend from one side 32 of each holder 20 and allow correct location and orientation of the 33 holders during transfer to and from the drum 16 and in the pack drying 34 station 22. 35 Referring now particularly to Figures 2-4, the carriers 18 on the 36 drum 16 form part of a closed loop path for holders 20, which path 37 includes also the pack drying drums 24,26 and transfer wheels 34,36 38 and 38. Individual positions for holders 20 are defined on this path, e.g. 1 . by the carriers 18 and flutes on the drums 24,26, and normally each 2 position on the path is occupied by a holder. Holders 20 are received on 3 the drum 16 from the transfer wheel 34 and are supported by the carriers 4 18 so that their axes are parallel to the axis of the drum 16. The carriers 5 18 are pivotally mounted on the drum 16 about substantially tangential e axes (see pivot axis 37 for holder 20A in Figure 3) and during rotation of 7 the drum the carriers are pivoted by stationary cam means (indicated s schematically at 39 in Figure 2) so that at a loading position 40, 9 substantially opposite the transfer wheel 34, the carriers assume a ιo tangential orientation, i.e. with the axes of the holders 20 extending in a ii substantially radial direction. In this loading position 40, packets formed i2 on the process drum 16 are transferred into each holder 20, e.g. by i3 pusher means operating in a radially outward direction as indicated by i4 the arrows 41 in Figure 3. Once a packet is received in a holder 20 its is shape is firmly maintained within the aperture 28 during its conveyance is from the drum 16 through the drying station 22. It will be appreciated i7 that a packet is loaded into each holder 20 as it reaches the loading is position 40: thus, the drum 16 conveniently has the same number of i9 packet processing stages as there are carriers 18. 20 Downstream of the loading position 40 the carriers 18 are pivoted 2i by the cam 39 to their former position, so that holders 20 are arranged 22 with their axes parallel to the axis of the drum 16. They are maintained in 23 this orientation for transfer to the transfer wheel 36 and throughout the 24 drying station 22. Transfer to the wheel 36 may be assisted by fixed 25 guides (not shown); similarly, transfer between the other wheels or 26 drums of the drying station 22 and the drum 16 may be assisted in the 2 same way. The wheel 36 successively transfers holders 20 to the input 28 ends of flutes of the drum 24. These flutes each contain a line of 29 substantially abutting holders 20. During rotation of the drum 24 the line 30 of holders 20 in each flute is advanced by one pitch (corresponding to 3i the depth dimension of a holder), so as to cause the holder at the output 32 end of each flute to transfer to the wheel 38 and creating space for 33 receiving the next holder from the wheel 36. A stationary cam (not 34 shown) may be used to advance the line of holders in each flute of the 35 drum 24. 36 Holders 20 transferred to the transfer wheel 38 are transferred 37 from the wheel to an input end of a flute of the drum 26, which is 38 substantially identical in form and operation to the drum 24. Holders 20 1 . are transferred from the output end of the flutes of the drum 26 back to 2 the process drum 16 via the transfer wheel 34. 3 In the region of the process drum 16 immediately downstream of 4 the transfer wheel 34, packets are pushed out of the holders 20 (e.g. by 5 operation of plungers acting through the apertures 28) at an unloading 6 position 42, so that the holders are empty before they reach the loading 7 position 40. The packets may be plunged into a pocketed belt 44 which s follows a path which is tangential to the drum 16 at the unloading 9 position 42. As shown in Figure 3, the path of the pocketed belt 44 may ιo partially wrap around part of the drum 16 so that it lies parallel to that of ii the holders 20 for an extended region of the unloading position 42. In i2 this respect it will be appreciated that in a preferred operative condition i3 the drum 16 and belt 44 (as well as all the wheels and drums of the i4 drying station 22) move continuously during operation (i.e. are not is indexed). Indexed operation would be possible in a non-preferred i6 operative condition. i7 Each of the flutes of the drums 24 and 26 contains up to 50 is holders, so that each drum may contain up to 500 holders, each i containing a newly-formed packet. At this capacity, even if the process 20 drum 16 operates at 1 ,000 packets per minute (which is a very high 2i speed for cigarette packing machines), the drying station 22 will give in 22 excess of one minute between formation of packets and transfer to the 23 belt 44. During this period the packets are firmly constrained in an ideal 24 shape by the holder 20. The apertures 28 in the holders 20 may be 25 provided with inserts to accommodate different sizes and shapes of 26 packets. 27 Figures 5-8 show a slightly modified form of handling apparatus. 28 Parts which are similar to those in the apparatus of Figures 2-4 have 29 been given the same reference numbers. Figures 5 and 6 show details 30 of a mechanism for moving the holders 20 along the flutes of the drum 3i 24 and 26. At the input end of each respective flute there is a plunger 46 32 which is advanced and retracted by operation of a stationary cam 48 as 33 the respective drum rotates. Alternatively the plungers 46 may be 34 advanced by the cam 48 and retracted by operation of resilient means 35 (not shown) which retains the plungers in contact with the cam. Thus, 36 each of the holders 20 in a flute is indexed one pitch during the period 37 while the flute rotates with its respective drum between the position at 38 which it receives a holder 20 at its input end and the position at which a 1 - holder is transferred to the transfer wheel 38 or 34 from its output end. 2 The lines of holders 20 in the drums 24 and 26 of the apparatus of 3 Figures 2-4 may be advanced in the same way. 4 Figure 1 1 shows a modified holder 120, which is substantially 5 rectangular in external shape instead of circular. Although these shapes e are preferred, other external shapes would be possible. The holder 120 7 includes an aperture 128, adapted to the size of a packet to be confined, s ledges 130 to support the packet, and external formations 132 to aid 9 location and engagement by conveying means such as the carriers 18. ιo Figure 12 shows an arrangement for loading packets into holders ii 120 in another packet handling apparatus, e.g. at the exit end of a i2 cigarette packing machine. A flexible band 1 50, provided with i3 regularly-spaced locations for holders 120, defined for example by lugs i 152 attached to the belt, passes along a path which is substantially is tangential to a packer process drum 1 16, the belt partially wrapping i6 around the drum at a loading position 1 40 at which successive i7 newly-formed packets are pushed in a radially outward direction into is successive holders 120. The path of the belt 150 at the loading position i9 1 40 is defined by cooperation between the drum 1 16 and two 20 substantially tangential guide rollers 141. A packet being pushed radially 2i into a holder 120 at the loading position 140 is indicated at 143. 22 As shown in Figures 13 and 14, at a downstream position the belt 23 150 delivers the holders 120 to a further belt conveyor 154, on which the 24 holders are formed into abutting groups 160. A drying station 122 25 comprising a drum 162 having a series of compartments 164, adapted to 26 receive groups 160, is located alongside the conveyor 154. Thus, 27 successive groups 160 may be plunged by pusher means 165 from the 28 conveyor 154 into successive compartments 164 of the drum 162. The 29 drum 162 is indexed between loading operations and groups 160 are 30 subsequently conveyed by the drum 1 62 for almost a complete 3i revolution before being unloaded by pusher means 167 which plunges 32 the groups outwards from the compartments 164 onto a delivery 33 conveyor 166 substantially immediately below the conveyor 154. The 3 drying station 122 could comprise a series of conveyors (e.g. drums or 35 belts) for conveying the groups 1 60, with groups being transferred 36 between the conveyors in substantially the same way as they are 37 transferred to and from the drum 162. 38 Figure 15 shows a cigarette making and packing system in which 1 . holders 220 similar to the holders 20 or 120 may be used. Groups of 2 cigarettes are formed in required collations at a cigarette making 3 machine 200 which has a collation forming unit 202 for this purpose. 4 The collations 204 are in the same form as required for packing into 5 packets and are loaded into the holders 220, which maintain the required β collation shape and protect the cigarettes, at a holder loading unit 203 at 7 or adjacent the machine 200. Thereafter, the collations 204 are β maintained in the holders 220 during conveyance to a cigarette packing 9 machine 206, which includes a holder unloading unit 207. At the ιo machine 206 the collations 204 are packed in packets 205. The path a which the holders 220 follow from the making machine 200 to the i2 packing machine 206 may include a variable capacity buffer reservoir i3 208 which may be allowed to expand or contract when the supply from i4 the making machine and the demand of the packing machine are not is matched (e.g. when one of the machines is temporarily stopped). The i6 arrangement may be regarded as a development of the arrangement i7 disclosed in British patent specification No. 943,347, in which collations is are delivered, stored and conveyed in multi-cellular carriers. Reference i9 is directed to this specification , particularly for details of conveying, 20 handling and storing arrangements which may be applicable to the 2i present invention. 22 The holders 20,120 or 220 could incorporate graduations or other 23 markings to act as a gauge to provide a visual check of quality of the 24 packet. Similarly, any of the holders could incorporate compliant inserts 2 to reduce the noise and/or shock of loading, either of the packets or the 26 holders themselves. 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

Claims: i . Claims 2 3 1. Apparatus for handling articles of the tobacco industry, 4 comprising a plurality of holders each having means for receiving at least 5 one article, and conveyor means adapted to convey holders and 6 including at least two conveyors arranged in series, whereby articles 7 may be transferred between said conveyors while constrained and 8 protected in a holder. 9 lo 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the receiving ii means of each holder comprises means defining a formation adapted to i2 maintain the geometry or integrity of the article during conveyance. i3 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the i4 receiving means include a recess adapted to the shape of the article. 15 i6 4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the i7 receiving means is defined by an insert separable from said holder. 18 i9 5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said 20 receiving means is adapted to receive an article having a rectangular 2i section. 22 23 6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each 2 holder has at least one feature separate from said receiving means and 25 adapted to interface with the conveyor means or with other holders. 26 2 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said feature 28 includes spacer means. 29 30 8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each 3i holder means has a circular periphery. 32 33 9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at 3 least one of said conveyors comprises a buffer reservoir for articles in 35 holders. 36 37 10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including 38 loading means for loading an article comprising a plurality of rod-like 1 . articles contained in folded packaging material into successive holders 2 conveyed to said loading means by said conveyor means. 3 4 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the loading 5 means comprises means for loading newly-formed packets, and the 6 conveying means includes an endless path for holders including a 7 packet stabilising or drying region. 8 9 12. Apparatus for handling articles of the tobacco industry, ιo including means for conveying a plurality of separable holders on an π endless path adjacent the exit end of a cigarette packing machine, and i2 means for loading newly-formed packets into holders on said endless i3 path, said conveying means being arranged to convey said packets in i4 said holders through a packet stabilising or drying region. 15 i6 13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 1 or claim 12, including i means for presenting each holder at a defined orientation at said loading is means. 19 20 14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, including means for 2i changing the orientation of said holder during conveyance to and from 22 said loading means. 23 24 15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein said 25 conveying means includes rotary means and said loading means 26 includes means for loading successive packets into holders in a 27 direction which is substantially radial relative to said rotary means. 28 29 16. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 15, includes 30 means for unloading holders on said endless path. 31 32 17. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 1 to 16, wherein 33 said conveying means includes a rotary member having a series of 34 receiving positions, each of which is arranged to receive a group of 35 holders extending in a line substantially parallel to the axis of the rotary 36 member. 37 18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said conveying 38 means includes means for transferring holders to said receiving i . positions at one end of each position and means for delivering holders 2 from the opposite end of said position. 3 4 19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, including means for 5 indexing a line of holders in an axial direction on rotation of said rotary 6 member. 7 8 20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said indexing 9 means includes stationary cam means cooperating with each receiving ιo position as said rotary member is rotated. 11 i2 21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, wherein each i3 line of holders is advanced one pitch during each rotation of said rotary i4 member whereby each said line of holders receives a new holder from is said transferring means and delivers a previously-received holder to said i6 delivering means during each rotation of said rotary member. 17 is 22. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 17 to 21 , wherein the i conveying means includes means for conveying a line of holders 20 transversely, and means for advancing the line in a lengthwise direction 2i during said transverse movement, so that holders may be successively 22 loaded at one end of the line and removed from the other end of the line. 23 24 23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said conveying 25 means includes first and second endless conveyors arranged in series 26 and means for transferring holders between said conveyors, said 27 respective advancing means being arranged to advance the lines of 28 holders on said conveyors in opposite directions. 29 30 24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, including means for 3i transferring groups of holders to or from each receiving position in a 32 direction which is substantially radial relative to the axis of the rotary 33 member. 34 35 36 37 38

Inventors: BAILEY THOMAS WILLIAM, CLEALL ANDREW JOHN, HILL BRIAN, BAILEY, THOMAS, WILLIAM, CLEALL, ANDREW, JOHN, HILL, BRIAN
Applicants: BAILEY THOMAS WILLIAM, CLEALL ANDREW JOHN, HILL BRIAN, MOLINS PLC, BAILEY, THOMAS, WILLIAM, CLEALL, ANDREW, JOHN, HILL, BRIAN
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B65B61
IPC codes: B65B19, B65B61, B65G17