Patent Publication Number: US-2012037020-A1

Title: Device and method for producing packages for cigarettes

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The invention relates to an apparatus for producing packs for cigarettes, having a continuously driven conveying means, in particular a transporting belt with drivers, for transporting the packs, and having an arrangement for applying printing carriers, such as labels, coupons or the like, to a side surface of the packs, wherein the arrangement for applying the printing carriers is arranged in the region of the conveying means, for the purpose of applying the printing carriers to a side surface of the pack, this side surface being directed toward the arrangement, during transportation along the conveying means. The invention also relates to a corresponding method of producing packs for cigarettes, wherein the packs are transported continuously along a conveying means and, in the region of an arrangement for applying printing carriers, such as labels, coupons or the like, to side surfaces of the packs, are provided as printing carriers. 
     2. Prior Art 
     The operation of applying printing carriers in the form of labels to side surfaces of cigarette packs is known in principle. The labels may be, for example, revenue stamps. The present invention is concerned, in particular, with the operation of applying such labels in the region of narrow side surfaces of cigarette packs. Legal requirements, for example the obligation to apply a health warning message to the cigarette pack, barcodes or the like, mean that the surface area available for the design of the cigarette pack is getting smaller and smaller. In this respect, applying the label exclusively in the region of the narrow side surfaces is advantageous because this means that the large-surface-area front side and rear side of the pack are not concealed by the label. 
     A basic problem, however, is that of retrofitting existing packaging machines, in order for it to be possible for the packs to be provided with a label in the region of the narrow side surfaces. The layout of the installation usually has to be altered for this purpose, which, in the case of systems which have already been set up, gives rise to considerable outlay and technical problems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Taking this as a departure point, it is an object of the present invention to propose an apparatus which makes it possible in a straightforward manner to alter the relative position of the packs in conjunction with the operation of applying printing carriers and which can be integrated preferably straightforwardly in existing installations. 
     In order to achieve this object, an apparatus according to the invention is an apparatus for producing packs for cigarettes, having a continuously driven conveying means, in particular a transporting belt with drivers, for transporting the packs, and having an arrangement for applying printing carriers, such as labels, coupons or the like, to a side surface of the packs, wherein the arrangement for applying the printing carriers is arranged in the region of the conveying means, for the purpose of applying the printing carriers to a side surface of the pack, this side surface being directed toward the arrangement, during transportation along the conveying means, characterized in that a pivoting arrangement for altering the relative position of the packs is arranged in the region of the conveying means and/or of the arrangement for applying the printing carriers, wherein the pivoting arrangement is set up for receiving a respective pack in a relative position appropriate for transportation on the conveying means, and for rotating the pack into a relative position suitable for applying the printing carrier, and for further rotating the pack into a relative position appropriate for further transportation on the conveying means. Accordingly, it is provided that a pivoting arrangement for altering the relative position of the packs is arranged in the region of the conveying means and/or of the arrangement for applying the printing carriers, wherein the pivoting arrangement is set up for receiving a respective pack in a relative position appropriate for transportation on the conveying means, and for rotating the pack into a relative position suitable for applying the printing carrier, and for further rotating the pack into a relative position appropriate for further transportation on the conveying means. 
     The pivoting arrangement allows the relative position of the pack to be altered in adaptation to the set-up and operating position of the arrangement for applying the printing carrier, and/or for adaptation to the relative position of the packs on the conveying means. It is thus possible for the pivoting arrangement and the arrangement for applying the printing carriers to be integrated in an existing conveying path, without it being necessary to alter the conveying path itself or the alignment of the pack during transportation along the conveying path. This is catered for by the pivoting arrangement, which feeds the packs in a correctly positioned state to the arrangement for applying the printing carriers and sets the packs down again on the conveying means in the original relative position. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the pivoting arrangement has a holder for a pack, into which an individual pack can be pushed by the conveying means, and that the holder can be rotated by a gear mechanism such that that side surface of the pack which is to be provided with the printing carrier can be directed toward the arrangement for applying the printing carriers and, once the printing carrier has been applied, can be rotated back into the original relative position, and the pack can be transferred onto the conveying means. 
     The holder, for example in the form of a cassette, thus receives the pack from the conveying means and turns the corresponding side surface—preferably a narrow side surface—toward the arrangement for applying the printing carriers. Thereafter, the pivoting arrangement turns the pack back into the original relative position and transfers the pack, provided with the printing carrier, onto the conveying means. The pack can then be processed further in the usual manner. As an alternative, once the printing carrier has been applied, the rotary arrangement can also rotate the pack into a relative position on the conveying means other than the original relative position. In the case of being integrated into an existing installation, further adaptations may then be required. In the case of a new installation, the pivoting arrangement may thus also be utilized in order to alter the relative position. 
     It is often the case in practice that the packs are arranged on the conveying means in a state in which they lie flat and have a narrow side surface oriented in the conveying direction, and that, by means of the pivoting arrangement, the packs can be directed, with a narrow side surface oriented upward, toward the arrangement for applying the printing carriers, this arrangement being arranged above the conveying means. 
     A further special feature provides that the packs are accumulated in the region of an entry station and can be fed individually to a turning arrangement for rotating and separating the packs and transferring the packs onto the conveying means. Further details of the turning arrangement can be gathered elsewhere in the description. The accumulation of packs and the turning arrangement aid straightforward connection to the conveying means with the pivoting arrangement. The accumulation of packs may also be utilized in order to control the operation of the machines downstream. 
     In design terms, the procedure may be such that the holder for the pack is mounted on a rocker such that it can be pivoted on either side of the conveying means, wherein the rocker is mounted in a pivotable manner on rocker bearings and can be moved along an imaginary curve, together with the holder, via a drive, and that the holder for the packs can be rotated about the bearing point on the rocker via a lever. 
     In respect of the drive of the apparatus, the procedure may be such that the lever for rotating the holder and a lever for moving the rocker can be driven by a gear mechanism with a common drive. As an alternative, it is conceivable for this to be realized by separate drives, in particular individually actuable servomotors. Servomotor control here provides several advantages in respect of adapting the movement path of the rocker and of the holder to different types of pack, in particular packs with printing carriers positioned on different side surfaces. Further details in this respect can be gathered elsewhere in the description. 
     Once the printing carrier has been applied, the packs are fed to an arrangement for wrapping the packs in a preferably transparent outer wrapper. 
     A method according to the invention is a method of producing packs for cigarettes, wherein the packs are transported continuously along a conveying means and, in the region of an arrangement for applying printing carriers, such as labels, coupons or the like, to side surfaces of the packs, are provided as printing carriers, characterized in that the packs are rotated in respect of their relative position in the region of a pivoting arrangement, during transportation along the conveying means, such that the side surface which is to be provided with the printing carrier is directed toward the arrangement for applying the printing carriers, and in that the pivoting arrangement rotates the packs, once the printing carriers have been applied, into a relative position for further transportation on the conveying means, in particular into the original relative position on the conveying means. Accordingly, it is provided that the packs are rotated in respect of their relative position by means of a pivoting arrangement, during transportation along the conveying means, such that the side surface which is to be provided with the printing carrier is directed toward the arrangement for applying the printing carriers, and that the pivoting arrangement rotates the packs, once the printing carriers have been applied, into a relative position for further transportation on the conveying means, in particular into the original relative position on the conveying means. 
     The method is preferably used such that the packs are pushed from the conveying means into a holder of the pivoting arrangement and, by virtue of the holder being rotated in relation to the conveying means, the packs are moved into a relative position for applying the printing carriers, in particular with a corresponding side surface, preferably a narrow side surface, of the pack oriented upward in the direction of the arrangement for applying the printing carriers. 
     According to a preferred configuration of the method, the holder, in addition to being rotated, is also accelerated in relation to the conveying means in order to move the pack into the relative position for applying the printing carriers, and in that, once the printing carriers have been applied and the packs have been transferred onto the conveying means, the holder is moved back into a starting position for receiving the next pack. 
     Once the printing carriers have been applied, the packs can be transferred once again onto the conveying means in order to be fed to a wrapping machine for an outer wrapper. 
     It is further preferably provided that the packs are transported closely together in the first instance and then, by means of a turning arrangement, are separated and rotated and transferred onto the conveying means for applying the printing carriers. 
     A further special feature may consist in that, for the purpose of producing packs without printing carriers, the holder for the packs is positioned on the conveying means at a fixed location in the conveying path of the packs such that the packs are conveyed through the fixed-location holder by way of the conveying means. In other words, the holder or the rotary arrangement is brought to a standstill and the packs are conveyed through without being rotated. 
     Further details of the invention can be gathered elsewhere in the description and the dependent claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained hereinbelow with reference to the drawing, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a three-dimensional illustration of a pack for cigarettes. 
         FIG. 2  shows a three-dimensional illustration of part of an apparatus for producing packs for cigarettes. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of the apparatus according to  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  shows an enlarged three-dimensional illustration of a gear mechanism for driving a pivoting arrangement of the apparatus. 
         FIGS. 5 to 10  show individual phases which follow one after the other in the operation of applying printing carriers to a pack, in the region of detail V according to  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 11  shows a vertical section through the apparatus taken along section line XI-XI in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 12  shows a partially enlarged side view, analogous to the illustration in  FIG. 3 , of an alternative apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to two exemplary embodiments. A first exemplary embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 1 to 11 .  FIG. 12  shows the essential parts of an alternative configuration, as a second exemplary embodiment. 
     The two exemplary embodiments relate to the production of packs  10  for cigarettes. The packs  10  shown in the exemplary embodiments are cigarette packs of the hinge-lid type. The packs  10  here are of cuboidal design with a lower box part  11  and an upper lid, which are connected to one another in a pivotable manner via a linear articulation  13 . 
     The packs  10  have an end wall  14  on the upper side of the lid  12  and a base wall  15 , located opposite, on the box part  11 . Also present is a large-surface-area front side  16 , which is formed from a lid front wall  17  and box front wall  18 . A rear side  19  is formed opposite the front side  16 , and comprises a lid rear wall  20  and box rear wall  21 . The linear articulation  13  runs between the lid rear wall  20  and box rear wall  21 . Two further side surfaces of the pack  10  are formed by the so-called narrow side surfaces  22 ,  23 , which are located opposite one another and are formed by lid side walls  24  and box side walls  25 . In the region of the narrow side surfaces  22 ,  23 , an obliquely directed closing edge runs between the lid  12  and box part  11 . 
     Within the context of this application, the side surfaces of the pack  10  are intended to mean the front side  16 , the rear side  19 , the narrow side surfaces  22 ,  23 , the end wall  13  and the base wall  15 . 
     In the region of one of the two narrow side surfaces  22 , a printing carrier in the form of a label  26  is applied to the pack  10 . The label  26  extends merely in the region of the narrow side surface  22 , that is to say, in particular, not (also) in the region of the front side  16 , rear side  19  or end wall  14 . The label  26  extends more or less over the entire width of the narrow side surface  22  in the region of the obliquely directed closing edge between the lid  12  and box part  11 . Accordingly, the label  26  is destroyed when the pack  10  is opened for the first time. In order to make it easier for the pack  10  to be opened or used for the first time, the label  26  has a weakening line  27 , which is applied along the closing edge. The label  26  is adhesively bonded to the pack  10 , for example with glue. 
     Of course, the apparatus can also be utilized for applying other printing carriers to the pack  10 . For example, it is also possible to apply coupons or the like. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate parts of a packing machine for cigarette packs which are important for the present invention. A complete packing line is disclosed, for example, in the applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 6,751,934 B2. The figures here illustrate the following subassemblies, which follow one after the other in the conveying direction: 
     1. a first transporting path  28  for packs  10 ,
 
2. a turning arrangement  29  for rotating and separating the packs  10 ,
 
3. a pivoting arrangement  30  for altering the relative position of the packs  10 ,
 
4. an arrangement  31  for applying labels  26  to the packs  10 ,
 
5. a conveying means  32  for transporting the packs  10 , and
 
6. a wrapping machine  33  for wrapping the packs  10  in an outer wrapper.
 
     An entry station  74  is formed in the region of the transporting path  28 , the packs  10  being transported to the entry station, with the rear side  19  oriented in the conveying direction, and accumulated there. The packs  10  here are transported and retained by conveying strands  34  of endless conveyors  35 . The foremost pack  10 , as seen in the transporting direction in each case, is carried along, and fed to the pivoting arrangement  30 , by drivers  36  of a vertically running transporting belt  37 . The spaced-apart arrangement of the drivers  36  of the transporting belt  37  causes the packs  10  to be transported away out of the entry station  74 , and separated, in this way. 
     The separated packs  10  are then moved along a curved conveying portion  38  by the transporting belt  37  and, in the process, are caused to rotate such that the packs  10  are arranged with the front side  16  oriented downward and the narrow side surface  22  oriented in the conveying direction. In this relative position, the packs  10  are gripped by the turning arrangement  29 . 
     The turning arrangement  29  has a revolving star  39  with four radially directed arms  40 , which each grip a pack  10  on the rear side and feed the same to the conveying means  32 . Accordingly, the revolving star  39  is driven continuously and rotated about a vertical axis. The pack  10  here is transported along an outer guide plate  41  and, in this way, rotated through 90° about an imaginary vertical axis. The packs  10  are thus conveyed onto the conveying means  32 , by the revolving star  39 , with the front side  16  oriented downward and with the narrow side surface  22  oriented in the conveying direction, the conveying means feeding the packs  10  continuously, at a distance apart from one another, in the direction of the wrapping machine  33 . 
     The conveying means  32 , in the present case, is designed as an endless conveyor which transports the packs  10  in a horizontal plane. The belt  42  of the conveying means  32  here has conventionally spaced-apart drivers  43 , which grip the packs  10  on the rear side and transport them in the conveying direction according to arrow  44 . 
     An arrangement  31  which is known per se and is intended for applying the labels  26  to the packs  10  is arranged along the conveying means  32 . The construction of such a label (or revenue-stamp) apparatus is known, for example, from WO 2007/087885 A1. Essential constituent parts are formed by a label magazine  45 , a rotationally driven removal roller  46 , a rotationally driven transfer roller  47  and a glue subassembly  48 . By means of the removal roller  46 , the labels  26  are removed individually from the label magazine  45  and transferred onto the transfer roller  47 . On the circumference of the transfer roller  45 , the labels  26  are then provided with glue, by means of the glue subassembly  48 , and subsequently fed to the pack  10 . The label  26  is transferred onto the packs  10  as the latter are being guided along the underside of the transfer roller  47 . The operations of transporting the labels  26  and of transporting the packs  10  are coordinated here such that the label  26  ends up located in the desired position on the pack  10 . 
     As can be seen, in particular, from  FIG. 3 , the arrangement  31  for applying the labels  26  is positioned at a distance above the packs  10 , which are transported in a state in which they lie flat on the conveying means  32 . In other words, the distance is selected such that the packs  10  can be transported freely beneath the arrangement  31 . This may be advantageous, for example, if the packs  10  are not to be provided with a label  26 . 
     Accordingly, for the purpose of applying a label  26 , the distance between the packs  10  and the arrangement  31  has to be reduced. In addition, for the purpose of applying the label  26  to the narrow side surface  22 , the relative position of the packs  10  has to be altered such that that side surface of the packs  10  which is to be provided with the label  26  is directed toward the transfer mechanism  47 . The pivoting arrangement  30  is provided for this purpose. 
     The pivoting arrangement  30  has a holder  49  for a pack  10 , it being possible for this holder to be moved, and pivoted and/or rotated in the process, by a gear mechanism  50  along a path which is shown in  FIGS. 5 to 10 . 
     The holder  49  is of cassette-like design, with a cross section corresponding to the outer dimensions of the packs  10 . The dimensions of the interior of the holder  49  are selected such that a pack  10  can be pushed into the holder  49  and retained by the same. Accordingly, the pack  10  butts against walls of the holder  49 . Furthermore, the holder  49  has, on its underside, an aperture  51 , through which the belt  42  of the conveying means  32  can pass. 
     The pivoting arrangement  30 , with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 10 , functions as follows: 
     In the first instance, a pack  10  is pushed into the holder  49  by way of the conveying means  32 . The holder  49  here is arranged such that it is aligned with the route along which the packs  10  are transported on the belt  42 . The holder  49  is of smaller dimensions in the conveying direction than the pack  10 , the pack  10  projecting out of the holder  49  on the front side, as seen in the transporting direction. 
     Once the pack  10  has been pushed in, the holder  49  is moved according to arrow  44  in the conveying direction of the packs  10  and, in the process, is pivoted about a horizontal axis into an upright position according to  FIG. 7 . In the upright position, the narrow side surface  22 , which is to be provided with the label  26 , is directed toward the transfer mechanism  47 , which has transported the label  26  into an appropriate position, in which case contact between the narrow side surface  22  and the label  26  on the circumference of the transfer mechanism  47  causes the label  26  to be pressed against the narrow side surface  22  and applied there. A further special feature of this operation is that the holder  49  is accelerated in relation to the belt  42 , in order to allow sufficient time for the holder  49  to pivot. 
     Once the label  26  has been applied, the holder  49  is transported further in the conveying direction of the packs  10  and, in the process, is rotated back into the original relative position, until it is aligned once again, according to  FIG. 8 , in relation to the route along which the packs  10  are transported. The movement path of the holder  49  here is coordinated such that the pack  10 , in the position according to  FIG. 9 , is gripped on the rear side once again by the driver  43  and transported further in the conveying direction. 
     Thereafter, the holder  49 , according to  FIG. 10 , is moved back, counter to the conveying direction of the packs  10 , into the starting position according to  FIG. 5 , and the next pack  10  is thereby pushed in. 
     The gear mechanism  50 , which is shown on an enlarged scale in  FIGS. 4 and 11 , is provided for the purpose of controlling the movement of the cassette-like holder  49 .  FIG. 3 , which shows a side view, is also important in this respect. Much of the gear mechanism  50  is arranged in a housing  52  beneath the conveying means  32 . Two plate-like rockers  53  form the central constituent part of the drive for the holder  49 . 
     In the present case, the rockers  53  are approximately triangular, bearing points for connection to other mechanisms being provided in the corner regions. 
     The holder  49  is connected to the rockers  53  at two points. On one side, the holder  49  is connected, in a corner region of the same, to a rocker  53  directly, namely in the region of an upper corner point thereof. On the opposite side, the holder  49  is connected to the other rocker  53 , by way of a corresponding corner region, via a short lever component  54 . The lever component  54 , in turn, is connected in a pivotable manner to a lever  55 , which is coupled to the gear mechanism  50 , for pivoting the holder  49  about an axis running through the two upper corner points of the rockers  53 . 
     The rockers  53  are each mounted in a pivotable manner in the region of the lower two corner points. Two rocker bearings  56  are used for this purpose, these being mounted in a pivotable manner, on the one hand, on the housing  52  and, on the other hand, at in each case one corner point of the two rockers  53 . In this way, the rockers  53  are mounted on the housing  52 , via the rocker bearings  56 , such that they can be pivoted back and forth on either side in the conveying direction of the pack. 
     The rockers  53  extend in an upright state to a location laterally on either side of the conveying means  32 , for connection to the holder  49 , which can be moved above the conveying means  32 . Accordingly, the rockers are positioned in through-passages  75  of the housing  52 . 
     The pivoting movement of the rocker  53  is produced via the coupling of a lever  57  to two lever components  58 , which are arranged on a common axial element  59 . The axial element  59  connects the two rockers  53  and is arranged on the lower periphery of the rockers  53 , approximately in the longitudinal center. The lever components  58  are fixed on the axial element  59  and are connected by an axial element  60 , to which the lever  57  is coupled. 
     The lever  55  for rotating the holder  49  and the lever  57  for pivoting the rockers  53  are each driven via pivoting levers  61 ,  62 . The pivoting levers  61 ,  62  are each mounted on shafts  63 ,  64 , which extend through a wall of the housing  52 . The pivoting levers  61 ,  62  are rotated about the shafts  63 ,  64  via two cam plates  65 ,  66 , which are coupled to the pivoting levers  61 ,  62  via cam levers  67 ,  68 . The cam plates  65 ,  66  are located on a common driveshaft  69 , which can be coupled to the central machine drive. 
     As can be seen from  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the packs  10  provided with the label  26  are transported away on the conveying means  32 , in the conveying direction according to arrow  44 , and fed to a folding turret  70 . The packs  10  here are transported through a material strip  71  for the outer wrapper of the pack  10 , and they carry along a corresponding printing carrier in a U-shaped manner in the process. Thereafter, the folding is completed in the known manner in the folding turret  70 . 
     Of course, the apparatus, of which the essential parts are described above, can provide not just the narrow side surface  22 , but also the opposite narrow side surface  23 , with a label  26 . It may be necessary, for this purpose, to change over the bearing points of the holder  49  on the rockers  53 . It is conceivable, in particular, for the bearing points, rather than being arranged on the periphery, to be arranged approximately centrally on the sides of the holder  49 . By virtue of the cam plates  65 ,  66  being exchanged, the direction of rotation of the holder  49  can be altered such that it is not the narrow side surface  22  but the opposite narrow side surface  23  which is directed toward the arrangement  31  for applying the labels  26 . It is also conceivable for the label  26  to be applied correspondingly on the front side  16  or rear side  19  of the packs  10 , wherein an appropriate configuration of the levers and cam plates means that all that is necessary is for the holder  49  to be rotated to a greater extent. 
     The second exemplary embodiment according to  FIG. 12  differs from the exemplary embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 11  only by way of the drive of the pivoting levers  61 ,  62 . This is because the latter, in the second exemplary embodiment, are driven by a respective servomotor  72 ,  73 . 
     Each servomotor  72 ,  73  can be controlled individually, in which case it is possible to control the movement path of the holder  49  and the rotation of the holder  49 . It is conceivable to have, for example, an operating console, at which an operator can predetermine which side surface of the packs  10  should be provided with the label  26 . Accordingly, it is possible in each case for use to be made of suitable programs for controlling the servomotors  72 ,  73 , in order for the packs  10  to be provided with the label  26  either on one of the narrow side surfaces  22 ,  23  or on the front side  16 . 
     Furthermore, it is also possible for the pivoting arrangement  30 , as in the first exemplary embodiment, to be brought to a standstill, in order for packs  10  to be produced without the label  26 . It is also conceivable, in such a configuration, for the rear sides  19  of the packs  10  to be provided with a label  26 , by the arrangement  31  for applying the labels  26  being lowered in order to cover the distance from the packs  10 . This variant is also conceivable in the case of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     LIST OF DESIGNATIONS 
     
         
           10  Pack 
           11  Box part 
           12  Lid 
           13  Linear articulation 
           14  End wall 
           15  Base wall 
           16  Front side 
           17  Lid front wall 
           18  Box front wall 
           19  Rear side 
           20  Lid rear wall 
           21  Box rear wall 
           22  Narrow side surface 
           23  Narrow side surface 
           24  Lid side wall 
           25  Box side wall 
           26  Label 
           27  Weakening line 
           28  Transporting path 
           29  Turning arrangement 
           30  Pivoting arrangement 
           31  Arrangement 
           32  Conveying means 
           33  Wrapping machine 
           34  Conveying strand 
           35  Endless conveyor 
           36  Driver 
           37  Transporting belt 
           38  Conveying portion 
           39  Revolving star 
           40  Arm 
           41  Guide plate 
           42  Belt 
           43  Driver 
           44  Arrow 
           45  Label magazine 
           46  Removal roller 
           47  Transfer roller 
           48  Glue subassembly 
           49  Holder 
           50  Gear mechanism 
           51  Aperture 
           52  Housing 
           53  Rocker 
           54  Lever component 
           55  Lever 
           56  Rocker bearing 
           57  Lever 
           58  Lever component 
           59  Axial element 
           60  Axial element 
           61  Pivoting lever 
           62  Pivoting lever 
           63  Shaft 
           64  Shaft 
           65  Cam plate 
           66  Cam plate 
           67  Cam lever 
           68  Cam lever 
           69  Driveshaft 
           70  Folding turret 
           71  Material strip 
           72  Servomotor 
           73  Servomotor 
           74  Entry station 
           75  Through-passage