Device particularly for conveying a product into a container

Abstract

 A device (1), particularly for conveying a product into a container (2), comprising a magazine (8), having a substantially square or rectangular plan shape, which can be arranged above the container (2) and in which a pressing head (26) is associated slidingly; the magazine (8) has first means adapted to vary selectively its volume, maintaining for the magazine (8) a same geometric configuration. The pressing head (26) has second means that are adapted to vary its useful thrust surface as the volume of the magazine varies.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device particularly for conveying a product, such as tobacco, into a container.

[0002] Currently it is known to accumulate tobacco, in its various forms (for example in leaves, strips, shag, cut filler, expanded laminas and ribs, et cetera) in appropriately provided containers, both to store it temporarily within the production facility and to be able to transport it.

[0003] These known types of container are typically made of rigid material, generally plastics, metal, wood or cardboard, are shaped like a parallelepiped, and have dimensions that can vary according to specific requirements; the upper surface of these containers is open or can be opened to allow their filling.

[0004] In order to introduce tobacco in these containers, known types of device, known as "filling stations", are used which generally comprise a device for inserting and spacing the container (which comprises appropriately provided rollers or chain conveyors or other known movement devices), and a magazine that can be lifted and is constituted by a hollow box-like body, which is open at its upper and lower ends and is arranged above the container to be filled, at its upper open face, and is filled from above.

[0005] The lower rim of the magazine is rested against the upper rim of the container to be filled, or is inserted therein, and thus acts as a collector for conveying the tobacco into the container.

[0006] These known types of filling station further comprise a pressing head, which has a vertical stroke and is generally pneumatically or electromechanically actuated and is adapted to compress the product introduced in the magazine and push it into the container.

[0007] These known types of filling station are used generally to provide compression ratios of approximately 1/2 between the density of the tobacco introduced in the magazine and its density after compression; the height of the magazine is set as a function of the compression ratio to be obtained.

[0008] Typically, these known types of filling station are designed as a function of a specific container to be filled, which has fixed dimensions and is adapted to obtain a predefined compression ratio; the magazine is thus preset, already during design, with plan dimensions that correspond to the plan dimensions of the container to be filled, and with a suitable height as a function of the compression ratio to be obtained.

[0009] The pressing head therefore also has plan dimensions that correspond, albeit slightly reduced, to the plan dimensions of the magazine, so as to perform uniform pressing of the tobacco, avoiding losses thereof between the side walls of the magazine and such pressing head.

[0010] However, these known types of filling station have a drawback: they cannot in fact be used to fill containers that have different dimensions, and therefore, in order to be able to fill such containers, it is necessary to have as many separate filling stations as there are different plan dimensions of the containers to be filled, with the consequent problems that this entails both in terms of costs, space occupation and management.

[0011] Filling stations are also known which allow the filling of two different containers that have two definite different plan dimensions.

[0012] These known types of filling station comprise two separate magazines, which have different plan dimensions and are mounted on rails or other sliding means that allow to extract one magazine from the working position and insert the other magazine in its place.

[0013] Even these known types of filling station, however, have drawbacks; since they must have two distinct magazines and a device for moving them, they have high constructive complexity and production costs.

[0014] Further, these known types of filling station have a large horizontal extension and therefore require a space that offers a large area for their placement.

[0015] Moreover, replacement of one magazine with the other is rather complex and laborious, since it requires to disconnect and then restore the electrical and pneumatic connections between the magazines and the rest of the filling station.

[0016] Filling stations are also known which have a magazine in which the dimensions of its lower rim, which can be inserted in the container to be filled, can be modified.

[0017] In these known types of filling station, the magazine in fact has a frame that has a square or rectangular plan shape and to the sides of which the upper perimetric edges of four partitions are pivoted, such partitions having a substantially rectangular or square profile and an inclination that can be modified selectively by way of suitable linear actuators in order to move mutually apart or closer their lower perimetric edges.

[0018] These partitions therefore can assume, as a whole, a spatial configuration that can pass selectively from a parallelepiped to a truncated pyramid.

[0019] These known types of magazine are generally used to facilitate the insertion of their lower rim in the container to be filled, and also in order to be able to fill containers that have different plan dimensions.

[0020] However, these known types of filling station also have drawbacks:
since the pressing head is sized so that it can pass through the magazine in the condition in which the discharge port of such magazine has the minimum plan extension, in the condition in which such discharge port has a larger extension there is considerable play between the pressing head and the side walls of the magazine, with a consequent substantial loss of product during pressing; for this reason, this known type of solution is used generally only to fill containers having size differences of a few centimeters.

[0021] The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, eliminating the drawbacks of the cited background art, by providing a device that allows to fill containers that have different plan dimensions, maintaining low production costs.

[0022] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device that allows to fill containers whose plan dimensions have differences of even more than a few centimeters.

[0023] Another object of the invention is to provide a device that allows to fill containers of various dimensions without entailing the replacement of one or more of its components.

[0024] Another object of the invention is to provide a device that can be installed even in enclosed spaces that have a limited horizontal extension.

[0025] Another object is to provide a device that is structurally simple and has low manufacturing costs.

[0026] This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a device, particularly for conveying a product into a container, which comprises a magazine, having a substantially square or rectangular plan shape, which can be arranged above said container and in which a pressing head is associated slidingly, characterized in that said magazine has first means adapted to vary selectively its volume, maintaining for said magazine a same geometric configuration, said pressing head having second means that are adapted to vary its useful thrust surface as the volume of said magazine varies.

[0027] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the magazine of the device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the device according to the invention;

Figures 3 and 4 are first and second perspective views of the magazine;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the magazine of the preceding figures;

Figures 6 and 7 are front views of the magazine and of the pressing head, respectively in the condition of minimum and maximum plan extension;

Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of the magazine of the device according to the invention;

Figure 9 is a partially sectional plan view of a detail of the magazine;

Figures 10 and 11 are partially sectional front views of the pressing head, respectively in the closed condition and in the maximum opening condition;

Figure 12 is a plan view of the pressing head of the preceding figures in the maximum opening condition.

[0028] In the exemplary embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.

[0029] Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

[0030] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a device particularly for conveying into a container 2 a product such as for example tobacco, which is not shown in the accompanying figures.

[0031] The device 1 is constituted by a first frame 3, which is substantially shaped like a parallelepiped and has a tubular structure and is arranged above a movement means for the container 2, which is constituted for example by a conveyor belt 4.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the first frame 3 is shaped, in a front view, approximately like an inverted letter U, so as to form two arms 3a and 3b that are laterally adjacent to the two sides of the conveyor belt 4, and a base 3c, which is parallel to the latter and spaced from it.

[0033] A second frame 5 is associated proximate to the base 3c of the first frame 3; the second frame 5 is constituted by a pair of first borders 6a and 6b, which are substantially square or rectangular and are arranged approximately parallel to each other by means of two cross-members 7.

[0034] The second frame 5 supports a magazine 8, which has a substantially square or rectangular plan shape and is positioned, during use, above the conveyor belt 4.

[0035] Advantageously, the magazine 8 is constituted by at least one first wall and at least one second wall, which have an approximately rectangular plan shape and an approximately H-shaped transverse cross-section, so that each one forms two seats 9a and 9b with which, as shown in Figure 8, the ends of two third C-shaped walls l0a and 10b, described hereinafter, are slidingly associated.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the magazine 8 is constituted advantageously by a single first wall 11a, also referenced as rear wall, which is fixed to the first border 6b of the second frame 5, and by two second walls 11b and 11c, also referenced as front walls, which are fixed to the first border 6a of the second frame 5.

[0037] Advantageously, the second walls 11b and 11c are arranged so that they lie on a same plane, which is approximately parallel to the plane of arrangement of the first wall 11a, and are mutually separated and spaced, so as to form between them, at a lateral surface of the magazine 8, an opening 12 that is adapted to allow the insertion, in the magazine 8, of a product such as for example tobacco, which is not shown in the accompanying figures.

[0038] As an alternative, in an embodiment not shown in the accompanying figures, one or more entry holes, not shown in the accompanying figures, adapted to allow the insertion in the magazine 8 of a product such as for example tobacco can be provided in one or both of the third walls 10a and 10b.

[0039] Suitable flanges for connecting to the container 2, designated respectively by the reference numerals 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d and provided with an appropriately provided sealing gasket, are associated with the lower perimetric rim of the first wall 11a of the wall of the two second walls 11b and 11c that is adjacent to the container 2, and of the third walls 10a and 10b.

[0040] As above discussed, the first wall 11a and each one of the second walls 11b and 11c advantageously have an approximately H-shaped plan configuration, so as to form a first central portion 14, which has a preferably approximately rectangular plan shape, and two heads 15a and 15b, which again are approximately rectangular in plan view, have the same height but are wider, are approximately mutually parallel, and protrude laterally with respect to the first central portion 14, so as to form between them the seats 9a and 9b.

[0041] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the heads 15a and 15b are constituted respectively by two planar metal plate layers, which are screwed, by way of suitable screws 16 shown in Figure 9, to the first central portion 14 and to one or more appropriately provided brackets 17, which have a transverse cross-section that is approximately shaped like an inverted letter U and are fixed to one of the first borders 6a or 6b of the second frame 5.

[0042] As above discussed, two third walls 10a and 10b are associated with the first wall 11a and with each of the second walls 11b and 11c; at least one of the third walls 10a, 10b is movable along an axis 18, that is such as to vary the discharge port of the magazine 8 between a condition of minimum plan extension and a condition of maximum plan extension.

[0043] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, both third walls 10a and 10b are movable with respect to the first wall 11a and the second walls 11b and 11c (which are fixed).

[0044] In the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the two third walls 10a and 10b are substantially identical and are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to each other.

[0045] Advantageously, the third walls 10a and 10b are substantially C-shaped in a sectional view taken along a plane that is parallel to the ground, and approximately Ω-shaped along a perpendicular plane: a second central portion 19a is formed which has a preferably trapezoidal lateral profile and is connected to two wings 19b and 19c, with a linear lateral profile.

[0046] The third walls 10a and 10b therefore have, in a cross-section taken along a plane that is parallel to the ground, two tabs 20a and 20b, which are associated slidingly at the seats 9a and 9b formed between the two mutually facing heads 15a and 15b of the first wall 11a and of the second walls 11b and 11c.

[0047] Advantageously, the thickness of the tabs 20a and 20b and of the first central portion 14 are such as to allow the sliding of the tabs 20a and 20b with respect to the first wall 11a and to the second walls 11b and 11c, reducing however to a minimum the play between such components, in order to avoid losses of product during the operations for filling the container 2.

[0048] Advantageously, in the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, the tabs 20b of the third walls 10a and 10b that are associated slidingly with the second walls 11b and 11c have, at the opening 12 formed between the second walls 11b and 11c, a recess 21, which is approximately as high as the opening 12 and is provided so as to be contiguous to the latter during use.

[0049] Advantageously, the third walls 10a and 10b are supported slidingly by the second frame 5 by way of suitable interconnection means, constituted by an appropriately provided framework 22a, 22b, which is fixed externally to the third walls 10a and 10b, preferably at the wings 19b and 19c.

[0050] The framework 22a, 22b is associated slidingly with the first borders 6a and 6b by way of appropriately provided sliders 23, which can slide on appropriately provided guides 24 that connect two mutually opposite side of the first borders 6a and 6b.

[0051] Advantageously, the position of the third walls 10a and 10b with respect to the first wall 11a and the second walls 11b and 11c, in the direction defined by the axis 18, can be modified automatically by way of first actuation means, which are constituted conveniently by appropriately provided first linear actuators 25, for example electrical or pneumatic ones, which have a first body that is associated with the cross-members 7 and a first shank that is associated with the frameworks 22a, 22b so as to move them.

[0052] The device 1 further comprises a pressing head 26 constituted by a central body 27, which is approximately shaped complementarily, in plan view, with respect to the discharge port of the magazine 8 in the condition of minimum plan extension thereof.

[0053] Advantageously but not necessarily, the central body 27 has a comb-like structure, since it is constituted by a plurality of first transverse laminas 27a, which are approximately parallel and spaced with respect to each other, proximate to the ends that are mutually connected by two appropriately provided first longitudinal uprights 27b.

[0054] An element 28 for connection to a means for movement of the pressing head 26, constituted for example by an appropriately provided hydraulic piston 29, protrudes from the central body 27 approximately at right angles on the opposite side with respect to the underlying magazine 8.

[0055] Advantageously, one or more flaps are associated rotatably with the central body 27 at the longitudinal sides; in the embodiment shown in the accompanying figures, two flaps 30a and 30b are associated with the two longitudinal sides of the central body 27 and conveniently have a comb-like structure formed by a plurality of second transverse laminas 31, which are mutually parallel and spaced and are mutually connected at one end by a second longitudinal upright 32a, 32b.

[0056] Advantageously, in the condition in which the flaps 30a and 30b are associated rotatably with the central body 27 of the pressing head 26, the second laminas 31 of the flaps 30a and 30b are arranged between the first laminas 27a of the central body 27, the first and second laminas 27a and 31 being rotatably coupled, proximate to the respective free ends, by way of appropriately provided rod-like elements 33 inserted in appropriately provided holes, not shown in the accompanying figures, which are formed transversely to the first and second laminas 27a and 31.

[0057] Advantageously, the flaps 30a and 30b can rotate selectively with respect to the central body 27 between a closed position, shown in Figure 10, in which they do not protrude in plan view from the central body 27, and a maximum opening condition, shown in Figures 11 and 12, in which they protrude in plan view from the central body 27 so as to block approximately completely, together with the central body 27, the discharge port of the magazine 8 in the condition of maximum plan extension thereof.

[0058] Advantageously, the rotation of the flaps 30a and 30b with respect to the central body 27 can be performed automatically by way of appropriately provided second actuation means, which are constituted for example by appropriately provided second linear actuators 34, which are preferably electrical or pneumatic and have a second body 34a, which is fixed to the central body 27, and a second shank 34b, which is connected by way of suitable connecting means to one of the two flaps 30a and 30b.

[0059] Advantageously, such connecting means are constituted by a first lever 35, which is approximately Z-shaped and is hinged, at a first end, to the free end of one of the flaps 30a or 30b and, at its other end, to a second lever 36, which is pivoted in turn to the central body 27; a lamina 37 is fixed approximately at right angles to the second lever 36 and in turn is pivoted to the second shank 34b of the second linear actuator 34.

[0060] Means are provided which are adapted to contrast, during pressing, the re-closure of the flaps 30a and 30b; advantageously, such means are constituted by a plug 38, which is fixed to the central body 27, for example by welding, and is adapted to abut, in the fully open condition of the flaps 30a, 30b, against the first and second levers 35, 36 at their mutual pivoting region, so as to prevent rotation of the flaps 30a and 30b in the direction for reaching the closed condition, under the action of the pressing force that bears thereon during pressing.

[0061] Use of the invention is therefore as follows.

[0062] With reference to the accompanying figures, by way of the movement means, such as the conveyor belt 4, it is possible to position one container 2 below the magazine 8.

[0063] By way of the first linear actuators 25, it is therefore possible to adjust the position of the third walls 10a and 10b, so as to make the dimensions of the discharge port of the magazine 8 uniform with respect to those of the perimetric rim of an open upper end face 2a of the container 2; the lower rim of the magazine 8 can thus be associated with the open upper end face 2a of the container 2.

[0064] By means of the second linear actuator 34 it is therefore possible to adjust the position of the flaps 30a and 30b with respect to the central body 27, so as to adapt the plan dimensions of the pressing head 26 to those of the discharge port of the magazine 8.

[0065] It is thus possible to insert in the magazine 8, through the opening 12, a product, such as for example tobacco, and press it, by way of the pressing head 26, into the container 2 until it is filled.

[0066] It has thus been found that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a device, particularly for conveying into a container a product such as for example tobacco, having been devised which allows to fill containers that have different plan dimensions, maintaining reduced structural complexity and production costs.

[0067] Further, the device according to the invention can be used to fill containers whose plan dimensions have even large mutual differences.

[0068] Moreover, the device according to the invention can be preset to fill containers of different dimensions very rapidly and easily and without entailing the replacement of one or more of its components.

[0069] Further, the device according to the invention allows to reduce the accidental loss of product during filling of the containers with respect to the background art.

[0070] Moreover, the device according to the invention can be installed also in enclosed spaces that have a limited horizontal extension.

[0071] Further, the production costs of the device according to the invention remain low, since it is obtained only by means of components that are easy to assemble and/or manufacture.

[0072] The invention is of course susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0073] The materials used, as well as the dimensions that constitute the individual components of the invention, may of course be more pertinent according to specific requirements.

[0074] The various means for performing certain different functions need not certainly coexist only in the illustrated embodiment but can be present per se in many embodiments, including ones that are not illustrated.

[0075] The characteristics indicated as advantageous, convenient or the like may also be omitted or be replaced with equivalents.

[0076] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A device, particularly for conveying a product into a container, comprising a magazine, having a substantially square or rectangular plan shape, which can be arranged above said container and in which a pressing head is associated slidingly, characterized in that said magazine has first means adapted to vary selectively its volume, maintaining for said magazine a same geometric configuration, said pressing head having second means that are adapted to vary its useful thrust surface as the volume of said magazine varies.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first means comprise at least one first wall and at least one second wall of said magazine, which are fixed and approximately mutually parallel, with which two third walls are associated which are approximately perpendicular to said first and second walls and are substantially parallel to each other, at least one of them being movable, along an axis that is substantially perpendicular thereto, in order to vary the discharge port of said magazine between a condition of minimum plan extension and a condition of maximum plan extension.

3. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second means are defined by said pressing head having a central body that is approximately complementary shaped, in plan view, with respect to said discharge port in said condition of minimum extension, with which one or more flaps are associated which can be rotated selectively between a closed position, in which they do not protrude, in plan view, from said central body, and a maximum opening condition, in which they protrude, in plan view, from said central body, so as to block approximately completely, together with said central body, said discharge port of said magazine in said maximum extension condition.

4. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means adapted to contrast, during pressing, the re-closure of said one or more flaps.

5. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a first frame, which lies above a movement means for said container, with which a second frame is associated which supports said magazine, which has a substantially square or rectangular plan shape and is arranged during use above said movement means, characterized in that said second frame is constituted by a pair of first substantially square or rectangular borders that are arranged approximately parallel to each other by means of two cross-members.

6. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one first wall and at least one second wall have an approximately rectangular plan shape and are approximately H-shaped in a transverse cross-section, so that each one forms two seats with which the ends of said third walls are slidingly associated, said third walls being substantially C-shaped.

7. The device according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that said magazine is constituted by a single rear first wall, which is fixed to one of said first borders of said second frame, and by two second front walls, which are fixed to the other one of said first borders of said second frame.

8. The device according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that said two second walls are arranged so as to lie on a same plane, which is approximately parallel to the plane of arrangement of said first wall, and are mutually separated and spaced, so as to form between them, at a lateral surface of said magazine, an opening that is adapted to allow the introduction of said product in said magazine.

9. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more entry holes are formed in one or both of said third walls and are adapted to allow the introduction of said product in said magazine.

10. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that flanges for connection to said container, provided with an appropriately provided sealing gasket, are associated with the lower perimetric edge of said first wall, of the wall of said second walls that is adjacent to said container, and of said third walls.

11. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one first wall and at least one second wall have an approximately H-like plan shape, so as to form a first central portion, which has a preferably approximately rectangular plan shape, and two heads, which have an approximately rectangular plan shape, have the same height and are wider and approximately parallel to each other and protrude laterally with respect to said first central portion, so as to form said seats between them.

12. The device according to claims 1 and 11, characterized in that said heads are constituted respectively by two flat layers of metal plate, which are screwed, by means of suitable screws, to said first central portion, and to one or more brackets, which are fixed to one of said first borders of said second frame.

13. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that both of said third walls can move with respect to said at least one first wall and at least one second wall, said third walls being substantially identical and being arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to each other.

14. The device according to claims 1 and 13, characterized in that said third walls have, in a cross-section taken along a plane that is parallel to the ground, two tabs, which are slidingly associated at said seats formed between said mutually facing heads of said at least one first wall and of said at least one second wall, the thickness of said tabs and of said first central portion being such as to allow the sliding of said tabs with respect to said at least one first wall and at least one second wall, minimizing play between said components.

15. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third walls are supported slidingly by said second frame by way of interconnection means, constituted by a framework, which is fixed externally to said third walls and is associate slidingly with said first borders by way of sliders, which can slide on guides that connect two mutually opposite sides of said first borders, the position of said third walls with respect to said at least one first wall and at least one second wall being automatically modifiable by way of first actuation means.

16. The device according to claims 1 and 15, characterized in that said first actuation means are constituted by first linear actuators, which are electrical or pneumatic and have a first body that is associated with said cross-members and a first shank that is associated with said frameworks, so as to move them.

17. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said central body of said pressing head has a comb-like structure, which is formed by a plurality of first approximately mutually parallel and spaced transverse laminas, which proximate to their ends are mutually connected by two appropriately provided first longitudinal uprights, characterized in that said one or more flaps are associated rotatably with the two longitudinal sides of said central body and have a comb-like structure that is formed by a plurality of second transverse laminas, which are mutually spaced and parallel and are connected to each other at one end by a second longitudinal upright.

18. The device according to claims 1 and 17, characterized in that in the condition in which said one or more flaps are associated rotatably with said central body said second laminas are arranged between said first laminas and are rotatably coupled thereto, proximate to their respective free ends, by way of rod-like elements inserted in holes formed transversely to said first and second laminas.

19. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the rotation of said flaps with respect to said central body can be performed automatically by way of second actuation means constituted by second linear actuators, which are preferably electrical or pneumatic, and provided with a second body that is fixed to said central body and a second shank that is connected to one of said flaps by way of connection means.

20. The device according to claims 1 and 19, characterized in that said connection means are constituted by a first lever, which is approximately Z-shaped and is hinged, at one of its first ends, to the free end of one of said flaps and, at its other end, to a second lever, which in turn is pivoted to said central body, a lamina being fixed approximately at right angles to said second lever and being in turn hinged to said second shank of said second linear actuator.

21. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means adapted to contrast, during pressing, the re-closure of said one or more flaps are constituted by a plug that is fixed to said central body and is adapted to abut, in said condition of maximum opening of said flaps, against said first and second levers at their region of mutual pivoting, in order to prevent the rotation of said flaps in the direction for reaching said closed condition, under the action of the pressing force that bears on them during pressing.

22. A device particularly for conveying a product into a container, comprising a magazine that has a substantially square or rectangular plan shape and can be positioned above said container and within which a pressing head is associated slidingly, characterized in that said magazine has at least one first wall and at least one second wall, which are fixed and approximately parallel to each other, and with which two third walls are associated which are approximately perpendicular thereto and substantially parallel to each other, at least one of them being movable, along an axis that is substantially perpendicular thereto, in order to vary the discharge port of said magazine between a condition of minimum plan extension and a condition of maximum plan extension, said pressing head being constituted by a central body, which is approximately shaped complementarily, in plan view, with respect to said discharge port in said minimum extension condition, with which one or more flaps are rotatably associated which can rotate selectively between a closure position, in which they do not protrude in plan view from said central body, and a fully open condition, in which they protrude, in plan view, from said central body, so as to close approximately totally, together with said central body, said discharge port of said magazine in said condition of maximum extension.

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.

1. A device (1) for conveying tobacco into a container (2), comprising a magazine (8), having a substantially square or rectangular plan shape, and a discharge port of said magazine (8) which can be arranged above said container (2) and in which a pressing head (26) is associated slidingly in a vertical direction above said discharge port, said magazine having first means adapted to vary selectively its volume, maintaining for said magazine (8) a same geometric configuration, said pressing head (26) having second means that are adapted to vary its useful thrust surface as the volume of said magazine (8) varies, said first means comprising at least one first wall (11a) and at least one second wall (11b,11c) of said magazine (8), which are fixed and mutually parallel, with which two third walls (10a,10b) are associated which are perpendicular to said first and second walls (11a,11 b,11c) and are parallel to each other, said third walls (10a,10b) being movable, along an axis (18) that is perpendicular thereto, in order to vary the discharge port of said magazine (8) between a condition of minimum plan extension and a condition of maximum plan extension, said second means being defined by said pressing head (26) having a central body (27) that is approximately complementary shaped, in plan view, with respect to said discharge port in said condition of minimum extension, with which one or more flaps (30a,30) are associated which can be rotated selectively between a closed position, in which they do not protrude, in plan view, from said central body (27), and a maximum opening condition, in which they protrude, in plan view, from said central body (27), so as to block completely, together with said central body (27), said discharge port of said magazine (8) in said maximum extension condition, the device further comprising a first frame (3), which lies above a conveyor belt (4) for said container (2), with which a second frame (5) is associated which supports said magazine (8), which has a substantially square or rectangular plan shape and is arranged during use above said conveyor belt (4), said second frame (5) being constituted by a pair of first square or rectangular borders (6a,6b) that are arranged parallel to each other by means of two cross-members (7),
said third walls (10a,10b) being supported slidingly by said second frame (5) by way of interconnection means, constituted by a framework (22a,22b), which is fixed externally to said third walls (10a,10b) and is associate slidingly with said first borders (6a,6b) by way of sliders (23), which can slide on guides (24) that connect two mutually opposite sides of said first borders (6a,6b), the position of said third walls (10a,10b) with respect to said at least one first wall (11a) and at least one second wall (11b,11c) being automatically modifiable by way of first actuation means, said first actuation means being constituted by first linear actuators (25), which are electrical or pneumatic and have a first body that is associated with said cross-members (7) and a first shank that is associated with said frameworks (22a,22b), so as to move them, the rotation of said flaps (30a,30b) with respect to said central body (27) being performed automatically by way of second actuation means constituted by second linear actuators (34), which are electrical or pneumatic, and provided with a second body (34a) that is fixed to said central body (27) and a second shank (34b) that is connected to one of said flaps (30a,30b) by way of connection means, said connection means being constituted by a first lever (35), which is Z-shaped and is hinged, at one of its first ends, to the free end of one of said flaps (30a,30b) and, at its other end, to a second lever (36), which in turn is pivoted to said central body (27), a lamina (37) being fixed at right angles to said second lever (36) and being in turn hinged to said second shank (34b) of said second linear actuator (34).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one first wall (11a) and at least one second wall (11b,11c) have a rectangular plan shape and are H-shaped in a transverse cross-section, so that each one forms two seats (9a,9b) with which the ends of said third walls (10a,10b) are slidingly associated, said third walls (10a,10b) being C-shaped.

3. The device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said magazine (8) is constituted by a single rear first wall (11a), which is fixed to one (6b) of said first borders of said second frame (5), and by two second front walls (11b,11c), which are fixed to the other one (6a) of said first borders of said second frame (5).

4. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said two second walls (11b,11c) are arranged so as to lie on a same plane, which is parallel to the plane of arrangement of said first wall (11a), and are mutually separated and spaced, so as to form between them, at a lateral surface of said magazine (8), an opening (12) for the introduction of said tobacco in said magazine (8).

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that one or more entry holes are formed in one or both of said third walls (10a,10b) and for the introduction of said tobacco in said magazine.

6. The device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that flanges (13a,13b,13c,13d) for connection to said container (2), provided with an appropriately provided sealing gasket, are associated with the lower perimetric edge of said first wall (11 a), of the wall (11c) of said second walls that is adjacent to said container (2), and of said third walls (10a,10b).

7. The device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one first wall (11a) and at least one second wall (11b,11c) have an H-like plan shape, so as to form a first central portion (14), which has a rectangular plan shape, and two heads (15a,15b), which have a rectangular plan shape, have the same height and are wider and parallel to each other and protrude laterally with respect to said first central portion (14), so as to form said seats (9a,9b) between them.

8. The device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said heads (15a,15b) are constituted respectively by two flat layers of metal plate, which are screwed, by means of suitable screws (16), to said first central portion (14), and to one or more brackets (17), which are fixed to one of said first borders (6a,6b) of said second frame (5).

9. The device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that both of said third walls (10a,10b) can move with respect to said at least one first wall (11a) and at least one second wall (11b,11c), said third walls (10a,10b) being identical and being arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to each other.

10. The device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that said third walls (10a,10b) have, in a cross-section taken along a plane that is parallel to the ground, two tabs (20a,20b), which are slidingly associated at said seats (9a,9b) formed between said mutually facing heads (15a,15b) of said at least one first wall (11a) and of said at least one second wall (11b,11c), the thickness of said tabs (20a,20b) and of said first central portion (14) being such as to allow the sliding of said tabs (20a,20b) with respect to said at least one first wall (11a) and at least one second wall (11b,11c), minimizing play between said components.

11. The device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said central body (27) of said pressing head (26) has a comb-like structure, which is formed by a plurality of first approximately mutually parallel and spaced transverse laminas (27a), which proximate to their ends are mutually connected by two appropriately provided first longitudinal uprights (27b), characterized in that said one or more flaps (30a,30b) are associated rotatably with the two longitudinal sides of said central body (27) and have a comb-like structure that is formed by a plurality of second transverse laminas (31), which are mutually spaced and parallel and are connected to each other at one end by a second longitudinal upright (32a,32b).

12. The device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that in the condition in which said one or more flaps (30a,30b) are associated rotatably with said central body (27) said second laminas (31) are arranged between said first laminas (27a) and are rotatably coupled thereto, proximate to their respective free ends, by way of rod-like elements (33) inserted in holes formed transversely to said first and second laminas (27a,31).

13. The device (1) according to claim 12, further comprising a plug (38) that is fixed to said central body and is arranged to abut, in said condition of maximum opening of said flaps (30a,30b), against said first and second levers (35,36) at their region of mutual pivoting, in order to prevent the rotation of said flaps (30a,30b) in the direction for reaching said closed condition, under the action of the pressing force that bears on them during pressing.

Drawing