DEVICE AND METHOD FOR RELEASING ROD-SHAPED ARTICLES OF THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY ONTO AN ENDLESS CONVEYOR

Description

Technical field

[0001] This invention relates to a device and a method for releasing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry onto an endless conveyor.

Background art

[0002] In the tobacco industry it is normal practice to transfer rod-shaped articles onto an endless conveyor defined by a belt or band provided with a succession of seats transverse to the feed direction of the conveyor in such a way as to feed individual rod-shaped articles transversely one after the other.

[0003] The conveyor belt has an upper operating section which passes underneath a plurality of releasing units and whose seats face upwards in order to receive respective rod-shaped articles. The releasing units each have a plurality of feed channels (commonly known as "veins") running side by side and each associated with a respective transfer member disposed at an outlet section of the feed channel. The feed units receive the rod-shaped articles directly from one or more hoppers above them and into which a mass of articles is fed.

[0004] In order to be able to release the articles into the seats in a controlled manner, the transfer members are driven in such a way as to release one article at a time at a rate that is suitably synchronized with the other transfer members so as to fill all the seats on the conveyor in a controlled manner. A device according to these features has been disclosed in WO2014/188306, where the endless conveyor is formed by the outer surface of a pick-up and transfer roller and the articles are individually released by means of rotating transfer members.

[0005] During machine operation, one or more of the releasing units may be subject to malfunctions, caused for example by an interruption in the flow of articles in one or more of the veins or on account of a fault in some of the transfer members or for any other reason.

[0006] In this situation, in order to make up for the malfunctioning releasing units failing to feed the articles, it is common practice to provide one or more additional releasing units, which normally remain idle and are activated only in the event of a malfunction of the other units, so that all the seats on the conveyor can resume being filled. In other words, the compensation mechanism provided is based on the numerical redundancy of the releasing units, meaning that the number of releasing units provided is in excess of that strictly necessary for machine operation.

[0007] A machine structure of this kind has some inherent disadvantages, however.

[0008] In particular, in order to be ready to come into operation, the normally idle redundant units are preloaded with articles ready to be released which means that if they remain inactive for extended periods of time, there is the risk that the properties of these articles will deteriorate and the articles will no longer be suitable for making marketable products.

[0009] Moreover, a solution aimed at overcoming this problem would, on the contrary, involve introducing complex machine control mechanisms intended to periodically vary the units that remain idle so as to create a "rotational" redundancy system whereby each of the releasing units would come into operation in turn (according to a rotation program). It is obvious that a system of this kind would inevitably lead to problems connected with the complexity of machine control.

Aim of the invention

[0010] In this context, the basic technical purpose of this invention is to provide device and a method for releasing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry onto an endless conveyor to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0011] More specifically, this invention has for an aim to provide a device and a method for releasing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry onto an endless conveyor and capable of improving control over the process of filling the endless conveyor in the event of malfunctions.

Brief description of the drawings

[0012] The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment of it, in which:

• Figure 1 represents a releasing device according to this invention in the context of installation in a machine of the tobacco industry;
• Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a detail of the device of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a further enlarged view of a detail of the view of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 represents a sequence of steps of a first embodiment of a releasing method implemented by the releasing device according to this invention, under normal operating conditions;
• Figure 5 represents a sequence of steps of a first embodiment of a releasing method implemented by the releasing device according to this invention, during a compensating routine consequent upon a malfunction;
• Figure 6 represents a sequence of steps of a second embodiment of a releasing method implemented by the releasing device according to this invention, under normal operating conditions;
• Figure 7 represents a sequence of steps of a second embodiment of a releasing method implemented by the releasing device according to this invention, during a compensating routine consequent upon a malfunction.

[0013] The numeral 1 in the accompanying drawings denotes in its entirety a device according to this invention for releasing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry onto an endless conveyor.

[0014] The device 1 is installed in a machine for making and/or packaging smoking articles and is designed to release rod-shaped articles such as, for example, cigarette or filter segments.

[0015] For convenience, the articles are not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, whilst the components of the device used for conveying and transferring the articles are shown in detail.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0016] Looking in more detail, the device 1 comprises two juxtaposed releasing units 2, as shown in Figure 1. Each releasing unit 2 is provided at the bottom of it, with a plurality of feed channels 3 (or "veins") extending at least partly vertically and running side by side and being twenty in number for each unit 2. The feed channels 3 have respective upper stretches which are divergent and respective lower stretches which are parallel and vertical (Figure 2). Each feed channel 3 has, associated with it, a transfer member 4 disposed at an outlet section at the bottom of the feed channel 3 (Figures 2 and 3). At the top of it, each releasing unit 2 is provided with a hopper 5 for containing a mass of articles and connected or connectable to a feed unit (not illustrated because it is of known type) for feeding a plurality of articles: for example, a machine for making the articles or a unit for emptying trays that are full of the articles. The feed channels 3 extend from the bottom of the hopper 5.

[0017] As will become clearer as this description continues, there may, without departing from the scope of this invention, be two or more releasing units and each unit may have one or a plurality of feed channels.

[0018] Also, in an embodiment, all the releasing units 2 have the same number of feed channels 3. The number may, however, vary from one releasing unit 2 to another.

[0019] Under the releasing units 2, or in any case in a spatial relationship with the releasing units 2 suitable for the purpose, there is an endless conveyor 6 - that is to say, a looped conveyor belt, band or chain - having an (upper) operating branch 6a provided with a succession of receiving seats 7 disposed in such a way that receiving seats 7 of the conveyor 6 are aligned with respective transfer members 4 of the releasing units 2.

[0020] The operating branch 6a of the conveyor 6 travels along a feed direction "A" and the releasing units 2 are disposed in succession along the feed direction "A".

[0021] Each transfer member 4 comprises a rotary element (in the form of a roller, for example) mounted rotatably about a respective horizontal axis of rotation and having a gripping portion 4a rotatable between a gripping position, where it receives an article from the respective feed channel 3, and a releasing position, aligned with a respective receiving seat 7 of the conveyor 6 to release the article into the receiving seat 7.

[0022] The device 1 also comprises drive means acting on the transfer members 4 to release from each transfer member 4 a sequence of respective articles at a predetermined rate (or frequency/pace) in such a way that each article released from the transfer members 4 is received into a respective receiving seat 7 of the conveyor 6.

[0023] Advantageously, the device 1 also comprises a control unit (also not illustrated), connected to the drive means to adjust the rate at which the articles are released from the transfer members 4.

[0024] More specifically, in the event of malfunctioning or stopping of at least one of the releasing units 2, the control unit is configured to activate a compensating routine whereby at least one of the functioning releasing units 2 (that is to say, of those that remain functional, other than the malfunctioning one) is operated at a faster rate and/or in a modified sequence compared to normal operating conditions, that is to say, compared to operating conditions where none of the releasing units 2 is malfunctioning or has stopped, so as to compensate for the smaller number of functioning releasing units 2.

[0025] Preferably, the compensating routine activated by the control unit entails operating each of the functioning releasing units 2 at a modified rate and/or in a modified sequence compared to normal operating conditions.

[0026] The term "rate" is used to mean the number of articles released per unit time by the transfer members 4 of the same releasing unit 2, while the term "sequence" also indicates the distribution over time of the releasing actions performed by the different transfer members 4 of the same releasing unit 2 (since the temporal sequence of the releasing actions performed by the transfer members 4 may be intercalated, alternated, reversed or, more generally speaking, varied compared to the situation under normal operating conditions).

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transfer members 4 of each releasing unit 2 can be driven and controlled independently of the transfer members 4 of the other releasing units 2.

[0028] This may be achieved by configuring the unit to control the drive means in such a way as to operate the transfer members 4 of two or more releasing units 2, preferably all the releasing units 2 at the same rate under normal operating conditions, this rate being subsequently variable during the compensating routine.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the drive means comprise, for each releasing unit 2, a transmission mechanism (not illustrated in detail) connected to a plurality of transfer members 4 of the releasing unit 2, and preferably to all the transfer members 4 of the releasing unit 2, so as to drive the transfer members 4 simultaneously and/or at the same release rate, if necessary with a specific phase relationship to temporally offset the releasing actions performed by the transfer members 4 of the same releasing unit 2.

[0030] For example, the transmission mechanism may be a mechanical part comprising a bar applied eccentrically to the transfer members 4 in such a way as to work like a connecting rod for simultaneously moving some or all of the transfer members 4 of the releasing unit 2.

[0031] Preferably, the drive means also comprise, for each releasing unit 2, a respective motor or actuator (not illustrated) driven by the control unit independently of the motors or actuators of the other releasing units 2. Advantageously, the control unit is configured to activate all the releasing units 2 under normal operating conditions. That way, under normal operating conditions, all the releasing units 2 are in operation and can work at a release rate that is lower than a respective maximum release rate.

[0032] In an embodiment, during the compensating routine, the control unit acts on the drive means to set at least one rotary element 4 of at least one of the functioning releasing units 2 in rotation about its axis at a speed which is higher than the corresponding speed of rotation under normal operating conditions. This rotation speed may be continuous and preferably constant. In such a case, the higher rotation speed is applied in at least one stretch of each rotation cycle of the rotary element.

[0033] In a different embodiment, the control unit acts on the drive means to set each rotary element 4 in rotation intermittently about its axis. Under these circumstances, during the compensating routine, the control unit acts on the drive means to set at least one rotary element 4 of at least one of the functioning releasing units 2 in rotation intermittently so that its stop time is shorter than the corresponding stop time under normal operating conditions. By "stop time" is meant the length of time the same transfer member 4 stops for between two successive steps of rotating.

[0034] A possible releasing method forming an object of this invention and preferably implemented by the device 1 described above comprises the following steps:

• feeding a plurality of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry to a plurality of releasing units 2, each of which has at least one feed channel 3 associated with a respective transfer member 4 disposed at an outlet section of the feed channel 3
• causing an (upper) operating branch 6a of an endless conveyor 6, preferably a conveyor belt, band or chain, to advance under the transfer members 4 in such a way that receiving seats 7 of the conveyor 6 are aligned with respective transfer members 4 of the releasing units 2;
• releasing from each transfer member 4 a sequence of respective articles at a predetermined rate (or frequency/pace) in such a way that each article released from the transfer members 4 is received into a respective receiving seat 7 of the conveyor 6;
• in the event of malfunctioning or stopping of at least one of the releasing units 2, activating a compensating routine whereby the step of releasing the articles from at least one of the functioning releasing units 2 is carried out at a faster rate compared to normal operating conditions, that is to say, compared to operating conditions where none of the releasing units 2 is malfunctioning or has stopped, so as to compensate for the smaller number of functioning releasing units 2.

[0035] During the compensating routine, the faster release rate applies to all the functioning releasing units 2 and is preferably the same for all the functioning releasing units 2.

[0036] Preferably, the step of releasing the articles from the releasing units 2 is carried out by driving at least some of the releasing units 2, preferably all of the releasing units 2, independently of each other, in particular through respective motor means (for example, electric motors or actuators) controlled independently of each other.

[0037] Looking in more detail, under normal operating conditions, the transfer members 4 of the releasing units 2 operate at a first release rate at which the respective articles are released into the receiving seats 7 of the conveyor 6, whereas during the compensating routine, the transfer members 4 operate at a second release rate which is higher than the first release rate.

[0038] Moreover, the first and second release rates are lower than the maximum release rate permitted by the transfer members 4.

[0039] Furthermore, preferably, during the compensating routine, the feed speed of the conveyor 6 is unchanged compared to normal operating conditions and, still more preferably, it is a constant speed.

[0040] Preferably, each feed channel 3 is associated with a respective sensor (not illustrated) to detect possible jamming or incorrect feeding of the articles in the feed channel 3 and, if malfunctioning is detected, the sensor sends to the control unit a respective identification signal relating to the malfunctioning detected. Under these circumstances, the control unit sets to "malfunctioning" the state of the releasing unit 2 associated with that signal (that is to say, comprising the feed channel affected by the fault) and activates the compensating routine.

[0041] Figures 4-7 illustrate different embodiments of the method implemented by the releasing device according to the invention.

[0042] Figures 4 and 5 show an application example comprising two releasing units 2, each (by way of example) having only one feed channel and hence only one transfer member 4, the two transfer members 4 being spaced from each other by a distance equal to an even number of receiving seats 7 (in Figure 4, the distance is equal to two receiving seats 7).

[0043] Looking in more detail, Figure 4 shows a sequence of steps of releasing under normal operating conditions where each transfer member 4 releases one article 100 every two receiving seats 7 moving past thereunder and where the two transfer members 4 perform the releasing action alternately. Figure 5, on the other hand, shows the situation when the compensating routine is activated.

[0044] According to the compensating routine, in a situation where the releasing unit 2 downstream suddenly stops releasing articles 100, the other releasing unit 2, upstream, makes up for the interruption by doubling the release rate, which means that by itself it fills all the receiving seats 7 on the conveyor 6. It is evident that an operating logic of this kind can be applied in the same way to releasing units 2 which each have a plurality of feed channels 3. In effect, in such a case, each releasing action performed by a releasing unit 2 corresponds to the simultaneous filling of a number of receiving seats 7 equal to the number of feed channels 3 of the releasing unit 2. In other words, the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 is extendable by providing, in the place of each seat 7, a number of seats that is equal to the number of feed channels of each releasing unit 2 (in such a situation, it is preferable, though not necessary, that the releasing units 2 have the same number of feed channels 3, as described above).

[0045] Similarly, this operating logic can also be applied when the distance between the two transfer members 4 corresponds to an uneven number of receiving seats 7 on the conveyor 6 (embodiment not illustrated). In such a case, it is obvious that the two transfer members 4 fill all the seats 7 by simultaneously releasing corresponding articles.

[0046] Figures 6 and 7 show an application example comprising three releasing units 2, each (by way of example) having only one feed channel and hence only one transfer member 4, the three transfer members 4 being spaced from each other by a distance equal to an uneven number of receiving seats 7 (in Figure 6 the distance is equal to three receiving seats 7).

[0047] Looking in more detail, steps 6a-6j show a normal operating condition where each transfer member 4 releases one article 100 every three receiving seats 7 moving past thereunder and where the three transfer members 4 perform the releasing action according to the sequence illustrated (the sequence starts from a transient starting condition associated with an empty conveyor 6).

[0048] Steps 7a-7e, on the other hand, show the situation when the compensating routine is activated.

[0049] According to the compensating routine, in a situation where the releasing unit 2 further downstream suddenly stops releasing articles 100, the other two releasing units 2, upstream, make up for the interruption by changing the release rate so that one releasing action is performed every two seats 7 that pass thereunder.

[0050] In each of the two cases illustrated, the possible presence of receiving seats not filled is due to the unfavourable case of malfunctioning of the releasing unit 2 furthest downstream, which means that seats already left empty cannot be filled, although this is a temporary, transient condition that is corrected within the space of time of advancing just a few receiving seats 7. It is evident that the operating logic illustrated in Figures 4-7 can be extended to any number of releasing units 2, specifically by applying the teachings of the invention and making the different releasing units 2 controllable independently of each other so that the release rate of each of them can be varied independently for the purposes of compensation.

[0051] The considerations made with regard to Figure 4-5 also apply to the embodiment of Figures 6-7: that is to say, the possibility of extending the embodiment by providing, instead of each seat 7, a number of seats equal to the number of feed channels of each releasing unit 2 (which release articles onto the conveyor 6 preferably simultaneously).

[0052] Moreover, it is evident that this invention can be carried out by applying, in the compensating routine, a different release algorithm (that is to say, different release sequences for some or all of the transfer members) instead of merely increasing the rate, provided always that the compensating logic is intended to fill all the receiving seats of the conveyor even when one or more of the releasing units have stopped on account of a malfunction. The present invention achieves the preset aims, overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0053] In effect, in the event of malfunctioning of one or more releasing units, the device and method according to the invention allow varying the release algorithm (sequence and/or rate) of the remaining releasing units in order to make up for the smaller number of functioning releasing units without having to provide redundant releasing units which remain idle but, instead, with releasing units which, under normal operating conditions, work at a speed lower than the maximum speed so as to preserve their working life.

Claims

1. A device for releasing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry onto an endless conveyor, comprising:

- a plurality of releasing units (2) connected to a feed unit for feeding a plurality of rod-shaped articles (100) of the tobacco industry, each releasing unit (2) having at least one feed channel (3) and, for each feed channel (3), a respective transfer member (4) disposed at an outlet section of the feed channel (3);

- an endless conveyor (6) having an operating branch (6a) provided with a succession of receiving seats (7) and disposed under the transfer members (4) in such a way that receiving seats (7) of the conveyor (6) are aligned with respective transfer members (4) of the releasing units (2);

- drive means acting on the transfer members (4) to release from each transfer member (4) a sequence of respective articles (100) at a predetermined rate in such a way that each article (100) released from the transfer members (4) is received into a respective receiving seat (7) of the conveyor (6);

characterized in that it comprises a control unit connected to the drive means to regulate the rate of releasing the articles (100) from the transfer members (4), the control unit being configured, in the event of malfunctioning or stopping of at least one of the releasing units (2), to activate a compensating routine wherein at least one of the functioning releasing units (2) is operated at a faster rate compared to normal operating conditions, that is to say, compared to operating conditions where none of the releasing units (2) is malfunctioning or has stopped, so as to compensate for the smaller number of functioning releasing units (2).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the compensating routine activated by the control unit entails operating each of the functioning releasing units (2) at a modified rate compared to normal operating conditions.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transfer members (4) of each releasing unit (2) can be driven and controlled independently of the transfer members (4) of the other releasing units (2).

4. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is configured to control the drive means in such a way as to operate the transfer members (4) of two or more releasing units (2), preferably all the releasing units (2) at the same rate under normal operating conditions.

5. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein, for each releasing unit (2), the drive means comprise a transmission mechanism connected to a plurality of transfer members (4) of the releasing unit (2), and preferably to all the transfer members (4) of the releasing unit (2), so as to drive the transfer members (4) simultaneously and/or at the same release rate.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein, for each releasing unit (2), the drive means also comprise a respective motor or actuator controlled independently of the motors or actuators of the other releasing units (2).

7. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit is configured to activate all the releasing units (2) under normal operating conditions.

8. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each transfer member (4) comprises a rotary element having a gripping portion (4a) rotatable between a gripping position, where it receives an article (100) from the respective feed channel (3), and a releasing position, aligned with a respective receiving seat (7) of the conveyor (6) to release the article (100) into the receiving seat (7).

9. A method for releasing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry onto an endless conveyor, in particular implemented by a device according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps:

- feeding a plurality of rod-shaped articles (100) of the tobacco industry to a plurality of releasing units (2), each releasing unit (2) having at least one feed channel (3) associated with a respective transfer member (4) disposed at an outlet section of the feed channel (3);

- causing an operating branch (6a) of an endless conveyor (6) to advance under the transfer members (4) in such a way that receiving seats (7) of the conveyor (6) are aligned with respective transfer members (4) of the releasing units (2);

- releasing from each transfer member (4) a sequence of respective articles (100) at a predetermined rate in such a way that each article (100) released from the transfer members (4) is received into a respective receiving seat (7) of the conveyor (6);

characterized in that, in the event of malfunctioning or stopping of at least one of the releasing units (2), a compensating routine is activated whereby the step of releasing the articles (100) from at least one of the functioning releasing units (2) is carried out at a faster rate compared to normal operating conditions, that is to say, compared to operating conditions where none of the releasing units (2) is malfunctioning or has stopped, so as to compensate for the smaller number of functioning releasing units (2).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein during the compensating routine, the faster release rate applies to all the functioning releasing units (2) and is preferably the same for all the functioning releasing units (2).

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the step of releasing the articles (100) from the releasing units (2) is carried out by driving at least some of the releasing units (2), preferably all of the releasing units (2), independently of each other, in particular through respective motor means controlled independently of each other.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims from 9 to 11, wherein under normal operating conditions, the transfer members (4) of the releasing units (2) operate at a first rate of releasing the respective articles (100) into the receiving seats (7) of the conveyor (6), and wherein, during the compensating routine, the transfer members (4) first and second release rates being lower than a maximum release rate of the transfer members (4).

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims from 9 to 12, wherein, during the compensating routine, the conveyor (6) advances at the same speed as it does under normal operating conditions.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims from 9 to 13, wherein under the normal operating conditions, all the releasing units (2) and, in particular, all the transfer members (4) of the releasing units (2) operate to release respective articles (100) into respective receiving seats (7) of the endless conveyor (6).

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims from 9 to 14, further comprising a step of monitoring each feed channel (3) to detect possible jamming or incorrect feeding of the articles in the feed channel (3) and, if malfunctioning is detected, a subsequent step of sending to the control unit a respective identification signal relating to the malfunctioning detected, the control unit assigning a 'malfunctioning' status to the releasing unit (2) associated with the signal and activating the compensating routine.

16. The method according to any one of the preceding claims from 9 to 15, wherein each transfer member (4) comprises a rotary element which rotates about a respective axis of rotation perpendicular to the advancing direction of the operating branch (6a) of the endless conveyor (6) and wherein the rotary element is provided with at least one peripheral seat (4a) to pick up an article (100) from the respective feed channel (3) and releasing the article (100) into a respective receiving seat (7) of the endless conveyor (6), each rotary element being preferably operatively driven about its axis according to successive rotation cycles wherein, during each cycle, the rotation speed of the rotary element is variable or intermittent.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, during the compensating routine, at least one rotary element of at least one of the functioning releasing units (2) is driven in rotation about it axis at a speed which is higher than the corresponding speed of rotation under normal operating conditions, and wherein the higher rotation speed is applied in at least one stretch of each rotation cycle of the rotary element.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein each of the rotary elements is driven intermittently in rotation about its axis and wherein, during the compensating routine, at least one rotary element of at least one of the functioning releasing units (2) is driven in rotation at an intermittent rotation speed whose stop time is shorter than the corresponding stop time under normal operating conditions.

Ansprüche

1. Vorrichtung zur Freigabe von stabförmigen Artikeln der tabakverarbeitenden Industrie auf einem Endlosförderer, umfassend:

- eine Vielzahl von Freigabeeinheiten (2), die mit einer Zuführungseinheit zum Zuführen einer Vielzahl von stabförmigen Artikeln (100) der tabakverarbeitenden Industrie verbunden sind, wobei eine jede Freigabeeinheit (2) mindestens einen Zuführungskanal (3) und für jeden Zuführungskanal (3) ein jeweiliges Transferelement (4) aufweist, das an einer Auslasssektion des Zuführungskanals (3) angeordnet ist;

- einen Endlosförderer (6), der einen Betriebszweig (6a) aufweist, der mit einer Abfolge von Aufnahmesitzen (7) versehen und unter den Transferelementen (4) angeordnet ist, sodass die Aufnahmesitze (7) des Förderers (6) fluchtend zu den jeweiligen Transferelementen (4) der Freigabeeinheiten (2) angeordnet sind;

- Antriebsmittel, die auf die Transferelemente (4) wirken, um von jedem Transferelement (4) eine Abfolge jeweiliger Artikel (100) in einem bestimmten Takt freizugeben, sodass jeder von den Transferelementen (4) freigegebene Artikel (100) in einem jeweiligen Aufnahmesitz (7) des Förderers (6) aufgenommen wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie eine Steuereinheit umfasst, die mit den Antriebsmitteln verbunden ist, um den Freigabetakt der Artikel (100) von den Transferelementen (4) zu regeln, wobei die Steuereinheit ausgelegt ist, um bei Betriebsstörungen oder dem Stopp von mindestens einer der Freigabeeinheiten (2) ein Ausgleichsprogramm zu aktivieren, bei dem mindestens eine der Freigabeeinheiten (2) bei einem schnelleren Takt im Vergleich zu den normalen Betriebsbedingungen betrieben wird, das heißt im Vergleich zu den Betriebsbedingungen, bei denen keine von den Freigabeeinheiten (2) von einer Betriebsstörung betroffen oder stillgesetzt ist, sodass die kleinere Anzahl der funktionierenden Freigabeeinheiten (2) ausgeglichen wird.

2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei das von der Steuereinheit aktivierte Ausgleichsprogramm den Betrieb einer jeden der funktionierenden Freigabeeinheiten (2) bei einem modifizierten Takt im Vergleich zu den normalen Betriebsbedingungen beinhaltet.

3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Transferelemente (4) einer jeden Freigabeeinheit (2) unabhängig von den Transferelementen (4) der anderen Freigabeeinheiten (2) angetrieben und gesteuert werden können.

4. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Steuereinheit ausgelegt ist, um die Antriebsmittel so zu steuern, dass die Transferelemente (4) von zwei oder mehr Freigabeeinheiten (2), vorzugsweise von allen Freigabeeinheiten (2), unter normalen Betriebsbedingungen beim selben Takt betrieben werden.

5. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Antriebsmittel für eine jede Freigabeeinheit (2) einen Getriebemechanismus umfassen, der mit einer Vielzahl von Transferelementen (4) der Freigabeeinheit (2) und vorzugsweise mit allen Transferelementen (4) der Freigabeeinheit (2) verbunden ist, sodass die Transferelemente (4) gleichzeitig und/oder mit demselben Freigabetakt angetrieben werden.

6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Antriebsmittel für jede Freigabeeinheit (2) zudem einen jeweiligen Motor oder Steller umfassen, der unabhängig von den Motoren oder Stellern der anderen Freigabeeinheiten (2) gesteuert wird.

7. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Steuereinheit ausgelegt ist, um alle Freigabeeinheiten (2) unter normalen Betriebsbedingungen zu aktivieren.

8. Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei ein jedes Transferelement (4) ein rotatorisches Element umfasst, aufweisend einen Greifabschnitt (4a), der zwischen einer Greifposition, in der er einen Artikel (100) vom jeweiligen Zuführungskanal (3) aufnimmt, und einer Freigabeposition, die fluchtend zu einem jeweiligen Aufnahmesitz (7) des Förderers (6) angeordnet ist, um den Artikel (100) in den Aufnahmesitz (7) freizugeben, drehbar ist.

9. Verfahren zur Freigabe von stabförmigen Artikeln der tabakverarbeitenden Industrie auf einem Endlosförderer, insbesondere implementiert durch eine Vorrichtung nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, umfassend die folgenden Schritte:

- Zuführen einer Vielzahl von stabförmigen Artikeln (100) der tabakverarbeitenden Industrie zu einer Vielzahl von Freigabeeinheiten (2), wobei eine jede Freigabeeinheit (2) mindestens einen Zuführungskanal (3) aufweist, der mit einem jeweiliges Transferelement (4) assoziiert ist, das an einer Auslasssektion des Zuführungskanals (3) angeordnet ist;

- Bewirken, dass ein Betriebszweig (6a) eines Endlosförderers (6) unter den Transferelementen (4) vorgeschoben wird, sodass die Aufnahmesitze (7) des Förderers (6) fluchtend zu jeweiligen Transferelementen (4) der Freigabeeinheiten (2) angeordnet werden;

- Freigeben einer Abfolge von jeweiligen Artikeln (100) in einem bestimmten Takt von einem jedem Transferelement (4), sodass jeder von den Transferelementen (4) freigegebene Artikel (100) in einem jeweiligen Aufnahmesitz (7) des Förderers (6) aufgenommen wird, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass bei Betriebsstörungen oder dem Stopp von mindestens einer der Freigabeeinheiten (2) ein Ausgleichsprogramm aktiviert wird, wodurch der Schritt zum Freigeben der Artikel (100) von mindestens einer der funktionierenden Freigabeeinheiten (2) bei einem schnelleren Takt im Vergleich zu den normalen Betriebsbedingungen durchgeführt wird, das heißt im Vergleich zu den Betriebsbedingungen, bei denen keine von den Freigabeeinheiten (2) von einer Betriebsstörung betroffen oder stillgesetzt ist, sodass die kleinere Anzahl der funktionierenden Freigabeeinheiten (2) ausgeglichen wird.

10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, wobei der schnellere Freigabetakt während des Ausgleichsprogramms für alle funktionierenden Freigabeeinheiten (2) angewandt wird und vorzugsweise für alle funktionierenden Freigabeeinheiten (2) gleich ist.

11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, wobei der Schritt zum Freigeben der Artikel (100) von den Freigabeeinheiten (2) durchgeführt wird, indem mindestens einige der Freigabeeinheiten (2), vorzugsweise alle Freigabeeinheiten (2), unabhängig voneinander angetrieben werden, insbesondere durch jeweilige Motormittel, die unabhängig voneinander gesteuert werden.

12. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 9 bis 11, wobei die Transferelemente (4) der Freigabeeinheiten (2) unter normalen Betriebsbedingungen bei einem ersten Freigabetakt der jeweiligen Artikel (100) in die Aufnahmesitze (7) des Förderers (6) arbeiten, und wobei die Transferelemente (4) während des Ausgleichsprogramms bei einem Freigabetakt arbeiten, der höher ist als der erste Freigabetakt, wobei der erste und der zweite Freigabetakt niedriger sind als der maximale Freigabetakt der Transferelemente (4).

13. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 9 bis 12, wobei der Förderer (6) während des Ausgleichsprogramms bei derselben Geschwindigkeit vorgeschoben wird wie unter normalen Betriebsbedingungen.

14. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 9 bis 13, wobei alle Freigabeeinheiten (2) und insbesondere alle Transferelemente (4) der Freigabeeinheiten (2) unter normalen Betriebsbedingungen arbeiten, um jeweilige Artikel (100) in jeweilige Aufnahmesitze (7) des Endlosförderers (6) freizugeben.

15. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 9 bis 14, zudem umfassend einen Schritt zum Überwachen eines jeden Zuführungskanals (3), um etwaiges Blockieren oder fehlerhaftes Zuführen der Artikel im Zuführungskanal (3) zu erfassen, und bei Erfassung einer Betriebsstörung einen nachfolgenden Schritt zum Senden eines jeweiligen Identifizierungssignals in Bezug auf die erfasste Betriebsstörung an die Steuereinheit, wobei die Steuereinheit der Freigabeeinheit (2), die mit dem Signal assoziiert ist, einen "Störungszustand" zuordnet und das Ausgleichsprogramm aktiviert.

16. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 9 bis 15, wobei ein jedes Transferelement (4) ein rotatorisches Element umfasst, das sich um eine jeweilige Rotationsachse dreht, die rechtwinkelig zur Vorschubrichtung des Betriebszweigs (6a) des Endlosförderers (6) angeordnet ist, und wobei das rotatorische Element mit mindestens einem Umfangssitz (4a) versehen ist, um einen Artikel (100) vom jeweiligen Zuführungskanal (3) aufzunehmen und den Artikel (100) in einen jeweiligen Aufnahmesitz (7) des Endlosförderers (6) freizugeben, wobei jedes rotatorische Element vorzugsweise betriebswirksam um seine Achse nach aufeinanderfolgenden Rotationszyklen angetrieben wird, wobei die Drehzahl des rotatorischen Elements während eines jeden Zyklus variabel oder intermittierend ist.

17. Verfahren nach Anspruch 16, wobei mindestens ein rotatorisches Element von mindestens einer der funktionierenden Freigabeeinheiten (2) während des Ausgleichsprogramms um seine Achse bei einer Geschwindigkeit in Drehung versetzt wird, die höher ist als die entsprechende Drehzahl unter normalen Betriebsbedingungen, und wobei die höhere Drehzahl in mindestens einem Teilstück eines jeden Rotationszyklus des rotatorischen Elements angewandt wird.

18. Verfahren nach Anspruch 16, wobei ein jedes der rotatorischen Elemente intermittierend in Drehung um seine Achse versetzt wird, und wobei mindestens ein rotatorisches Element von mindestens einer der funktionierenden Freigabeeinheiten (2) während des Ausgleichsprogramms bei einer intermittierenden Drehzahl in Drehung versetzt wird, deren Stoppzeit kürzer ist als die entsprechende Stoppzeit unter normalen Betriebsbedingungen.

Revendications

1. Dispositif de libération d'articles en forme de tige de l'industrie du tabac sur un transporteur sans fin, comprenant :

- une pluralité d'unités de libération (2) reliées à une unité d'alimentation pour alimenter une pluralité d'articles en forme de tige (100) de l'industrie du tabac, chaque unité de libération (2) comportant au moins un canal d'alimentation (3) et, pour chaque canal d'alimentation (3), un organe de transfert (4) respectif disposé à une section de sortie du canal d'alimentation (3) ;

- un transporteur sans fin (6) comportant une branche opérationnelle (6a) pourvue d'une succession de sièges de réception (7) et disposée sous les organes de transfert (4) de telle manière que les sièges de réception (7) du transporteur (6) sont alignés avec les organes de transfert (4) respectifs des unités de libération (2) ;

- des moyens d'entraînement agissant sur les organes de transfert (4) pour libérer de chaque organe de transfert (4) une séquence d'articles respectifs (100) à une vitesse prédéterminée de telle sorte que chaque article (100) libéré des organes de transfert (4) soit reçu dans un siège de réception (7) respectif du transporteur (6) ;

caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une unité de commande reliée aux moyens d'entraînement pour régler la vitesse de libération des articles (100) à partir des organes de transfert (4), l'unité de commande étant configurée, en cas de dysfonctionnement ou d'arrêt d'au moins une des unités de libération (2), pour activer une routine de compensation dans laquelle au moins une des unités de libération (2) en fonctionnement est actionnée à une vitesse plus rapide par rapport aux conditions normales de fonctionnement, c'est-à-dire, par rapport aux conditions de fonctionnement où aucune des unités de libération (2) ne fonctionne mal ou ne s'est arrêtée, de manière à compenser le nombre plus petit d'unités de libération (2) en fonctionnement.

2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la routine de compensation activée par l'unité de commande implique de faire fonctionner chacune des unités de libération (2) en fonctionnement à une vitesse modifiée par rapport aux conditions normales de fonctionnement.

3. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel les organes de transfert (4) de chaque unité de libération (2) peuvent être entraînés et commandés indépendamment des organes de transfert (4) des autres unités de libération (2).

4. Dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'unité de commande est configurée pour commander les moyens d'entraînement de manière à actionner les organes de transfert (4) de deux ou plusieurs unités de libération (2), de préférence de toutes les unités de libération (2), à la même vitesse dans des conditions normales de fonctionnement.

5. Dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel, pour chaque unité de libération (2), les moyens d'entraînement comprennent un mécanisme de transmission relié à une pluralité d'organes de transfert (4) de l'unité de libération (2), et de préférence à tous les organes de transfert (4) de l'unité de libération (2), de manière à entraîner les organes de transfert (4) simultanément et/ou à la même cadence de libération.

6. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, dans lequel, pour chaque unité de libération (2), les moyens d'entraînement comprennent également un moteur ou un actionneur respectif commandé indépendamment des moteurs ou actionneurs des autres unités de libération (2).

7. Dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'unité de commande est configurée pour activer toutes les unités de libération (2) dans des conditions normales de fonctionnement.

8. Dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, dans lequel chaque organe de transfert (4) comprend un élément rotatif comportant une partie de préhension (4a) pouvant tourner entre une position de préhension, où elle reçoit un article (100) du canal d'alimentation (3) respectif, et une position de libération, alignée avec un siège de réception respectif (7) du transporteur (6) pour libérer l'article (100) dans le siège de réception (7).

9. Procédé de libération d'articles en forme de tige de l'industrie du tabac sur un transporteur sans fin, en particulier mis en œuvre par un dispositif selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, comprenant les étapes suivantes :

- alimenter une pluralité d'articles en forme de tige (100) de l'industrie du tabac à une pluralité d'unités de libération (2), chaque unité de libération (2) comportant au moins un canal d'alimentation (3) associé à un organe de transfert (4) respectif disposé à une section de sortie du canal d'alimentation (3) ;

- faire avancer une branche opérationnelle (6a) d'un transporteur sans fin (6) sous les organes de transfert (4) de telle manière que les sièges de réception (7) du transporteur (6) soient alignés avec les organes de transfert (4) respectifs des unités de libération (2) ;

- libérer de chaque organe de transfert (4) une séquence d'articles (100) respectifs à une vitesse prédéterminée de telle sorte que chaque article (100) libéré des organes de transfert (4) soit reçu dans un siège de réception (7) respectif du transporteur (6) ;

caractérisé en ce que, dans le cas d'un dysfonctionnement ou d'un arrêt d'au moins l'une des unités de libération (2), une routine de compensation est activée, par laquelle l'étape de libération des articles (100) à partir d'au moins l'une des unités de libération (2) en fonctionnement est exécutée à une vitesse plus rapide par rapport aux conditions normales de fonctionnement, c'est-à-dire par rapport aux conditions de fonctionnement où aucune des unités de libération (2) ne fonctionne mal ou ne s'est arrêtée, de manière à compenser le nombre inférieur d'unités de libération (2) en fonctionnement.

10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel, pendant la routine de compensation, la vitesse de libération plus rapide s'applique à toutes les unités de libération (2) en fonctionnement et est, de préférence, la même pour toutes les unités de libération (2) en fonctionnement.

11. Procédé selon la revendication 9 ou 10, dans lequel l'étape de libération des articles (100) des unités de libération (2) est réalisée en entraînant au moins certaines des unités de libération (2), de préférence toutes les unités de libération (2), indépendamment les unes des autres, en particulier par des moyens moteurs respectifs commandés indépendamment les uns des autres.

12. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes de 9 à 11, dans lequel, dans des conditions normales de fonctionnement, les organes de transfert (4) des unités de libération (2) fonctionnent à une première vitesse de libération des articles respectifs (100) dans les sièges de réception (7) du transporteur (6), et dans lequel, pendant la routine de compensation, les organes de transfert (4) fonctionnent à une vitesse de libération qui est supérieure à la première vitesse de libération, les première et deuxième vitesses de libération étant inférieures à une vitesse de libération maximale des organes de transfert (4).

13. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes de 9 à 12, dans lequel, pendant la routine de compensation, le transporteur (6) avance à la même vitesse que dans les conditions normales de fonctionnement.

14. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes de 9 à 13, dans lequel, dans les conditions normales de fonctionnement, toutes les unités de libération (2) et, en particulier, tous les organes de transfert (4) des unités de libération (2) fonctionnent pour libérer des articles respectifs (100) dans des sièges de réception (7) respectifs du transporteur sans fin (6).

15. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes de 9 à 14, comprenant de plus une étape de surveillance de chaque canal d'alimentation (3) pour détecter un éventuel blocage ou une alimentation incorrecte des articles dans le canal d'alimentation (3) et, si un dysfonctionnement est détecté, une étape ultérieure d'envoi à l'unité de commande d'un signal d'identification respectif relatif au dysfonctionnement détecté, l'unité de commande attribuant un état de « dysfonctionnement » à l'unité de libération (2) associée au signal et activant la routine de compensation.

16. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes de 9 à 15, dans lequel chaque organe de transfert (4) comprend un élément rotatif qui tourne autour d'un axe de rotation respectif perpendiculaire à la direction d'avancement de la branche opérationnelle (6a) du transporteur sans fin (6) et dans lequel l'élément rotatif est pourvu d'au moins un siège périphérique (4a) pour prélever un article (100) du canal d'alimentation (3) respectif et libérer l'article (100) dans un siège de réception (7) respectif du transporteur sans fin (6), chaque élément rotatif étant de préférence entraîné de manière fonctionnelle autour de son axe selon des cycles de rotation successifs dans lesquels, pendant chaque cycle, la vitesse de rotation de l'élément rotatif est variable ou intermittente.

17. Procédé selon la revendication 16, dans lequel, pendant la routine de compensation, au moins un élément rotatif d'au moins une des unités de libération (2) de fonctionnement est entraîné en rotation autour de son axe à une vitesse qui est supérieure à la vitesse de rotation correspondante dans des conditions normales de fonctionnement, et dans lequel la vitesse de rotation supérieure est appliquée dans au moins une portion de chaque cycle de rotation de l'élément rotatif.

18. Procédé selon la revendication 16, dans lequel chacun des éléments rotatifs est entraîné en rotation de manière intermittente autour de son axe et dans lequel, pendant la routine de compensation, au moins un élément rotatif d'au moins une des unités de libération (2) de fonctionnement est entraîné en rotation à une vitesse de rotation intermittente dont le temps d'arrêt est plus court que le temps d'arrêt correspondant dans des conditions normales de fonctionnement.

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