U.S. patent application number 13/575164 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-15 for driving apparatus for driving operative units of a packaging machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to GIMA S.P.A.. Invention is credited to Fiorenzo Draghetti.
Application Number | 20120285120 13/575164 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42634950 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120285120 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Draghetti; Fiorenzo |
November 15, 2012 |
DRIVING APPARATUS FOR DRIVING OPERATIVE UNITS OF A PACKAGING
MACHINE
Abstract
A driving apparatus (70) for driving an operative unit (24) of a
packaging machine comprises an electric motor (71) including a
rotor (72). The driving apparatus (70) also comprises an
articulated quadrilateral (75) interposed between and connecting
the rotor (72) and the operative unit (24) in order to transform a
rotational motion of the rotor (72) into an alternate motion of the
operative unit (24), thus rendering the driving apparatus (70)
safer and more reliable.
Inventors: |
Draghetti; Fiorenzo;
(Medicina (BO), IT) |
Assignee: |
GIMA S.P.A.
Zola Predosa (BO)
IT
|
Family ID: |
42634950 |
Appl. No.: |
13/575164 |
Filed: |
January 26, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
January 26, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2011/000117 |
371 Date: |
July 25, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 65/02 20130101;
B65B 19/223 20130101; B65B 19/228 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
53/203 |
International
Class: |
B65B 19/22 20060101
B65B019/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 26, 2010 |
IT |
MO2010A000016 |
Claims
1. A driving apparatus for driving at least an operative unit of a
packaging machine suitable to complete, in particular to transfer,
position or fold groups of smoking articles and relative wrap
sheets and inner containing elements, or collars, or their parts,
in order to package them in packets, comprising electric step motor
means and linearization means suitable to convert a rotational
motion into a linear motion, acting on said operative unit,
characterized in that said electric step motor mean comprises,
solid with the drive shaft, a rotor radially carrying an eccentric
pin, said eccentric pin acting on said linearization means, wherein
the movement of the eccentric pin which acts on the linearization
means corresponds to about 180.degree. determined by an alternate
to-and-fro rotation of the rotor wherein the rotor is associated to
a bearing which absorbs thrusts, said bearing being positioned in a
support mean, said support mean being solid with a bearing
structure.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the support mean supports
and positions the electric step motor.
5. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said linearization means
comprise an articulated quadrilateral.
6. The apparatus as in claim 5, wherein said articulated
quadrilateral comprises a connecting rod hinged on said pin.
7. The apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said articulated
quadrilateral comprises a rocker arm hinged at a free end of said
connecting rod.
8. The apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said articulated rocker arm
performs a respective work travel along a further circumference arc
(.alpha.).
9. The apparatus as in claim 5, and comprising a plurality of
levers, or a further articulated quadrilateral, interposed between
and connecting said articulated quadrilateral and said operative
unit.
10. The apparatus as in claim 6, and comprising a damper acting on
said connecting rod to damp oscillations of said connecting rod
beyond said work travel.
11. A packaging machine for forming packets of smoking articles, in
particular cigarettes, comprising a driving apparatus as defined in
claim 1.
Description
[0001] The invention concerns a driving apparatus for driving
operative units of a packaging machine, suitable to complete, in
particular to transfer, position or fold groups of smoking articles
and relative wrap sheets and inner containing elements or collars
or their parts, in order to packet them in packets.
[0002] The invention also concerns a packaging machine including
said driving apparatus.
[0003] Driving systems are known, for driving with alternate motion
operative units of a packaging machine comprising an electric motor
and a reducer interposed between and connecting the electric motor
and the operative unit to be driven. The reducer directly drives a
lever or a cam from which the desired motion is obtained.
[0004] The reducer is provided in order to reduce the moment of
inertia of the masses in movement, that is, of the operative units,
so that the moment of inertia does not exceed by determinate value
the moment of inertia of the rotor of the electric motor.
[0005] Indeed, if this value were to be exceeded, it would
seriously compromise the precision of the mechanical positioning of
the operative unit.
[0006] Moreover the reducer is needed so as to have a sufficient
torque available.
[0007] One defect of known driving systems is that in the event of
a breakdown, where the electricity supply is interrupted, the motor
of the operative unit, no longer slowed down by electric brakes,
can modify the driving angle of the lever so that the means which
it governs can enter into collision with parts of the machine,
damaging said parts and/or damaging themselves, even seriously.
[0008] It is also known that cams as such entail continuous
maintenance and costs both to produce them and to restore them, and
also that they increase consumption.
[0009] The levers also entail consumption, which is connected to
the torque which they must generate.
[0010] Furthermore, another defect of known driving systems is that
they are very unreliable and require maintenance, they entail high
consumption and they increase costs.
[0011] Indeed the reducer is subject to a lot of wear and to
frequent breakdowns, with the consequence that a frequent and
costly maintenance must be provided.
[0012] One purpose of the invention is to improve the driving
systems for driving operative units of a packaging machine.
[0013] A further purpose is to supply more reliable driving systems
with respect to known driving systems.
[0014] A further purpose is to achieve a command which has as few
pieces as possible and which requires the minimum maintenance
possible so as to have fewer spare parts, lower consumption and
better performance.
[0015] It is also a purpose of the invention to reduce the size of
the motor means, thus containing costs, bulk, weight and improving
performance. Indeed, by increasing the size of the motor means the
performance is by and large reduced and therefore consumption is
increased.
[0016] Another purpose is to contain and discharge the lateral and
tangential thrusts whether radial or not, which the movement and
feed systems discharge.
[0017] A further purpose is to prevent abnormal stresses from
acting on the bench bearings of the electric step motor.
[0018] The invention provides a driving apparatus to drive an
operative unit of a packaging machine as defined in the independent
claim 1.
[0019] Thanks to the use of a step motor of the brushless type,
applied directly to a rotor disc which performs an arc of
substantially around 180.degree., the torque required by a lever
which is moved by about 90.degree. is reduced by a half given the
same travel induced in the mechanisms downstream.
[0020] If the motor mean no longer responds correctly to commands
imparted to it, different travels do not occur in the mechanisms
downstream, since the travel induced remains always and only that
which depends on an angle of about 180.degree..
[0021] Moreover, thanks to the direct connection of the step motor
mean to the driving disc or rotor type, said driving apparatus is
more reliable with respect to known driving systems, requiring less
bulk, less maintenance, lower costs and less consumption.
[0022] The invention will be understood and actuated more easily
with reference to the attached drawings, which show some
non-restrictive examples of forms of embodiment wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a front schematic view of a first version of the
packaging machine;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a view like that in FIG. 1 of a second version of
a packaging machine;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic view from above, with some details
removed to highlight others better, of the packaging machine in
FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a front schematic view of a punched piece intended
to form an external casing of a packet of smoking articles;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a front schematic view of a group of smoking
articles;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a front schematic view of the group of smoking
articles in FIG. 5 wrapped in an inner wrap sheet,
[0029] FIG. 7 is a front schematic view of an inner containing
element, or collar, of a packet of smoking articles;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a front schematic view of a pocket included in the
packaging machine in FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a front schematic view of a further punched piece
intended to form an external casing of a further packet of smoking
articles;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a front schematic view of a further group of
smoking articles;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a front schematic view of the group of smoking
articles in FIG. 10 wrapped in an inner wrap sheet;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a front schematic view of a further inner
containing element, or collar of the further packet of smoking
articles;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a front schematic view of a further pocket
included in the packaging machine in FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 14 is a cross section of the pocket in FIG. 8;
[0037] FIG. 15 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 1;
[0038] FIG. 16 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 2;
[0039] FIG. 17 is a further enlarged detail of FIG. 2;
[0040] FIG. 18 is a front schematic view of the driving apparatus
according to the invention, as advantageously included in the
packaging machines in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0041] FIG. 19 is a variant of the solution in FIG. 18;
[0042] FIG. 20 shows the assembly of the apparatus in FIGS. 18 and
19;
[0043] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a packet of smoking
articles:
[0044] FIG. 1 shows a packaging machine 1 to package smoking
articles 2 (FIG. 5), in particular cigarettes, in packets 3 (FIG.
20), for example of a substantially parallelepiped shape.
[0045] The packets 3 are of the rigid type, comprising, once
formed, an inner wrap sheet 4 (FIG. 6), for example a sheet of
silver or metallized paper, housing and wrapping a group or
arrangement of cigarettes (FIG. 5).
[0046] The packets 3 also include a first wrap sheet 6, or inner
containing element, or collar, (FIG. 7), made of cardboard for
example, possibly coupled with a sheet of metal, at least partially
wrapping the inner wrap sheet 4, and disposed among other things to
stiffen the packet 1 and keep a lid 7 of the latter closed (FIG.
20).
[0047] Furthermore, the packets 3 comprise a second wrap sheet 8,
or punched piece (FIG. 4), intended to form the external walls of
the packets 3 and therefore to wrap the collar 6 and the group of
cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4.
[0048] The packaging machine 1 comprises a forming conveyor, of a
known type, not shown, to at least partially wrap the groups of
cigarettes 5 in relative inner wrap sheets 4.
[0049] The packaging machine 1 also includes movement means 9 (FIG.
3) to move the groups of cigarettes 5 at least partially wrapped in
the relative inner wrap sheets 4 in a movement direction M,
substantially horizontal.
[0050] In particular, the groups of cigarettes 5 are moved so that
the filters of the cigarettes are positioned upstream of the
tobacco of the cigarettes with respect to the movement direction
M.
[0051] The movement means 9 comprise an endless belt 10 closed in a
ring around two pulleys, not shown, rotatable around respective
horizontal axes and advancing with variable motion in the movement
direction M.
[0052] To be more exact, the movement means 9 are driven by an
electric motor, not shown.
[0053] The movement means 9 also comprise a plurality of abutment
elements 11, attached to the endless belt 10 and extending
transversely with respect to the movement direction M, disposed to
abut on a minor side 12 (FIG. 6) of the groups of cigarettes 5
wrapped in the relative inner wrap sheets 4 so as to move the
latter in the movement direction M.
[0054] The packaging machine 1 also comprises a wrapping wheel 13
(FIG. 1) to at least partially wrap each group of cigarettes 5,
previously wrapped by a relative inner wrap sheet 4, in a
respective collar 6 and in a respective second wrap sheet 8.
[0055] The wrapping wheel 13 is able to move the groups of
cigarettes 5 along a wrapping path P shown with the broken/dotted
line in FIG. 1.
[0056] Along the wrapping path P, substantially circular, around
each of the groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the relative inner
wrap sheets 4, a relative collar 6 and, at least partially, a
relative second wrap sheet 8 are folded.
[0057] The wrapping wheel 13 is made to rotate, step-wise, by an
electric motor, not shown, around an axis of rotation R
substantially parallel to the movement direction M.
[0058] The wrapping wheel 13 comprises a disc shaped body 15,
supporting a plurality of peripheral pockets 14 (FIG. 8) positioned
in a radial manner.
[0059] The peripheral pockets 14 comprise respective compartments
16 to receive, as will be described more fully hereafter, the
groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4, the
collars 6 and the second wrap sheets 8.
[0060] Each compartment 16 has an abutment profile 17 in the shape
of a "U".
[0061] Moreover, each peripheral pocket 14 comprises lateral walls
18 connected and positioned externally with respect to the abutment
profile 17.
[0062] Each peripheral pocket 14 is also provided with retaining
means, not shown, in order to hold the collars 6 against the
abutment profile 17. In particular, the retaining means comprise
one or more suction cups.
[0063] Furthermore, each peripheral pocket 14 comprises anchoring
means 19 (FIG. 14) in order to retain, in the compartment 16, the
groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4 and at
least partially by the collars 6.
[0064] The anchoring means 19 comprise an anchoring element 20,
also called "hoe" by persons of skill in the field, substantially
L-shaped, rotatable around a pin 21 between a release position, not
shown, which allows to insert into or withdraw from the compartment
16 the group of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4 and
at least partially by the collars 6, and a retaining position PT
(FIG. 14), in which it retains the groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped
by the inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially by the collars
6.
[0065] In particular, the anchoring element 20 is moved between the
release position and the retaining position PT by relative drive
means, not shown.
[0066] The packaging machine 1 also comprises transfer means 22
(FIG. 1) to transfer the groups of cigarettes wrapped by the inner
wrap sheet 4 from the movement means 9 to the wrapping wheel 13. To
be more exact, the transfer means 22 transfer the groups of
cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4 in a transfer
direction T which is radial with respect to the wrapping path
P.
[0067] In particular, the transfer direction T is substantially
perpendicular to the movement direction M.
[0068] The transfer means 22 comprise a first thruster element 23
and a second thruster element 24 cooperating with each other in
order to retain and insert in succession into each compartment 16,
one of the groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet
4.
[0069] In particular the first thruster element 23 and the second
thruster element 24 are driven with alternate motion, as will be
explained in more detail hereafter, and, in plane, have a shape
such that they are able to be inserted, without knocking against
the walls, into a passage, not shown, made inside the peripheral
pockets 14.
[0070] The groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4
are inserted into a relative compartment 16 so that a bigger side
50 (FIG. 14) of the groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped in the inner
wrap sheets 4 faces the respective compartment 16.
[0071] The first thruster element 23 and the second thruster
element 24, mutually facing, are slidingly supported respectively
by the movement means 9 and by the wrapping wheel 13 and are
positioned in correspondence to a first loading station PSC of the
wrapping wheel 13.
[0072] The packaging machine 1 also comprises positioning means 25
(FIGS. 1 and 15) to position in succession a respective collar 6 in
each compartment 16.
[0073] In particular, the positioning means 25, disposed in
correspondence to a second loading station SSC of the wrapping
wheel 13, are driven with alternate motion, as will be explained
more fully hereafter, and move the collars 6 in a direction D,
which is substantially rectilinear and radial with respect to the
wrapping path P.
[0074] In particular the second loading station SSC is positioned
upstream of the first loading station PSC with respect to the
wrapping path P.
[0075] The positioning means 25 include a punch element 41
conformed so as to be able to be inserted, at least partially, in a
compartment 16, and provided with one or more suction cups, not
shown, in order to retain and move, one at a time, the collars
6.
[0076] The packaging machine 1 also comprises further transfer
means 26 (FIG. 1) to transfer in succession each second wrap sheet
8 onto a relative peripheral pocket 14 above a respective group of
cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially
wrapped by a collar 6.
[0077] In particular the further transfer means 26 are positioned
in correspondence to a third loading station TSC of the wrapping
wheel 13, the third loading station TSC being positioned downstream
of the first loading station PSC with respect to the wrapping path
P.
[0078] The further transfer means 26 comprise a transfer wheel 27
provided radially with a plurality of retaining elements 28
disposed in order to each retain a respective second wrap sheet
8.
[0079] In particular the transfer wheel 27 is able to move the
second wrap sheets 8 by means of the retaining elements 28, along a
movement path PM, shown with a broken/dotted line in FIG. 1,
substantially circular and substantially coplanar to the wrapping
path P.
[0080] Furthermore, the transfer wheel 27 is made to rotate
step-wise by an electric motor, not shown, around an axis W
substantially parallel to the rotation axis R.
[0081] To be more exact, the direction of rotation of the transfer
wheel 27 is opposite to the direction of rotation of the wrapping
wheel 13.
[0082] The further transfer means 26 also comprise a first transfer
arm 29 in order to transfer in succession the second wrap sheets 8
between a store 30 of second wrap sheets 8 and one of the retaining
elements 28.
[0083] In particular the first transfer arm 29 is driven with
alternate motion, as will be described more fully hereafter, and
rotates around a first rotation axis A 1 substantially parallel to
the axis W.
[0084] The further transfer means 26 are also provided with a
second transfer arm 31 in order to transfer in succession the
second wrap sheets 8 between one of the retaining elements 28 and a
relative peripheral pocket 14 above a group of cigarettes 5 packed
in the inner wrapping paper 4 and at least partially wrapped by a
collar 6.
[0085] In particular the second transfer arm 31 is driven with
alternate motion, as will be explained more fully hereafter, and
rotates around a second axis of rotation A2 substantially parallel
to the axis W.
[0086] To be more exact, the second transfer arm 31 moves the
second wrap sheets 8 along a transfer trajectory TT, shown with a
broken/dotted line in FIG. 1, substantially rectilinear and radial
with respect to the wrapping path P.
[0087] Furthermore, the second transfer arm 31 comprises an end
portion 32, having a profile like a "C", in order to fold toward
the inside peripheral zones 33 (FIG. 4) of each second wrap sheet 8
and make them abut against respective lateral walls 18 of a
relative peripheral pocket 14.
[0088] The packaging machine 1 also comprises a further wrapping
wheel 34 (FIG. 1), of the known type and therefore not described in
detail, in order to complete the folding of the second wrap sheets
8 around the groups of cigarettes 5, previously wrapped in the
inner wrap sheets 4 and in the collars 6, so as to form the packets
3.
[0089] In particular, the further wrapping wheel 34 is able to move
the groups of cigarettes 5, packed in the inner wrap sheets 4 and
wrapped in the collars 6 and, at least partially, in the second
wrap sheets 8, along a further wrapping path UP, shown with a
broken/dotted line in FIG. 1, substantially circular, along which,
around each of the groups of cigarettes 5, previously wrapped in a
relative inner wrap sheet 4 and in a collar 6, a relative second
wrap sheet 8 is completely folded in order to form the packet
3.
[0090] In particular, the further wrapping wheel 34 is made to
rotate step-wise by an electric motor, not shown, around a further
axis of rotation UR substantially parallel to the axis of rotation
R; the direction of rotation of the further wrapping wheel 34 is
opposite the direction of rotation of the wrapping wheel 13.
[0091] Furthermore, the further wrapping wheel 34 is substantially
coplanar to the wrapping wheel 13 and the transfer wheel 27.
[0092] The further wrapping wheel 34 comprises a further discoid
body 35, supporting a plurality of further peripheral pockets 36
positioned radially so as to receive the groups of cigarettes 5
packed in the inner wrap sheets 4 and wrapped by the collars 6 and
by the second wrap sheets 8.
[0093] The packaging machine 1 also comprises other transfer means
37 (FIG. 1) in order to transfer, in succession, a relative group
of cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4 and at least
partially wrapped by a collar 6 and by a second wrap sheet 8, from
each of the peripheral pockets 14 to each of the further peripheral
pockets 36.
[0094] To be more exact, the other transfer means 37 transfer the
groups of cigarettes 5 packed in inner wrap sheets 4 and at least
partially wrapped by collars 6 and by second wrap sheets 8, in a
further transfer direction UT which is radial with respect to the
wrapping path P.
[0095] In particular, the further transfer direction UT is
transverse to the movement direction M and is substantially
coplanar to the transfer direction T.
[0096] The other transfer means 37 comprise a further first
thruster element 38 and a further second thruster element 39
cooperating with each other to retain, and insert in succession
into each further peripheral pocket 36, a relative group of
cigarettes 5, packed in an inner wrap sheet 4 and at least
partially wrapped by a collar 6 and by a second wrap sheet 8.
[0097] In particular, the further first thruster element 38 and the
further second thruster element 39 are driven with alternate
motion, as will be explained more fully hereafter, and, in plane,
have a shape such as to be able to be inserted, without knocking
against the walls, into passages (not shown) made inside the
peripheral pockets 14 and the further peripheral pockets 36.
[0098] The groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheet 4
are inserted into a relative further peripheral pocket 36 so that
the relative second wrap sheet 8 faces, with a face 60 (FIG. 14), a
relative further peripheral pocket 36, a further face 61 of the
second wrap sheet 8, opposite the above face 60, facing a further
bigger side 51 (FIG. 14), opposite the bigger side 50, of the
groups of cigarettes 5 wrapped in the relative inner wrap sheets
4.
[0099] The further first thruster element 38 and the further second
thruster element 39, mutually facing, are slidingly supported
respectively by the wrapping wheel 13 and by the further wrapping
wheel 34 and are positioned in correspondence to an unloading
station SS of the loading wheel 13.
[0100] The unloading station SS is positioned downstream of the
third loading station TSC along the wrapping path P.
[0101] The packaging machine 1 also comprises an unloading conveyor
40 (FIG. 1), of the known type and therefore not described in
detail, to pick up the packets 3 formed by the further wrapping
wheel 34 and to unload them radially from the packaging machine
1.
[0102] During functioning, the positioning means 25 radially
position a respective collar 6, in succession, in each empty
peripheral pocket 14, in correspondence to the second loading
station SSC.
[0103] Each collar 6 is subsequently retained, by means of the
above retaining means, against the abutment profile 17, the punch
element 41 and the abutment profile 17 cooperating to fold each
collar 6 to a "U".
[0104] Subsequently, the collars 6 are moved along the wrapping
path P and are stopped in succession in correspondence to the first
loading station PSC.
[0105] In the first loading station PSC the transfer means 22
radially transfer, in succession, each group of cigarettes 5,
previously at least partially packed in a relative inner wrap sheet
4, from the movement means 9 to the wrapping wheel 13 in a
respective compartment 16 retaining a collar 6.
[0106] In this way, each group of cigarettes 5 packed in a relative
inner wrap sheet 4 is wrapped on three sides by a respective collar
6.
[0107] Subsequently again, the anchoring means 19 of the peripheral
pocket 14 positioned in the first loading station PSC are moved
from the release position to the retaining position PT, so as to
keep anchored to the peripheral pocket 14 the group of cigarettes 5
packed in the inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially wrapped,
that is, on three sides, by the collar 6.
[0108] Subsequently, the groups of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner
wrap sheets 4 and at least partially wrapped by the collars 6 are
moved along the wrapping path P and are stopped in succession in
correspondence to the third loading station TSC.
[0109] In the third loading station TSC the further transfer means
26 transfer radially, in succession, each second wrap sheet 8 onto
a relative peripheral pocket 14 above a relative group of
cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially
wrapped by a respective collar 6.
[0110] In correspondence to the third loading station TSC, the
retaining means of the peripheral pocket 14 are driven, positioned
in correspondence to the lateral walls 18, in order to retain the
second wrap sheet 8 anchored to the peripheral pocket 14.
[0111] Subsequently the group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner
wrap sheets 4 and at least partially wrapped by the collars 6 and
by the second wrap sheets are moved along the wrapping path P and
are stopped in succession in correspondence to the unloading
station SS.
[0112] In the unloading station SS the retaining means of the
peripheral pocket 14 are released and the anchoring means 19 are
moved into the release position, so as to allow the other transfer
means 37 to transfer radially, in succession, a relative group of
cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially
wrapped by a collar 6 and by a second wrap sheet 8, from each of
the peripheral pockets 14 to each of the further peripheral pockets
36.
[0113] Subsequently again, each group of cigarettes 5 packed in an
inner wrap sheet 4 and at least partially wrapped by a collar 6 and
by a second wrap sheet 8 is moved by the further wrapping wheel 34
along the further wrapping path UP along which, around each of the
groups of cigarettes 5, a relative second wrap sheet 8 is wrapped
in order to form the packet 3.
[0114] Subsequently, the packets 3 thus formed are radially
transferred to the unloading conveyor 40 and unloaded from the
packaging machine 1.
[0115] In one version of the invention, not shown, the axis of
rotation R is substantially perpendicular to the movement direction
M.
[0116] In a further version of the invention, shown in FIG. 2, the
packaging machine 1 is modified so as to be able to fold collars
106 (FIG. 12) around four sides of the groups of cigarettes 5
packed in the inner wrap sheets 4.
[0117] In this further version, the peripheral pockets 14 are
substituted by other peripheral pockets 114 on the wrapping wheel
13 (FIG. 13).
[0118] It should be noted that different types of peripheral
pockets can be assembled on the wrapping wheel 13, depending on the
format of the packets 3 to be made.
[0119] In other words the peripheral pockets can have different
formats.
[0120] Each peripheral pocket 114 comprises a compartment 116
including an abutment profile 117 in the shape of a "U".
[0121] Moreover, each peripheral pocket 114 comprises external
walls 118 connected and positioned externally with respect to the
abutment profile 117.
[0122] In particular the external walls 118 are inclined toward the
outside.
[0123] Each peripheral pocket 114 is also provided with retaining
means 150, structurally and functionally similar to the retaining
means of the peripheral pockets 14, in order to retain the collars
106 against the abutment profile 117.
[0124] In particular the retaining means comprise several suction
cups 150.
[0125] Each peripheral pocket 114 is also provided with anchoring
means 19, not shown.
[0126] Furthermore, in the further version of the packaging machine
1 the positioning means 25 include folding means 151 (FIG. 16).
[0127] The folding means comprise a folding element 151, having a
"C" shape, in order to fold toward the outside end zones 152 of the
collars 106 (FIG. 12).
[0128] In particular, the ends of the folding element 151 have a
complementary profile with respect to a profile of the external
walls 118.
[0129] In this version, moreover, the packaging machine 1 comprises
operating means 155 (FIGS. 2 and 17) to fold the end zones 152
toward the inside, so that each collar 106 wraps on four sides the
relative group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4,
and to keep the end zones pressed against the relative group of
cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4.
[0130] The operating means 155 are positioned in correspondence to
a folding station SP (FIG. 2) of the wrapping wheel 13, the folding
station SP being positioned between the first loading station PSC
and the third loading station TSC along the wrapping path P.
[0131] The operating means 155 comprise a first arm element 153 and
a second arm element 154.
[0132] The first arm element 153 and the second arm element 154 are
connected to each other by means of suitable levers and are mobile,
with alternate motion, between a spread position P1 and a closed
position P2, shown with a line of dashes in FIG. 17.
[0133] During use, during the movement between the spread position
P1 and the closed position P2, the first arm element 153 and the
second arm element 154 cooperate in order to fold toward the inside
the end zones 152 so that each collar 106 wraps on four sides the
relative group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4,
and in order to keep the end zones pressed against the relative
group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4.
[0134] During functioning, the positioning means 25 position a
respective collar 106 radially, in succession, in each empty
peripheral pocket 114, in correspondence to the second loading
station SSC.
[0135] Each collar 106 is pressed and folded by means of the punch
element 41 and the folding element 151, respectively against the
abutment profile 117 and the external walls 118.
[0136] Subsequently, the collar 116 is retained, by means of the
above retaining means 150, against the abutment profile 117 and
against the external walls 118 of the relative peripheral pocket
114.
[0137] Subsequently again, the collars 106 are moved along the
wrapping path P and are stopped in succession in correspondence to
the first loading station PSC.
[0138] In the first loading station PSC the transfer means 22
transfer radially, in succession, each group of cigarettes 5 packed
in a relative inner wrap sheet 4, from the movement means 9 to the
wrapping wheel 13 into a respective compartment 116 retaining a
collar 106.
[0139] In this way, each group of cigarettes 5 packed in a relative
inner wrap sheet 4 is wrapped on three sides by a respective collar
106.
[0140] Subsequently again, the anchoring means 19 of the peripheral
pocket 114 positioned in the first loading station PSC are moved
from the release position to the retaining position PT, so as to
retain the group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4,
and at least partially wrapped, that is, on three sides, by the
collar 106, anchored to the peripheral pocket 114.
[0141] Subsequently, the groups of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner
wrap sheets 4, and at least partially wrapped by the collars 106,
are moved along the wrapping path P and are stopped in succession
in correspondence to the folding station SP.
[0142] In the folding station SP the first arm element 153 and the
second arm element 154 cooperate to fold toward the inside the end
zones 152 so that each collar 106 wraps on four sides the relative
group of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner wrap sheet 4, and to keep
the end zones pressed against the relative group of cigarettes 5
packed in the inner wrap sheet 4.
[0143] Subsequently, the groups of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner
wrap sheets 4, and wrapped on four sides by the collars 106, are
moved along the wrapping path P and are stopped in succession in
correspondence to the third loading station TSC.
[0144] In the third loading station TSC the further transfer means
26 transfer radially, in succession, each second wrap sheet 8 onto
a relative peripheral pocket 114 above the relative group of
cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4, and at least
partially wrapped, that is, on four sides, by a respective collar
106.
[0145] In correspondence to the third loading station TSC, the
retaining means 150 of the peripheral pocket 114 positioned in
correspondence to the lateral walls 118 are driven, in order to
retain the second wrap sheet 8 anchored to the peripheral pocket
114.
[0146] In particular, each peripheral zone 33 of a second wrap
sheet 8 is pressed by the respective end of the end portion 32,
having a complementary profile with respect to a profile of the
external walls 118, against a relative external wall 118, and is
retained against the latter by the retaining means 150.
[0147] Subsequently, the groups of cigarettes 5 packed in the inner
wrap sheets 4, and wrapped on four sides by the collars 106 and at
least partially by the second wrap sheets 8, are moved along the
wrapping path P and are stopped in succession in correspondence to
the unloading station SS.
[0148] In the unloading station SS the retaining means 150 of the
peripheral pocket 114 are released and the anchoring means 19 are
driven in the release position, so as to allow the other transfer
means 37 to transfer radially, in succession, a relative group of
cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet 4, and at least
partially wrapped by a collar 106 and by a second wrap sheet 8,
from each of the peripheral pockets 114 to each of the further
peripheral pockets 36.
[0149] Subsequently again, each group of cigarettes 5 packed in an
inner wrap sheet 4, and wrapped on four sides by a collar 106 and
at least partially by a second wrap sheet 8, is moved by the
further wrapping wheel 34 along the further wrapping path UP along
which a relative second wrap sheet 8 is completely folded around
each of the groups of cigarettes 5 in order to form the packet
3.
[0150] Subsequently the packets 3 thus formed are transferred
radially to the unloading conveyor 40 and unloaded from the
packaging machine 1.
[0151] It should be noted that thanks to the second loading station
SSC and to the third loading station TSC it is possible to reduce
the bulk of the packaging machine 1 comprising the wrapping wheel
13.
[0152] Indeed, the second loading station SSC and the third loading
station TSC allow to load in succession, on a single wrapping wheel
13, both the first wrap sheets 6, 106, for example collars, and
also the second wrap sheets 8, for example outer wrap sheets, and
therefore to wrap, at least partially, the groups of cigarettes 5
packed in an inner wrap sheet 4, on a single wrapping wheel 13.
[0153] In other words, this makes it possible to wrap, at least
partially, the groups of cigarettes 5 packed in an inner wrap sheet
4, on a single wrapping wheel 13 instead of on two wrapping
conveyors, that is, the first and the second conveyor provided in
the packaging machine described in IT1158537, which makes it no
longer necessary to have the two separate wrapping conveyors with
the respective loading/unloading stations.
[0154] It is obvious that, as well as reducing the bulk of the
packaging machine 1 as described above, this makes the latter even
more simple structurally and less costly with respect to known
packaging machines.
[0155] Moreover, thanks to the transfer means 22 it is possible to
render the packaging machine 1 even more compact with respect to
known packaging machines.
[0156] Indeed, the transfer means 22 allow to transfer the groups
of cigarettes 5 wrapped by the inner wrap sheets 4 in the transfer
direction T which is radial with respect to the wrapping path P,
thus reducing a transverse bulk of the packaging machine 1.
[0157] In this case, the transfer means 22 are positioned and act
radially with respect to the wrapping wheel 13 and not, as
described with reference to known packaging machines, at the rear
with respect to the first wrapping conveyor.
[0158] According to the invention a driving apparatus 70 is
provided to drive at least an operative unit 23, 24, 25, 29, 31,
38, 39, 155 of the packaging machine 1, suitable to transfer,
position or fold groups 5 of smoking articles 2 and relative wrap
sheets 4, 8 and collars 6, 106, or their parts, in order to pack
them in packets 3.
[0159] The driving apparatus 70 includes linearization means
suitable to convert a rotational motion into a linear motion and
acting on the operative groups 23, 24, 25, 29, 31, 38, 39, 155.
[0160] In some forms of embodiment, the linearization means
comprise an articulated quadrilateral.
[0161] In other forms of embodiment, the linearization means
comprise a direct connection with the desired operative group,
providing guide means suitable to accompany and guide the linear
movement thereof.
[0162] With reference to FIG. 18 a driving apparatus 70 is shown,
to drive the second thruster element 24 between a retracted
position PR, shown with a line of dashes, and an extracted position
PE.
[0163] The driving apparatus 70 comprises an electric motor 71,
driven step-wise and directly connected to a rotor disc 72 made
solid with the drive shaft 71a, said electric motor 71 being
controlled by remote control, command and programming means as will
be more fully explained hereafter.
[0164] The linearization means of the driving apparatus 70 act, in
this case, on the second thruster 24.
[0165] In some forms of embodiment, the linearization means include
an articulated quadrilateral 75 connected to the rotor 72, which is
able to rotate, in this case forward and backward, by around
180.degree.. The articulated quadrilateral 75 comprises a pin 74,
mounted eccentric to the desired value on the rotor 72 and acting
as a handle, a connecting rod 73 hinged to the pin 74, and a rocker
arm 78 hinged to the connecting rod 73, the last element of the
articulated quadrilateral 75 being fixed and defined by a portion
of a base 90 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) of the packaging machine 1
[0166] The movement of the eccentric pin 74 which acts at least on
the articulated quadrilateral 75 corresponds to about
180.degree..
[0167] Advantageously, the movement of about 180.degree. of the
eccentric pin 34 is determined by an alternate to-and-fro rotation
of the rotor 72.
[0168] In particular the rocker arm 78 is hinged at its first end
to a first hinge 81, to which a free end of the connecting rod 73
is also hinged, and at a further first end to a second hinge 82,
the second hinge 82 being attached to the base 90 of the packaging
machine 1.
[0169] During functioning, as we said, the pin 74, driven in
rotation by the rotor 72, performs an alternate rotational motion
along a circumference arc, defining the work travel of the pin 74,
of an amplitude substantially equal to 180.degree..
[0170] In its turn the connecting rod 73, driven by the pin 74,
performs a roto-translatory motion, while the rocker arm 78, driven
by the connecting rod 73, performs an alternate rotational motion
along a work arc .alpha., defining the work travel of the rocker
arm 78.
[0171] In particular the work arc .alpha. has an amplitude of less
than 180.degree.; the amplitude determines the work travel effected
by the second thruster element 24 between the retracted position PR
and the extracted position PE.
[0172] The driving apparatus 70 also comprises a plurality of
levers 77, 79, 80 interposed between and connecting the articulated
quadrilateral 75 and the second thruster element 24. The levers
comprise a first lever 79, a second lever 80 and a third lever
77.
[0173] The first lever 79, hinged to the second hinge 82, is
rigidly connected to the rocker arm 78.
[0174] In this way, when functioning, the rocker arm 78 and the
first lever 79 form a rigid element in the shape of an "L",
rotatable around the second hinge 82.
[0175] The free end of the first lever 79 is in its turn hinged, by
means of a third hinge 83, to the second lever 80, which is hinged
by means of a fourth hinge 84 to the third lever 77 supporting the
second thruster element 24, the connecting rod 73 with the rocker
arm 78, the first lever 79 with the third lever 80, and the latter
with the third lever 77 forming turning pairs.
[0176] The third lever 77 is in turn sliding in a guide 85, forming
a prismatic pair with it.
[0177] The driving apparatus 70 may also comprise, as a
precautionary measure, a damper 86 in order to damp the travel of
the connecting rod 73.
[0178] In one version of the invention, not shown, the driving
apparatus 70 is not provided with the damper 86.
[0179] As mentioned before, when in use the rotor 72 drives the pin
74 with an alternate rotational motion along the arc of the
circumference.
[0180] In its turn the pin 74 moves the connecting rod 73 with
roto-translatory motion and the connecting rod 73 drives the rocker
arm 78 with an alternate rotational motion along the work arc
.alpha., the rocker arm 78 moving with alternate motion, by means
of the levers 77, 79 and 80, the second thruster element 24 between
the retracted position PR and the extracted position PE.
[0181] In this way, the articulated quadrilateral 75 transforms the
rotational motion of the rotor 72 into an alternate motion of the
second thruster element 24.
[0182] A driving apparatus similar to the driving apparatus 70
described above, and therefore not shown, can be used according to
the invention to move the first thruster element 23, the further
first thruster element 38, the further second thruster element 39
and the operating means 155.
[0183] With reference to FIG. 19 a variant of the driving apparatus
70 in FIG. 18 is shown; this one too is able to drive the punch
element 41, and where present, the folding element 151 of the
positioning means 25, in the direction D between a retracted
position PF and a forward position, not shown.
[0184] The variant of the driving apparatus 70 also comprises the
basic inventive idea where there is an electric step motor 71,
solid with the rotor 72.
[0185] In the case of FIG. 19, the rotor drives the articulated
quadrilateral 75 connected to the rotor 72, the articulated
quadrilateral 75 comprising the pin 74, assembled eccentric with
respect to the rotor 72 and acting as a handle, the connecting rod
73 hinged to the pin 74, and the rocker arm 78 hinged to the
connecting rod 73, the last element of the articulated
quadrilateral 75 being fixed and defined by a portion of a base 90
(FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) of the packaging machine 1.
[0186] In particular the rocker arm 78 is hinged at a first end to
the first hinge 81 to which a free end of the connecting rod 73 is
also hinged, and at its other first end to the second hinge 82,
shown here with a line of dashes, the second hinge 82 being
attached to the base 90 of the packaging machine 1.
[0187] During functioning, the pin 74, driven in rotation by the
rotor 72, performs an alternate rotational motion along the
circumference arc, defining the work travel of the pin 74, with an
amplitude substantially equal to 180.degree..
[0188] In turn the connecting rod 73, driven by the pin 74,
performs a roto-translatory motion, while the rocker arm 78, driven
by the connecting rod 73, performs an alternate rotational motion
along the work arc .alpha., defining the work travel of the rocker
arm 78.
[0189] In particular the work arc .alpha. has an amplitude of less
than 180.degree.; the amplitude determines the work travel
performed by the punch element 41, and where present, by the
folding element 151 of the positioning means 25, between the
retracted position PF and the forward position.
[0190] The variant also provides, instead of the levers 77, 79, 80
a further articulated quadrilateral 92, interposed between and
connecting the articulated quadrilateral 75 and the punch element
41 and where present, the folding element 151 of the positioning
means 25.
[0191] The movements of the linearization means, for example both
the articulated quadrilateral 75 and the articulated quadrilateral
92, are generated by the rotation of the rotor 72, which transmits
them by means of the pin 74. However, these movements would
generate thrusts and counter thrusts both radial, tangential and
torsional, which would unload on the bench bearings 69 of the
electric motor 71.
[0192] Such a situation would easily cause wear, and the need to
adapt a greater size of the electric motor 71.
[0193] To obviate this, the rotor 72 is associated to a bearing 76
which absorbs the thrusts, so that said thrusts are absorbed by a
support plate 87 which positions the bearing 76 with respect to the
shaft 71a of the motor 71.
[0194] The bearing 76 can, according to some forms of embodiment,
be of the roller type, the barrel type or the double sphere type,
according to necessities.
[0195] The support plate 87 can be supported and positioned by a
bearing structure, not shown in the drawings, or be associated to
the electric motor 71, so as to create a single body and also act
as a positioning and support flange of the electric motor 71.
[0196] In particular the motor 71 is mounted on the support plate
87 by means of screws 88 and the support plate 87 is fixed, in
turn, to the base 90 by means of small pillars 89, in this case,
three.
[0197] The association between rotor 72 and bearing 76 can occur as
in FIG. 20, or an appropriate seating can be provided in the rotor
72.
[0198] FIG. 20, in particular, shows the assembly of the bearing 76
around the shaft 71a of the motor 71 by means of a key 65.
[0199] The key 65 is tightened thanks to a tool, like a spanner or
screwdriver, which can be inserted along a hole 66 in order to act
on a screw 67 housed through a cut 68 in the support 87.
[0200] The articulated quadrilateral 92 comprises a first rocker
arm 93, a member 94, a second rocker arm 95 and a further
connecting rod 96, the further connecting rod 96 supporting at one
end 10 the punch element 41 and possibly the folding element
151.
[0201] The first rocker arm 93, hinged to the second hinge 82, is
rigidly connected to the rocker arm 78.
[0202] In this way the rocker arm 78 and the first rocker arm 93
form a rigid element in the shape of a widened "L", rotatable
around the second hinge 82.
[0203] The articulated quadrilateral 92 also comprises a third
hinge 162 fixed to the base 90 of the packaging machine 1, the
second hinge 82 and the third hinge 162 being connected by the
member 94.
[0204] In this way, when in use, the member 94 is fixed with
respect to the base 90.
[0205] The second rocker arm 95 is also hinged to the third hinge
162.
[0206] The free end of the second rocker arm 95 is in its turn
hinged, by means of a fourth hinge 163, to the further connecting
rod 96, the latter being connected, in an adjustable manner, with a
free end of the first rocker arm 93 by means of a fifth hinge
120.
[0207] The connecting rod 73 with the rocker arm 78 and the first
rocker arm 93 with the member 94, the second rocker arm 95 and the
further connecting rod 96 form turning pairs.
[0208] In this variant too, the damper 86 is also provided to damp
possible extra travels of the connecting rod 73.
[0209] In one version of the variant, not shown, the damper 86 is
not present.
[0210] During use, the rotor 72 drives the pin 74 with alternate
rotational motion along the arc of the circumference.
[0211] In turn, the pin 74 moves the connecting rod 73 with a
roto-translatory motion and the connecting rod 73 drives the rocker
arm 78 with an alternate rotational motion along the work arc
.alpha., the rocker arm 78 moving, with alternate motion and by
means of the further articulated quadrilateral 92, the punch
element 41 and when present the folding element 151 of the
positioning means 25, between the retracted position PF and the
forward position.
[0212] In this way the articulated quadrilateral 75 transforms the
rotational motion of the rotor 72 into an alternate motion of the
punch element 41 and possibly of the folding element 151 of the
positioning means 25.
[0213] In the event of malfunctioning, the damper 86 damps the
possible extra travel of the connecting rod 73.
[0214] A driving apparatus similar to the driving apparatus 70
described above, and therefore not shown, can be used to move the
first transfer arm 29 and the second transfer arm 31.
[0215] It should be noted how the articulated quadrilateral 75
allows to improve the known drive systems.
[0216] In fact, the articulated quadrilateral 75, in the event of a
malfunction, intrinsically limits the movements of the operative
unit to which it is connected, which prevents the latter from
knocking against other parts of the packaging machine 1.
[0217] Moreover, thanks to the articulated quadrilateral 75
described above, the driving apparatus 70 is more reliable than
known driving systems.
[0218] Indeed, the articulated quadrilateral 75 acts as a reducer,
reducing the moment of inertia of the moving masses, that is, the
operative unit to which it is connected, so that the moment of
inertia does not exceed a determinate value of moment of inertia of
the rotor 72.
[0219] It is obvious that for this reason the reducer used in known
driving systems is no longer necessary.
[0220] Furthermore, the moderate deterioration of the turning pairs
described above allows to reduce to a great extent the frequency of
maintenance operations.
[0221] In one version of the invention, not shown, instead of or
together with the transfer wheel 27, one or more conveyors are
provided, equipped with respective retaining elements disposed to
each retain a respective second wrap sheet 8.
[0222] Furthermore, the conveyors, substantially coplanar to the
wrapping wheel 13, to the further wrapping wheel 34 and where
present to the transfer wheel 27, are driven in rotation step-wise
by an electric motor, not shown, around respective axes
substantially parallel to the axis of rotation R.
[0223] Furthermore, the packaging machine 1 comprises a management
and control unit, not shown, in order to manage and command the
electric motors 71 of the first thruster element 23, of the second
thruster element 24, of the further first thruster element 38, of
the further second thruster element 39, of the positioning means
25, of the operating means 155, of the first transfer arm 29, of
the second transfer arm 31 and the electric motors of the movement
means 9, of the wrapping wheel 13, of the transfer wheel 27, of the
conveyors and of the further wrapping wheel 34.
* * * * *