Centering device for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry
View Patent ↗An apparatus ( 10, 20, 30, 40 ) for shifting of rod-shaped articles ( 4, 4 ′) of different lengths or rod-shaped article groups ( 6 ) of different total lengths on a drum conveyor ( 2 ), comprising a pushing unit ( 5, 25, 35 ) mounted angularly to the axis of rotation of the drum conveyor ( 2 ), forcing the movement of the rod-shaped articles ( 4, 4 ′), whereas the pushing unit ( 5, 25, 35 ) comprises rotational pushing elements ( 11, 21, 31 ) for shifting of the rod-shaped articles ( 4, 4 ′), characterised in that the pushing unit ( 5, 25, 35 ) is movably mounted in a direction being substantially transverse to the axis of the flute ( 3 ) of the drum conveyor ( 2 ) so as to shift the rod-shaped-articles ( 4, 4 ′) or the rod-shaped article groups ( 6 ) inside the flute ( 3 ) of the drum conveyor ( 2 ) by the pressure of surfaces ( 11 A, 21 A, 31 A) of the pushing unit ( 5, 25, 35 ) directly on the ends of the rod-shaped article ( 4, 4 ′).
1. Method for shifting of rod-shaped articles wherein:
at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′), or a rod-shaped article group comprising rod-shaped articles ( 6 ), is conveyed in a flute ( 3 ) situated on the circumference of a drum conveyor ( 2 ), wherein the length of the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′), or the total lengths of the rod-shaped articles comprising the rod-shaped article group ( 6 ), in each flute ( 3 ) may vary, whereas
a pushing unit ( 5 , 25 , 35 ) forcing the movement of the at least one rod-shaped article is shifted in a direction being substantially transverse to an axis of the flute ( 3 ) of the drum conveyor ( 2 ),
whereas the pushing unit ( 5 , 25 , 35 ) has surfaces ( 11 A, 21 A, 31 A) situated angularly to the axis of the flute ( 3 ) the drum conveyor ( 2 ),
characterised in that
the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′), or the rod-shaped article group ( 6 ), is axially shifted in the flute ( 3 ) by means of the surfaces ( 11 A, 21 A, 31 A) of the pushing unit ( 5 , 25 , 35 ).
2. Method as in claim 1 characterised in that the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′), or the rod-shaped article group ( 6 ), is axially shifted in the flute ( 3 ) directly with the use of flexible rings ( 17 , 18 ) by means of the surfaces ( 11 A, 21 A, 31 A) of the pushing unit ( 5 , 25 , 35 ).
3. Method as in claim 1 characterised in that
at least two pushing units ( 5 , 25 , 35 ) mounted on both sides of the flute ( 3 ) of the drum conveyor ( 2 ) are shifted in a direction being substantially transverse to the axis of the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′), or the rod-shaped article group ( 6 ), whereas by means of the surfaces ( 11 A, 21 A, 31 A) of the pushing unit ( 5 , 25 , 35 ) situated on both sides of the flute ( 3 ) of the drum conveyor the force exerted by the pushing unit ( 5 , 25 , 35 ) is directed on the rod-shaped articles ( 4 , 4 ′) so that the centers of the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′), or rod-shaped article group ( 6 ), in the flutes ( 3 ) of the drum conveyor ( 2 ) are positioned substantially in a common plane.
4. Apparatus ( 10 , 20 , 30 ) for shifting of the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′) of different length, or rod-shaped article group ( 6 ) of different total length, on a drum conveyor ( 3 ), comprising
a pushing unit ( 5 , 25 , 35 ) mounted angularly to the axis of rotation of the drum conveyor ( 2 ) forcing a movement of the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′),
whereas the pushing unit ( 5 , 25 , 35 ) comprises rotational pushing elements ( 11 , 21 , 31 ) for shifting of the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′),
characterised in that
the pushing unit ( 5 , 25 , 35 ) is movably mounted in a direction being substantially transverse to the axis of the flute ( 3 ) of the drum conveyor ( 2 ) adapted to shift axially the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′), or the rod-shaped article group ( 6 ), inside the flute ( 3 ) of the drum conveyor ( 2 ) by pressure of surfaces ( 11 A, 21 A, 31 A) of the pushing unit ( 5 , 25 , 35 ) on the ends of the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′).
5. Apparatus as in claim 4 characterised in that the pushing unit ( 5 , 25 , 35 ) is movably mounted in a direction being substantially transverse to the axis of the flute ( 3 ) of the drum conveyor ( 2 ) so as to shift the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′), or the rod-shaped article group ( 6 ), inside the flute ( 3 ) of the drum conveyor ( 2 ) by the pressure of the surfaces ( 11 A, 21 A, 31 A) of the pushing unit ( 5 , 25 , 35 ) directly on the ends of the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′).
6. Apparatus as in claim 4 characterised by comprising
at least two pushing units ( 5 , 25 , 35 ) mounted angularly to the axis of the flute ( 3 ), on both sides of the flute ( 3 ) of the drum conveyor ( 2 ), whereas
the pushing units ( 5 , 25 , 35 ) are movably mounted in a direction being substantially transverse to the axis of the flute ( 3 ) of the drum conveyor ( 2 ) so as to shift the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′), or the rod-shaped article group ( 6 ), inside the flute ( 3 ) of the drum conveyor ( 2 ) so that the centers of the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′), or the rod-shaped article group ( 6 ), in the flute ( 3 ) of the drum conveyor ( 2 ) position themselves substantially in a common plane.
7. Apparatus as in claim 4 characterised in that the contact of the rotational pushing elements ( 11 , 21 , 31 ) of the pushing unit ( 5 , 25 , 35 ) with the at least one rod-shaped article ( 4 , 4 ′), or the rod- shaped article group ( 6 ), is effected by means of a spring ( 16 , 53 ).
8. Apparatus as in claim 4 characterised in that the rotational pushing elements ( 11 , 21 , 31 ) have circumferential surfaces ( 11 A, 21 A, 31 A) selected from the group: a conical, spherical, cylindrical, paraboloidal surface.