EP2596708B1 - Handling assembly for transport containers for rod-shaped articles for the tobacco industry and method for changing of the fill level of transport containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement, designed and set up for handling transport containers for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, comprising a device for changing the fill level of empty or filled with rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, a first transport device for feeding the transport containers to the Device for changing the fill level and a second transport device for removing the transport containers from the device for changing the fill level, the transport devices being arranged one above the other or one below the other.

The invention also relates to a method for handling transport containers for rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry in an arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13, in which the level of empty transport containers or filled with rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry is changed via a device, wherein, via a first transport device, transport containers are fed to the device for changing the fill level, and via a second transport device, the transport containers are transported away from the device for changing the fill level, the transport devices being arranged one above the other or one below the other.

Such arrangements and methods are used in the tobacco processing industry to empty transport containers filled with rod-shaped articles, for example cigarettes, filters, filter rods, tobacco sticks and the like, or to fill empty transport containers with the aforementioned articles. The rod-shaped articles can have different formats, that is to say different diameters and in particular different lengths, with only articles of one format (that is to say one length and one diameter) being in each transport container. Accordingly, the geometry and the dimensions of the transport containers are usually adapted to the respective formats of the rod-shaped articles. The storage / storage of the rod-shaped articles in the transport containers serves on the one hand to compensate for production fluctuations. On the other hand, the storage / storage of the rod-shaped articles can also be viewed as a kind of process step, for example in order to dry or harden the rod-shaped articles. So-called trays or shaft trays, which usually consist of plastic and are correspondingly dimensionally stable and in particular also cardboard trays made of cardboard, cardboard or the like, are known as transport containers. These cardboard trays are less dimensionally stable and require a supporting or stabilizing aid for handling, in particular when handling in the area of a device for changing the filling level of the transport containers.

The publication DE 10 2007 041 800 B discloses an arrangement for handling trays between a feed device for feeding slants, a station for changing the fill level of the trays and a removal device for removing the slants.

Devices for changing the fill level of the transport containers are well known. For example, an arrangement originating from the applicant's home is the trained as a tray emptier and is known under the name Magomat. An arrangement designed as a slat filler, also known as HCF, also comes from the applicant's company. Both arrangements each comprise two transport devices for transporting empty transport containers and filled transport containers, the two transport devices being arranged one above the other. In the case of the tray emptier, empty transport containers are placed from the outside onto the arrangement, namely the transport device for feeding the empty transport containers, and transported into the area of the device for filling the transport containers, filled by means of the filling device and then on the transport device for transporting the filled ones Transport container removed. Finally, the filled transport containers are removed from the transport device for transporting away the filled transport containers and transported away from the arrangement. In the case of the tray filler, the process is reversed accordingly.

The handling, in particular of transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like, i.e. the known cardboard trays, has hitherto required the use of so-called auxiliary trays made of plastic, that is to say inclines which are designed and set up to accommodate the cardboard trays and the cardboard trays during handling, that is to say Stabilize and support especially during transport and when filling or emptying. These auxiliary trays are handled outside the arrangement with the empty or full and open cardboard trays, for which purpose storage devices for loading and unloading the auxiliary trays are required outside the arrangement. On the one hand, this means that several handling steps are necessary to operate the arrangement. On the other hand, handling opened and, in particular, filled cardboard boxes presents an increased process risk. Another disadvantage is that the operator has to handle not only the cardboard boxes but also the unit formed from cardboard boxes and auxiliary cards, which represents an increased weight load and makes handling more difficult. In addition, the auxiliary trays are individually designed. This means that different auxiliary trays are required for different sizes of cardboard trays (cardboard tray formats), which have different geometries and dimensions both on the inside and the outside. With a format change, that is Switching from transport containers with or for receiving rod-shaped articles of a first format to transport containers with or for receiving rod-shaped articles of a second format that deviates from the first format therefore requires considerable adjustment and adjustment effort for the arrangement. This complicates handling and leads to an undesired machine downtime, especially when changing the format.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an arrangement by means of which the handling of the transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like is simplified and designed to be reliable. The task is also to propose an appropriate procedure.

This object is achieved by an arrangement of the type mentioned in the introduction in that the arrangement comprises a plurality of machine-bound circulation cassettes for receiving and transporting transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like, and in that the first and second transport devices for feeding and removing the transport containers made of cardboard, Cardboard or the like on the side facing away from the device for changing the fill level are connected to one another via a transfer device for the circulating cassettes, such that the circulating cassettes circulate within the arrangement for receiving and transporting the transport containers during operation of the arrangement in a closed circuit Cardboard, cardboard or the like can be conveyed, the transfer device being located directly in or on the transport path of the circulation cassettes at the free ends of the transport devices. The binding of the circulation cassettes to the arrangement means nothing other than that with the machine-bound circulation cassette according to the invention only the transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like have to be handled by the respective operator, which significantly reduces the load. Due to the transfer device, which closes the transport path of the circulation cassettes between the transport devices arranged one above the other, these circulation cassettes can circulate continuously within the arrangement, which is particularly easy to handle due to an ergonomically improved operating position for loading the circulation cassettes with the transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like, i.e. Cardboard slants, relieved. The fact that the circulation cassettes are bound to the machine, the cardboard tray is only opened in the circulation cassette by folding the lid, which additionally increases process reliability. Another advantage is that additional storage devices for loading and unloading auxiliary trays or the like can be dispensed with. Since only the cardboard tray has to be handled, simpler and fewer handling steps are required to operate the arrangement. By placing the transfer device in or on the transport route, the transport routes within the arrangement can be optimized, which simplifies handling.

The transfer device advantageously comprises a lift device. This design, which is preferably used in a device for emptying the transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like, likewise optimizes the transport routes and reduces the number of transfer processes of circulating cassettes, which in particular increases process reliability. In addition, the lift device enables the creation of ergonomically optimal loading and unloading positions for loading a circulating cassette with a full or empty cardboard tray or for removing a full or empty cardboard tray from the circulating cassette.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least one transfer means for automatically transferring the circulation cassettes from the transfer device to a transport device and vice versa is arranged in the transfer area between the transfer device and the first and / or the second transport device. The transfer means for the automatic transfer of the circulation cassettes reduce the handling steps for operating the arrangement and relieve the operator.

The or each transfer means is expediently part of the first and / or the second transport device. This optimizes the layout, i.e. the space required for such an arrangement.

Another embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the or each transfer means as a telescopic conveyor or swivel conveyor on the first and / or the second transport device is arranged. This design according to the invention represents a particularly simple and space-saving design of a transfer means and ensures a gentle and thus process-reliable transfer of the circulation cassettes with the transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like located therein.

The transfer device is advantageously designed as a lifting / rotating device. This design, which is preferably used in a device for filling transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like, also optimizes the transport routes and reduces the number of transfer processes of circulating cassettes, which in particular increases process reliability. In addition, the lifting / rotating device enables the creation of ergonomically optimal loading and unloading positions for loading a circulating cassette with a full or empty cardboard tray or for removing a full or empty cardboard tray from the circulating cassette.

A preferred further development of the invention is characterized in that the device for changing the fill level is a station for emptying transport containers and comprises a transfer device, the transfer device having a cassette which can be moved and pivoted vertically up and down and for holding at least one circulating cassette during of the entire level change process is designed and set up. In addition to the simple construction of this embodiment, this development is also particularly space-saving and ensures simple and safe handling of the circulating cassette with the transport container made of cardboard, cardboard or the like located therein.

Advantageously, the circulation cassette comprises a bottom wall, at least one side wall and a rear wall for forming a support frame defining a front wall-free receiving space, means for fixing the cardboard, cardboard or the like transport container in the receiving space and holding means arranged on the outside in the region of the or each side wall for handling the circulation cassette comprises, in which an insert also having a bottom wall, at least one side wall and a rear wall is arranged in the receiving space, the insert on the inside being adapted to the geometry and dimensions of the transport container to be accommodated in each case made of cardboard, cardboard or the like, with an insert in the receiving space likewise a bottom wall, at least one side wall and a rear wall insert is arranged, the insert on the inside depending on the geometry and dimensions of the transport container to be accommodated made of cardboard, cardboard or the like a is fit.

With this inventive design of the circulation cassette, which can be used as a single part, spare part, retrofit part or as part of the aforementioned arrangement the handling effort for the operator is reduced, since only the cardboard tray has to be moved. On the other hand, the use of its rear wall, which forms the direct contact surface for the cardboard tray, ensures trouble-free loading. The fact that the cardboard tray rests with its rear wall directly on the back wall of the insert creates a recurring and defined loading position. Overall, the mechanical engineering outlay is reduced by the circulation cassette according to the invention, since additional handling means outside of the arrangement can be dispensed with for automated handling of the transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like.

The circulation cassette is preferably constant on the outside with regard to its geometry and its dimensions regardless of the geometry and the dimensions of the insert arranged inside the receiving space. This eliminates any adjustment effort or any adaptation effort to the arrangement, even if the position of the insert varies due to a change in format for the rod-shaped articles. In other words, the circulation cassette is externally the same for all formats and sizes of the transport containers used, that is, all cardboard tray formats. When changing formats e.g. to a different item length, which is usually associated with a change in the size of the transport container, a further set of circulation cassettes which has already been prepared outside of the arrangement can be used, which is adapted internally to the changed size of the transport container but is unchanged on the outside, or the inserts of the circulating cassettes in the arrangement can be adjusted so that one and the same circulating cassette can accommodate different cardboard tray formats.

An expedient development of the invention is characterized in that the insert is detachably fastened within the receiving space and is smooth on the inside. The smooth surface design simplifies loading and unloading. Because the insert can be detached from the receiving space, the receiving space of a circulating cassette can be equipped with another insert which differs in terms of geometry and / or dimensions, so that the number of sets of circulating cassettes is reduced.

Advantageously, the insert itself forms a solid and rigid body, the body being adjustable within the receiving space relative to the walls forming the support frame. The adjustability is preferably ensured in a linear orientation horizontally and vertically, that is to say both forwards and backwards and upwards and downwards. This enables a quick and reliable adjustment of the position of the insert in relation to the receiving space for different formats, in particular transport containers with different geometries and / or dimensions, in order to be able to implement the article constants necessary for the further processing of the rod-shaped articles. For the device for emptying the transport containers, the position of the middle of the article length and the height of the uppermost layer of articles are particularly relevant as article constants. For the device for filling the transport containers, the height of the lowermost layer and the position of the front edge of the article are important as article constants. The article leading edges are the ends of the articles which point away from the rear wall of the insert towards the open side when the transport container is inserted into the circulation cassette.

In a preferred development of the circulation cassette according to the invention, the holding means arranged on the outside on the two side walls of the support frame each have a guide means with a guide center axis. The guide means enable a defined and exactly repeatable and format-independent (based on the format of the transport container) positioning of the circulation cassettes within the arrangement, which in particular ensures compliance with or alignment with the article constants. The central axis serves as an alignment aid.

Means for fixing a folded-up lid of the transport container made of cardboard, cardboard or the like are preferably arranged in the region of the rear wall of the insert on the rear side thereof. This simplifies the handling of the transport container and in particular the loading of the circulation cassette with a transport container. On the one hand, the lid is kept away from the area of the article flow during the emptying process or the filling process of the transport container. On the other hand, the lid is held and fixed outside the insert. That means that the The rear wall of the insert is located between the outside of the rear wall of the transport container and the folded cover when the cardboard, cardboard or the like is open, so that the spring action of the cover of the cardboard, cardboard or similar transport container has no influence on the loading position within the insert.

An arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7 with at least one circulation cassette according to one of claims 8 to 12 combines the aforementioned advantages. A particular advantage is that transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like can be reliably picked up with a high weight. This arrangement is also predestined for accommodating transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like for small and smallest rod lengths of e.g. about 80mm. Such a transport container is correspondingly flat and therefore has only a small footprint. However, by using the machine-bound circulation cassettes of the type according to the invention, this is not a problem, since the transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like are introduced directly into the arrangement or the circulation cassettes belonging to the arrangement and are accordingly held securely. In other words, the invention ensures safe transport for all cardboard tray formats.

The object is also achieved by a method with the steps mentioned at the beginning in that transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like are received and transported in a plurality of machine-bound circulation cassettes, the first and second transport devices for feeding and removing the transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like the side facing away from the device for changing the fill level are connected to one another via a conversion device for the circulation cassettes, such that the circulation cassettes circulate within the arrangement during the operation of the arrangement in a closed circuit for receiving and transporting the transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or The like are promoted, the transfer device being located directly in or on the transport path of the circulation cassettes at the free ends of the transport devices. Which The resulting advantages have already been described in connection with the arrangement, which is why reference is made to the corresponding passages in order to avoid repetitions.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer Anordnung mit einer Vorrichtung zum Befüllen von Transportbehältern aus Pappe, Karton oder dergleichen und mehreren Umlaufkassetten in einem ersten Verfahrenszustand,

Fig. 2

die Anordnung gemäß Figur 1 in einem weiteren Verfahrenszustand,

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht einer Anordnung mit einer Vorrichtung zum Entleeren von Transportbehältern aus Pappe, Karton oder dergleichen mit mehreren Umlaufkassetten in einem ersten Verfahrenszustand,

Fig. 4

die Anordnung gemäß Figur 3 in einem zweiten Verfahrenszustand,

Fig. 5

die Anordnung gemäß Figur 3 in einem weiteren Verfahrenszustand,

Fig. 6

eine Rückansicht einer Umlaufkassette ohne Transportbehälter,

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Umlaufkassette gemäß Figur 6 von schräg oben und vorne,

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Umlaufkassette gemäß Figur 6 von schräg oben und hinten,

Fig. 9

eine Aufsicht auf die Umlaufkassette gemäß Figur 6 von unten,

Fig. 10

eine Vorderansicht der Umlaufkassette gemäß Figur 6,

Fig. 11

eine Seitenansicht der Umlaufkassette gemäß Figur 6,

Fig. 12

eine Draufsicht auf die Umlaufkassette gemäß Figur 6 von oben,

Fig. 13

eine Rückansicht einer Umlaufkassette mit Transportbehälter, bei dem der Deckel umgeklappt ist,

Fig. 14

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Umlaufkassette gemäß Figur 13 von schräg oben und vorne,

Fig. 15

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Umlaufkassette gemäß Figur 13 von schräg oben und hinten,

Fig. 16

eine Aufsicht auf die Umlaufkassette gemäß Figur 13 von unten,

Fig. 17

eine Vorderansicht der Umlaufkassette gemäß Figur 13,

Fig. 18

eine Seitenansicht der Umlaufkassette gemäß Figur 13, und

Fig. 19

eine Draufsicht auf die Umlaufkassette gemäß Figur 13 von oben.

Further expedient and / or advantageous features and further developments result from the subclaims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention and the method according to the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

1 shows a side view of an arrangement with a device for filling transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like and several circulation cassettes in a first process state,

Fig. 2

the arrangement according to Figure 1 in a further procedural state,

Fig. 3

1 shows a side view of an arrangement with a device for emptying transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like with a plurality of circulating cassettes in a first process state,

Fig. 4

the arrangement according to Figure 3 in a second process state,

Fig. 5

the arrangement according to Figure 3 in a further procedural state,

Fig. 6

a rear view of a circulation cassette without a transport container,

Fig. 7

a perspective view of the circulation cassette according to Figure 6 from diagonally above and in front,

Fig. 8

a perspective view of the circulation cassette according to Figure 6 from diagonally above and behind,

Fig. 9

a supervision of the circulation cassette according to Figure 6 from underneath,

Fig. 10

a front view of the circulation cassette according to Figure 6 ,

Fig. 11

a side view of the circulation cassette according Figure 6 ,

Fig. 12

a plan view of the circulation cassette according to Figure 6 from above,

Fig. 13

a rear view of a circulation cassette with a transport container, in which the lid is folded,

Fig. 14

a perspective view of the circulation cassette according to Figure 13 from diagonally above and in front,

Fig. 15

a perspective view of the circulation cassette according to Figure 13 from diagonally above and behind,

Fig. 16

a supervision of the circulation cassette according to Figure 13 from underneath,

Fig. 17

a front view of the circulation cassette according to Figure 13 ,

Fig. 18

a side view of the circulation cassette according Figure 13 , and

Fig. 19

a plan view of the circulation cassette according to Figure 13 from above.

The arrangements and circulation cassettes shown by way of example in the figures are used for handling, in particular emptying and filling, transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like, that is to say the so-called cardboard trays with a foldable or foldable lid. Of course, the arrangements and circulation cassettes are also suitable for handling lidless transport containers made of cardboard, cardboard or the like and also for handling conventional plastic trays.

The Figures 1 to 5 each show an arrangement 10 which is designed and set up for handling transport containers 11 for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry. The arrangement 10 comprises a device 12 for changing the fill level of empty or rod-shaped articles of tobacco manufacturing filled transport containers 11. In the Figures 1 and 2nd the device 12 is a so-called tray filler. In the Figures 3 to 5 the device 12 is a so-called tray emptier. Furthermore, each arrangement 10 comprises a first transport device 13 for feeding the transport containers 11 to the device 12 for changing the fill level, and a second transport device 14 for removing the transport containers 11 from the device 12 for changing the fill level. The transport devices 13, 14 are arranged one above the other or one below the other. For the filler according to the Figures 1 and 2nd the first transport device 13 for feeding empty transport containers 11 is arranged above the second transport device 14 for transporting away the filled transport containers 11. With the tray emptier according to the Figures 3 to 5 the first transport device 13 for feeding filled transport containers 11 is arranged above the second transport device 14 for transporting away the emptied transport containers 11.

These arrangements 10 are distinguished according to the invention in that the arrangement 10 comprises a plurality of machine-bound circulation cassettes 15 for receiving and transporting transport containers 11 made of cardboard, cardboard or the like (hereinafter also referred to as cardboard trays), and that the first and second transport devices 13, 14 for feeding and transporting the transport containers 11 out of cardboard, cardboard or the like on the side facing away from the device 12 for changing the filling level are connected to one another via a transfer device 16 such that the circulation cassettes 15 are in a closed circuit during the operation of the arrangement 10 can be conveyed all around within the arrangement 10 for receiving and transporting the transport containers 11 made of cardboard, cardboard or the like, the transfer device 16 being located directly in or on the transport path of the circulation cassettes 15. Each arrangement 10 is assigned a set formed from a plurality of circulating cassettes 15, each set or the associated circulating cassettes 15 being adapted to a specific format. In other words, the circulation cassettes 15 of a set are set to a defined size of a cardboard tray, that is to say to a specific cardboard tray format. This set of circulating cassettes 15, which is assigned directly to the arrangement 10 during operation of the arrangement 10 and does not leave it, can in the case of a Format changes are exchanged, namely for a set of circulation cassettes 15, which is set to a different cardboard tray format. The transport devices 13, 14 are connected to the device 12 for changing the fill level in order to be able to carry out the fill level change process. The transfer device 16 is arranged at the free ends of the transport devices 13, 14 and ensures that the circulating cassettes 15 rotating during operation of the arrangement 10 and each carrying a transport container 11 between the transport devices 13, 14 are preferably from bottom to top or from top to bottom are transportable.

The features and embodiments described below each represent, individually or in combination with one another, optional developments of the arrangement 10 according to the invention.

The transfer device 16 is - as mentioned - directly in or on the transport path of the circulation cassettes 15. In other words, the transfer device 16 connects directly to the transport devices 13, 14. The circulation path of the circulation cassettes 15 within the arrangement 10 is thus optimized. In other embodiments, not shown, the transfer device 16 can also be arranged at a distance from the arrangement 10 or the transport devices 13, 14, with additional aids then being used to transfer the circulation cassettes 15 or to bridge the distance between the transfer device 16 and the transport devices 13, 14 are provided. The transfer device 16 preferably comprises a lift device 17. This configuration is particularly preferred in an arrangement 10 which comprises a tray emptier. The lifting device 17 is designed and set up for receiving and holding the circulation cassettes 15. For example, the lifting device 17 has lateral holding means which can be brought into engagement with the circulation cassettes 15. With this design, the circulating cassettes 15 are then transported hanging. In another embodiment, the lifting device 17 can also have means for reaching under the circulation cassettes 15, so that the circulation cassettes 15 stand on a lifting element. The height difference between the transport devices 13, 14 can be overcome by means of a suitable and not explicitly shown drive means, wherein the transport of the circulating cassettes 15 can be stopped at any position of the lift device 17, either to remove a transport container 11 from the circulation cassette 15 or to insert a transport container 11 into the circulation cassette 15. The holding means and thus the circulation cassettes 15 are preferably adjustable, in particular pivotable, so that an inclined position can be achieved in particular for transport containers 11 filled with rod-shaped articles, which are usually designed without a front wall. Due to the inclined position, the rod-shaped articles lie reliably with their rear edge against the rear wall of the cardboard tray.

In the transfer area between the transfer device 16 and the first and / or the second transport device 13, 14, at least one transfer device 18 for the automatic transfer of the circulation cassettes 15 from the transfer device 16 to a transport device 13, 14 and vice versa is optionally arranged. The or each transfer device 18 is preferably part of the first and / or the second transport device 13, 14. The transfer device 18 serves to transfer the circulating cassettes 15, which are moved essentially vertically by means of the lift device 17, onto the essentially horizontally conveying transport devices 13, 14 to take over. In other words, the transfer device 18 is designed and set up to detach the circulation cassettes 15 from the lift device 17 and to pull them onto the transport devices 13, 14. The or each transfer device 18 is preferably designed as a telescopic conveyor 19 or swivel conveyor and is arranged on the first and / or the second transport device 13, 14. Of course, other in particular mechanical and pneumatic solutions can also be used, for example by means of a tappet, by means of which the circulation cassettes 15 are pushed onto the transport devices 13, 14. The telescopic conveyor 19 is in the Figures 3 to 5 shown with the example of the arrangement 10 with a tray emptier and assigned to the transport device 13 for feeding filled transport containers 11. In the Figure 3 the telescopic conveyor 19 is shown in its withdrawn waiting position. To take over a circulating cassette 15, the telescopic conveyor 19 is in its takeover position (see Figure 4 ) is moved, so that a transport element 20 of the telescopic conveyor 19 is below the circulation cassette 15 still arranged in the lifting device 17. By moving the telescopic conveyor 19 back, the circulating cassette 15 is pulled out of the lifting device 17 onto the transport device 13. By means of the transport device 13, which as well If the transport device 14 has its own drive, the circulation cassettes 15 are transported further in the direction of the device 12 for changing the fill level. A swivel conveyor as transfer means 18 is arranged, for example, on a transport device 13, 14 from a waiting position into a transfer position and can be swiveled or folded back and forth. Other suitable transfer means 18, that is to say, for example, those which engage the circulation cassettes 15 laterally or from above, can also be used.

In a further preferred development, the transfer device 16 is designed as a lifting / rotating device 21. This design is used in particular in an arrangement 10 which includes a tray filler. This lifting / rotating device 21, which can also be referred to as a rotating tower, has at least one, but preferably two, lifting elements 22, which are arranged on opposite sides of a column 45. These lifting elements 22 can be moved up and down and are designed and set up for receiving and holding circulation cassettes 15. The column 45 itself is designed to be rotatable, specifically about an axis of rotation D. The transport of the circulation cassettes 15 upwards or downwards can be stopped at any position along the column 45 in order to either remove a transport container 11 from the circulation cassette 15 or a transport container 11 to insert into the circulation cassettes 15. Instead of the lifting / rotating device 21, the transport devices 13, 14 leading to the tray filler can also be assigned the lift device 17 described above. Accordingly, the lifting / rotating device 21 can also be assigned to the transport devices 13, 14 which lead to the tray emptier.

As mentioned, the device 12 for changing the fill level in one embodiment is a station for emptying transport containers. This station, that is to say the tray emptier, comprises a transfer device, the transfer device having a cassette which is designed to be movable and pivotable vertically up and down and to hold at least one circulating cassette during the entire filling level change process. With this preferred development it is achieved that the circulation cassettes 15 by the combined executability of the vertical movement and the pivoting movement enable transfer-free handling of the circulation cassettes 15 within the arrangement 10 during emptying.

As mentioned above, the transport devices 13, 14 run essentially horizontally. This expressly also includes a slight inclination of the transport devices 13, 14 with an angle greater than 0 ° and less than 8 °, preferably between 3 ° and 5 °, with respect to a plane that is horizontally stretched, for example, by the floor on which the arrangement 10 stands with a. For the arrangement 10 according to the Figures 3 to 5 the first transport device 13 for supplying the filled transport containers 11 is arranged in a slightly sloping manner in the direction of the tray emptier. For the arrangement 10 according to the Figures 1 and 2nd the second transport device 14 for transporting filled transport containers 11 away from the tray filler is arranged in a slightly sloping manner.

The circulation cassettes 15, which are assigned to the arrangement 10, are preferably designed as described below. The circulation cassettes 15, which are shown in detail in the Figures 6 to 19 are designed and set up for receiving and holding a transport container 11 made of cardboard, cardboard or the like and comprise a bottom wall 23, at least one side wall 24, but preferably two side walls 24 and 25, and a rear wall 26 for forming a front wall-free receiving space 27 defining support frame 28. The term front wall free in this context means that the opening on the front extends essentially over the entire width and height. Means 29 for fixing the transport container 11 made of cardboard, cardboard or the like in the receiving space 27 are assigned to the support frame 28 formed by the walls 23 to 26. Furthermore, the or each side wall 24, 25 has holding means 30 on the outside, that is to say on the side facing away from the receiving space 27, for handling the circulation cassette 15. The holding means 30 of the lifting device 17 mentioned above, for example, but also corresponding holding means of the arrangement 10 or of the device 12 for changing the fill level reach into these holding means 30.

Such a circulation cassette 15, which can be used as an individual part and is particularly suitable for use in an arrangement 10, as described above, is characterized according to the invention in that an insert 35, which also has a bottom wall 31, at least one side wall 32, but preferably two side walls 32, 33, and a rear wall 34 is arranged in the receiving space 27. The insert 35 is adapted on the inside to the geometry and dimensions of the transport container 11 to be accommodated, which is made of cardboard, cardboard or the like.

The circulation cassette 15 is preferably constant on the outside with respect to its geometry and its dimensions, regardless of the geometry and the dimensions of the insert 35 arranged inside the receiving space 27. In other words, the support frame 28 is a format-independent element. The dimensions of the support frame 28 are constant and therefore the same for all cardboard tray formats, while the insert 35 is variable with regard to its dimensions and / or its position within the receiving space 27. This means that the support frame 28 only has to be adapted once to the arrangement 10 or adjusted to the arrangement 10 and can then be handled with different inserts 35 or different positions of the insert 35 within the receiving space 27. The arrangement of suspension means in suspension means, namely insert 35 in support frame 28, creates a circulation cassette 15 that is constant in terms of its dimensions, adapted to the arrangement 10 and inwards individually, adapted to the transport container 11 and its geometry and dimensions.

The insert 35 in or on the support frame 28 is detachably fastened within the receiving space 27. As a result, the insert 35 is interchangeable, so that 28 circulation cassettes 15 for handling different cardboard tray formats can be created with one and the same supporting frame. The insert 35 is smooth on the inside, preferably completely smooth, and forms a solid and rigid body. In this context, firm and rigid means that the insert 35 offers the cardboard tray to be picked up or picked up a sufficient stability for handling. The insert 35 itself can optionally be adjustable within the receiving space 27 relative to the support frame 28 or the walls 23 to 26 forming the receiving space 27 or the support frame 28. Due to the adjustability of the insert 35, the replacement of inserts 35 is obsolete, since the The position of the insert 35 relative to the support frame 28 can be changed, preferably adjusted, both in the vertical direction upwards and downwards and in the horizontal direction forwards and backwards.

The respective walls 31 to 34 of the insert 35 can be designed to be continuous, that is to say closed over the entire area, or interrupted, that is to say open in part. In the preferred embodiment, all walls 31 to 34 are designed to be solid over the entire surface for reasons of stability. The walls 23 to 26 of the support frame 28 can also be continuous, that is to say closed over the whole area, or interrupted, that is to say open in part. The side walls 24, 25 are preferably designed to be closed over their entire surface, while the bottom wall 23 and rear wall 26 are designed to be open over the entire surface, which leads to a weight reduction that improves handling. In other words, the bottom wall 23 and the rear wall 26 are formed from a plurality of, preferably two, one-piece angle sections 36, the angle sections 36 being arranged at a distance from one another. The angular sections 36 are connected to one another via holding rods 37 which extend from side wall 24 to side wall 25. Three support rods 37 are preferably provided.

The circulation cassettes 15 and more precisely the support frames 28 each have holding means 30 facing outwards on the side walls 24, 25. A guide means 38 with a guide center axis M is assigned to each of these holding means 30. In the embodiment shown, the guide means 38 are simple grooves which have a funnel-shaped inlet area 46 which opens into a guide area 47 delimited by parallel side walls. The central guide axis M lies centrally to the guide region 47, that is to say centrally between the two inner edges of the side walls 24, 25 (see, for example, Figure 18 ). In the case of circulation cassettes 15, which are designed and set up for use in arrangements 10 with a tray emptier, the position of the insert 35 in relation to the guide center axis M is selected or set such that the article length center of the rod-shaped articles is independent of the article length within the cardboard tray Cardboard tray format is offset by a defined amount from the central guide axis M to the open side of the insert 35, preferably by an amount of 15 mm. Of course, other reproducible positions of the insert 35 are based on the Guide center axis M possible, for example, an orientation of the insert 35 such that the center of the article length is above or on the guide center axis M. In the case of circulating cassettes 15 which are designed and set up for use in arrangements 10 with a tray filler, the position of the insert 35 in relation to the guide center axis M is selected or set such that the leading edges, which point towards the open side of the cardboard tray and the insert 35 rod-shaped articles are offset by a defined amount from the central guide axis M to the open side of the insert 35, regardless of the article length within the cardboard tray, regardless of the cardboard tray format. Thus, either the center of the article length or the front edge of the rod-shaped articles are always in an identical position to the arrangement 10 handling the circulation cassette 15, regardless of the format.

In the area of the rear wall 34 of the insert 35, means 39 for fixing a folded-up lid 44 of the transport container 11 made of cardboard, cardboard or the like are arranged on the rear side thereof, which faces the support frame 28. The means 39 are preferably attached to the rear wall 26 of the support frame 28. In the embodiment shown, the means 39 for fixing a cover 44 comprises two resilient folding elements 40, 41. The folding elements 40, 41 are fixed on the one hand via a holding element 42 to a holding rod 37 of the rear wall 26 and on the other hand pivotably mounted on the holding element 42. The pivot axis S of the folding elements 40, 41 extends perpendicular to the rear wall 26 and also to the rear wall 34 and allows the folding elements 40, 41 to pivot laterally in the direction of the side walls 24, 25 and back. The folding elements 40, 41 are tensioned via a spring or the like, such that the folding elements 40, 41 are basically in their upright, vertical position (see, for example, FIG Figures 6 , 8th , 13 , 15 ), in which the lid 44 is held. The folding elements 40, 41 can only be deflected by the cover 44 itself when the cover 44 is folded into the open position. In order to simplify the evasion of the folding elements 40, 41, the folding elements 40, 41 have beveled guide elements 43, preferably triangular in cross section, at their free ends.

The means 29 for fixing the transport container 11 in the receiving space 27 or in the insert 35 can be simple clamping elements, for example in the form of spring plates. There is also the possibility that sliding elements or the like fix or release the transport container. Other common means, such as Pneumatic stamps or the like can be used. In further embodiments not shown, e.g. auxiliary means for opening and / or closing the transport containers 11 made of cardboard, cardboard or the like, that is for folding / folding back the cover 44 within the circulation cassette 15, may also be provided. These aids are preferably assigned to the circulation cassette 15, but can also be attached to the arrangement 10 itself.

The inserts 35 preferably consist of a metal and particularly preferably of aluminum. The inserts can also be made of a dimensionally stable plastic. The walls 22 to 26 forming the receiving space 27 or the support frame 28 of the circulation cassette 15, in particular the side walls 24, 25, are preferably also at least partially made of metal and particularly preferably of aluminum. The bottom wall 23 and the rear wall 26 or the angle sections 36 forming the bottom wall 23 and the rear wall 26 are preferably made of plastic.

The principle of the method is explained in more detail below with the aid of the drawing: The principle of the method according to the invention for successively changing the fill level of empty transport containers 11 made of cardboard, cardboard or the like, filled with rod-shaped articles, comprises the steps of feeding transport containers 11 made of cardboard, cardboard or the like the first transport device 13 for feeding the transport container 11 to the device 12 for changing the fill level, changing the fill level of the transport container by emptying or filling the transport container 11 made of cardboard, cardboard or the like, and transporting the transport container 11 out of cardboard, cardboard or the like the second transport device 14 for transporting the transport containers 11 away from the device 12 for changing the fill level. The arrangement 10 becomes one regardless of whether it has a tray filler or a tray emptier as a device 12 for changing the fill level Cardboard slope format set. This means that a set of circulating cassettes 15 on the inside is set to or for a specific cardboard tray format, the circulating cassettes 15 being adapted once to the arrangement 10 on the outside. This set of circulating cassettes 15 now circulates continuously during operation and the order for the one cardboard box format without leaving the arrangement 10. The carton trays are changed in the area of a transfer station by an operating position or automatically with suitable handling devices by inserting or removing the carton trays into the circulation cassettes 15 located on the arrangement 10.

In the event of a format change, that is to say a change to a different cardboard box format, there are several options for converting the arrangement 10 to the new cardboard cardboard format. The first set of circulation cassettes 15 can be exchanged for a second set of circulation cassettes 15, which has already been adapted or set up outside the arrangement 10 to the new cardboard tray format - either by exchanging the inserts 35 or by adjusting the inserts 35 relative to the support frame 28. After exchanging the sets of circulating cassettes 15, operation can be started immediately, since the circulating cassettes 15 are unchanged externally and with regard to the positioning within the arrangement 10. However, the set of circulation cassettes 15 for the first cardboard tray format can also remain in the arrangement 10, so that the inside adaptation of the circulation cassettes 15 to the new cardboard tray format takes place within the arrangement 10, again without external adaptation of the circulation cassettes 15 to the arrangement 10.

In the arrangement 10 with a tray filler, an empty cardboard tray is inserted into the circulation cassette 15 at an ergonomically optimal position. The column 45 of the lifting / rotating device 21 rotates about the axis D by 180 ° and places the circulating cassette 15 on the transport device 13 for feeding the transport containers 11. After filling the cardboard tray located in the circulating cassette 15 with rod-shaped articles, the circulating cassette 15 placed on the transport device 14 for transporting away the transport containers 11 and transported in the direction of the lifting / rotating device 21. The lifting element 22 takes over the circulation cassette 15 with the filled transport container 11. By rotating the column 45 through 180 ° the circulation cassette 15 with the filled transport container 11 rotated into the position in which the filled transport container 11 is removed and an empty transport container 11 is inserted into the circulation cassette 15 without the circulation cassette 15 being removed from the arrangement 10. Then the cycle begins again.

In the arrangement 10 with a tray emptier, a full carton tray is inserted into a circulation cassette 15 at an ergonomically optimal position. By means of the lift device 17, the circulation cassette 15 with the filled transport container 11 is placed on the transport device 13 for feeding the transport containers 11 and transported in the direction of the tray emptier. After the cardboard tray located in the circulation cassette 15 has been emptied, the circulation cassette 15 with the empty cardboard tray is set down in the transport direction 14 for transporting away the transport containers 11 and transported in the direction of the lift device 17. The lifting device 17 takes over the circulation cassette 15 and lifts it into an ergonomically optimal position, at which the empty cardboard tray is removed from the circulation cassette 15 and a full cardboard tray is inserted into the circulation cassette 15. Then the circulation cassette 15 is transported further upwards until the circulation cassette 15 stands in front of the transport device 13 for feeding the transport containers 11. Through the transfer means 18, the circulation cassette 15 is drawn onto the transport device 13 for feeding the transport containers 11, for example by the telescopic conveyor 19 moving its transport element 20 under the circulation cassette 15 and hooking the circulation cassette 15 or otherwise fixing it with carriers or the like. By pulling back the telescopic conveyor 19, the circulation cassette 15 is taken over onto the transport device 13 for feeding the transport containers 11. Then the cycle begins again.

Claims (15)

1. Arrangement (10), formed and configured for handling transport containers (11) for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry, comprising an apparatus (12) for changing the fill level of empty transport containers (11) or transport containers (11) filled with rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry, a first transport device (13) for the supply of the transport containers (11) to the apparatus (12) for changing the fill level as well as a second transport device (14) for transporting the transport containers (11) away from the apparatus (12) for changing the fill level, wherein the transport devices (13, 14) are arranged on top of one another or below one another, characterized in that the arrangement (10) comprises several machine-bound circulating cassettes (15) for receiving and for transporting transport containers (11) composed of paperboard, cardboard or the like, and that the first and second transport device (13, 14) for supplying and transporting away the transport containers (11) composed of paperboard, cardboard or the like are connected to one another on the side facing away from the apparatus (12) for changing the fill level via a relocation device (16) for the circulating cassettes (15) in such a manner that the circulating cassettes (15) can be conveyed during operation of the arrangement (10) in a closed circuit within the arrangement (10) in a circulating manner for receiving and for transporting the transport containers (11) composed of paperboard, cardboard or the like, wherein the relocation device (16) lies directly in or on the transport path of the circulating cassettes (15) at the free ends of the transport devices (13, 14).
2. Arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the relocation device (16) comprises a lift device (17).
3. Arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least one transfer means (18) for the automatic transfer of the circulating cassettes (15) from the relocation device (16) to a transport device (13, 14) and vice versa is arranged in the transfer region between the relocation device (16) and the first and/or the second transport device (13, 14).
4. Arrangement (10) according to claim 3, characterised in that the or each transfer means (18) is a component of the first and/or the second transport device (13, 14).
5. Arrangement (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the or each transfer means (18) is arranged as a telescopic conveyor (19) or pivot conveyor on the first and/or the second transport device (13, 14).
6. Arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the relocation device (16) is formed as a lifting and rotating device.
7. Arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the apparatus (12) for changing the fill level comprises a station for emptying transport containers (11) and a transfer device, wherein the transfer device has a cassette which can be moved vertically up and down and can be pivoted and is formed and configured to hold at least one circulating cassette (15) during the entire fill level changing process.
8. Arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the circulating cassettes (15) are formed and configured to receive and hold a transport container (11) for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry composed of paperboard, cardboard or the like during handling, wherein each circulating cassette (15) comprises a bottom wall (23), at least one side wall (24, 25) and a rear panel (26) for the formation of a support frame (28) which defines a front wall-free receiving chamber (27), means (29) for fixing the transport container (11) composed of paperboard, cardboard or the like in the receiving chamber (27) as well as holding means (30) arranged on the outside in the region of the or each side wall (24, 25) for handling the circulating cassette (15), wherein an insert (35) also having a bottom wall (31), at least one side wall (32, 33) and a rear panel (34) is arranged in the receiving chamber (27), wherein the insert (35) is adapted on the inside to the geometry and the dimensions of the transport container (11) respectively to be received composed of paperboard, cardboard or the like.
9. Arrangement (10) according to claim 8, characterised in that, independently of the geometry and the dimensions of the insert (35) arranged inside the receiving chamber (27), the circulating cassette (15) is constant on the outside in terms of its geometry and its dimensions.
10. Arrangement (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the insert (35) is fastened detachably within the receiving chamber (27) and is formed with a smooth surface on the inside.
11. Arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the insert (35) itself forms a solid and rigid body, wherein the body is adjustable within the receiving chamber (27) relative to the walls (23 to 26) which form the support frame (28).
12. Arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the holding means (30) arranged on the outside on both side walls (24, 25) of the support frame (28) each have a guiding means (38) with a guiding means axis M.
13. Arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that means (39) for fixing an unfolded cover (44) of the transport container (11) composed of paperboard, cardboard or the like are arranged in the region of the rear panel (34) of the insert (35) on its rear side.
14. Method for handling transport containers (11) for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry in an arrangement (10) according to claims 1 to 13, in which the fill level of empty transport containers (11) or transport containers (11) filled with rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry is changed via an apparatus (12), wherein via a first transport device (13) transport containers (11) are supplied to the apparatus (12) for changing the fill level, and via a second transport device (14) the transport containers (11) are transported away from the apparatus (12) for changing the fill level, wherein the transport devices (13, 14) are arranged on top of one another or below one another, characterized in that transport containers (11) composed of paperboard, cardboard or the like are received and transported in several machine-bound circulating cassettes (15), wherein the first and second transport device (13, 14) for supplying and transporting away the transport containers (11) composed of paperboard, cardboard or the like are connected to one another on the side facing away from the apparatus (12) for changing the fill level via a relocation device (16) for the circulating cassettes (15) in such a manner that the circulating cassettes (15) are conveyed during operation of the arrangement (10) in a closed circuit within the arrangement (10) in a circulating manner for receiving and for transporting the transport containers (11) composed of paperboard, cardboard or the like, wherein the relocation device (16) lies directly in or on the transport path of the circulating cassettes (15) at the free ends of the transport devices (13, 14).
15. Method according to claim 14, characterised in that either empty transport containers (11) composed of paperboard, cardboard or the like are inserted directly into the machine-bound circulating cassettes (15) and the full transport containers (11) composed of paperboard, cardboard or the like are removed from the circulating cassettes (15) or full transport containers (11) composed of paperboard, cardboard or the like are inserted into the machine-bound circulating cassettes (15) and the empty transport containers (11) composed of paperboard, cardboard or the like are removed from the circulating cassettes (15), and that the circulating cassettes (15) are transported by means of the relocation device (16) automatically from the second transport device (14) for transporting away the transport containers (11) to the first transport device (13) for the supply of the transport containers (11).

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