"Smoking articles band material automatic machine and/or plurality of smoking articles conditioning and/or packaging automatic machine" By : MonTrade S .p .A.

Named inventors: Stefano Malossi, Alberto Monzoni, Antonella

Giannini, all of MonTrade S.p.A.

Cl . Reference : BR0027. IT

Cooperative classes: H02P6/20

★★★

DESCRIPTION

[0001] . Field of the invention

[0002] . The subject of the present invention is an automated machine for production processes of band material for smoking articles, and/or conditioning and/or packaging of a plurality of smoking articles.

[0003] . In particular, the present invention refers to automated machines characterized by the processing of band material for smoking articles and/or transport of the smoking article by means of wheels or drums .

[0004] . State of the art

[0005] . In the sector of automated machines for smoking articles for production processes of band material for smoking articles and/or conditioning and/or packaging of articles, it is known to use wheels and drums to carry out the stages of production. For example, but not restrictively, these machines are used in the field of smoking articles, or the like, for the preparation of cigarettes by joining tobacco and a filter with the relative wrapping of the cork tipping paper on a succession of drums. Another example is the packaging of cigarettes that takes place on wheels where successive packaging operations are carried out. Another example is the process of crimping or shredding of tobacco paper using drums .

[0006] . Whether in the case of a continuous or intermittent automated mechanical process, wheels or drums represent an advantage for automation, because during their rotation they allow successive stages of the process to be carried out on the same article. At the same time, they allow more articles distributed on the circumference of the wheel or drum to be transported and processed, optimizing the machine layout and minimizing time and space. At the same time they allow band material for smoking articles to be processed homogeneously .

[0007] . For example, document US4901740 shows drums or rollers driven by motors connected thereto by a train of gears.

[0008] . In these automated machines, it is known to provide motors that directly drive the drum or the wheel (application known as direct drive motor) . The advantage of a motor in axis with the wheel or drum lies in the simplification of the construction of the machine and the maintenance thereof.

[0009] . For example, document EP3473113 illustrates an example of prior art for making production assemblies for band materials such as tobacco paper where it is known to provide crimping drums driven by motors splined in axis to the drums. [0010] . In effect, by eliminating the mechanical drive transmissions, there is no need for transmission lubrication systems, reducing or eliminating the maintenance problems of consuming gears or similar transmissions, let alone noise problems.

[0011] . A further drawback of machines with motors connected to the drums and wheels by means of transmissions is given by the layout rigidity of these configurations, as well as a clear presence of operating disturbances caused, for example, by the vibrations induced in the whole machine by the transmission and a cyclic irregularity in the motion that may also have a significant influence on production.

[0012] . In the known automated machines, motors are generally used as independent elements with respect to the rotation of wheels and drums, i.e., the motor has its own bearings, the wheel and drum are equipped with their own bearings.

[0013] . Therefore, there is a need to simplify the construction complexity of the current automated machines.

[0014] . Additionally, typically, the motor is connected to the drum and/or wheel by pressing or flanging to transmit the desired motion to the drum and/or wheel.

[0015] . These motors use internal rotor motors flanging the wheel and/or drum axially.

[0016] . It is preferred in the known solutions to avoid using the same motor bearings as drum or wheel bearings, due to the high radial loads that may be exerted on the drive shaft.

[0017] . Furthermore, these drums and wheels are often associated in automated machines with article processing devices, for example for the production of band material such as tobacco paper, and/or the support and/or manipulation of a plurality of articles in conditioning and/or packaging processes.

[0018] . For example, when the use of vacuum and/or air jets on the wheel and/or drum is required, the mechanical solution becomes complex, given the difficulty of making fixed vacuum chambers or compressed air ducts coexist with rotating parts such as bearings, axial flanging, and the rotating body of the drum and/or wheel. Additional flanging and sleeves are therefore used, which do not allow configurations to be reached at will, given the structural constraints of the drum and/or wheel assembly with the motor and all the necessary flanging.

[0019] . It would be desirable to simplify the mechanical construction of existing automated machines, for example by reducing the number of components and, for example, by allowing the use of vacuum chambers with any cross-section and/or air ducts with more efficient layouts. Moreover, it would be desirable to reduce the overall dimensions of the motors/flanges/sleeves in order to be able to arrange the wheels and drum against each other according to any arrangement and/or angle and not be bound to the overall dimensions of the current motors.

[0020] . Therefore, there is a strong need to provide an easy-to- use solution, with few mechanical components, efficient for applications such as vacuum/air or movements inside and/or outside the wheel and/or drum. [0021] . Solution

[0022] . These and other objects are achieved by an automated machine for production processes of band material for smoking articles, and/or conditioning and/or packaging of a plurality of smoking articles according to claim 1.

[0023] . Some advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims .

[0024] . The solutions proposed make it possible to obtain external rotor motors and use them as an integral part of wheels and/or drums .

[0025] . In a further embodiment, the external rotor motors used as an integral body of wheels and/or drums make use of the motor bearings as drum/wheel bearings.

[0026] . The drum and/or wheel becomes an external rotor "jacket" with a very simple mechanical construction.

[0027] . In accordance with an embodiment, the vacuum chamber and any air jets or movements added to the drum and/or wheel are arranged internally to the drum and, by exploiting their attachment to the fixed stator arranged internally and centrally, are much easier to construct and arrange, also allowing architectures that would be unthinkable with the current solutions .

[0028] . Due, for example, to the hollow internal stator, this access may be used for the passage of the vacuum, the air or to arrange coaxial motors or added movements.

[0029] . The invention allows the overall dimensions to be optimized, favoring a compact layout and a reduced protrusion to the drum, as the motor has a diameter close to the drum and therefore a reduced axial extension, being substantially arranged inside the drum or the wheel itself.

[0030] . The invention allows wheels and/or drums to be arranged against each other, according to an arrangement and/or any relative angle desired without size constraints.

[0031] . The invention allows high-precision positioning of the drum and/or wheel since the wheel and/or drum is a jacket fitted directly onto the motor itself and there are no intermediate members such as flanges, transmissions and other bearings other than those of the motor itself.

[0032] . The invention allows economic construction and low maintenance, as well as high performance.

[0033] . Figures

[0034] . Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred examples of embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein:

[0035] . - Figure 1 illustrates, in a cross-section along the axis of the motor, a motor and wheel assembly according to the state of the art;

[0036] . - Figure 2 represents, in cross-section along the single axis of the motor and the drum, a motor and drum assembly according to the invention;

[0037] . - Figure 3 illustrates, in cross-section along the single axis of the motor and the drum, a detail of the assembly of Figure 2;

[0038] . - Figures 4 and 5 represent, in cross-section along the single axis of the motor and the drum and according to a local section of the same drum, an assembly according to an initial embodiment where holes or nozzles for suction or blowing are distributed circumferentially to the drum and in parallel assemblies distributed axially;

[0039] . - Figures 6 and 7 represent, in cross-section along the single axis of the motor and the drum and according to a local section of the same drum, an assembly according to a second embodiment where assemblies of holes or nozzles are distributed circumferentially to the drum in groups closely spaced to form a suction or blowing module and in parallel modules distributed axially;

[0040] . - Figures 8 and 9 represent, in cross-section along the single axis of the motor and the drum and according to a local section of the same drum, an assembly according to a third embodiment where longitudinal seats are distributed circumferentially to the drum;

[0041] . - Figures 10 and 11 represent, in cross-section along the single axis of the motor and the drum and according to a local section of the same drum, an assembly according to a fourth embodiment where longitudinal seats are distributed circumferentially to the drum and wherein said seats are equipped with gripping members that may be operated by devices arranged inside the same drum; [0042] . - Figure 12 illustrates in longitudinal section an assembly wherein in the internal stator is inserted an oscillating shaft controlled by a second motor and on which is splined a cup cam that controls gripping elements rotating with the drum splined directly to the external rotor and movable radially with respect to said drum;

[0043] . - Figure 13 illustrates an assembly wherein the drum is connected to a suction or blowing device integrated in the drum and connected to a distribution chamber fluidically connected with a distribution circuit;

[0044] . - Figure 14 illustrates a longitudinal section of an assembly with an external rotor connected to a processing wheel;

[0045] . - Figure 15 illustrates in a side view the assembly of

Figure 14 with the wheel in view;

[0046]. - Figure 16 represents an assembly for processing band material with a crimping operation and

[0047] . - Figure 17 represents the respective section of the crimping profile.

[0048] . Description of some of the preferred example embodiments

[0049] . In accordance with a general embodiment, hereinafter is described an automated machine 22 for production processes of at least one article 23.

[0050] . The term "at least one article" means an article or component for smoking articles. In particular, it means band material for smoking articles, filters, portions of paper filter or papers, and smoking articles, as well as their packaging or portions thereof already cut or to be cut .

[0051] . In addition, this automated machine conditions and/or packages at least one article of a plurality of smoking articles 23.

[0052] . Said automated machine 22 comprises a motorized assembly 1 for production and/or support or manipulation in an automated process of at least one article 23.

[0053] . Said motorized assembly 1 comprises at least one motor 2 with external rotor 4 arranged externally on an internal stator 5. Said internal stator 5 is arranged internally to said external rotor

4.

[0054] . Said internal stator 5 is located inside said external rotor 4 and comprises an electric portion thereof that is completely inserted inside said external rotor 4.

[0055] . Advantageously, at least a portion of the outer surface of said motorized assembly, or external rotor 4, is used for the automated machine production, supporting or manipulating said at least one article 23 at least in a circumferential direction.

[0056] . With a further advantage, this internal stator 5 is hollow and forms a through-housing wherein is housed at least one support service device for the production of said at least one smoking article 23, such as, for example, a suction device, or a blowing or flavoring device, or a device for gripping and/or manipulating a smoking article 23 or part or component thereof. In particular, the support service device for the production of at least one smoking article 23 allows a band material for smoking articles to be held back . [0057] . In accordance with a general embodiment, an assembly 1 comprises :

[0058] . - a motor 2 and

[0059] . - a device, e.g. cylindrical, for production of band material and/or support and/or manipulation of an automated machine for conditioning and/or packaging processes of a plurality of articles 3.

[0060] . Said motor 2 is an external rotor motor 4 arranged externally to an internal stator 5, said internal stator 5 being arranged internally to said external rotor 4.

[0061] . Said device, e.g. cylindrical 3, is directly splined on said external rotor 4 in the form of an outer jacket 6 of the same external rotor 4.

[0062] . Said motor 2 comprises motor bearings 7, 8 to support rotatably said external rotor 4 on said internal stator 5.

[0063] . Said device, e.g. cylindrical 3, is supported in rotation by said motor bearings 7, 8, avoiding the use of additional support and rolling elements.

[0064] . In accordance with an embodiment, said internal stator 5 defines an axis.

[0065] . In accordance with an embodiment, said external rotor 4 rotates around a rotation axis X-X.

[0066] . In accordance with an embodiment, said rotation axis X-X is coaxial to said internal rotor axis 5.

[0067] . In accordance with an embodiment, said device, e.g. cylindrical 3, rotates around said rotation axis X-X. [0068] . In accordance with an embodiment, said rotation axis X-X defines an axial direction A-A. Orthogonal to said axial direction there is provided a radial direction R-R. Orthogonal to said axial direction A-A and said radial direction R-R there is provided a circumferential direction C-C or locally tangential direction T-T.

[0069] . In accordance with an embodiment, said internal stator 5 comprises an internally hollow stator body 9.

[0070] . Said stator body 9 is used for the passage of components of production devices 10 for the conditioning and/or packaging of at least one of the articles 3.

[0071] . In accordance with an embodiment, said device, e.g. cylindrical, for support and/or manipulation of articles 3 is a drum 11 and/or a wheel 12 (Figures 14 and 15) .

[0072] . In accordance with an embodiment, said device, e.g. cylindrical 3, is a drum 11 comprising a plurality of suction holes 13, or vacuum holes, distributed circumferentially in the circumferential direction C-C.

[0073] . In accordance with an embodiment, said drum 11, comprising a plurality of rotor suction holes 13, or vacuum holes, interfaces with a vacuum device 14 connected to said internal stator 5 and having a plurality of stator suction holes 15 facing circumferentially said plurality of rotor suction holes 13.

[0074] . In accordance with an embodiment, said device, e.g. cylindrical 3, is a drum 11 comprising a plurality of processing seats 16 distributed circumferentially in the circumferential direction C-C. [0075] . In accordance with an embodiment, said device, e.g. cylindrical 3, is a drum 11 comprising a plurality of gripping elements 17 distributed circumferentially in the circumferential direction C-C.

[0076]. According to an embodiment, said device, e.g. cylindrical 3, is a drum 11 comprising an air blowing device (Figure 13) .

[0077] . In accordance with an embodiment, said motor 2 is a synchronous motor.

[0078] . In accordance with an embodiment, said synchronous motor 2 is a brushless motor.

[0079] . In accordance with an embodiment, said motor 2 is arranged entirely inside the outer jacket 6 of said device, e.g. cylindrical 3, in such a way as to reduce the axial size of said motor 2 in the portion thereof extending outside of said outer jacket 6 of said device, e.g. cylindrical 3.

[0080] . In accordance with an embodiment, said motor 2 is arranged entirely inside the outer jacket 6 of said device, e.g. cylindrical 3, so as to leave the outer surface of said outer jacket 6 free and to allow the use of substantially the entire outer surface of said outer jacket 6 for the automated machine processing.

[0081] . In accordance with an embodiment, said internal stator 5 is hollow and forms a passage or through-opening or through-housing 18 for the passage of components of a second device to be housed inside the device, e.g. cylindrical 3.

[0082] . In accordance with an embodiment, said passage or through- opening or through-housing 18 houses at least a second motor 19 or 30 for auxiliary movements (Figure 12) .

[0083] . In accordance with an embodiment, said internal stator 5 supports a vacuum device 14 operationally connected with a vacuum pump also arranged externally to said assembly 1.

[0084] . In accordance with an embodiment, said vacuum device 14 comprises fixed suction nozzles or a plurality of stator suction holes 15, and said device, e.g. cylindrical 3, comprises rotating suction nozzles or a plurality of rotor suction holes 13, and said rotating suction nozzles 15 are arranged axially and radially aligned with said fixed suction nozzles 13.

[0085] . In accordance with an embodiment, said internal stator 5 rotatably supports the external rotor 4 with at least one radially loadable thrust bearing 20 and at least one angular thrust bearing

21 to support also an axial load.

[0086] . In accordance with an embodiment, said device, e.g. cylindrical 3, is supported by said at least one bearing 20, or bearing for radial loads, and said at least one thrust or angular bearing 21, or bearing for radial and axial loads.

[0087] . The present invention also refers to an automated machine

22 for production processes of band material 23 and/or conditioning and/or packaging of a plurality of articles 23 comprising at least an assembly 1 as defined in any of the embodiments described above.

[0088] . In accordance with an embodiment, a plurality of assemblies 1 is comprised, each as defined by any of the embodiments described above.

[0089] . In accordance with an embodiment said plurality of assemblies 1 are coaxial with each other.

[0090] . In accordance with an embodiment, said machine comprises a plurality of assemblies 1 wherein each assembly arranges the device, e.g. cylindrical 3, with the outer jacket 6 thereof, alongside the adjacent assembly 1.

[0091] . In accordance with an embodiment, each outer jacket 6 of said assemblies 1 is arranged with the outer surface thereof coplanar to form a single cylindrical surface composed of segments placed side by side capable of rotating at different speeds.

[0092] . In accordance with an embodiment, each assembly 1 comprises a through-housing 18 of said hollow stator body 9 of each motor 2 aligned with each other to form a single passage or continuous internal housing 24.

[0093] . In accordance with an embodiment, said single passage or continuous internal housing 24 comprises radial openings of a single central passage 25 for the passage of wiring or components of service devices housed within the device, e.g. cylindrical 3.

[0094] . To the embodiments described above, one skilled in the art may, to satisfy contingent and specific needs, make numerous modifications, adaptations and replacements of elements with others that are functionally equivalent, without however departing from the scope of the following claims.

[0095] . In accordance with an embodiment, said internal stator 5 is splined eccentric on a support and rotatable with respect thereto .

[0096] . In accordance with an embodiment, said internal stator 5 is driven by a second motor 19 in oscillation with respect to said support so as to move the rotation axis (X-X) with respect to said support .

[0097] . In accordance with an embodiment, said device, e.g. cylindrical 3, is directly splined on said external rotor 4 in the form of an outer jacket 6 of the same external rotor 4.

[0098] . In accordance with an embodiment, said assembly of the motor and device 1, e.g. cylindrical, for support or manipulation is used in a conditioning or packaging process of a plurality of articles 23.

[0099] . In accordance with an embodiment, said device, e.g. cylindrical 3, is a drum 11 from which the gripping elements 28 emerge with an alternating movement .

[00100] . In accordance with an embodiment, in said internal stator 5 is housed an internal rotating shaft 29 connected to a second motor 30 for the rotation thereof, for example through a cascade of gears 34.

[00101] . In accordance with an embodiment, said internal rotating shaft 29 supports splined a cam 31, for example a cup-shaped cam, which moves gripping elements 28 slidably supported thereto, for example with contrasting bearings with two-sided alley or constraint 32 and rolling on opposite cam surfaces 33.

[00102] . In accordance with an embodiment, said device 3 is a drum 11 with the outer surface shaped for crimping, embossing or cutting of at least one band material for smoking articles 23.

[00103] . In accordance with an embodiment, said device 3 for the production and/or support and/or manipulation of smoking articles 23 is a wheel 12 and said wheel 12 is integral, or made in one piece, with said external rotor 4.

REFERENCE LIST

Assembly

motor

device, e.g. cylindrical, of article support and/or manipulation of an automated machine for conditioning and/or packaging processes of a plurality of said articles

external rotor

internal stator

outer jacket

motor bearings

motor bearings

hollow stator body

components of production devices, such as a fixed vacuum distributor and a compressed air diffuser

drum

wheel

plurality of rotor suction holes

vacuum device

plurality of stator suction holes

plurality of processing seats

plurality of gripping elements

passage or through-opening or through-housing

at least one second motor

thrust bearing

angular thrust 22 automated machine

23 articles

24 single passage or continuous internal housing of a plurality of motors

25 radial openings of a single central passage

28 gripping elements

2 9 internal rotating shaft

30 second motor

31 cup cam

32 contrasting bearings

33 opposite cam surfaces

34 gear cascade

X-X stator axis

A-A axial direction

R-R radial direction

c-c circumferential direction

T-T tangential local direction