EP3717363B1 - Station und verfahren zum befüllen von kartuschen von elektronischen zigaretten - Google Patents

Station und verfahren zum befüllen von kartuschen von elektronischen zigaretten Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3717363B1
EP3717363B1 EP18821738.4A EP18821738A EP3717363B1 EP 3717363 B1 EP3717363 B1 EP 3717363B1 EP 18821738 A EP18821738 A EP 18821738A EP 3717363 B1 EP3717363 B1 EP 3717363B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filling
cartridges
electronic cigarettes
area
transfer
Prior art date
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EP18821738.4A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3717363A1 (de
Inventor
Luca Testoni
Mirco Legnani
Fabio GAUDENZI
Luca Lanzarini
Luca Federici
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GD SpA
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GD SpA
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Priority to PL18821738T priority Critical patent/PL3717363T3/pl
Publication of EP3717363A1 publication Critical patent/EP3717363A1/de
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Publication of EP3717363B1 publication Critical patent/EP3717363B1/de
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/003—Filling medical containers such as ampoules, vials, syringes or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
    • B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
    • B65B43/50—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation using rotary tables or turrets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B43/00—Forming, feeding, opening or setting-up containers or receptacles in association with packaging
    • B65B43/42—Feeding or positioning bags, boxes, or cartons in the distended, opened, or set-up state; Feeding preformed rigid containers, e.g. tins, capsules, glass tubes, glasses, to the packaging position; Locating containers or receptacles at the filling position; Supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
    • B65B43/54—Means for supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation
    • B65B43/60—Means for supporting containers or receptacles during the filling operation rotatable

Definitions

  • the present invention falls within the technical sector of electronic cigarettes.
  • the invention regards a station and a method for filling cartridges of electronic cigarettes.
  • automatic machines comprising stations dedicated to operations that may be even very different from one another, such as assembly of the various parts together, control of the assembled sets, filling of the cartridges with the liquid to be vaporized, plugging of the cartridges, welding of the plugs to the cartridges, etc.
  • the diversity of operations to be performed also entails different times of stay of the components in the various stations.
  • the operations of filling of the cartridges requires significantly long times.
  • the operations of filling of the cartridges (for example, with a liquid product) require significantly long times, which entail a long stay of the cartridges in the filling station.
  • WO2016/200259 discloses certain prior art that may be of some interest as technical background.
  • the object of the present invention is to overcome the drawback outlined above.
  • the filling station and filling method proposed by the present invention guarantee a high throughput and the possibility of integrating in an efficient way the filling operations with other operations (for example, in an automatic machine).
  • a station for filling cartridges P of electronic cigarettes according to the present invention is a station for filling cartridges P of electronic cigarettes according to the present invention.
  • the filling station 1 comprises: feeding means 2, set in a feeding area Z1 for feeding cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled; and filling means 3 (illustrated in Figures 1 and 1A ), set in a filling area Z2, downstream of the feeding area Z1 (for example, with respect to a pre-set conveying path), for filling the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes.
  • the filling station 1 further comprises a transfer device 4, set between the feeding means 2 and the filling means 3 and pre-arranged for receiving from the feeding means 2 the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled and transferring them from the feeding area Z1 to the filling area Z2 (where they are filled by the filling means 3).
  • the transfer device 4 comprises: at least one first transfer sector 41 and one second transfer sector 42, which are pre-arranged for receiving, each, from the feeding means 2, respectively first cartridges P1 and second cartridges P2 of electronic cigarettes to be filled (represented in Figure 1A ) and transferring them from the feeding area Z1 to the filling area Z2.
  • first cartridges of electronic cigarettes and “second cartridges of electronic cigarettes” are meant to indicate two distinct sets each formed by at least two cartridges P of electronic cigarettes.
  • first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 are mobile in rotation about an axis H (preferably about one and the same axis H, represented by way of example in Figures 1A and 2 ), in a way independent of one another, at a reception (angular) speed w1 when they are in the feeding area Z1, at a filling (angular) speed w2 when they are in the filling area Z2, and at a transfer (angular) speed w3, higher than the reception speed w1 and the filling speed w2, when they are between the feeding area Z1 and the filling area Z2 (i.e., after they have received the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes and before the latter have been filled).
  • a reception (angular) speed w1 when they are in the feeding area Z1
  • a filling (angular) speed w2 when they are in the filling area Z2
  • a transfer (angular) speed w3 higher than the reception speed w1 and the filling speed w2
  • the first transfer sector 41 receives the first cartridges P1 of electronic cigarettes when it is in the feeding area Z2 at the reception speed w1 and then accelerates, during the corresponding (rotational) movement from the feeding area Z1 to the filling area Z2, up to the transfer speed w3. Then, in the filling area Z2, the first transfer sector 41 decelerates down to the filling speed w2 to enable action by the filling means 3 on the first cartridges P1 of electronic cigarettes.
  • the second transfer sector 42 which receives the second cartridges P2 of electronic cigarettes, which, for example, are supplied by the feeding means 2 consecutively with respect to the first cartridges P1 of electronic cigarettes.
  • the filling station 1 proposed by the invention guarantees a high throughput and, consequently, makes it possible to integrate the filling station 1 itself in an automatic machine and/or line in an efficient way.
  • the presence of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42 which are mobile in a way independent of one another and accelerate after they have received the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes and before they have reached the filling area Z2, makes it possible to reduce the total times of stay of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes in the filling station 1 itself.
  • the operations of filling cartridges P of electronic cigarettes require significantly long times, which have a bearing on the throughput of the filling station 1 itself and of the automatic machine/line where the station 1 may possibly be integrated.
  • the reception speed w1 of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42 is higher than zero.
  • the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 receive the cartridges (first cartridges P1 and second cartridges P2) of electronic cigarettes to be filled while these are moving.
  • the reception speed w1 is in any case lower than the transfer speed w3, in so far as it must be such as to enable transfer of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled from the feeding means 2 to the first transfer sector 41 and to the second transfer sector 42.
  • the reception speed w1 of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42 may be equal to zero.
  • the reception speed w1 of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42 is higher than the filling speed w2 of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42.
  • the filling speed w2 of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42 is equal to zero.
  • the stop of the first transfer sector 41 and second transfer sector 42 in the filling area Z2 has a duration at least equal to the minimum time sufficient for enabling filling of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes.
  • the times necessary for filling the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are between 1 s and 2 s; in particular, they may be between 1.2 s and 1.7 s.
  • the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes may be filled with a liquid and/or powder product.
  • the fact of carrying out the filling operations in stationary conditions prevents undesirable release of the product in the filling station 1, a problem that might arise with filling means that are moving.
  • the filling speed of the first transfer sector and second transfer sector is different from zero.
  • the filling means are able to follow, i.e., to move in a way concordant with, that is, in the same direction as, the cartridges of electronic cigarettes to be filled, and to move in the opposite direction following upon the filling operations.
  • the filling station 1 comprises, in addition to what has been described previously, output means 5 (visible in Figures 1 and 2 ), which are set in an output area Z3, downstream of the filling area Z2 (for example, with respect to the same conveying path mentioned above), and are pre-arranged for receiving the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled and carrying them away, in an output direction, at a conveying speed a2.
  • the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 are moreover mobile (in rotation about the aforesaid axis H) from the filling area Z2 to the output area Z3, for transferring the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled to the output means 5.
  • the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 move at an output (angular) speed w4, which is higher than the filling speed w2, when they are between the filling area Z2 and the output area Z3, and at a release (angular) speed w5, lower than the output speed w4, when they are in the output area Z3.
  • the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 accelerate up to the output speed w4 until they reach the output area Z3, where they decelerate down to the release speed w5 for enabling the output means 5 to receive the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled.
  • the technical times necessary both for filling and for transfer of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled to the output means 5 are further compensated.
  • the feeding means 2 feed the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled at a feeding speed a1 that is equal to the reception speed w1 of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42.
  • the feeding means 2 move at a feeding speed a1 equal to (or at least comparable with) the reception speed w1 at which the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 move in the feeding area Z1.
  • this characteristic guarantees correct and optimal transfer of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled from the feeding means 2 to the first 41 and second 42 transfer sectors.
  • the feeding means are linearly mobile.
  • the feeding speed is equal to the tangential (i.e., peripheral) reception speed of the first and second transfer sectors.
  • the feeding means 2 comprise a wheel 2 (or a star device, or in any case a feeding device rotatable about an axis), and the corresponding feeding (angular) speed a1 is equal to the reception (angular) speed w1 of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42.
  • the output means 5 receive the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled at a conveying speed a2 that is equal to the release speed w5 of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42.
  • the output means 5 move at a conveying speed a2 that is equal to the release speed w5 at which the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 move in the output area Z3.
  • this characteristic guarantees correct and optimal transfer of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled from the first 41 and second 42 transfer sectors to the output means 5.
  • the output means are linearly mobile.
  • the conveying speed is equal to the tangential (i.e., peripheral) release speed of the first and second transfer sectors.
  • the output means 5 comprise a wheel 5 (or a star device, or in any case a feeding device rotatable about an axis), the conveying (angular) speed a2 of which is equal to the release (angular) speed w5 of the first transfer sector 41 and of the second transfer sector 42.
  • the release speed w5 is equal to the reception speed w1.
  • the wheels 2, 5 of the feeding means 2 and/or of the output means 5 mentioned above each comprise housings 22, 55 (visible in Figure 2 ) that are each configured to receive cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled (for example, set within a supporting container C, also referred to as "godet", as will be better clarified in what follows).
  • the wheels 2, 5 of the feeding means 2 and/or of the output means 5 mentioned above may each comprise withholding means 6 (for example, suction pads and/or a negative-pressure source) for withholding the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes (see Figure 2 ).
  • withholding means 6 for example, suction pads and/or a negative-pressure source
  • the filling station 1 further comprises first guide means 7, which in turn comprise, for example, at least one side 7 that defines a semi-circular profile for guiding the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes in the filling station 1, and in particular as they are travelling towards the transfer device 4, on the feeding means 2 (wheel 2), and/or at output from the transfer device 4, on the output means 5 (wheel 5).
  • first guide means 7 comprise, for example, at least one side 7 that defines a semi-circular profile for guiding the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes in the filling station 1, and in particular as they are travelling towards the transfer device 4, on the feeding means 2 (wheel 2), and/or at output from the transfer device 4, on the output means 5 (wheel 5).
  • the first guide means 7 may be present as an alternative to, or together with, the withholding means 6 described above (as in the case illustrated).
  • the first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 each comprise at least one first housing 10 and one second housing 20 that receive the (first P1 and second P2) cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled (which are set, for example, also in this case, within a supporting container C); reference may be made in particular to Figure 2 .
  • the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes remain within the respective housing 10, 20 also during filling thereof, i.e., also in the filling area Z2.
  • first transfer sector 41 and the second transfer sector 42 are substantially shaped like a circular sector and have the aforesaid housings 10, 20 arranged in the respective peripheral edge shaped like an arc of a circumference.
  • the first transfer sector and the second transfer sector may comprise withholding means, such as negative-pressure means and/or suction pads, for withholding the cartridges of electronic cigarettes to be filled.
  • withholding means such as negative-pressure means and/or suction pads
  • the filling station 1 further comprises second guide means 8, which in turn comprise, for example, a side 8 that defines a semi-circular profile for guiding the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes as they are travelling in the area of the transfer device 4 (see, in particular, Figures 1 and 1A ). In this way, the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are withheld between the housings 10, 20 of the first transfer sector 41 and second transfer sector 42 and the second guide means 8.
  • second guide means 8 comprise, for example, a side 8 that defines a semi-circular profile for guiding the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes as they are travelling in the area of the transfer device 4 (see, in particular, Figures 1 and 1A ).
  • the second guide means 8 may be present as an alternative to, or together with, the withholding means described above.
  • the filling station 1 further comprises top-containment means 9 (illustrated only partially), which, for example, in the specific case, comprise a side 9 and are arranged above the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes travelling in the filling station 1 so as to prevent undesirable movements (in a direction transverse to the conveying direction) of the latter that might modify the orientation thereof. If the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are set in the supporting containers C, as in the case illustrated, these undesirable movements could even cause exit of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes from the containers C themselves.
  • the side 9 has openings 90 such as to enable the action of the filling means 3 on the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled.
  • the filling means 3 comprise at least one filling head T1, T2, which, when the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled are in the filling area Z2, is mobile in the direction of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled, for example with a vertical movement from above downwards.
  • the filling station 1 further comprises at least one third transfer sector 43 shaped and mobile in a way similar to the first transfer sector 41 and second transfer sector 42 and independent of the first transfer sector 41 and second transfer sector 42.
  • the first 41, second 42, and third 43 transfer sectors each comprise at least the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 described above, which are adjacent to one another, for receiving each cartridge P of electronic cigarettes to be filled (see Figure 2 , where the reference numbers of the housings 10, 20, for reasons of clarity, are represented only for the second transfer sector 42).
  • the filling means 3 comprise: at least one first filling unit 31, which is set in the filling area Z2 and in turn comprises at least one filling head T1; and at least one second filling unit 32, which is set in the filling area Z2 at a certain distance from the first filling unit 31 (for example, downstream of the first filling unit 31 with reference to the conveying path of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes in the filling station 1) and comprises at least one filling head T2 (see Figure 1 ).
  • first filling unit 31, the second filling unit 32, and the transfer sectors 41, 42, 43 are pre-arranged so that the filling head T1 of the first filling unit 31 fills the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes set in the first housing 10 of each transfer sector 41, 42, 43 (first, second, and third transfer sectors), while the filling head T2 of the second filling unit 32 fills the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes set in the second housing 20 of each transfer sector 41, 42, 43.
  • This embodiment is advantageous in the case where the filling heads T1, T2 were to present considerable overall dimensions, and hence filling of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes set within mutually adjacent housings 10, 20 of one and the same (first, second, or third) transfer sector 41, 42, 43 would be problematical.
  • pre-arrangement of multiple filling heads enables also filling of the cartridges P with different products.
  • the filling speed w2 of the first 41, second 42, and third 43 transfer sectors is zero when they are in a position corresponding to the first filling unit 31 and the second filling unit 32, whereas it is different from zero in the stretch of path between the two (first and second) filling units 31, 32.
  • the third transfer sector 43 receives third cartridges P3 of electronic cigarettes to be filled in the feeding area Z1 from the feeding means 2.
  • the presence of the third transfer sector 43 guarantees continuity of feed of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes by the feeding means 2.
  • the first 41, second 42, and third 43 transfer sectors each comprise four housings 10, 20, 30, 40 (first, second, third, and fourth housings), arranged in a row adjacent to one another (the first 10 and the second 20 adjacent to one another, the second 20 and the third 30 adjacent to one another, and the third 30 and the fourth 40 adjacent to one another); see in detail Figure 2 , where the reference numbers of the housings 10, 20, 30, 40, for reasons of clarity, are indicated only for the second transfer sector 42.
  • the first filling unit 31 comprises two filling heads T1
  • the second filling unit 32 comprises two filling heads T2.
  • the filling heads T1 of the first filling unit 31 fill the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes set in the first housing 10 and third housing 30 of each transfer sector 41, 42, 43
  • the filling heads T2 of the second filling unit 32 fill the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes set in the second housing 20 and fourth housing 40 of each transfer sector 41, 42, 43.
  • this embodiment guarantees an even higher throughput of the filling station 1 in the case of filling heads T1, T2 with considerable overall dimensions.
  • the transfer device 4 further comprises a fourth transfer sector 44, shaped and mobile like the first 41, second 42, and third 43 transfer sectors (see the foregoing description).
  • the four transfer sectors 41, 42, 43, 44 are all independent of one another.
  • the first transfer sector 41 is located in the filling area Z2 in a position corresponding to the second filling unit 32
  • the second transfer sector 42 is located in the filling area Z2 in a position corresponding to the first filling unit 31
  • the third transfer sector 43 is located in the feeding area Z1
  • the fourth transfer sector is located between the filling area Z2 and the output area Z3.
  • the number of transfer sectors may vary according to the needs. Consequently, with reference to the embodiment described previously, also the number of filling heads of each filling unit (and the number of filling units) may vary.
  • filling of all the cartridges of electronic cigarettes present in the filling area may take place simultaneously.
  • the number of filling heads may be variable according to the number of cartridges of electronic cigarettes to be filled simultaneously.
  • the filling station 1 may further comprise inspection means 61, set, for example, upstream and/or downstream of the filling area Z2 (see Figure 2 ).
  • the inspection means 61 are, for example, means for checking the presence of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes to be filled (upstream of the filling area Z2) and of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes that have been filled (downstream of the filling area Z2).
  • the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are set within the supporting containers C (also known as “godets") inside which they are conveyed throughout the conveying path in the filling station 1.
  • the above supporting containers C is preferable in so far as the cartridges of electronic cigarettes are of small dimensions, are brittle, or in any case may be unstable, a fact that would render problematical conveying thereof and execution of the corresponding filling operations.
  • the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes may be conveyed in the filling station even in the absence of the aforesaid supporting containers: in this case, the entire filling station (and, in particular, the feeding means, the transfer sectors, the first and second guide means, and the output means) must be appropriately shaped and configured accordingly.
  • the cartridges of electronic cigarettes may be set in the supporting containers, whereas they may be conveyed without the supporting containers while they are travelling along another part of the path.
  • the filling station 1 described above may be integrated in a machine for filling electronic cigarettes.
  • the present invention also regards a machine for filling cartridges of electronic cigarettes (not illustrated), comprising at least: a station 1 for filling cartridges P of electronic cigarettes as described above; and a station for plugging the cartridges, where the cartridges that have been filled are plugged (i.e., a closing element is fitted on the cartridges, so as to close them); and a welding station for welding the plugs to the cartridges that have been filled (preferably by ultrasonic welding).
  • the invention moreover regards a method for filling cartridges P of electronic cigarettes, which may, for example, be implemented by means of the filling station 1 described previously.
  • the method according to the invention comprises the steps of:
  • the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are moved at a reception speed w1.
  • the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are accelerated from the reception speed w1 to a transfer speed w3.
  • the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes are decelerated from the transfer speed w3 to a filling speed w2.
  • the filling method proposed by the present invention affords the same advantages as the filling station 1 described previously. In fact, in a way similar to what has already been said for the filling station 1, with the method proposed a high throughput of the filling operations is guaranteed.
  • the operations of filling cartridges P of electronic cigarettes require significantly long times, which have a bearing on the overall throughput; these times cannot be reduced, but can only be compensated for during transfer of the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes towards the filling area Z2, and this is obtained by accelerating their movement up to the transfer speed w3.
  • the method according to the invention comprises, following upon the step of filling the first P1 and second P2 cartridges P of electronic cigarettes in the filling area Z2, the step of transferring the first P1 cartridges and then the second P2 cartridges P of electronic cigarettes towards an output area Z3 at an output speed w4.
  • the method further comprises the step of releasing the cartridges P of electronic cigarettes at a release speed w5 and carrying them away at a conveying speed a2.
  • the output speed w4 is higher than the filling speed w2 and the release speed w5.
  • the method envisages containing the cartridges P at the top via top-containment means (namely, the side 9 illustrated in Figure 1 ) while these are travelling from the feeding area to the filling area, and from the filling area to the output area. Considering the accelerations to which the cartridges are subjected according to the method described, this prevents undesirable movements thereof (in a direction transverse to the conveying direction), which could modify their orientation or even cause exit thereof from the line or from the containers C on which they are carried. In this case, the method envisages carrying out filling of the cartridges through the openings 90 of the containment means 9.

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Claims (9)

  1. Station (1) zum Befüllen von Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten, umfassend:
    Zuführmittel (2), angeordnet in einem Zuführbereich (Z1), zum Zuführen von zu befüllenden Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten;
    Befüllungsmittel (3), die in einem Befüllungsbereich (Z2) dem Zuführbereich (Z1) nachgeschaltet angeordnet ist, zum Befüllen der Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten; und
    eine Überführungsvorrichtung (4), die zwischen den Zuführmitteln (2) und den Befüllungsmitteln (3) angeordnet ist und dazu vorgesehen ist, von den Zuführmitteln (2) die zu befüllenden Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten aufzunehmen und sie vom Zuführbereich (Z1) zum Befüllungsbereich (Z2) zu überführen;
    mindestens einen ersten Überführungssektor (41) und einen zweiten Überführungssektor (42), die dazu vorgesehen sind, von den Zuführmitteln (2) jeweils erste (P1) und zweite (P2) zu befüllende Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten aufzunehmen und in den Befüllungsbereich (Z2) zu überführen;
    wobei der erste Überführungssektor (41) und der zweite Überführungssektor (42) um eine Achse (H) unabhängig voneinander drehbar sind, mit einer Aufnahmegeschwindigkeit (w1), wenn sie sich im Zuführbereich (Z1) befinden, mit einer Befüllungsgeschwindigkeit (w2), wenn sie sich im Befüllungsbereich (Z2) befinden, und mit einer Überführungsgeschwindigkeit (w3), die höher ist als die Aufnahmegeschwindigkeit (w1) und die Befüllungsgeschwindigkeit (w2), wenn sie sich zwischen dem Zuführbereich (Z1) und dem Befüllungsbereich (Z2) befinden,
    wobei die Befüllungsstation ferner mindestens einen dritten Überführungssektor (43) umfasst; wobei der erste (41), der zweite (42) und der dritte (43) Überführungssektor jeweils mindestens ein erstes Gehäuse (10) und ein zweites Gehäuse (20) benachbart zueinander zum Aufnehmen von zu befüllenden Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten umfassen; wobei die Station (1) dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass die Befüllungsmittel (3) mindestens eine erste Befüllungseinheit (31), die mindestens einen Befüllungskopf (T1) beinhaltet, und mindestens eine zweite Befüllungseinheit (32), die mindestens einen Befüllungskopf (T2) beinhaltet und in einem gewissen Abstand von der ersten Befüllungseinheit (31) angeordnet ist, umfassen; und die erste Befüllungseinheit (31), die zweite Befüllungseinheit (32) und die Überführungssektoren (41, 42, 43) gegenseitig so angeordnet sind, dass der Befüllungskopf (T1) der ersten Befüllungseinheit (31) die Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten befüllt, die sich im ersten Gehäuse (10) jedes Überführungssektors (41, 42, 43) befinden, und der Befüllungskopf (T2) der zweiten Befüllungseinheit (32) die Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten befüllt, die sich im zweiten Gehäuse (20) jedes Überführungssektors (41, 42, 43) befinden.
  2. Befüllungsstation (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Aufnahmegeschwindigkeit (w1) des ersten Überführungssektors (41) und des zweiten Überführungssektors (42) größer ist als die Befüllungsgeschwindigkeit (w2) des ersten Überführungssektors (41) und des zweiten Überführungssektors (42).
  3. Befüllungsstation (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Befüllungsgeschwindigkeit (w2) des ersten Überführungssektors (41) und des zweiten Überführungssektors (42) gleich null ist.
  4. Befüllungsstation (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Zuführmittel (2) ein Rad (2) umfassen, das die Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten mit einer Zuführgeschwindigkeit (a1) zuführt, die gleich der Aufnahmegeschwindigkeit (w1) des ersten Überführungssektors (41) und des zweiten Überführungssektors (42) ist.
  5. Befüllungsstation (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, ferner umfassend Ausgabemittel (5), die in einem dem Befüllungsbereich (Z2) nachgeschalteten Ausgabebereich (Z3) angeordnet und zum Aufnehmen der befüllten Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten und zu deren Abtransport mit einer Fördergeschwindigkeit (a2) vorgesehen sind;
    wobei: der erste Überführungssektor (41) und der zweite Überführungssektor (42) um die Achse (H) vom Befüllungsbereich (Z2) zum Ausgabebereich (Z3) drehbar beweglich sind, zu dem Zweck, die ersten (P1) und die zweiten (P2) befüllten Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten zu den Ausgabemitteln (5) zu überführen; und der erste Überführungssektor (41) und der zweite Überführungssektor (42) mit einer Ausgabegeschwindigkeit (w4), die höher als die Befüllungsgeschwindigkeit (w2) ist, beweglich sind, wenn sie sich zwischen dem Befüllungsbereich (Z2) und dem Ausgabebereich (Z3) befinden, und mit einer Freigabegeschwindigkeit (w5), die niedriger als die Ausgabegeschwindigkeit (w4) ist, wenn sie sich im Ausgabebereich (Z3) befinden.
  6. Befüllungsstation (1) nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Ausgabemittel (5) ein Rad (5) umfassen, und wobei die Fördergeschwindigkeit (a2) gleich der Freigabegeschwindigkeit (w5) des ersten Überführungssektors (41) und des zweiten Überführungssektors (42) ist.
  7. Befüllungsstation (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten in der Befüllungsstation (1) innerhalb von Tragebehältern (C) angeordnet bewegt werden.
  8. Maschine zum Befüllen von Kartuschen elektronischer Zigaretten, umfassend mindestens:
    eine Befüllungsstation (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, in der Kartuschen elektronischer Zigaretten mit einem Produkt befüllt werden;
    eine Station zum Verschließen der Kartuschen, in der die gefüllten Kartuschen verschlossen werden; und
    eine Schweißstation zum Schweißen der Verschlüsse an den entsprechenden Kartuschen.
  9. Verfahren zum Befüllen von Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten, umfassend die folgenden Schritte:
    Zuführen von ersten zu befüllenden Kartuschen (P1) und dann zweiten zu befüllenden Kartuschen (P2) elektronischer Zigaretten in einen Zuführbereich (Z1);
    Aufnehmen der ersten zu befüllenden Kartuschen (P1) und dann der zweiten zu befüllenden Kartuschen (P2) elektronischer Zigaretten im Zuführbereich (Z1);
    Überführen der ersten zu befüllenden Kartuschen (P1) und dann der zweiten zu befüllenden Kartuschen (P2) elektronischer Zigaretten vom Zuführbereich (Z1) zu einem Befüllungsbereich (Z2); und
    Befüllen der ersten Kartuschen (P1) und dann der zweiten Kartuschen (P2) elektronischer Zigaretten im Befüllungsbereich (Z2);
    wobei:
    während des Schritts des Aufnehmens der ersten (P1) und der zweiten (P2) zu befüllenden Kartuschen elektronischer Zigaretten im Zuführbereich (Z1) die Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten mit einer Aufnahmegeschwindigkeit (w1) bewegt werden;
    während des Schritts des Überführens der ersten (P1) und der zweiten (P2) zu befüllenden Kartuschen elektronischer Zigaretten vom Zuführbereich (Z1) zum Befüllungsbereich (Z2) die Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten von der Aufnahmegeschwindigkeit (w1) auf eine Überführungsgeschwindigkeit (w3) beschleunigt werden; und
    während des Schritts des Befüllens der ersten (P1) und der zweiten (P2) Kartuschen elektronischer Zigaretten im Befüllungsbereich (Z2) die Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten von der Überführungsgeschwindigkeit (w3) auf eine Befüllungsgeschwindigkeit (w2) verlangsamt werden, wobei das Verfahren dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass im Befüllungsbereich mindestens eine erste Befüllungseinheit (31), die mindestens einen Befüllungskopf (T1) beinhaltet, und mindestens eine zweite Befüllungseinheit (32), die mindestens einen Befüllungskopf (T2) beinhaltet und in einem gewissen Abstand von der ersten Befüllungseinheit (31) angeordnet ist, bereitgestellt werden, wobei:
    in den Überführungs- und Befüllungsschritten die ersten (P1) und die zweiten (P2) Kartuschen jeweils in mindestens einem ersten Überführungssektor und einem zweiten Überführungssektor (41, 42, 43) aufgenommen werden, die unabhängig voneinander um eine Achse (H) drehbar beweglich sind, wobei jeder Sektor mindestens ein erstes Gehäuse (10) und ein zweites Gehäuse (20) nebeneinander umfasst, die jeweils eine entsprechende Kartusche aufnehmen, und
    im Befüllungsschritt der Befüllungskopf (T1) der ersten Befüllungseinheit (31) die Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten befüllt, die sich im ersten Gehäuse (10) jedes Überführungssektors (41, 42, 43) befinden, und der Befüllungskopf (T2) der zweiten Befüllungseinheit (32) die Kartuschen (P) elektronischer Zigaretten befüllt, die sich im zweiten Gehäuse (20) jedes Überführungssektors (41, 42, 43) befinden.
EP18821738.4A 2017-12-01 2018-11-22 Station und verfahren zum befüllen von kartuschen von elektronischen zigaretten Active EP3717363B1 (de)

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TW252081B (de) * 1992-07-14 1995-07-21 Eizai Co Ltd
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PL3307637T3 (pl) * 2015-06-09 2020-11-16 Sluis Cigar Machinery B.V. Stanowisko napełniania i sposób napełniania wkładów papierosów elektronicznych
NL2014946B1 (en) * 2015-06-09 2017-01-31 Sluis Cigar Machinery Bv Filling station and method for filling cartridges of electronic cigarettes with a liquid.
ITUB20153795A1 (it) * 2015-09-22 2017-03-22 Gd Spa Macchina per la produzione di cartucce per sigarette elettroniche.

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