WO2017094191A1 - Film removing device for removing film wrapper from cigarette package, box disassembling device for disassembling cigarette box, methods for such devices, and system including devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a film removing device and a box disassembling device that are suitable for constructing a system for automatically recovering filtered cigarettes from a cigarette package. A film removing device (42) forms cutting lines (CL1, CL2) in a film wrapper (F) of a cigarette package (CP), and then, with the assistance of a suction belt (54) and a pinching element (66), removes the film wrapper (F) from the cigarette package (CP). A box disassembling device (80) forms disassembly lines (DL) in a cigarette box (B), opens a hinged lid (HL) of the cigarette box (B), and splits the cigarette box (B) along the disassembly lines (DL). The present invention also provides a film removal method for the device (42) and a box disassembly method for the device (80).

Description

Film removing apparatus for removing film wrapping material from cigarette package, box dismantling apparatus for disassembling cigarette box, method corresponding to these apparatuses, and system including the apparatus

The present invention relates to a film removing apparatus that removes a film packaging material from a cigarette package without damaging the cigarette, a box dismantling apparatus that disassembles a cigarette box, a method corresponding to each of these apparatuses, and a system including the apparatus.

Generally, a cigarette package includes a hinge lid type cigarette box that contains a cigarette bundle and a transparent film wrapping material that wraps the cigarette box. Furthermore, the cigarette bundle is wrapped with an inner wrapping material. In order to collect a cigarette from the cigarette package described above, first, the film wrapping material is peeled off from the cigarette package and then removed, and then the cigarette box needs to be disassembled so that the cigarette can be collected. Such collection of cigarettes is carried out periodically or on demand at a cigarette package manufacturing factory for the purpose of cigarette quality inspection.

For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses an example of a film removing apparatus and method for removing a film packaging material from a cigarette package, while Patent Document 2 discloses an example of a box apparatus and method for disassembling a cigarette box.

European Patent Application No. 1329388 (EP 1 329 388 A1) Japanese Patent No. 5591001 (JP 555910 B2)

The film removing apparatus and method of Patent Document 1 form a cutting line on a film wrapping material, and then remove the film wrapping material by adsorbing it to a suction belt. However, in the case of Patent Document 1, when the film wrapping material is removed, the film wrapping material is only adsorbed only to the suction belt. For this reason, the film wrapping material is easily caught on the corner of the cigarette box, so that the film wrapping material is hardly peeled off from the cigarette package. Incomplete peeling of the film wrapping material disturbs the posture of the cigarette box. And it becomes a factor which causes the transfer defect of a cigarette box after this.
On the other hand, the box disassembly apparatus and method of Patent Document 2 require a large number of cutting lines to be formed in the cigarette box in order to disassemble the cigarette package, that is, the cigarette box. For this reason, the structure for forming a cutting line becomes complicated, and the cigarette box is not easily disassembled. Also, the formation of multiple cutting lines increases the possibility of damaging cigarettes in the cigarette box.

An object of the present invention is to provide a film removing apparatus and a box dismantling apparatus that can solve the above-described problems, and methods corresponding to these apparatuses. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system suitable for collecting cigarettes from a cigarette package, including a film removing device and a box dismantling device.

The above-described object is achieved by the film removing apparatus of the present invention, and the film removing apparatus includes:
A film cutting stage that receives a cigarette package and cuts the film wrapping material of the received cigarette package, wherein the film cutting stage includes the film on three surfaces of four surfaces along a circumferential direction of the cigarette package. A film cutting stage that cuts each packaging material and forms one first cutting line continuous along the circumferential direction in the film packaging material;
A suction belt capable of receiving the cigarette package from the film cutting stage and sucking the cigarette package through the film wrapping material, wherein the suction belt is positioned at the center of the three surfaces as a leading surface. The cigarette package is transferred toward a transfer stage defined downstream of the suction belt, and a suction belt for the film wrapping material is defined between the suction bell and the transfer stage. When,
A pinching element disposed above the suction belt, the pinching element sandwiching the cigarette package transported on the suction belt between the pinching element and the suction bell.

The above-described object is achieved by the box dismantling apparatus of the present invention. The box disassembling apparatus has a lid that can be opened and closed around a hinge, and accommodates a cigarette pack therein, and the cigarette pack includes a cigarette bundle and the cigarette. It is applied to a cigarette box including an inner wrapping material that wraps a bundle. The box dismantling apparatus of the present invention is
A box cutting stage for cutting the cigarette box, wherein the box cutting stage cuts two narrow side walls of the cigarette box together with the inner wrapping material to form a dismantling line on each of the side walls; A box cutting stage that extends from the bottom wall to the top wall of the cigarette box along the longitudinal axis of the cigarette box and has two ends, each positioned on the bottom wall;
A lid opening stage for opening the lid of the cigarette box in which the dismantling line is formed, the lid opening stage rotating the lid of the cigarette box around the hinge to open and exposing the inner pack; As a result, a lid opening stage in which the cigarette box can be separated along the dismantling line into a first box half with the opened lid and the remaining second box half;
A half-rotation stage that separates the cigarette box with the lid open along the disassembly line, the half-rotation stage comprising an imaginary line on the bottom wall connecting the two ends of the disassembly line A half-rotation stage that rotates at least one of the first and second box halves as a center, thereby enabling removal of the cigarette bundle from the cigarette box.

According to the above-described film removing apparatus, when the cigarette package is transferred while the film wrapping material is adsorbed to the suction belt, the film wrapping material is peeled off from the cigarette package, that is, the cigarette box, and guided into the drawing opening. At this time, since the film wrapping material is sandwiched between the pinching element and the cigarette box, the peeling of the film wrapping material and the transfer of the cigarette box are both stable.
On the other hand, the above-described box dismantling apparatus separates the cigarette box into a first box half and a second box half along the disassembly line with the cigarette box lid open. Therefore, the cigarette box can be disassembled only by forming the disassembly line only on the two surfaces of the cigarette box described above.

Furthermore, the present invention also provides a method suitable for the above-described film removing apparatus and box dismantling apparatus, and a system suitable for collecting cigarettes from a cigarette package, including the film removing apparatus and box disassembling apparatus.

The film removing apparatus, the box dismantling apparatus, the method corresponding to these apparatuses, and the system including the film removing apparatus and the box disassembling apparatus of the present invention solve the above-mentioned problems.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure showing roughly the whole cigarette collection system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of the film removal apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the detail of the cutting line formed in the film packaging material of a cigarette package. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the functions of the suction belt and the pinching element in FIG. 2 in the order of (a) to (f). It is a figure which shows the detail of the box dismantling apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the dismantling line formed in a cigarette box, and a cigarette bundle. It is a figure which expands and shows the lid opening stage of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the movement path | route of the lid opening pusher of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state by which the lid opening pusher of FIG. 8 was pressed on the cigarette box. It is a figure which shows a mode that a lid opening pusher opens the hinge lid of a cigarette box from the state shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the lid opening hand which can be substituted for the said lid opening pusher, and a motion of this lid opening hand. It is a figure which expands and shows the separation stage of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of the tension | pulling gripper of FIG. It is a figure which shows the front surface of the inner pack from which the cutting piece was removed. It is a figure which expands and shows the rotation preparation stage of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which has the expansion hand of FIG. 15 in a rest position. It is a figure which shows the state which the expansion hand moved toward the front surface of the inner pack from the state of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which the expansion hand raised from the state shown in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the expansion hand in the state of Drawing 18 from the upper part. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the rotation preparation stage of FIG. 15, and (a) to (c) sequentially show the movement of the spreading hand. It is a figure which shows the half body rotation stage arrange | positioned in the back | latter stage of a rotation preparation stage. It is a figure which expands and shows the taking-out apparatus of the filter cigarette of FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification for forming a 1st cutting line and a pair of demolition line with the flow of the transfer of a cigarette package. It is a perspective view of a cigarette package provided with the 1st cutting line and a pair of dismantling lines.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system for recovering a filter cigarette from a cigarette package roughly includes a film wrapping film removing device, a box dismantling device, and a filter cigarette take-out device. A method for collecting filter cigarettes using such a system will be apparent from the description of the system described below.

Here, the cigarette package CP includes, for example, a hinge lid type cigarette box and a transparent film wrapping material that wraps the cigarette box. Further, the cigarette box contains an inner pack, and the inner pack has a cigarette bundle and an inner wrapping material covering the cigarette bundle. The above-described apparatuses are sequentially arranged along the transfer path 10, and the cigarette packages CP or cigarette boxes are transferred one by one along the transfer path 10.

In the case of this embodiment, the starting end of the transfer path 10 is connected to the bottom of the buffer unit 12 of the cigarette package CP. The buffer unit 12 accommodates, for example, 200 cigarette packages CP in a matrix of 20 rows × 10 columns, and the starting end of the transfer path 10 is positioned at the lower end of the rightmost package row Rp as viewed in FIG. Here, it should be noted that, in the buffer unit 12, each cigarette package CP has a front surface in which the posture of the cigarette package CP faces downward, and a hinge lid positioned on the rear wall side of the buffer unit 12.

In detail, as is clear from FIG. 2, the transfer path 10 includes a vertical guide 14 at the starting end thereof, and the vertical guide 14 extends vertically downward from the bottom of the buffer unit 12. For example, the vertical guide 14 is formed by two guide plates 16. These guide plates 16 are opposed to each other in the width direction of the buffer unit 12, and an interval corresponding to the width of the package row Rp (cigarette package CP) is secured between the guide plates 16. Further, both side edges of the guide plate 16 are formed as angle-shaped bent portions 18, and these bent portions 18 protrude into the vertical guide 14. In each guide plate 16, the distance between the bent portions 18 substantially corresponds to the depth of the package row Rp, that is, the length along the longitudinal direction of the cigarette package CP.

Therefore, the package row Rp positioned immediately above the vertical guide 14 is led out from the buffer unit 12 into the vertical guide 14 and descends while being guided by the vertical guide 14. On the other hand, a first belt conveyor 20 is horizontally disposed below the vertical guide 14, and the first belt conveyor 20 can receive the package row Rp derived from the vertical guide 14. A predetermined interval is secured between the vertical guide 14 and the first belt conveyor 20, and the interval is slightly larger than the thickness of the cigarette package CP.

Therefore, in the package row Rp on the first belt conveyor 20, the lowermost cigarette package CP can come out of the vertical guide 14 when the first belt conveyor 20 is run. The travel of the first belt conveyor 20 is repeated intermittently. As a result, the first belt conveyor 20 can continuously transfer the cigarette packages CP one by one.

In the case of the present embodiment, the first belt conveyor 20 extends in the width direction of the vertical guide 14 as is apparent from FIG. Therefore, the cigarette package CP on the first belt conveyor 20 is transferred with one narrow side as a leading side. A stopper 22 is disposed at the end of the first belt conveyor 20, and the stopper 22 is formed by an angle plate, for example.

In the vicinity of the first belt conveyor 20, a horizontal transfer table 24 is arranged. The transfer table 24 extends in the traveling direction of the first belt conveyor 20 in parallel with the first belt conveyor 20 from the end portion of the first belt conveyor 20. Therefore, the end portion of the first belt conveyor 20 and the start end portion of the transfer table 24 form an overlapping area adjacent to each other.

On the other hand, a first pusher 26 is disposed near the end of the first belt conveyor 20 on the side opposite to the transfer table 24. The first pusher 26 can reciprocate in the direction of moving toward and away from the starting end of the transfer table 24, that is, in the direction of the arrow Y1 shown in FIG. Therefore, when the first pusher 26 is moved from the rest position shown in FIG. 2 toward the transfer table 24, the first pusher 26 removes one cigarette package CP on the end of the first belt conveyor 20. Transfer from the first belt conveyor 20 onto the transfer table 24 is possible.

In order to stably transfer the cigarette package CP here, a side guide 28 is disposed between the end portion of the first belt conveyor 20 and the start end portion of the transfer table 24. The side guide 28 is formed of two side plates, and these side plates are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction of the transfer table 24 (first belt conveyor 20), and a distance corresponding to the width of the cigarette package CP is provided between these side plates. Is secured.

In the case of the present embodiment, one side plate is formed by the extension of the stopper 22 described above. Further, a first presser plate 30 is disposed above the overlap region, and the presser plate 30 extends from the end of the first belt conveyor 20 to the start of the transfer table 24.

On the other hand, a second pusher 32 is disposed in the vicinity of the starting end of the transfer table 24. The pressing surface of the second pusher 32 is provided by a roller 32a, and the roller 32a is rotatably supported. The second pusher 32 can reciprocate in the direction of moving toward and away from the end of the transfer table 24, that is, in the direction of the arrow Y2 shown in FIG. Therefore, when the second pusher 32 is moved from the illustrated rest position toward the end of the transfer table 24 with the cigarette package CP positioned at the start end of the transfer table 24, the second pusher 32 is transferred. The cigarette package CP on the table 24 is transferred from the start end of the transfer table 24 toward the end.

In order to stably transfer the cigarette package CP described above, side plates 34 and 36 are arranged on both side edges of the transfer table 24, respectively. One side plate 34 also serves as a stopper for the cigarette package CP that transfers from the first belt conveyor 20 to the transfer table 24. The portion of the other side plate 36 corresponding to the side guide 28 described above is missing, so that the side plate 36 allows the cigarette package CP to be transferred from the first belt conveyor 20 to the transfer table 24. Further, the transfer table 24 is also provided with a second presser plate 38 that performs the same function as the first presser plate 30 described above. It extends.

Near the end of the transfer table 24, a second belt conveyor 40 as a transfer stage is arranged. The second belt conveyor 40 extends horizontally on the same line as the transfer table 24, and a predetermined interval is secured between the transfer table 24 and the second belt conveyor 40. A film removing device 42 is arranged in the upstream portion of the transfer path 10 from the vertical guide 14 to the start of the first belt conveyor 20, the transfer table 24, and the second belt conveyor 40. The film removing device 42 is a cigarette package CP. The film packaging material is removed from the film (film removal method). Hereinafter, the film removal apparatus 42 will be described in detail.

Film Removal Device The film removal device 42 includes a film cutting stage (film cutting step) 44 for cutting the film wrapping material of the cigarette package CP. The film cutting stage 44 is paired with the side cutter 46 as shown in FIG. The first end cutters 48 are formed by horizontal rotary knives. The side cutter 46 is assembled with the first belt conveyor 20, and a part of the outer periphery of the side cutter 46 penetrates the stopper 22 of the first belt conveyor 20 and slightly protrudes from the stopper surface of the stopper 22. In order to allow the side cutter 46 to pass through in this way, a slot 50 is formed in the stopper 22, and the slot 50 extends in a direction crossing the first belt conveyor 20.

Therefore, when the cigarette package CP reaches the stopper 22 of the first belt conveyor 20, the side cutter 46 forms a cut in the film packaging material at the corner between the leading side of the cigarette package CP and its top surface. To do. Thereafter, when the cigarette package CP is transferred from the first belt conveyor 20 onto the transfer table 24, the cut of the film wrapping material extends along the longitudinal direction of the leading side surface by the side cutter 46. As a result, such a cut is formed over the entire longitudinal direction of the leading side surface. Such an incision is shown in FIG. 3 as reference symbol C1. Further, as apparent from FIG. 3, the cut C1 is positioned at a half position in terms of the thickness of the cigarette package CP, that is, at the center of the leading side surface.

On the other hand, the pair of first end cutters 48 form a pair with the transfer table 24 and are arranged on the side plates 34 and 36, respectively. The arrangement of the first end cutter 48 is the same as the arrangement of the side cutter 46 described above with respect to the stopper 22. Therefore, in the process in which the cigarette package CP is transferred from the start end to the end of the transfer table 24, cuts C2 are formed in the film wrapping material at the top surface and the bottom surface of the cigarette package CP, respectively. As is clear from FIG. 3, the notch C2 is connected to the aforementioned notch C1, and as a result, the notches C1 and C2 have three surfaces (leading side surface, top surface and continuous surface) that are continuous in the circumferential direction of the cigarette package CP. 1st cutting line CL1 is formed in a film packaging material in a bottom face.

In the present embodiment, the film cutting stage 44 further includes a pair of second end cutters 52. These second end cutters 52 are also formed by a rotary knife and form a pair with the vertical guide 14 described above. Specifically, the second end cutters 52 are respectively arranged in the bent portions 18 of the vertical guides 14 on the downstream side when viewed in the traveling direction of the first belt conveyor 20. A part of the outer periphery of each end cutter 52 passes through the corresponding bent portion 18 and slightly protrudes into the vertical guide 14. Therefore, when the cigarette package CP in the package row Ra descends in the vertical guide 14, the pair of end cutters 52 cut into the film packaging material at the top surface and the bottom surface of the cigarette package CP, that is, the second cutting line CL2. Respectively. As is apparent from FIG. 3, each second cutting line CL2 intersects the corresponding cut C2 and is positioned close to the leading side surface. Here, the first and second cutting lines CL1 and CL2 described above may extend to a part of the thickness of the outer blank forming the cigarette box.

The end portion of the transfer table 24 described above is formed by a pair of endless suction belts (adsorption processes) 54, and these suction belts 54 are arranged apart from each other in the width direction of the transfer table 24. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, each suction belt 54 has an upstream portion 56 that forms a terminal portion of the transfer table 24, and a downstream portion 58, and the downstream portion 58 has a transfer path 10, that is, It deviates downward from the upstream part 56. Therefore, a predetermined interval is secured between the end of the transfer table 24, that is, between the upstream portion 56 of the suction belt 54 and the second belt conveyor 40 as the transfer stage.

In the case of this embodiment, a connecting plate 60 is disposed between the upstream portion 56 and the second belt conveyor 40 as necessary, and a drawing opening 62 is provided between the connecting plate 60 and the upstream portion 56. The pull-in opening 62 has a size that allows the aforementioned film packaging material to be pulled in. A suction box 64 is disposed in the suction belt 54. The suction box 64 extends from the upstream portion 56 to the downstream portion 58 and can provide a suction pressure to the suction belt 54.

Furthermore, a roller-shaped pinching element (pinching step) 66 is disposed above the end of the upstream portion 56. An interval corresponding to the thickness of the cigarette package CP is secured between the pitching element 66 and the upper surface of the upstream portion 56, and the pinching element 66 is supported so as not to rotate about its axis.

Next, the procedure for peeling off the film packaging material will be described with reference to FIG. As is clear from the above description, when the second pusher 32 is advanced from the rest position toward the suction belt 54, the cigarette package CP on the start end of the transfer table 24 is transferred toward the end of the transfer table 24. The In the transfer process, the above-described cuts C2 are formed in the film packaging material F of the cigarette package CP.

As shown in FIG. 4A, when the cigarette package CP is positioned at the end of the transfer table 24, the leading end of the cigarette package CP is located between the upstream portion 56 of the suction belt 54 and the pinching element 66 when viewed in the transfer direction. Sandwiched between them. In this state, the upstream portion 56 of the suction belt 54 adsorbs the film wrapping material F of the cigarette package CP and simultaneously travels toward the second belt conveyor 40, while the second pusher 32 returns toward the rest position.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the traveling of the upstream portion 56 pushes the cigarette package CP toward the second belt conveyor 40 through the film wrapping material F. At this time, if the film wrapping material F proceeds from the upstream portion 56 to a position directly above the downstream portion 58 of the suction belt 54, the adsorption of the film wrapping material F is handed over from the upstream portion 56 to the downstream portion 58 (running process). Here, since the first cutting line CL1 is already formed on the film packaging material F, the lower half F1 of the film packaging material is below the leading side surface of the cigarette package CP (cigarette box B) as seen in FIG. It is divided along the first cutting line CL1 regardless of the presence of the side corner edge.

On the other hand, since the cigarette package CP is sandwiched between the pinching element 66 and the upstream portion 56, the upper half F2 of the film wrapping material F is different from the lower half F1, and the cigarette package CP, that is, the cigarette box B It stays at the end of the transfer table 24 without following the extrusion. Therefore, a slack S is formed in the upper half F2 on the upper surface of the cigarette package CP. As a result, the upper half F2 of the film wrapping material is also divided along the first cutting line CL1 regardless of the presence of the upper corner edge of the leading side surface in the cigarette package CP (cigarette box B). Further, in the case of the present embodiment, since the above-described second cutting line CL2 is also formed on the film packaging material, the lower half F1 and the upper half F2 of the film packaging material can be easily formed from the upper and lower corner edges of the cigarette box B. Torn off.

As the suction belt 54 travels, the film packaging material F is gradually peeled off from the cigarette box B as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 4D, when the cigarette package CP, that is, the cigarette box B is supported on the connecting plate 60, the film packaging material F is completely separated from the cigarette box B. Here, during peeling of the film wrapping material F, the film wrapping material F is maintained in a state of being sandwiched between the pinching element 66 and the cigarette box B. To be implemented. Therefore, the cigarette box B can be transferred from the suction belt 54 onto the transfer plate 60 without disturbing its posture.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4E, the upper half F2 of the film packaging material F is pulled by the lower half F1 adsorbed by the downstream part 58 of the suction belt 54 and adsorbed by the downstream part 58. As a result, the film packaging material F separated from the cigarette box B is discharged downward from the downstream portion 58 of the suction conveyor 54. Thereafter, when peeling of the film wrapping material F from the next cigarette package CP is repeated in the same manner, the cigarette box B on the connecting plate 60 is pushed out to the next cigarette package CP, and FIG. 4 (f) Transfer to the second belt conveyor 40 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the cigarette box B is transferred on the second belt conveyor 40.

As is clear from the above description, in the process of transferring the cigarette package CP from the transfer table 24 onto the second belt conveyor 40, the film wrapping material F of the cigarette package CP is removed from the cigarette box B, and the second belt conveyor 40 Transports the cigarette box B toward the end of the second belt conveyor 40. As shown in FIG. 5, a bucket conveyor 68 is disposed in the vicinity of the terminal end of the second belt conveyor 40, and the bucket conveyor 68 is parallel to the second belt conveyor 40 from the terminal end of the second belt conveyor 40. Extending in the traveling direction of the second belt conveyor 40.

The end of the second belt conveyor 40 and the start of the bucket conveyor 68 are connected to each other via a connection table 70. On the other hand, a third pusher 72 is disposed at the end of the second belt conveyor 40 on the side opposite to the transfer table 70. The third pusher 72 can reciprocate in the direction of the arrow Y3 shown in FIG. 5, and the cigarette box B at the end of the second belt conveyor 40 is connected to the transfer table from the second belt conveyor 40 with the hinge lid as the head. Extrude on 70. The cigarette box B pushed out in this way is received by one bucket positioned at the start end of the bucket conveyor 68. In order to stabilize the reception of the cigarette box B here, a pair of side plates 74 are arranged on both side edges of the connecting table 70, while a third presser plate 76 is arranged above the connecting table 70. .

As is apparent from FIG. 5, one side plate 74 extends to the end of the second belt conveyor 40 and also serves as a stopper for the cigarette box B. Furthermore, the starting end of the bucket conveyor 68 is sandwiched between the transfer table 70 and the stopper plate 78. Therefore, it should be noted that the cigarette box B is received by the bucket in contact with the stopper plate 78, and at this time, the hinge lid of the cigarette box B protrudes from the bucket.

Each time the reciprocating motion of the third pusher 72 and the intermittent driving of the bucket conveyor 68 are repeated, the cigarette boxes B on the second belt conveyor 40 are received one by one in the bucket of the bucket conveyor 68. Thereafter, the cigarette box B received by the bucket conveyor 68 is intermittently transferred along with the bucket along the bucket conveyor 68 toward the end of the bucket conveyor 68. That is, starting end of the bucket conveyor 68 is defined as a receiving position I ₀ of a cigarette box B, intermittently on bucket conveyor 68 cigarettes box B received in the bucket at the receiving position I ₀ from the receiving position I ₀ At this time, they are sequentially positioned from the receiving position I ₀ to the moving positions I ₁ , I ₂ , I ₃ ,.

A box dismantling device 80 (FIG. 5) of the cigarette box B is disposed in the region of the transfer table 70 and the bucket conveyor 68 described above, that is, in the downstream portion of the transfer path 10. Box B is dismantled (box dismantling method). Hereinafter, the box dismantling apparatus 80 will be described in detail.

Box Dismantling Device The box disassembling device 80 includes a box cutting stage (box cutting step) 82 for cutting the cigarette box B, and the box cutting stage 82 has a pair of side cutters 84 as shown in FIG. These side cutters 84 are formed by horizontal rotary knives, and are respectively disposed on the pair of side plates 74 of the connection table 70. As described above, when the cigarette box B is transferred from the terminal end of the second belt conveyor 40 toward the bucket conveyor 68, the pair of side cutters 84 is attached to both side walls of the cigarette box B together with the inner packing material of the inner pack described above. Cut along the longitudinal axis of the cigarette box B to form a pair of dismantling lines in the cigarette box B.

Such a dismantling line extends from the bottom wall of the cigarette box B to the top wall of the hinge lid, and is positioned at the center of the cigarette box B when viewed in the thickness direction of the cigarette box B. Therefore, each dismantling line has an end on the bottom wall of the cigarette box B. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the inner pack IP in the cigarette box B includes a cigarette bundle and an inner wrapping material IW that wraps the cigarette bundle. In the case of this embodiment, the cigarette bundle is formed by, for example, three stacked cigarette layers. Of these cigarette layers, two outer cigarette layers have seven filter cigarettes FC, and an intermediate cigarette layer sandwiched between the two outer cigarette layers has six filter cigarettes FC.

As is clear from FIG. 6, the pair of side cutters 84 (that is, the disassembly line DL) described above is positioned at a position corresponding to the intermediate cigarette layer in the thickness direction of the inner pack IP. Since the intermediate cigarette layer has a smaller number of filter cigarettes FC than the outer cigarette layer, a gap is secured between the intermediate cigarette layer and the inner packaging material IW. Therefore, the pair of side cutters 84 can cut both side walls of the cigarette box B together with the inner wrapping material IW without damaging the filter cigarette FC of the intermediate cigarette layer. On the bucket conveyor 68, a lid opening stage (lid opening step) 86 is disposed downstream of the starting end, and the lid opening stage 86 is shown in an enlarged manner in FIG.

Lid opening stage 86 includes a lid open pusher 88, the lid opening pusher 88, at the receiving position I ₀ first movement position I ₁ of the lower area adjacent to the bucket conveyor 68, and is movably disposed . For example, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 8, the lid opening pusher 88 is movable along a rectangular movement path MP, and the movement path MP is moved from the rest position of the lid opening pusher 88 to the first movement position. I a rising portion U extending to _{1, an} upper horizontal portion UH extending from the upper end of the rising portion U to the side of the bucket conveyor 68, a lowering portion D extending downward from the outer end of the upper horizontal portion UH, and the lowering portion A lower horizontal portion LH extending from the lower end of D to the rest position. More specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the upper end of the lid opening pusher 88 has a claw 90, and the claw 90 is directed to the side of the bucket conveyor 68.

FIG. 9 shows a state in which the lid opening pusher 88 is lifted from the rest position to the upper end of the rising portion U, and the upper surface of the lid opening pusher 88 is pressed against the front surface of the cigarette box B in the bucket. Here, as is clear from the above description, the front surface of the cigarette box B in the bucket is directed downward, and the front surface is the front wall FW1 of the box body in the cigarette box B and the front of the hinge lid HL in the cigarette box B. Formed by wall FW2.

When the lid opening pusher 88 is pressed against the cigarette box B, the front wall FW1 is slightly recessed in the vicinity of the front wall FW2, so that the aforementioned claw 90 can be engaged with the front wall FW2. When the lid opening pusher 88 is moved along the upper horizontal portion UH of the movement path MP from such a state, the claw 90 enters the hinge lid HL and engages with the front wall FW2. Therefore, the lid opening pusher 88 rotates the hinge lid HL around the hinge h of the hinge lid HL as shown in FIG. 10, and as a result, the hinge lid HL is half-opened at a predetermined angle. 9 and 10, reference symbol DL indicates the disassembly line described above. In FIG. 10, the inner frame forming part of the cigarette box B is omitted.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, a holding guide 92 is disposed immediately above the bucket conveyor 68, and the holding guide 92 extends from the vicinity of the receiving position I ₀ of the bucket conveyor 68 toward the end of the bucket conveyor 68. ing. Such a holding guide 92 is useful for stabilizing the intermittent transfer of the cigarette box B on the bucket conveyor 68, the half-opening operation of the hinge lid HL described above, and the full-opening operation described later.

The half-opening operation of the hinge lid HL is possible without using the lid opening pusher 88 described above. For example, another embodiment shown in FIG. 11 includes a lid opening hand 94 instead of the lid opening pusher 88. The lid opening hand 94 can reciprocate in a direction to come in contact with and separate from the lower corner portion of the hinge lid HL as viewed in FIG. 11, and can turn around the hinge h. Therefore, when the lid opening hand 94 is moved toward the hinge lid HL, the lid opening hand 94 holds the lower corner of the hinge lid HL. In this state, when the lid opening hand 94 is turned around the hinge h, the hinge lid HL is half-opened at a predetermined angle.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first guide block 96 is disposed at the second movement position I ₂ adjacent to the first movement position I ₁ . The first guide block 96 includes a tapered extension 98, the extension portion 98 extends toward the first movement position I _1. The first guide block 96 has a guide surface 100 facing the side of the bucket conveyor 68, and the guide surface 100 is formed as a concave surface recessed in an arc shape. When the cigarette box B is moved from the first movement position I ₁ to the second movement position I _2, hinged lid HL semi-open state while being guided by the guide surface 100 of the extension portion 98, increases the opening of the hinged lid HL, Thereafter, the vehicle rides on the upper surface of the first guide block 96 as shown in FIG.

Further, the first guide block 96 is arranged a second guide block 102 separately, second guide block 102 has a third movement position I adjacent the second movement position I ₂ to the second movement position I _{2 3} extends. The upper surface of the second guide block 102 is formed as a guide surface 104 that is recessed in an arc shape, and the starting end of the guide surface 104 appears from the upper surface of the first guide block 96. Therefore, when the cigarette box B is moved from the second moving position I ₂ to the third moving position I _3, hinged lid HL while being guided by the guide surface 104, further increasing the degree of opening of the hinged lid HL, fully opened It becomes. At this point, as is clear from FIG. 7, the top surface of the inner pack IP in the cigarette box B is partially exposed.

Here, the opening operation of the hinge lid HL by the lid opening stage 86 described above causes the cigarette box B to be opened along the dismantling line DL described above and the first box half Bh1 having the hinge lid HL opened and the remaining second box half. It should be noted that it is separable from the body Bh2.

A separation stage (separation step) 106 is arranged downstream of the second guide block 102 as schematically shown in FIG. Before describing the disconnect stage 106, it will be explained first top surface of the inner pack IP exposed at the third moving position I _3.

The top surface TF of the inner pack IP is a closed surface that closes the filter-side end surface of the cigarette bundle described above, and is formed by folding the inner packaging material IW. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the top surface TF includes two side folds SF folded on both side portions of the filter side end surface, and a lower flap LF and an upper flap UF that are sequentially overlapped on the side fold SFs. Including. It should be noted here that the upper flap UF is upward. Further, a separation line (not shown) is formed in advance in the inner packaging material IW. The separation line divides a planned separation area into the inner packaging material IW, and the planned separation area includes the upper flap UF, part of both side folding SFs, and the inner packaging material IW corresponding to the upper part of the front surface of the inner pack IP. Including.

Disconnecting the stage 106 includes air nozzle 108, the air nozzle 108 in the fourth movement position I ₄ adjacent to the third movement position I _3, are disposed downwards. Therefore, when the cigarette box B is moved from the third movement position I ₃ to the fourth movement position I ₄ , the exposed top surface TF of the inner pack IP is positioned below the air nozzle 108. In this state, the air nozzle 108 ejects compressed air toward the upper flap UF of the top surface TP. The jetted compressed air folds back the upper flap UF in a direction separating the upper flap UF from the lower flap LF.

On the other hand, the fifth moving position I ₅ adjacent to the fourth moving position I ₄ is arranged a third guide block 110. Third guide block 110 includes a tapered extension 112 extends toward the fourth moving position I _4, the side surface of the extension portion 112 is formed as a guide surface 114 which is recessed in a circular arc shape. When the cigarette box B is positioned in the fourth movement position I _4, the upstream end of the extension portion 112 adjacent the upper flap UF in a state of overlapping at one side folding SF.

Therefore, when the cigarette box B is moved from the fourth movement position I ₄ to the fifth movement position I _5, the upstream end of the extension portion 112, relative between the upper flap UF returned and folding Roafurappu LF Enter. Thereafter, the upper flap UF is guided to the guide surface 114 of the third guide block 110, and the folding back is further promoted. Thereafter, the upper flap UF is guided to the lower side of the lower surface of the third guide block 110 and completely folded back to the horizontal state.

Further, the third guide block 110 as is clear from FIG. 12 further includes an extension portion 116 extending toward the sixth moving position I ₆ adjacent to the fifth moving position I _5. Therefore, the cigarette box B is also moved from the fifth movement position I ₅ to the sixth moving position I _6, the upper flap UF is maintained in a horizontal state. In the case of this embodiment, the air nozzle 108 and the third guide block 110 described above form a folding mechanism for the upper flap UF.

At the sixth moving position I _6, pulling the gripper 118 is arranged on the side of the bucket conveyor 68. The tension gripper 118 is openable and closable and can be reciprocated in toward or away from the horizontal direction to the cigarette box B in the sixth moving position I _6. When pulling gripper 118 is moved from the rest position toward the sixth moving position I _6, the pull gripper 118 is in the open state. Therefore, when the gripper 118 tensile as shown in Figure 13 is positioned in the vicinity of the sixth moving position I _6, pull gripper 118 can accept the upper flap UF therein.

After this, the pull gripper 118 is closed and the upper flap UF is gripped. In this state, the pull gripper 118 moves away from the cigarette box B and pulls the upper flap UF. The pulling of the upper flap UF here separates the planned separation area of the inner packaging material IW described above along the separation line. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the planned separation area is removed from the inner packaging material IW as a separation piece SP. FIG. 14 shows the inner pack IP after the separation piece SP is removed. In this case, the top surface TF of the inner pack IP partially exposes the cigarette bundle. Specifically, the lower flap LF and part of the left and right side fold SFs are left on the top surface TF, and these parts are referred to as side fold remaining parts SFr. In FIG. 14, the hinge lid HL is omitted.

In the case of the present embodiment, the pull gripper 118 is a removal mechanism that removes the separation piece SP from the inner packaging material IW. The removal of the separation piece SP is performed by the user first after the cigarette package CP is opened by the user. This corresponds to the operation to be performed. That is, the operation provides the inner wrapping material IW with an access opening to the cigarette bundle, and the filter cigarette FC can be taken out from the inner pack IP through the access opening. A half-body rotation stage (half-body rotation process) 120 is disposed downstream of the bucket conveyor 68 from the sixth movement position I ₆ described above. In this embodiment, box disassembling apparatus 88 further includes a rotational preparation stage 122 for half rotation stage 120, the the rotary preparation stage 122 disposed in the seventh moving position I ₇ adjacent to the sixth moving position I ₆ Has been.

As shown in FIG. 15, the rotation preparation stage 122 includes an air nozzle 124 and an expansion hand 126. Air nozzle 124 at the lower of the seventh moving position I _7, is upwardly disposed. When the cigarette box B is positioned to the seventh moving position I _7, the air nozzle 124 for ejecting compressed air toward the top surface TF of the inner pack IP. Such a jet of compressed air returns the folding of the lower flap LF to some extent as shown in FIG. The arrows in FIG. 16 indicate the compressed air EA (air nozzle 124) that has been ejected. In FIG. 16, reference symbol CB indicates the cigarette bundle described above.

On the other hand, the seventh moving position I ₇ widening hand 126 on the side of the bucket conveyor 68 is also disposed, the enlarged open hand 126 can be reciprocated in the vertical direction. Therefore, the cigarette box B spreader hand 126 is in the seventh moving position I _7, i.e., can be separable along a vertical direction with respect to the inner pack IP. For example, the spreading hand 126 has a pair of fingers 128 that can be moved toward and away from each other in the transfer direction of the bucket conveyor 68, that is, the width direction of the inner pack IP. When the spreading hand 126 is at the lower rest position, the pair of fingers 128 are adjacent to each other when viewed in the width direction of the inner pack IP (see FIG. 20A).

Further, each finger 128 has a triangular claw 130, 132 at the tip of the bucket conveyor 68 side. The claw 130 protrudes from the upper surface of the tip of the finger 128. On the other hand, the claw 132 is disposed on the side surface of the tip portion of the finger 128 and protrudes from the side surface toward the upstream side or the downstream side of the bucket conveyor 68.

After the folding of the lower flap LF is returned by the compressed air, the spreading hand 126 moves upward from the rest position toward the lower flap LF, and as shown in FIG. Lift the lower flap LF horizontally from below. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 18, if the spreading hand 126 is slightly raised, the lower flap LF is pushed up obliquely. The oblique push-up of the lower flap LF here forms a gap G between the lower flap LF and the connecting portion Cf connecting the side folding remaining portion SFr described above, and such a gap G is apparent from FIG. Thus, the intrusion of the claw 132 of the finger 128 on the corresponding side is allowed.

Thereafter, when the pair of fingers 128 move in a direction away from each other, that is, when they are opened, each finger 128 moves toward the corresponding side folding remaining portion SFr and enters the gap G described above. Accordingly, the pair of fingers 128 widen the side folding remaining portion SFr via the claw 132, and eliminate the folding of the side folding remaining portion SFr. As a result, as is apparent from FIG. 15, the lower flap LF, the connecting portion Cf, and the left and right side folding remaining portions SFr are respectively positioned along the outer periphery of the inner pack IP, and the front surface TF of the inner pack IP is completely opened.

Thereafter, the spreading hand 126 returns to the rest position, and the pair of fingers 128 are closed to be adjacent to each other in the rest position. (A) to (c) in FIG. 20 show a series of movements of the expansion hand 126 described above, and it is more apparent from FIG. 20 that the front surface TF of the inner pack IP is opened.
The expanding hand 126 is not limited to the reciprocating movement in the vertical direction, and may be moved along a rectangular movement path in the same manner as the lid opening pusher 88 described above. In this case, the pair of fingers 128 of the spreading hand 126 can move horizontally in a direction away from the inner pack IP while maintaining the open state shown in FIG. Such movement of the finger 128 weakens the folding folds of the left and right side folding remaining portions SFr via the claws 132. Therefore, the side folding remaining portion SFr is in a tensioned state, and the front surface TF of the inner pack IP is maintained in the open state.

Further, the half-body rotary stage 120 can further include a lift arm 134. The lift arm 134 is disposed in the eighth moving position I ₈ adjacent to the seventh moving position I ₇ described above. As is clear from FIG. 21, the lift arm 134 is positioned on the side of the bucket conveyor 68 and can move up and down.
When the cigarette box B is moved to the eighth moving position I _8, hinged lid HL in the open state is positioned immediately above the tip of the lift arm 134. When the lift arm 134 is lifted from this state, the tip of the lift arm 134 engages with the opening of the hinge lid HL, and lifts the hinge lid HL upward.

The lift-up of the hinge lid HL pulls the first box half Bh2 upward along the disassembly line DL with respect to the second box half Bh2, and positions the first box half Bh1 in the lifted position. The floating position here corresponds to a position where the first box half Bh1 is rotated upward by a predetermined angle around the virtual line on the bottom wall of the cigarette box B. Here, the imaginary line is defined by the line segment connecting the ends of the dismantling line DL on the bottom wall, but once the first box half Bh1 is rotated around the imaginary line, the imaginary line appears on the bottom wall of the cigarette box B. A folding mark is formed, and the virtual line, that is, the folding mark becomes a dismantling hinge.

More specifically, as is clear from the above description, the disassembly line DL includes not only the cigarette box B but also the inner packing material IW of the inner pack IP, and the first packing material half IWh1 corresponding to the first box half Bh1. And a second packaging material half IWh2 corresponding to the second box half Bh2. These first and second packaging material halves are glued to the first and second box halves Bh1 and Bh2, respectively, as is well known. Therefore, when the first box half Bh1 is rotated, the first packaging half IWh1 follows the box half Bh1 and is separated from the second packaging half as shown in FIG. As a result, the cigarette bundle CB is partially exposed at the eighth movement position I ₈ , and then the lift arm 134 is lowered from the position shown in FIG. 21 and returns to the rest position.
Here, in the packaging form of the cigarette bundle by the inner packaging material IW, the inner packaging material IW is wound around the cigarette bundle along the outline of the cross section of the cigarette bundle, and the inner packaging material is a longitudinal section of the cigarette bundle. There is a vertical wrapping form wound around the cigarette bundle along the contour of the above, but the disassembly line DL described above is the inner wrapping material IW is divided into the first and second wrapping material halves IWh1, IWh2 regardless of the cigarette bundle packaging form. And split into

Here, it should be noted that the above-described lifting (rotation) of the first box half Bh1 is permitted only by the pair of dismantling lines DL. Specifically, since the hinge lid HL has already been opened prior to the lifting of the first box half Bh1, the hinge lid HL does not hinder the lifting of the first box half Bh1. In addition, the inner wrapping material IW is also already divided into the first and second wrapping material halves regardless of the packaging form of the cigarette bundle described above, and the front surface TF of the inner pack IP is the separation stage 106 and the rotation preparation stage described above. It is fully open at 122. Therefore, the inner wrapping material IW does not hinder the rotation of the first box body Bh1k. As a result, only a pair of dismantling lines DL are required to lift (rotate) the first box half Bhl. As is apparent from FIG. 21, since the pressing guides 92 described above has a termination to the seventh moving position I _7, will not be pressing guide 92 prevents the floating of the first box half Bh1 above .

On the other hand, a pressing guide 136 extends from the eighth movement position I ₈ toward the downstream side of the bucket conveyor 68. When the cigarette box B is moved to the ninth movement position I ₉ adjacent to the eighth moving position I _8, pressing guides 136 is relatively enters between the first box half Bh1 second box half Bh2 The first and second box halves Bh1 and Bh2 function as a partition that separates the first and second box halves Bh1 and Bh2, while the second box half Bh2, that is, the cigarette bundle CB is pressed from above.

Further, a slidable guide rod 138 is disposed on the upstream end of the pressing guide 136. At the same time returning toward the lift arm 134 is the rest position, the rod guide 138 slides toward the eighth moving position I _8, interposed between the first box half Bh1 a second box half BH2. Therefore, when the cigarette box B is moved from the eighth moving position I ₈ to the ninth movement position I _9, even when the first box half Bh1 is likened rotated downward, the first box half Bh1 second A predetermined gap is secured between the box half Bh2 and the guide rod 138. As a result, cigarette box B can be moved to the ninth movement position I ₉ without colliding with the first box half Bh1 the pressing guide 136.

In the vicinity of the ninth moving position I _9, the side of the bucket conveyor 68, i.e., the suction pad 140 is disposed on the bottom wall of the cigarette box B. The suction pad 140 can reciprocate along an arc path, and the arc path is defined between a rest position shown in FIG. 21 and a suction position corresponding to the lifted position of the first box half Bh1 described above. ing. Therefore, when the suction pad 140 is moved from the rest position to the suction position, the suction pad 140 can suck the first box half Bh1. In this state, when the suction pad 140 is returned from the suction position to the rest position, the first box half Bh1 further rotates around the imaginary line together with the first packaging material half IWh1, which is apparent from FIG. Thus, the cigarette box B is in a disassembled state in which the cigarette bundle CB is completely exposed.

In the case of the present embodiment, the first box half Bh1 is already lifted from the second box half Bh2 before the suction pad 140 sucks the first box half Bh1, and the disassembly hinge described above is also used. It has already been formed. Therefore, when the suction pad 140 sucks and rotates the first box half Bh21, the suction pressure required for the suction pad 140 may be relatively low.

At 10 moving position I ₁₀ adjacent to the ninth movement position I _9, above the bucket conveyor 68 slidable rod guide 142 is disposed. Rod guide 142 is positioned in the rest position side of the suction pad 140 (the bottom wall side of the cigarette box B), it extends horizontally from the tenth moving position I ₁₀ to the vicinity of the ninth movement position I _9. Suction pads 140 prior to releasing the adsorption of the first box half Bh1, the telescopic rod guide 142 slides toward the ninth movement position I _9. Therefore, when the cigarette box B is moved from the ninth movement position I ₉ to the 10 moving position I _10, be released suction by the suction pads 140, the first box half Bh1 is maintained in the upright position .

Further, a half-body guide 144 is disposed immediately above the bucket conveyor 68, and the half-body guide 144 extends from the ninth movement position I ₉ toward the end of the bucket conveyor 68. Specifically, half guide 144 is formed from a pipe member for example, having an upstream end portion in the ninth movement position I _9. The upstream end portion of the half body guide 144 is positioned on the holding guide 136 at a position corresponding to the filter side end portion of the cigarette bundle CB. The half-body guide 144 extends from the upstream end thereof in a direction that obliquely crosses the bucket conveyor 68, and then extends along the longitudinal direction of the bucket conveyor 68.

According to such a half guide 144, first due to defective gluing between the ninth moving position first box half Bh1 the first packaging material half IWh1 which is in the standing posture in I ₉ Even if one packaging material half IWh1 hangs down from the first box half Bh1, the first packaging material half IWh1 is received on the half guide 144. Therefore, after this, when the cigarette box B is moved from the ninth movement position I ₉ to the 10 moving position I _10, the first packaging material half IWh1 is caused while being guided by the half guide 144, first The packaging half IWh1 does not directly cover the cigarette bundle CB.
Thereafter, the cigarette box B as shown in FIG. 22 is transferred from the tenth moving position I ₁₀ to the end portion of the eleventh to fourteenth movement position I _{11 through} the bucket conveyor 68 through the I _14. Terminal end of the bucket conveyor 68 As is clear from Figure 22 that the starting end, i.e., unlike the receiving position I _0, kicked downward, is defined as the extraction region of the filter cigarettes FC. For example, the take-out area extends over the _fifteenth to seventeenth movement positions I ₁₅ to I ₁₇ .

The cigarette take-out device 146 is disposed in the take-out area of the bucket conveyor 68, and the filter cigarette FC is taken out by the cigarette take-out device 146. Hereinafter, the cigarette take-out device 146 will be described in detail.

Cigarette take-out device The cigarette take-out device 146 includes a collection path 148, which extends downward from the take-out area of the bucket conveyor 68. Specifically, the collection path 148 has a hopper 150 at the start end thereof, and the hopper 150 is disposed immediately below the take-out area. The upper end of the hopper 150 extends along the bucket conveyor 68 to cover the _fifteenth to seventeenth movement positions I ₁₅ to I ₁₇ . Here, immediately before the removal area are pressing guide 136 described above, i.e., has an end just before the 15th moving position I _15, whereas, after the removal area is half guide 144 described above, i.e., 17 Immediately after the movement position I ₁₇ , it has an end.

In the process in which the cigarette box B is transported in the take-out area, the cigarette box B disassembled, that is, the cigarette bundle CB (filter cigarette FC) held in the second box half Bh2, is the second box half Bh2. Falls into the hopper 150. At this time, since the disassembled cigarette box B is sandwiched between the half-body guide 144 and the bucket of the bucket conveyor 68, the disassembled cigarette box B does not fall into the hopper 150. Thereafter, when the disassembled cigarette box B exits the take-out area and is moved to the 18th movement position I ₁₈ adjacent to the take-out area, the disassembled cigarette box B is discharged downward from the bucket, and at this point, The bucket is emptied. That is, the 18 movement position I ₁₈ is defined as a discharge position of the cigarette box B which has been dismantled. Thereafter, the empty buckets are transported toward the receiving position I ₀ of the bucket conveyor 68 can receive a new cigarette box B at the receiving position I _0.

On the other hand, a rotatable collection drum 152 is disposed immediately below the hopper 150. The collection drum 152 has a large number of grooves on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and these grooves are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of the collection drum 152. Each groove has a size capable of receiving one filter cigarette FC. Therefore, the filter cigarette FC that has dropped onto the hopper 150 is received by the groove of the collection drum 152, and is taken out from the hopper 150 as the collection drum 152 rotates.

The upstream conveyor 154 is disposed in the vicinity of the collection drum 152, and the upstream conveyor 154 and the collection drum 152 are connected via a chute 156. Therefore, the filter cigarette FC on the collection drum 152 is received on the upstream conveyor 154 via the chute 156. A downstream conveyor 158 is further connected to the end of the upstream conveyor 154, and the downstream conveyor 158 is connected to the collection tray 160. The filter cigarette FC on the upstream conveyor 154 is finally collected on the collection tray 160 via the downstream conveyor 158.

In the case of this embodiment, as is apparent from FIG. 22, the upstream conveyor 154 includes a pair of conveyor belts 154a, and these conveyor belts 154a are arranged in parallel. On the other hand, the downstream conveyor 158 includes a single conveyor belt 158a. The upstream end of the conveyor belt 158a is disposed between the downstream ends of the pair of conveyor belts 154a and is supported via pulleys corresponding to a common drive pulley shaft. In FIG. 22, the drive pulley shaft and the pulley are omitted. Further, the conveyor belts 154a and 158a can also have a large number of grooves like the collecting drum 152, and each groove has a size capable of receiving one filter cigarette FC. When the filter cigarette FC is transported on the upstream conveyor 154 and the downstream competition 158, the upstream conveyor 154 supports both ends of the filter cigarette FC as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the filter cigarette FC, while the downstream conveyor 158 Supports the center between both ends of the filter cigarette FC. In this way, the filter cigarette FC is supported at different positions on the upstream conveyor 154 and the downstream conveyor 158, so even if, for example, a piece of the inner packaging material IW adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the filter cigarette FC, These pieces and the like are easily dropped from the conveyors 154 and 158 in the process in which the filter cigarette FC is transported on the upstream and downstream conveyors 154 and 158. As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of pieces collected on the collection tray 160 together with the filter cigarette FC. The grooves of the conveyor belts 154a and 158a are not always necessary.

That is, according to the collection system described above, a series of collection operations from the removal of the film packaging material F from the cigarette package CP, the disassembly of the cigarette box B, and the removal of the filter cigarette FC from the disassembled cigarette box B are automated. The collection of the filter cigarette FC from the cigarette package CP becomes easy.

Thereafter, the filter cigarette FC in the collection tray 160 is transferred to an inspection station (not shown), and quality inspection of the collected filter cigarette FC is performed at the inspection station. Since the collected filter cigarette FC is not damaged by the film removing device 42 and the box dismantling device 80 described above, the quality inspection result of the filter cigarette FC is highly reliable.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the first cutting line CL1 may be formed on the film wrapping material F on three surfaces, one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the cigarette package CP and the both side surfaces thereof. In this case, as shown in FIG. 23, the cigarette package CP is transferred along the one belt conveyor 20 from the buffer unit 12 with the top surface TP as the leading surface. In this transfer process, first, a notch C1 'corresponding to the aforementioned notch C1 is formed on each side surface of the cigarette package CP by a pair of side cutters 84'. Here, the notch C1 'is different from the notch C1 described above, and divides not only the film wrapping material F but also both side walls of the cigarette box B and the inner wrapping material IW.

As is clear from FIG. 23, a single end cutter 48 is arranged instead of the side cutter 46 described above. This end cutter 48 forms a cut C2 in the film wrapping material F on the top surface of the cigarette package CP. As a result, as shown in FIG. 24, the film wrapping material F of the cigarette package CP is formed with two cuts C1 'and one cut C2 as a first cut line CL1 and a pair of dismantling lines DL. In this case, the second cutting line CL2 is formed on the film wrapping material F on both sides of the cigarette package CP, and the second cutting line CL2 is positioned close to the top surface of the cigarette package CP.

Thereafter, the cigarette package CP is transferred to the suction conveyor 54, which cooperates with the pinching element 66 to remove the film packaging material F in the same manner, and the cigarette box B from which the film packaging material F has been removed. Is supplied to the bucket conveyor 68. As apparent from the above description, since the pair of dismantling lines DL are already formed in the cigarette box B supplied to the bucket conveyor 68, the box disassembling apparatus 80 includes the above-described pair of side cutters 84 (see FIG. 5). Do not need.

Also, when the cigarette box B is disassembled, both the first and second box halves Bh1 and Bh2 may be rotated around an imaginary line on the bottom wall of the cigarette box B. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a hinge lid type cigarette package, and can be applied to, for example, a tan grid type cigarette package.

10 Transfer route
42 Film removal equipment
44 Film cutting stage
54 Suction belt
56 Upstream part (suction belt)
58 Downstream part (suction belt)
66 Pinch elements
80 Box dismantling device
82 Box cutting stage
86 Lid opening stage
106 Separation stage
108 Air nozzle (folding mechanism)
118 Tension gripper (removal mechanism)
120 half-turn stage
122 Rotation preparation stage
146 Cigarette removal device
148 Collection route
B Cigarette box
F film packaging
CP cigarette package
IP inner pack
IW Inner packaging material
CB cigarette bundle
CL1 First cutting line
CL2 Second cutting line
DL Demolition Line
HL hinge lid

Claims (18)

A film removing apparatus for removing a film wrapping material, wherein the film wrapping material wraps a cigarette box and forms a cigarette package together with the cigarette box.
A film cutting stage that receives the cigarette package and cuts the film wrapping material of the received cigarette package, wherein the film cutting stage is formed on three surfaces out of four surfaces along the circumferential direction of the cigarette package. A film cutting stage that cuts each film wrapping material and forms one first cutting line that is continuous along the circumferential direction in the film wrapping material,
A suction belt capable of receiving the cigarette package from the film cutting stage and sucking the cigarette package through the film wrapping material, wherein the suction belt is positioned at the center of the three surfaces as a leading surface. The cigarette package is transferred toward a transfer stage defined downstream of the suction belt, and a suction belt for the film wrapping material is defined between the suction belt and the transfer stage. When,
A film removing apparatus comprising a pinching element disposed above the suction belt, the pinching element sandwiching the cigarette package transported on the suction belt between the pinching element and the suction belt . The first film cutting stage further forms a second cutting line intersecting the first cutting line in the film packaging material on each of the remaining two surfaces other than the leading surface among the three surfaces, The film removal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second cutting line is positioned in proximity to the leading surface. The film removing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the leading surface is a narrow side surface of the cigarette package. The suction belt includes an upstream portion and a downstream portion that is deviated downward from the upstream portion,
The pinching element is located above the upstream end;
The film removing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drawing opening is defined between the end of the upstream portion and the transfer stage. A box dismantling apparatus for a cigarette box, which has a lid that can be opened and closed around a hinge, contains a cigarette pack therein, and the cigarette pack includes a cigarette bundle and an inner packaging material that wraps the cigarette bundle.
A box cutting stage for cutting the cigarette box, wherein the box cutting stage cuts two narrow side walls of the cigarette box together with the inner wrapping material to form a dismantling line on each of the side walls; A box cutting stage that extends from the bottom wall to the top wall of the cigarette box along the longitudinal axis of the cigarette box and has two ends, each positioned on the bottom wall;
A lid opening stage for opening the lid of the cigarette box in which the dismantling line is formed, the lid opening stage rotating the lid of the cigarette box around the hinge to open and exposing the inner pack; As a result, a lid opening stage in which the cigarette box can be separated along the dismantling line into a first box half with the opened lid and the remaining second box half;
A half-rotation stage that separates the cigarette box with the lid open along the disassembly line, the half-rotation stage comprising an imaginary line on the bottom wall connecting the two ends of the disassembly line A box disassembly apparatus comprising: a half-rotation stage that rotates at least one of the first and second box halves as a center so that the cigarette bundle can be removed from the cigarette box. The cigarette bundle includes a plurality of stacked cigarette layers, and adjacent cigarette layers have different numbers of cigarettes,
The box dismantling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the dismantling line is positioned corresponding to a cigarette layer having a small number of cigarettes. The box demolition device according to claim 6, wherein the cigarette bundle includes three cigarette layers, the outer two cigarette layers have seven cigarettes, and the middle cigarette layer has six cigarettes. The box dismantling apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the half-rotation stage rotates the first box half with respect to the second box half. The inner packaging material is
While closing the end face of the cigarette bundle on the lid side of the cigarette box, the closed face is exposed when the lid is opened on the lid opening stage, and is folded on both sides of the end face. A closure surface having two side folds and a lower flap and an upper flap, which are folded sequentially toward the side folds and overlap each other;
A separation line that is formed in the inner wrapping material and defines a separation planned area including a part of the upper flap and the side folds,
The box dismantling apparatus further includes a separation stage that separates the planned separation region of the inner packaging material between the lid opening stage and the half-body rotation stage,
The separation stage is
A folding mechanism for folding back the upper flap of the exposed closing surface in a direction away from the lower flap;
A removal mechanism that pulls the folded upper flap, separates the planned separation area from the inner wrapping material along the separation line, and removes it from the inner wrapping material as a separation piece. Box demolition device. A system for collecting cigarettes from a cigarette package,
The film removing device of claim 1 and the box dismantling device of claim 5, which are sequentially arranged in a transfer path for transferring a cigarette package,
A cigarette take-out device disposed in the transfer path downstream of the box demolition apparatus, including a collection path separate from the transfer path, and each cigarette bundle from the disassembled cigarette box to the collection path A system comprising a cigarette take-out device for taking out a cigarette. A film removal method for removing a film packaging material, wherein the film packaging material encloses a cigarette box and forms a cigarette package together with the cigarette box.
A film cutting step for receiving the cigarette package and cutting the film wrapping material of the received cigarette package, wherein the film cutting step is performed on three of the four surfaces along the circumferential direction of the cigarette package. A film cutting step of cutting each film packaging material to form one first cutting line continuous along the circumferential direction in the film packaging material,
A suction step of receiving the cigarette package from the film cutting step and sucking the cigarette package by a suction belt through the film wrapping material, wherein the suction belt is located at the center of the three surfaces; An upstream portion for transferring the cigarette package toward a transfer stage defined downstream of the suction belt as a leading surface; and a downstream portion deviated downward from the upstream portion; the upstream portion and the transfer stage An adsorption step in which a retraction opening for the film wrapping material is defined between, and
A pinching step of sandwiching the cigarette package with the suction belt between a pinching element disposed above the suction belt and the upstream portion;
A running step of running the suction belt in a state where the cigarette package is adsorbed to the suction belt,
When the cigarette package is transferred toward the transfer stage in the traveling process, the film wrapping material sandwiched between the pinching element and the cigarette box and adsorbed to the suction belt is attached to the cigarette box. Extruding toward the transfer stage, while the film packaging material is taken from the upstream portion to the downstream portion, and the film packaging material is drawn through the drawing opening. A film removal method in which the film packaging material is removed. The film removal method according to claim 11, wherein the cigarette package has the top surface, one narrow side surface, and the bottom surface of the cigarette package as the three surfaces. The first film cutting step further forms a second cutting line intersecting the first cutting line on the film wrapping material at each of the top surface and the bottom surface, and the second cutting line is close to the side surface. The film removal method of claim 12, wherein the film removal method is positioned. A box disassembling method for a cigarette box having a lid that can be opened and closed around a hinge, and containing a cigarette pack therein, the cigarette pack including a cigarette bundle and an inner wrapping material that wraps the cigarette bundle.
A box cutting step of cutting the cigarette box, wherein the box cutting step cuts two narrow side walls of the cigarette box together with the inner wrapping material to form a dismantling line on each of the side walls; A box cutting step, having two ends extending from the bottom wall to the top wall of the cigarette box along the longitudinal axis of the cigarette box and positioned respectively on the bottom wall;
A lid opening step for opening the lid of the cigarette box formed with the dismantling line, wherein the lid opening step rotates the lid of the cigarette box around the hinge to open and expose the inner pack; As a result, a lid opening step in which the cigarette box can be separated along the dismantling line into a first box half with the opened lid and a remaining second box half;
A half body rotating step of separating the cigarette box having the lid opened along the dismantling line, the half body rotating step including an imaginary line on the bottom wall connecting the two ends of the dismantling line; A box disassembly method comprising: a half-body rotation step that rotates at least one of the first and second box halves as a center, and as a result, enables removal of the cigarette bundle from the cigarette box. The cigarette bundle includes a plurality of stacked cigarette layers, and adjacent cigarette layers have different numbers of cigarettes,
The box dismantling method according to claim 14, wherein the dismantling line is positioned corresponding to a cigarette layer having a small number of cigarettes. The box demolition method according to claim 15, wherein the cigarette bundle includes three cigarette layers, the outer two cigarette layers have seven cigarettes, and the middle cigarette layer has six cigarettes. The box disassembly method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein in the half body rotation step, the first box half body is rotated with respect to the second box half body. The inner packaging material is
While closing the end face of the cigarette bundle on the lid side of the cigarette box, the closed face is exposed when the lid is opened on the lid opening stage, and is folded on both sides of the end face. A closure surface having two side folds and a lower flap and an upper flap, which are folded sequentially toward the side folds and overlap each other;
A separation line that is formed in the inner wrapping material and defines a separation planned area including a part of the upper flap and the side folds,
The box disassembly method further includes a separation step of separating the planned separation region of the inner packaging material between the lid opening step and the half body rotation step,
The separation step includes
Fold back the upper flap of the exposed closure surface in a direction away from the lower flap, and then
The box dismantling method according to claim 14, wherein the folded upper flap is pulled to separate the planned separation area from the inner packaging material along the separation line, and is removed from the inner packaging material as a separation piece.

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