Apparatus for filling of a downstream apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for filling a downstream apparatus with rod-shaped articles, in particular a packing machine, comprising a filler head having a feed element for transporting a mass flow made up of articles, wherein the feed element runs into a shaft in the region of an opening, and having a store which is constructed to be variable for compensating for the difference between the inflow and outflow of the mass flow inside the filler head, which apparatus is characterized by a store which is arranged at least in part ahead of the opening in the transport direction T of the mass flow.

1 . Apparatus for filling a downstream apparatus with rod-shaped articles, in particular a packing machine, comprising a filler head having a feed element for transporting a mass flow made up of articles, wherein the feed element runs into a shaft in the region of an opening, and having a store which is constructed to be variable for compensating for the difference between the inflow and outflow of the mass flow inside the filler head, characterized in that the store is arranged at least in part ahead of the opening in the transport direction T of the mass flow, whereby the store is bounded by a belt, whose length, which is in contact with the mass flow, is variable to alter the volume of the store by means of conveying pressure of the mass flow against a predeterminable tensile force introduced into the belt.  
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the store is arranged completely outside the region of the shaft.  
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the feed element runs essentially horizontally and is made up of a lower conveyor and an upper conveyor, wherein the upper conveyor extends over only a part of the lower conveyor.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the lower conveyor consists of at least two lower belts arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T of the articles or the mass flow and the upper conveyor consists of at least one upper belt, wherein the belt of the upper conveyor is arranged above the front belt in the transport direction T of the articles in the lower conveyor.  
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the belt is constructed to be variable in height for altering the volume of the store.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , characterized in that at least one section of the belt located ahead of the opening into the shaft and above the lower conveyor is of deflectable construction.  
   
   
       7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , characterized in that in the state when the store is empty the deflectable section of the belt as an extension of the upper belt is arranged flush with the latter and runs essentially parallel to the lower belts.  
   
   
       8 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the deflectable section is fastened at one end directly behind the upper belt in the transport direction T and at the other end is guided in the region of the opening by means of a pulley.  
   
   
       9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the belt as an extension of the deflectable section is led around at least one other pulley and is provided at its free end with means for tensioning the belt.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the deflectable section is fastened at one end in the region of the opening and at the other end is guided by means of a pulley directly behind the upper belt in the transport direction T.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the belt as an extension of the deflectable section is led around at least two further pulleys and at its free end is provided with means for tensioning the belt.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the means for tensioning are a weight, a motor having an adjustable torque or the like.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the belt is an endless conveyor.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the belt is guided by means of a plurality of rollers of which for forming the deflectable section one pulley is arranged directly behind the upper belt in the transport direction T and one pulley is arranged in the region of the opening.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the belt is driven.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the belt is associated with means for tensioning.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus according to  claim 16 , characterized in that the means are a combination of a tension regulator arm and spring, a motor-winch combination or the like.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the volume of the store is determinable by means of suitable measurement means.