Channel hopper for rod-like articles, filler for loading a container with rod-like articles, and unloader for emptying of such container

Abstract

The object of the application is a channel hopper (1, 1′) for rod-like articles (4) wherein the flow of the rod-like articles (4) through the channels (2) of the hopper takes place in the form of a mass flow under the influence of gravity, comprising: at least two channels (2) for storage of rod-like articles (4), the channel being provided with an inlet (2A) and an outlet (2B) for rod-like articles and with side walls (8, 9), whereas the channel (2) is situated between limiting regions (6), and the limiting region (6) comprises a limiting element (7, 11) having a lateral surface which limits the space of the channel (2), and movable supporting elements adapted to change their configuration from open configuration to closed configuration and vice versa, whereas in the open configuration the flow of rod-like articles (4) through the channels (2) is enabled.

1 . A channel hopper ( 1 ,  1 ′) for rod-like articles ( 4 ) wherein the flow of the rod-like articles ( 4 ) through the channels ( 2 ) of the hopper takes place in the form of a mass flow under the influence of gravity, comprising:
 at least two channels ( 2 ) for storage of rod-like articles ( 4 ), the channel being provided with an inlet ( 2 A) and an outlet ( 2 B) for rod-like articles and with side walls ( 8 ,  9 ), 
 whereas the channel ( 2 ) is situated between limiting regions ( 6 ), and the limiting region ( 6 ) comprises a limiting element ( 7 ,  11 ) having a lateral surface which limits the space of the channel ( 2 ), and 
 movable supporting elements adapted to change their configuration from open configuration to closed configuration and vice versa, whereas in the open configuration the flow of rod-like articles ( 4 ) through the channels ( 2 ) is enabled, and in the closed configuration the flow of rod-like articles ( 4 ) through the channels ( 2 ) is blocked, 
 characterized in that 
 at least one movable supporting element in the open configuration takes a position at least partially in the limiting region ( 6 ), and in the closed configuration takes a position at least partially inside the channel ( 2 ). 
 
     
     
         2 . The hopper of  claim 1 , characterized by comprising two movable supporting elements which in the open configuration take a position at least partially in adjacent limiting regions ( 6 ), and in the closed configuration take a position at least partially in the channel ( 2 ) between adjacent limiting regions ( 6 ). 
     
     
         3 . The hopper of  claim 1 , characterized in that the width of the limiting region (d 2 ) is smaller than the width (d 1 ) of the channel ( 2 ), in particular the width of the limiting region is in the range between 10% and 50% of the channel width ( 2 ). 
     
     
         4 . The hopper of  claim 1 , characterized in that the movable supporting element in the open configuration is situated inside the side wall ( 8 ,  9 ). 
     
     
         5 . The hopper of  claim 1 , characterized in that the movable supporting element in the open configuration is situated in whole in the limiting region ( 6 ). 
     
     
         6 . The hopper of  claim 1 , characterized in that the movable supporting element ( 20 ,  21 ,  29 ) has the form of a cylindrical surface sector. 
     
     
         7 . The hopper of  claim 6 , characterized in that the movable supporting element ( 20 ,  21 ) has a guiding roller ( 25 ). 
     
     
         8 . The hopper of  claim 1 , characterized in that the movable supporting element ( 31 ,  32 ,  38 ,  39 ) has the form of a bar. 
     
     
         9 . The hopper of  claim 1 , characterized in that movable supporting element ( 20 ,  21 ,  29 ,  31 ,  32 ) is arranged to make a swing movement. 
     
     
         10 . The hopper of  claim 1 , characterized in that movable supporting element ( 37 ,  38 ) is arranged to make a linear movement. 
     
     
         11 . The hopper of  claim 1 , characterized in that movable supporting element in the open configuration is situated at least partially inside a limiting element ( 7 ,  11 ). 
     
     
         12 . The hopper of  claim 1 , characterized in that the movable supporting element ( 31 ,  32 ,  38 ,  39 ) in the open configuration is situated at least partially under the limiting element ( 7 , 11 ). 
     
     
         13 . The hopper of  claim 1 , characterized in that a guiding element ( 26 ) made of a fabric, a plastic material or a metal mesh is attached to the limiting element ( 7 ,  11 ). 
     
     
         14 . The hopper of  claim 1 , characterized in that the channel ( 2 ) has a constant volume. 
     
     
         15 . A filler for loading a container ( 3 ,  10 ) with rod-like articles ( 4 ) comprising a conveyor ( 51 ) of empty containers, a unit for moving the container being filled, a conveyor ( 52 ) of filled containers, and a mass flow hopper for rod-like articles, characterized by being provided with a channel hopper according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . An unloader for emptying a container ( 3 ,  10 ) of rod-like articles ( 4 ) comprising a conveyor of filled containers, a handling unit for turning of the filled container, and a conveyor of empty containers, characterized by being provided with a channel hopper according to  claim 1 .