Storage apparatus for rod-shaped articles and method for filling same

Abstract

The invention concerns a storage apparatus for rod-shaped articles, including a housing with a closable opening for filling and emptying the storage apparatus, wherein within the housing is arranged a flexible belt element which is designed for variable adjustment of a storage space depending on the fill level, which is distinguished in that the storage apparatus is designed for filling with a multi-layer, disorderly mass flow. Furthermore, the invention concerns an apparatus and a method for filling a corresponding storage apparatus.

1 . Storage apparatus for rod-shaped articles, including a housing with a closable opening for filling and emptying the storage apparatus, wherein within the housing is arranged a flexible belt element which is designed for variable adjustment of a storage space depending on the fill level, characterised in that the storage apparatus is designed for filling with a multi-layer, disorderly mass flow.  
   
   
       2 . Storage apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the belt element is mounted directly in the region of the opening.  
   
   
       3 . Storage apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the belt element is tensioned directly in front of the opening.  
   
   
       4 . Storage apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the belt element is mounted on two fastening means arranged on both sides of the opening.  
   
   
       5 . Storage apparatus according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the fastening means are designed as a winding element.  
   
   
       6 . Storage apparatus according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the fastening means are arranged within the housing, but separately from the actual storage space.  
   
   
       7 . Storage apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the storage apparatus is made transportable.  
   
   
       8 . Storage apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that on the housing is provided an adapter for connection to apparatuses which discharge articles or receive articles.  
   
   
       9 . Storage apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that in the region of the opening is provided a closure element for closing the opening.  
   
   
       10 . Storage apparatus according to  claim 1 , characterised in that several of the storage apparatuses, which can be filled and emptied independently of each other, are connected to each other to form a storage unit.  
   
   
       11 . Apparatus for filling storage apparatuses in particular according to  claim 1 , including a housing with a main channel for feeding a mass flow composed of rod-shaped articles from a mass-flow transport device to a discharge region, a closable opening at the end of the main channel in the discharge region for discharging articles to the storage apparatus, and an adapter element for the connection of a storage apparatus, the apparatus being designed for filling the storage apparatus with a multi-layer, disorderly mass flow.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , characterised in that at least two discharge regions are provided, a closable opening being formed in each discharge region.  
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , characterised in that the main channel is divided into several transport channels, such that each discharge region ( 31 ) can be supplied with the mass flow.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , characterised in that in each transport channel is arranged a separate drive for switching between the discharge regions.  
   
   
       15 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , characterised in that in the region of each opening is arranged a transport element.  
   
   
       16 . Apparatus according to  claim 15 , characterised in that the transport elements is designed for receiving and for transporting several storage apparatuses.  
   
   
       17 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , characterised in that each opening faces vertically upwards, such that the storage apparatus can be filled from below.  
   
   
       18 . Apparatus according to  claim 13 , characterised in that a buffer hopper is associated with the main channel and/or a or each transport channel.  
   
   
       19 . Method for filling storage apparatuses with rod-shaped articles, including the steps of: 
 feeding a mass flow composed of the articles from a mass-flow transport device to a discharge region, and    filling the storage apparatus, the or each storage apparatus being filled directly with the mass flow.    
   
   
       20 . Method according to  claim 19 , characterised in that filling takes place by means of suitably controlled mass flow in several discharge regions.  
   
   
       21 . Method according to  claim 20 , characterised in that filling takes place alternately in the discharge regions.  
   
   
       22 . Method according to  claim 19 , characterised in that the storage apparatuses are filled from below.  
   
   
       23 . Method according to  claim 19 , characterised in that the storage apparatuses are moved cyclically over the openings in the discharge region.  
   
   
       24 . Method according to  claim 19 , characterised in that several storage apparatuses are moved successively to a discharge region.  
   
   
       25 . Method according to  claim 19 , characterised in that the mass flow is guided into a buffer hopper during the changing of a storage apparatus.