The invention relates to a device for combining groups of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco industry in a continuous process, wherein at least two different types of filter segments are provided for each multi-segment filter.
The invention furthermore relates to a trough drum for axially positioning rod-shaped articles that are to be cut and/or are cut of the tobacco industry in longitudinal direction, said trough drum comprising mobile alignment stops that extend into the holding troughs. The tobacco industry desires to produce multi-segment filters comprising different segments that are made, for example, from different types of material. These materials may include, for example, cellulose acetate, paper, non-woven material, granulate, sintered elements, hollow cylinders or hollow chambers, capsules and the like. Multi-segment filters of this type, which also include the term “multiple filters” for the purpose of this invention, are wrapped for example with a wrapping material such as paper after the filter segment groups are formed, e.g. in a continuous process, and are then cut into filter rods having two times, four times or six times the usable filter rod length, such that they can be processed further.
A continuous process device is known from reference DE-OS 24 52 749, which corresponds to reference GB 15 22 139 and was filed by the legal predecessor of the applicant. With this device, groups of filter segments and/or groups of filter rods are formed with the aid of a group-forming device operating with the lateral positioning method and are then transferred to the continuous process device, such that the groups of filter rods can be enveloped in longitudinal axial direction with wrapping material. However, the group-forming device used in this case is a device that must be replaced completely if the filter segments themselves change or if the sequence of the filter segments changes.
This replacement involves high financial expenditure along with a low variability in the production of the multiple filters.
The applicant's machine KDF 2E is a typical continuous process device while applicant's machine GC E is a typical group-forming device. Both devices are well known in the trade and are marketed in the form of a combination machine of the type MULFI E.
In order to transfer of the groups formed with the group-forming device to the continuous process device, we want to point to reference DE-OS 25 34 666, which corresponds to reference U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,659. The content of this patent application as well as the content of the DE-OS 24 52 749 is to be incorporated into the disclosure content of the present application.
Reference DE 198 58 600 A1 by the applicant also discloses a device for axially positioning in longitudinal direction the rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry which must be cut. This device in particular uses a trough drum by means of which staggered and sequentially following filter rods are moved to form a cross-axial row, such that a cut for separating the filter rods can be made.
It is the object of the present invention to modify the above-described device for combining groups of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters in such a way that the multiple filter production can be varied. The respective device furthermore should be cost-effective, in particular with respect to the variability of producing different types of multiple filters. In addition, it should be possible to reconfigure the device for producing multiple filters of a different type with maximum time saving. Finally, it is the object of the present invention to provide a space-saving design option of the device for combining groups of filter segments for producing the multi-segment filters, wherein the respective operational steps that can be carried out with such devices should furthermore be realizable on a shortened conveying path.
This object is solved for a device that combines groups of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco industry by using a continuous process, wherein at least two different types of filter segments are provided for each multi-segment filter and wherein the device is subdivided into a plurality of autonomous functional units.
The highest degree of variability can be achieved for the multiple filter production as a result of the device being subdivided into a plurality of autonomous functional units, wherein a quick and cost-effective adaptation is possible if the production of different multiple filters is desired. If applicable, the autonomous functional units need only be rearranged and adapted and/or only a few additional modules must be obtained and added. Within the framework of this invention, the term “functional units” also includes the term “module.” For the purpose of this application, the term divisibility of the functional units in particular means that the functional units are combination units.
A particularly space-saving design can be realized if one functional unit is provided for each type of filter segment of a multi-segment filter. A particularly high variability of the device is possible if one and in particular a single functional unit is provided for each filter segment of a multi-segment filter. Combining groups of filter segments can be particularly easy if the plurality of autonomous functional units is arranged in a row, such that at least some of the conveying elements of two adjacent functional units are operatively connected, in particular if they engage. The filter segments are conveyed along a meandering path by the conveying elements, wherein the filter segments are transferred in the region of the operative connection from one conveying element to an adjacent conveying element. Filter segments can thus be combined particularly easily on these conveying elements. The conveying elements preferably comprise combining drums and/or transfer drums. A preferred and simple embodiment of the device is achieved if the conveying elements that transfer the filter segments and/or filter-segment groups are arranged in a horizontal row. Each functional unit preferably comprises at least one combining drum. The group of filter segments preferably can be conveyed cross-axially positioned by the conveying elements, so that the device and also the autonomous functional units can have a correspondingly compact design.
A particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is obtained if at least one conveying belt is provided with holding troughs for holding the filter segments, which troughs are positioned crosswise to the conveying direction, wherein at least two adjacent functional units respectively comprise at least one conveying element having respectively one location of transfer to the at least one conveying belt.
As a result of this preferred embodiment of the invention, a particularly low-noise device is possible since a plurality of combining drums and transfer drums are omitted that generate noise as a result of suction air and compressed air switching operations. Furthermore, the continuous movement of a conveying belt and/or several side-by-side arranged conveying belts that move in the same direction ensures a very careful transport of the filter elements and/or the filter segments, thereby dispensing with the need for further steps to transport even extremely sensitive filter segments. Finally, the operating personnel advantageously can observe the filter segments on the conveying belt and/or belts constantly and can intervene accordingly if a malfunction occurs.
Each functional unit preferably comprises at least one conveying element having a transfer location to the at least one conveying belt. With this embodiment of the device according to the invention, the conveying belt and/or belts extend over all functional units, so that all assembly and transfer drums can be omitted, which are provided in the other embodiments for the horizontal transport of the filter segments to a continuous process unit, e.g. the applicant's KDF 2E machine.
The conveying direction of the conveying belt preferably is horizontal. A highly secure filter transport of the segments is possible if means are provided for securing filter segments inside the holding troughs. A tightly pushed together filter rod group can be produced if at least one means for displacing filter segments inside the holding troughs is provided. Furthermore, at least one cleaning element is preferably provided for cleaning the at least one conveying belt. Finally, several side-by-side arranged conveying belts are preferably provided that can move essentially parallel to each other.
For a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a multi-segment filter production machine is realized with a continuous processing device and a transfer device for transferring groups of filter segments from a device according to the invention, as described in the above, and/or a preferred embodiment of the above-described device, to the continuous processing device.
The invention is furthermore solved with a trough drum for axially positioning rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry that must be cut and/or are cut in longitudinal direction inside the holding troughs, wherein the drum is provided with mobile alignment stops that extend in particular into the holding troughs. For this, at least one positioning means is provided for positioning at a distance to each other two rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry, which are arranged side-by-side in longitudinal axial direction inside a holding trough. The design of the trough drum according to the invention makes it possible to provide more functions on a conveying drum, so that the total number of drums for a functional unit according to the invention can be reduced, thus resulting in a particularly space-saving design for respective autonomous functional units and/or devices for assembling groups of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco industry. The number of drums can additionally be reduced if a cutting means is furthermore assigned to the trough drum. If the one positioning means for positioning at a distance comprises preferably at least one suction-air channel, the rod-shaped articles can be moved with the aid of activated suction-air channels in the most careful, quick and easy way. If at least two suction channels are provided, which are arranged on opposite ends of the holding trough in longitudinal axial direction, two rod-shaped articles that are arranged side-by-side in longitudinal direction can be positioned particularly easy at a distance to each other. Positioning two rod-shaped articles in longitudinal axial direction at a distance to each other is even easier if a ventilation opening is preferably provided in a trough cover. The ventilation opening is preferably arranged in the trough cover in such a way that air can flow between two rod-shaped articles that are arranged adjacent to each other in longitudinal axial direction.
If means are preferably provided for transferring the articles, held staggered inside successively following, cross-axially positioned holding troughs, to a cross-axially aligned position so that they can advantageously be cut, three operating steps in particular can be realized with the trough drum. These steps involve cross-axially aligning these articles, which are held staggered inside cross-axially successively following holding troughs, cutting the articles and positioning the cut articles at a distance to each other. The trough drum therefore can also be called a pushing/cutting/pushing drum.
To achieve a quick cutting alignment along the shortest possible conveying path, it is furthermore suggested that the alignment stops acting upon one front of the articles can be displaced in longitudinal direction, relative to the holding troughs. In this way, the filter-rod components and/or rod-shaped articles that previously make contact on one side can yield during the cutting operation.
To precisely coordinate the successively following alignment and yielding movements of the alignment means, one modification calls for providing the alignment stops with actuating means for moving them forward to a defined end position outside of the effective range of the cutting means which is designed as circular blade, and pulling them back from the end position in the effective range of the cutting means. It is useful if the actuators are designed as wobble plates that rotate on the front end along with the trough drum.
To ensure with simple means a defined longitudinal axial and cross-axial orientation of the articles and/or the article row, relative to the cutting means, it is furthermore provided that in the end stop region, the alignment stops are provided with a recess that extends over the complete trough bottom of the holding troughs, wherein suction channels that operate jointly with the alignment stops empty into this area. According to an additional suggestion, a secure suction effect is ensured in that the suction channels can be activated within an alignment zone that is defined by the circumferential covering of the trough drum.
To make possible and/or be able to select in each case an article positioning that meets requirements, in particular in a joint operation between the pushing/cutting/pushing drum and the following drum, it is furthermore suggested that the alignment stops, which dip into the holding troughs, with their actuators are arranged on at least one front end of the trough drum or, alternatively, on both front ends of the trough drum.
The advantage achieved with this solution is that three operational steps that normally hinder each other can be realized on a single conveying drum, thereby doing away with the three-drum arrangement. Reduced are consequently the dimensions and/or structural size of the machine unit, which on the whole are determined by the vertical and horizontal axial spacing between the conveying drums, meaning the independent functional units and the device for combining groups of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters and in the final analysis also the multi-segment filter production line.
The object is finally also solved with an independent functional unit, in particular for adding filter segments to other filter segments, by means of which groups of filter segments can be combined for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco industry in a continuous process. As described in the above, the functional unit in this case comprises at least one trough drum according to the invention or a modification thereof.
One particularly preferred embodiment is obtained if a device according to the invention and/or a modification thereof for combining groups of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco industry in a continuous process is provided with at least one trough drum according to the invention or a modification thereof, as described in the above. A multi-segment filter production machine is preferably provided with at least one trough drum according to the invention or a modified trough drum of the above-described type.
The invention is explained in further detail in the following, without restricting the general inventive idea, by using exemplary embodiments and referring to the drawings, wherein we explicitly refer to the drawings for all details not further explained in the text. Shown are in:
a) An embodiment of a functional unit according to the invention for soft elements, shown in a schematic representation.
b) A schematic arrangement of filter segments according to their position in the respective drums, as shown in
c) A schematic representation of a different embodiment of a functional unit according to the invention for soft elements, which is modified as compared to
d) A schematic arrangement of filter segments, positioned as shown in
a) A schematic representation of a different embodiment of a functional unit according to the invention for soft elements.
b) A schematic arrangement of filter segments, showing the placement on the drums as in
a) A schematic view of a functional unit according to the invention for hard elements.
b) A schematic arrangement of filter segments, approximately arranged as indicated in the drums shown in
a) A schematic representation of a different embodiment of a functional unit according to the invention for soft elements.
b) A schematic arrangement of filter segments as positioned in the respective drums, shown in
a) A schematic view from above of a conveying belt with corresponding filter segments.
b) A schematic view from above of the embodiment of a suction element used for the deposited filters as shown in
a) A schematic view from above of several conveying belts, on which the filters are deposited differently than in
b) A schematic view from above of the suction element openings as they are positioned with respect to the deposited filters shown in
In the following description of the Figures, the same elements are in part given the same reference numbers and will not be introduced again.
The multi-segment filter production machine according to the prior art, shown in
A group-forming device 2 that operates with the lateral processing method is assigned to the continuous process device 1 and is provided with two storage containers 3 and 4 which contain filter rods 6 and 7 of a first and/or second type. The removal drums 8 and/or 9, to which respectively one cutting device 11 and/or 12 is assigned, for cutting the filter rods 6 and/or 7 coming from the storage containers 3 and 4, are located at the lower, discharge-side ends of the storage containers 3 and 4. They are followed by respectively one staggering drum 13 and/or 14, on which the filter segments, formed when the filter rods 6 and/or 7 are cut, are arranged in a staggered formation and are subsequently displaced with respectively one pushing drum 16 and/or 17, such that they form a row following each other in cross-axial direction. The rows of filter segments, formed in this way, are subsequently pulled apart with respectively one accelerating drum 18 and/or 19, so that the distances between the individual filter segments are increased.
Following this, the filter segments are again cut on cutting drums 21 and/or 22, to which respectively one cutting device 23 and/or 24 is assigned. The newly cut filter segments are simultaneously pulled apart on the cutting drums 21 and/or 22, so that larger gaps form between the individual element. On a combining drum 26, filter rod elements of the respectively other type are subsequently inserted into these gaps and filter groups 27 are formed in this way, which are composed of several elements of the different filter types. The filter rod groups 27 are subsequently aligned in longitudinal axial direction to the conveying direction by a turnover means in the form of a transfer device and/or turning drum 28 and are transferred without gaps continuously onto a wrapping paper tape 31, pulled off a bobbin 29, in the continuous processing device 1, wherein the transfer takes place as described, for example, in reference DE-OS 25 34 666.
Glue is applied to this wrapping paper tape 31 before the filter rod groups 27 are deposited onto the wrapping paper tape. A first glue application device 32 that is indicated by a glue container 33 and two application nozzles 34 and 36 are provided for applying glue to the inside of the wrapping paper tape 31 in the form of two parallel, side-by-side arranged bands of glue. A second glue application device 37, indicated by a glue container 38 and a glue application nozzle 39, applies a band of glue along the edge of the wrapping paper tape 31 for the seam. Of course, it is possible to apply only one band of glue or more than two bands for the inside glue application.
For one application case, the glue container 33 of the first glue-application device 32 contains a cold glue and the glue container 38 of the second glue application device 37 contains a hot-melt glue. A means 42 in the form of a heating device 43 for curing the inside glue is provided below the wrapping paper tape 31, meaning in the deposit region 41 of the turning drum 28. This heating device ensures that the glue applied to the inside by the glue-application nozzles 34 and 36 is cured immediately after the filter-rod groups 27 are deposited thereon and that the filter rod-groups 27 are secured in this way immediately following the deposit on the wrapping paper tape 31, so that they cannot be displaced again through external influences, such as subsequently arriving filter-rod groups.
The heating device 43 simultaneously activates the hot-melt glue for the glue application to the seam. The filter-rod groups 27, which are thus fixated in a continuous row, subsequently pass through a format unit designed as format chamber 44, in which the wrapping paper tape 31 is wrapped around the filter-rod groups 27 to form a continuous filter rope, wherein the hot-melt glue for the seam, applied with the glue-application nozzle 39, is cured within a glue chamber 46 that is designed as cooling device 47 for this purpose. The filter rope that is closed and sealed in this way subsequently reaches a cutting device 48 in which combination filter rods 49 of preferably multiple lengths are cut off. Each of these multiple length filter rods contains filter elements composed of the different types of filter rods 6 and 7.
Multi-segment filters for cigarettes that comprise four filter elements, for example, can be produced with the multi-segment filter production machine according to
A soft element with double the usable length is inserted, for example, in the center of the respective trough 84 on the combining drum 64.2 (see
The invention therefore relates in particular a new group-forming device 2, which can be combined, for example with a KDF machine of the applicant, to form a filter-production line. Multiple filters can be produced, which are processed together with tobacco rods in the applicant's filter-attachment machine MAX as filter rods with 4 times or 6 times the usable length to form filter cigarettes.
The schematic representation in
On the removal drum 8.1, the filter elements 80 are then cut into two filter elements 81 with four times the usable length with the aid of a first circular knife 72.1 that is driven rotatingly and is sharpened constantly on a grinding element 73.1. Two additional cuts are then made with two additional circular knives 72.2, arranged one after another, of which only the first circular knife can be seen in
The four filter elements 82, which are arranged axially in longitudinal direction on the removal drum 8.1 as shown in
c schematically shows a different embodiment according to the invention of a soft element unit 604, which for the most part corresponds to the soft-element unit shown in
The pushing/cutting/pushing drum 90.1 essentially corresponds to the pushing/cutting/pushing drum 90 described in the following with reference to the
a) shows a schematic representation of yet another exemplary embodiment of a functional unit 605.1 and/or 605.2 according to the invention. A single filter plug with double the usable length is supplied with this functional unit 605.1 and/or 605.2. The difference to the functional unit 604 in
a) shows a hard element unit 61.1-61.3 according to the invention. Hard filter elements 87 are supplied from a hard-element supply container 54.1 via two feeding chutes 86.1 and 86.2 to two removal drums 8.3 and 8.4.
The hard filter elements 87, transferred in a staggered formation as indicated in
In position c), the respective filter element 82 is cut with a circular blade 72.7 into two filter plugs 83. The two filter plugs 83 are then moved away from each other in position d). For this, a portion of the suction air that holds the filter plugs in place is turned off, so that a trough cover 92.2 is necessary at this location as well. In position e), the filter plugs 83 are then transferred to the combining drum 64.4 and, if necessary, combined with additional filter plugs and/or filter elements already positioned on this drum.
In position c), the left end stop 93.1 and/or 93.2 is moved away slightly from the filter elements 82, so that a circular blade 72.7 can make a cut resulting in filter plugs 83.
In position d), suction air is used between the elements to move them away from each other, so that both filter plugs 83 come to rest against the two end stops 93.1 and 93.2 as well as 94.1 and 94.2, meaning on the left and right. In position e), the left and right end stops are moved slightly away from the filter plugs 83, so that these can be transferred freely to a different drum.
The different positions a) to e) in
In position b), showing a schematic semi-section through the drum 90 according to the invention, the filter elements 82 are shown arranged cross-axially, one behind the other. A pusher element 88 is furthermore shown schematically, by means of which the filter element arranged behind the frontal filter element is pushed to a position where it is aligned with the frontal filter element. In place of the schematically shown pusher element 88, it is also possible to displace the element with suction air, as otherwise indicated in
In position b) of
In position c) of
In position d) of
In position e) of
Thus, the drum according to the invention in particular is used to align, cut and space apart filter plugs. As a result, the downstream positioned drums 74.1, 63.4 and 75.1, for example shown schematically in
a) schematically shows a different embodiment of a soft-element unit 605.3 according to the invention, by means of which two individual filter segments 83 are supplied to a combining drum 64.5. Soft filter rods 79, e.g. made from cellulose acetate, are supplied via a feed element 70.3 to a soft-element supply container 53.4. The respective filter rods and/or filter elements 79, for example having 16 times the usable length, are removed with a removal drum 8.5. The diverter roll 71.3 is provided for a secure removal of the filter elements 79.
The filter elements 79 are then cut on the removal drum 8.5 into four filter elements 81 with four times the usable length by means of a first circular blade 72.8 and a second circular blade 72.9, which are always kept sharpened by sharpening means 73.8 and 73.9. The cut filter elements 81 are then transferred to a staggering drum 13.5 and are arranged in a staggered formation on the staggering drum 13.5, as shown in
Once all filter segments for a multi-segment filter and/or a double multi-segment filter are deposited, they are transferred with a transfer drum 63.10 and an additional transfer drum 63.11 to the turning drum 28 which is known per se. Following this, they can be processed by wrapping material around a continuous filter rope in longitudinal axial direction, for example in the applicant's known KDF machine. A cleaning box 124 is also provided for cleaning the conveying belt 120 and/or the conveying belts 120.1-120.3, that is to say in a position in which no filter segments are located inside the troughs. Blast air, for example, can be used for this.
a) and 12b) schematically show the fitting-on of filter segments in an exemplary embodiment, wherein the associated vacuum box 123 is shown in
b) schematically shows the positioning of a vacuum opening 133.1 of the vacuum box 123, wherein several vacuum openings 132 are also drawn into the associated holding troughs 131 for the purpose of illustration. It is clearly visible that the vacuum opening 133.1 becomes larger in conveying direction, such that the respectively deposited filter elements 83.1-83.4 can be admitted with vacuum.
a) and 13b) show a different embodiment according to the invention for depositing filter elements on a conveying belt 120 and/or as shown in
The advantage of using a conveying belt in place of conveying drums is that no radial forces act upon the filter segments because of the continuous conveying operation, thus ensuring an extremely careful transport. In addition, there are fewer transfers and fewer instances of the air pressure being turned on and/or off, thus resulting in a less noisy arrangement. Finally, the production material is always within the visual range of the operating personnel, so that malfunctions can be detected quickly.
The use of independent functional units in a device for combining groups of filter segments to produce multi-segment filters, for example, permits an increase in the production output of hard elements by using several modules. A high production output is furthermore possible if only soft modules and/or soft-element units are used. In particular two to five filter segments per multi-segment filter can thus be produced. Corresponding granulates are preferably manufactured first and are then inserted into hard elements.
The machine expenditure is extremely low as a result of the devices and/or apparatuses according to the invention. The operational risk is furthermore low since known methods are used for some processes, in particular the known continuous process or, for example, the process described in German reference DE-OS 24 52 749, which is used in the applicant's continuous process machine KDF.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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101 46 019 | Sep 2001 | DE | national |
101 55 292 | Nov 2001 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP02/09746 | 8/31/2002 | WO | 00 | 3/18/2004 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO03/024256 | 3/27/2003 | WO | A |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20040237972 A1 | Dec 2004 | US |