Device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco industry and multi-segment filter production device

Abstract

Device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material. The device includes a rolling channel defined between adjacent stretches of at least one first roller conveyor and at least one second roller conveyor. The rolling channel is structured and arranged to wrap the groups of filter segments with the wrapping material by rolling each of the groups of filter segments. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry. The invention further relates to a multi-segment filter production device.

[0004] 2. Discussion of Background Information

[0005] Devices for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry are known per se. Reference is hereby made, e.g., to a filter rod machine of the applicant called KDF. By means of this rod-making device that is known, e.g., from DE-0S 2452 749, which corresponds to GB 15 22 139, and which was filed by the applicant's predecessor in title, groups of filter segments or groups of filter rods are formed in a crosswise process by means of a group-forming device working in a crosswise process and then transferred to the rod-making device such that the groups of filter rods can be wrapped with the wrapping material in a lengthwise axial manner. The group-forming device is hereby a device that must be completely replaced in the event of a change of the filter segments or the order of the filter segments.

[0006] A large financial expenditure is associated with this as well as a low variability in the production of multi-filters.

[0007] A typical group-forming device of the applicant is called GC E. The KDF 2E and the GC E are both known among experts.

[0008] Multi-segment filters or multiple filters are to be understood to mean filters composed of different segments, such as, e.g., different materials. These materials are, e.g., cellulose acetate, paper, fiber web, granulate, sintered elements, hollow cylinders or hollow chambers and capsules and the like. Such multi-segment filters, which within the scope of this invention also cover the term “multiple filters,” are wrapped, e.g., in a rod process with wrapping material, such as, e.g., paper after the formation of groups of filter segments and then divided into two-fold, four-fold or six-fold long filter rods for further processing. Regarding the group-forming device, reference is made in particular to the earlier application of the applicant with file number DE 101 46 019. This application is expressly incorporated by reference in the disclosure of this application in its entirety.

[0009] A device for feeding wrapping material for tobacco smoking products is known from DE 27 27 663 C2, in which filter rod groups are united to form multi-component filter rods with the aid of a roller drum and a rolling plate, in that uniting bands are rolled around adjacent end sections of each filter section of a group. A single uniting band can hereby stretch over one or more filter sections and thus unite more than two sections of the filter rod. However, in general the total width of the uniting bands is smaller than the length of the finished filter rod. Gaps of filter material hereby result which have no uniting band wrapped around them.

[0010] The multi-segment filters produced in this way have the disadvantage that their diameter varies. Furthermore, the process for producing or uniting the groups of filter segments is disadvantageous because at least one fixed rolling surface is provided which, at the moment of arrival of the group to be rolled, exerts a considerable force on this group without giving way. Due to the rigidity of the rolling surfaces, damage to the groups to be wrapped by rolling can occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] On the other hand, the invention provides for a device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material to produce multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry, by way of which a multi-segment filter can be produced with the most homogenous possible diameter and which renders possible a gentle wrapping of the groups of filter segments, whereby the wrapping process is as reliable and simple as possible. The present invention also discloses a multi-segment filter production device which on the one hand attains the above-mentioned aspects for the area of the device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material, and on the other hand further develops a device for assembling groups of filter segments to produce multi-segment filters such that a variability is made possible in the production of multi-filters. The corresponding device should also be cost-effective in particulars regarding the variability of the production of different multi-filters. Furthermore, the invention also provides for a device for wrapping groups of filter segments and in particular a multi-segment filter production device which is designed in a space-saving manner, whereby in particular it should be possible to realize the corresponding processes that can be carried out with the corresponding devices on a shortened conveying route.

[0012] The invention provides, on the one hand, a device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry with a rolling channel for wrapping the groups with the wrapping material by rolling, whereby the rolling channel is formed by adjacent stretches of at least one first and at least one second roller conveyor.

[0013] The invention therefore makes it possible for the first time to wrap groups of filter segments in a crosswise axial process by way of rolling using corresponding roller conveyors. The device according to the invention has the advantage that a particularly gentle and space-saving wrapping of groups of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters is rendered possible. It is thus possible to provide a gentle wrapping by providing usually elastic belts, whereby in particular even slight differences in diameter of the filter segments are compensated for. In order to provide a particularly effective equalization of the differences in diameter, a pair of roller conveyors is provided for each segment. Because only groups of filter segments are wrapped, it is possible to provide a relatively narrow roller conveyor so that in a preferred embodiment of the invention a single first roller conveyor and a single second roller conveyor is provided. This simplifies the device according to the invention considerably, in particular regarding the control of the device.

[0014] Within the scope of this invention the device according to the invention can also be called a filter segment group wrapping device.

[0015] If a feed device for feeding the groups to the rolling channel is also provided, whereby the feed device is embodied as a feed drum that transfers the groups directly to the rolling channel, a particularly gentle and precise transfer of the groups to be wrapped to the rolling channel is possible.

[0016] For the particular advantages of such an embodiment and also further embodiments of the devices according to the invention that are described below, reference is made in particular to application EP 1 013 183 A2 of the applicant, which is expressly incorporated by reference in the disclosure of this application.

[0017] A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention provides for a feed drum that comprises a first deflection for one of the roller conveyors. In this embodiment in which, e.g., the deflection can be a groove embodied in the feed drum in which groove the roller conveyor to be deflected runs, the rotary motion of the feed drum can be used at the same time to drive one of the roller conveyors. A particularly marked simplification of the device is thus possible, since through the dual function of the feed drum an additional deflection roller or deflection disk for one of the roller conveyors can be omitted. The feed drum is hereby preferably pivoted around a common axis with the first deflection. The feed drum is preferably securely connected to the first deflection, whereby by means of the first deflection, the feed drum serves as a drive for the roller conveyor rotating on the first deflection.

[0018] If a conveyor device for conveying the wrapped groups from the rolling channel is provided, whereby the conveyor device is embodied as a conveyor drum, a particularly space-saving device is given.

[0019] A second deflection for one of the roller conveyors is preferably also assigned to the conveyor drum, whereby in particular the conveyor drum and the second deflection are pivoted around a common axis. The conveyor drum and the second deflection are preferably pivoted relative to one another around the common axis. In this manner at the speed determined by the feed drum of the roller conveyor revolving thereon, in its circumferential speed the conveyor drum can work independently of the speed of the roller conveyor. During the removal of the wrapped groups, this renders possible a removal from the rolling channel at the transport speed of the groups in the rolling channel or at a higher or a lower speed than the transport speed of the objects in the rolling channel. The device according to the invention can therefore be adjusted very flexibly to different requirement profiles through the preferably possible relative movement between the second deflection and conveyor drum.

[0020] The conveyor device preferably accepts the wrapped groups essentially directly from the rolling channel, so that a gentle and quick as well as safe transfer is rendered possible.

[0021] With the device according to the invention a feed drum is particularly preferred that comprises seats for the groups to be rolled. It is thereby again preferred that the conveyor drum comprises seats embodied as first ridges, whereby channels open into the ridges, which channels can be connected to a vacuum source to hold the objects. In an embodiment of the invention the first ridges are arranged in a crosswise axial manner to the conveying direction of the feed drum. With the aid of such feed drums, the invention can be realized in a particularly simple and reliable manner. In this embodiment the objects to be wrapped are picked up from the feed drum or the ridges on the feed drum by the roller conveyor revolving on the feed drum at the moment when the corresponding ridge is located at the circumferential point of the feed drum that is nearest to the other roller conveyor. It is thereby preferred for the roller conveyor revolving on the feed drum to run more quickly than the opposite roller conveyor. It is thus ensured that at the moment of the transfer of the groups to be wrapped to the rolling channel, the groups are rolling forwards. This is particularly preferred when the feed drum transfers the objects to the rolling channel with wrapping material already adhered. In this manner, the rolling and thus the wrapping of the objects can start immediately at the beginning, i.e., directly at the transfer of the groups, e.g., with adhered wrapping material. A defined and exact starting position of the rolling is therefore established according to the invention.

[0022] The exact transfer of the wrapped groups from the rolling channel to the conveyor drum can again be improved with the aid of the above-mentioned ridges that run axially crosswise to the conveying direction of the groups in the rolling channel. On the one hand, at a speed higher than the circumferential speed of the conveyor drum, of the roller conveyor revolving around it, the wrapped groups can be accelerated against a ridge, so that they can subsequently be held onto the ridges exactly and in a defined manner by way of the channels opening into the ridges and the connected vacuum source. However, it is also possible that, with a conveyor drum running at a higher circumferential speed than the roller conveyor revolving around the conveyor drum, the wrapped groups are again accelerated from the conveyor drum or the corresponding ridge when leaving the rolling channel.

[0023] Another advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises a feed drum with second channels that can again be connected to a vacuum source to hold wrapping material or wrapping material sections on the feed drum. To this end preferably second ridges are provided that run in a crosswise axial manner and that open into the second channels. With the aid of such ridges, the wrapping material sections can also be held on the feed drum in a defined manner.

[0024] Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that at least one of the roller conveyors is heated at least in the area of the rolling channel. With such an embodiment the adhesive bond that holds the wrapping material on the group to be wrapped during wrapping can thus be improved through the heat input.

[0025] If the roller conveyor revolving on the first deflection and assigned to the feed drum is composed of several partial belts arranged at a mutual distance from one another, the arrangement of the ridges as seat for the objects to be transported or the arrangement of the channels on the ridges connected to a vacuum source can be realized more simply in that respectively ridges or roller conveyors are provided alternately along the crosswise axis to the conveyor direction of the feed drum. If instead the roller conveyors are not divided, i.e., only a single first roller conveyor and a single second roller conveyor is provided, in contrast a more exact wrapping of the groups is possible, whereby the channels connected to a vacuum source can be brought into operative connection with openings provided in at least one roller conveyor in order to hold the corresponding filter segments in the groups of filter segments or the wrapped groups in a suitable manner through a compressive force or vacuum air, in order to be able to feed them exactly to the rolling channel or to be able to remove them exactly from the rolling channel.

[0026] The object is further attained through a multi-segment filter production device with a device according to the invention for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material or a wrapping material section, as described above, and a transfer device to transfer groups of filter segments from a filter segment group assembly device. Such a multi-segment filter production device can be realized in a very space-saving manner and very cost-effectively. The filter segment group assembly device hereby preferred is dividable into a plurality of independent functional units.

[0027] Through the divisibility of the filter segment group assembly device into a plurality of independent functional units, a greatest possible variability is given in multi-filter production, whereby if different multi-filters are to be produced, a quick and cost-effective adjustment is possible, in which if necessary the independent functional units need only be rearranged and adjusted or only a few modules or functional units have to be additionally purchased. Within the scope of this application, the term “functional units” also covers the term “module.”

[0028] If a functional unit is provided for each type of filter segment of a multi-segment filter, a particularly space-saving device can be realized. If a, in particular a single, functional unit is provided for each filter segment of a multi-segment filter, a particularly high variability of the device is possible. A particularly simple assembly of groups of filter segments is possible when the plurality of independent functional units are arranged in a row such that at least part of the conveyor elements of two adjacent functional units are brought into operative connection with one another, in particular can interlock. Filter segments can then be assembled on these conveyor elements in a particularly simple manner. The conveyor elements preferably comprise assembly drums and/or transfer drums. When the interlocking conveyor elements are arranged in a row horizontally, a preferred and simple embodiment of the device is given. Each functional unit preferably comprises at least one assembly drum. The group of filter segments can preferably be conveyed in a crosswise axial manner by way of the conveyor elements so that the device and the independent functional units can be structurally designed in a correspondingly compact manner.

[0029] The multi-segment filter production device preferably comprises at least one conveyor belt that comprises seat grooves for filter segments crosswise to the conveyor direction, whereby at least two adjacent functional units respectively comprise at least one conveyor element that can be brought into operative connection with the at least one conveyor belt.

[0030] This preferred embodiment of the invention makes a particularly low-noise device possible, since a plurality of assembly drums and transfer drums are omitted that generate noise due to a plurality of vacuum switches and compressed-air switches. Furthermore, through the continuous movement of a conveyor belt or several conveyor belts lying next to one another and moving in the same direction, a very gentle transport of the filter elements or filter segments is possible so that no further precautions are necessary in order to transport even very sensitive filter segments. Finally it is advantageous that the operating personnel can have the filter segments arranged on the conveyor belt or the conveyor belts constantly in view so that they can intervene accordingly when a defect occurs.

[0031] Each functional unit preferably comprises at least one conveyor element that can be brought into operative connection with the at least one conveyor belt. In this embodiment of the multi-segment filter production device according to the invention the conveyor belt or the conveyor belts extends/extend over all the functional units so that all the assembly and transfer drums can be replaced that are provided in the other exemplary embodiments for the horizontal transport of the filter segments or the groups of filter segments to the device for wrapping the groups of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters.

[0032] The conveyor device is preferably horizontal. If mechanisms are provided for fixing filter segments in seat grooves that are arranged on the conveyor belt or the conveyor belts, a very reliable transport of the filter segments is possible.

[0033] Regarding the further design of the multi-segment filter production device and in particular also of the conveyor belt(s), reference is made in its entirety to a German application of the applicant filed on the same day as the present application, with the title “Device for Assembling Groups of Filter Segments for Producing Multi-Segment Filters of the Tobacco Processing Industry and Grooved Drum.

[0034] The invention also provides for a device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material, wherein the device comprises a rolling channel defined between adjacent stretches of at least one first roller conveyor and at least one second roller conveyor, and wherein the rolling channel is structured and arranged to wrap the groups of filter segments with the wrapping material by rolling each of the groups of filter segments.

[0035] The multi-segment filters may comprise multi-segment filters for a tobacco product. The at least one first roller conveyor may be a single first roller conveyor and the at least one second roller conveyor may be a single second roller conveyor. The device may further comprise a device for feeding the groups to the rolling channel. The device for feeding may comprise a feed drum which transfers each group directly to the rolling channel.

[0036] The device may further comprise at least one roller guiding the adjacent stretch of one of the at least one first roller conveyor and the at least one second roller conveyor. The at least one roller and the feed drum may pivot about a common axis. The at least one roller may guide the adjacent stretch of the at least one second roller conveyor and the feed drum may guide the adjacent stretch of the at least one first roller conveyor. The at least one roller and the feed drum may pivot about a common axis. Rotation of the feed drum may drive rotation of the at least one roller. Rotation of the feed drum may drive rotation of the at least one roller and causes movement of the at least one second roller conveyor.

[0037] The device may further comprise a device for conveying wrapped groups from the rolling channel. The device for conveying may comprise a conveyor drum. The conveyor drum may guide the adjacent stretch of the at least one first roller conveyor. The at least one second roller conveyor may comprise two deflection rolls guiding the adjacent stretch of the at least one second roller conveyor. The conveyor drum and one of the two deflection rolls may pivot about a common axis. The conveyor drum and one of the two deflection rolls may pivot relative to one another and about a common axis. The conveyor drum may rotate with a circumferential speed that is a slower than the adjacent stretch of the at least one first roller conveyor. The conveyor drum may rotate with a circumferential speed that is the same as the adjacent stretch of the at least one first roller conveyor. The device for conveying may be structured and arranged to essentially directly accept the wrapped groups from the rolling channel. The device for conveying may convey the wrapped groups away from the rolling channel.

[0038] The at least one first roller conveyor may comprise a feed drum and a conveyor device. The at least one first roller conveyor may comprise a feed drum and a conveyor device, whereby the adjacent stretch of the at least one first roller conveyor is guided around the feed drum and the conveyor device. The at least one first roller conveyor may comprise a feed drum and a conveyor drum, whereby the adjacent stretch of the at least one first roller conveyor is guided around the feed drum and the conveyor drum. The device may further comprise a conveyor device which conveys the groups towards the rolling channel, wherein the conveyor device comprises seats for the groups. The device may further comprise a feed device which conveys the groups towards the rolling channel, wherein the feed device comprises seats for the groups. The seats may comprise ridges. Each of the seats may comprise an open channel. The open channels may be coupled to a vacuum source, whereby the groups are held by the feed device. The ridges may be arranged axially crosswise to a conveying direction of the feed device. The ridges may be arranged axially crosswise to a conveying direction of a device which conveys the wrapped groups away from the rolling channel. The ridges may be arranged axially crosswise to a conveying direction of a conveying device which conveys the groups towards the rolling channel. The ridges may have a circumferential spacing which less than a circumferential spacing of ridges of the conveying device. The ridges may have a circumferential spacing which is the same as a circumferential spacing of ridges of the conveying device. The conveying device may comprise a feed drum. The feed drum may comprise channels which are coupled to a vacuum source. The feed drum may comprise channels which are coupled to a vacuum shaft, whereby the feed drum is structured and arranged to hold a wrapping material. The at least one first and second roller conveyors comprise smooth surfaces. The rolling channel may be defined by smooth surfaces of the at least one first and second roller conveyors. The at least one first roller conveyor may move at a greater speed than the at least one second roller conveyor. At least one of the at least one first and second roller conveyors may be heated.

[0039] The device may further comprise a filter segment group assembly device and a transfer device for transferring the groups from the filter segment group assembly device.

[0040] The invention also provides for a combination of the device described above with a filter segment group assembly device and a transfer device for transferring the groups from the filter segment group assembly device.

[0041] The invention also provides for a combination of the device described above with a filter segment group assembly device, wherein the filter segment group assembly device comprise a plurality of dividable independent functional units.

[0042] Each of the dividable independent functional units may be adapted to convey a type of filter segment. Each of the dividable independent functional units may be a single functional unit. The dividable independent functional units may be arranged in a row. Two adjacent dividable independent functional units may be adapted to connect to each other. Two adjacent dividable independent functional units may be operatively connected to each other. Two adjacent dividable independent functional units may be adapted to interlock to each other. Each of the dividable independent functional units may comprise at least one conveyor element. The at least one conveyor element may comprise one of assembly drum and a transfer drum. The at least one conveyor element of one of the dividable independent functional units may be operatively connected to the at least one conveyor element of another of the dividable independent functional units. The at least one conveyor element of one of the dividable independent functional units and the at least one conveyor element of another of the dividable independent functional units may be arranged in a horizontal row. The at least one conveyor element may comprise at least one assembly drum. Each of the at least one conveyor elements may be structured and arranged to convey filter segments in a direction which is axially crosswise.

[0043] The invention also provides for a combination of the device described above with a filter segment group assembly device, wherein the filter segment group assembly device comprises at least two adjacent functional units.

[0044] The at least two adjacent functional units may be operatively connected to each other. The combination may further comprise at least one conveyor belt operatively connecting the at least two adjacent functional units. The at least one conveyor may comprise seat grooves for conveying filter segments along a direction which is axially crosswise to a conveyor direction. Each of the at least two adjacent functional units may comprise at least one conveyor element which is operatively connected to the at least one conveyor belt. The at least one conveyor belt may be essentially horizontally arranged.

[0045] The invention also provides for a device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material, wherein the device comprises a first conveyor and a second conveyor. Adjacent stretches of the first and second conveyors define a rolling channel through which the groups of filter segments move. A first device conveys the groups of filter segments to the rolling channel. A second device conveys the groups of filter segments away from the rolling channel. The adjacent stretches are structured and arranged to wrap the groups of filter segments with the wrapping material by rolling each of the groups of filter segments within the rolling channel.

[0046] The invention also provides for a device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material, wherein the device comprises a first conveyor moving at a first speed and a second conveyor moving at a second different speed. Adjacent stretches of the first and second conveyors define a rolling channel through which the groups of filter segments move. A first device conveys the groups of filter segments to the rolling channel. A second device conveys the groups of filter segments away from the rolling channel after the groups of filter segments are wrapped with the wrapping material. The adjacent stretches are structured and arranged to wrap the groups of filter segments with the wrapping material by rolling each of the groups of filter segments within the rolling channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] The invention is described below without restriction of the general inventive concept on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, whereby reference is expressly made to the drawings for all details of the invention not further explained in the text wherein:

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic side view of a multi-segment filter production device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic side view of a multi-segment filter production device according to the invention according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic side view of a device according to the invention for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material to produce multi-segment filters;

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic cross-sectional view along section A-A from FIG. 3;

[0052] FIG. 5 a shows an embodiment of a functional unit for soft elements shown in diagram form;

[0053] FIG. 5 b shows a diagrammatic arrangement of filter segments according to the position in the respective drums from FIG. 5a;

[0054] FIG. 6 a shows another exemplary embodiment of a functional unit for soft elements shown in diagram form;

[0055] FIG. 6 b shows a diagrammatic arrangement of filter segments in which the placing on the drums in FIG. 6a is shown;

[0056] FIG. 7 a shows a diagrammatic view of a functional unit for hard elements; and

[0057] FIG. 7 b shows a diagrammatic arrangement of filter segments showing approximately how they are arranged in the drums in FIG. 7a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0058] In the following description of the figures, in part the same elements are labeled with the same reference numbers so that a repeated introduction has been omitted.

[0059] A multi-segment filter production device according to the invention with a device according to the invention for assembling groups of filter segments to produce multi-segment filters is shown in FIG. 1.

[0060] This is hereby a group-forming device 41, whereby, however, respectively independent functional units 60.1-60.3, and 61.1 are used. The functional units 60.2 and 60.3 are soft element units by way of which two individual filter segments are fed (FIG. 5a), the functional unit 60.1 is a soft element unit by way of which an individual filter plug or an individual filter segment of double unit length is fed, and the functional unit 61.1 is a hard element unit. Storage containers 53.1-53.3 and 54.1 are respectively provided in the functional units, whereby, naturally, a soft element storage container 53.1-53.3 is provided with the soft element unit 60.1-60.3, and a hard element storage container 54.1 is provided with the hard element unit 61.1. In the soft element units soft segments or soft elements, e.g., of a cellulose acetate or a fiber web are processed and the processed segments deposited on a drum, but in the hard element unit hard segments, such as sintered granulate, casings filled with granulate or empty casings are positioned on drums. The group-forming device 41 or the independent functional units are supplied with power by way of a power supply unit 58.

[0061] By way of the multi-segment filter production device according to FIG. 1, e.g., multi-segment filters for cigarettes can be produced that feature four filter elements.

[0062] For example, a soft element of double unit length is now arranged in the center of the corresponding groove 84 of the assembly drum 64.2 (see FIG. 6a). Hard elements can then be arranged adjacently around this soft element of double unit length, whereupon two soft elements are then arranged outside around the arranged hard elements by way of the functional unit 60.2. Finally, by way of the functional unit 60.3 arranged closest to the transfer unit 62.1, two further soft elements are then arranged aligned in a crosswise axial manner to the left and right of the group of filter elements in the respective grooves of the transfer drum 63.6 or assembly drum 64.2. The group of filter segments formed in this manner is then transferred into a transfer unit 62.1 and deposited by way of the transfer drums 63.1-63.3 known per se in a crosswise axial manner on a supply drum 2 of the device for wrapping groups 4 of filter segments 5.1-5.7, 83, 87 to produce multi-segment filters 49 of the tobacco processing industry, which is also called a wrapping device below, in order then to form them into a multi-segment filter 49 by way of wrapping paper that is removed from a bobbin 19. To this end a standard filter wrapping paper can be used.

[0063] Multiple filters can be produced which are processed in the MAX filter tipping machine of the applicant as 2-fold, 4-fold or 6-fold length filter rods with cut tobacco rods to form filter cigarettes.

[0064] The wrapping device according to the invention, which is also shown in diagrammatic form in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, is explained in more detail within the scope of the figure description of FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0065] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic side view of another exemplary embodiment of the multi-segment filter production device according to the invention. Instead of the transfer drums 63.5-63.7 used in FIG. 1 and the assembly drum 64.1-64.3 used there, a conveyor belt 120 is used that can pick up and transport filter segments via all functional units 53.4-53.6 and 54.2. To this end seats are preferably provided in the conveyor belt 120 (not shown in this figure). These seats comprise vacuum openings that can be brought into operative connection with a vacuum box 123. The conveyor belt 120 is driven in the conveying direction 130 by a drive wheel 121 and is deflected around a deflection wheel 122. Furthermore a cleaning box 124 is provided, by way of which the conveyor belt can be appropriately cleaned. A precise description of the conveyor belt 120 can be found in the German application of the applicant filed on the same day, as mentioned above, with the title “Device for Assembling Groups of Filter Segments for Producing Multi-Segment Filters of the Tobacco Processing Industry and Grooved Drum.” In this respect reference is made in its entirety to the description thereof in the above-referenced application.

[0066] The filter segments deposited on the conveyor belt 120 are assembled into groups by corresponding depositing and then fed via the transfer drums 63.9 and 63.10 (of the transfer unit 62.2) to the supply drum 2 of the wrapping device according to the invention.

[0067] The wrapping device according to the invention is shown in a diagrammatic side view in FIG. 3. The filter segment groups 4 are transferred from a transfer drum 63.1 in the conveying direction or direction of rotation 14.1 to the supply drum 2 that moves in the direction of rotation 14.2. In a contact zone of a knife drum 7 with a paper transport drum 3, on the wrapping paper 9 that is removed from a bobbin 19, the wrapping paper is cut into wrapping paper sections by way of the knife drum 7. Subsequently the wrapping paper sections are adhered to the filter segment group 4. To this end glue 33 from a glue container 12 is applied to the wrapping material 9 beforehand by way of a glue roller 11 that is in operative connection with a glue disk 10. The paper transport drum 3 moves correspondingly somewhat faster than the wrapping paper 9 is fed, so that after being cut by the knife drum 7 the wrapping paper sections rest on the paper transport drum 3 with a spacing.

[0068] The wrapping material section 6 that is adhered or glued onto the respective filter segment group 4 is brought into the operative area of a feed drum 23 that rotates in the direction of rotation 14.3. Having arrived there, the filter segment groups 4 are preferably held in seat grooves at corresponding ridges 36 by vacuum and preferably also the wrapping material sections 6 are accordingly held by vacuum. The groups of filter segment groups 4 and wrapping material sections 6 are transferred from the feed drum 23 directly into a rolling channel 25 that is defined by at least one first roller conveyor 18 and at least one second roller conveyor 20. The at least first roller conveyor 18 can be a plurality of partial conveyors or a single roller conveyor. In the same way the at least second roller conveyor can be a plurality of partial conveyors or also a single roller conveyor.

[0069] In the variant with a plurality of partial conveyors, they are embodied such that they move essentially parallel to one another. The first roller conveyor 18 preferably moves faster than the second roller conveyor 20, so that a corresponding wrapping by rolling of the filter segment groups 4 with the wrapping material sections 6 is carried out. The second roller conveyor 20 is deflected around a roller 21 and a roller 22 in the respective direction of rotation 14.5 and 14.6. The rolled filter segment groups 4 that have thus been formed into multi-segment filters 49 are transferred at the end of the rolling channel 25 to a conveyor drum 24 that comprises corresponding seat grooves 28 and ridges 37. Subsequently the multi-segment filters 49 are transported further onto a transport drum 30 for further processing, e.g., for assembly with cut tobacco rods and to be provided with a coating paper section.

[0070] The feed drum 23 has on its circumference ridges 36 arranged with uniform spacing. The ridges 36 are arranged on the circumference at regular intervals. The ridges 36 run parallel to the axis of rotation of the feed drum 23. First vacuum channels 32 (cf. FIG. 4) are provided on the ridges, which vacuum channels are connected to a vacuum shaft 40. The filter segments can be held on the ridges 36 with the aid of the vacuum channels 32. In order to also hold the wrapping material sections 6 on the feed drum 23, further vacuum channels are provided in the feed drum 23 which hold the wrapping material sections 6. However, these further vacuum channels are not shown in the figures. At the point that is defined on the circumference of the feed drum 23 by the section A-A, the side of the filter segment group 4 facing the feed drum 23 comes into contact with a first roller conveyor 18 likewise revolving on the feed drum 23. At this point the filter segment group likewise comes into contact with a second roller conveyor 20. The rolling channel 25 thus starts at this point. The first roller conveyor 18 runs at the circumferential speed of the feed drum 23. The second roller conveyor 20 runs at a speed that is slower than the speed of the first roller conveyor 18.

[0071] The number of rolls of the filter segment group 4 in the rolling channel 25 depends on the difference in the speeds of the roller conveyors 18 and 20. By changing the speed of the roller conveyor 18, the number of rolls of the filter segment group 4 in the rolling channel 25 can be changed. The conveying directions of the first roller conveyor 18 and the second roller conveyor 20 are the same in the region of the rolling channel 25.

[0072] The conveyor drum 24 also has ridges 37 arranged over the circumference. The conveyor drum 24 runs at a circumferential speed and is equidirectional with the feed drum 23. The speed of the conveyor drum 24 is slower than the conveyor speed of the first roller conveyor 18. The wrapped filter segment groups 4 or multi-segment filters 49 leaving the rolling channel 25 are thus pressed by the first roller conveyor 18 against the ridges 37 serving as seats in the conveyor drum 24. A precise and safe transfer of the multi-segment filters 49 from the rolling channel 25 to the ridges 37 on the conveyor drum 24 acting as seats is thus achieved with the aid of the first roller conveyor 18.

[0073] Vacuum channels to hold the multi-segment filters 49 on the conveyor drum 24 are also provided on the ridges 37.

[0074] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic sectional view along the section A-A from FIG. 3. At this point a group of filter segments 5.1-5.7 is located in the rolling channel 25 beginning there. The filter segments 5.1-5.7 are shown shaded in a corresponding manner. These filter segments 5.1-5.7 are clamped between the first roller conveyor 18 and the second roller conveyor 20. The first roller conveyor 18 is divided into 8 partial belts in this exemplary embodiment. However, an embodiment can also preferably be provided in which a single roller conveyor 18 is provided, whereby the vacuum channels 32 shown in FIG. 4 can come into contact with openings in the roller conveyor 18, so that a vacuum can act on the filter segments 5.1-5.7. FIG. 4 further shows a respective ridge 36 in several opened representations. Furthermore,

[0075] FIG. 4 shows a vacuum source 40 that can be brought into operative connection with the vacuum channels 32.

[0076] FIG. 5 a shows in diagrammatic form a soft element unit 60.2, 60.3 according to the invention with which two individual filter segments can be fed. Soft filter rods 80, e.g., of cellulose acetate, are placed via a feed element 70.1 in a soft element storage container 53.1. The corresponding filter rods or filter elements 80, e.g., of an 8-fold unit length are removed by way of a removal drum 8.1. The diverter roller 71.1 is provided for a secured removal of the filter elements 80. A device for removing rod-shaped articles from a supply is known, e.g., from DE 25 05 998 C2, which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,973.

[0077] The filter elements 80 are then cut into two filter elements 81 of 4-fold unit length on the removal drum 8.1 by way of a first circular knife 72.1 that is operated in a rotating manner and is constantly ground on a grinding element 73.1. Then two further cuts are carried out by two further circular knives 72.2 that are arranged one behind the other (of these only the front circular knife can be seen in FIG. 5a), so that the filter elements 81 are cut into a total of four filter elements 82 of double unit length.

[0078] A transfer then occurs of the four filter elements 82, which are arranged on the removal drum 8.1 in a lengthwise axial manner as shown, e.g., in FIG. 5b, onto a stepped drum 13.1 by way of which the filter elements 82 are arranged in a stepped manner as is also indicated in FIG. 5b. Next a transfer takes place into a disk-/cutting drum 74.1 in which first a crosswise axial alignment of the filter elements 82 is undertaken in order to then cut them with the circular knife 72.3 into two filter plugs 83. The filter plugs 83 thus cut are transferred to a transfer drum 63.4 in order then to be transferred to a sliding/transfer drum 75.1 in which the filter plugs 83 are pushed apart. Finally the filter plugs 83 pushed apart are transferred to an assembly drum 64.1 and then to a transfer drum 63.5 that can be brought into operative connection with an assembly drum 64.2-64.5 of a further functional unit in order to bring the filter elements deposited on the transfer drum 63.5 together with the filter elements deposited on the further assembly drum 64.2-64.5.

[0079] FIG. 6 a shows another exemplary embodiment of a functional unit 60.1 according to the invention in diagrammatic form. A single filter plug of double unit length is fed with this functional unit 60.1. The difference from the functional unit 60.2 or 60.3 from FIG. 5a lies in that, instead of the downstream first transfer drum 63.4, a stepped drum 13.3 is provided, by way of which the cut filter plugs 83 are transferred to the sliding/transfer drum 75.2 in a stepped manner, so that a maximum of only one filter plug 83 is arranged per groove in the sliding/transfer drum 75.2 or per groove in the assembly drum 64.2 and transfer drum 63.6 assigned to this unit. FIG. 6b and FIG. 5b moreover show diagrammatically the seat groove 84 of the assembly drum 64.1 or 64.2. Preferably the first and if necessary the last filter segment of a multi-segment filter are inserted with the functional unit according to FIG. 6a.

[0080] FIG. 7 a shows a hard element unit 61.1-61.3 according to the invention. Hard filter elements 87 are fed to two removal drums 8.3 and 8.4 from a hard element storage container 54.1 via two feed shafts 86.1 and 86.2. To this end, as indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 7a, a mobility of the feed shafts 86.1 and 86.2 can be realized in order to provide the gentlest possible transfer of the hard filter elements 87 to the removal drums 8.3 and 8.4. The removal drums 8.3 and 8.4 can also be embodied appropriately in order to render possible a quick transfer of many elements. To this end reference is made in particular to the application of the applicant with the title “Transfer Device and Grooved Drum and Method for Transferring Cigarette Components” with file reference DE 101 46 992.6. The content of the referenced application of the applicant should be incorporated in its entirety in this application.

[0081] The hard filter elements 87 transferred in a stepped manner, as indicated in FIG. 7b are then transferred in sliding drums 16.1 and 16.2 in which the hard filter elements 87 are arranged in a crosswise axial manner in the consecutive seat grooves. The hard filter elements arranged aligned in a crosswise axial manner are transferred via a transfer drum 63.8 to the assembly drum 64.3 of this unit and then transferred to the transfer drum 63.7.

[0082] The soft element units 60.4-60.6 of FIG. 2 correspond essentially to the soft element units 60.1-60.3 of FIG. 1. In the same way the hard element unit 61.2 of FIG. 2 corresponds essentially to the hard element unit 61.1 of FIG. 1. The same applies to the transfer unit 62.2 of FIG. 2 and the transfer unit 62.1 of FIG. 1. Hereby, only in contrast to FIG. 1, in FIG. 2 a transport belt 120 is provided that replaces the transfer drums 63.5-63.6 and 63.3 and the conveyor drums 64.1 and 64.3. A quieter machine can thus be realized that can transfer and transport the filter elements more gently.

[0083] Through the use of independent functional units with a device for assembling groups of filter segments for producing multi-segment filters it is possible, e.g., when using hard elements to achieve an increase in production capacity by using several modules. Furthermore, a high production capacity is possible if only soft modules or soft element units are used. Thus in particular two to five filter segments per multi-segment filter can be produced. Corresponding granulates are used preferably packaged in hard elements.

List of Reference Numbers
1     Belt rolling device
2     Supply drum
3     Paper transport drum
4     Filter segment group
5.1   Filter segment
5.7   Filter segment
6     Wrapping material
7     Knife drum
8.1   Removal drum
8.4   Removal drum
9     Wrapping material strip
10    Glue disk
11    Glue roller
12    Glue container
13.1  Stepped drum
13.3  Stepped drum
14.1  Rotational direction
14.6  Rotational direction
16.1  Sliding drum
16.2  Sliding drum
18    1st roller conveyor
19    Bobbin
20    2nd roller conveyor
21    Roller
22    Roller
23    Feed drum
24    Conveyor drum
25    Rolling channel
28    Seat groove
30    Transport drum
32    Vacuum channel
33    Glue
36    Ridge
37    Ridge
40    Vacuum shaft
41    Filter segment group
      assembly device
49    Multi-segment filter
53.1  Soft element storage
      container
53.6  Soft element storage
      container
54.1  Hard element storage
      container
54.2  Hard element storage
      container
58    Power supply unit
60.1  Soft element unit
60.6  Soft element unit
61.1  Hard element unit
61.2  Hard element unit
62.1  Transfer unit
62.2  Transfer unit
63.1  Transfer drum
63.10 Transfer drum
64.1  Assembly drum
64.3  Assembly drum
70.1  Feed element
70.2  Feed element
71.1  Diverter roller
71.2  Diverter roller
72.1  Circular knife
72.6  Circular knife
73.1  Grinding element
73.6  Grinding element
80    Filter element (8-fold)
81    Filter element (4-fold)
82    Filter element (2-fold)
83    Filter plug
85    Seat groove
86.1  Feed shaft
86.2  Feed shaft
87    Hard filter element
120   Conveyor belt
121   Drive wheel
122   Deflection wheel
123   Vacuum box
124   Cleaning box

Claims

1-36. (canceled).

37. A device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material, the device comprising: a rolling channel defined between adjacent stretches of at least one first roller conveyor and at least one second roller conveyor, wherein the rolling channel is structured and arranged to wrap the groups of filter segments with the wrapping material by rolling each of the groups of filter segments.

38. The device of claim 37, wherein the multi-segment filters comprise multi-segment filters for a tobacco product.

39. The device of claim 37, wherein the at least one first roller conveyor is a single first roller conveyor and wherein the at least one second roller conveyor is a single second roller conveyor.

40. The device of claim 37, further comprising a device for feeding the groups to the rolling channel.

41. The device of claim 40, wherein the device for feeding comprises a feed drum which transfers each group directly to the rolling channel.

42. The device of claim 41, further comprising at least one roller guiding the adjacent stretch of one of the at least one first roller conveyor and the at least one second roller conveyor.

43. The device of claim 42, wherein the at least one roller and the feed drum pivot about a common axis.

44. The device of claim 42, wherein the at least one roller guides the adjacent stretch of the at least one second roller conveyor and wherein the feed drum guides the adjacent stretch of the at least one first roller conveyor.

45. The device of claim 42, wherein the at least one roller and the feed drum pivot about a common axis.

46. The device of claim 42, wherein rotation of the feed drum drives rotation of the at least one roller.

47. The device of claim 42, wherein rotation of the feed drum drives rotation of the at least one roller and causes movement of the at least one second roller conveyor.

48. The device of claim 37, further comprising a device for conveying wrapped groups from the rolling channel.

49. The device of claim 48, wherein the device for conveying comprises a conveyor drum.

50. The device of claim 49, wherein the conveyor drum guides the adjacent stretch of the at least one first roller conveyor.

51. The device of claim 50, wherein the at least one second roller conveyor comprises two deflection rolls guiding the adjacent stretch of the at least one second roller conveyor.

52. The device of claim 51, wherein the conveyor drum and one of the two deflection rolls pivot about a common axis.

53. The device of claim 51, wherein the conveyor drum and one of the two deflection rolls pivot relative to one another and about a common axis.

54. The device of claim 51, wherein the conveyor drum rotates with a circumferential speed that is a slower than the adjacent stretch of the at least one first roller conveyor.

55. The device of claim 51, wherein the conveyor drum rotates with a circumferential speed that is the same as the adjacent stretch of the at least one first roller conveyor.

56. The device of claim 48, wherein the device for conveying is structured and arranged to essentially directly accept the wrapped groups from the rolling channel.

57. The device of claim 48, wherein the device for conveying conveys the wrapped groups away from the rolling channel.

58. The device of claim 37, wherein the at least one first roller conveyor comprises a feed drum and a conveyor device.

59. The device of claim 37, wherein the at least one first roller conveyor comprises a feed drum and a conveyor device, whereby the adjacent stretch of the at least one first roller conveyor is guided around the feed drum and the conveyor device.

60. The device of claim 37, wherein the at least one first roller conveyor comprises a feed drum and a conveyor drum, whereby the adjacent stretch of the at least one first roller conveyor is guided around the feed drum and the conveyor drum.

61. The device of claim 37, further comprising a conveyor device which conveys the groups towards the rolling channel, wherein the conveyor device comprises seats for the groups.

62. The device of claim 37, further comprising a feed device which conveys the groups towards the rolling channel, wherein the feed device comprises seats for the groups.

63. The device of claim 62, wherein the seats comprise ridges.

64. The device of claim 63, wherein each of the seats comprise an open channel.

65. The device of claim 64, wherein the open channels are coupled to a vacuum source, whereby the groups are held by the feed device.

66. The device of claim 64, wherein the ridges are arranged axially crosswise to a conveying direction of the feed device.

67. The device of claim 64, wherein the ridges are arranged axially crosswise to a conveying direction of a device which conveys the wrapped groups away from the rolling channel.

68. The device of claim 64, wherein the ridges are arranged axially crosswise to a conveying direction of a conveying device which conveys the groups towards the rolling channel.

69. The device of claim 68, wherein the ridges have a circumferential spacing which less than a circumferential spacing of ridges of the conveying device.

70. The device of claim 68, wherein the ridges have a circumferential spacing which is the same as a circumferential spacing of ridges of the conveying device.

71. The device of claim 70, wherein the conveying device comprises a feed drum.

72. The device of claim 71, wherein the feed drum comprises channels which are coupled to a vacuum source.

73. The device of claim 71, wherein the feed drum comprises channels which are coupled to a vacuum shaft, whereby the feed drum is structured and arranged to hold a wrapping material.

74. The device of claim 37, wherein the at least one first and second roller conveyors comprise smooth surfaces.

75. The device of claim 37, wherein the rolling channel is defined by smooth surfaces of the at least one first and second roller conveyors.

76. The device of claim 37, wherein the at least one first roller conveyor moves at a greater speed than the at least one second roller conveyor.

77. The device of claim 37, wherein at least one of the at least one first and second roller conveyors is heated.

78. The device of claim 37, further comprising a filter segment group assembly device and a transfer device for transferring the groups from the filter segment group assembly device.

79. A combination of the device of claim 37 with a filter segment group assembly device and a transfer device for transferring the groups from the filter segment group assembly device.

80. A combination of the device of claim 37 with a filter segment group assembly device, wherein the filter segment group assembly device comprise a plurality of dividable independent functional units.

81. The combination of claim 80, wherein each of the dividable independent functional units is adapted to convey a type of filter segment.

82. The combination of claim 80, wherein each of the dividable independent functional units is a single functional unit.

83. The combination of claim 80, wherein the dividable independent functional units are arranged in a row.

84. The combination of claim 80, wherein two adjacent dividable independent functional units are adapted to connect to each other.

85. The combination of claim 80, wherein two adjacent dividable independent functional units are operatively connected to each other.

86. The combination of claim 80, wherein two adjacent dividable independent functional units are adapted to interlock to each other.

87. The combination of claim 80, wherein each of the dividable independent functional units comprise at least one conveyor element.

88. The combination of claim 87, wherein the at least one conveyor element comprises one of assembly drum and a transfer drum.

89. The combination of claim 87, wherein the at least one conveyor element of one of the dividable independent functional units is operatively connected to the at least one conveyor element of another of the dividable independent functional units.

90. The combination of claim 87, wherein the at least one conveyor element of one of the dividable independent functional units and the at least one conveyor element of another of the dividable independent functional units are arranged in a horizontal row.

91. The combination of claim 87, wherein the at least one conveyor element comprises at least one assembly drum.

92. The combination of claim 87, wherein each of the at least one conveyor elements is structured and arranged to convey filter segments in a direction which is axially crosswise.

93. A combination of the device of claim 37 with a filter segment group assembly device, wherein the filter segment group assembly device comprises at least two adjacent functional units.

94. The combination of claim 93, wherein the at least two adjacent functional units are operatively connected to each other.

95. The combination of claim 93, further comprising at least one conveyor belt operatively connecting the at least two adjacent functional units.

96. The combination of claim 95, wherein the at least one conveyor comprises seat grooves for conveying filter segments along a direction which is axially crosswise to a conveyor direction.

97. The combination of claim 93, wherein each of the at least two adjacent functional units comprises at least one conveyor element which is operatively connected to the at least one conveyor belt.

98. The combination of claim 97, wherein the at least one conveyor belt is essentially horizontally arranged.

99. A device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material, the device comprising: a first conveyor and a second conveyor; adjacent stretches of the first and second conveyors defining a rolling channel through which the groups of filter segments move; a first device conveying the groups of filter segments to the rolling channel; and a second device conveying the groups of filter segments away from the rolling channel, wherein the adjacent stretches are structured and arranged to wrap the groups of filter segments with the wrapping material by rolling each of the groups of filter segments within the rolling channel.

100. A device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material, the device comprising: a first conveyor moving at a first speed and a second conveyor moving at a second different speed; adjacent stretches of the first and second conveyors defining a rolling channel through which the groups of filter segments move; a first device conveying the groups of filter segments to the rolling channel; and a second device conveying the groups of filter segments away from the rolling channel after the groups of filter segments are wrapped with the wrapping material, wherein the adjacent stretches are structured and arranged to wrap the groups of filter segments with the wrapping material by rolling each of the groups of filter segments within the rolling channel.