EP1532870A1 - Device and method for cutting tobacco from a tobacco bale - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly to separate tobacco from a compressed tobacco cake has a housing frame (11) with a cutting unit (12) and a rotating cutting plate (13), fitted with a number of cutting blades and rotating around an axis (14). A grinder (21) sharpens the cutting plate with a common counter surface (15). The assembly has at least one sensor (26) near the grinder and/or the counter surface, which registers the sound of the cutting plate in contact with the counter surface as an acoustic body sensor working on the piezo principle, and is linked to the grinder.

Description

The invention relates to a device for separating tobacco from a Tobacco cake, essentially comprising a housing frame, on which one around a Rotary axis rotating drivable release agent with at least one separating element, a movable grinding element for grinding each separating element and a common counter position for the or each separating element are arranged. Furthermore The invention relates to a method for separating tobacco from a tobacco cake. comprising the steps of: feeding the tobacco cake in the transport direction to a at least one separating element exhibiting release agent, separating the tobacco from Tobacco cake with each separator, advancing each separator against the Transport direction on a counter to, and grinding each separator with a grinding element.

Such devices and methods are used in particular in tobacco processing Industry for portioning tobacco from a tobacco cake. The before the separation or Portioning compacted tobacco cake is in the device by continuous feeding of the tobacco cake to the device by the rotating Separating elements of the same separately. The dividing elements become dirty over time. Of further there is a wear, namely in particular blunting the Separators. In particular for cleaning, but also for sharpening the Separators are these contrary to the transport direction of the tobacco cake advanced and brought into engagement with the grinding element. This is the Sanding element usually in the transport direction of the tobacco cake behind the Counter mounted. But as well as the counter wears, namely z. B. by in Tobacco cake sand or the like, increases the gap between Separating element and counter-surface. To avoid an uncontrolled collision between separating element and counter-position, the gap is relatively large. In other words the abrasive element in the transport direction of the tobacco cake is clearly behind the Arranged counter platform. The disadvantage is thus the large gap width that exists as a result, which leads to an insufficient cut quality, but also to a yield loss. Furthermore, the gap width due to contamination and wear of the Dividers and the counter undefined.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a simple and easy to handle device to create, with a constant and minimum gap width between separating element and counter-position is achievable. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a simple and to propose a procedure which is easy to implement and which requires the setting of a constant and minimal gap between separator and counter-position allows.

This object is achieved by a device of the type mentioned, characterized in that the device additionally comprises at least one sensor element which is such is formed and arranged that a contact between the separating element and An object can be detected acoustically, wherein the sensor element in operative connection with the Abrasive element is. This is a simple and very effective way minimum and precisely defined distance between the or each separator reached on the one hand and the counter element on the other hand and held. By the Sensor element is the exact position of the counter-position with respect to the separating element determined. Already a minimal contact between separating element and counter-surface is recognizable or detectable, so that the movable grinding element then through the Operative connection to the sensor element on the basis of the detected information in Transport direction of the tobacco cake is movable until the separating elements so far are ground that they are just contactless with the counter-surface. Have with it all separating elements a defined constant distance to the counter-position. Also is the Slit width minimal, as aware of the exact position or position of the counter-position already a minimal change in the position of the grinding element in Transport direction picks up the touch.

Other advantages of the invention are that on aids for adjusting the Position of the grinding element on the one hand and for adjusting the separating elements On the other hand, can be dispensed with, since the adjustment of the position of the grinding medium on Abrasive element and the position of the grinding element but also the setting of Separators omitted. Thus, the device is compact and simple. Due to the simple structure and the maintenance is significantly reduced.

Advantageously, the sensor element is at one for the transmission of structure-borne noise suitable element of the device, preferably the housing frame or like, arranged. This allows the very exact detection of the first still slight contact between separator and counter-position, so that the setting the optimum gap width is ensured close to zero.

In a preferred embodiment, the optimal position of the separating elements in Reference to the counter-element by the sensor element and the resulting Movement of the grinding element in or against the transport direction adjustable. With simple means the gap is thus particularly reliable adjustable.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the sensor element or the piezo-crystal to a control unit for controlling or regulating connected to the grinding element. This enables the automated and on-line exact adjustment and maintenance of the minimum and constant gap width.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method with the aforementioned Steps solved in that a contact between the separating element and counter-surface is detected acoustically, and as soon as a touch is detected, the grinding element so far in the transport direction of the tobacco cake, namely in the direction of Separators, is moved until just a non-contact state is reached. This allows in a surprisingly simple way a precise setting of a minimum and constant gap between separating element and counter-layer.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einem Schneidteller in Seitenansicht, und

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einer Schneidtrommel in Seitenansicht.

Further preferred features and embodiments and method steps emerge from the subclaims and the description. A particularly preferred embodiment and the method will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a device according to the invention with a cutting plate in side view, and

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a device according to the invention with a cutting drum in side view.

The devices described below are used in particular for separating Tobacco from a previously formed from a tobacco, ribs or the like and compacted tobacco cake. The invention, however, is based on the separation of other products also applicable.

The device 10 shown in Figure 1 is a tobacco cutter for separating Tobacco from a (not shown) tobacco cake and has a housing frame 11th on, on which a separating means 12 is arranged with at least one separating element 13. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the release agent 12 as Cutting plate formed. Alternatively, however, the release agent 12 as Cutting drum be formed (see Figure 2). The release agent 12 is a Rotary axis 14 rotatably driven, the direction of rotation depending on the design in or counterclockwise. The release agent 12 has in the Training as a cutting plate over one or more evenly around the pivot point 14th distributed separating elements 13, which are designed as cutting blades. The cutting knife are radially aligned with their cutting edges 30 and emerge from the cutting plate the tobacco cake facing end face 31. In the case of training of the Release agent 12 as a cutting drum are several separating elements, namely especially knives, distributed evenly around the circumference. The knives collide in this case through the lateral surface.

The device 10 further comprises a counter-layer 15, which in the region of the feed of the tobacco cake into the device 10, ie in the region of an inlet 16, is arranged. The counter-layer 15 is an outer frame of a so-called Mouthpiece 17, which is a continuation of e.g. from two compression chains 18, 19 formed compressor 20 is formed. The counter-15 is as a cutting counter for provided the cutting blade or knife and is therefore also as a counter knife, consisting of an upper knife, a lower knife and two side knives, designated.

Furthermore, the device 10 has a grinding element 21, which serves as a grinding roller is trained. Preferably, the sanding roller is single-layered with a grinding medium, especially coated with cubic boron nitride (CBN). Other common abrasives however, are also usable. The grinding element 21 is designed to be movable, in such a way that it is at least in the direction of the separating means 12 or the separating elements 13 and is movable away from them.

The on the rotating driven or driven release agent 12, namely the Cutting plate, radially aligned separating elements 13 describe with their Cutting edges 30 a cutting plane 22. The cutting plane 22 is parallel to a by the end face 31 of the separating means 12 formed or clamped plane and transverse to the transport direction (arrow 23) of the tobacco cake. The cutting plane 22 is variable with respect to the position, on the one hand such that the cutting plane 22 through Moving the position of the separating elements 13 is variable. In other words the cutting plane 22 by a feed of the separating elements 13 in the direction of Tobacco cake, ie opposite to the transport direction according to arrow 23, in the same Direction displaced while retracting the separating elements 13 in Transport direction according to arrow 23 to a displacement of the cutting plane 22 also effected in the transport direction according to arrow 23. On the other hand, the location of the Cutting plane 22 also by changing the position of the grinding element 21st variable. In the formation of the release agent 12 as a cutting drum define the Separating elements analogous to the cutting plane 22 a cutting circuit 22. The principle of Variation of the cutting circuit 22 is analogous to that described above.

Another plane, namely a grinding plane 24, is through the grinding element 21 educated. The grinding plane 24 runs parallel to the cutting plane 22 and lies in Transport direction according to arrow 23 in principle before the cutting plane 22. The location of Looping plane 24 is also changeable by changing the position of the Grinding element 21, more precisely by moving the grinding roller in the direction of Release agent 12 or the separating elements 13 or away from them. By a Change in position of the grinding plane 24 in or against the Tabakkuchenvorschubrichtung or to the separating elements 13 to or away from these is thus a change of Position of the cutting plane 22 possible. Analogous to the grinding plane 24 describes the Grinding element 21 on the cutting drum a grinding circuit 24, which usually coincides with the cutting circuit 22 and encloses this. The location of the grinding circuit 24 can be changed analogously to the loop plane 24.

The counter-surface 15, in particular the outer edges or surfaces of the mouthpiece 17, which are facing the separating means 12 and the separating elements 13, define a Counter knife plane 25. The counter knife plane 25 is parallel to the cutting plane 22nd and the grinding plane 24. The counter knife plane 25 is usually stationary. It is just in the operation of the device 10 but also conceivable that the counter knife plane 25 by adjusting the mouthpiece 17 and thus the counter-layer 15 forming Upper blade and lower blade on the one hand or wear of the upper and lower blade on the other hand is capable of variable. In the transport direction of the tobacco cake according to Arrow 23, the counter knife plane 25 is arranged in front of the grinding plane 24, so that the the latter looping plane 24 sandwiched between the cutting plane 22 and the Counter knife plane 25 is arranged. The same applies to the counter-blade circle 25 in the Embodiment according to Figure 2. However, the grinding circuit 24 is within the Counter knife circle 25 arranged. Within the grinding circuit 24 is the cutting circuit 22 arranged so that the grinding circuit 24 sandwiched between the cutting circuit 22nd and the counter-blade circle 25 is arranged.

All levels, namely the cutting plane 22, the loop plane 24 and the Counter knife plane 25 parallel to each other and transverse to the transport direction of the Tobacco cake according to arrow 23. The levels 22, 24 and 25 are also parallel to Plane which is spanned by the end face 31 of the cutting plate. All Levels 22, 24, 25 are in their position as well as relative to the other of the levels 22, 24, 25 changeable. In the figure 1, the levels 22, 24, 25 for the better Representation shown exploded against an operating position. Cutting circuit 22, grinding circuit 24 and counter-circle 25 are analogous concentric with each other and are also shown exploded. Cutting circuit 22 and grinding circuit 24 may also lie one above the other.

The device 10 furthermore has a sensor element 26. The sensor element 26 is preferably arranged on the housing frame 11. Important is an attachment to a suitable for the transmission of structure-borne sound element of the device 10. For offers the housing frame 11, where the sensor element 26 almost arbitrary can be placed. In the embodiments shown, the sensor element 26 is in Area of the counter 15 arranged. Also a fixture in the area of Sanding element 21 is particularly suitable. It can also be several sensor elements 26th be arranged at different positions.

The sensor element 26 is embodied as a structure-borne sound sensor and preferably operates according to the piezo principle. Other common sensor elements 26, in particular for Acquisition of acoustic signals are suitable, can also be used. The or each sensor element 26 is connected to a (not shown) control or Control unit connected, in turn, in operative connection with the Abrasive element 21 is. The grinding element 21 is based on the through the sensor element 26 determined data or information movable, preferably in Transport direction of the tobacco cake or against the transport direction or on the Separators 13 to or away from them.

The relevant dimension for the quality of the cut is the gap size, which is determined by the Slit width A between the separating elements 13 and the counter-layer 15 is defined. A minimum gap width of less than 0.1 mm is preferred. This will be done first achieved that the grinding element 21 at quasi-continuous feed the Separating elements 13 against the transport direction according to arrow 23 by this amount in Transport direction according to arrow 23 protrudes beyond the counter-15. With others Words is in the first embodiment, the looping plane 24 in the transport direction arranged according to arrow 23 behind the counter knife plane 25. At the second Embodiment is the grinding circuit 24 within the counter blade circle 25th arranged. An optimal position of the separating elements 13 with respect to the counter-layer 15 is achieved in that the detected by the sensor element 26 information for Movement of the grinding element 21 in the transport direction (arrow 23) or against the Transport direction (arrow 23) or on the separating elements 13 to or away from them are usable. The setting of the gap width A is in other words by the Change the looping plane 24 and the grinding circuit 24 achievable.

Im Betrieb der Vorrichtung 10 rotiert der Schneidteller bzw. die Schneidtrommel um die Drehachse 14. Gleichzeitig werden die Trennelemente 13, nämlich die Schneidmesser mit ihren Schneidkanten 30, gegen die Vorschubrichtung des Tabakkuchens, also entgegen Pfeil 23, quasikontinuierlich vorgeschoben. Das bedeutet, daß die Schneidmesser eigentlich kontinuierlich vorgeschoben werden, was jedoch durch den äußerst geringen Vorschubweg eher als schrittweiser Vorschub erfolgt bzw. wahrgenommen wird. Die Schneidmesser werden solange in die besagte Richtung vorgeschoben, bis die Schneidkanten 30, die die Schneidebene 22 bzw. den Schneidkreis 22 definieren, die Schleifebene 24 bzw. den Schleifkreis 24 erreichen. Mit Erreichen der Schleifebene 24 bzw. des Schleifkreises 24 werden die Schneidkanten 30 der Schneidmesser geschliffen und dadurch gereinigt und geschärft. Sobald die Schneidmesser durch das Schleifelement 21 geschliffen werden, liegen die Schneidebene 22 bzw. der Schleifkreis 22 und die Schleifebene 24 bzw. der Schleifkreis 24 übereinander.

In the following, the method principle, which applies to both a cutting drum and a cutting plate as separating means 12, is explained with reference to the figures:

During operation of the device 10, the cutting plate or the cutting drum rotates about the axis of rotation 14. At the same time, the separating elements 13, namely the cutting blade with its cutting edges 30, against the feed direction of the tobacco cake, ie opposite arrow 23, fed quasi-continuously. This means that the cutting blades are actually advanced continuously, but this is due to the extremely small feed path rather than gradual feed occurs or is perceived. The cutting knives are advanced in the said direction until the cutting edges 30 defining the cutting plane 22 and the cutting circle 22 reach the grinding plane 24 and the grinding circuit 24, respectively. Upon reaching the grinding plane 24 and the grinding circuit 24, the cutting edges 30 of the cutting blades are ground and thereby cleaned and sharpened. As soon as the cutting knives are ground by the grinding element 21, the cutting plane 22 or the grinding circle 22 and the grinding plane 24 or the grinding circle 24 lie one above the other.

By a slow change in the position of the loop plane 24 and des Grinding circle 24 by moving the grinding element 21 in the transport direction (arrow 23) or against the transport device (arrow 23) or on the separating elements 13 To or from this, the position of the cutting plane 22 and the cutting circle 22 also changed. In order to achieve the smallest possible gap width A, the Sanding element 21 usually as far back against the transport direction (Arrow 23) of the tobacco cake or moved away from the separating elements 13. Thereby there is a possibility that the advanced cutting blades in contact with the Counter-15 come, namely, when the grinding element 21 behind the Counter-15 is moved back or the grinding member 21 as far from the Separating elements 13 is moved away until the counter blade circle 25 within the Abrasive circuit 24 is located.

However, the sensor element 26 already detects the smallest contact of one or more Separating elements 13 with the counter-layer 15. If such a contact is detected, is the position of the cutting plane 22 and the cutting circuit 22 via a change the position of the grinding element 21 in the transport direction (arrow 23) or on the Separating elements 13 too long changed until the contact between the separating element 13th and counter 15 is no longer available. By this approach is the Position of the counter 15 easy to determine. All separating elements 13 have such a exact and defined distance, which forms the gap width A, the counter-layer 15. Mit In other words, the cutting plane 22 and the cutting circuit 22, starting from the Distance zero as little as possible away from the counter 15, namely only so far, that just no contact between the separating elements 13 and the counter-layer 15th he follows.

The wear of the separating elements 13 is due to the advance of the separating elements 13 balanced. The location of the cutting plane 22 and the cutting circuit 22 is therefore only by the position of the grinding element 21, its wear due to the coating negligible is small, certainly. But since also the counter 15, namely the Upper blade and the lower blade, wear, the grinding member 21 is slow back against the transport direction according to arrow 23 or away from the Separating elements 13 moves until a slight touch of the separating elements 13th can be determined with the counter 15. This process then starts again again. Through the interplay, in particular the "pendulum movement" of the Abrasive element 21 around the counter blade plane 25 and the Gegenmessekreis 25th around, the gap width A is always minimal and especially in a very narrow range kept constant. The accuracy of the gap is therefore only by the Homogeneity of abutment wear, the minimum increment of the Positional adjustment of the grinding element 21 and by the sensitivity of Sensor element 26 determines. The gap width A is thus always minimal.

Claims (30)

Device for separating tobacco from a tobacco cake, essentially comprising a housing frame (11) on which a separating means (12) rotatably driven about an axis of rotation (14) with at least one separating element (13), a movable grinding element (21) for grinding each Separating element (13) and a common counter-layer (15) for the or each separating element (13) are arranged, characterized in that the device (10) additionally comprises at least one sensor element (26) which is designed and arranged such that a touch between the separating element (13) and counter-surface (15) is acoustically detectable, wherein the sensor element (26) is in operative connection with the grinding element (21). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor element (26) is designed as a structure-borne sound sensor. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the structure-borne sound sensor operates on the piezo principle. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sensor element (26) is arranged on a suitable for the transmission of structure-borne sound element of the device (10), preferably the housing frame (11) or the like. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sensor element (26) in the region of the grinding element (21) and / or in the region of the counter-layer (15) is arranged. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the separating means (12) is a cutting plate with a plurality of cutting blades distributed around the rotation axis (14), wherein the cutting blades define a cutting plane (22). Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the cutting blades or their cutting edges (30) are radially aligned. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the counter-layer (15) is formed at least of an upper blade and a lower blade, said upper blade and lower blade define a counter blade plane (25) which is parallel to the cutting plane (22). Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the grinding element (21) defines a grinding plane (24), wherein the grinding plane (24) extends parallel to the cutting plane (22) and counter-knife plane (25). Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that all three planes (22, 24, 25) extend transversely to the transport direction (arrow 23) of the tobacco cake. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the counter knife plane (25) in the transport direction (arrow 23) of the tobacco cake in front of the grinding plane (24), which in turn in the transport direction (arrow 23) of the tobacco cake in front of the cutting plane (22). Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that an optimal position of the separating elements (13) with respect to the counter-layer (15) by the sensor element (26) and the resulting movement of the grinding element (21) in or against the Transport direction (arrow 23) of the tobacco cake is adjustable. Device according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the gap width A between the cutting plane (22) and the counter knife plane (25) by changing the grinding plane (24) is adjustable. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the sensor element (26) is connected to a control or regulating unit for controlling or regulating the grinding element (21). Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the grinding element (21) is a single-layer coated CBN grinding roller which is movable in the direction of the separating element (13) or away from it. Device according to one of claims 6 to 15, characterized in that the position of the cutting plane (22) is adjustable by changing the position of the grinding element (21). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the separating means (12) is a cutting drum rotatable about the rotation axis (14) with a plurality of knives arranged on the peripheral surface, the knives piercing the lateral surface and thus defining a cutting circle (22) , Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the grinding element (21) abuts against the or each separating element (13), such that the grinding circle (24) defined by the grinding element (21) is at least in the region of the grinding element with the cutting circle (22) (21) coincides. Apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the counter-layer (15) is formed of an upper blade, a lower blade and side knives, upper blade, lower blade and side blade defining a counter-blade circle (25) concentric with the cutting circle (22). Device according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the grinding element (21) defines a grinding circle (24), the grinding circle (24) being concentric with the cutting circle (22) and the counter-knife circle (25). Apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that all three circles (22, 24, 25) extend transversely to the transport direction (arrow 23) of the tobacco cake, at least in the region of the counter-layer (15). Device according to Claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the cutting circle (22) lies within the grinding circle (24), which in turn lies within the counter-knife circle (25). Device according to one of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that an optimum position of the separating elements (13) with respect to the counter-layer (15) by the sensor element (26) and the resulting movement of the grinding element (21) on the cutting drum to and is adjustable from this away. Device according to one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the gap width A between the cutting circle (22) and the counter-knife circle (25) by changing the grinding circuit (24) is adjustable. Device according to one of claims 17 to 24, characterized in that the position of the cutting circle (22) is adjustable by changing the position of the grinding element (21). A method of separating tobacco from a tobacco cake comprising the steps of: Supplying the tobacco cake in the transport direction (arrow 23) to a separating means (12) having at least one separating element (13), Separating the tobacco from the tobacco cake with each separating element (13), Advancing each separating element (13) against the transport direction (arrow 23) of the tobacco cake on a counter-layer (15) to, and Grinding each separating element (13) with a grinding element (21), characterized in that a contact between separating element (13) and counter-surface (15) is detected acoustically, and as soon as a contact is detected, the grinding element (21) is moved so far in the transport direction (arrow 23) of the tobacco cake, namely in the direction of the separating elements (13), until a non-contact state is reached. A method according to claim 26, characterized in that the gap width A between separating element (13) and counter-surface (15) by adjusting the position of the grinding element (21) is adjusted. A method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the separating elements (13) are advanced quasi-continuously. Method according to one of claims 26 to 28, characterized in that the wear of the separating elements (13) is compensated by advancing them. Method according to one of Claims 26 to 29, characterized in that the position of the cutting plane (22) defined by the separating elements (13) or of the cutting circle (22) defined by the separating elements (13) is determined by the position of the grinding element (21) becomes.

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