CN103300474A - High-speed object inserting machine and related method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus used for inserting one or a plurality of objects into a filter element of a tobacco rod. The apparatus comprises at least one storing device for storing a plurality of objects, at least one inserting wheel which inserts objects into at least one filter material segment, and at least one acceleration chamber transferring objects from at least one storing device to at least one inserting wheel. The acceleration chamber comprises at least one vortex chamber defining a periphery and an opening in the periphery, at least one air source enabling the object to accelerate around the periphery of at least one vortex chamber, and at least one metering feeding drum which rotates around the vortex chamber. The metering feeding drum comprises a metering feeding hole which can be moved to align with an opening in the periphery of the vortex chamber. The metering feeding hole receives objects and transmits the objects to the inserting wheel through the opening in the periphery of the vortex chamber.

Description

High-speed object inserter and correlation technique

The cross reference of related application

This patent application is compiled 119 priority that require the U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/607296 of submission on March 6th, 2012 according to United States code 35.The continuation application of the U.S. Patent application 13/232150 that the U.S. Patent application 13/071945 that submit on March 25th, 1 of this patent application or the applicant and on September 14th, 2011 submit to.The complete content of each aforementioned application is incorporated herein by reference and integrally.

Technical field

This patent application relates generally to the apparatus and method for the manufacture of tobacco product.More specifically, this patent application relates to for for example capsule or piller insert the apparatus and method of the filter element of tobacco product with object.

Background technology

Publication number is the international patent application of WO2010/107756, has described a kind of device and correlating method that is used to form the rod that uses in the manufacturing of cigarette filter unit, and this international patent application is integrally incorporated herein by reference.Become the unit by clavate, filter-tip material without interruption is formed continuous filter stick.The object plug-in unit is configured to a plurality of the first objects and a plurality of the second object are inserted continuous filtration mouth rod.The rod division unit is configured to predetermined interval continuous filtration mouth rod is subdivided into a plurality of filter stick parts along its longitudinal axis, so that each filter stick partly comprises at least one first object and at least one second object that is arranged on wherein, and the first object is different from the second object.

Publication number is the international patent application of WO2010/055120, has described a kind of device for object being introduced tobacco product, and it comprises container, is used for providing a plurality of objects of tobacco product to be introduced; The rotatable wheel is used for object is sent to a position, in this position object introduced tobacco product; Accelerate chamber, be used for object transfer accelerating chamber and being arranged between container and rotatable the wheel, and to be designed so that object is aligned to the layer that single vertical is therein arranged to rotatable the wheel; And be used for towards or along the direction of rotatable side face of taking turns at the indoor device from this single layer mobile object of accelerating cavity, this international patent application is also integrally incorporated herein by reference.

Because the 26S Proteasome Structure and Function of these and other device well known in the prior art, they usually can be with less than desirable rod speed operation, for example with the maximum rod speed operation of 85 meters of about per minutes.

Summary of the invention

The object of the invention is, a kind of apparatus and method of reliably one or more objects being inserted the filter element of tobacco rod with high manufacturing speed are provided.

This purpose solves by a kind of device for one or more objects being inserted the filter element of tobacco rod, and it comprises: at least one storage device that stores a plurality of described objects; Described object is inserted at least one insertion wheel of at least one filter-tip material section; And at least one the acceleration chamber that described object is delivered to described at least one insertion wheel from described at least one storage device, wherein, described at least one acceleration chamber comprises: at least one swirl chamber that limits the opening in periphery and the periphery; Make at least one air-source of the periphery acceleration of described at least one swirl chamber of described Objects around A; And supply with drum around at least one metering of described at least one swirl chamber rotation, and described at least one metering is supplied with drum and is had the metering supply hole, and these metering supply holes can move in order to aim at the opening in the periphery of described at least one swirl chamber.Described metering supply hole receives described object by the opening in the periphery of described at least one swirl chamber, and described object transfer is taken turns to described at least one insertion.

This device preferably also comprises guided rings at least one outer guided rings and at least one, and wherein, the opening in the periphery of described at least one swirl chamber is in described guided rings and described at least one between the guided rings outside at least one.

Preferably, this device also comprises at least one baffle plate, and described at least one baffle plate hides corresponding to described at least one outer guided rings of the part of the periphery of described at least one swirl chamber and described opening between the guided rings at least one.

Advantageously, at least one in described at least one outer guided rings and described at least one interior guided rings defines one and cuts sth. askew, and this metering supply hole of supplying with in the drum towards described at least one metering of cutting sth. askew tilts.Alternatively or additionally, described at least one outer guided rings and described at least one guided rings define bending in the described delivery areas, wherein, metering supply hole that this bending and described at least one metering are supplied with in bulging is aimed at.In this case, advantageously, device comprises at least one air ejector near described bending, and described at least one air ejector is suitable for making described object to be redirected towards described at least one insertion wheel.

Preferably, device also comprises at least one guide, the part that described at least one guide is supplied with drum in described at least one metering is extended on every side and is hidden described metering supply hole, and wherein, described at least one guide remains on described object in the described metering supply hole.In this case, described at least one metering is supplied with drum and is advantageously defined overall diameter, described at least one guide defines interior diameter, the overall diameter that drum is supplied with in this interior diameter and described at least one metering has a distance, wherein, described at least one guide comprises sloping portion, and this sloping portion has the interior diameter of increase, so that the overall diameter of drum is supplied with in described at least one metering and the distance between the described sloping portion increases.In addition, described metering supply hole can limit metering supply hole diameter, described at least one guide define the guide width with the overlapping part of described metering supply hole, wherein, the width of described at least one guide is less than described metering supply hole diameter.

Preferably, this device also comprises at least one feed conduit that extends to described at least one swirl chamber from described at least one storage device, wherein, described at least one feed conduit defines the opening of cutting sth. askew that enters described at least one swirl chamber, and described opening of cutting sth. askew tilts with respect to described at least one swirl chamber, so as with the described object of the essentially identical locus guiding of air-source that in described at least one swirl chamber, flows.

In addition, this device advantageously can also comprise at least one pneumatic linear actuator, and described at least one pneumatic linear actuator is suitable for described at least one insertion wheel is elevated to the position that does not contact with described at least one filter-tip material section.

In the advantageous embodiment of this device, described at least one insertion wheel comprises a plurality of holes, each hole is suitable for supporting in the described object, described object about 1/4th and 1/2nd between volume be received in the described hole, the residual volume of described object highlights from described hole.This device can also comprise the groove part that is communicated with each hole, and wherein, described groove part defines basically criss-cross cross section.

In a further advantageous embodiment, device also comprises: with described at least one filter-tip material section boil down at least one first tongue of cylindrical shape basically, wherein, described at least one insertion wheel inserts described at least one filter-tip material section with described object; With at least one second filter-tip material section boil down at least one second tongue of cylindrical shape basically, described at least one first tongue and described at least one second tongue are suitable for along described the first filter-tip material section of substantially parallel Route guiding and the second filter-tip material section; And at least one second insertion wheel, described at least one second insertion wheel is from least one second acceleration chamber receiver body and with described at least one the second filter-tip material section of described object insertion.

Described purpose also solves by a kind of device for one or more objects being inserted the filter element of tobacco rod, and described device comprises: at least one storage device that stores a plurality of described objects; At least one insertion that described object inserts at least one filter-tip material section is taken turns; Be positioned at least one tow guide of described at least one insertion wheel upstream, wherein, described at least one filter-tip material section is by described at least one tow guide; Be arranged at least in part at least one splash bar of described at least one tow guide, described at least one splash bar defines near the downstream of described at least one insertion wheel and the upstream extremity opposite with described downstream.Described at least one splash bar tapers to the second cross section of described downstream end from the first cross section of described upstream extremity, described the first cross section is greater than described the second cross section.

In this case, described at least one insertion wheel preferably has the periphery that defines width, and the second cross section of described at least one splash bar is substantially equal to the width of the periphery of described at least one insertion wheel.

Advantageously, described at least one insert wheel and have periphery, and the downstream of described at least one tow guide along with the direction convergent of described periphery general tangential.

Described purpose also solves by a kind of device for one or more objects being inserted the filter element of tobacco rod, and described device comprises: at least one storage device that stores a plurality of described objects; Described object is inserted at least one insertion wheel of at least one filter-tip material section, described at least one insertion wheel defines periphery, and a plurality of holes evenly distribute around described periphery, and each hole is suitable for supporting in the described object; Be suitable for making at least one CD-ROM drive motor of described at least one insertion wheel rotation; And at least one controller of controlling the rotation of described at least one CD-ROM drive motor.Described at least one controller is suitable for changing the rotary speed of described at least one insertion wheel, in order to asymmetrical relative to one another and/or symmetrical distance described object is inserted described filter-tip material.

This device advantageously also comprises: be suitable for cutting at least one cutter head of described at least one filter-tip material section, described at least one cutter head is positioned at the downstream of described at least one insertion wheel; At least one position sensor that is associated with described at least one insertion wheel; And at least one controller that is communicated with described at least one cutter head and described at least one position sensor, wherein, described at least one controller make described at least one cutter head operation and described at least one to insert the position of wheel synchronous.Described at least one position sensor preferably includes at least one proximity transducer or at least one optical sensor.In addition preferably, described at least one position sensor comprises at least one shaft encoder that is associated with described at least one insertion wheel.

Above-described embodiment of the present invention can be applicable to double stick or how excellent machine equally.

Description of drawings

According to the following drawings, aforementioned aspect of the present invention, further feature and advantage will become clear, in the accompanying drawing identical, the function class of the overall indication of same numeral like and/or the similar unit of structure.

Fig. 1 is the front view according to the object inserter of the first embodiment;

Fig. 2 is the insertion wheel of the object inserter of Fig. 1, spacing wheel, metering supply roll, and the 3-D view of other element;

Fig. 3 is the enlarged drawing of the part of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is the side schematic diagram of a part of the insertion wheel of Fig. 1, has shown that object is by the hole supporting of inserting in the wheel;

Fig. 5 is the front perspective view of the part of the insertion wheel of Fig. 1 and tongue;

Fig. 6 is another front perspective view of the part of the insertion wheel of Fig. 1 and tongue;

Fig. 7 is the 3-D view according to the object inserter of the second embodiment;

Fig. 8 is the insertion wheel of the object inserter of Fig. 7, accelerates chamber, and the 3-D view of other element;

Fig. 9 is the enlarged drawing of the part of Fig. 8;

Figure 10 is the side perspective view of the 3rd embodiment of object inserter, and it is the embodiment of two filter sticks of the object inserter of Fig. 7;

Figure 11 is the perspective view according to the object inserter of the 4th embodiment;

Figure 12 is the front view of the object inserter of Figure 11;

Figure 13 shows the embodiment of the acceleration chamber of Figure 11, shows with each state that decomposes;

Figure 13 A is the detailed view of the guided rings of Figure 13;

Figure 14 and 15 is transverse sectional view of the acceleration chamber of Figure 11;

Figure 16 is the perspective view of the acceleration chamber of Figure 11, and decomposed shows;

Figure 17 is the parts transversely cross sectional view of the alternate embodiment of Figure 14 and 15;

Figure 18 is the perspective view according to the object inserter of the 5th embodiment;

Figure 19 is the side-looking enlarged drawing of a part of the hopper of Figure 18;

Figure 20 and 21 forms the gathering roller of tow section and the perspective view of splash bar for the upstream at the object inserter of Figure 18;

Figure 22 is the front view of the object inserter of Figure 18, inserts wheel and is in the position of rising with respect to the tow section;

Figure 23 A shows the top view of a part of inserting wheel, shows the embodiment that inserts the wheel hole; And

Figure 23 B shows the viewgraph of cross-section of a part of the insertion wheel of Figure 23 A.

The specific embodiment

Below embodiments of the present invention is described in detail.In describing embodiment, for simple and clear purpose, adopt specific term.Yet, the invention is not restricted to selected particular term.Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that not break away from spirit of the present invention and protection domain, can adopt other to be equal to part and other method.The all references document is incorporated herein by reference herein, as its each separately in conjunction with.

The present invention relates to can be used for object is inserted the apparatus and method of tobacco product, the device of for example describing in the international patent application of publication number WO2010/107756 A1 and WO2010/055120 A1, the full content of this two international patent application is incorporated herein by reference.Apparatus and method of the present invention can be used for object is inserted the element of tobacco product, for example filter-tip material.For example, object can be pearl, capsule, or piller, yet, also can be the object of other type.These objects can be used for for example improving the organoleptic quality of cigarette.Particularly, object can be used as the carrier that increases local flavor or other material in the mainstream smoke.The exemplary types of the filter-tip material that can be combined with the present invention comprises acetate silk, set acetate fiber net, polypropylene tows, set paper, restructuring tobacco rods etc.

With reference to Fig. 1, shown exemplary objects inserter 10.According to an embodiment, object inserter 10 can be positioned at the upstream (Fig. 1 right side) that traditional clavate becomes the unit (not shown).Filter-tip material can utilize filter-tip material processing unit 12 (for example delivery nozzles) to process, and becomes the unit to form continuous rod through clavate.Object inserter 10 can become the unit related with filter-tip material processing unit 12 and/or clavate, with in the continuous length that one or more objects is inserted in filter-tip material or in the continuous filter stick.Then can utilize excellent cutting assembly (not shown) that continuous filter stick is subdivided into a plurality of excellent parts, each rod part has at least one object that is positioned at wherein.Rod part can be collected in gathering-device for example pallet, rotation collect in drum, transportation system or the analog so that further process.According to an embodiment, then the rod part can directly be delivered to the cigarette making machine.The various aspects of object inserter 10 described herein allow to operate at faster speed than the object inserter of prior art.

Still with reference to Fig. 1, filter-tip material processing unit 12 can be from a pair of transfer roller 14a, and 14b supplies with the filter-tip material (for example filter filament) of continuous segment to the gathering roller 16 ground metering related with object inserter 10.According to an embodiment, assemble roller 16 and can limit the in advance circumferential profile of folding filter-tip material section, insert more to be conducive to object.For example, assemble roller 16 and can limit when filter-tip material and it is bent when assembling on the roller 16 or the circumferential profile of folding substantially C shape, U-shaped or V-arrangement, yet, can be other structure.

Assemble roller 16 and can present filter-tip material to tow guide 18, then arrive downstream tongue 20, shown in Fig. 2,5 and 6 the bests.Leave after the tongue 20, filter-tip material becomes the remainder of unit (not shown) by clavate.Below will discuss the more details of tow guide 18 and tongue 20 in detail.

Still with reference to Fig. 1, object inserter 10 can comprise storage device 22, one or more hoppers for example, and its storage is inserted into a plurality of objects of filter-tip material.According to an embodiment, the shape of object can be substantially sphere, and can be described as capsule, yet, can adopt other shape and structure.In order to discuss conveniently, this paper generally is called object " capsule ".

According to an embodiment, storage device 22 can be presented capsule to one or more chambers 24,26 of presenting, and presents chamber 24,26 and again capsule is presented to the first and second metering supply rolls 28,30.According to an embodiment, to present chamber 24 and/or present chamber 26 and comprise that " single plane " present chamber, it only presents the single plane of capsule to the periphery of each metering supply roll 28,30.For example, the capsule of presenting chamber through " single plane " can be restricted to the high and a plurality of capsules of a plurality of capsules deeply but the wide layout of single capsule only.According to the alternate embodiment (not shown), storage device 22 can be presented capsule to one and present chamber, but not shown two, and presents chamber and can transfer capsule is presented to single or multiple metering supply rolls.Storage device 22 and/or present chamber 24,26 and can include and help to make capsule to move to metering supply roll 28,30 vibrator or similar device from storage device 22.

With reference to Fig. 2 and 3, shown in detail metering supply roll 28,30.The metering supply roll 28,30 be limited with separately periphery 28a, 30a, periphery 28a, the part of 30a respectively with the lower part outlet 24a that presents chamber 24,26,26a aims at the location, referring to Fig. 2.Periphery 28a, 30a can respectively limit a Sets of Measurement supply roll hole 32,34, and metering supply roll hole 32,34 is around periphery 28a separately, and 30a is equally spaced.Metering supply roll hole 32,34 is suitable for receiving from the lower part outlet 24a that presents chamber 24,26, the capsule of 26a, and at least in part capsule is transported in the metering supply roll 28,30.

According to an embodiment, the shape in metering supply roll hole 32,34 can be substantially cylindric, and can limit diameter and the degree of depth that is enough to receive all or part of corresponding capsule.In columned situation, the hole can have the degree of depth and the diameter of the diameter that is equal to or slightly greater than corresponding capsule, to guarantee the accurate location of capsule in the hole.According to alternate embodiment, metering supply roll hole 32,34 can be square, rectangle, and taper or other shape known in the art are as long as can be safely and receive exactly and carry all or part of corresponding capsule in the hole.Can apply the vacuum source (not shown) to the hole 32,34, transmit from the capsule of presenting chamber 24,26 helping, and/or remain on wherein after helping capsule to arrive hole 32,34.

Still with reference to Fig. 2 and 3, device 10 can comprise the breast wheel 36,38 that receives the capsule that transmits from metering supply roll 28,30.With reference to Fig. 3, breast wheel 36,38 can limit periphery 36a separately, and 38a, periphery 36a, 38a can limit separately around periphery 36a separately, one group of breast wheel hole 40,42 that 38a is equally spaced.Breast wheel hole 40,42 is suitable for receiving the capsule of self-measuring supply roll 28,30, and at least in part capsule is delivered in the breast wheel 36,38.Breast wheel hole 40,42 can be identical with metering supply roll described above hole 32,34 substantially, and this paper does not describe in further detail.Can apply the vacuum source (not shown) to breast wheel hole 40,42, the capsule in self-measuring supply roll hole 32,34 is passed to breast wheel hole 40,42 to help in the future, and/or remains on wherein after helping capsule to arrive breast wheel hole 40,42.

With reference to Fig. 3, the first metering financial-supply-leading device 44 can be between the first metering supply roll 28 and the first breast wheel 36.Similarly, the second metering financial-supply-leading device 46 can be between the second metering supply roll 30 and the second breast wheel 42.Metering financial-supply-leading device 44,46 can help respectively to transmit capsule between metering supply roll hole 32,34 and breast wheel hole 40,42.For example, the first metering financial-supply-leading device 44 can hide or the part in shutoff the first breast wheel hole 32 and the part in the first metering supply roll hole 40, until corresponding breast wheel hole 40 is aimed in metering supply roll hole 32, perhaps before corresponding breast wheel hole 40 is aimed in metering supply roll hole 32 soon.The second metering financial-supply-leading device 46 can have similar arrangement.

For the financial-supply-leading device 44 that is measured, the 46 metering supply roll holes that hide, can close and impose under normal circumstances metering supply roll hole 32,34 vacuum source, and/or the metering supply roll hole 32 of utilization covering, 34 injection airs of deriving substitute the vacuum source that imposes under normal circumstances metering supply roll hole 32,34.In case one of metering supply roll hole 32,34 rotation is through metering financial-supply-leading device 44,46, and it is no longer therefore by shutoff, injection air can be displaced capsule this metering supply roll hole, and enters simultaneously the breast wheel hole 40,42 of aiming at it.As a result, compare with not measuring financial-supply-leading device 44,46, metering financial-supply-leading device 44,46 can allow to apply earlier the injection air of capsule being released the hole, too early capsule is not penetrated the risk in metering supply roll hole 32,34.Therefore, capsule can be improved from speed and the uniformity that metering supply roll hole 32,34 is passed to breast wheel hole 40,42.

Still with reference to Fig. 2 and 3, device 10 can comprise and inserts wheel 50, inserts the capsules that wheel 50 receives from breast wheel 36,38, and for example when its process clavate becomes the tongue 20 of unit, capsule is inserted the filter-tip material section.Insert wheel 50 and can limit periphery 50a, periphery 50a has a plurality of insertion wheels hole 52 around periphery 50a symmetry or distribution or asymmetrical distribution.Insert wheel hole 52 and receive at least in part capsule and take turns 50 upper support capsules in insertion, below will describe in more detail.Can apply the vacuum source (not shown) to inserting wheel hole 52, take turns hole 52 to help that the capsule from breast wheel hole 40,42 is passed to insertion, and/or help after capsule arrives breast wheel hole 52, to hold it in wherein.

Metering supply roll 28,30 described above, breast wheel 36,38, and the layout of insertion wheel 50 can help the sooner operation of object inserter 10.For example, the speed that metering supply roll 28,30 can be relatively low (for example at periphery 28a, the 30a place is measured) operation is to guarantee that capsule is from presenting chamber 24,26 to the consistent transmission in each metering supply roll hole 32,34.Simultaneously, insert wheel 50 and can high transmission speed capsule be inserted filter-tip material, so that fast manufacturing rate.

According to an embodiment, be passed to breast wheel at 36,38 o'clock from metering supply roll 28,30, spacing increases and speed increases.For example, according to an embodiment, the first and second breast wheels 36,38 comparable each self-measuring supply roll 28,30 rotate sooner.Additionally or alternatively, compare with metering supply roll hole 32,34, can arrange breast wheel hole 40,42 with larger spacing.

According to an embodiment, can be by alternately transmitting capsule and faster speed be provided from the first and second breast wheel holes 40,42 to inserting wheel hole 52.For example, capsule can be transmitted to inserting wheel hole 52 in the breast wheel hole 40 of the first breast wheel 36, and capsule can be transmitted immediately to the next wheel hole 52 of inserting in the breast wheel hole 42 of the second breast wheel 38 subsequently, the like.Be passed to insertion wheel 50 o'clock from breast wheel 36,38, spacing increases and/or speed increases.According to an embodiment, the first breast wheel 36, the second breast wheels 38 can rotate with identical speed substantially with insertion wheel 50, but can adopt other structure.For example, insertion wheel 50 alternatively rotates sooner than the first and second breast wheels 36,38 or is slower.

Following form has been listed the exemplary parameter that is used for the operation of object inserter 10:

。

When being used to form each filter tip and having the filter stick of 108mm of four capsules, utilize an embodiment of the object inserter 10 of above parameter to obtain the machine speed of the about 216 meters filter-tip materials of per minute, per minute output 2000 filter tips (8000 capsules of per minute).Those of ordinary skills will recognize according to this description, except above parameter, also can adopt other parameter.

Although the embodiment that Fig. 1-3 shows has two metering supply rolls 28,30 and two breast wheels 36,38, those of ordinary skills will understand based on this description, and alternate embodiment can adopt single metering supply roll and/or single breast wheel.Equally, those of ordinary skills will understand based on this description, and alternate embodiment can have more than two metering supply roll and/or more than two breast wheel.And although the embodiment that Fig. 1-3 shows comprises that two are presented chamber 24,26, those of ordinary skills will understand based on this description, can use singlely to present chamber or more than two the chamber of presenting.

With reference to Fig. 4, shown in detail the part with the insertion wheel 50 that inserts wheel hole 52.Object inserter 10 can be designed to operate the capsule C with predetermined shape and volume.Easy for describing, the present invention is described in connection with ball-type capsule C, yet as mentioned above, can adopt the capsule of other shape and size.

In order to help in filter-tip material, accurately to place capsule C, insert wheel hole 52 and can support capsule C, approximately 1/4th be positioned at hole 52 to the about volume between 1/2nd so that a part of C1 of capsule C example is capsular, the remainder C2 of capsule C projects on the periphery 50a that inserts wheel 50 from hole 52.The result, insert wheel 50 ideal positions that can manually capsule be inserted into substantially in the filter-tip material, do not go out the deep hole cave to its ideal position and do not rely on the pressure air that capsule C " is penetrated ", better controlled and higher accuracy aspect the placement capsule C, and/or allowing higher service speed.

As shown in Figure 4, for cylindric capsule C, insert wheel hole 52 and can be configured as a spherical part, yet, the hole 52 that can adopt other structure.For example, insert a plurality of discrete surfaces (for example the size in cylinder hole can be decided to be a part that receives and support ball-type capsule C) that the wheel hole can comprise contact and be bearing in the lip-deep difference of capsule C.According to an embodiment, insert approximately 1/3rd of cumulative volume that wheel hole 52 is configured to receive and support capsule C, the remainder of the volume of each capsule is outstanding from inserting wheel hole 52, and on the periphery 50a that inserts wheel.For the more details relevant with inserting the wheel hole, see Figure 23 A and 23B, and corresponding the description.

With reference to Fig. 5 and 6, shown that inserting wheel 50 directly inserts the embodiment that clavate becomes the tongue 20 of unit with capsule C.As shown in the figure, tongue 20 can comprise the substantially wall of conical by its shape, and when having served as segments of filter material and being stretched by tongue 20, this wall pressure contracting filter-tip material section is so that filter-tip material forms cylindrical shape.Slit 60 can extend through tapered wall along the direction of motion of filter-tip material, and inserts the extensible inside that enters tongue 20 by slit 60 of a part of wheel 50.The result of this structure is when filter-tip material is compressed by tongue 20, to insert wheel 50 and capsule C directly can be put into filter-tip material.By as far as possible suitably becoming some ground that capsule C is inserted filter-tip material near clavate, capsule C can remain on its ideal position in filter-tip material.

Still with reference to Fig. 5 and 6, insert wheel hole 52 and can keep contacting with capsule C, and for capsule C provides the forward supporting, until capsule C almost or fully moves to the ideal position in the filter-tip material.For example, with reference to Fig. 6, the tapered wall of tongue 20 can limit interior diameter D at the point that capsule C inserts filter-tip material, and tongue 20 can be configured as filter-tip material at this point and has identical substantially diameter.Insert wheel 50 and insert wheel hole 52 and can support on one's own initiative capsule C, until insert wheel 50 capsule C is positioned at degree of depth Y in the tongue 20, as shown in Figure 5.According to an embodiment, degree of depth Y can be substantially tongue 20 diameter D 1/2nd so that capsule C places the center in filter-tip material substantially, yet, can adopt other structure.In case insertion wheel 50 and insertion wheel hole 52 have moved to capsule the ideal position in the filter-tip material, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, optionally will impose under normal circumstances the vacuum of inserting the wheel hole and switch to the of short duration forward air pressure of thrusting, for example, insert wheel hole 52 release capsule C acceleration in order to make from each.

According to an embodiment, the linear speed of the periphery 50a of insertion wheel 50, and therefore insert the linear speed in wheel hole 52, can be greater than the linear speed of the filter-tip material that passes through tongue 20.This layout can cause capsule C is placed on more pinpoint accuracy in the filter-tip material.

Still with reference to Fig. 5 and 6, tow guide 62 and bar-shaped splash bar 64 can be positioned at the upstream of tongue 20.Tow guide 62 can limit substantially taper or columniform inner space substantially.Splash bar 64 can be at tow guide 62 interior longitudinal extensions, by tow guide 62 and splash bar 64, can be before entering tongue 20 filter-tip material be pre-formed or be folded in advance basically C shape or U-shaped.Filter-tip material is pre-formed as the result of C shape or U-shaped basically is, inserts wheel 50 and can insert capsule C by the openings of C shape or U-shaped filter-tip material, make it enter the approximate centre of folding filter-tip material.After adopting this structure, folding filter-tip material can more reliably capsule C be remained on filter-tip material and the filter tip made in ideal position.According to an embodiment, the position of splash bar 64 for example can be adjusted with respect to tow guide 62 along the longitudinal axis of tow guide 62.

With reference to Fig. 7-9, shown the second embodiment of object inserter.Describe purpose for this, the object inserter 110 of Fig. 7-9 only is from storage device 122 to the 26S Proteasome Structure and Function that inserts wheel 150 transmission objects (for example capsule) from the different of object inserter 10 that Fig. 1-6 shows.Therefore, easy for discussing, identical with the 26S Proteasome Structure and Function of the embodiment of Fig. 1-6 or substantially similarly part will no longer repeat.

With reference to Fig. 7, object inserter 110 can comprise roughly that the first and second gravity fed devices the 170,172, first and second gravity fed devices 170,172 are presented capsule to first and second from storage device 122 respectively and accelerate chambers 174,176.Although show, to describe those of ordinary skills based on this and will obviously know, shutter, valve or other metering feedway can be used for measuring respectively the capsule stream of supplying with from storage device 122 to first and second acceleration chambers 174,176.Although the embodiment that Fig. 7 shows has two gravity fed devices 170,172 and two are accelerated chamber 174,176, but being based on this description those skilled in the art will appreciate that, alternate embodiment only can adopt a gravity fed device and only one accelerate chamber, perhaps more than two gravity fed device with more than two acceleration chamber.

With reference to Fig. 8, show first and second in greater detail and accelerate chamber 174,176 and insert wheel 150.First and second accelerate chamber 174,176 can be suitable for that capsule C is accelerated to equals to insert the periphery 150a of wheel 150 and the speed of therefore inserting the linear speed of taking turns the hole (not shown) substantially, is conducive to when high speed operation reliable also as one man being passed to of capsule C be inserted the wheel hole.For further being beneficial to by inserting wheel 150 high-speed delivery capsules C, first and second accelerate chamber 174,176 can be supplied to capsule C the hole that replaces 152 of inserting in the wheel 150 in turn.

With reference to Fig. 8, the first and second gravity fed devices 170,172 can be sent to capsule C without interruption by entrance 178,180 respectively the inside of the first and second acceleration chambers 174,176.Each accelerates chamber 174,176 and limits interior perimeter surface 182,184, as shown in Figure 9.In the embodiment of Fig. 7-9, interior perimeter surface 182,184 is rounded substantially, yet can adopt other shape, and is for example oval.

With reference to Fig. 9, interior perimeter surface 182,184 can limit with the track 182a of predetermined mode around interior perimeter surface guide capsule C, 184a.A plurality of air nozzles 186,188, to being positioned at track 182a, capsule C effect among the 184a, make respectively capsule C around interior perimeter surface 182,184 at track 182a, accelerates among the 184a, until capsule C reaches the linear speed of the linear speed of the insertion wheel hole (not shown) that equals substantially to insert wheel 150.

Get back to Fig. 8, each accelerates chamber 174,176 and can comprise along track 182a the outlet 190,192 (for example passing the microscler slit of perimeter surface 182,184) of 184a location.Extensible the passing of a part of inserting the periphery 150a of wheel 150 respectively exports 190,192.Track 182a, 184a can be configured under the effect of the power of air nozzle 186,188, around interior perimeter surface 182,184 guide capsule C, respectively export 190,192 until capsule C arrives at.Respectively export at 190,192 o'clock arriving at, capsule C can have the linear speed that equals or approach the linear speed of the periphery 150a that inserts wheel 150, and transfer is entered the insertion wheel hole (not shown) of inserting wheel 150.Imposing on the vacuum power that inserts the wheel hole can help capsule C is passed to insertion wheel hole and capsule C is remained on insertion wheel hole.In addition, according to an embodiment, the brush (not shown) can be positioned at respectively to be accelerated respectively to export 190,192 trailing edge 190a in the chamber 174,176, and 192a inserts the wheel hole to help capsule C is passed to.In addition, air nozzle 194,196 can be respectively imports gas curtains in each outlet 190,192, respectively exports 190,192 and/or blow away possible errors ground by the unnecessary capsule C of outlet 190,192 with protection.

With reference to Figure 10, shown the 3rd embodiment of object inserter.Describe purpose for this, the object inserter of Figure 10 210 mainly is with the difference of the object inserter 110 that Fig. 7-9 shows, it comprises two or more substantially parallel insertion wheel 250a, 250b be installed in same base portion on relevant feed element.Parallel insertion wheel 250a substantially, the layout of 250b allows capsule is inserted two or more substantially parallel filter-tip material sections, yet also can adopt nonparallel embodiment.Easy for explaining, identical with the 26S Proteasome Structure and Function of the embodiment of Fig. 1-9 or substantially similarly part will no longer repeat to discuss.In addition, although this paper is with reference to the embodiment of Fig. 7-9, described and be used for capsule is inserted two or more substantially concepts of the integrated object inserter of parallel filter-tip material section, but identical voluminous line feature can be applicable to all embodiment of object inserter as herein described.

As mentioned above, the object inserter 210 of Figure 10 can comprise two substantially parallel insertion wheel 250a, 250b, and each inserts wheel 250a, and 250b can have and take turns same or similar structure in conjunction with the insertion that Fig. 1-9 describes.For example, each inserts wheel 250a, 250b can comprise the insertion wheel hole 252a that is suitable for supporting capsule C, 252b approximately 1/4th is positioned at hole 252a to the about volume between 1/2nd so that a part of example of capsule C is capsular, in the 252b, the remainder of capsule C is from hole 252a, 252b projects to and inserts separately wheel 250a, and the periphery top of 250b is described as mentioned.According to an embodiment, insert wheel hole 252a, 252b can be configured to receive and support capsule C cumulative volume approximately 1/3rd, the remainder of the volume of each capsule is from inserting wheel hole 252a, 252b is outstanding, and is positioned at separately insertion wheel 250a, on the periphery of 250b.

Insert wheel 250a, 250b can insert parallel substantially filter-tip material section with capsule C, and the filter-tip material section is for example carried by parallel substantially tongue 220a, 220b.Tongue 220a, 220b can have and as above describe and for example Fig. 1,2, the 5 and 6 tongue 20 same or similar structures that show.

As shown in figure 10, can capsule be presented to each insertion wheel 250a, 250b from one or more acceleration chambers.For example, upper acceleration chamber 276a and lower acceleration chamber 274a can present to inserting wheel 250a, and the upper chamber 276b of acceleration and lower acceleration chamber 274b (hiding among the figure) can present to inserting wheel 250b, as shown in conjunction with Fig. 7-9 and as described in.According to alternate embodiment (specifically show), insert wheel 250a, 250b can present capsule from the metering supply roll 28, metering supply roll 30, breast wheel 36 and the breast wheel 38 that are arranged in parallel substantially, for example as shown in conjunction with Fig. 1-3 with as described in.

Single hopper (not shown) can be supplied capsule and be given all substantially parallel insertion wheel 250a, 250b.Perhaps, independent hopper (not shown) can be supplied capsule and be inserted wheel 250a to each, 250b, or insert the subgroup of taking turns.Object inserter 210 is not limited to two insertions wheels 250a that are arranged in parallel substantially, 250b, as shown in figure 10, but alternatively, and for example can be in order to satisfy the output needs, can have desirable a lot of substantially parallel structure.

The structure of discussing on it will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that based on this description and operation can be used for one or more objects are inserted the method for the filter element of tobacco rod.Described structure and operation can be used for object is inserted single filter-tip material section, perhaps a plurality of substantially parallel sections.As mentioned above, compared to prior-art devices and method, structure described herein and the operation can so that speed and reliability significantly improve.For example, the device that Fig. 1-6 shows is with the listed parameter operation of above-mentioned Table A, with the about speed of 216 meters filter-tip materials (per minute output 2000 filter tips) of every line per minute, form the 108mm filter stick of single line, and each filter tip has four capsules, and has high uniformity and reliability.This output speed is obviously faster than prior art machine, the prior art machine typically be subject to per minute approximately 80 meters speed to make reliably similar filter stick.Those of ordinary skills will understand based on this description, and listed parameter can change in the Table A, so that similar high output speed to be provided when preparation has heteroid filter stick.

Figure 11-15 shows the 5th embodiment of object inserter.For the purpose of describing, the object inserter 310 of Figure 11-15 and the object inserter 210 shown in Fig. 7-9 different are that mainly first and second accelerate chambers 374,376 26S Proteasome Structure and Function and they offer capsule the mode of inserting wheel 350.Easy for discussing, identical with the 26S Proteasome Structure and Function of the embodiment of Fig. 7-9 or substantially similarly part will no longer repeat.

Figure 13 shows the first acceleration chamber 374 of the stages of decomposition.Second accelerates chamber 376 can have with first and accelerate the identical or similar structure roughly of chamber 374.Accelerate the combination that chamber 374 can comprise rotating part and non-rotating part.For example, accelerate chamber 374 and can comprise base portion 301, this base portion 301 is installed on the object inserter 310 in a fixed manner, and for example, the base plate 303(that is fixed to object inserter 310 sees Figure 11 and 12).For example, by using screw or other securing member, can in a fixed manner outer guided rings and interior guided rings 305a, 305b be installed on the base plate 303.For example, use screw or other securing member covering plate 307 can be fixed to outer guided rings 305a, to form the basically swirl chamber of sealing, it illustrates in greater detail in connection with Figure 14.Still with reference to Figure 13, accelerate chamber 374 and can also comprise metering supply drum 309, this measures the supply drum and (for example, under the power of CD-ROM drive motor, as described later), takes turns 350 in order to capsule is sent to insertion with respect to aforementioned retaining element rotation.Figure 13 A is the detailed view of the embodiment of guided rings 305a, 305b, will be in following more detailed description.

Figure 14 is the transverse cross-sectional view of accelerating chamber 374, shows irrotational element.Figure 15 is the transverse cross-sectional view of accelerating chamber 374, shows non-rotating element and spinner member.With reference to Figure 14, base portion 301, guided rings 305a, 305b and covering plate 307 can limit swirl chamber 311, for example, are passing through port holes 315 under the effect of the power of the promotion air of chamber 313 supplies, and capsule is around this swirl chamber 313 rotations.According to an embodiment, promote air make capsule swirl chamber 311 in the speed between per minute about 150 and about 300 meters, the about 230 meters speed of per minute is rotated more specifically, yet can be other speed.

For the circumferential major part of swirl chamber (for example, about 250 ° to about 300 °, or about 270 °), by hiding the baffle plate 317 in space between guided rings 305a, the 305b, capsule can be captured in the swirl chamber 311.Yet shown in the top of Figure 14, the delivery areas 319 of swirl chamber 311 can not hidden by baffle plate, thereby allows capsule to spill from swirl chamber 311 between guided rings 305a, 305b.According to embodiment, delivery areas 319 can be extended circumferential about 60 ° to about 110 ° of swirl chamber, perhaps more specifically is circumferential about 90 ° of swirl chamber.

Figure 15 is similar to Figure 14, but drum 309 is supplied with in its metering of having added rotation.Metering is supplied with drum 309 and can be rotated under the power of driving mechanism 321, and such as the CD-ROM drive motor with the output shaft that is connected to hub mechanism 323, this hub mechanism 323 is connected to metering and supplies with drum 309, yet also can be other drives structure.

Still with reference to Figure 15, the capsule that spills from swirl chamber 311 by delivery areas 319 for example shifts metering supply roll hole 325(that the metering that enters rotation supplies with drum 309, the hole) in (also seeing Figure 16).Before being delivered to insertion wheel 350, be shown in Figure 12 and 15 by the guide 327(that hides metering supply roll hole 325) capsule is remained in the metering supply roll hole 325, until capsule is delivered in the hole of inserting wheel 350, perhaps capsule is delivered to before the hole of inserting wheel 350 soon.Outer guided rings and interior guided rings 305a, 305b can comprise surperficial 331a, the 331b that cuts sth. askew.According to embodiment, the surface of cutting sth. askew can be with respect between about 30 ° and about 60 ° of the horizontal tilt, for example about 45 °.Surperficial 331a, the 331b that cuts sth. askew can help guide capsule to aim at metering supply roll hole 325.

With reference to Figure 12, accelerate chamber 374,376, especially metering supply drum 309 and be presented at respect to the position of inserting wheel 350.According to an embodiment, metering is supplied with drum 309 and can be rotated with the only about half of of speed that inserts wheel 350.Transmit some T maybe should around, remain on metering by guide 327 and supply with capsule in the drum 309 and be passed to insertion and take turns hole 352.Inserting wheel 350, insertion wheel hole 352 and relevant 26S Proteasome Structure and Function can be described identical or similar with embodiment before.Can use quick release mechanism (such as bar, major part screw or cam) will insert wheel 350 and/or accelerate chamber 374,376 and be installed to the object inserter.Quick release mechanism can allow wheel to be released and next rotate and/or endwisely slip, and takes turns 350 aligning and/or aligns with inserting in order to be conducive to accelerate chamber 374,376.

Still with reference to Figure 12, can use the air-lock of combination and metering feed unit and feed conduit 370,372 that capsule is fed to acceleration chamber 274,276 from storage chamber 322.According to an embodiment, feed conduit 307,372 can transmit capsule to enter by opening 355 accelerates chamber 274,276, as shown in figure 16.Opening 355 can comprise cuts sth. askew, and this is cut sth. askew and with identical with the air stream that flows through chamber or approximately uniform track the capsule guiding is entered swirl chamber 311.According to an embodiment, sensor can be arranged in swirl chamber 309, the amount of capsule in this sensor detection chambers, and control storage chamber 322, the level that detects when sensor is reduced to and is lower than predetermined level, then capsule is fed to swirl chamber 309.

Figure 16 shows metering supply drum 309 is removed from accelerating chamber 374, exposes the output shaft 329 of driving mechanism 321 and is connected to the hub mechanism 323 that drum 309 is supplied with in metering.

With reference to Figure 13 A, the embodiment of guided rings 305a, 305b can comprise bending area (chicane region).As mentioned above, guided rings 305a, 305b guide capsule enter metering supply roll hole 325.In case the capsule in one of metering supply roll hole 325 is sent to and inserts wheel 350, then the capsule in the swirl chamber 311 can then enter current empty hole 325.Bending area 333 can prevent that this from occuring unintentionally.

Opening between guided rings 305a, the 305b can not aimed at the metering supply roll hole 325 that metering is supplied with in the drum 309.Yet, can be basically the bending area 333 consistent with delivery areas 319 can make the capsule lateral deflection, in order to aim at metering supply roll hole 325.This layout can prevent that capsule is passed to the substantially the same time of inserting wheel 350 at before capsule and enters metering supply roll hole 325, and next this second capsule is fed to and inserts wheel 350.This will stop extra capsule unintentionally misfeed to inserting wheel 350.

Still with reference to Figure 13 A, one or more injection airs 351 can penetrate near crooked 333 guided rings, and air circumferentially blows perpendicular to ring.Injection air can help capsule is redirected to the motion of approximate vertical peripheral with it from the motion with the peripheral general tangential of measuring supply drum 309, takes turns 350 thereby be conducive to be delivered to quickly insert.

Referring again to Figure 15, guide 327 can limit the tilting zone (seeing Figure 12) of the upstream of transmitting some T.For example, in one embodiment, the periphery of metering supply drum 309 and the distance between the interior week of guide 327 generally can be about 0.2mm.Yet, for a distance of transmitting the some T about 15mm to 20mm in upstream, the surperficial 353(that guide can have an inclination for example, interior diameter increases), to increase the distance of supplying with the periphery of drum 309 with metering, for example increase to 3mm.The result, the capsule that metering is supplied with in the drum 309 can move along the surface 353 that tilts, along with it approaches a transmission point T, little by little raise to leave metering supply roll hole 325, thereby guarantee that capsule is from metering supply drum 309 to inserting the smooth and easy of wheel hole 352 and transition gradually.

With reference to Figure 17, shown the alternate embodiment of guide 327, wherein, the width of all parts of guide 327 or the part of guide 327 is slightly smaller than the diameter in metering supply roll hole 325.For example, for the machine that adopts the 3.5mm capsule, metering supply roll hole 325 can have the diameter of about 4mm, and guide 327 can have the width of about 3mm.Gap between the periphery in the cross side of guide 327 and metering supply roll hole 325 can allow air to pass through between metering supply drum 309 and guide 327, in operation, they can be each other closely vertically near (for example, by the gap of about 0.2mm separately).Allow air floating and/or prevent that capsule from breaking under the effect of the air pressure that is imposed on them by the air in the swirl chamber 311 in hole 327 by preventing capsule between the sidepiece of metering supply roll hole 325 and guide 327.According to embodiment, the little about 0.5mm of width in the metering supply roll hole 325 that the total-width ratio of all parts of guide 327 or a part is corresponding is to about 2.0mm.

Figure 18-20 has shown the object inserter according to the 5th embodiment.For the purpose of describing, the different 26S Proteasome Structure and Functions that mainly are storage chamber 422 and capsule feed mechanism of object inserter 410 and the object inserter 310 shown in Figure 11-17.In addition, object inserter 410 comprises single acceleration chamber 474, rather than among the embodiment before two.Easy for discussing, identical with the 26S Proteasome Structure and Function of the embodiment of Figure 11-17 or substantially similarly part will no longer repeat to discuss.

With reference to Figure 19, the air of the pressurization in the feed conduit 461 is shifted capsule onto and is accelerated chamber 474 from capsule hopper 463.With reference to Figure 18, bridge 465 can be divided into hopper 463 upper compartment 463a and lower compartment 463b.According to an embodiment, the size of upper compartment 463a can be customized to and keep about 3kg to the capsule between about 4kg, the size of lower compartment 463b can be customized to and keep about 200g and the about capsule between the 400g, yet, can have other capacity.

Still with reference to Figure 19, bridge 465 can comprise hole (invisible), and it is a bit larger tham capsule size (for example, diameter is approximately between 8mm and the 12mm, for example approximately 11.5mm), is used for capsule is fed to lower compartment 463b.Bridge 465 can be used as the chokes point, is for example about 11000 capsules of per minute in order to will enter the flow control of the capsule of lower compartment 463b.

According to an embodiment, bridge 465 and/or lower compartment 463b can shake to be conducive to presenting of capsule.For example, the level of presenting the capsule among the lower compartment 463b that sensor 467 measures when capsule is reduced to and is lower than predetermined level, and then bridge 465 and/or lower compartment 463b can shake, to present capsule.(for example, measured by the horizon sensor in the swirl chamber) when the level of the capsule in accelerating chamber 474 is lower than predetermined level, Venturi tube 469 is presented capsule and is arrived acceleration chamber 474 by feed conduit 461.For with 30 m/mins of operations and with about 11600 capsules/minute speed come the machine of delivery capsules, hopper can present about 12000 capsules/minute.The machine speed and the capsule feed rate that one of skill in the art will appreciate that other also are fine.

According to an embodiment, object inserter 410 can comprise the capsule container (not shown), for example, and with 5 to 20 kilograms capacity.Capsule container can cooperate with the sensor that is associated with hopper 463.When sensor detects when needing extra capsule in the hopper 463, the pneumatic transfer machine can be transferred to hopper 463 from capsule container with capsule, to fill up hopper 463.

With reference to Figure 20 and 21, show the embodiment that assembles roller 416 and splash bar 464.As previously described with respect to FIG 1, assemble roller 416 and can be used as pivotal point, before the filter-tip material section enters tongue 420, they are flattened.Extraly or alternatively, assemble roller and can fold in advance the filter-tip material section to be conducive to better the object insertion.According to an embodiment, pass the diameter that the tow section of assembling roller 416 can have about 30mm.

Then splash bar 464 can be folded into U-shaped with filter-tip material, has the top of opening, by the top of this opening, inserts wheel 450 and inserts capsule.According to an embodiment, splash bar 464 can have the cross section of taper, and for example, it can be the less cross section that tapers to downstream (taking turns 450 near inserting) from the larger cross section of upstream extremity (near assembling roller 416) conically.According to an embodiment, downstream can have cross-section downstream, and this cross-section downstream equals to insert the width of the periphery of wheel 450 dimensionally substantially.For example, the upstream extremity of splash bar 464 can have the diameter of about 8mm, and the top, downstream of splash bar 464 can have the diameter of about 5mm, and the periphery of inserting wheel 450 also can have the width of about 5mm.Although splash bar 464 is shown as having circular cross section, other cross section also can, such as square or rectangular.For example, an embodiment can have the square cross section of 8mm, and it tapers to the size of inserting wheel downwards.

According to an embodiment, splash bar 464 can approximately be that 100mm is long from the upstream extremity to the downstream.Shown in Fig. 6 the best, the downstream of splash bar 464 can taper to and the shape of inserting wheel 50 complementations, and is for example, roughly tangent with the periphery of inserting wheel.

With reference to Figure 20 and 21, it is U-shaped or C shape that splash bar 464 can fold filter-tip material in advance, inserts wheel 450 capsule is put into wherein.The convergent splash bar 464 as described above, resulting folding can little by little reduce size in the filter-tip material, until capsule inserts before soon, at this point, the size of the opening in the top of folding filter-tip material is identical or slightly large with the width that inserts wheel 450.By reducing the folding size of filter-tip material, capsule can be inserted into capsule itself measure-alike or only slightly large folding in, accuracy and the stability of the raising of each capsule of placement in filter-tip material are provided.

With reference to Figure 22, according to an embodiment, the object inserter can be from the capsule manufacture mode adjustment for not containing capsule pattern (" white filter tip "), and wherein, capsule is not added to filter-tip material.According to an embodiment, insertion wheel 450 can rise and leave tow section (for example, approximately between 160mm and the 220mm) to the position shown in Figure 22.This is done, in order to capsule can not be inserted in the filter-tip material.Next insertion wheel 450 can reduce gets back to the tow section, continues the capsule manufacture pattern.

According to embodiment, insert the rise of wheel 450 and fall and can realize by pneumatic mode, for example, use hydraulic cylinder, make at least and insert wheel 450 and rise with respect to filter-tip material.For example, insert wheel 450 and optional other element, can be under the power effect of hydraulic cylinder, the other parts with respect to object inserter 410 on vertical track are slided.One or more buttons 471 can be used for these cylinders of excitation.When being in " white filter tip " pattern, assembling roller 416 and splash bar 464(and see Figure 20) can be removed alternatively, for example use major part screw or other quick release mechanism.

According to embodiment, will insert wheel and 450 rise to " white filter tip " pattern and can expend the seldom time, such as one minute.According to embodiment, object inserter 410 can 500 to 700 m/mins of operations in white filter tip pattern, for example 600 m/mins.In addition, in the capsule manufacture pattern, embodiment can 200 to 400 m/mins of operations, and for example 300 m/mins, but can be speed faster.

Figure 23 A shows the top view of a part of inserting wheel 450, and Figure 23 B shows the partial cross section view of a part of inserting wheel 450.According to an embodiment, insert wheel hole 452 and can limit truncated cone shape or the spherical segment depression 473 that receives capsule.Groove part 475 can be communicated with each depression 473 fluid, in order to the capsule that is arranged in hole 452 is exerted pressure and/or vacuum.According to an embodiment, all parts of groove part 475 or a part can have the cross section of cross (for example, bunge bedstraw herb shape), so that the volume of increase to be provided.Groove part 475 can rotate around the supply wheel 477 with vacuum ports 479, some aspiration vacuum, and some discharge forced air.Depend on the position of hole in the process circulation, vacuum ports 479 can cooperate with groove part 475, so that vacuum or pressure to be provided.With reference to the cross-sectional view of Figure 23 B, the embodiment that inserts wheel 450 can from middle section towards the outer regions convergent, be inserted in the filter-tip material that is folded into U-shaped with the capsule that supports thereon in order to be conducive to insert wheel 450.

With reference to Figure 10, the embodiment of the object inserter that illustrates and describe in conjunction with Figure 11-23 can also be used for double stick or how excellent filter-tip production, mean that a plurality of insertion wheels can be installed in mode side by side on the public base portion, in order to capsule is inserted in the substantially parallel filter-tip material section, yet, also can be nonparallel embodiment.According to double stick and how excellent embodiment, a plurality of acceleration chambers can mode side by side be arranged, take turns with insertion side by side and align.Single capsule storage mechanism can present all insertion wheels, and perhaps each inserts wheel and can present with stocking mechanism independently.In addition, for each filter-tip material section, embodiment can comprise a plurality of acceleration chambers, (see for example Figure 11 and 12 in order to be supplied to each to insert wheel capsule, wherein, accelerate chamber 374,376 and present insertion wheel 350), perhaps single acceleration chamber can be supplied to capsule each insertion wheel (to see for example Figure 18, wherein, accelerate chamber 474 capsule is supplied to insertion wheel 450).Perhaps, can use an acceleration chamber that capsule is supplied to a plurality of insertions wheels.

According to above-described double stick or how excellent embodiment, two or more insertion wheels side by side can be installed on the single driving shaft.Similarly, each group acceleration chamber (for example, drum is supplied with in metering) side by side can be installed on the single driving shaft.Single CD-ROM drive motor can be used for rotating all axles, for example, uses gear mechanism, and perhaps, each axle can use independent CD-ROM drive motor.

According to alternative arrangements, no matter be that drum is supplied with in the metering of inserting wheel or accelerating chamber, each is taken turns on the axle that can be positioned at himself, and is driven by himself motor.In addition, independently and the combination of the motor of sharing also be fine.As example, supply with drum from the metering of two acceleration chambers side by side and can be installed on the single axle and by single-motor and drive, and two insertion wheels side by side are installed in independently on the axle and driven by motor independently, perhaps vice versa.Those skilled in the art will recognize from this specification, directly drive and share the various combinations and the sub-portfolio that drive all to be fine, no matter the object inserter is the embodiment of single rod, double stick or many rods.

The embodiment of object inserter described herein can be used for providing along the length of filter-tip material symmetrical interval or the asymmetric interval of capsule.According to the embodiment that asymmetric interval is provided, insert wheel and can comprise that (for example, the position sensor that PLC) is combined with utilizes the timing of cutter head to determine to insert the time of the position of taking turns the hole with controller.The cutter head is to be positioned at the cutter that inserts the wheel downstream, and its filter-tip material that will wrap in the paper is cut into the filter stick fragment.For example, according to an embodiment, proximity transducer or optical sensor can be positioned at and insert on the wheel, align with specific insertion wheel hole, so that the timing of the position in insertion wheel hole and downstream cutter head is synchronous.Perhaps, insert that shaft encoder on the wheel can be used to to insert the timing of taking turns hole and downstream cutter head synchronous.

For the asymmetric interval of capsule, can use asymmetric insertion wheel.More specifically, insert wheel and can have the insertion wheel hole that circumferentially separates asymmetrically around it.For example, adjacent insertion wheel hole can be separated with the 27mm and the 28mm interval that replace, yet, also can be other increment.For asymmetric insertion wheel, in case synchronous with the cutter head, this is taken turns and can rotate with respect to filter-tip material with the speed of substantial constant, and with selected asymmetric interval capsule is inserted in the filter-tip material.

Perhaps, utilize the Electronic Control of PLC can be used for taking turns to provide with the insertion of constant spacing the asymmetric interval of capsule, for example insert wheel and increase and reduce interval between the capsule with respect to the speed of filter-tip material by changing.In addition, no matter be to use the symmetry of capsule to insert or asymmetric insertion, utilize the Electronic Control of programmable logic controller (PLC) (PLC) can be used to than the greater or lesser spacing of physical separation of inserting between the wheel hole capsule to be inserted filter-tip material.For example, for inserting the insertion wheel that has the 30mm spacing between the wheel hole, can use Electronic Control to make and insert to take turns and excessively rotate with respect to filter-tip material, in order to obtain the capsule interval of 25mm.Perhaps, the insertion wheel for identical can use Electronic Control to make and insert wheel with respect to the insufficient rotation of filter-tip material, in order to obtain the interval of 35mm.Those skilled in the art will recognize from the above description, can obtain with the various combinations of symmetrical and asymmetric insertion wheel and Electronic Control scheme symmetry and the asymmetric distance of the variation between the capsule in the filter-tip material.

This specification diagram and the embodiment that discusses only are used for instruction those of ordinary skills with the making known to the inventor and use best mode of the present invention.Any content in this specification all should not be considered as limiting protection scope of the present invention.All are exemplified as exemplary and unrestriced.According to above-mentioned instruction, it will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that without departing from the invention, but above description of the invention embodiment makes amendment or changes.Should be understood that in the scope of claim and equivalent but not in the scope that specification is described, can implement the present invention.

Claims (21)

1. device that is used for one or more objects are inserted the filter element of tobacco rod, described device comprises:

Store at least one storage device of a plurality of described objects;

Described object is inserted at least one insertion wheel of at least one filter-tip material section; And

Described object is delivered at least one acceleration chamber of described at least one insertion wheel from described at least one storage device, wherein, described at least one acceleration chamber comprises:

Limit at least one swirl chamber of the opening in periphery and the periphery;

Make at least one air-source of the periphery acceleration of described at least one swirl chamber of described Objects around A; And

Drum is supplied with at least one metering around described at least one swirl chamber rotation, and described at least one metering is supplied with drum and had the metering supply hole, and these metering supply holes can move in order to aim at the opening in the periphery of described at least one swirl chamber;

Wherein, described metering supply hole receives described object by the opening in the periphery of described at least one swirl chamber, and described object transfer is taken turns to described at least one insertion.

2. device according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, also comprise guided rings at least one outer guided rings and at least one, wherein, the opening in the periphery of described at least one swirl chamber is in described guided rings and described at least one between the guided rings outside at least one.

3. device according to claim 2, it is characterized in that, also comprise at least one baffle plate, described at least one baffle plate hides corresponding to described at least one outer guided rings of the part of the periphery of described at least one swirl chamber and described opening between the guided rings at least one.

4. device according to claim 2 is characterized in that, at least one in described at least one outer guided rings and described at least one interior guided rings defines one and cut sth. askew, and this metering supply hole of supplying with in the drum towards described at least one metering of cutting sth. askew tilts.

5. device according to claim 2, it is characterized in that, described at least one outer guided rings and described at least one interior guided rings define the bending in the described delivery areas, and wherein, this bending is aimed at metering supply hole that described at least one metering is supplied with in the drum.

6. device according to claim 5 is characterized in that, also comprises at least one air ejector near described bending, and described at least one air ejector is suitable for making described object to be redirected towards described at least one insertion wheel.

7. device according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, also comprise at least one guide, described at least one guide is supplied with in described at least one metering and is extended around the part of drum and hide described metering supply hole, wherein, described at least one guide remains on described object in the described metering supply hole.

8. device according to claim 7, it is characterized in that, described at least one metering is supplied with drum and is defined overall diameter, described at least one guide defines interior diameter, the overall diameter that drum is supplied with in this interior diameter and described at least one metering has a distance, and wherein, described at least one guide comprises sloping portion, this sloping portion has the interior diameter of increase, so that the overall diameter of drum is supplied with in described at least one metering and the distance between the described sloping portion increases.

9. device according to claim 7, it is characterized in that, described metering supply hole defines metering supply hole diameter, described at least one guide define the guide width with the overlapping part of described metering supply hole, wherein, the width of described at least one guide is less than described metering supply hole diameter.

10. device according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, also comprise at least one feed conduit that extends to described at least one swirl chamber from described at least one storage device, wherein, described at least one feed conduit defines the opening of cutting sth. askew that enters described at least one swirl chamber, and described opening of cutting sth. askew tilts with respect to described at least one swirl chamber, so as with the described object of the essentially identical locus guiding of air-source that in described at least one swirl chamber, flows.

11. device according to claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprises at least one pneumatic linear actuator, described at least one pneumatic linear actuator is suitable for described at least one insertion wheel is elevated to the position that does not contact with described at least one filter-tip material section.

12. device according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, described at least one insertion wheel comprises a plurality of holes, each hole is suitable for supporting in the described object, described object about 1/4th and 1/2nd between volume be received in the described hole, the residual volume of described object highlights from described hole.

13. device according to claim 12 is characterized in that, also comprises the groove part that is communicated with each hole, wherein, described groove part defines basically criss-cross cross section.

14. device according to claim 1 also comprises:

With described at least one filter-tip material section boil down at least one first tongue of cylindrical shape basically, wherein, described at least one insert wheel described object inserted described at least one filter-tip material section;

With at least one second filter-tip material section boil down at least one second tongue of cylindrical shape basically, described at least one first tongue and described at least one second tongue are suitable for along described the first filter-tip material section of substantially parallel Route guiding and the second filter-tip material section; And

At least one second insertion wheel, described at least one second insertion wheel is from least one second acceleration chamber receiver body and with described at least one the second filter-tip material section of described object insertion.

15. a device that is used for one or more objects are inserted the filter element of tobacco rod, described device comprises:

Store at least one storage device of a plurality of described objects;

At least one insertion that described object inserts at least one filter-tip material section is taken turns;

Be positioned at least one tow guide of described at least one insertion wheel upstream, wherein, described at least one filter-tip material section is by described at least one tow guide; With

Be arranged at least in part at least one splash bar of described at least one tow guide, described at least one splash bar defines near the downstream of described at least one insertion wheel and the upstream extremity opposite with described downstream;

Wherein, described at least one splash bar tapers to the second cross section of described downstream end from the first cross section of described upstream extremity, and described the first cross section is greater than described the second cross section.

16. device according to claim 15 is characterized in that, described at least one insertion wheel has the periphery that defines width, and the second cross section of described at least one splash bar is substantially equal to the width of the periphery of described at least one insertion wheel.

17. device according to claim 15 is characterized in that, described at least one insert wheel and have periphery, and the downstream of described at least one tow guide along with the direction convergent of described periphery general tangential.

18. a device that is used for one or more objects are inserted the filter element of tobacco rod, described device comprises:

Store at least one storage device of a plurality of described objects;

Described object is inserted at least one insertion wheel of at least one filter-tip material section, described at least one insertion wheel defines periphery, and a plurality of holes evenly distribute around described periphery, and each hole is suitable for supporting in the described object;

Be suitable for making at least one CD-ROM drive motor of described at least one insertion wheel rotation; And

At least one controller of the rotation of described at least one CD-ROM drive motor of control, wherein, described at least one controller is suitable for changing the rotary speed of described at least one insertion wheel, in order to distance asymmetrical relative to one another described object is inserted described filter-tip material.

19. device according to claim 18 also comprises:

Be suitable for cutting at least one cutter head of described at least one filter-tip material section, described at least one cutter head is positioned at the downstream of described at least one insertion wheel;

At least one position sensor that is associated with described at least one insertion wheel; And

At least one controller that is communicated with described at least one cutter head and described at least one position sensor, wherein, described at least one controller make described at least one cutter head operation and described at least one to insert the position of wheel synchronous.

20. device according to claim 19 is characterized in that, described at least one position sensor comprises at least one proximity transducer or at least one optical sensor.

21. device according to claim 19 is characterized in that, described at least one position sensor comprises at least one shaft encoder that is associated with described at least one insertion wheel.

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