CN104824842B

CN104824842B - Inserting filter segments into filter tow

Info

Publication number: CN104824842B
Application number: CN201510131266.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: K.梅因克; T.梅因斯; I.约纳特; W.施纳贝尔; S.施利西奥; N.罗斯费尔德
Original assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH
Current assignee: Kolber Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2009-09-15
Filing date: 2010-09-15
Publication date: 2020-11-10
Anticipated expiration: 2030-09-15
Also published as: EP2628399B1; EP2294934A3; DE102009041318A1; CN104824842A; JP2011062198A; CN104824843A; CN104824843B; CN102018285A; EP2628399A1; EP2294934A2; CN102018285B; EP2294934B1; EP2628399B2; PL2294934T3

Abstract

The invention relates to the insertion of filter segments into filter rods, in particular to a device and a method for conveying a transversely axially conveyed flow (64,65) of filter segments (F1, F2) or groups of filter segments (13a,13b) of the tobacco processing industry, which flow is arranged adjacent to one another in a transverse axial conveyance in the longitudinal direction, into two longitudinally axially conveyed rods (14a,14b,15a,15b) consisting of filter segments or groups of filter segments. The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are distinguished on the one hand by the fact that an insertion means (11,12,91) is provided for each bundle, and on the other hand by the fact that a filter segment or a group of filter segments is conveyed onto the insertion means from only one side, wherein the insertion means then also inserts the filter segment or the group of filter segments into the respective bundle.

Description

Inserting filter segments into filter tow

The present application is a divisional application of chinese patent application CN201010293515.7 entitled "inserting filter segments into filter rods" filed on 9/15/2010.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for conveying (Ü berf ü hrung) a stream of filter segments (filters) or groups of filter segments (Gruppe) of the tobacco processing industry conveyed in a transverse axial direction, which are arranged next to one another in the longitudinal direction (nebeinander) in the transverse axial direction, into two longitudinally conveyed strips (Strang) of filter segments or groups of filter segments. Furthermore, the invention relates to a conveyor drum (Ü bergaberrommel) for the tobacco processing industry for conveying two streams of rod-shaped (stabf) products of the tobacco processing industry in a transverse axial direction. Finally, the invention relates to a method for conveying a transversely axially conveyed stream of filter segments or groups of filter segments of the tobacco processing industry into two longitudinally axially conveyed bundles of filter segments or groups of filter segments. The invention further relates to a method for conveying two longitudinally axially conveyed bundles of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry into a flow of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry.

Background

From WO 03/024256 a2, an apparatus is known for the production of multi-segment filters (Multisegmentfilter) for the tobacco processing industry by weaving (zusmammenstellen) groups of filter segments, in which the filter segments are woven and transported transversely to the axis. The group of woven filter segments or the partial group of filter segments is conveyed by the conveyor device into a longitudinally axially conveyed strand of filter segments, which is subsequently wrapped with a wrapping material (Umh lupungsheet), so that a corresponding filter strand is formed in a strand-forming process (Strangverfahren). The respective multi-segment filters are then cut to length (abl ä ngen) from the filter tow to be further processed accordingly. For example, double use length multi-segment filters are cut to length so as to be placed between two cigarettes (Tabakstock) and then configured to be cut in the middle into two filter cigarettes. By using a plurality of individual functional units (funktioninheit) which are built into modules, a large Variability (variabilty) is provided in the production of multi-segment filters.

A corresponding device is also disclosed in document EP 1393640B 1. Here, the layout during the transverse axial transport of the filter segments and the longitudinal axial transport during the strand production are shown in particular.

In order to accelerate the production of multi-segment filters, documents EP 1913824 a1, EP 1913825 a1 and EP 1767107 a1 propose double-track (zweibahnig) strand formation. In this case, different designs are used for the precise positioning of the cuts to be made to the filter rods for the production of multi-segment filters from the rods of the respective filter segments. For example, document EP 1913824 a1 discloses devices for controlling the position of the segment filter groups of the bundle (more precisely the cutting with respect to the cutting device). Here, the device comprises a control device with a sensor arranged in the vicinity of each continuous filter rod and monitoring the Passage of at least one filter element of each group (Passage). When there is a deviation (Abweichung), the speed of the format belt (format band) with which the filter rod is conveyed is adjusted accordingly (anpassen).

Document EP 1913825 a1 has taken another way. In this case, the position of the filter segments is varied in the longitudinal direction on the basis of the measurement signals obtained after the formation of the filter strand, before the introduction of the group of filter segments into the strand or strands. The document EP 1767107 a1 sets the variation of the Phase (Phase) of the insertion wheel (Einlegerad) depending on the position of the segments in the filter rod.

EP 1787534B 1 discloses a machine for producing multi-or multi-segment filters, which has a rotary mechanism rotating about an axis oriented transversely to the channel of the insertion finger (einlaunger) and is equipped with a plurality of carriers for conveying groups of filter plugs (filtertopfen) in pairs from a conveying device to two channels in order to form two successive groups (autofanderfolgen) in the channels. This arrangement is relatively difficult to see in the region where the filter plugs are transferred onto the turning mechanism (einsehbar).

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to disclose a corresponding device for conveying a stream of filter segments or groups of filter segments of the tobacco processing industry conveyed in a transverse axial direction and a method for conveying such a stream, by means of which a reliable production of a multi-segment filter rod can be achieved. In particular, the operator should be given better visibility in order to better see blockages (Stau) of the filter segments or groups of filter segments being conveyed or possible errors in the conveyance. The object of the invention is, furthermore, to reliably and efficiently make possible a corresponding device and method for conveying two longitudinally axially conveyed bundles of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry into a stream of corresponding articles.

This object is achieved by a device for conveying a flow of filter segments or groups of filter segments of the tobacco processing industry, which are conveyed in a transverse axial direction and which are arranged adjacent to one another in a longitudinal axial direction, into two longitudinally axially conveyed rods of filter segments or groups of filter segments, wherein an insertion mechanism (Einlegeorgan) is provided for each rod, which inserts (einlegegergen) a filter rod or group of filter rods into the respective rod.

By means of the device according to the invention, very good visibility of the device is provided when conveying or transporting filter segments or groups of filter segments into two longitudinally axially conveyed bundles.

A further advantage of the device according to the invention is that, during the transport in the transverse axial direction of the filter segments or groups of filter segments, only half the process speed (prozessgeschwidtigkeit) is necessary in comparison with document EP 1787534B 1 before the transfer to the two bundles transported in the longitudinal axial direction. This is based on the fact that preferably two groups of filter segments, one group being inserted into the first filter strand in the longitudinal direction and the other group being inserted into the second filter strand in the longitudinal direction, are arranged in the grooves, in particular continuously (hintereinder) or adjacent to one another, more particularly during Transport in the transverse direction (Transport). Thus, groups of filter segments of two tracks (Bahn), which are used to construct two longitudinally axially conveyed filter rods, are conveyed laterally.

Within the scope of the present invention, the concept of arranging the longitudinal axes of the filter segments or groups of filter segments adjacent to one another encompasses in particular the fact that the longitudinal axes of the filter segments or groups of filter segments are arranged continuously, in particular aligned (fluchtend), in particular in the axial direction. The insertion means particularly preferably insert the filter segments or groups of filter segments directly into the bundle. The insertion of a filter segment or a group of filter segments forms a respective bundle of filter segments or groups of filter segments. The insertion takes place in the longitudinal direction, so that a longitudinal transport direction of the strand or strands is obtained. Preferably, each bundle is provided with a unique (einzig) insertion mechanism. The definition of an insertion also includes the concept that a filter segment or a group of filter segments can be inserted. The formed strand is preferably moved in the longitudinal direction by means of one or more conveying means which convey the strand in the longitudinal direction.

Preferably, the insertion mechanism is an insertion wheel. The device according to the invention is then particularly preferred when the insertion mechanism for one strand can be driven independently of the insertion mechanism for the other strand. "drivable" is to be understood to mean, in particular, likewise "driven or to be driven". In this way, for example, the insertion speed of a filter segment or a group of filter segments into the respective rod can be adjusted or controlled, so that, for example, a cut at a desired position of the rod can be precisely set for the cut-to-length cutting of a multi-segment filter, as described in detail in two patent applications (entitled "machine and method for producing a multi-segment filter for the tobacco processing industry") filed by the applicant at the german patent and trademark office on the same day as the present application (entitled "Maschine zur Herstellung und Verfahren herm hermsten von multisegment filter der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie").

Preferably, the insertion mechanisms are each rotatable about an axis of rotation. The device is then particularly well visible when the axes of rotation of the insertion mechanisms are arranged at an angle of 20 ° to 60 °, in particular 60 ° to 120 °, in particular 80 ° to 100 °, to one another.

Alternatively, it is preferred to arrange that the axes of rotation of the insertion mechanisms are collinear or parallel to each other.

The object is also achieved by a device which preferably has the above-described features of the device according to the invention, wherein the device can be driven or driven in opposite directions and is used or used for conveying two longitudinally axially conveyed rods of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry (in particular filter segments, groups of filter segments or cigarettes) into a flow of transversely axially conveyed rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry (in particular filter segments, groups of filter segments or cigarettes), wherein the insertion means is designed as a conveying means. In other words, it is known according to the invention that the above-mentioned device according to the invention can also be driven in the opposite direction in order to convey the longitudinally axially conveyed rod-shaped articles or the longitudinally axially conveyed rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry in a very efficient manner into the transversely axially conveyed rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry. If applicable, it can also be provided that a cutting device for cutting two longitudinally axially conveyed rods of the tobacco processing industry is arranged upstream of the insertion device configured as a transport device, in order to cut rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry (for example, cigarettes) from the rods to size accordingly. In this case, an embodiment is particularly preferred in which the insertion devices or the transport devices are oriented in a V-shaped manner relative to one another, i.e. their axes of rotation are not parallel to one another, but rather lie at the angles already described above relative to one another. The strands may be filter strands of tobacco strands.

The object is also achieved by a device for conveying a flow of filter segments or groups of filter segments of the tobacco processing industry, which flow is conveyed in a transverse axial direction and arranged adjacent to one another in a longitudinal axial direction in the transverse axial conveyance, into two longitudinally axially conveyed bundles of filter segments or groups of filter segments, wherein at least one insertion means is provided, which inserts the filter segments or groups of filter segments into the two filter bundles, wherein a conveying device is provided, by means of which the filter segments or groups of filter segments can be conveyed from a single side (einzig suite) into the at least one insertion means. In this embodiment, too, visibility of the device is particularly well provided, since the transport of the filter segments or groups of filter segments takes place from only one side.

This object is also achieved in that a particularly good visibility of the device is achieved during the transport or insertion of the filter segments or groups of filter segments into the two filter tow strips.

Preferably, the conveyor has receptacles (Aufnahme) for filter segments or groups of filter segments to be transported in the transverse direction of the two rails, wherein each receptacle can accommodate at least two filter segments. In this case, a suction air opening (sauggluflex) is particularly preferably provided, which provides suction air (sauggluft) to each filter segment, so that the attachment of each filter segment (ahaften) is reliably ensured in the receiving recess, to be precise during the transport of the filter segments in the respective receiving recess. Corresponding intake air openings are likewise provided in further receiving recesses of further means of the device according to the invention, for example in the insertion means or further conveying means (such as conveying rollers, acceleration rollers and the like).

Preferably, one of the two tracks has a narrower endless track (Umlaufbahn) than the other track-in particular on the conveyor. In particular, this can be designed such that the diameter of the track with the narrower circular track is smaller than the diameter of the other track. In particular, the track segments (abschnittsweise) are configured in a ring, so that one of the two tracks has a ring track of narrower segments than the other track. In this way, it is possible to provide a transverse axial spacing of the filter segments or groups of filter segments of the two tracks from one another during the transfer onto the insertion device, so that the insertion device can transfer the filter segments or groups of filter segments into the filter rod without further distance changes.

Preferably, the two rail sections are configured in a ring, in particular on the conveyor, wherein at least one of the ring rail axes of one rail is arranged at a different position than the ring rail axis of the other rail. The annular rail axes are preferably arranged offset and in particular are provided with annular rail axes parallel to one another. The track can be circular in sections or oval in sections.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a conveyor drum of the tobacco processing industry for conveying two streams of rod-shaped products of the tobacco processing industry in a transverse axial direction, wherein the streams can be conveyed in opposite directions to each other.

By means of the reverse transport of the flow, an efficient transport of the rod-shaped products (in particular filter segments or groups of filter segments) onto an insertion device with two insertion devices, in particular two insertion wheels, which are correspondingly arranged offset to one another, can be achieved.

Preferably, for each flow, at the periphery of the transport drum, a housing groove is provided, which is arranged parallel to the axis of rotation. Furthermore, a peripheral ring is preferably provided at the conveying drum for each stream, on which a receiving groove for the rod-shaped products of the respective stream is arranged.

In a preferred embodiment, a drive for two circumferential rings is provided, wherein more at least one rotation transmission element is provided for a first circumferential ring than for a second circumferential ring. As rotation transmission elements, for example, gears or toothed belts can be provided.

Preferably, in a further embodiment, a separate drive is provided for each circumferential ring. The drives can then likewise be driven independently of one another, so that the rotational speeds of the two peripheral rings which are designed to run in opposition to one another can be driven at least sometimes differently rapidly.

Preferably, a machine for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry is provided with the above-mentioned device for conveying a stream of segments or groups of filter segments of the tobacco processing industry conveyed in a transverse axial direction according to the invention and/or the above-mentioned transfer drum according to the invention.

Preferably, a filter segment arrangement is provided in the machine, which is arranged upstream of the above-mentioned apparatus according to the invention and/or the above-mentioned transport drum according to the invention. Preferably, the filter segment arrangement arranges the transversely axially conveyed groups of filter segments of the two tracks and conveys them or is configured accordingly to ensure such an arrangement and conveyance, wherein in particular the groups of filter segments of one track are arranged longitudinally axially behind the groups of filter segments of the other track, respectively.

For the respective filter segment arrangement, reference is made, for example, to the single-track arrangement and transport in the applicant's prior art (which is disclosed, for example, in documents WO 03/024256 a2 and EP 1393640B 1).

The object is also achieved by a method for conveying a flow of filter segments or groups of filter segments of the tobacco processing industry conveyed in a transverse axial direction into two longitudinally conveyed bundles made up of filter segments or groups of filter segments, with the following method steps:

conveying the flow of filter segments or groups of filter segments in a direction arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the filter segments or groups of filter segments, wherein the longitudinal axes of the filter segments or groups of filter segments are arranged adjacent to one another in the transverse axial conveyance,

-conveying the flow of filter segments or groups of filter segments into a first and a second partial flow of filter segments or groups of filter segments,

-conveying the first partial flow onto a first insert structure and the second partial flow onto a second insert structure, and

the first partial flow of filter segments or groups of filter segments is inserted into a first longitudinally axially conveyed conveying means, thereby forming a first longitudinally axially conveyed bundle, and the second partial flow of filter segments or groups of filter segments is inserted into a second longitudinally axially conveyed conveying means, thereby forming a second longitudinally axially conveyed bundle.

Within the scope of the present invention, the arrangement of longitudinal axes adjacent to one another likewise includes a longitudinally continuous arrangement or a longitudinally continuously aligned arrangement of filter segments or groups of filter segments. The insertion mechanism is preferably an insertion wheel.

Preferably, the insertion of the first partial flow of filter segments or groups of filter segments takes place independently of the insertion of the second partial flow of filter segments or groups of filter segments. In particular, the insertion may occur at different speeds.

Preferably, two insertion mechanisms which are driven independently of one another are provided for the insertion.

The method then becomes very clear to the operator when the first partial flow and the second partial flow (in particular on the conveying means) are sometimes conveyed in opposite directions to one another. Preferably, the conveying mechanism (on which the conveying of the two partial flows sometimes takes place oppositely to one another) is a conveying drum.

-conveying the first and second partial flows of a filter segment or group of filter segments from a single side into at least one insertion means, and

Preferably, the transport of the flows into the first and second partial flows takes place in a filter segment arrangement. Furthermore, the transport of the flow into the first and second partial flow preferably takes place before the complete arrangement of the filter segments or groups of filter segments. In particular, a filter segment arrangement is preferably provided which is arranged in a double track and transports the filter segments or groups of filter segments, wherein then a subsequent transfer of the double track of filter segments or groups of filter segments into the respective insertion device takes place. Each track comprises a filter segment or group of filter segments suitable for forming a desired filter rod from which the respective multi-segment filter is cut to length after manufacture of the filter rod. Preferably, the filter segments or groups of filter segments of one rail are arranged longitudinally axially behind or beside the filter segments or groups of filter segments of the other rail, wherein this can be understood with reference to the longitudinal axes of the filter segments or groups of filter segments. The longitudinal axes are adjacent to one another or continuous, meaning in particular adjacent to one another or continuous in the longitudinal direction of the filter segment or the group of filter segments.

Within the scope of the present invention, it is essential in the case of a longitudinal or transverse transport or an arrangement of longitudinal or transverse orientations or reference points that the rod-shaped articles or filter segments or groups of filter segments of the tobacco processing industry have a longitudinal axis relative to which the transport direction or arrangement is exactly longitudinal or transverse.

Preferably, the device according to the invention and/or the transport drum according to the invention are used in or arranged in a machine for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry, wherein an insertion device, a strand forming device (strangabileeinrichtung) and a cutting device are provided, wherein the insertion device is designed to introduce filter segments or groups of filter segments into the strand forming device, wherein the strand forming device has a strand forming device (stranganformsvorticichung) in which at least two filter strands can be conveyed in the longitudinal direction, wherein a cutting device for cutting the filter strands into multi-segment filters is provided, wherein furthermore an adjusting device is provided which adjusts the introduction of the filter segments or groups of filter segments relative to the cutting process of the cutting device. By adjusting the introduction of the filter segments or groups of filter segments relative to the cutting process of the cutting device, a very efficient and fast-reacting adjusting device can be achieved, by means of which particularly low rejects (Ausschuss) can be achieved.

Preferably, the tempo of the cutting (Taktung) of the cutting device across one or two beams and/or the phase of the cutting device is set as a reference variable (fuhrungsgr) for the adjusting device. Here, the reference variable may be the cutting device speed, or in a rotating cutting device, the rotational speed. Alternatively, the phase (i.e. the angle of the cutting device) can also be used as a reference variable in a rotating cutting device. This is particularly preferred when the position adjustment (Lageregelung) of the filter segments or groups of filter segments is effected by a variable overspeed (Ü bergechwidtigkeit) by which the filter segments or groups of filter segments are introduced into the individual strands by the insertion device.

Preferably, the insertion device for each filter rod has an insertion mechanism (in particular an insertion wheel) which introduces the filter segments or groups of filter segments into the respective filter rod longitudinally at an overspeed. Within the scope of the invention, the overspeed is in particular a speed which is based in particular on the filter segments or groups of filter segments or on the longitudinal axial direction of the strand longitudinal axis, i.e. which is greater than the longitudinal axial transport speed of the strand forming device or the strand transport speed. In particular, the speed of the format belt or the wrapping material belt for wrapping the filter rod can also serve here as a speed reference for the overspeed. Preferably, the insertion is regulated individually by the insertion mechanism for each strap or individually with respect to the overspeed of each strap.

Preferably, a sensor device is provided which detects the position of the filter segment or group of filter segments in the multi-segment filter, wherein the sensor device is arranged downstream of the cutting device. Preferably, the sensor means may be located in or adjacent to a drum in which the lengths of filter rod being manufactured are conveyed laterally. The signal of the sensor device preferably serves as an input signal for the adjusting device.

Preferably, the position adjustment of the filter segments or groups of filter segments is effected separately for each bundle or independently of one another.

Preferably, the insertion mechanisms are driven independently of each other. For this purpose, a separate drive is preferably provided, which drives the insertion mechanism accordingly. This simplifies the insertion of a filter segment or group of filter segments into the respective filter tow, since a synchronization of the insertion into the two filter tows is not necessary.

Preferably, the insertion means are arranged on a common axis or on two parallel, in particular collinear axes, or are provided with axes which lie at an angle of between 0 ° and 180 °, in particular between 20 ° and 80 °.

Preferably, an electromagnetic radiation source is provided which is arranged on one side of the multi-segment filter to be measured, wherein the sensor device is arranged on the other side. The arrangement may be a continuous linear arrangement. In this case, the source may be arranged first, then the multi-segment filter is arranged between the source and the sensor device, and then the sensor device follows in such an alignment that the multi-segment filter always moves through between the source and the sensor device. The sensor device may be arranged, for example, in the drum or outside the drum in the vicinity of the drum. However, the sensor device may also be arranged in the region of the cutting device, preferably upstream of the cutting device with respect to the direction of transport of the tow or the lengths of filter. The sensor device is then used to determine the position of the filter segments in the respective filter bundle. By means of the preferred embodiment according to the invention, the position of the filter segment or at least one filter segment can be measured in the transmitted light method (durchlichchvertahren), whereby particularly precise measurements can be achieved.

Preferably, a filter segment arrangement and a transport device are provided for transporting the filter segments or groups of filter segments to the insertion device. In the abovementioned prior art of the applicant (document WO 03/024256 a2 and document EP 1393640B 1), filter segments are transported in a transverse axial direction during the grouping of groups of filter segments. The filter segments can likewise be transported in the transverse axial direction when they are transferred onto the insertion device. However, the transfer can also be effected longitudinally.

Preferably, the conveyor has receptacles for filter segments or groups of filter segments arranged adjacent to one another with their longitudinal axes. Preferably, the filter segment arrangement device has receptacles for filter segments or groups of filter segments arranged adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction of the two rails. The filter segments or groups of filter segments are preferably transported in a filter segment arrangement in a transverse axial direction, wherein the filter segments or groups of filter segments are arranged in an axial succession and are transported in two tracks. In this case, it can be understood, for example, that the rails of the filter segments can have a corresponding distance from one another, specifically in the longitudinal axial direction of the filter segments arranged in the respective rail. This spacing may be present when the filter segment is removed from the filter segment organizing device (Entnahme) and transferred by the transfer device onto the insertion device.

Preferably, the filter rod is then formed in a format unit (formatvorticichtung) and wrapped with a wrapper and the seam of the wrapper is correspondingly glued to facilitate subsequent cutting of the multi-segment filter from the filter rod.

Furthermore, a method for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry is preferably provided, wherein first a filter segment or a group of filter segments is introduced into a strand forming device by means of an insertion device, wherein the filter segment or the group of filter segments is conveyed into two strands of the filter segment, and thereby two filter strands are produced, wherein subsequently the filter strands are cut into multi-segment filters by means of a cutting device, wherein the cutting of the filter strands is effected by means of two cutting devices of the cutting device which cut independently of one another.

The filter tow band is preferably wrapped with a wrapping material and accordingly glued and closed at the seam.

Preferably, a cutting position adjustment is made for each filter tow strip. The cutting position adjustment can be carried out in such a way that each filter tow band is separated from one another or independently of one another. Preferably, the cutting position adjustment takes as a reference variable the position of the filter segment or group of filter segments in the respective filter tow band. Preferably, the position of the filter segment or group of filter segments is measured, in particular, between the insertion device and the cutting apparatus.

Preferably, the speed of the conveyor mechanism that conveys each filter rod is adjusted in dependence on the rod conveying speed. Preferably, the strand transport speed is measured or determined in the region of the insertion device. The adjustment is then effected with respect to the measured speed.

Preferably, the position of the filter segment or group of filter segments is measured downstream of the cut, in particular in the transverse axial transport of the multi-segment filter to be measured.

Preferably, the introduction of filter segments or groups of filter segments is independent of each other in each bundle. In particular, the position adjustment for each bundle is performed separately or independently of one another. Preferably, each filter tow band is provided with an insertion mechanism, wherein the insertion mechanisms are driven independently of each other.

By means of the invention, it is not necessary to change the process or process speeds used in single-strand machines for producing multi-segment filters, so that experience in single-strand machines can be transferred to double-strand machines. The invention is sufficient with relatively few conveying means, in particular conveying rollers, and furthermore all rollers in conveyance or all conveying means and also the insertion means are well visible and correspondingly accessible to the operator, so that in particular a rapid format change (Formatwechsel) can be achieved.

The invention is further characterized by a method for conveying two longitudinally axially conveyed bundles of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry into a flow of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, comprising the following method steps:

-conveying the rod-shaped articles in the first bundle and in the second bundle longitudinally axially,

-conveying the rod-shaped articles of the first bundle into a first insertion mechanism and conveying the rod-shaped articles of the second bundle into a second insertion mechanism, wherein the insertion mechanism converts a longitudinal axial conveying of the rod-shaped articles into a transverse axial conveying of the rod-shaped articles,

-conveying the rod-shaped articles into at least one conveyor mechanism, wherein the rod-shaped articles are conveyed in the at least one conveyor mechanism in a transverse axial direction.

The first and second insertion means may also be referred to as transport means according to the invention. In particular, the insertion mechanism is an insertion wheel with a corresponding recess for receiving the rod-shaped articles. Preferably, provision can also be made for the longitudinally conveyed strand (if it is not divided or in individual pieces in each case) to be cut before being conveyed, so that the rod-shaped articles are conveyed into the strand in the longitudinal direction.

Preferably, two partial flows are formed in the conveying, which partial flows form a transverse axial conveyance of the rod-shaped articles.

A particularly preferred embodiment is then provided in which an efficient control or regulation of the transport of the rod-shaped articles of the first bundle is possible, when the transport of the rod-shaped articles of the first bundle into the first insertion device and the subsequent transport into the at least one transport device is independent of the transport of the rod-shaped articles of the second bundle into the second insertion device and the subsequent transport into the at least one transport device.

Preferably, two insertion mechanisms are provided which are driven independently of one another.

It is particularly preferred that the insertion mechanisms are each rotatable about a rotation axis, wherein the rotation axes of the insertion mechanisms are arranged non-parallel to each other. Preferably, the axes of rotation of the insertion mechanisms are arranged at an angle of 20 ° to 60 °, in particular 60 ° to 120 °, in particular 80 ° to 100 °, to one another.

Drawings

The invention is described below, without limiting the general inventive idea, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which reference is made in detail to the drawings with regard to all details according to the invention that are not further explained herein. Wherein:

figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a multi-segment filter maker according to the invention,

figure 2 shows in a schematic three-dimensional representation the transfer according to the invention of groups of filter segments onto an insertion device with two insertion means,

figure 3 shows in a schematic three-dimensional representation another transfer of groups of filter segments onto an insertion device with two insertion means according to the invention,

figure 4 shows in a schematic three-dimensional representation another transfer of groups of filter segments onto an insertion device with two insertion means according to the invention,

figure 5a shows in a schematic three-dimensional representation a further transfer according to the invention of groups of filter segments onto an insertion device with an insertion mechanism,

figure 5b shows the embodiment according to figure 5a in a schematic front view,

figure 6 shows in a schematic three-dimensional representation another transfer of groups of filter segments to an insertion device with an insertion means according to the invention,

FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of a transfer drum according to the invention, an

Fig. 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of another transfer drum according to the invention.

List of reference numerals

F1 Filter segment

F2 Filter segment

1 Multi-segment Filter maker

2 group forming device

3 Strand Forming apparatus

4 output device (Abfordervolichtung)

5 transfer roller

6, 6' transfer roller

7 accelerating drum

8 transfer roller

9, 9' receiving roller

10 double conveying roller

11 insertion wheel

12 insertion wheel

13a,13b filter group

14a,14b filter tow

15a,15b wrapped filter tow

16a,16b multi-segment filter

17-format device

18 cutting device

19 conveying device

20 measuring roller

21 extraction roller (Ausschleust rommel)

22 delivery roll (Abgabetrommel)

23 sensor device

24 direction of conveyance

25 driver

26 driver

27 adjustment device

28 measuring signal

29 control signal

30 control signal

31 control signal

32' lighting device

40 receiving arm

41, 41' insertion wheel receiving arm

50,56 filter segment

60,61 groove

62, 63 groove

64,65 filter segment rail

66,67 Filter segment Rail

69 transverse axial conveying direction

70a, 70b sensor

71a, 71b measuring signals

80 accelerating drum

81 insert wheel ring

82 insert ring

83, 83' accelerating roller ring

8486 holding arm

87 double containment arms

88, 89 roller ring

90 transfer roller

91 double insertion wheel

92,94 axes of rotation

100 first groove ring

101 second groove ring

102 first motor

103 second motor

104 toothed belt

105 gear

106 gear

110 support

111 support

112 gear

113 internal gear ring (Zahnkranz)

114 first circular orbit axis

115 second circular orbit axis

116 format belt

118 format band.

Detailed Description

In the following figures, identical or similar elements or corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that corresponding repeated descriptions are omitted.

Figure 1 schematically shows a top view of a multi-segment filter maker 1 according to the invention. The multi-segment filter maker 1 is divided into a group forming device 2, a rod forming apparatus 3 and an output device 4.

The group forming device 2 can be designed, for example, as in document WO 03/024256 a2 or document EP 1393640B 1, wherein preferably the group formation is not realized in a single track as disclosed in these two documents, but in a dual track. The filter segment tracks are schematically shown at 66 and 67 respectively in fig. 1 in the group forming device 2. The filter groups formed accordingly are then transferred onto a transfer roller 5, which transfer roller 5 transfers the filter groups onto a transfer roller 6. In this embodiment, the groups of filter segments are transferred from the transfer drum 6 onto the acceleration drum 7 and from the acceleration drum 7 onto the transfer drum 8, which transfer drum 8 transfers the groups of filters of one track onto the double transfer drum 10, wherein the other track is received by the receiving drum 9 and then transferred onto the double transfer drum 10. The precise functionality of these various rollers is explained further below with reference to fig. 2.

Transfer of the

groups

13a and 13b of filters, each having filter segments F1 and F2, onto the

insertion wheels

11 and 12 is then effected. The

filter groups

13a and 13b move into the respective conveying direction 24 shown by the arrow.

The filter segments or filter groups are placed (aufgelegt) on a wrapping material web 116,117, not shown in fig. 1, which wrapping material web 116,117 has, for example, two traces of glue (leimsbur) for fixing (festhatten) the filter segments. The glue traces are arranged in approximately the 4 o 'clock and 8 o' clock positions after the filter segments are wrapped. Sizing traces can be made from either hot melt (Hotmelt) or PVA.

Fig. 2 shows schematically the process just described and the mechanism used for this purpose or the device according to the invention for conveying the flow of transversely axially conveyed

groups

13a,13b of filter segments F1 or F2 or filter segments F1, F2 into two longitudinally axially conveyed bundles of filter segments or groups of filter segments. The

filter groups

13a and 13b of the two

tracks

66 and 67, organized by the group forming device 2, are taken up by the transfer roller 5 and transferred from the transfer roller 5 onto the transfer roller 6. The

transfer rollers

5 and 6 have receiving grooves 62. On the transport drum 6, reference numerals for the filter segment tracks 64 and 65 shown there are likewise shown.

Then, the transfer onto the acceleration roller 7 takes place, this acceleration roller 7 having a recess 63 in the respective containing arm 40, into which recess 63 the

respective groups

13a and 13b of filters arranged longitudinally adjacent to one another can be accommodated. The arm 40 can swing accordingly for ensuring the reception on the transfer drum 6 and the transfer on the transfer drum 8. The arm 40 can correspondingly be pivoted in the conveying direction of the filter segments.

The filter groups of the rear track 64 are transferred by the transfer roller 8 onto the double transfer roller 10. This is also schematically depicted in fig. 3, in which the rear portion of the transfer drum 10 receives the respective filter group 13 b. The filter groups 13a of the other track 65 are conveyed by the receiving drum 9 to the front portion of the double transfer drum 10. The front and rear portions of the double transfer drum 10 rotate in opposition to each other, so that the

respective groups

13a and 13b of filters can be transferred to the

insertion wheels

11 and 12 also reliably.

The insertion wheels 11 and 12 (which in this example are arranged in a V-shape so that their axes or axes of

rotation

92,93 have an angle of about 70 ° with each other) each have an insertion wheel receiving arm 41, which insertion wheel receiving arm 41 likewise has a corresponding recess into which the

filter groups

13a and 13b can be inserted respectively. The

insertion wheels

11 and 12 rotate at a rotation speed slightly greater than the feeding speed of the filter tow strips 14a and 14 b. The speed of rotation of the insertion wheel is variable for the position adjustment of the filter groups into the

filter rods

14a and 14 b.

The embodiment according to figure 2 is a solution for transferring filter groups or filter segments from the group forming device 2 into the filter tow strips 14a and 14 b.

The respectively conveyed

filter groups

13a and 13b (which form the

filter tow bands

14a and 14b) are respectively placed onto a not shown wrapping material band, which is driven by a format band, which is schematically shown in fig. 3, for example. Subsequently, the filter tow is guided in the conveying direction 24 through a format device 17, in which format device 17 a wrapping material band is wound around each

filter tow

14a and 14b and stuck. Thus, wrapped filter tow strips 15a and 15b are formed. The filter tow strips 15a and 15b are cut in a cutting device 18.

The cutting device 18 is for example a rotating knife. From this, the

multiple filters

16a and 16b are then cut to length from the filter tow strips 15a and 15b, respectively. The

multi-segment filters

16a and 16b are then transported by the transport device 19 from the predominantly (vorlerschend) longitudinal transport direction in the strand forming apparatus 3 to the transverse transport direction 24. The conveyor 19 may be the applicant's dual track so-called star wheel (spine), which is common in dual track cigarette rod makers.

From the conveyor device 19, the lengths of

filter rods

16a and 16b arrive in a transverse axial continuous arrangement on a measuring drum 20, in or at which measuring drum 20 a sensor device 23 is arranged.

After the

multi-segment filters

16a and 16b have been measured (auscessen), these multi-segment filters that are defective are extracted in an extraction drum 21 (ausschleusen). The normal multi-segment filters are fed out (abgeben) by a feed-out drum 22.

Furthermore, the measuring device or sensor device 23 generates a measuring signal 28 which is supplied to the regulating device 27. The measurement signal 28 may include, for example, an indication of how far the position of one or more filter segments deviates from a desired and predeterminable position. From the signal 28 and/or from the measurement signals 71a and 71b provided by the sensors 70a and 70b, corresponding control signals 30 and 31 are generated, which control signals 30 and 31 are supplied to the

drives

25 and 26 of the

insertion wheels

11 and 12. Thereby, the speed of insertion of the

filter groups

13a and 13b can preferably be controlled. The adjusting device 27 can generate a control signal 29, which control signal 29 controls the drive of the cutting device 18.

Furthermore, in fig. 1, an illumination device 32 'is provided between the two

filter rods

15a and 15b at the respective sensor 70a and 70b, by means of which illumination device 32' electromagnetic radiation is radiated in the direction of the two

rods

15a and 15b in order to detect, in the transillumination method, where the filter segment or group of filter segments is located in the respective position in the

filter rods

15a and 15 b. The electromagnetic radiation is visible light, infrared light or ultraviolet light. Capacitive measurements may also be performed instead of detection with electromagnetic radiation, when for example the filter segment has activated carbon particles or is an acetate filter segment loaded with activated carbon. The sensor devices 70a and 70b may be provided as an alternative to the sensor 23 or may be additive.

The sensor device 23 is adapted such that the sensor device 23 alternately measures the

multi-segment filters

16a and 16b from the

filter rods

15a and 15b, so that the adjusting device 27 is always supplied alternately with measuring signals relating to the respective position of a filter segment or group of filter segments in the multi-segment filters. The control signals 30 and 31 supplied to the

drives

25 and 26 of the

insertion wheels

11 and 12 can now be used to change the position of the filter segments or groups of filter segments in order, for example in the case of two filter tow strips 15a and 15b, to perform the cutting as simultaneously as possible and thus to transfer the

segments

16a and 16b onto the output device 4 in approximately transverse axial alignment with one another. Alternatively, means may also be provided on the output device 4 to facilitate transport of misaligned multi-segment filters into cross-axially aligned multi-segment filters. For this purpose, for example, stops (Anschlag) can be used, for example, at the measuring cylinder 20.

As an alternative to the device according to the invention according to fig. 2, other embodiments can be provided at this time. Fig. 3 shows, for example, a further device according to the invention for conveying a transversely axially conveyed stream of filter segments or groups of filter segments arranged in a longitudinally axially continuous manner in a transversely axial conveyance into two longitudinally axially conveyed bundles of filter segments or groups of filter segments, schematically in a three-dimensional representation. Likewise, the two tracks of

groups

64 and 65 are fed by the transfer roller 5 onto the transfer roller 6 and onto the other transfer roller 6'. The two

rails

64 and 65 then arrive on the acceleration drum 7 in the exemplary embodiment of fig. 3 as in the exemplary embodiment according to fig. 2. From the acceleration drum 7, the filter segments or groups of filter segments of the

tracks

64 and 65 are received by the transfer drum 8 and the preceding track 65 or group of filters of the preceding track 65 is transferred onto the insertion wheel 12. The filter segments or groups of filter segments of the rear track 64 are also transferred onto the receiving drum 9 and from this receiving drum 9 onto the insertion wheel 11. The

insertion wheels

11 and 12 and the insertion wheel receiving arm 41 of the insertion wheel 91 of the following embodiments may be, for example, the same as in the document EP 1639907B 1 of the applicant. For this purpose, a crank-like (gekr mini-tape pft) guide can be provided in each case, so that the receptacles of the insertion wheel receptacle arms 41 and 41' are each arranged parallel to one another on their transport path. The axes of

rotation

92 and 93 of the

insertion wheels

11 and 12 are likewise shown schematically in fig. 3.

In the embodiment of fig. 3, the transfer cylinder 8 and the receiving cylinder 9 replace the double transfer cylinder 10 of fig. 2.

In particular, the embodiment according to fig. 1 to 3 (in which the insertion wheels or insertion devices, which may also be referred to as conveyors or conveying devices, are arranged in a V-shape) can be used equally efficiently for conveying longitudinally conveyed

bundles

14a and 14b of rod-shaped

articles

13a and 13b into one or two streams of transversely conveyed rod-shaped articles. This is also particularly useful for conveying tobacco strands or cigarettes from a longitudinal axial conveying direction into a transverse axial conveying direction. For this purpose, the tobacco strand is cut into rod-shaped articles (for example, cigarettes) before being transported, and the cigarettes themselves are then removed from the longitudinally conveyed tobacco strand by the

insertion devices

11 and 12 and transported on the

transport rollers

8 and 9 according to fig. 3 or on the transport roller 10 according to fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention. In this embodiment, the separation of the

rails

64 and 65 is performed directly after the transfer drum 6. That is to say, two receiving rollers 9 and 9 'are provided here, which receiving rollers 9 and 9' receive the

filter groups

13a and 13b of the front track 65 and of the rear track 64, respectively (as shown in fig. 4). The take-up drums 9 and 9' transfer the two tracks of groups of filters onto the containing

arms

84 and 85 of the acceleration drum 80. The acceleration roller 80 has two acceleration roller rings 83 and 83', respectively, which acceleration roller rings 83 and 83' have a plurality of receiving

arms

84 and 85, respectively. The housing recess of the group 13b of filters arranged to house the front track 65 executes a circular movement having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the circular movement of the housing of the group 13a of filters arranged to house the rear track 64. The difference in the radii of the circular motion coincides with the spacing of the formed filter tow strips 14a and 14 b.

The

insertion wheels

11 and 12 are provided in this embodiment with collinear axes of rotation 92 to 93. The insertion wheel 11 provided for forming the filter rod strand 14a has a larger radius than the insertion wheel 12 provided for forming the filter rod strand 14 b. Accordingly, the insertion wheel receiving arm 41 'or the receiving recess of the insertion wheel receiving arm 41' is arranged closer to the axis of rotation of the acceleration drum 80 with a spacing that corresponds to the spacing of the

filter tow bands

14a and 14b being formed. Thereby, an efficient transport of the

filter groups

13a and 13b can be performed by a single side, wherein the

insertion wheels

11 and 12 can always still be driven independently of each other. This is a particularly obvious and well-visible embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5a shows a further embodiment of the invention in a schematic three-dimensional representation. The same design is schematically shown in a front view in fig. 5 b. The

tracks

64 and 65 of the filter groups are respectively carried by the

transfer rollers

5 and 6 onto the acceleration roller 7. Starting from the acceleration roller 7, the two

tracks

64 and 65 formed by the

filter groups

13a and 13b run onto a transport roller 90, which transport roller 90 has two roller rings 88 and 89, the axes of rotation of the roller rings 88 and 89 or the circular track axes 114 and 115 thereof being arranged offset from one another, more precisely in particular in the direction of the double insertion wheel 91. In this way, during the transport of the filter groups, a desired spacing of the

accommodation grooves

62 and 63 provided on each double accommodation arm 87 is made possible. The corresponding receiving recess 60 of the receiving arm 86 of the rear roller ring 88 is correspondingly also clearly shown in fig. 5 b. Furthermore, the receiving recess 61 of the front roller ring 88 is correspondingly also shown in fig. 5 b. By loading or transferring the

groups

13a and 13b of filters onto the double insertion wheel 91, a very good visibility is also provided during the transfer. Alternatively, the rear drum ring 88 can have a receiving arm 86, which receiving arm 86 is designed to be movable, movable or movable radially outward, so that the receiving recess of the receiving arm 86 provided for this purpose is aligned longitudinally and axially with the receiving recess of the adjacent drum ring 89 when the filter group 13b is conveyed from the acceleration drum 7. In this case, the

axes

114 and 115 should be on top of each other.

Fig. 6 shows a further schematic three-dimensional representation of a further embodiment according to the invention of the device according to the invention, in which the

filter segments

13a and 13b are arranged from a single side on an insertion wheel 91 with double receiving arms 87. In this embodiment, the filter segment tracks 64 and 65 are split after the transfer roller 6 onto two receiving rollers 9 and 9 'and subsequently transferred onto an acceleration roller 80 with two acceleration roller rings 83 and 83'. The acceleration roller ring is equipped with receiving

arms

84 and 85, the receiving recesses 60 and 61 of which receiving

arms

84 and 85 move on an imaginary (gedacht) circular outer cylinder (Aussenmantel) or in a circular manner, respectively, wherein the diameter of the circular recess 61 generated by the movement of the acceleration roller ring 83 is smaller than the diameter of the recess 60 of the acceleration roller ring 83'. In this way, the desired spacing of the

groups

13a and 13b of filters is obtained when transferring into the pockets of the double containing arm 87 of the insertion wheel 91.

Fig. 7 is a schematic three-dimensional illustration of a double transfer cylinder 10 with a corresponding drive mechanism according to the present invention. The double transfer cylinder 10 has a first grooved ring 100 and a second grooved ring 101 with

respective grooves

61 and 60, which are driven in a reverse manner as indicated by the arrows. The first grooved ring 100 is directly driven by a motor 102, a gear 105, a toothed belt 104 and a gear 106. The second groove ring 101 is directly driven by another motor 103 in a reverse manner to the first groove ring 100. The axis of rotation or axis of rotation is designated 94.

Fig. 8 shows a very schematic cross-sectional representation of another embodiment of a double transfer cylinder 10 according to the invention, which double transfer cylinder 10 can likewise be used in fig. 2, however, in which double transfer cylinder 10 only the first motor 102 is used. The first motor 102 is connected to a gear 105, and the gear 105 is engaged with a gear 106 or a gear ring 106 via a toothed belt. The gear 106 or gear ring 106 drives the first grooved ring 100 directly through the housing. The second grooved ring 101 is driven by a transmission rod (dest ä nge) connected to a gear wheel 112, which is fixed in the housing in the

brackets

110 and 111, via an inner gear ring 113.

All the mentioned features, even if taken individually from the drawings, and the individual features disclosed in combination with other features, are considered to be essential to the invention both individually and in combination (erfindungswollenlich). Embodiments according to the invention can be realized by means of individual features or combinations of features.

Claims

1. A conveyor drum (10) of the tobacco processing industry for conveying two flows (64,65) of rod-shaped products (13a,13b, F1, F2) of the tobacco processing industry transversely to the axial direction, characterized in that the flows (64,65) are conveyable on one and the same conveyor drum (10) in opposite directions to each other, wherein for each flow (64,65) a peripheral ring (100,101) is provided at one and the same conveyor drum (10), on which peripheral ring (100,101) there is arranged a receiving groove (60,61) for the rod-shaped products (F1, F2,13a,13b) of the respective flow (64,65), wherein the two peripheral rings (100,101) are driven in opposite directions.

2. The transfer drum (10) according to claim 1, wherein the receiving groove (60,61) is arranged parallel to the axis of rotation (94) of the peripheral ring (100, 101).

3. The transfer drum (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that a drive (102) for two circumferential rings (100,101) is provided, wherein at least one rotation transfer element (112) is provided more for a first circumferential ring (101) than for a second circumferential ring (100).

4. The transfer drum (10) according to claim 1, wherein for each circumferential ring (100,101) a separate drive (102,103) is provided.

5. A machine for manufacturing multi-segment filters (16a,16b) of the tobacco processing industry with a transfer drum (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that a filter segment organizing device (2) is provided, said filter segment organizing device (2) being arranged upstream of the transfer drum (10) according to any of claims 1 to 4.

7. Machine according to claim 6, characterized in that said filter segment organizing means (2) organizes and conveys groups (13a,13b) of filter segments (F1, F2) conveyed axially by the transverse axes of two tracks (66, 67).

8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the group (13a) of filter segments (F1, F2) of one track (66) is arranged longitudinally axially behind the group (13b) of filter segments (F1, F2) of the other track (67), respectively.