DE102004031185A1 - Process to impart ink jet mark to filter cigarettes by rotating wheel slowed during inkjet expulsion - Google Patents

Abstract

In a process to apply a printed mark to individual filter cigarettes, the cigarettes are raised to a print station at a steady speed by a lifting wheel. On arrival at the print station and exposure to the print cartridge, the wheel rotation slows and during expulsion of the ink jet the cigarette is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for applying print marks on a rod-shaped Article of the tobacco processing industry, especially cigarette or filter cigarette single or multiple use length, wherein the article with a predetermined conveying speed on a conveying member promoted and a print mark on the article by means of a printing device is applied. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for applying print marks to a rod-shaped article of tobacco processing Industry, as well as a machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter attachment machine or packaging machine of tobacco manufacturing industry.

When rod-shaped Article in the sense of the invention are cigarettes with and without filters as well as all other rod-shaped smoking articles to understand their serving strips printed or is, wherein the appearing on the article imprint First and foremost a brand. Such an imprint or Stamp is a flashy quality feature This article requires special attention the components and production conditions necessary for its production, such as the type and condition of the ink used and its delivery, transfer and distribution up to the order on the wrapping strip.

Out the prior art are printing units for the application of print marks on a serving strip known to the tobacco processing industry. For example on cigarette paper strips in a cigarette rod machine with a printing roller an imprint on a cigarette paper strip printed. In the stranding machine rod-shaped articles such as cigarettes, Cigarillos, cigars or filter rods or the like in the strand process produced. Become by means of the serving strip the tobacco strands wrapped in the cigarette rod machine, the used wrapping strip Have print marks or printed images, e.g. Cigarette brands, Manufacturer name or other indications.

Of Furthermore, from DE-C-34 11 511 a method for applying Markings on the outside a cigarette wrap known.

outgoing from this prior art, it is an object of the present invention that reliable Applying print images or print marks on rod-shaped articles the tobacco processing industry during and / or after their manufacture or completion.

Is solved this task in a method for applying print marks on a rod-shaped Article of the tobacco processing industry, especially cigarette or filter cigarette single or multiple use length, wherein the article with a predetermined conveying speed on one conveying member promoted is applied and a print mark on the article by means of a printing device becomes, by, that for applying the print mark of the articles in rotation about its longitudinal axis is offset, taking the relative conveying speed of the article is reduced or reduced with respect to the printing device is.

During the Applying the print mark on the article is or will according to the invention the (translational) conveying or transport speed of the article on the conveying member reduced, so that a secure print of the print mark takes place. For this purpose, the rod-shaped article to be printed on the conveying member for rotation before and during brought about the application of the print mark, whereby the relative transport speed between the sponsored Article and the printing device is reduced or is while that conveying member at constant speed, the other leading and trailing Article transported.

One uniform imprint on the article is achieved by the article by means of a rolling device whose conveying direction against the conveying direction the article is formed, is set in rotation, so that the article to be printed in the area of the printing device quasi position neutral to the printing device is held while the conveying member in the conveying direction is moved and at the same time the article a rolling motion or rotation about its longitudinal axis on the conveyor organ performs.

advantageously, is the rolling device, in particular synchronously to the conveying member, driven.

Preferably, during the application of the printing mark, the rolling device is driven at the same conveying speed as the conveying member, so that the rotating article to be printed is held by the rolling device and the conveying member in a printing position in the region of the printing device. When printing the translational conveying speed of the article is reduced to zero, wherein the peripheral speed of the article of the peripheral speed of a Rollnocken designed as Rollninrichtung or the peripheral speed of the conveyor drum as a conveying member, since the article between the Rolleinrich tion and the conveying member is rotationally positioned.

For this It is advantageous if the item is in its position during the Applying the print mark on the conveying member is changed.

Especially The article is on a conveyor drum or a conveyor belt promoted.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the article by means of a pressure roller printed and rotated. This is done by means of Pressure roller at the same time the article with a print mark provided and simultaneously rotated.

Of Furthermore, it is advantageous if the print mark of a stationary Printing device is applied to the article.

In addition, will the method advantageously further developed in that the on the article applied print mark by means of a drying device, in particular heat source and / or UV light source, dried. Thus, the drying process becomes significant accelerated.

The Task is further in a device for applying print marks on a rod-shaped Article of the tobacco processing industry, especially cigarette or filter cigarette single or multiple use length, with a promotional body to promote the article with a predetermined conveying speed and a Printing device for applying a printed mark to the article, solved by that the article during the application of the print mark rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis is and that the relative conveying speed the article reducible with respect to the printing device or is reduced.

To it is provided that the article by means of a rolling device, their conveying direction against the conveying direction of the article is rotatable.

Further is it cheap if a drive for the rolling device is provided.

Especially is the drive for the rolling device with the conveying member synchronized or synchronized, resulting in a simple Handling of the article to be printed during printing results.

During the Applying the print mark corresponds to the circumferential or conveying speed of Rolling device of the peripheral or conveying speed of the conveying member, so that the article is position neutral, i. without translatory Advancement, is held rotating in the region of the printing device.

Preferably is the rolling device as a conveyor belt or designed as a roll cam.

In an alternative embodiment is the rolling device as a pressure member, preferably as a pressure roller trained, so that at the same time puts the article in rotation is held as well as rotating and at the same time an imprint on the article is executed by the pressure member.

advantageously, For this purpose, the printing device is arranged stationary.

Further it is preferred if the printing device is a printer cartridge, In particular, inkjet printer cartridge having. Thus, one is contactless Application, e.g. a brand, otherwise in the office process used printing method allows especially gentle for the Cigarette is. Furthermore you can using water-soluble inks with the inkjet printing process and unwanted oil components be avoided.

Of Furthermore, a preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized from that the promoter in the area of the applied print mark on the article a recess or recess, so that the applied print marks dry well and without smears on the conveyor.

Especially is as a promotional body for the Article a conveyor drum or a conveyor belt intended.

Around to accelerate the drying process of a freshly applied print mark, is for the device in one embodiment a drying device, especially heat source and / or UV light source, provided for drying the print mark.

Farther the task is solved by a machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular Filter attachment machine or packaging machine of tobacco processing Industry, with an inventive device described above is provided. While and / or after completion of a rod-shaped article, the rod-shaped article, e.g. Filter cigarette double use length, at the filter attachment machine be printed. Alternatively, the printing of the article or the filter cigarette before packaging the article on a packaging machine done in a cigarette box.

The Invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive concept of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached schematic drawings described by way of example, to the rest with respect to the Revelation of all unspecified in the text details of the invention expressly referred becomes. Show it:

1 schematically in a side view an arrangement of a printing device on a conveyor drum of the tobacco processing industry;

2a . 2 B one embodiment of a printing device for printing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry according to the in 1 embodiment shown;

3 in a side view an alternative arrangement of a printing device on a conveyor drum of the tobacco processing industry and

4 a cross section through the in 3 shown printing device.

In The figures are each the same or similar elements or corresponding parts provided with the same reference numerals, so that is refrained from a corresponding renewed idea.

1 shows a side view of an arrangement with a conveyor drum 12 and a printing device 20 for printing on the conveyor drum promoted rod-shaped article 10 , From a conveying member, not shown here are as rod-shaped article 10 Filter cigarettes double use length to the conveyor drum 12 to hand over.

The drum body of the conveyor drum 12 is by footbridges 13 divided, between which are rolling surface sections 14 extend. The rolling surface sections 14 are on both sides in the area of the bridges 13 through the double filter cigarettes 10 receiving and transported in the conveying direction holding troughs, open into which Saugluftbohrungen. After transfer to the conveyor drum 12 are the double filter cigarettes 10 arranged at the front in the conveying direction holding troughs. Then the double filter cigarettes 10 to the printing device 20 promoted.

The printing device 20 has one or more roll cams 21 (see. 2a . 2 B ), by a drive, not shown here opposite to the conveying direction of the conveyor drum 12 is rotated. By having a double filter cigarette 10 from the diametrically attacking rolling surfaces of the roller surface sections which are moved in opposite directions at the same peripheral speed 14 and the rolling surface of the cam 21 is applied, there is a rotation of the double filter cigarette 10 at a standstill about its longitudinal axis. During the period of its rotation, the double filter cigarette becomes 10 in the engagement area of the roll cam 21 from the printer cartridge 22 printed.

Due to the fact that the double filter cigarette to be printed 10 in the engagement area of the roll cam 21 gets the double filter cigarette 10 set in rotation while reducing the relative conveying speed with respect to the printing device and the translational transport speed. When the conveyor drum 12 and the roll cams 21 are driven at the same peripheral speed, in particular synchronously, is the double filter cigarette 10 below the printer cartridge 22 under continuous rotation held stationary or position neutral, so that an imprint on the peripheral surface of a tipping paper or the cigarette paper of the article 10 can be done.

Due to the unwinding of the double filter cigarette 10 at the front holding trough rolls the double filter cigarette 10 on the rolling surface section 14 from and passes to the printing process to the rear-side holding trough of the trailing ridge 13 , whereby a position shift of the double filter cigarette 10 on the rolling surface section 14 the broadened recording of the conveyor drum 12 is performed. After printing the double filter cigarettes 10 become the double filter cigarettes 10 handed over to other funding agencies.

In 2a and 2 B are each cross-sectional views of an embodiment of the printing device 20 shown.

2a shows a printing device 20 , by means of the internal areas of a double filter cigarette 10 with an internal double-length filter plug 11 be printed. These are the roll cams 21 arranged in the region of the outer tobacco stems. By means of the two printer cartridges 22 become print marks on the double cigarette 10 applied. The both sides of the double filter cigarette 10 arranged roll cams 21 are driven synchronously with each other.

In 2a is an embodiment of the printing device 20 shown by means of the outer areas of a double-length filter cigarette 10 be printed, with two individual filters are arranged on both sides of a double-length tobacco rod outside.

The conveyor drum 12 according to the embodiment in 2a as in 2 B has in the Range of printer cartridges 22 or the applied print marks on the double filter cigarette 10 about recesses 15 , whereby an applied imprint on the double filter cigarette 10 free from smudges. Alternatively, a color drying of the ink by supplying hot air or UV light may be provided.

In 2 B has the printing device 20 via a central roll cam 21 and two outer thin roll cams 23 , wherein the double filter cigarette 10 having external filter plug. Here, the print marks are printed in the seam area of the filter plugs arranged on the outside.

In 3 is schematically an alternative embodiment of a printing device 20 shown. In a closed housing 31 is a color supply 32 introduced by means of a rotating ink transfer roller 33 Color on the stamp area of the roll pressure roller 34 transfers.

By means of the rotating driven pressure roller 34 be in the work area of the pressure roller 34 subsidized double filter cigarettes 10 brought to rotation. At the same time in the area of the stamp areas of the pressure roller 34 (see. 4 ) Print marks on the rotating double filter cigarette 10 applied. By the rotation of the double filter cigarettes 10 finds a position shift of the double filter cigarettes 10 on the conveyor drum 12 instead, so that after execution of printing the double filter cigarettes 10 be absorbed by the rear holding troughs in the conveying direction.

4 shows a cross section through the printing device 20 according to 3 , The pressure roller 34 has the width of the double filter cigarette 10 over two outer cam areas 35 , In the area of the joints of tobacco rod and the double-length filter plug 11 indicates the pressure roller 34 stamp areas 36 on, the sections on the circumference of the pressure roller 34 are formed and color from the associated ink transfer rollers 33 receive. Another roll cam area 37 is between the two stamp areas 36 educated.

According to the invention it is provided that the manufactured rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry, eg filter cigarettes, between the printing device 20 and the funding body 12 be held stationary and by the stationary unwinding of the article on the conveyor 12 the articles are provided with a lettering or the like. The print mark or lettering is applied to the circumference of the articles or cigarettes, wherein several imprints can be applied to a filter cigarette of multiple use length simultaneously.

For one impeccable imprint are the start time and the printing speed with the machine cycle of a machine of the tobacco processing industry synchronized. Furthermore are the invention variations in the stamping position during printing reduced or avoided. Furthermore Is it possible, a stamp imprint flexible, i. optionally on a filter or on the tobacco rod by an axial displacement of the printing device or the printhead apply. By using sufficient wide printheads or printer cartridges can also be a stamp on the perimeter of a rod-shaped Article are applied at a predetermined location.

10

Double filter cigarette

11

double-length filter plug

12

conveyor drum

13

web

14

Rolling surface section

15

recess

20

print Setup

21

roll cams

22

Print cartridge

23

roll cams

31

casing

32

color stock

33

Ink transfer roller

34

pressure roller

35

Roll cam area

36

stamp area

37

Roll cam area

Claims (22)

Method for applying print marks to a rod-shaped article ( 10 ) of the tobacco processing industry, in particular cigarette or filter cigarette ( 10 ) single or multiple use length, the article ( 10 ) with a predetermined conveying speed on a conveying member ( 12 ) and a print mark on the article ( 10 ) by means of a printing device ( 20 ) is applied, characterized in that for the application of the print mark of the article ( 10 ) is set in rotation about its longitudinal axis, wherein the relative conveying speed of the article ( 10 ) with respect to the printing device ( 20 ) is reduced or is. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the article ( 10 ) by means of a rolling device ( 21 . 23 . 34 ), whose conveying direction counter to the conveying direction of the article ( 10 ) is formed, is set in rotation. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the rolling device ( 21 . 23 . 34 ), in particular special synchronous to the conveyor ( 12 ), is driven A method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that during the application of the print mark the rolling device ( 21 . 23 . 34 ) with the same conveying speed as the conveying member ( 12 ) is driven. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the article ( 10 ) in its position on the conveyor ( 12 ) is changed during the application of the print mark. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the article ( 10 ) on a conveyor drum ( 12 ) or a conveyor belt. Method according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the article ( 10 ) by means of a pressure roller ( 34 ) is printed and rotated. Method according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the print mark of a stationary printing device ( 20 ) is applied. Method according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the print mark by means of a drying device, in particular heat source and / or UV light source is dried. Device for applying print marks to a rod-shaped article ( 10 ) of the tobacco processing industry, in particular cigarette or filter cigarette ( 10 ) single or multiple use length, with a conveying member ( 12 ) to promote the article ( 10 ) having a predetermined conveying speed and a printing device ( 20 ) for applying a print mark to the article, characterized in that the article ( 10 ) is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis during the application of the print mark and that the relative conveying speed of the article ( 10 ) with respect to the printing device ( 20 ) is reducible or reduced. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the article ( 10 ) by means of a rolling device ( 21 . 23 . 34 ), whose conveying direction counter to the conveying direction of the article ( 10 ) is rotatable. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that a drive for the rolling device ( 21 . 23 . 34 ) is provided. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the drive for the rolling device ( 21 . 23 . 34 ) with the funding body ( 12 ) is synchronized or synchronizable. Device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that during the application of the print mark the conveying speed of the rolling device ( 21 . 23 . 34 ) the conveying speed of the conveying member ( 12 ) corresponds. Device according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the rolling device ( 21 . 23 . 34 ) as a conveyor belt or as a rolling cam ( 21 . 23 ) is trained. Device according to one or more of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the rolling device ( 21 . 23 . 34 ) as a pressure element ( 34 ), preferably pressure roller ( 34 ), is trained. Device according to one or more of Claims 10 to 16, characterized in that the pressure device ( 20 ) is arranged stationary. Device according to one or more of Claims 10 to 17, characterized in that the pressure device ( 20 ) a printer cartridge ( 22 ), in particular inkjet printer cartridge ( 22 ), having. Device according to one or more of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that the conveying member ( 12 ) in the area of the applied print mark on the article ( 10 ) a recess ( 15 ) or recess ( 15 ) having. Device according to one or more of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that a drying device, in particular heat source and / or UV light source provided for drying the print mark is. Device according to one or more of claims 10 to 20, characterized in that as conveying member ( 12 ) for the article ( 10 ) a conveyor drum ( 12 ) or a conveyor belt is provided. Machine of the tobacco processing industry, in particular filter attachment machine or packaging machine of the tobacco processing industry, with A device according to one or more of claims 10 to 21st