DE102008020575B4 - perforation - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for perforating rod-shaped articles (16), in particular cigarettes, comprising an outer casing (14) with a drum (12) rotating about its axis (10), on the outer peripheral surface of which the rod-shaped articles (16) can be positioned and unrolled a device (18) cooperating in particular with the drum (12) for rolling the rod-shaped articles (16) about their axis, wherein the rod-shaped articles (16) when viewed about their axis in the circumferential direction of the drum (12) each at least substantially one occupy a fixed position, and with a device (22) for acting on the outer casing (14) of the rod-shaped articles (16) with laser radiation continuously operated during the treatment of a respective rolling about its axis rod-shaped article (16) laser (26) and a polygon rotating mirror (28) on which a laser beam (30) incident, said laser beam (30) through the polygon D the beam is focussable on the outer envelope (14) of a respective rod-shaped article (16) so that for the different beam paths (32) in the longitudinal direction of a respective rod-shaped article (16 considered) give different positions of the respective foci on the outer sheath (14).

Description

The invention relates to a device for perforation of rod-shaped articles, in particular cigarettes, which in each case comprise an outer envelope. It further relates to a plant for the production and / or treatment of cigarettes with at least one such perforation device.

Machine combinations for cigarette production, in particular filter cigarette production, hereinafter referred to as cigarette maker, usually comprise a distributor unit, a strand unit and a filter piecing. The distributor unit produces an uncovered tobacco rod of defined density and composition in a continuous process and supplies it to the strand unit for wrapping with paper. There, the strand is then cut into so-called tobacco sticks. The filter applicator completes the tobacco sticks with filters and tipping paper.

For so-called light cigarettes, the tipping paper is usually perforated in order to achieve an air admixture and, correspondingly, a reduction of, among other things, nicotine and tar concentration.

The perforation can be carried out on the tiling paper component, for example during an upstream, independent refining process, or in the cigarette manufacturing process after the components have been brought together, that is after the application of the tipping paper. For the perforations of the component tiling paper a high accuracy and a high hole density are required. With appropriate perforations, especially cigarettes are equipped with large market volumes.

For perforation after compounding of the components, it is common practice to perforate double cigarettes on a rotating drum, also called roll drum, before they are separated by a central cut in single cigarettes. On the roller drum, each individual double cigarette is fixed by means of a corresponding mechanism, such as a rolling cam, while the perforation under the Perforationsköpfen fixed rotated by about 360 ° to distribute the holes around the circumference. The perforation of double cigarettes offers the advantage of a larger compared to the perforation of single cigarettes time window with the same production capacity of the cigarette maker. The perforation of single cigarettes is possible in principle by the same method, possibly also outside the filter attachment machine in a separate machine or device. However, twice the number of perforation heads is required to perforate double cigarettes.

So far, the perforations after merging of the components on lower hole densities and larger hole diameter, which often also has a poorer hole quality and accuracy. On the other hand, such a perforation after the merging of the components offers the possibility of adjustability of the perforation parameters directly on the machine and thus allows a rapid adaptation to the respective production requirements as well as a more flexible use of the machine. Such a perforation after merging of the components is therefore particularly suitable for smaller production quantities.

From the DE 35 10 088 A1 a device for drilling holes in rod-shaped objects, in particular cigarettes, is known, in which the objects are accommodated in troughs, which are rotatably mounted around their axes radially on the outside of a drum. The drum rotates about its axis, with rotating drum, the troughs and corresponding objects not only each rotate about its own axis, but are also simultaneously moved in the circumferential direction of the drum with the drum. Each of the troughs is associated with a converging lens, wherein the collecting lenses are moved in the circumferential direction of the drum with the drum. When the drum rotates, a pulsating light beam, which is generated by a pulsating light source, impinges successively on the collecting lenses. The light beam from the pulsating light source is reflected by a reflection device located between the pulsating light source and the drum and formed by a truncated pyramid having a plurality of flat mirror surfaces. The reflection device rotates together with the drum around the drum axis. The collecting lenses move together with the light beam with the rotating drum in the circumferential direction. In this case, the light beam is focused by the converging lenses on the circumference of the objects, which rotate together with the wells about their axes and are simultaneously moved in the circumferential direction of the drum with the drum. In order to perforate several objects at the same time, the light beam coming from the pulsating light source is split by means of a splitter mirror arrangement.

In the DE 27 51 522 A1 [0006] There is described an apparatus for producing a zone of desired air permeability in a wrapping material strip for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in which the articles are transported on a roller conveyed cross conveyor to which is assigned a fixed counter rolling surface formed by a rolling block in the region thereof Device for tracking or pivoting the articles during their Promotion and self-rotation acting laser beam is provided.

The device for pivoting the laser beam consists of planar mirrors arranged on the circumference of a drum driven in rotation, which guide the incident laser beam against the articles. In this case, each impulse of the pulsed laser light impinging on the mirror arrangement during the overrunning of a respective article is assigned to another incident or outgoing angle of a mirror, each effecting the vertical impingement of the laser beam on the article. To introduce another row of holes another laser or a beam splitter is required. In particular, in connection with a variable hole size in the perforation of tipping paper strips laser heads are also mentioned, which may include a perforated mask or a perforated drum to produce a pulsed laser instead of interrupting the power supply, the hole pattern on the drum, the size, number and arrangement the holes in the tipping paper strip.

In the DE 692 10 339 T2 there is described an apparatus for perforating continuous strip cigarette sheet material in which a pulsed laser beam is produced by means of a continuous laser beam prism focused on the strip by means of a focusing head. In this case, the laser beam can be focused on different planes, each cutting the path along which the sheet material is transported, and are inclined with respect to the running direction of the strip. For splitting the laser at the different levels, the focusing head comprises a beam splitter. For movement of the laser beam in the planes, the focusing optics and the beam splitter are continuously rotated about an axis.

In the DE 101 52 526 B4 a device for treating a substrate formed by a moving material web is described by means of laser radiation, in which an incident laser beam is reflected by a rotating mirror and focused on the material web via an array of juxtaposed focusing lenses.

In the DE 10 2006 013 929 A1 For example, an apparatus for perforating an envelope of a rod-shaped article is described in which a pulsed laser beam is focused by means of divider mirrors on different areas of the rotating rod-shaped article.

In the DE 102 25 387 B4 a device for the treatment of a substrate formed by a moving material web is described by means of laser radiation, in which an incident laser beam is reflected by a rotating mirror in different beam paths and the beam paths is assigned a common focusing lens, on the respective rays viewed in the transverse direction of the moving web be focused on different positions.

In the EP 1 533 068 B1 a device for perforation of rod-shaped articles is described in which are incident on a polygon mirror pulsed laser beams on the polygon mirror in each beam paths reflected, the rays of which are focused on the on a counter to the rotational direction of the rotating polygon mirror drum-promoted rod-shaped article, wherein for the different beam paths of a respective laser beam in the circumferential direction of the rotating on the drum rod-shaped article considered different positions of the respective focus on their envelope yield. In order to produce perforations in two different areas viewed in the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped articles, the polygon mirror must be subjected to two pulsed laser beams each.

In the DE 37 05 627 A1 a device for rolling and perforating rod-shaped article is described in which the rod-shaped articles are each rotated in a rolling area between a rolling drum and a counter-rotating counter-drum so that they remain stationary when rolling in the circumferential direction of the rolling drum or relative to its axis. To perforate different zones, a pulsed laser beam is split by splitter mirrors. The different sub-beams are fed to different distributed over the circumference radiation heads. By the radiation heads are offset by 120 ° from each other, a respective rod-shaped article for a complete annular perforation only has to be rotated by a third of its circumference.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved perforation device and an improved system of the type mentioned, in which the aforementioned disadvantages are eliminated.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device for perforation of rod-shaped articles, in particular cigarettes, comprising an outer envelope, with a drum rotating about its axis, on whose outer circumference the rod-shaped articles can be positioned, with a device cooperating in particular with the drum for rolling the rod-shaped article about its axis, wherein the rod-shaped article considered when rolling about its axis in the circumferential direction of the drum in each case at least in Substantially occupy a fixed position, and with a means for applying the laser beam to the outer envelope of the rod-shaped articles with a laser continuously operated during the treatment of a respective rolling about its axis rod-shaped article and a rotating polygonal mirror through which an incident laser beam in different beam paths is reflectable, whose rays are focused on the outer envelope of a respective rod-shaped article that arise for the different beam paths in the longitudinal direction of a respective rod-shaped article considered different positions of the respective Foki on the outer sheath.

Due to this design, the laser light is split into a plurality of quasi-simultaneous processing points on the outer envelope of a respective rod-shaped article, at the same time from the continuous light of the laser short pulses of very high frequency are generated. The high pulse repetition rate results in correspondingly high processing speeds. Despite the use of less or only a single laser, an almost simultaneous application of the substrate in several target areas on the outer envelope is possible. As a result, the use of multiple lasers is no longer required, corresponding cost and space can be saved. In particular, beam splitting by so-called beam splitters is no longer necessary, which would be disadvantageous insofar as the resulting partial beams would have a correspondingly lower intensity, which is no longer sufficient for certain processing methods. Moreover, the partial beams would also have an alternating, that is, in any case, different intensity and / or spatial intensity distribution. For beam splitters, for example, the different influence on the beam profile is often the main problem, especially in the case of contamination (beam geometry). In contrast, a certain relatively high and constant intensity of the perforation causing laser light beam is ensured due to the formation of the invention.

A preferred practical embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the incident laser beam is reflected by the polygonal rotating mirror in different beam paths, which are selected so that the beam of one or more of these beam paths on each of a first section and the beam one or the beams of a plurality of these beam paths can each be focused onto a further section of a respective rod-shaped multiple article, which is subsequently separated into shorter articles corresponding to the different sections.

Conveniently, the incident laser beam is reflected by the polygonal rotating mirror in one or more groups of different beam paths, which in the case of only a single beam path group this is provided for the treatment of simple, retaining their original length rod-shaped articles and in the case of multiple beam path groups for rod-shaped Multiple articles are provided, which are then each separated into a corresponding number of shorter articles.

According to an advantageous practical embodiment of the device according to the invention, the incident laser beam is pivotable by the polygonal rotating mirror via at least one arrangement of adjacent focusing lenses viewed in the longitudinal direction of a respective rod-shaped article which are arranged at a distance corresponding to their focal length from the respective rod-shaped article to be treated.

In this case, the device may for example be designed so that at least a part of the beam paths and preferably each beam path is assigned in each case a separate focusing lens. Consequently, in the simplest embodiment, for example, only two beam paths can be provided, to each of which a separate focusing lens is assigned.

Advantageously, however, at least two beam paths can also be assigned a common focusing lens, by means of which the respective beams can be focused at the respective positions on the outer envelope of a respective rod-shaped article. Thus, a plurality of machining tracks with only one focusing optics can be generated quasi-simultaneously and essentially without any geometric offset in the rolling direction of the rod-shaped articles.

In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the incident laser beam can be reflected by the polygonal rotating mirror into one or more groups of respectively different beam paths, and for at least one beam path group a focusing lens which is common to their beam paths is provided.

Preferably, at least one arrangement of juxtaposed collimator lenses is provided between the polygonal rotating mirror and the arrangement of adjacent focusing lenses or the common focusing lens associated with at least two beam paths, which are arranged at a distance corresponding to their focal length from the polygonal rotating mirror.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the polygonal rotating mirror is subdivided into at least two areas having a different number of facets and is adjustable such that different areas can be introduced into the beam path of the incident laser beam and correspondingly different sweep or fan angles of the polygon Rotary mirror reflected laser beam are adjustable. Due to this design, it is possible with minimal effort, for example, to switch very quickly and practically during production between two or more with respect to their facet number different polygonal mirror areas. In this case, the polygonal rotating mirror can be adjustable in particular by means of a motorized or manually operable positioning device.

The incident laser beam is expediently focused on the polygonal rotating mirror by means of an entrance lens arrangement comprising a plurality of lenses arranged one behind the other. In this case, advantageously at least two each one or more successively arranged lenses comprising entrance lens assemblies of different focal length pre-adjusted lens mounts are assigned, in which they by means of respective movement units defined by the respective pre-adjusted lens holders different distances to the collimator lens arrangement in the beam path can be introduced or removed from this to change the size of the focal spot area of the adjacent focusing lenses or of the common focusing lens assigned to at least two beam paths accordingly. In this case, at least one entrance lens arrangement can also be formed, for example, by a Varto objective with a continuously adjustable focal length.

In such an embodiment, a reliable and rapid change between different hole diameter ranges is possible in a relatively simple manner. A corresponding "switching" between the different hole diameter ranges is practically possible during production. In this case, both a switching of individual lenses and a switching of lens combinations with the purpose of changing the total focal length is conceivable. In particular, it is also possible to use at least one varifocal lens, that is to say in particular a lens combination which can be adjusted manually or by way of a motor, for example, to change the total focal length of the lens system. The respective switching can take place, for example, via an electronic control device provided with the corresponding software. The relevant control device can be programmable. The movement units may be, for example, manual, motor or pneumatic units.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, an opto-mechanical switch and / or variator is provided in at least one of the beam path sections formed between the polygonal rotating mirror and the adjacent focusing lenses or the at least two beam paths, through which the relevant beam path section can be interrupted or the position of the respective focus on the outer casing is variable. This not only makes it possible to interrupt the respective perforation zones at any point as long as desired. It is also an even distribution of perforations possible. The perforation patterns can be produced with a larger hole spacing than heretofore without the roll speed of the rod-shaped articles and the energy per hole having to be significantly changed. While the perforation tracks were previously arranged in principle in rows with relatively small hole spacing, now arbitrarily larger distances are possible, the hole spacing can be increased in particular variable. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to produce a particular arbitrarily adjustable disorder of the perforation pattern, that is to say in particular a kind of "chaos perforation" in which a particular freely programmable "shaky" or "prancing" single track results instead of a respective straight perforation track. In principle, in each case one opto-mechanical switch or variator can be provided in each of the beam path sections formed between the polygon rotating mirror and the adjacent focusing lenses or the at least two beam paths associated with the common focusing lens. In this case, each of these beam path sections can be influenced in the desired manner.

In particular, electronic and / or mechanical means are preferably provided in order to synchronize the rolling speed of a respective rod-shaped article with the rotational speed of the polygonal rotating mirror. In this case, the hole spacing can be determined by the rotational speed of the polygonal rotating mirror.

The drum and / or the rolling device are expediently designed and / or controlled so that a respective rod-shaped article in the fixed position by a predetermined angle, preferably at least substantially rotated by 360 ° about its axis and then transported by the rotating drum ,

For example, the rolling means may comprise a rolling cam or the like cooperating with the drum.

Advantageously, electronic and / or mechanical means are also provided for synchronizing the starting and / or stopping time of the laser application with the phase during which a respective rod-shaped article is rolled, and / or the phase of further transport by the rotating drum.

Thus, for example, be taken into account the fact that after a respective rolling of a cigarette mechanically transported for a short time by the rotating drum and moved out of the processing area of the laser radiation and the next cigarette has to be promoted and rolled, including the rest continuously operated laser must be interrupted briefly.

With particular advantage, the device according to the invention for perforating cigarettes with mouthpiece, in particular filter cigarettes, executed, wherein the outer casing to be perforated in each case in particular tamping paper, glue, filter wrapping paper and / or the like and surrounds the mouthpiece of a respective cigarette. The surrounding the Filterazetat enclosure may therefore contain except padding paper in addition in particular wrapping paper and glue layers.

The device according to the invention is preferably provided for the treatment of simple cigarettes which retain their original length and / or for the treatment of multiple cigarettes, in particular double cigarettes, which are each separated into individual cigarettes.

In this case, the incident laser beam can be reflected by the polygonal rotating mirror in different beam paths, which are selected so that the beam of one or more of these beam paths each on a first section and the beam of one or more of these beam paths each to another Section of a respective multiple cigarette, in particular double cigarette, are focusable.

In this case, for example, such a design is conceivable in which at least a part of the beam paths and preferably each beam path is assigned in each case a separate focusing lens.

If the device is provided, for example, for the treatment of double cigarettes, such embodiments are conceivable, among other things, in which one beam path, two beam paths, three beam paths or four beam paths each can be focused on the two sections of a respective double cigarette. In this case, a respective perforation track can be generated by a respective beam path.

In particular, the device can also be embodied such that the incident laser beam can be reflected by the polygonal rotating mirror into one or more groups of respectively different beam paths, in which case only a single beam path group is used for treating simple cigarettes that retain their original length, in particular Double cigarettes, is provided and in the case of multiple beam path groups, these are provided for multiple cigarettes, which are each separated into a corresponding number of individual cigarettes.

In this case, for example, such an embodiment of the device is conceivable in which the incident laser beam is reflected by the polygonal rotating mirror in two groups of different beam paths and the two beam path groups are provided for double cigarettes, which are each separated into two individual cigarettes.

The incident laser beam can be reflected by the polygonal rotating mirror, for example, in at least one group of four beam paths. It is also conceivable, for example, such an embodiment in which the incident laser beam is reflected by the polygonal rotating mirror in at least one group of eight beam paths.

The plant according to the invention for the production and / or treatment of cigarettes is characterized in that it comprises at least one perforation device according to the invention.

Advantageously, the plant according to the invention comprises a cigarette maker, in particular a cigarette maker for the production of double cigarettes, in which the double cigarettes are separated into individual cigarettes.

The perforation device can be integrated in the cigarette maker or also be provided as an independent machine.

A preferred practical embodiment of the system according to the invention is characterized in that the cigarette maker is designed for the production of double cigarettes, which are separated into individual cigarettes, that the perforation device is integrated into the cigarette maker and that the perforation of the mouthpieces surrounding, in particular tamping paper, glue, Filter wrapping paper and / or the like comprehensive wrapping takes place before the double cigarettes are separated into individual cigarettes.

According to an alternative expedient embodiment, the perforation of a respective mouthpiece surrounding, in particular tamping paper, glue, filter wrapping paper and / or takes place the same comprehensive wrapping only after the distribution of double cigarettes in single cigarettes. In this case, the perforation device can be integrated in the cigarette maker or downstream of the cigarette maker or filter piecing.

In this case, the perforation device can be arranged, for example, between the cigarette maker and a packaging machine. In this case, the perforation device can be operated in particular online, that is, be arranged in the conveying flow of finished cigarettes between the cigarette maker and the packaging machine. In principle, however, it can also be used as a machine unit operated offline.

It is also particularly advantageous if the perforation device is provided in the feed area of a packing machine.

The invention will be described in more detail below by means of embodiments with reference to the drawing; in this show:

1 a schematic partial view of the rotating drum with associated roll cams an exemplary embodiment of the perforation device according to the invention and

2 a schematic partial view of an exemplary embodiment of the laser application device of the perforation device.

1 shows in a schematic partial view one around its axis 10 rotating drum 12 a device for perforating each of an outer enclosure 14 (see also 2 ) comprehensive rod-shaped articles 16 which may be, in particular, cigarettes.

The rod-shaped article 16 are on the outer circumference of the drum 12 positionable. The drum 12 is a cooperative institution 18 for rolling the rod-shaped article 16 associated with their axis, which may include, for example, a rolling cam or the like.

The rod-shaped article 16 take when rolling around the axis in the circumferential direction of the drum 12 each considers at least substantially a fixed position. This is the rod-shaped article in question 16 on the outer peripheral surface of the rolling drum 12 unrolled until it is from one of the outer peripheral surface of the drum 12 provided driver 20 through the rotating drum 12 is transported further.

The perforation device also comprises a device 22 for loading the outer casing 14 the rod-shaped article 16 with laser radiation 24 (see also 2 ).

The laser application device 22 comprises a rod-shaped article rolling on its axis during the treatment of a respective one 16 continuously operated laser 26 and a polygonal rotating mirror through which an incident laser beam 30 in different beam paths 32 is reflective, whose rays are so on the outer envelope 14 a respective rod-shaped article 16 Focusable are that for the different beam paths 32 in the longitudinal direction of a respective rod-shaped article 16 considered to give different positions of the foci concerned on the outer cladding.

The incident laser beam 30 can through the polygonal rotating mirror 28 in different beam paths 32 be reflective, which are chosen so that the beam of one or more rays of these beam paths 32 each on a first section and the beam of one or more of these beam paths 32 each on a further section of a respective rod-shaped multiple article 16 can be focused, which is then separated in the various sections corresponding shorter article. The rod-shaped multiple articles may in particular be double cigarettes.

The incident laser beam 30 can through the polygonal rotating mirror 28 but also in one or more groups of different ray paths 32 be reflective, in the case of only a single beam path group this is for the treatment of simple, their original length maintaining rod-shaped articles provided and in the case of multiple beam path groups for rod-shaped multiple articles, especially double cigarettes, are provided, then each in a corresponding number of shorter articles or single cigarettes are separated. In the present case, the incident laser beam 30 through the polygonal rotating mirror 28 in two groups 34 . 36 be reflected.

The incident laser beam 30 can through the polygonal rotating mirror 28 about at least one longitudinal direction of a rod-shaped article 16 considered to be pivotable adjacent focusing lenses, which in a focal distance corresponding to the respective to be treated rod-shaped article 16 are arranged.

In this case, for example, such a design is conceivable in which at least a part of the beam paths and preferably each beam path is assigned in each case a separate focusing lens.

However, it is also possible, in particular, to assign at least two beam paths to a common focusing lens, via which the respective beams at the relevant positions on the outer envelope 14 a respective rod-shaped article 16 be focusable. At present, in the 2 illustrated embodiment is the beam paths 32 the two beam path groups 34 . 36 in each case a common focusing lens 38 respectively. 40 assigned over which the respective rays at the respective positions on the outer envelope 14 of the respective rod-shaped article 16 be focused.

Between the polygonal rotating mirror 28 and the arrangement of juxtaposed focusing lenses or of the at least two beam paths associated with each common focusing lens 38 respectively. 40 At least one arrangement of juxtaposed collimator lenses may be provided which, in a focal distance corresponding to their distance from the polygonal rotating mirror 28 are arranged.

The polygonal rotating mirror 28 has a certain number of facets 42 on. It can also be a polygonal rotating mirror, for example 28 be used, which in at least two different numbers of facets 42 subdivided areas and is adjustable so that different areas in the beam path of the incident laser beam 30 einbringbar and correspondingly different sweep or fan angle of the polygon rotating mirror 28 reflected laser beam are adjustable.

The incident laser beam 30 can by an entrance lens arrangement of one or more successively arranged lenses on the rotating polygon mirror 28 be focused. In this case, for example, at least two lens assemblies each having one or more lenses arranged one behind the other can be associated with different focal lengths, in which the different distances to the collimator lens arrangement defined by the respective displacement units can be introduced into or removed from the beam path by the respective pre-adjusted lens holders, by the size of the focal spot area of the adjacent focusing lenses or the common focusing lens associated with at least two beam paths 38 respectively. 40 to change accordingly.

In at least one of the between the polygonal rotating mirror 28 and the adjacent focusing lenses or the at least two beam paths 32 associated common focusing lens 38 respectively. 40 formed beam path sections can be provided an opto-mechanical switch and / or variator, by which the respective beam path section interruptible or the position of the relevant focus on the outer envelope 14 is variable. The rolling speed of a respective rod-shaped article 16 can by appropriate in particular electronic and / or mechanical means with the speed of the rotating polygon mirror 28 be synchronized.

The drum 12 and / or the associated rolling device 18 can be executed and / or controlled by appropriate means so that a respective rod-shaped article 16 in the fixed position by a predeterminable angle, preferably at least substantially 360 °, about its axis and then rotated by the rotating drum 12 is transported further.

In addition, electronic and / or mechanical means may be provided for determining the start and / or stop time of the laser application of the phase during which a respective rod-shaped article 16 is rolled, and / or the phase of further transport by the rotating drum 12 to synchronize.

The laser 26 is particularly controllable so that it during the further transport of a respective rod-shaped article 16 is disabled after the respective rolling process.

The perforation device can be designed in particular for perforating cigarettes with a mouthpiece, in particular filter cigarettes, wherein in each case one, in particular tipping paper, glue, filter wrapping paper and / or the like, comprising an outer covering 14 perforated, which surrounds the mouthpiece of a respective cigarette.

In the present embodiment, the incident laser beam 30 through the polygonal rotating mirror 28 in two groups 34 . 36 each of four beam paths 32 be reflected.

The perforation device may in particular be part of a plant for producing and / or treating cigarettes. In this case, this system may include a cigarette maker, in particular a cigarette maker for the production of double cigarettes, in which the double cigarettes are separated into individual cigarettes.

The perforation device can be integrated in the cigarette maker or also be provided as an independent machine.

It can be provided, for example, such a plant for the production / or treatment of cigarettes, in which the cigarette maker is designed for the production of double cigarettes, which are separated into single cigarettes, the perforation device is integrated in the cigarette maker and the perforation of the mouthpieces surrounding, in particular tipping paper Glue, filter wrapping paper and / or the like wrapper before the double cigarettes are separated into single cigarettes.

However, it is also conceivable that the perforation of the surrounding a respective mouthpiece wrapping takes place only after the division of the double cigarettes in single cigarettes. In this case, the perforation device can be integrated again in the cigarette maker or be subordinate to this. In the latter case, the perforation device can be arranged in particular between the cigarette maker and a packaging machine. The perforation device can also be provided, for example, in the feed area of a packaging machine.

As based on the 1 It can be seen in the individual beam paths 32 deflecting 44 arranged by the polygonal rotating mirror 28 coming rays, for example, at least substantially horizontally deflected. In addition, above the rod-shaped article to be acted upon 16 for each beam path group 34 . 36 in each case a further deflection mirror 46 respectively. 48 intended.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

axis

12

drum

14

outer cladding

16

rod-shaped article

18

rolling device

20

takeaway

22

Laserbeaufschlagungseinrichtung

24

laser radiation

26

laser

28

Rotating polygonal mirror

30

incident laser beam

32

beam path

34

Beam path group

36

Beam path group

38

focusing lens

40

focusing lens

42

facet

44

deflecting

46

deflecting

48

deflecting

Claims (34)

Device for perforating each outer casing ( 14 ) comprising rod-shaped articles ( 16 ), in particular cigarettes, with one around its axis ( 10 ) rotating drum ( 12 ), on whose outer circumferential surface the rod-shaped articles ( 16 ) are positionable and unrollable, with one in particular with the drum ( 12 ) co-operating entity ( 18 ) for rolling the rod-shaped articles ( 16 ) about its axis, the rod-shaped articles ( 16 ) when rolling about its axis in the circumferential direction of the drum ( 12 considered at least essentially a fixed position, as well as with a device ( 22 ) for acting on the outer envelope ( 14 ) of the rod-shaped articles ( 16 ) with laser radiation having a rod-shaped article rolling on its axis during the treatment of a respective 16 ) continuously operated laser ( 26 ) and a polygonal rotating mirror ( 28 ) to which a laser beam ( 30 ), this laser beam ( 30 ) by the polygonal rotating mirror ( 28 ) into different beam paths ( 32 ) is reflectable, whose rays so on the outer envelope ( 14 ) of a respective rod-shaped article ( 16 ) are focusable, that for the different beam paths ( 32 ) in the longitudinal direction of a respective rod-shaped article ( 16 ) considers different positions of the respective foci on the outer envelope ( 14 ). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the incident laser beam ( 30 ) by the polygonal rotating mirror ( 28 ) into different beam paths ( 32 ), which are selected so that the beam of one or more of these beam paths ( 32 ) to a first section and the beam of one or more of these beam paths ( 32 ) each on a further section of a respective rod-shaped multiple article ( 16 ) are focusable, which is separated only in the different sections corresponding shorter articles. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the incident laser beam ( 30 ) by the polygonal rotating mirror ( 28 ) into one or more groups ( 34 . 36 ) of different beam paths ( 32 ) is reflective, and in the case of only a single beam path group, these are used for the treatment of simple rod-shaped articles (FIG. 16 ) and in the case of multiple beam path groups ( 34 . 36 ) these for rod-shaped multiple articles ( 16 ) are provided, which are then each separated into a corresponding number of shorter articles. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the incident laser beam ( 30 ) by the polygonal rotating mirror ( 28 ) via at least one arrangement in the longitudinal direction of a respective rod-shaped article ( 16 ) is juxtaposed focusing lenses pivotally, the corresponding in a focal length distance from the respective rod-shaped article to be treated ( 16 ) are arranged. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that at least a part of the beam paths and preferably each beam path is assigned in each case a separate focusing lens. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two beam paths a common focusing lens ( 38 . 40 ), by which the beams concerned at the positions concerned are placed on the outer envelope ( 14 ) of a respective rod-shaped article ( 16 ) are focusable. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the incident laser beam ( 30 ) by the polygonal rotating mirror ( 28 ) into one or more groups ( 34 . 36 ) of different beam paths ( 32 ) is reflective and that for at least one beam path group ( 34 . 36 ) one for their beam paths ( 32 ) common focusing lens ( 38 ) is provided. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the polygonal rotating mirror ( 28 ) and the arrangement of adjacent focusing lenses or the at least two beam paths associated common focusing lens ( 38 . 40 ) at least one arrangement of juxtaposed Kollimatorlinsen is provided, which in a focal length corresponding to their distance from the polygon rotating mirror ( 28 ) are arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polygonal rotating mirror ( 28 ) in at least two different numbers of facets ( 42 ) and is adjustable so that different areas in the beam path of the incident laser beam ( 30 ) and correspondingly different sweep or fan angle of the polygon rotating mirror ( 28 ) reflected laser beam are adjustable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the incident laser beam ( 30 ) by an entrance lens arrangement of one or more successively arranged lenses on the rotating polygonal mirror ( 28 ) is focused. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that at least two each one or more consecutively arranged lenses comprising entrance lens assemblies of different focal length pre-adjusted lens mounts are assigned, in which they by means of respective movement units in the defined by the respective pre-adjusted lens mounts different distances to the Kollimatorlinsenanordnung in the beam path can be introduced or are removable therefrom so as to reduce the size of the focal spot area of the adjacent focusing lenses or of the at least two beam paths ( 32 ) common focusing lens ( 38 . 40 ) to change accordingly. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one of the between the polygonal rotating mirror ( 28 ) and the adjacent focusing lenses or the at least two beam paths ( 32 ) common focusing lens ( 38 . 40 ), an opto-mechanical switch and / or variator is provided, through which the relevant beam path section can be interrupted or the position of the respective focus on the outer envelope ( 14 ) is variable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in particular electronic and / or mechanical means are provided for controlling the rolling speed of a respective rod-shaped article ( 16 ) with the rotational speed of the polygon rotating mirror ( 28 ) to synchronize. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drum ( 12 ) and / or the rolling device ( 18 ) are executed and / or controlled by corresponding means so that a respective rod-shaped article ( 16 ) in the fixed position by a predetermined angle, preferably at least substantially 360 °, about its axis and then rotated by the rotating drum ( 12 ) is transported. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in particular electronic and / or mechanical means are provided to the start and / or stop time of the laser application to the phase during which a respective rod-shaped article ( 16 ) is rolled, and / or the phase of further transport by the rotating drum ( 12 ) to synchronize. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser ( 26 ) is controllable so that it during the further transport of a respective rod-shaped article ( 16 ) is deactivated after the respective rolling process. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed for the perforation of cigarettes with mouthpiece, in particular filter cigarettes, wherein the outer casing to be perforated ( 14 ) in particular in particular tipping paper, glue, filter wrapping paper and / or the like and surrounds the mouthpiece of a respective cigarette. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that it is for the treatment of simple, retaining their original length cigarettes and / or for the treatment of multiple cigarettes, especially double cigarettes, is provided, which are each separated into individual cigarettes. Apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the incident laser beam ( 30 ) by the polygonal rotating mirror ( 28 ) into different beam paths ( 32 ), which are selected so that the beam of one or more of these beam paths ( 32 ) to a first section and the beam of one or more of these beam paths ( 32 ) can each be focused on a further section of a respective multiple cigarette, in particular double cigarette. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that at least a part of the beam paths and preferably each beam path is assigned in each case a separate focusing lens. Device according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the incident laser beam ( 30 ) by the polygonal rotating mirror ( 28 ) into one or more groups ( 34 . 36 ) of different beam paths ( 32 ) is reflective, wherein in the case of only a single beam path group this is provided for the treatment of simple, retaining their original length cigarettes and in the case of multiple beam path groups ( 34 . 36 ) These are provided for multiple cigarettes, in particular double cigarettes, which are each separated into a corresponding number of individual cigarettes. Apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the incident laser beam ( 30 ) by the polygonal rotating mirror ( 28 ) into two groups ( 34 . 36 ) of different beam paths ( 32 ) is reflective and that the two beam path groups ( 34 . 36 ) are provided for double cigarettes, which are each separated into two individual cigarettes. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the incident laser beam ( 30 ) by the polygonal rotating mirror ( 28 ) into at least one group ( 34 . 36 ) of four beam paths ( 32 ) is reflectable. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the incident laser beam ( 30 ) by the polygonal rotating mirror ( 28 ) is reflectable in at least one group of eight beam paths each. Plant for producing and / or treating cigarettes with at least one perforation device according to one of the preceding claims. Installation according to claim 25, characterized in that it comprises a cigarette maker, in particular a cigarette maker for the production of double cigarettes, in which the double cigarettes are separated into individual cigarettes. Plant according to claim 26, characterized in that the perforation device is integrated in the cigarette maker. Plant according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the perforation machine is provided as an independent machine. Installation according to one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the cigarette maker is designed for the production of double cigarettes, which are separated into individual cigarettes, that the perforation device is integrated in the cigarette maker and that the perforation of the mouthpieces surrounding, in particular tamping paper, glue, Filter wrapping paper and / or the like covering ( 14 ) takes place before the double cigarettes are separated into single cigarettes. Installation according to one of claims 25 to 28, characterized in that the perforation of a respective mouthpiece surrounding, in particular tipping paper, glue, filter wrapping paper and / or the like comprehensive enclosure ( 14 ) only after the distribution of double cigarettes in single cigarettes. Plant according to claim 30, characterized in that the perforation device is integrated in the cigarette maker. Plant according to claim 30, characterized in that the perforation device is arranged downstream of the cigarette maker. Plant according to claim 32, characterized in that the perforation device is arranged between the cigarette maker and a packing machine. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the perforation device is provided in the feed region of a packing machine.

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