DE102017126543A1 - Method and device for the production of heat sticks - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing heat sticks (23, 23 ') intended for use in heat-not-burn products of the tobacco-processing industry. The process according to the invention comprises the following process steps:
- separating shredded tobacco foil,
- Churning of the isolated and shredded tobacco sheet on a suction belt conveyor (14, 14 '), so that a strand (22, 22') results,
- Forming and wrapping the strand (22, 22 ') with a wrapping material in a format device (20) and
- Cutting the strand (22, 22 ') in heat sticks (23, 23') an n-times the use length, where n is a natural number.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing heat sticks intended for use in heat-not-burn products of the tobacco-processing industry. The invention further relates to a new use of a cigarette rod maker. Moreover, the invention relates to a device for the production of heat sticks, which are intended for use in heat-not-burn products of the tobacco-processing industry.

A heat-not-burn product of the tobacco processing industry is a device which has a heating device and a cavity in which rods, which are referred to as heat sticks in the invention, can be introduced. The heat sticks usually have tobacco sheet, which may contain, for example, tobacco or tobacco powder, and also a mist former or steam generator. Usually, tobacco sheet contains glycerin as a humectant and propylene glycol as a mist former. Tobacco film may also contain substitutes for tobacco, replace or supplement the tobacco. In the context of the invention, tobacco film is also understood to mean ginseng film, clove film or menthol film. The heat sticks are usually enveloped by a wrapping material. The wrapping material may be paper or tobacco foil. Heat-not-burn products are designed to give smokers a satisfying smoking experience.

It is known to crimp tobacco foil. This tobacco sheet is folded and then wrapped with a wrapping material. From this, rods are made that can be inserted into heat-not-burn products.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing heat sticks, a device for the production of heat sticks and a new use of a cigarette rod machine, which allows very efficient and high throughput production of heat sticks.

• - Vereinzeln von zerkleinerter Tabakfolie,
• - Aufschauern der vereinzelten und zerkleinerten Tabakfolie auf einen Saugstrangförderer, so dass sich ein Strang ergibt,
• - Formen und Umhüllen des Strangs mit einem Umhüllungsmaterial in einer Formatvorrichtung und
• - Ablängen des Strangs in Heat Sticks einer n-fachen Gebrauchslänge, wobei n eine natürliche Zahl ist.

This object is achieved by a method for producing heat sticks, which are intended for use in heat-not-burn products of the tobacco processing industry, with the following process steps:

• - separating shredded tobacco foil,
• - shuddering of the singulated and shredded tobacco sheet onto a suction belt conveyor, so that a strand results,
• - Forming and wrapping the strand with a wrapping material in a format device and
• - Cutting the strand into Heat Sticks n times the length of use, where n is a natural number.

The method for producing heat sticks thus substantially corresponds to a method for producing cigarette sticks with a conventional distributor unit, which has a suction belt conveyor, and a strand unit, in which one strand or several strands are shaped in a longitudinal direction of conveyance in a format device and coated with a wrapping material become. However, shredded tobacco sheet is now singulated and peeled, to then be formed in a longitudinal axial conveying direction as a strand in a format device. Then the strand is cut so that heat sticks are n-times usable length. N here is a natural number, which is preferably two or more.

The churning of the singulated and shredded tobacco sheet preferably takes place in such a way that two strands are formed, which in each case are sheathed and formed in the format device parallel to one another and / or simultaneously with wrapping material. This allows a very high production volume.

A very reliable and constant density of the material or a constant weight of the material contained in the heat sticks, is possible if preferably followed by the churning of the singulated and shredded tobacco sheet, a trimming step, in which in particular the one or more strands a constant height can be trimmed. In this case, in contrast to the production of Tabakstökken no head reinforcement is provided. When trimming is therefore not intended that at regular intervals the strand or strands are trimmed at different heights. Instead, the trim height remains essentially constant. It should be noted, of course, that the height is preferably controlled by a density measurement of the heat sticks or the wrapped strand.

Preferably, after strand production, which takes place in a longitudinal axial conveying direction, the cut heat sticks are transferred into a transfer unit, in which the heat sticks are conveyed transversely and transferred during the transverse axial conveying without a further cut from the transfer unit to a transverse axial mass flow. As a result, a very efficient process management is possible.

If preferably the Heat Sticks in the transfer unit maintain their orientation, they are promoted quickly and gently.

When the singulated and comminuted tobacco sheet is shaken, an additive, in particular menthol or a liquid containing menthol, is preferably introduced onto a suction-strand conveyor. As a result, the tobacco sheet can be very efficiently provided with an additive.

The object is further achieved by the use of a cigarette rod making machine for producing tobacco foil containing heat sticks, which are intended for use in heat-not-burn products of the tobacco-processing industry. As a result, Heat Sticks can be produced efficiently and with high reliability of the manufacturing process. The operation of such cigarette rod making machines has been known and optimized for decades. Surprisingly, this experience can also be applied to the processing of isolated and shredded tobacco foil. Preferably, the cigarette rod maker is a two-strand machine.

The object is further achieved by a device for the production of heat sticks, which are intended for use in heat-not-burn products of the tobacco processing industry, wherein a stranding machine is provided, which is adapted to produce at least one strand of tobacco foil, wherein a Ablängvorrichtung is provided which is adapted to cut from the at least one strand of heat sticks, wherein also a transfer device is provided, which is adapted to transfer the cut heat sticks from a longitudinal axial conveying direction in the stranding machine in a transfer unit, wherein the heat sticks in the transfer unit transversely conveyed or conveyed, wherein the transfer unit has a maximum of four conveyor drums.

The device according to the invention is very space-saving and inexpensive to implement.

The transfer device is preferably a so-called spider of the applicant. Preferably, the stranding machine is a two-strand machine. By providing a maximum of four conveyor drums in the transfer unit, this can be realized very compact and therefore cost.

Preferably, the number of conveyor drums in the transfer unit is three. As a result, an even more cost-effective design is possible. Compared to a filter attachment machine in the transfer unit according to the invention, no turning drum, no test drum and / or no cutting device are needed. This simplifies the construction costs and process management.

Preferably, a transfer drum is provided as the first conveyor drum, which is designed to take over heat sticks from the transfer device and transfer it to a second conveyor drum designed as a transport drum.

Preferably, a stack drum is provided as the third conveyor drum, which is designed to remove the heat sticks from the second conveyor drum and deliver it into a mass flow. A stack drum is for example in EP 0 692 201 B1 shown. The disclosure of this patent is intended to be fully incorporated in this application.

Preferably, a removal drum is provided as the fourth conveyor drum, which is adapted to selectively remove heat sticks from the second conveyor drum. The removed by means of the removal drum Heat Sticks can then be examined for their properties, for example, to change parameters of the manufacturing process.

The transfer unit is preferably designed without a turning drum, without a test drum and / or without a cutting device.

The stranding machine preferably has a suction strand conveyor in which isolated and comminuted tobacco foil is thrown onto a suction belt or can be thrown on. In order to introduce an additive such as menthol or a liquid containing menthol into the strand of quenched and shredded tobacco foil, a nozzle device may be provided in the suction strand conveyor. For this purpose, a nozzle body may be accommodated in a channel cheek of the Saugstrangförderers such as in the EP 2 448 436 B1 is described. The disclosure of this patent is also intended to be fully incorporated in the disclosure of this application. Preferably, the nozzle device is arranged in the conveying direction of the Saugstrangförderers in the middle of the Saugstrangförderers.

Preferably, heat sticks, which are produced in a two-strand process and are conveyed longitudinally axially in a stranding machine, transferred to a transverse axial conveying direction in a transfer unit and conveyed there in one lane. The manufactured Heat Sticks may preferably have a double, a triple, a quadruple, a five-fold, a sixfold, a sevenfold or an eightfold use length. The cutting length of the Heat Sticks is preferably between 60 mm and 150 mm.

The wrapping material may be paper, tobacco foil, metal foil or another sheet material that is thermally conductive.

The shredded tobacco sheet used according to the invention may be cut tobacco sheet having a width of 0.5-1.5 mm, in particular 0.8-1.1 mm, and a fiber length of 20-80 mm, in particular 40 -50 mm.

It may be provided a weight control or density control. For this purpose, for example, the weight of a strand section or the density of a strand section can be measured with the known microwave measuring system MIDAS and the height of the section through the strand can be controlled by means of the trimming device on the basis of the measurement result.

Due to the fact that heat transfer sticks no longer have to be turned in the transfer unit, very gentle production is possible. The delivery of the heat sticks into the mass flow may preferably be provided at different delivery heights.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments according to the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention may satisfy individual features or a combination of several features.

• 1 eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von Heat Sticks, und
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht von Fördertrommeln in einer erfindungsgemäßen Transfereinheit.

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings, reference being expressly made to the drawings with respect to all in the text unspecified details of the invention. Show it:

• 1 a schematic plan view of an inventive device for the production of heat sticks, and
• 2 a schematic view of conveyor drums in a transfer unit according to the invention.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that apart from a new idea each.

1 schematically shows a plan view of an inventive device for the production of heat sticks. It is a strand machine 10 shown a distributor unit 11 , a string unit 12 and a transfer unit 13 having. In the conveying direction is initially the distribution unit 11 intended. In the distribution unit 11 shredded tobacco sheet is evenly distributed and placed on a suction belt in a suction belt conveyor 14 . 14 ' is arranged, paused. The churning is preferably done from bottom to top, so that a fiber cake forms below the suction belt and is held by negative pressure on the suction belt. In the conveying direction, the thickness of the fiber cake from shredded tobacco sheet becomes larger. Approximately in the middle of the Saugstrangförderers is a nozzle device 15 provided by means of which, for example, menthol or a menthol-containing liquid can be applied in the tobacco wall aufgeschauert.

In conveying direction 16 downstream is at the end of the distribution unit 11 a trimmer 17 provided, which trims the height of the fiber cake from tobacco foil. The cut-off part of the fiber cake may enter the circulation of the distributor or distributor unit 11 to be led back.

After the distribution unit 11 closes in the conveying direction 16 the string unit 12 on. First is a format device 20 provided in the strand 22 . 22 ' is formed from tobacco sheet and wrapped with a wrapping material strip. As can be seen, it is the stranding machine 10 from the embodiment of 1 about a two-strand machine. However, it can also be provided a single-strand machine.

After the production of the strand or strands 22 . 22 ' These are provided by a cutting device 21 in heat sticks 23 and 23 ' cut. These are then from a longitudinal axial conveying direction 16 in a transverse axial conveying direction 16 ' through a transfer device 24 to hand over. The transfer device 24 that are still part of the string unit 12 is known to the applicant as a spider. The Heat Sticks are on a takeover drum 25 delivered from there to a transport drum 26 pass and from there onto a stack drum 27 issued.

From the stack drum 27 become heat sticks 23 . 23 ' in a mass flow, for example on a conveyor belt 28 issued.

In the transfer unit 13 become the Heat Sticks 23 . 23 ' transversely promoted. The conveying direction is with 16 ' characterized. In cross-axial promotion, the Heat Sticks are one-lane. In the previous longitudinal axial promotion a two-lane promotion is preferably provided.

2 shows a schematic view of the conveyor drums of the transfer unit 13 , The Heat Sticks are from the transfer device 24 on the takeover drum 25 delivered and promoted in the direction of the arrow. The Heat Sticks are then placed on a transport drum 26 delivered and on one stack drum 27 passed to be delivered from there in a mass flow, not shown. The stack drum 27 is in 2 arranged relatively far down. However, this can also be arranged further above, as shown by the dashed drum stacking drum 27 is indicated. The stack drum 27 is located in either the lower position or the upper position. As a result, different delivery heights are possible.

From the transport drum 26 Heat Sticks can be removed selectively or as needed to test them. For this purpose is a removal drum 29 provided, in operative connection with the transport drum 26 stands.

According to the invention, a very space-saving transfer unit is provided which has a maximum of three or a maximum of four conveyor drums. In particular, the fact that no turning drum, no test drum and / or no cutting device are provided, a very gentle promotion of heat sticks is possible. In particular, a very efficient transfer of heat sticks from a longitudinal axial conveying direction into a transverse axial conveying direction with subsequent transfer into a cross-axially conveyed mass flow is possible.

All mentioned features, including the drawings alone to be taken as well as individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features are considered alone and in combination as essential to the invention. Embodiments of the invention may be accomplished by individual features or a combination of several features. In the context of the invention, features which are identified by "particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

rod machine

11

distribution unit

12

train unit

13

transfer unit

14.14 '

suction rod

15

nozzle device

16.16 '

conveying direction

17

trimmer

20

format device

21

cutter

22.22 '

strand

23.23 '

Heat stick

24

Transfer device

25

transfer drum

26

transport drum

27

stack drum

28

conveyor belt

29

removal drum

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0692201 B1 [0018]
• EP 2448436 B1 [0021]

Claims (14)

Process for producing heat sticks (23, 23 ') intended for use in heat-not-burn products of the tobacco processing industry, comprising the following process steps: - separating shredded tobacco foil, - Churning of the isolated and shredded tobacco sheet on a suction belt conveyor (14, 14 '), so that a strand (22, 22') results, - Forming and wrapping the strand (22, 22 ') with a wrapping material in a format device (20) and - Cutting the strand (22, 22 ') in heat sticks (23, 23') an n-times the use length, where n is a natural number. Method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the churning of the singulated and shredded tobacco sheet is done so that two strands (22, 22 ') are formed, which are each wrapped in the formatting device (20) parallel to each other and / or simultaneously with wrapping material and molded. Method according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the churning of the singulated and shredded tobacco foil is followed by a trimming step in which, in particular, the strand or strands (22, 22 ') are trimmed to a constant height. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that after strand production, which takes place in a longitudinal axial conveying direction (16), the cut heat sticks (23, 23 ') are transferred to a transfer unit (13) in which the heat sticks (23, 23') are transaxial are conveyed and transferred during the cross-axial promotion without a further cut from the transfer unit (13) to a transverse axial mass flow. Method according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the heat sticks (23, 23 ') in the transfer unit (13) maintain their orientation. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the churning of the singulated and shredded tobacco sheet on the suction belt conveyor (14, 14 ') an additive, in particular menthol or a menthol-containing liquid, is registered. Use of a cigarette rod making machine (10) for producing tobacco foil-containing heat sticks (23, 23 ') intended for use in heat-not-burn products of the tobacco-processing industry. Use after Claim 7 , characterized in that the cigarette rod maker (10) is a two-strand machine. Apparatus for the production of heat sticks (23, 23 ') intended for use in heat-not-burn products of the tobacco-processing industry, wherein a stranding machine (10) is provided, which is formed, at least one strand (22, 22 ') made of tobacco sheet, wherein a Ablängvorrichtung (21) is provided, which is formed from the at least one strand (22, 22') Heat Sticks (23, 23 ') cut, wherein also a transfer device (24) is provided adapted to pass the cut heat sticks (23, 23 ') from a longitudinal axial conveying direction (16) in the stranding machine (10) into a transfer unit (13), the heat sticks (23, 23') in the transfer unit (13) are conveyed or conveyed transversely axially, wherein the transfer unit (13) has a maximum of four conveyor drums (25, 26, 27, 29). Device after Claim 9 , characterized in that the number of conveyor drums (25, 26, 27, 29) in the transfer unit (13) is three. Device after Claim 9 or 10 , characterized in that as the first conveyor drum, a transfer drum (25) is provided, which is adapted to take heat sticks (23, 23 ') from the transfer device (24) and transferred to a transport drum (26) formed second conveyor drum. Device after Claim 11 , characterized in that as the third conveyor drum, a stack drum (27) is provided, which is adapted to remove the heat sticks (23, 23 ') from the second conveyor drum and deliver it into a mass flow. Device after Claim 11 or 12 , characterized in that as the fourth conveyor drum, a removal drum (29) is provided, which is adapted to selectively remove heat sticks (23, 23 ') from the second conveyor drum (26). Device according to one of Claims 9 to 13 , characterized in that the transfer unit (13) without turning drum, without test drum and / or without cutting device is formed.

Images