DE1227369B - Device for compressing and shaping the tobacco stream in cigarette manufacturing machines - Google Patents

Description

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

GERMAN

PATENT OFFICE

EDITORIAL

Int. Cl .:

A 24 c

German EL: 79 b -12/10

Number: 1227 369

File number: A 36721III / 79 b

Filing date: February 14, 1961

Opened on: October 20, 1966

The invention relates to a device for compressing and shaping the tobacco stream in cigarette manufacturing machines with a continuously rotating, arranged at the beginning of the cigarette rod former and a suction wheel having a circumferential groove with an air-permeable groove bottom, which is used to form of the tobacco stream determined and the upper suction wheel fed tobacco from top to bottom promotes and as a stream of tobacco on an underlying conveyor belt, in particular on the strand forming belt of the cigarette rod former.

In these devices, the tobacco flow filling the circumferential groove of the suction wheel is through the The suction effect is retained and compressed in the process. This through the perforated bottom of the circumferential groove on The suction effect exerted by the suction wheel, however, progressively increases in the radial direction from the inside to the outside with the thickness of the tobacco stream, so that its compression in the circumferential groove of the suction wheel also has to gradually decrease from the inside out.

In a known device of this type, the cut tobacco is through the suction wheel from an underlying Conveyor belt sucked in and conveyed from bottom to top. In the upper suction wheel area the tobacco rod formed and compressed on the suction wheel is removed from the suction wheel by blowing air and removed by a circumferential suction belt arranged above it, which then feeds the tobacco stream deposits on the strand forming belt. In this known embodiment there is a risk that the Tobacco flow during the transfer from the suction wheel to the suction belt, in particular through the cut-off Blown air used by the suction wheel can be disturbed and loosened, causing its on the suction wheel achieved compression would be at least partially canceled. The Regularity of the compaction error, d. H. that achieved on the suction wheel, in the radial direction from the inside outward progressive decrease in the level of earnings at least partially lost.

In the known devices of the type mentioned, in contrast to the subject of the invention, as will be explained, the rotating suction wheel sucks not the target amount, but an excess amount of cut tobacco, with the excess of tobacco protruding over the outer surface of the suction wheel through a mechanical removal device, such as a combing roller, so much tobacco is removed that only a tobacco stream of precisely predetermined, the groove profile of the suction wheel corresponding device for compressing and shaping the
Tobacco flow in cigarette making machines

Applicant:

AMF-SASIB S. p. A., Bologna (Italy)

Representative:

Dipl.-Ing. R. Beetz, patent attorney,

Munich 22, Steinsdorfstr. 10

Named as inventor:

Goffredo Gamberini, Bologna (Italy)

Cross-section is left. In this case, the additional structural effort for the removal device is thus increased necessary.

There are also devices known in which the cut tobacco with the help of rotating Suction belts is promoted. The same difficulties arise as with the usual ones Suction wheels: Since the compression of the tobacco rod is exclusively due to the one-sided suction of the Suction tape takes place, results in a rod of tobacco with progressively decreasing from the suction side to the outside Density. It has therefore been proposed in these known devices, the tobacco rod to press after the suction belt against an inclined fixed guide surface and thereby additionally compacting. Through the sliding movement of the tobacco against this fixed guide surface however, the tobacco fibers can be rubbed off and broken. Besides, can also the uniform setting and compression of the tobacco are disturbed.

The object of the invention is now to avoid the difficulties mentioned to develop a device of the type mentioned, in which the tobacco flow is as undisturbed as possible and is compacted uniformly.

This object is achieved in that the feed means for the tobacco to the

609 707/37

upper suction wheel section is arranged at a distance from this, so that the tobacco fan-like into the circumferential groove of the suction wheel in the starting area of the suction section in one to the excess Filling this circumferential groove exactly measured amount is scattered, and that between the end of the suction portion of the suction wheel and the point of deposit of the tobacco stream on the subsequent conveyor belt known, at the same speed as the suction wheel revolving belt on the The outer surface of the suction wheel rests and covers its circumferential groove.

On the suction-free conveyor line between the suction section of the suction wheel and the drop-off point of the tobacco rod on the subsequent conveyor belt, the tobacco filling is in the circumferential groove of the suction wheel pressed by centrifugal force against the rotating belt. Because the centrifugal force is stronger in the outer part of the circumferential groove than in the bottom area thereof, the Tobacco flow is stronger due to the pressure against the belt in its outer layers than in the inner, d. H. layers closer to the bottom of the circumferential groove. This through the Centrifugal force achieved in the area of the belt, progressing from the inside to the outside increasing compression of the tobacco thus equates the irregularity to that caused by the suction force and progressively from the outside to the inside increasing compression. It becomes an over its entire cross-section formed approximately uniformly compacted tobacco rod, without that the tobacco is transferred from a suction conveyor to another, downstream suction conveyor.

Due to the fan-like scattering of the tobacco on the starting area of the suction section of the suction wheel the circumferential groove is in a quantity precisely measured to fill the circumferential groove without excess of the suction wheel in layers while avoiding accumulations and clumping of the Tobacco fibers filled, and there is an approximately uniform compression of the tobacco in the circumferential direction the suction wheel, d. H. in the longitudinal direction of the tobacco flow, guaranteed. At the same time a Subsequent removal of excess tobacco using combing, scraping or cutting devices Od. The like. Avoided, so that a possibly resulting disruption of the tobacco flow in its surface layers is omitted.

In a further development of the inventive concept, the suction increases in the area sprinkled with the tobacco Starting part of the suction section progressively in the direction of rotation of the suction wheel. Through this the uniformity of the tobacco compaction in the circumferential groove of the suction wheel is further improved because the compression does not occur suddenly, but increases gradually. The formation of clumps and accumulations of tobacco fibers are thereby avoided with greater certainty, or at least at least reduced.

According to a further feature of the invention, the suction continues in the sprinkled with the tobacco Initial part of the suction section on the suction wheel at both bottom edges of the circumferential groove and expands progressively in the direction of rotation of the suction wheel over the entire width of the groove. Through this initial Limiting the suction on the bottom edges of the circumferential groove will ensure the uniformity of the Tobacco compression promoted in the transverse direction. In this training, namely, the lateral experience Edge parts of the tobacco filling in the circumferential groove of the suction wheel a somewhat longer lasting suction effect, whereby the compression of these edge areas counteracting friction on the side Groove walls is compensated. The edge parts of the tobacco rod are at least the same strongly compressed like the middle part of the strand

ίο In addition, it is possible to slightly add the edge areas to compress more to ensure good cohesion of the tobacco stream when it is deposited on the subsequent one Ensure conveyor belt.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of an ir the embodiment shown in the drawing, namely shows

F i g. 1 shows a part of a cigarette making machine in elevation with built-in device according to the invention for shaping and compacting the Tobacco rod,

F i g. 2 a vertical section through the suction wheel, transverse to the axis,
3 shows a plan view of part of the circumferential groove of the suction wheel,

F i g. 4 a vertical section through the suction wheel, parallel to the axis,

F i g. 5 another embodiment of the suction wheel in a vertical direction transverse to the axis] Cut,

F i g. 6 shows a horizontal section through the suction wheel according to FIG. 5.

In the drawing, 1 is the hopper of the tobacco feed device of a stick cigarette machine designated. The tobacco falls from this hopper 1 in the form of a fine continuous Tobacco shower 2 on a conveyor belt 3 stretched between the deflection crowns 4, 5 and forms aui this conveyor belt an approximately uniformly thick tobacco layer. The strength of these tobacco shichi on the conveyor belt 3 corresponds to a prescribed value and is automatically constant in operation held. For this purpose the cigarette making machine is equipped with a special control device6 equipped, which is preferably controlled by the weight of the cigarettes produced and the width of the tobacco shower 2 changes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the control device 6 consists of a side in the Tobacco shower 2 protruding and constantly intercepting an edge part 102 of the tobacco shower leading diverting trough 7 with a screw conveyor 107 arranged therein. Diverting trough 7 and screw conveyor 107 can be moved together in and out of the tobacco shower 2. When an automatic overweight and underweight scale is located at the exit of the cigarette manufacturing machine detects an excess weight of the manufactured cigarettes that deviates from the target weight, the discharge trough 7 is inward, d. H. deeper into the tobacco shower 2, moved. If on the other hand that Cigarette weight falls below the target weight, the discharge trough 7 is outward, d. H. towards out the tobacco shower 2 out moved. This increases the weight of the cigarette and, consequently, the The thickness of the tobacco layer on the conveyor belt 3 is kept approximately constant. The one from the drainage trough 7 tobacco caught is transported through the conveyor

Screw 107 is conveyed to the outside and returned through line 8 into the hopper 1.

Of course, the device that measures the thickness of the tobacco layer on the conveyor belt 3 regulates automatically, be trained in any other way. It is only important that the tobacco layer maintains a predetermined constant strength.

The details described so far are only for better understanding of the invention, in particular the formation of an approximately uniform stream of tobacco for its subsequent Compacting and shaping has been explained; however, these details are partly known and partly different proposed and do not belong to the invention.

The conveyor belt 3 lets the tobacco z. B. with the help of lateral converging baffles 30 fan-like into the circumferential groove 17 of a continuously rotating suction wheel 9, which is arranged at the beginning of the cigarette rod forming unit 10.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 2 to 4, the suction wheel 9 consists of two disks 11, 12 coaxially spaced in the usual way, between which a ring 13 provided with radial openings 213 is arranged on its circumference. The webs 113 arising between the openings 213 have an outer blade-shaped edge. A thin, perforated and circularly curved outer sheet 14 rests against these knife-edge edges, which is held in place by two lateral coupling rings 15, 16 and which forms the bottom of the circumferential groove 17 of the suction wheel 9. The circumferential groove 17 is laterally bounded by the protruding parts of the coupling rings 15, 16.

The suction wheel 9 is rotatably arranged on a stationary horizontal hollow shaft 18, which is connected on the one hand to a suction line and on the other hand through a lateral opening 19 with the chamber 20 between the two disks 11, 12 of the suction wheel 9. The disc 11 is firmly connected to the shaft 18 and z. B. attached to a flange 118 of the same. The other disk 12 is attached to a hub 21 which is rotatably arranged on the shaft 18 and runs in an outer ball bearing 22, 23 . The circumferential ring 13 of the suction wheel 9, which is provided with the radial openings 213 and the blade-shaped webs 113 and is arranged between the two disks 11, 12, is fastened to the rotatable disk 12. The union rings 15, 16 for holding the perforated plate 14 in place are fastened to the ring 13 and consequently to the rotatable disk 12, the union ring 16 covering the outer edge of the stationary disk 11. The suction wheel 9 or the rotating disc 12 with the peripheral ring 13, the perforated plate 14 and the two coupling rings 15, 16 rotates in the direction of the arrow F, ie in a direction corresponding to the movement of the cigarette stream, and is driven via the hub 21.

Fixed closing sectors 24, 25 are arranged in the chamber 20 formed between the discs 11, 12 and extend as far as the perforated bottom plate 14 of the circumferential groove 17 and are fastened to the fixed disc 11. These closing sectors 24, 25 subdivide the chamber 20 between the disks 11, 12 into two sections 120, 220 that are separate from one another 6 g. The section 120 lies on the downwardly moving side of the suction wheel 9 and corresponds to a fairly wide central angle A, which extends approximately from the upper apex of the suction wheel 9 over approximately 100 °. The section 120 ends at a certain distance from the lower apex of the suction wheel 9. The other section 220 corresponds to a smaller angle and is arranged on the opposite, ie upwardly moving side of the suction wheel 9 in the area of an outer, stationary suction funnel 26.

The section 120 is connected to the hollow shaft 18 through the opening 19, so that the negative pressure maintained in this shaft 18 in the area of the section 120 exerts a strong suction effect through the openings 213 of the circumferential ring 13 and through the perforated bottom 14 of the circumferential groove 17. The opposite section 220 , on the other hand, communicates with the outside air through ducts (not shown).

The suction wheel 9 is arranged above the horizontal strand belt 27 of the cigarette rod former 10. The strand tape 27 runs on a guide 28 and serves as a support for the paper tape 29, with which the Tobacco rod is wrapped in order to form the cigarette rod. Along the strand tape 27 are all for the formation of the cigarette rod and then required to separate the individual cigarettes Devices arranged.

At the front end of the conveyor belt 3, the tobacco is scattered like a fan between the guide plates 30 into the circumferential groove 17 of the suction wheel 9 in the region of the suction section 120 of the same. The amount of tobacco conveyed by the belt 3 is fixed with the aid of the automatic control device 6 and kept constant during operation in such a way that the circumferential groove 17 of the suction wheel 9 is filled with tobacco without excess. The tobacco poured into the circumferential groove 17 is compressed, compacted and held on the suction wheel 9 by the suction effect which is exerted through the perforated bottom 14 of the circumferential groove. The tobacco experiences this compressing suction effect up to the lower end of the suction section 120, ie for a relatively long time corresponding approximately to the opening angle A of the suction section 120 , so that the tobacco fibers can settle permanently and adapt to one another.

It should be noted, however, that the suction effect exerted on the suction wheel 9 by the perforated bottom 14 of the circumferential groove 17 decreases within the circumferential groove 17 in the radial direction from the inside to the outside. It can therefore happen that the compression of the tobacco filling in the circumferential groove 17 of the suction wheel 9 is non-uniform in cross section and gradually decreases somewhat from the inside out. Such compression, which is non-uniform in cross-section, can in some cases be undesirable. In order to remedy this disadvantage, a circumferential guide belt 31 is arranged between the suction section 120 of the suction wheel 9 and the cigarette rod former 10 which is tangent to the suction wheel 9 in the lower apex , rests and the circumferential groove 17 closes off to the outside. This guide belt 31 is driven via its deflection roller 32 or by frictional engagement from the suction wheel 9 at the same peripheral speed of the suction wheel, so that sliding movements between the suction wheel 9 and the guide belt 31 are excluded.

On the route between the suction section 120 and the place where the tobacco stream is deposited on the strand belt 27 of the cigarette rod former 10, no suction is exerted on the tobacco filling of the circumferential groove 17, and this tobacco filling is prevented from falling out by the guide belt 31 running together with the suction wheel 9. The tobacco filling of the circumferential groove 17 is pressed against the guide belt 31 as a result of the centrifugal force. Since the centrifugal force in the outer part of the circumferential groove 17 is stronger than in the bottom area of the same, the tobacco filling of the circumferential groove is compressed more in its outer than in the inner layers, ie closer to the bottom 14 of the circumferential groove 17, as a result of the pressure against the guide belt 31. The compression of the tobacco, which is achieved by the centrifugal force in the region of the guide belt 31 and which progressively increases from the inside to the outside, thus approximately compensates for the irregularity of the compression caused by the suction force and which progressively increases from the outside to the inside.

In the circumferential groove 17 of the suction wheel 9, a stream of tobacco is thus formed which is approximately uniformly compressed over its entire cross section and is deposited by the guide belt 31 onto the strand belt 27 rotating at the same circumferential speed as the suction wheel. A stationary wedge 33 or the like is provided in the area of the depositing point which engages in the circumferential groove 17 of the suction wheel 9 and which facilitates the detachment of the tobacco stream from the suction wheel. This wedge 33, which acts as a stripper, is followed by the rolling device 34 of the cigarette rod former 10 , in which the tobacco rod is wrapped with the paper tape 29 in the usual manner.

In the area of the other suction wheel section 220 , the circumferential groove 17 of the suction wheel 9 is through the outer suction funnel 26 of, for. B. trapped in the holes of the perforated bottom plate 14 remaining tobacco fibers cleaned.

The circumferential groove 17 of the suction wheel 9 can, depending on the requirements, have a constant internal cross-section that widens or narrows in places. In Fig. 3, an embodiment is shown in which the circumferential groove 17 in regular, z. B. a single or double cigarette length corresponding distances has somewhat wider points 117 . The above-described design of the suction wheel 9 has the advantage that the width profile of the circumferential groove 17 can be changed in the simplest way only by replacing the coupling rings 15, 16, which laterally delimit the circumferential groove 17 and hold the perforated bottom plate 14 in place.

The exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6 essentially corresponds to the suction wheel 9 already described, the same parts being provided with the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, however, the angular dimension .4 of the suction portion 120 can be modified and adapted to the respective requirements. For this purpose, the closing sectors 24, 25, which delimit the suction section 120 , are adjustably mounted in the chamber 20 between the two disks 11 and 12 and can be releasably held in the set position. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure sectors 24, 25 are provided with one or more bolts 36 which are perpendicular to the plane of the suction wheel and which engage through circular arc-shaped elongated holes 35 in the fixed disk 11 and, for. B. od by outer wing nuts. Like. Can be set.

The edge 124 of the closing sector 24, which delimits the suction section 120 at its beginning, namely in the upper part of the suction wheel 9, is designed in the shape of a cutting edge; the terminating sector 24 thus has a progressively decreasing thickness in its end part B. In the initial part of the suction section 120, that is, in the initial part of the suction wheel section B sprinkled with the supplied tobacco, the suction effect achieved in the circumferential groove 17 of the suction wheel increases progressively, since in the area B of the blade-shaped edge 124 of the closing section 24 the holes of the perforated sheet metal bottom 14 of the circumferential groove 17 according to the decreasing thickness of the closure sector 24 are gradually opened. This results in a more regular filling of the circumferential groove 17 of the suction wheel 9 with tobacco and a more uniform layering of the filled tobacco.

Claims (4)

Patent claims: 1. Device for compressing and shaping the tobacco stream in cigarette making machines with a continuously rotating, arranged at the beginning of the cigarette rod former and a circumferential groove with air-permeable groove bottom having suction wheel, which is the Forming the tobacco stream of certain tobacco and fed to the upper suction wheel section promotes up and down and as a stream of tobacco on an underlying conveyor belt, in particular on the strand forming belt of the cigarette strand former, deposits, characterized in, that the feed means for the tobacco to the upper suction wheel portion of this in one Distance is arranged so that the tobacco fan-like into the circumferential groove (17) of the suction wheel (9) in the starting area of the suction section (^ 4) in an amount precisely measured to fill this circumferential groove without excess is scattered and that between the end of the suction section of the suction wheel and the depositing point of the tobacco stream on the subsequent conveyor belt (27) a known one, at the same speed as that Suction wheel revolving belt (31) rests on the lateral surface of the suction wheel and whose circumferential groove covers. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by a suction effect which gradually increases in the direction of rotation of the suction wheel in the initial part (B) of the suction section (A) sprinkled with the tobacco. 3. Device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the suction in the initial part (B) of the suction section (A) sprinkled with the tobacco on the suction wheel (9) starts at both bottom edges of the circumferential groove (17) and progresses in the direction of rotation of the suction wheel extends over the entire width of the groove. 4. Device according to claims 1 to 3, wherein the suction wheel consists of two coaxially spaced discs and the Suction section of the suction wheel by two closing sectors arranged between these disks is limited, characterized in that the closing sectors (24, 25) are mounted adjustably in the circumferential direction of the suction wheel (9) and the closing sector (24) delimiting the suction section at its beginning has an edge (124) shaped like a knife. 10 Considered publications: German Patent Specifications No. 1 038 969, 058 896;
German Auslegeschriften No. 1 094 648, 099 422;
French patent specification No. 1 098 119. For this purpose 2 sheets of drawings 609 707/37 10.66 ® Bundesdruckerei Berlin