EP1048229B1 - Apparatus and method for manufacturing cigarettes - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for producing (filter) cigarettes originally double-length cigarette rods or tobacco rods, which through troughs for a respective tobacco rod or a cigarette having conveying members, namely belt conveyors and drums, along a production line transportable are, whereby during the transport the tobacco sticks cuts through in its longitudinal center, The cigarettes thus formed moved apart in pairs, twice as long Filter plug connected to both cigarettes to form double cigarettes and the filter plugs are finally severed centrally to form finished Cigarettes.

A filter attachment machine as part of a cigarette manufacturing machine is used for Completing the cigarettes by connecting them to the filter. Mostly Filter attachment machines are designed so that the components of cigarettes, namely tobacco sticks, (filterless) cigarettes, filter plugs, double cigarettes and (finished) filter cigarettes by a plurality of troughed drums be transported. During the transport of the cigarettes through the bowl drums the necessary processing is carried out.

Already known is the use of troughs having belts, so Muldengurten for the transport of partial cigarettes in the area of a filter attachment machine (EP 0 862 866). In this prior art serve two converging Muldengurte for moving apart of partial cigarettes, which at the middle separation arise from double-length filter sticks. The divergent Muldengurte cause the sub-cigarettes or sub-sticks after separating the tobacco sticks spaced apart for insertion of a filter plug. in the By the way, the components of the cigarettes and these themselves are known Device transported by the usual drum bags.

The invention is based on the object, a structure and in function to propose novel filter attachment machine, in which the flow of the components the cigarettes is clear and thereby a simpler overall Construction has.

a) die Tabakstöcke, die Doppelzigaretten und die Zigaretten sind entlang der Fertigungstrecke abwechselnd durch Abschnitte von Gurtförderern und durch Trommeln transportierbar,

b) die Tabakstöcke, Zigaretten, Doppelzigaretten und Filterzigaretten sind im Bereich von Arbeitsstationen, insbesondere im Bereich einer Filterstation, einer Rollstation, einer Prüfstation und einer Wendestation, von dem Gurtförderer bzw. einem Gurtförderer auf eine Trommel bzw. auf Räder übertragbar, von diesen bei der Bearbeitung transportierbar und an den Gurtförderer bzw. einen Gurtförderer zurückführbar.

To achieve this object, the device according to the invention is characterized by the following features:

(a) the tobacco sticks, the double cigarettes and the cigarettes can be transported alternately through sections of belt conveyors and drums along the production line,

b) the tobacco sticks, cigarettes, double cigarettes and filter cigarettes are in the range of work stations, in particular in the range of a filter station, a roll station, a testing station and a turning station, transferable from the belt conveyor or a belt conveyor on a drum or wheels, of these at the processing transportable and attributable to the belt conveyor or a belt conveyor.

In the device according to the invention therefore finds a functional division of tasks instead of. The operations required to attach the filters to the Cigarettes are made in the area of drums containing troughs. These form workstations. In between are output, semi-finished or Transported finished products through Muldengurte, which therefore predominantly or exclusively have the function of conveying organs. In the area of each workstation finds accordingly a take - up of arriving trough belts and in the Following the processing, a return to further conveying hollow belts instead of.

The device according to the invention can be implemented in two different basic concepts be executed, namely on the one hand with the entire conveyor or Production line continuous trough belt and the other with a plurality of section straps between workstations.

The trough straps are designed in a special way, so that the tobacco stems or cigarettes positioned in exact relative positions and at least in the area By deflections are held by suction in the wells. Furthermore are special measures for an exact, coordinated drive of the hollow belts intended.

Fig. 1

eine Fertigungsstrecke für Tabakstöcke bzw. Zigaretten in schematischer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 2

ein anderes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Fertigungsstrecke für Tabakstöcke und Zigaretten, ebenfalls in schematischer Seitenansicht,

Fig. 3

das Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Fig. 2 in Draufsicht bei versetzten Sichtebenen entsprechend III-III in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

den Bereich einer Umlenkung eines Muldengurts, teilweise im Schnitt, in vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 5

eine Umlenkwalze für einen Muldengurt im Radialschnitt in der Schnittebene V-V der Fig. 4,

Fig. 6

eine weitere Einzelheit eines Muldengurts, nämlich eine horizontale Förderstrecke, in vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 7

einen Querschnitt durch einen Muldengurt in der Schnittebene VII-VII der Fig. 6,

Fig. 8

eine Einzelheit der Fertigungsstrecke, nämlich eine Rollstation, ebenfalls in Seitenansicht, in vergrößertem Maßstab,

Fig. 9

einen Quer- bzw. Radialschnitt in der Ebene IX-IX der Fig. 8.

Further details of the device according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments. It shows:

Fig. 1

a production line for tobacco sticks or cigarettes in a schematic side view,

Fig. 2

Another embodiment of a production line for tobacco sticks and cigarettes, also in a schematic side view,

Fig. 3

2 in plan view with offset viewing planes corresponding to III-III in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4

the area of a deflection of a trough belt, partly in section, on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 5

a deflection roller for a trough belt in radial section in the sectional plane VV of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6

another detail of a Muldengurts, namely a horizontal conveyor line, on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 7

a cross section through a trough belt in the sectional plane VII-VII of Fig. 6,

Fig. 8

a detail of the production line, namely a roll station, also in side view, on an enlarged scale,

Fig. 9

a transverse or radial section in the plane IX-IX of Fig. 8.

1 shows a simplified side view of a production or transport route to a cigarette manufacturing machine - Maker - connects. The maker produces a continuous Cigarette rod, of the double-length cigarette rods or Tobacco sticks 10 are separated. These are provided by a transfer conveyor, namely a trough drum 11, to the production line to hand over.

The tobacco sticks 10 pass through in the area of the production line several processing stations. First, the tobacco sticks 10 cut centrally, through a disc-shaped Knife 12. The cigarettes 15 thus formed are first moved apart to the conveying direction apart to create a distance. In the area of a filter station 13 are doubled supplied wide filter plug 14 and between each two adjacent cigarettes 15, so half tobacco sticks 10, positioned. Be in the area of a roll station 16 the filter plug 14 with the two adjacent cigarettes 15 connected, through tiling paper. It creates so double long filter cigarettes, so double cigarettes 22. A Cutting knife 17 performs a central separating cut in the area of Filter plug 14 through, so that two adjacent Filter cigarettes 18 arise. These go through in pairs one Test station 19, in which the filter cigarettes 18 in terms correct training. Finally, the arrive Filter cigarettes 18 in the area of a turning station 20. In this is a series of filter cigarettes 18 by 180 ° turned, so that finally a abzuzufördernder cigarette stream 21 is formed with rectified filters.

The tobacco sticks 10 or cigarettes 15, filter cigarettes 18 or Double Cigarettes 22 will be at least in the range between the Processing stations transported by endless conveyor, namely through hollow belts. These are designed in a special way namely as a toothed belt. This is inside with (im Cross-section trapezoidal) teeth 23 provided. The timing belt associated guide members, namely guide rollers 24 or drive rollers 25, are trained on the perimeter with appropriately Counter teeth 26 formed in the recesses 27 between the enter adjacent teeth 23.

At the outer and top are the timing belt with recordings for each a cylindrical object, namely a tobacco rod 10 or a (double) cigarette provided. These are to transverse to the timing belt troughs 28, which is a circular surface Make plant for the tobacco sticks 10 or cigarettes. The troughs 28 are each in the region of a tooth 23 of the Timing belt arranged, centered on this. Between adjacent ones Troughs 28 is a (trapezoidal) recess 29 is formed. Also this is positioned centrally to a tooth 23 so that the Troughs 28 in the embodiment shown at a distance of two teeth 23 are arranged.

The toothed belts are designed so that the tobacco sticks 10, Cigarettes or the like held in the wells 28 by suction can be. Especially in the area of a diversion the timing belt (with tobacco sticks 10, cigarettes or the like) Suction air is transferred to the wells 28. To this Purpose are in the region of the wells 28 transverse suction holes 30 formed in the timing belt. These lead in each case in the middle in the trough 28. As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 5 and 7, are several suction holes 30 over the length of Troughs 28 arranged distributed so that, if necessary, the tobacco stems 10, double cigarettes 22 or the like on the full length can be maintained by suction.

In the area of the deflection of the hollow belts, the suction air over the respective guide rollers 24 or drive rollers 25th transferred to the hollow belt. For this purpose, the concerned Deflection rollers 24 or drive rollers 25 in the area between the mating teeth 26, namely in the region of recesses 31, provided with suction holes 32, with the suction holes 30 of the Muldengurts are aligned, if this over the circumference the guide roller 24 or drive roller 25 is running. It is therefore only every second recess 31 provided with suction holes 32. These are in the axial direction over the length or width of the distributed roller.

The suction holes 32 of the guide roller 24 and drive roller 25th are connected to axially parallel connecting bores 33. This assigned to each group of suction holes 32 Connection holes 33 are at the end or on a side surface the rollers 24, 25 with a fixed suction segment 34 in Connection. This is connected to a vacuum source (Not shown). The suction segment 34 is designed such that the connecting holes 33 according to the on the Muldengurte to be transmitted vacuum only temporarily with the vacuum source are connected.

Outside the deflection, namely in the area of one (upper) horizontal Förderertrums 35 of Muldengurte can the tobacco sticks 10, cigarettes or the like freely in the wells 28th lie. If because of higher conveying speeds in this Area fixing the tobacco sticks 10, cigarettes or the like is required in the wells 28, the suction holes 30 of the wells 28 also in this area of the horizontal Fördertrums 35 be acted upon with suction.

For this purpose, in the region of the conveying run 35 below the Muldengurte a suction organ positioned, namely an elongated Suction box 36. This is on the trough belt facing Side open. The trough belt is (slightly) spaced guided above the suction box 36. In the suction box 36 A negative pressure is generated, through one with the suction box 36 connected suction line 37, with the vacuum source connected is. The generated in the suction box 36 Underpressure is via the suction holes 30 on the wells 28 of the transferred total length of the conveyor run 35. The suction box 36 is with end portions of the circumference of guide rollers 24 or drive rollers 25 adjusted.

The suction box 36 is at the same time supporting member for the trough belt in Area between diverters. At lateral edges is the Trough belt bordered by guide webs 38 of the suction box 36 (Figure 7). In the interior of the suction box 36 webs 39 are arranged, extending in the longitudinal direction of the suction box 36 and thus in Extend conveying direction of the trough belt. This can be on the Bars 39 rest. Between the webs 39 resulting gaps or column are with the suction holes 30 of the Muldengurts alignment.

The trough belt formed in this way can act as a conveying member of the production or conveyor line (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3) in different Be used manner. In the embodiment of the Fig. 1 is a single, continuous, endless conveyor belt 40th intended. This is designed as a trough belt or as a toothed belt in the embodiment described above. The conveyor belt 35 passes through several conveyor sections that of processing stations are interrupted. In the area of these processing stations the conveyor belt 40 is deflected downwards, So led around the processing station. Below the same runs an empty strand 41.

In a first conveyor section 42 are from the hollow drum 11 acquired tobacco sticks 10 transported. In the area This conveyor section 42, the tobacco sticks 10th severed centrally by the knife 12. Above the conveyor belt 40 and the tobacco sticks 10 is a fixed Guide 67, the tobacco sticks 10 in particular during of the separating cut in the hollows 28 fixed.

At the end of the conveying section 42 of the conveyor belt 40 through deflected a drive roller 25 downwards and over simple, formed without suction holes guide rollers 43 below the Filter station 13 along.

In the area of the filter station 13, the filter plug 14 supplied via a filter drum 44 and in the region of a deflection roller or drive roller 25 passed to the conveyor belt 40.

The filter drum 44 are conical expansion drums 45, 46th preceded by hollows. The first spreading drum 45 takes over the (severed) tobacco sticks 10 from the conveyor belt 40th During the further transport over the spreading drum 46 are the by the separating cut cigarettes 15 in a transverse distance moved from each other (Fig. 3). The distance is sufficient to easily the filter plug 14 in a position between two introduce adjacent cigarettes 15.

In the area of a subsequent to the drive roller 25 further Conveying section 47, the two adjacent Cigarettes 15 and the filter plug conveyed in between 14 moved transversely to each other by lateral guides 48th

It follows the roll station 16. In this area are the cigarettes 15 with interposed filter plug 14 to a Transfer roller 49 passed. This works in cooperation with other organs that a through the connecting roller 49 supplied tipping paper around the facing ends of the cigarettes 15 and the common filter plug 14 is wound around, so that as a unit a double cigarette 22 is formed.

This is then by another conveyor section 50 the Separating knife 17 fed, which the double cigarette 22 centered, namely in the region of the filter plug 14, severed.

In a subsequent test station 19, the first severed, now present filter cigarettes 18 in one Transverse distance moved apart and as a single filter cigarettes 18 (two lanes) test drums 51 and 52 passed. In the area These organs are recognized and defective cigarettes discarded. The bad cigarettes will be in the range of another Conveyor section 53 separated by an ejector 54 and arrive at a downstairs conveyor 55. This is arranged and dimensioned so that it at the same time as collection and Abförderorgan for dust and other particles is used.

The transported in the region of the conveyor section 53 two lanes Filter cigarettes 18 are fed to a turning station 20 with at least one turning wheel 56. In its area are the Filter cigarettes 18 of the series received by the conveyor belt 40 and turned by 180 °, so that the filter cigarettes 18 with respect to the filter side coincide. The now aligned Filter cigarettes 18 are called cigarette stream 21st taken over by a discharge conveyor 57.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1 adverse effects of elongations of the belt formed as a toothed belt 40, each conveying section 42, 47, 50, 53 own, controlled drives, namely servo drives assigned. In Fig. 1, the servomotors 58 are on the drive rollers 25 each promotion section shown. Alternatively, the relevant rollers or guide rollers also via a common Drive (bevel gear) with each other and with the central Drive the cigarette machine to be connected.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are section belts 59, 60 for forming conveyor sections 61 provided, also in each case in the described embodiment. The section straps 59, 60, 61 are as horizontal conveyor organs each arranged between processing stations.

The embodiment shown is chosen so that the tobacco sticks 10 from the bowl drum 11 to a cutting drum 62nd be handed over. In the area of the knife 12 is effective for cutting the tobacco sticks 10. The cigarettes thus formed 15 are in the manner described by Spreiztrommeln 45, 46 spaced apart and then to the first section belt 59 in the region of a drive roller 25 thereof to hand over.

The feeding of the filter plug 14 takes place here in the region of (first) section belt 59, namely in the region of the upper conveyor belt 40 of the same. The filter plug 14 are replaced by a Transfer drum 63 supplied in the manner described and of above on the section belt 59 each in a trough 28th placed between the cigarettes 15.

Between the section belt 59 and the next section belt 60, the described roll station 16 is positioned. In the area of this second section belt 60 become the double cigarettes 22 cut in the manner described and then to the Test station 19 passed. At this the third section belt closes 61, which described in connection with FIG. 1 Way works.

The section straps 59, 60, 61 are each driven separately, however in agreement or agreement with the cigarette manufacturing machine. For this purpose, each section belt 59, 60, 61 a drive roller 25 with its own drive motor, namely a servomotor 58, assigned. The servomotors 58 are controlled in a known manner.

Further features regarding the design of the skip or toothed belts emerge from FIG. 5 and FIG. 9. The hollows 28 have interruptions 64, so consist of trough sections. Into the breaks 64, which look like depressions, Organs of all kinds can enter, for example Cutting knife, but also organs for lifting the tobacco sticks 10 or cigarettes from the wells 28. The detail of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 shows that lifting fingers 65 enter the interruptions 64 enter and so with continued movement of the hollow belts the promoted in this area promoted cigarettes 15 with in between Remove filter plug 14 together from the wells 28 and insert into the roll station 16. The lifting fingers 65 are arranged fixed and part of one of the roll station 16 assigned External guide 66 of the roll station 16. In the embodiment 2, the section belts 59, 60, 61 formed differently in terms of design be. The section belt 59 may be used in conjunction with Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 described manner in terms of design the troughs 28 may be designed to transfer the cigarettes to the roll station 16. The section belt 60 may consist of two adjacent ones Single straps with rectified hollows 28 exist, wherein between the individual straps, the cutting blade 17th can work. The section belt 61 consists, as shown in FIG. 2, from two parallel single belts, one of which leads to the turning station 20.

Even the uniform conveyor belt 40 for the entire production and conveying line can consist of two parallel single belts.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

tobacco rod

11

trough drum

12

knife

13

filter station

14

filter plug

15

Cigarette

16

roll station

17

separating knife

18

filter cigarette

19

inspection

20

turning station

21

cigarette stream

22

double cigarette

23

tooth

24

deflecting

25

drive roller

26

against tooth

27

recess

28

trough

29

deepening

30

suction bore

31

recess

32

suction bore

33

connection bore

34

suction segment

35

conveying

36

suction box

37

suction

38

guide web

39

web

40

conveyor belt

41

loose side

42

conveyor section

43

deflecting

44

filter drum

45

spreading drum

46

spreading drum

47

conveyor section

48

guide

49

connecting roller

50

conveyor section

51

testing drum

52

testing drum

53

conveyor section

54

ejection organ

55

conveyor belt

56

turning wheel

57

Abförder

58

servomotor

59

Abschnittsgurt

60

Abschnittsgurt

61

Abschnittsgurt

62

cutting drum

63

Transfer drum

64

interruption

65

lift fingers

66

external guide

67

guide

Claims (11)

1. Apparatus for the production of (filter) cigarettes (18) from originally double-length cigarette sticks or tobacco rods (10), which can be transported by means of conveying elements having troughs (28), each for one tobacco rod (10) or cigarette (18), namely belt conveyors and drums, along a production line, with the length of the tobacco rods being severed in half and the cigarettes (15) thus formed being moved apart from each other in pairs, with double-length filter plugs (14) being attached to both cigarettes (15) to form double cigarettes (22) and finally with the filter plugs (14) being severed in half to form the finished cigarettes (18), characterized by the following features:

   a) the tobacco rods (19), the double cigarettes (22) and the cigarettes (18) can be transported along a production line in alternating fashion through sections of belt conveyors and by drums,

   b) in the region of work stations, in particular in the region of a filter station (13), a rolling station (16), an inspection station (19) and a turning station (20), the tobacco rods (10), cigarettes (15), double cigarettes (22) and filter cigarettes (18) can be respectively transported by means of the belt conveyor, or a belt conveyor, to a drum or onto rollers, transported further by the latter during processing and can be returned to the belt conveyor or a belt conveyor.
2. The apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the production line comprises individual, independent belt conveyors with troughs, namely endless sectional belts (59, 60, 61), each with its own drive unit, and that between the sectional belts (59, 60, 61) are arranged the respective drums or rollers as transport means for the tobacco rods (10), cigarettes (15), double cigarettes (22) or filter cigarettes (18).
3. The apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the production line is assigned a single, continuous conveyor belt (40) configured as a trough belt, whose conveying strand (35) for the transport of tobacco rods (10), cigarettes (15), filter cigarettes (18) or double cigarettes (22) is deflected downwards in the region of processing stations for the purpose of circumventing the elements of the processing stations.
4. The apparatus according to Claim 3 or one of the further Claims, characterized in that each conveying section (42, 47, 50, 53) of the continuous conveyor belt (40) is assigned at least one driving roller (25) with its own drive unit, in particular with a servo motor (58).
5. The apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further Claims, characterized in that severing elements for the severing of tobacco rods (10) or double cigarettes (22), namely blades (12) or severing blades (17), are arranged in the region of trough belts, namely in the region of a conveying section (42, 50) or in the region of a sectional belt (60).
6. The apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further Claims, characterized in that elements for the formation of a transverse spacing between the cigarettes (15) formed after the tobacco rod (10) is severed are arranged in a region between two successive conveying sections (42, 47) on one hand, and (50, 53) on the other hand, in particular cone-shaped expansion drums (45, 46).
7. The apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further Claims, characterized in that a rolling station (16) is formed between two successive conveying sections (47, 50) or between two successive sectional belts (59, 60) for the purpose of connecting two adjacent cigarettes (15) with a common filter plug (14).
8. The apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized in that the trough belt, which is in particular configured as a toothed belt, has transverse suction bore holes (30) in the region of the troughs (28) which in the region of the rollers correspond to or are aligned with the suction bore holes (32) of the rollers, with the suction bore holes (32) of the rollers being connected to a source of negative pressure.
9. The apparatus according to Claim 8 or one of the further Claims, characterized in that the troughs (28) of the trough belt are also impinged by suction air in the region of a (horizontally) straight conveying section or in the region of the conveying strand (35), in particular by stationary suction cases (36) arranged beneath the conveying strand (35) which are connected to a source of negative pressure and which are open on the side facing the lower side of the conveying strand (35).
10. The apparatus according to Claim 9 or one of the further Claims, characterized in that the suction case (36) underneath the conveying strand (35) simultaneously serves as a support for the conveying strand (35), in particular by means of webs (39) arranged within the suction case (36) and running in the conveying direction on which the conveying strand (35) rests at least in part.
11. The apparatus according to Claim 1 or one of the further Claims, characterized in that the troughs (28), which preferably run continuously across the full width of the trough belt, have breaks (64), namely recesses, in which processing or guiding elements enter, in particular lifting fingers (65) for the purpose of lifting tobacco rods (10), cigarettes (15), filter cigarettes (18), double cigarettes (22) and/or filter plugs (14) out of the troughs (28).

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