EP1226766A2 - Transfer means for machines for manufacturing filters for tobacco industry products - Google Patents

Abstract

The transfer arrangement includes a compensation device (28) for insufficient or excessive amounts of filter material being transferred. A control device is used to help transfer filter material (20, 26, 27, 30) into specially shape pieces of wrapping material (37), preferably tubes (15). Independent claims are also included for (i) a transfer arrangement comprising a transfer device (17) which is in direct contact with the filter material for transferring it into the wrapping material pieces, movement of this device being carried out exclusively using a control device, and (ii) a cigarette filter making machine with either of these transfer arrangements.

Description

The invention relates to a transfer means for Machines for the production of filters for products of the tobacco processing industry and a corresponding Filter manufacturing machine for the production of filters for Products of the tobacco processing industry.

Corresponding transfer means are, for example, from the DE-AS 17 82 364, GB 1243977 and US 3,603,058 corresponds, known. With the publication just mentioned or in the publications just mentioned is one Device for producing filter granules containing Filter known. The device described corresponds to a filter manufacturing machine by the Applicant manufactured under the name "Bernhard" and was expelled. The "Bernhard" is in specialist circles well known. With this device Multiple filters attached to cigarettes or other tobacco containing articles are prepared, manufactured. Under Multiple filters, also called multi-segment filters are referred to are understood to be filters that consist of at least two different materials or Segments exist. These materials are, for example, cellulose acetate, Paper, fleece, granulate, sintered elements, Hollow cylinders or hollow chambers and capsules and the like, which in particular of a wrapping material, such as Paper to be wrapped. A corresponding filter manufacturing machine usually represents 2, 4 or 6 times long filter rods ago. The in DE-AS 17 82 364 "Bernhard" described, for example, provides cigarette filters 2 times the length of use. For transferring filter material in filter sleeves or in wrapping material Existing pipes are provided with plungers that go directly over a control means limiting pieces in the tubular Move the wrappings in the axial direction of the recordings or bring. The control means here for Tappet represents a fixed cam.

DE-AS 17 82 364 as well as DE 101 05 010.0 and DE 101 05 011.9 of the applicant, which a method and a device for the production of multiple filters relate to by referring to the revelation of this application. In these registrations appropriate filter manufacturing machines for manufacturing of filters for tobacco processing products Industry described. The present application discloses an improvement to these machines and further an improvement of an element or a transfer means of these machines.

When dosing the filter material, especially when dosing of granular filter material can to certain inaccuracies and thus certain differences in the dumping heights come. With such differences in bed height it would make sense to use appropriate filter plugs or stopper so far into the corresponding Introduce filter sleeve so that no space can arise in which the granules can move. If this happens, it is possible that the Effect of the filter material due to the fact that suction air and thus smoke past the filter material can be made completely obsolete.

In contrast, the present invention has the task a transfer means and a filter making machine specify by means of the corresponding tolerances in the Dosage of filter material or in the thickness of Filter material can be compensated. It is further an object of the present invention, at too large Deviations from the target value the manufactured accordingly To be able to sort out filters.

This task is solved by a transfer agent for machines for the production of filters for products the tobacco processing industry, especially for Manufacture of multiple filters designed in this way is that it uses a control filter material in wrapping material sections, in particular in too Pipe shaped wrapping material sections, transferred, a compensating element being provided.

The compensating element serves in the context of the invention especially to different amounts of filter material, such as, in particular, different heights Cellulose acetate stoppers or segments or elements and correspondingly different height paper segments and Fleece segments as well as different fillings of Compensate granules. For example, there is too little granulate in the multiple filter has been filled and that would be it Compensation element not provided, would be a corresponding End plug or a end segment For example, cellulose acetate in the wrapping material sections be introduced that a cavity results, so that the granules when moving the finished multiple filter would rattle. By the Compensating element becomes the filter plug or the Final filter segment sufficiently deep in the wrapping material section introduced so that no cavity arises.

The control element is preferably a lifting / lowering device, preferably at least part of the Transfer means moved back and forth in the axial direction. The control element is preferably a cam ring, so that in cooperation of the cam ring with the Conveying means a corresponding and definable Movement of the transfer means is possible.

A particularly elegant solution is possible if preferably the compensating element is an elastic one Material includes. Due to the elastic material it is possible the control under this application is also referred to as a tax fundamentally can be guided on the same trajectory, so that this can be made relatively simple. The control element then moves the transfer means, for example so far in the direction of the wrapping material section, that this the filter material without compensation element too far into the wrapping material sections would introduce. Through the compensating element Introducing or feeding movement of the filter material through the transfer means only so far that a the filter materials are packed tightly, in particular there are no more cavities. The elasticity can preferably be predetermined and / or adjustable.

A particularly simple implementation is then given if the transfer means at least one plunger includes. The plunger is then the preferred element to Filter material into the wrapping material sections introduce. Is preferably a guide element provided by means of which the at least one plunger to be led.

If a limiting element is preferably provided, by means of which a maximum deflection of the ram can be predetermined is, in particular a maximum deflection provided in relation to or relative to the guide element it is possible to ascertain with certainty whether the generated filter has cavities or not.

The compensating element preferably comprises a spring, whereby a very simple design of the transfer means given is. The filters are in Rest position, i.e. in a position in which the plunger does not touch the filter material or apply any force the spring by touching or feeding Filter material on which the filter exists is located preferably the limiting element at the limit stop. Only when transferring filter material the boundary element becomes the boundary stop pushed away. The spring constant is preferably the Adjustable spring. This is the force with which Filter material into the wrapping material sections is introduced, adjustable.

The compensating element is preferably by means of a Motor, especially a stepper motor. The control element preferably comprises a corresponding one Engine. The motor or the motor shaft gives that Torque preferably via a spring to a gear element further that engages with the transfer means stands.

In another embodiment of the invention, the Cushioning by means of electromagnetic force generation happen. For this, at least part of the Compensating elements be metallic, so that for example enables a kind of eddy current braking function is. At least part of the compensating element is preferably magnetizable or magnetized. The Compensation element can also be operated pneumatically become. As a further alternative, it is possible to use a predeterminable weight to provide gravity exploit.

A sensor, in particular a force sensor, is preferably a contact sensor or a distance sensor intended. A contact sensor or a distance sensor, which can also be a contact sensor is preferably used to determine whether a tight filling of the wrapping material sections is given. through of these sensors it is possible to reject very easily determine. The contact sensor can, for example, be a be an electrical sensor with the appropriate contact conducts an electrical current. The distance sensor can be by means of light or ultrasound be operable or output capacitive measurement signals. The Force sensor can, for example, by means of a piezo element or a torque measuring device or the power consumption of an engine.

The elastic material is preferably an elastic, in particular foam-like, plastic, by means of which in particular at least a part of at least one Cavity of the transfer means can be filled.

The invention is further implemented by a transfer means for machines for the production of filters for products the tobacco processing industry solved, one Transfer element is provided, which is configured in this way is that it is in direct contact with the filter material the filter material in at least one wrapping material section, especially in at least a tube-shaped wrapping material section, transferred, the movement of the transfer element made possible only indirectly by a control element is.

Due to the direct coupling of the movement of the Transfer element with the control can Range of motion, i.e. the distance covered by the transfer element or part of the transfer element regardless of the one specified by the control Forced movement be designed. Preferably is a, in particular mechanical, compensation element between the transfer element and the control element arranged. The compensating element is preferably one Feather.

According to the invention is a filter manufacturing machine for Manufacture of filters for products of the tobacco processing industry with at least one of the designed above-described transfer means.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung eines Teils einer Filterherstellmaschine, wobei in Fig. 1a) bis 1i) verschiedene Filter mit unterschiedlichen Befüllungsgraden dargestellt sind,

Fig. 2

ein Detail aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

ein Detail aus Fig. 1 in einer anderen Position,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Teils einer Filterherstellmaschine, und

Fig. 5

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel in schematischer Querschnittsdarstellung eines Teils einer Filterherstellmaschine.

The invention is described below without restricting the general inventive concept on the basis of exemplary embodiments, to which reference is expressly made with regard to all details according to the invention which are not explained in more detail in the text. Show it:

Fig. 1

1 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of a part of a filter manufacturing machine, different filters with different degrees of filling being shown in FIGS. 1a) to 1i),

Fig. 2

1 a detail from FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

1 in a different position,

Fig. 4

2 shows a schematic cross-sectional illustration of a further exemplary embodiment of a part of a filter manufacturing machine, and

Fig. 5

another embodiment in a schematic cross-sectional view of part of a filter manufacturing machine.

The same reference numbers are used in the following figures used for the same elements, so that from a new one Presentation of the respective elements apart becomes.

Fig. 1 shows one in the central area of Fig. 1 schematic representation of part of a filter manufacturing machine and marked in the lower area through the letters a) to i) different filters in different degrees of filling. A sleeve 11 that from paper to a tube or a paper tube 37 is formed, comprises a first filter material in the middle 19. To fill the sleeve 11 is first a lower plunger 18 inserted into the sleeve 11 from below, to support the first filter material 19, or, if the first filter material 19 glued to the sleeve 11 is to move the sleeve into the correct position in a conveyor drum bore 16, for example Fig. 4 is shown. In the conveyor drum bore 16 the sleeve 11 is, for example, by vacuum or a vacuum held in their position. The conviction is in Fig. 1 b) shown. In Fig. 1 c) is a first Granules 26 already inserted into the filter sleeve 11 Service. The corresponding dosing of the granules is done for example through holes 14 of a slide 24 or through bores 14 of a slide 42 which are shown in FIG. 4 and 5 are shown. The filling is, for example, in the patent applications filed today that are described above, described in more detail. In one next process step, which is shown in Fig. 1d) is a filter plug by means of an upper plunger 17 20 inserted into the sleeve from above. In Fig. 1d) correct filling of the first part of the filter sleeve shown.

The upper plunger 17 is guided through a shaft 25 and has the tendency to pressure due to the spring 28 exercise below. The shaft 25 itself is due an attachment to the shoulder 31, which in a Guide groove 44 of the attachment 32 is guided on Machine frame 33 on a trajectory up and down emotional. In the case of full filling, this is Limiting element 29 spaced from shoulder 31.

This is shown again in detail in FIG. 2, for example. The position of the limiting element 29 in Relationship to shoulder 31 corresponds to the filling acc. 1d) or 1f).

1e) to 1i) are different degrees of filling shown. The complete filling of one Half of a sleeve 11, as in Fig. 1f), results if sufficient granulate at a height of, for example, 5 mm, as shown in Fig. 1e) was introduced. If 0.5 mm less granulate has been introduced, as shown in Fig. 1g), which is a difference of Corresponds to 10%, would be with a conventional filter manufacturing machine as shown in Fig. 1h), the Filter plug 20 only up to the top edge of the sleeve 11 are introduced so that a cavity at a height of 0.5 mm. This then creates the known rattle effects or an incomplete one Functionality of the filter. Within the scope of this invention the filter plug 20 is deeper into the Filter sleeve 11 inserted, as shown in Fig. 1i) is the relative position of the limiting element 29 to shoulder 31 in FIG. 3 is. The maximum compensation provided by the compensation element is possible, in particular by the spring 28 and the deflection by the guide groove 44 in Connection with the compensating element is enabled, is definable. For example, it can be specified that from an equalization of 0.5 mm between the filters Processing is excluded. For example, Sensors are provided, on which in the context of FIG. 4 and 5 will be discussed in more detail.

In Fig. 1 it is also shown that the lower plunger 18 has a shoulder 131 which in a Guide groove 144 of a fastening 132 is guided, the is attached to the machine frame 133. Through the trajectory the guide groove is then the movement of the Tappet 18 specified.

In the further course of the process, the filter sleeve 11 would have to turned once by 180 ° and then the other Fill the side sufficiently with filter material. It this creates a double in this embodiment Triple filter or a triple filter twice the working length, usually after the corresponding Connection with rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing Industry is cut in half, so e.g. to get two fully manufactured cigarettes.

4 shows another embodiment of the present Invention, not all of the elements in 1 are shown. 4 is by means of the plunger 18, the filter sleeve 11 already in one Conveyor drum bore 16 has been introduced. There are Vacuum bores 13 or vacuum bores shown, those for transferring the filter sleeve 11 to a deeper one as shown in Fig. 4 from a position Sleeve feed drum 10 shown in Fig. 5, serve. Furthermore, the upper plunger 17 is through a bore 14 or a tube 15 through the holes in the slide 23 and 24 and another hole in a filter plug drum 22 is given. By doing Slider 23 are still filter plugs 20 and 30, to fill them with the second part of the half-filled one Fill the filter sleeve. Additional granules 26 and 27 is in a granulate station of the filter manufacturing machine inserted into the bores 14 of the slide 24. By doing Embodiment according to Fig. 4 is in two process steps each in two packages or separately from each other a filter plug 30 with a granulate material 26 or a filter plug 20 with a granulate material 27 inserted into the filter sleeve 11. It is also a sensor 43, which in this case, for example Contact sensor can be shown. Should the limiting element 29 Contact with the contact sensor 43 can produce, for example, a current that flows Contact of the limiting element 29 with the contact sensor 30 displays. Should the Guide 25 in the direction of the filter material feed position, thus the limiting element in the direction of the filter sleeve 11 29 can be in contact with the contact sensor 43 this should be seen as a sign that none sufficient full filling is given what so much means that a cavity has arisen. In in this case the sleeve or the partially filled one Sleeve excluded from further processing become.

5 is another embodiment of the presented present invention. In this embodiment are two more sliders 41 and 42 shown so that in a single step four different filter materials in the filter sleeve 11 can be introduced. The drive of the upper tappet 17 does not happen in this case as in the example 4 and FIG. 1 via a guide groove 44, but via a motor 36.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the torque of the motor 36 via a spring 40 to a gear 35 fed. The gear 35 is in engagement with one Rack 34, which via a piezo element 38 with the Upper plunger 17 is connected. It is now possible to use a force sensor, which, for example, records the torque of the engine or by the illustrated Piezo element 38 the force for transferring the filter material or to move the corresponding downstream Elements to measure, from which conclusions about the Degree of filling can be taken.

5, a spring 28 is also shown, which in acts in a similar manner to the spring 28 of FIGS. 1 and 4. This presses on a distance sensor 39, which on a Shoulder 31 is arranged. The spring 28 could also be connected directly to the shoulder 31. The distance sensor 39 senses the distance to the upper edge, for example the filter plug drum 22 to make a statement about the deflection of the upper plunger 17 in the direction of To be able to meet filter sleeve 11. Should be a certain Be less than the minimum distance Distance can be specified, the partially filled Filter sleeve or one then essentially complete filled filter sleeve from further processing locked out. The distance can be measured using light measurements, for example be carried out or using ultrasound measurements or follow capacitively.

It is also possible to use the embodiment according to Fig. 5 convert such that the spring 28 is missing. The compensation is then preferably done by the spring 40. The spring 40 may also be missing. The compensation is then preferably carried out electronically Evaluation of the previous path of the plunger 17 and if necessary, the force applied by absorbing the torque or the power consumption of the engine or the acting force, measured by the piezo element 38 can be carried out. In this case, one Signal processing and an electronic control instead of.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Sleeve feed drum

11

shell

12

conveyor drum

13

vacuum bore

14

drilling

15

pipe

16

Conveyor drum bore

17

upper ram

18

under ram

19

1. Filter material

20

filter plugs

22

Filter plugs drum

23

1. Slider

24

2. Slider

25

shaft

26

1. Granules

27

2. Granules

28

feather

29

limiting element

30

filter plugs

31

shoulder

32

attachment

33

machine frame

34

rack

35

gear

36

engine

37

paper sleeve

38

piezo element

39

Distance sensor

40

feather

41

3. Slider

42

4. Slider

43

Contact sensor

44

guide

131

shoulder

132nd

attachment

133

machine frame

144

guide

Claims (13)

Conveying means for machines for the production of filters for products of the tobacco processing industry, which is designed in such a way that by means of a control element (44, 144; 34, 35, 36) filter material (20, 26, 27, 30) in wrapping material sections (37), transferred in particular to wrapping material sections (37) shaped into tubes (11), characterized in that a compensating element (25, 28, 40) is provided. Transfer means according to claim 1, characterized in that the control element (44, 144) is designed as a guide groove. Transfer means according to claim 2, characterized in that the compensating element (25, 28, 40) comprises an elastic material. Transfer means according to claim 2 and / or 3, characterized in that the transfer means comprises at least one plunger (17). Transfer means according to claim 4, characterized in that a guide element (25) is provided, by means of which the at least one plunger (17) is guided. Transfer means according to claim 4 and / or 5, characterized in that a limiting element (29, 31) is provided, by means of which a maximum deflection of the tappet (17) can be predetermined. Transfer means according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the compensating element (25, 28, 40) comprises a spring (28, 40). Transfer means according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the compensating element (25, 28, 40) can be moved by means of a motor (36), in particular a stepping motor. Transfer means according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a sensor, in particular a force sensor, a contact sensor or a distance sensor is provided. Transfer means according to one or more of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the elastic material (28, 40) is an elastic, in particular foam-shaped, plastic, by means of which in particular at least a part of at least one cavity of the transfer means can be filled. Transfer means for machines for the production of filters for products of the tobacco processing industry, wherein a transfer element (17) is provided, which is designed such that it is in direct contact with filter material (20, 26, 27, 30) the filter material (20, 26, 27, 30) in at least one wrapping material section (37), in particular in wrapping material section (37) formed into at least one tube (11), characterized in that the movement of the transfer element (17) is exclusively indirectly controlled by a control element (44, 36) is possible. Transfer means according to claim 11, characterized in that a compensating element (28, 40) is arranged between the transfer element (17) and the control element (32, 33, 36). Filter manufacturing machine for the production of filters for products of the tobacco processing industry with at least one transfer means according to one or several of claims 1 to 12.

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