EP1364588B1 - Arrangement and method for the formation of at least two tobacco rods in a cigarette rod making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine for forming twin tobacco streams in a cigarette forming machine has a feed for layered metered amounts of tobacco (39-42) to at least two vacuum flow conveyors (50) defining flow surfaces (44). The feed has at least two storage shafts (40) extending successively transversely to the feed direction (91) of the flow conveyors. The storage feeds extend over the same width. Claims include a method for forming the tobacco streams.

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for the construction of at least two tobacco strands in a cigarette rod machine.

The invention further relates to a corresponding stranding machine having such an arrangement and to a method for constructing at least two tobacco strands from a single tobacco supply.

From DE 101 54 807.9 of the applicant, a corresponding arrangement for the construction of at least one tobacco rod in a cigarette rod machine is known. This arrangement described there was the task based, by an optimized structural and fluidic design of the tobacco supply means to reinforce the positive effect of the fluidized bed distributor and stabilize, wherein the solution is such that the arrangement for building at least one tobacco rod in a cigarette rod machine, with metered and sighted tobacco on a to a Saugstrangförderer leading, a tobacco / air layer forming flow surface conductive supply means, further-formed is that the supply means - with respect to the conveying direction of the tobacco - have a one in the flow area opening dosing upstream upstream visual means. The viewing means here may preferably be a zig-zag sifter. In the context of the invention, the flow surfaces are in particular intended to form a tobacco / air layer.

It is also known from DE 36 19 579 C2 to feed by means of a Tabaksteamachtes a double-strand machine, wherein behind the stowage in the tobacco conveying direction, a sifter is arranged. In a device or arrangement according to DE 36 19 579 C2, tobacco is spread over the entire width of the distributor shown there in, for example, FIG. 1, the width of which is clearly visible in FIG. 3, on the guide surface shown in FIG Frame of this invention is also called flow surface, applied. In a plan view of the viewing direction III of Fig. 2 of this patent is very well the width of the baffle or flow area to recognize, which extends transversely to the direction of movement of the tobacco over the entire baffle or flow area. Both DE 36 19 579 C2 and DE 101 54 807.9 should be incorporated in full in the disclosure of this application. The in the DE 36 19 579 C2 so-called guide surface is called in this application flow area.

US-A-4 463 767 discloses a two-lane cigarette making machine in which two chutes are provided. The chutes are arranged one behind the other along the conveying direction of the suction belt conveyor. The two storage compartments here each cover a Aufschauerbereich each of the two Saugstrangföderer, the Aufschauerbereiche are staggered in the conveying direction of the Saugstrangförderer behind the other and also arranged transversely to the conveying direction one behind the other. This results in a very small Aufschauerbereich per Saugstrangförderer or a large-building cigarette rod machine.

GB 253 585 A discloses a two-lane cigarette rod making machine in which two chutes are provided, each chute being provided for supplying a cigarette rod. According to the aforementioned publication, the chutes are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction of the suction belt conveyor in this case.

It is compared to this prior art object of the present invention to provide a way to accelerate a corresponding provided with a generic arrangement cigarette rod machine with respect to the processing speed of the tobacco. In this case, a uniform distribution of tobacco in more than one tobacco rod in terms of fiber length, mixture and variety should always be ensured. Furthermore, a variant is to be specified in which the strand formation over the entire width or substantially the entire width of the arrangement is possible, so that a very fast strand formation can be realized.

This object is achieved by an arrangement for the construction of at least two tobacco strands in a cigarette rod machine with the features that supply means are provided for conveying particularly metered and sighted tobacco on at least two leading to at least one Saugstrangförderer flow areas, wherein the supply means comprise at least two storage slots , Which are arranged transversely to the conveying direction of the at least one Saugstrangförderers one behind the other.

The inventive arrangement allows a very fast and effective transport of tobacco, wherein at least two very uniform tobacco strands can be quickly established.

The storage spaces preferably extend essentially over the entire width of the arrangement. The width of the arrangement is within the scope of the invention, in particular the entire Aufschauerbreite the tobacco or the entire width over the flow surfaces before they are divided into other flow areas. In the context of this invention, the term "essentially the entire width" also encompasses the entire width, whereby, of course, a housing not intended for tobacco extrusion or tobacco rod assembly, which is arranged around the arrangement, is not added to the width. The entire width would be in the context of Figure 4 DE 32 09 195 C2, the entire width of the wall 36 disposed there in the sloping guide shaft 31. In other words, the width is used for the tobacco formation effective width of the arrangement.

If the storage chutes are substantially parallel to one another, particularly uniform tobacco strands can be produced. The storage bays are within the scope of the invention, in particular one behind the other arranged. One behind the other means in the context of the invention in particular arranged transversely to the width. When an operator stands in front of the assembly and the suction belt conveyors extend from left to right (and vice versa) as viewed, the storage bays lie one behind the other.

When at least one tobacco sifter is provided, with the at least one tobacco sifter being positioned in front of the storage bays with respect to the tobacco stream, tobacco sifting may occur shortly before the tobacco stock is produced. In this case, it is preferable to supply un-faced or incompletely-lined tobacco. In particular, within the scope of the invention, no tobacco separator is arranged behind the storage chutes in the conveying direction of the tobacco, so that uniform tobacco strands can be produced without requiring much transport air. Preferably, the tobacco is removed from at least one common tobacco supply.

If a feed means is provided, wherein the feed means allows alternately feeding the at least two storage spaces with tobacco, a uniform distribution of the tobacco is feasible. Alternatively, a simultaneous filling can take place substantially continuously, in which case, however, measures must be taken in order to realize a uniform filling. As a loading means according to the invention, for example, a flap, a Y-piece, a reciprocating belt and the like come into question. For this purpose, further explanations are given in the description of the figures. Preferably, the feed means is operated at a feed rate which is greater, preferably substantially greater, than the discharge frequency of the tobacco feed lock. By this embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention is provided for a separation of the tobacco. For example. For example, the loading frequency can be ten times as large as the emptying frequency of the storage chutes or, for example, only five times as large. The tobacco feed lock is located in front of the pre-distributor and receives the usually cut tobacco pneumatically promoted to the cigarette machine, which has been prepared in the preparation of tobacco (Primary).

If at least one first lock is provided between the space provided for the tobacco supply and the storage bays, tobacco can be transported to the storage bays in a very targeted manner. In this case, in particular the first lock for separating an air flow from the tobacco is provided in order to specifically promote tobacco after a pneumatic sighting with as little air as possible, so that not too much air has to be sucked on the way to Saugstrangförderer.

If at least one second lock is arranged between the space provided for the separated tobacco and the storage bays, with the second lock being provided for portioning the tobacco entering the storage bays, a uniform filling of the storage bays is possible. Preferably, the second lock is arranged downstream of the first lock. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, at least one lock is provided which has the function of the at least one first lock and the at least one second lock.

If an air extraction in the region of at least two Saugstrangförderer is provided, a particularly uniform strand formation is possible. The air extraction ensures the excess of air that is needed for the tobacco stream on the flow surfaces is provided to suck, inasmuch as the Saugstrangförderer and any intended Wälzraum itself can not suck off enough air. The air extraction is particularly useful when the tobacco is conveyed with more air to the Saugstrangförderern than is sucked by the Saugstrangförderer. Preferably, an air suction is provided on each of the flow surface opposite duct wall, in particular in the region of each Saugstrangförderers.

A particularly rapid and effective transformation of the tobacco into tobacco strands is possible when the at least two flow surfaces are divided into two flow surfaces each leading to a suction strand conveyor, so that a total of four tobacco strands can be produced simultaneously. Alternatively, the conversion of the tobacco into tobacco strands may be slower than conventional, so that the subsequent processing steps are less time-critical without losing productivity.

If tobacco is removable from two tobacco stocks and the at least two storage compartments can be fed separately, it is possible to simultaneously produce two different tobacco strands with respect to the tobacco variety so that two different cigarette brands can be produced with an arrangement for building at least two tobacco rods in a cigarette rod maker. This results in a high variability in cigarette production.

There are at least two storage spaces, which are arranged transversely to the conveying direction of Saugstrangförderern behind one another, used to produce at least two, preferably four tobacco strands in a cigarette rod machine. If this at least two different types of tobacco to tobacco strands are processed simultaneously, a high variability of cigarette production is possible. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a corresponding cigarette rod machine comprising at least one arrangement according to the invention, as described above.

Finally, the object is achieved by a cigarette rod machine with an arrangement for the construction of at least three, preferably 2m, tobacco strands, where m is a natural number and greater than 1. The cigarette rod making machine according to the invention makes it possible to produce several tobacco strands very quickly, i. produce at least three tobacco strands, so that the production of cigarettes can be performed even faster than was previously possible. Preferably, n storage bays are provided. In a preferred embodiment of the cigarette rod machine according to the invention, at least one of the above-described arrangements according to the invention is provided.

According to the invention, a cigarette rod machine with 2n stowage spaces and the same or double number of suction cords is also provided for producing respectively n or 2n tobacco cords of different types of tobacco. Here n is an integer that is 1 or greater than 1. The cigarette rod machine according to the invention makes it possible to process several types of tobacco simultaneously in the cigarette rod making machine into cigarette rods and finally to produce cigarettes therefrom so that two or more different cigarette brands can be produced at the same time.

The invention is further achieved by a method for constructing at least two tobacco strands from a tobacco supply, wherein at least two storage ducts, in particular directly with tobacco are fed from the tobacco supply, wherein from the at least two storage spaces of the tobacco is conveyed to at least one flow area, and wherein the tobacco is then fed to at least two Saugstrangförderern, wherein the storage spaces are arranged transversely to the conveying direction of the Saugstrangförderer one behind the other. By the method according to the invention a uniform and rapid tobacco rod formation is possible. Preferably, the one tobacco supply is a single tobacco supply.

If preferably the at least two storage compartments are filled alternately, segregation of the tobacco is counteracted. In this case, a portion-wise filling of the storage ducts preferably takes place, with a plurality of portions being necessary in order to provide a complete filling. In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the frequency of filling the storage ducts is greater, in particular substantially greater, than the emptying frequency of the tobacco feed lock.

If the filling of the storage chutes and the delivery to the respective at least one flow area over substantially the entire width of a distribution unit for distributing tobacco to at least two suction belt conveyors is provided, a particularly effective and rapid formation of tobacco strands is possible.

Preferably, the tobacco is previously sighted, so that as little as possible transport air must be used to form the tobacco strands. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, three, four or more tobacco strands are produced in particular simultaneously. If twice as many tobacco strands are produced as storage spaces are provided, in particular the flow surfaces are divided with respect to their width into two equally wide further flow surfaces, as in DE 36 19 579 C2 or EP 1 174 046 A2, the full extent in the Revelation content of this application should be included to achieve a uniform distribution of tobacco fibers and tobacco rod, not only two tobacco rods are possible, but also four or more.

If a separation of transport air and tobacco takes place between the tobacco supply and the at least two storage compartments, a good result with regard to the uniform formation of the tobacco strands can be achieved in the subsequent formation of the tobacco strands with as little air extraction as possible.

Preferably, the tobacco is added in portions to the storage compartments. Further preferably, in particular further air is sucked off in the region of the flow surfaces and / or in the region of the suction strand conveyor.

In the following the invention will be described by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings without limiting the general inventive concept, with respect to all not explained in detail in the text details of the invention is expressly made to the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung,

Fig. 2

einen Ausschnitt einer weiteren Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung in schematischer Darstellung,

Fig. 3

einen weiteren Ausschnitt einer weiteren Ausführungsform in schematischer Darstellung,

Fig. 4 bis 12

jeweils schematische Schnittdarstellungen von Verteilern,

Fig. 13

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts aus Fig. 12 in einer anderen Ausführungsform,

Fig. 14

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts aus Fig. 12 in einer weiteren Ausführungsform,

Fig. 15

einen Ausschnitt aus einer erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung in einer weiteren Ausführungsform in schematischer Darstellung und

Fig. 16

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindunggemäßen Anordnung in einer weiteren Ausführungsform.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of an arrangement according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a detail of a further embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention in a schematic representation,

Fig. 3

a further detail of a further embodiment in a schematic representation,

4 to 12

each schematic sectional views of distributors,

Fig. 13

1 is a schematic representation of a section from FIG. 12 in another embodiment,

Fig. 14

FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a detail from FIG. 12 in a further embodiment, FIG.

Fig. 15

a section of an inventive arrangement in a further embodiment in a schematic representation and

Fig. 16

a schematic representation of an inventive arrangement in a further embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows an inventive arrangement for the construction of two tobacco strands in a cigarette rod machine, wherein the schematic representation of Fig. 1 represents only essential for the invention elements of a tobacco distributor.

From a pneumatic tobacco feed lock 11 tobacco is fed to a pre-distributor 10, which is provided with the raking rollers 12 and 13. The pre-distributor 10 opens into a tobacco reservoir 16, the discharge side is associated with a steep conveyor 17, which cooperates with a tobacco combing paddle roller 18 and with a tobacco in a downwardly leading feed chute 19 separating singling roller 21. The feed chute 19 is bounded by a boundary plate 20. The feed chute 19 opens laterally into a section of a viewing means in the form of a vertically arranged zigzag classifier 22.

The zigzag classifier 22 is part of a circulating air system 24 operated by a cross-flow fan 23 in the flow direction of the circulating air system 24 downstream of the cross-flow fan 23, a Umluftkrümmer, provided that merges in the region of its outer radius in a branching off from the circulating system 24 bypass and in the region of its inner radius in an excess flow channel, in which a Tabaküberschußtransportmittel in the form of a screw conveyor and a cellular wheel opens. These details are not shown in FIG. 1 but, for example, in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4 of DE 101 54 807.9. Reference is made in this regard in full to the aforementioned patent application.

In the recirculation system 24 of the classifier circuit also designed as a Coanda separator tobacco / air separator 26 is connected on both sides of a Abscheidekante 36 on the one hand to the suction side of the crossflow fan 23, and on the other hand in a above two storage bays 40, 40 'arranged rotary valve 37th opens.

The substantially perpendicularly arranged storage compartments 40, 40 'terminate with their shaft outlets, which in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 are designed as vibrating shaft outlets with corresponding vibration elements 60, 60', at the lower end in each case via one with a rollover roller 41, 41 'cooperating removal roller 42, 42'. Between the storage spaces 40, 40 'and the rotary valve 37, an impeller 38 is still provided for portioning the tobacco and a distribution element 39, by means of which alternately the two storage spaces 40, 40' can be filled in portions with tobacco.

The rotary valve 37 is used to separate transport air from the air circulation system 24 from the tobacco, of the Tabakabscheideraum 81 above the rotary valve 37 is promoted to this. In further embodiments, for example, the Fig. 2 or Fig. 6 are not two sluices in the form of the rotary valve 37 and the impeller 38 provided as a lock but only a lock 35 and in the case of Fig. 2 a lock in the form of an impeller 38. In the case of Fig. 6, the single lock 35 may include the functions of the rotary valve 37 and the impeller 38, namely the separation of air and tobacco and the portioning of tobacco. In the case of Fig. 2, a separation of the transport air from the tobacco is not necessary, since a view according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 does not take place or even before the steep conveyor 17 takes place, so that a separation of tobacco and transport air in the embodiment of FIG 2 in front of the storage bays is not necessary.

Returning to FIG. 1, a guide channel, which is delimited by a guide surface which merges into a respective one-web flow area 44, 44 'of a flow channel, is visible below the removal rollers 42, 42'. The flow channels are initially superimposed. By means of blown air feeds 43, 43 ', a tight-fitting, tobacco-conveying air flow is generated at the flow surfaces 44, 44'. The upwardly leading flow surfaces 44, 44 'open below a strand assembly unit of a double-strand machine, wherein in Fig. 1 schematically two Saugstrangförderer 50, 50' are shown and in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 schematically a strand assembly unit 51, the corresponding number of Saugstrangförderer 50th , 50 '. The Saugstrangförderer are constructed according to DE 36 19 579 C2. The upward-striving Tabakfüllströme reach according to Fig. 1 to two parallel next to each other arranged Saugstrangförderern 50, 50 ', each consisting of a basically a tobacco channel along a perforated plate running permeable conveyor belt whose rear side is under the suction effect of a vacuum chamber. The excess transport air is sucked by means of Luftabsaugelementen 30, 30 '. The transport air itself is brought by means of a schematically indicated air flow 43 or 43 'in the direction of the flow surfaces 44 and 44'.

The tobacco / air separator 26 is arranged around a tubular body 48.

The zig-zag sifter 22 is equipped with a screw 47, with which the separated Sichtgut, such as tobacco ribs, is removed. There may be other elements, such as a Nachsichter be provided, which are described in DE 101 54 807.9.

The mode of operation of the separator system, which is used to prepare a fleece-like tobacco stream which has been converted into a strand-forming path and integrated into the distributor of a cigarette rod machine, is as follows:

Tobacco passes through the feed lock 11 and the predistributor 10 into the tobacco reservoir 16 to the steep conveyor 17, from which the classifier system is charged with a continuous stream of tobacco by combing tobacco from the tobacco reservoir 16 with the steep conveyor 17 equipped with steep conveying combs. In order to achieve a uniform occupancy of the steep conveyor 17, excess tobacco is scraped off by the paddle roller 18. By monitoring the speed of the steep conveyor 17 can at reduced rated speed, a machine stop be triggered, for example, to prevent damage by foreign bodies.

The tobacco lying on the steep conveyor 17 passes into the area of action of the separating roller 21, which accelerates the tobacco into the zig-zag classifier 22 by coarse pre-singling and whose speed is set in terms of a compromise between tobacco destruction and necessary singling, preferably in one Range between 800 and 900 revolutions per minute.

Due to the characteristic shape of the zig-zag sifter 22, on the one hand light tobacco fibers of the tobacco stream are transported upwards and on the other hand the tobacco stream is displaced in a direction transverse to the main flow. Since the flow profile is inhomogeneous, resulting in areas of high and low air velocity, which put the tobacco fibers in a circular motion, so-called vortex rolls. In this way, the ribs contained in the tobacco stream are extracted and moved by gravity down. Light tobacco fibers are repeatedly transported step by step in the zigzag sifter 22 upwards. This process takes place in each trained as a gob sight stage.

The precipitated from the zigzag sifter 22 ribbed material can be blown by a Nachsichter using branched off from the circulating air classifying air, which are still transported back to the ribs lighter tobacco particles are transported back into the main air flow. The tobacco ribs are then discharged by means of a lock in a known manner, reference being made in this regard in particular to DE 101 54 807.9.

The sighted tobacco stream passes into the tobacco / air separator 26, in which the separation of tobacco and air by the centrifugal force and the Coanda effect, the tobacco fibers moved by the centrifugal force on the outer geometry in the form of a curved outer side of the separator 26 along are due to the Coanda effect on the inner radius of the geometry in the form of a cylindrical surface of a tubular body 48 applies. At the separation edge 36, the final separation of air and tobacco takes place, the air separated from the tobacco is fed back to the crossflow fan 23, which has a uniform flow profile or over the width (perpendicular to the plane) of the distributor a homogeneous velocity distribution.

The tobacco separated in the tobacco / air separator 26 is discharged out of the vision system by the rotary valve 37 and passes through an impeller 38 for portioning the quantities of tobacco to two storage compartments 40, 40 ', wherein in the position of the distribution element 39 shown in FIG. 1, the tobacco portion in the right in Fig. 1 Stowage 40 'is promoted. In the position of the distributor element 39 shown in dashed lines, tobacco enters the stowage chamber 40 shown on the left. In the arrangement itself, the stowage compartments 40 and 40 'are arranged one behind the other and extend over the entire width of the arrangement, which is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

From the storage chutes 40, 40 ', the tobacco is transferred by means of the removal rollers 42, 42' and the whipper rollers 41, 41 'in finely separated form over a guide surface on two flow surfaces 44, 44' formed as nozzle recesses. Appropriate Blasluftzuführungen are represented by the characters 43 and 43 ', wherein additional Blasluftzuführungen, such as described for example in DE 101 54 807.9 or EP 1 174 046 A2, can be used very well to achieve excellent separation of tobacco fibers.

It is in compliance with an ideal pressure in the form of a slight negative pressure in the vicinity of 0 mb in a known manner a close-fitting tobacco fluidized bed flow to the strand assembly 51 and as shown in Fig. 1 to the Saugstrangförderern 50, 50 'generates, in which case about the entire width of the arrangement a tobacco fluid bed flow is achieved. Preferably, control units are also provided for setting and maintaining optimum flow conditions and pressure conditions, wherein in particular in FIG. 1 air suction elements 30, 30 'are arranged shortly before the suction strand conveyors 50, 50' in order to be able to extract excess air.

The Saustrangförderer promote tobacco, which is not shown in the direction 91, ie in the plane of Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

By building tobacco rods over the entire width of the arrangement according to the invention, a very homogeneous and very rapid tobacco rod formation can be done. For this purpose, preferably two storage spaces are used, which are formed over the entire width of the arrangement, so that a uniform and rapid strand formation is possible.

2, another embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention is shown in which no sifter is provided. By means of this embodiment of the invention Arrangement unfiltered tobacco, such as. Kretek, can be built into tobacco strands or already previously processed tobacco processed further. The steep conveyor 17 promotes tobacco in a chute 52 in a known manner, followed by an impeller 38 for portioning the tobacco. The portioned tobacco is fed to a distributor element 39, which alternately conveys tobacco into the two storage chutes 40, 40 'arranged one behind the other. In this exemplary embodiment, vibration elements 60 and 60 'are provided in the lower region of the storage chutes 40, 40' in order to be able to deliver tobacco from the storage chutes 40, 40 'uniformly. The other elements correspond to those of FIG. 1.

In Fig. 3, an embodiment of the invention is provided in which four tobacco strands can be generated from a total of two flow surfaces 44, 44 'by per se known division of each flow surface 44, 44' in two flow surfaces 441 and 442 and 441 'and 442' , A division of the tobacco streams from a flow surface onto two flow surfaces is known, for example, from DE 36 19 579 C2, DE 101 54 807.9 and EP 1 174 046 A2. By dividing the tobacco streams from the guide surfaces 44, 44 'on the guide surfaces 441, 442 and 441', 442 'four tobacco strands are constructed according to the invention.

4 to 7 show various embodiments of the distribution element 39. The portionwise in the chute 70 passing tobacco fibers are shown in FIG. 4 with two flaps 71, 71 'the storage spaces 40, 40', respectively. The flaps 71, 71 'are each rotatably mounted about a rotary member and are moved parallel to each other, wherein the direction of movement is indicated by the double arrows.

So that no tobacco fibers remain lying on the forming between the storage bays tip tobacco fibers, this is designed as a wobble edge 72 which allows rotation about a rotation axis 73 according to the double arrow, wherein a cut 74, a separation of the wobble edge 72 to the storage bays 40, 40th 'limiting walls is possible.

Fig. 5 shows a conveyor belt 75 as a distribution element 39 which is guided around rollers 76 and 76 '. The conveyor belt 75 is moved back and forth to allow a corresponding distribution of the coming out of the chute 70 tobacco in the storage bays 40 and 40 '.

The distribution element according to FIG. 6 is a γ distributor 78 which can be rotated from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the opening of the storage shaft 40 into a position in which an opening to the delivery shaft 40 'is made possible. In this embodiment, a lock 35 is additionally provided, which allows both a seal against air and a portioning of tobacco.

According to Fig. 7, a vibrating element 77 and a roller 77 is shown, which prevents, on the edge formed by the boundary walls of the storage bays 40 and 40 ', tobacco fibers remain, so that a blockage is counteracted at this point.

According to FIG. 8, magnetic strips 90, 90 'are mounted in the distribution element 39 in front of the stacked layers 40, 40'. The magnetic strips 90, 90 'are used for depositing metallic Particles from the tobacco and are usually located above the stowage bay. Due to the smaller tobacco stream results in this embodiment, a better separation efficiency of magnetic parts. It is also a flap 71 is provided to divide the tobacco stream.

Fig. 9 shows a further variant of a distributor element 39, in which a rotary valve 37 is used and also a shut-off element 82, 82 ', which covers the stowage compartment 40' in position 82 and in the position 82 'the stowage 40. The advantage of this Device is a simple structure and that the tobacco is not destroyed by the shut-off 82 and 82, respectively. The shut-off element 82 or 82 'is arranged on a sliding strip, which is not shown in FIG. 9. The drive of the rotary valve 37 may be coupled to the slide bar. For example, the drive may be a belt drive with an eccentric for the slide bar.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show further variants of the distributor element 39, with two flaps 71 and 71 'being used in FIG. 10, and a flap 71 according to FIG. 11.

Finally, in Fig. 12, a further variant of a distributor element 39 is shown, in which a belt lock 83 comprising two conveyor belts 84 and 84 'is provided which have the pushers 85 and which are each moved in the direction of the arrow. Thus, by pressurizing tobacco falling into the sluice lock 83 with a force by the pushers 85, alternating between the pushers 85 of the conveyor belt 84 and the conveyor belt 84 ', tobacco alternates promoted in the storage bays 40 and 40 '. If one type of paddle 86 or 87 is used as pusher elements 85, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, the distribution of the tobacco is more accurate.

Fig. 15 shows a detail of an inventive ben-schematic arrangement in a further embodiment, this embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is similar. The distribution of the tobacco from the flow surfaces 44 and 44 'to four Saugstrangförderern in the strand assembly 51, not shown in this figure is done via a fork 88 and 88', which are also carried out over the full width of the flow surfaces 44 and 44 '. This variant is structurally easy to solve.

Fig. 16 shows a schematic representation of a particularly preferred arrangement according to the invention. The difference for example to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 is that tobacco from two stocks 80 and 80 'separated the storage spaces 40 and 40' can be fed. This results in the advantage that on a cigarette rod machine or in an arrangement of the type according to the invention different cigarette brands or cigarette rods can be made from different tobacco. In the Ausführungsbeipiel gem. Fig. 16 are each two strands of different tobaccos. The features of the device for feeding tobacco from the tobacco feed lock 11 and 11 'and the pre-distributor 10 and 10' to the storage spaces 40 and 40 'correspond to the features of Fig. 1, wherein with respect to the second device for the promotion and pre-distribution of tobacco from Fig. 16, the respective reference numerals are provided with a dash. It is in this respect to the description of FIG. 1 in full directed. Finally, with regard to the division of the flow surfaces 44 and 44 'on the flow surfaces 441, 441', 442 and 442 'on the figure description of FIG. 3 fully referenced.

The flow surfaces 44 and 44 'are preferably arranged substantially parallel in the embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10, 10 '

preliminary distributor

11, 11 '

Tobacco load lock

12, 12 '

computing roller

13, 13 '

computing roller

16, 16 '

tobacco reservoir

17, 17 '

vertical conveyor

18, 18 '

paddle roller

19, 19 '

feed chute

20, 20 '

limiting sheet

21, 21 '

separating roller

22, 22 '

Zigzag classifier

23, 23 '

Cross-flow fan

24

air circulation system

26, 26 '

Tobacco / air separator

30, 30 '

Luftabsaugelement

35

lock

36

cutting edge

37, 37 '

rotary

38

impeller

39

distributor

40, 40 '

accumulating shaft

41, 41 '

picker roller

42, 42 '

out roller

43, 43 '

airflow

44, 44 '

flow area

441, 441 ', 442, 442'

flow area

47

slug

48

pipe body

50, 50 '

suction rod

51

Rod assembly unit

52

chute

60, 60 '

vibrating element

70

chute

71, 71 '

flap

72

loose edge

73

axis of rotation

74

cut

75

conveyor belt

76, 76 '

role

77

Vibrating element or roller

78

Y junction

80

tobacco stock

81, 81 '

Tabakabscheideraum

82, 82 '

shut-off

83

bands lock

84, 84 '

conveyor belt

85

push element

86

push element

87

push element

88, 88 '

crotch

90, 90 '

magnetic strip

91

conveying direction

Claims (29)

1. Arrangement for forming at least two tobacco rods in a cigarette rod making machine, having the following features: feeding means (37, 38, 39, 40, 40', 41, 41', 42, 42') for conveying, in particular metered and/or sifted, tobacco onto at least two flow surfaces (44, 44', 441, 441', 442, 442') leading to at least one suction rod conveyor (50, 50') each, the feeding means (37-42') comprising at least two bulking chutes (40, 40') arranged one behind the other transversely to the conveying direction (91) of the at least one suction rod conveyor (50, 50', 51).
2. Arrangement according to Claim 1, characterised in that the bulking chutes (40, 40') extend substantially over the entire width of the arrangement.
3. Arrangement according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the bulking chutes (40, 40') are substantially parallel to one another.
4. Arrangement according to one or more of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least one tobacco sifter (22) is provided, the at least one tobacco sifter (22) being arranged in front of the bulking chutes (40, 40') in relation to the tobacco stream.
5. Arrangement according to one or more of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that tobacco can be removed from at least one common tobacco stock (80).
6. Arrangement according to one or more of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a charging means (39, 71, 71', 75, 78) is provided, the charging means (39, 71, 71', 75, 78) enabling alternate charging of the at least two bulking chutes (40, 40') with tobacco.
7. Arrangement according to Claim 4 or 5, characterised in that at least one first lock (37) is provided between the space provided for the tobacco stock (80) and the bulking chutes (40, 40').
8. Arrangement according to Claim 7, characterised in that the first lock (37) is provided for separating an air stream (24) from the tobacco.
9. Arrangement according to Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that at least one second lock (38) is arranged between the space (81) provided for the separated tobacco (80) and the bulking chutes (40, 40'), the second lock (38) being provided for portioning the tobacco which passes into the bulking chutes (40, 40').
10. Arrangement according to Claim 9, characterised in that the second lock (38) is arranged downstream of the first lock (37).
11. Arrangement according to one or more of Claims 7 to 10, characterised in that at least one lock (35) which has the function of the at least one first lock (37) and the at least one second lock (38) is provided.
12. Arrangement according to one or more of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that at least one air extracting means (30, 30') is provided in the region of the at least two suction rod conveyors (50, 50').
13. Arrangement according to Claim 12, characterised in that an air extracting means (30, 30') is provided in front of each suction rod conveyor (50, 50') in the flow direction.
14. Arrangement according to one or more of Claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the at least two flow surfaces (44, 44') are divided up into two flow surfaces (441, 441', 442, 442') each, leading to one suction rod conveyor (50, 50', 51) each.
15. Arrangement according to one or more of Claims 1 to 14, characterised in that tobacco can be removed from two tobacco stocks (80, 80') and fed separately to the at least two bulking chutes (40, 40').
16. Cigarette rod making machine having at least one arrangement according to one or more of Claims 1 to 15.
17. Cigarette rod making machine having an arrangement for forming at least three, preferably 2m, tobacco rods, m being a natural number and greater than one.
18. Cigarette rod making machine according to Claim 17, characterised in that m bulking chutes (40, 40') are provided.
19. Cigarette rod making machine according to Claim 17 or 18, at least one arrangement according to one or more of Claims 1 to 15 being provided.
20. Cigarette rod making machine having 2n bulking chutes (40, 40') and the same or twice the number of suction rods (50, 50', 51) for making n or 2n tobacco rods of different tobacco varieties each, n being a whole number equal to or greater than one.
21. Method for forming at least two tobacco rods from a tobacco stock (80), in which method at least two bulking chutes (40, 40') are charged, in particular directly, with the tobacco from the tobacco stock (80), the tobacco is conveyed from the at least two bulking chutes (40, 40') onto at least one flow surface (44, 44') each, and is subsequently fed to at least two suction rod conveyors (50, 50', 51), the bulking chutes (40, 40') being arranged one behind the other transversely to the conveying direction (91) of the suction rod conveyors (50, 50', 51).
22. Method according to Claim 21, characterised in that the at least two bulking chutes (40, 40') are filled alternately.
23. Method according to Claim 21 or 22, characterised in that the filling of the bulking chutes (40, 40'), and the conveying onto the at least one flow surface (44, 44', 441, 441', 442, 442') each, is provided over substantially the entire width of a distributor device for distributing tobacco to at least two suction rod conveyors (50, 50', 51).
24. Method according to one or more of Claims 21 to 23, characterised in that the tobacco is previously sifted.
25. Method according to one or more of Claims 21 to 24, characterised in that three, four, or more tobacco rods are produced.
26. Method according to one or more of Claims 21 to 25, characterised in that twice as many tobacco rods are produced as there are bulking chutes (40, 40') provided.
27. Method according to one or more of Claims 21 to 26, characterised in that a separation of transporting air (24) and tobacco takes place between the tobacco stock (80) and the at least two bulking chutes (40, 40').
28. Method according to one or more of Claims 21 to 27, characterised in that tobacco is supplied to the bulking chutes (40, 40') in portions.
29. Method according to one or more of Claims 21 to 28, characterised in that air is extracted in the region of the flow surfaces (44, 44', 441, 441', 442, 442') and/or in the region of the suction rod conveyors (50, 50', 51).

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