EP1397965B1 - Injection of a medium in filter segments - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of manufacture of a multiple segment filter for smoking articles has the filter segments (1,7) in one group joined to form a filter. A carbon filter material or scent can be injected into the filter after the segments have been cut. The material can be injected (5) during transport of the filter segments, particularly when on the feed drum (18). Claims include a filter manufacturing machine module using the method.

Description

The invention relates to a method for the production of multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry, wherein filter segments are delivered to a group of filter segments. The invention further relates to a module of a multi-segment filter machine of the tobacco-processing industry, filter segments of a group of filter segments being deliverable and a multi-segment filter machine of the tobacco-processing industry.

Patent DE-C-100 52 409 discloses a device for introducing fluid media into smoking articles. However, this device is only suitable for the injection of media in individual processing for the test and laboratory operation. Here, a smoking article, in particular a cigarette, transferred and enclosed in a holding device, wherein the holding device is designed to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis, so that the introduction of a medium, for. B. flavors or Flavourflüssigkeit, with rotation of the cigarette. The disclosed device can only be used in the individual processing of smoking articles and is not suitable for the production of smoking articles in (mass) production.

In the tobacco processing industry, however, there is a desire to produce multi-segment filters consisting of various segments, such as, for example, multi-segment filters. B. of different materials. These materials include, for example, cellulose acetate, paper, nonwoven fabric, granules, discrete elements, hollow cylinders or hollow chambers and capsules, and the like. Such multi-segment filters, which in the context of this invention also encompass the term "multiple filters", are, after forming groups of filter segments, encased in wrapping material, such as paper, for example, in a continuous process, and then divided into filter rods that are two, four or six times long to be further processed.

From the German patent application DE 101 55 292.0 a device for assembling groups of filter segments for the production of multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry in a strand method is known, wherein each multi-segment filter at least 'two different types of filter segments are provided and wherein the device in a plurality of independent Function units is subdivided. As a result, a large variability in the multi-segment filter production is possible.

US-A-5,115,823 discloses a cigarette having a taste enhancing filter, the filter having two regions. One area is designed as a filter zone and another area as a flavor enhancer.

Moreover, in EP-A-0 797 931 a ventilated double filter of cigarettes with a flavored wrapper is described wherein two filter sections of different draw resistance are interconnected by means of a connecting sleeve without clearance. The tobacco section facing away from the filter part is surrounded by a porous, thick shell, which is interspersed with aromatic substances. For connection of the two-part filter plug with the tobacco portion, a connecting sleeve and a connecting sleeve are provided.

Object of the present invention is to provide filter segments for a multi-segment filter, which are easily assembled and produced in a simple manner, the equipment cost to be kept very low.

This object is achieved by means of the method of the aforementioned type, which is further developed in that a medium is introduced into the filter segments prior to their delivery to the group of filter segments, wherein the medium during transport of the filter segments, in particular on a conveyor drum or functional drum introduced becomes. During the ongoing production of multi-segment filters, a substance is injected into the filter segments which are used in a subsequent step to assemble a multi-segment filter. By the In addition of substances, the filter segments are provided with specific and desired properties, so that the filter segments can be easily adapted to the requirements of a multi-segment filter to be produced.

An alternative solution to the problem consists in the method of the aforementioned type in that first a medium is introduced into filter rods, the medium during transport of the filter segments, in particular on a conveyor drum or functional drum, is introduced and in a subsequent step, the filter rods in Filter segments are cut. Here are the filter rods from a magazine, z. As a module, taken and provided prior to their division into several segments with a substance. This also happens during the ongoing production of multi-segment filters.

In particular, the medium during transport of the filter rods or the filter segments, in particular on a conveyor drum or functional drum introduced. As a result, the current operation for filter production is not affected.

In order to introduce substances into the filter segments or filter rods in a targeted manner, the filter rods or filter segments are held or fixed before introduction of the medium. This prevents the filter segments or rods from slipping.

A further advantageous embodiment is that a predetermined amount of the medium is introduced into the filter rods or filter segments. By precise dosing the filter segments are made according to the demands placed on them, whereby at the same time a rational consumption of the medium is achieved. For example, activated carbon powder, vitamins, flavorings or zeolites are introduced as substances into the filter segments, consisting for example of cellulose acetate, polypropylene or paper.

If the medium is introduced into the interior of the filter segment or the filter rods by means of a delivery member, preferably a spray mandrel, a good distribution of the substance in the interior of the filter segments results. In addition, the Einbringorgan can be precisely positioned so that, for example, only a certain portion of a filter segment is applied to the medium. For example, a hollow chamber of a filter segment can hereby be provided with a substance.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention it is proposed that the medium by means of a Einbringorgans, preferably spray nozzle, from the outside into the interior the filter segment or the filter rods is introduced, so that only one edge region of the filter segment is provided with the medium.

The sheath of filter elements is not damaged and remains intact when the medium is introduced longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the filter segments or filter rods.

Preferably, the medium is introduced into at least one hollow chamber, preferably a multiple filter segment or multiple filter rod.

In addition, the object is achieved by means of a module of the type mentioned, which is further developed in that a device for introducing a medium into the filter segments on a conveyor, in particular conveyor drum or functional drum, is provided.

According to an alternative solution of the object by means of the module of the type mentioned is proposed that a device for introducing a medium in filter rods on a conveyor, in particular conveyor drum or functional drum, and a cutting device for cutting the filter rods are provided in filter segments.

In particular, in a development, the device is designed on a conveyor, in particular a conveyor drum or a functional drum.

According to a preferred embodiment, a holding element for the filter rods or filter segments is formed, so that the filter rods or filter segments held before the injection of the medium become.

Moreover, in one embodiment of the present invention, the device has a delivery member, preferably a spray nozzle or a spray mandrel on.

It is also advantageous if the introduction member can be acted upon with pressure, preferably by means of a compressed air inlet or a piston, so that a good distribution of the introduced medium in the filter segment is achieved. When using a compressed air source in addition a good mixing and turbulence of the medium is achieved.

In addition, advantageously, a metering device for the medium is provided, so that a predetermined amount of the medium is introduced into the filter segment.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by a multi-segment filter machine of the tobacco-processing industry, which is equipped with a module according to the invention described above.

Fig. 1

eine Vorderansicht auf ein Modul einer Multisegmentfiltermaschine;

Fig. 2a bis 2f

schematisch den Verfahrensablauf der Injektion eines Filtersegments;

Fig. 3a bis 3f

schematisch den Verfahrensablauf einer Direkt-Injektion eines Filtersegments

Fig. 4a bis 4f

schematisch einen weiteren Verfahrensablauf einer Injektion einer Hohlkammer eines Filters.

The invention will now be described by way of example without limitation of the general inventive concept by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings, which is expressly referred to in the rest with respect to the disclosure of all unspecified in the text details of the invention. Show it:

Fig. 1

a front view of a module of a multi-segment filter machine;

Fig. 2a to 2f

schematically the procedure of injection of a filter segment;

Fig. 3a to 3f

schematically the procedure of a Direct injection of a filter segment

Fig. 4a to 4f

schematically a further process flow of an injection of a hollow chamber of a filter.

In the following figures, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, so that apart from a new idea.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of a module 10 of a multi-segment filter machine. This module 10 is suitable for the production of filter segments according to the invention, which are further processed with further filter segments of other modules in the multi-segment filter machine to form multi-segment filters.

In the module 10 filter rods, preferably made of a particularly lightweight material, such. As cellulose acetate, removed from a filter magazine 11 by means of a removal drum 12 and subsequently cut several times by means of knives 13 in filter segments. Subsequently, the cut filter segments are staggered on a staggering drum 14 and transferred to a cutting / Schiebetrtimmel 15 on which the cut filter segments are cut again and pushed. Subsequently, the filter segments are transferred to the loading / tumbling drum 16, which transfers the cut filter segments to a functional drum 18. On the functional drum 18, the filter segments according to the invention are provided with at least one medium. After injecting a substance into the filter segments, the filter segments are transferred to a transport drum 23. About transport drums 21, 22 are additionally filter segments of other modules of the multi-segment filter machine to the transport drum 23 passed. The filter segments are then spread on a transport drum 24.

In one embodiment, not shown here, it is provided that after removal of the filter rods, first an injection of a medium in the filter rods and in subsequent steps, the filter rods are cut into filter segments, so that the filter segments produced, provided with a substance for the production be used by multi-segment filters.

In FIGS. 2a to 2f, the individual steps are shown schematically in cross sections according to method steps A to F on the functional drum 18 (see FIG. 1). This applies equally to the further alternative process sequences shown in FIGS. 3a to 3f and FIGS. 4a to 4f.

FIG. 2 a shows the transfer of a filter segment 1 from a cutting / sliding drum 16 to the functional drum 18. The cutting / sliding drum 16 has in the receiving troughs via suction holes 17, by means of which the filter segments 1 are held on the cutting / sliding drum 16. When transferring the filter segments 1, the vacuum in the corresponding suction bore 17 is turned off, so that the filter segment 1 is transferred to a receiving trough 28 of the functional drum 18.

The functional drum 18 also has laterally a stop 29 which has a bore 30 in the region of the deposited filter segment 1. The side of the receiving trough 28 and the 'filter segment 1 is a horizontally movable spray nozzle 2 is arranged. The spray nozzle 2 has a channel 41, which opens into a nozzle head 42. The diameter of the nozzle head 42 substantially corresponds to the diameter of the bore 30 of the stop 29th

After insertion, the filter segment 1 is firmly enclosed in the receiving trough 28 by means of a fixing arm 4 (FIG. 2b). The fixing arm 4 is preferably formed pivotably on the functional drum 18. Furthermore, the fixing arm 4 has a lateral stop 34, so that the deposited filter segment 1 is held in an exact position.

During or after the fixation of the filter segment 1, the spray nozzle 2 is moved laterally to the filter segment 1 and injected into the channel 41, precisely metered amount of a medium 3 in the filter segment 1 is blown (Fig. 2 c). Suitable mediums are substances such as e.g. Zeolites, activated charcoal, flavors / flavorings or vitamins. In a subsequent step (FIG. 2d), the spray nozzle 2 is moved away from the filter segment 1 and, in a further step, the fixation of the filter segment 1 is released (FIG. 2e). Subsequently, the manufactured filter segment 1 is transferred to the transport drum 23 (FIG. 2f).

FIGS. 3a to 3f show the process sequences analogous to the process sequences in FIGS. 2a to 2h, but with the difference that instead of a spray nozzle 2 (FIGS. 2a to 2f), a spray mandrel 5 is used. The spray mandrel 5 has a channel 43 and a needle tip 44, which is inserted into the filter segment 1 longitudinally axially parallel. After penetration of the needle tip 44 in the filter segment 1 is the medium is introduced into the interior of the filter segment 1. In the context of the invention, it is conceivable that the spray mandrel 5 also has a plurality of needle tips or the needle tip 44 has further (lateral) outlet openings along the channel 44 in order to achieve a uniform distribution of the substance in the filter segment 1.

In FIGS. 4a to 4f, a multiple filter segment 7 is acted upon by a medium according to the invention. The multiple filter segment 7 has outer plugs 71, between which a hollow chamber 72 is arranged. This hollow chamber 72 of the multiple filter segment 7 is filled by means of the spray mandrel 5 with a substance. The spray mandrel 5 is thereby positioned exactly with its needle tip 44 in the hollow chamber 72. Alternatively, hollow chambers of filter rods can be filled with a medium in an analogous manner.

In one embodiment of the invention, substances are introduced from both sides into the filter segments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

filter segment

2

spray nozzle

3

medium

4

Fixarm

5

Sprühdorn

7

Multiple filter segment

10

module

11

filter Magazine

12

removal drums

13

knife

14

staggering drum

15

Cutting / pushing drum

16

Insert / tumbling

17

suction bore

18

operating drum

21

transport drum

22

transport drum

23

transport drum

24

transport drum

28

receiving trough

29

attack

30

drilling

41

channel

42

nozzle head

43

channel

44

pinpoint

71

plug

72

hollow

Claims (15)

1. Method for producing multisegment filters of the tobacco processing industry, wherein filter segments (1, 7) are fed to a group of filter segments, characterised in that a medium (3) is introduced into the filter segments (1, 7) before they are fed to the group of filter segments, wherein the medium (3) is introduced during transport of the filter segments (1, 7), in particular on a conveyor drum or functional drum (18).
2. Method according to the preamble of Claim 1, characterised in that a medium (3) is introduced into filter rods, wherein the medium (3) is introduced during transport of the filter rods, in particular on a conveyor drum or functional drum (18), and the filter rods are cut into filter segments (1) in a following step.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the filter rods or filter segments (1, 7) are secured before the medium (3) is introduced.
4. Method according to one or more of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a predetermined quantity of the medium (3) is introduced.
5. Method according to one or more of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the medium (3) is introduced into the interior of the filter segment (1, 7) or the filter rods by means of an introduction member (5), preferably a spray mandrel (5).
6. Method according to one or more of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the medium (3) is introduced into the interior of the filter segment (1, 7) or the filter rods from outside by means of an introduction member (2), preferably a spray nozzle (2).
7. Method according to one or more of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the medium (3) is introduced along the longitudinal axis, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the filter segments (1, 7) or filter rods.
8. Method according to one or more of Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the medium (3) is introduced into at least one hollow chamber, preferably of a multifilter segment or of a multifilter rod.
9. Module (10) of a multisegment filter machine of the tobacco processing industry, wherein filter segments (1, 7) can be fed to a group of filter segments, characterised in that a device for introducing a medium (3) into the filter segments (1, 7) on a conveyor means, in particular a conveyor drum or functional drum (18), is provided.
10. Module (10) according to the preamble of Claim 9, characterised in that a device for introducing a medium (3) into filter rods on a conveyor means, in particular a conveyor drum or functional drum (18), and a cutting device for cutting the filter rods into filter segments (1, 7) are provided.
11. Module (10) according to Claim 9 or 10, characterised in that a holding element (4) is formed for the filter rods or filter segments (1, 7).
12. Module (10) according to any one of Claim 9 to 11, characterised in that the device comprises an introduction member, preferably a spray nozzle (2) or spray mandrel (5).
13. Module (10) according to Claim 12, characterised in that the introduction member can be pressurised, preferably by means of a compressed-air source or a piston.
14. Module (10) according to one or more of Claims 9 to 13, characterised in that a metering device is provided for the medium (3).
15. Multisegment filter machine of the tobacco processing industry with a device according to one or more of Claims 9 to 14.

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