EP1441604B1 - Multi-segment filter production device having a device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material for producing multi-segment filers of the tobacco industry - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material. The device includes a rolling channel defined between adjacent stretches of at least one first roller conveyor and at least one second roller conveyor. The rolling channel is structured and arranged to wrap the groups of filter segments with the wrapping material by rolling each of the groups of filter segments. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Description

The invention relates to a device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material for the production of multi-segment filters of the tobacco-processing industry. The invention further relates to a multi-segment filter manufacturing device.

Devices for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material for the production of multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry are known per se. Here, for example, thought of a filter rod machine of the applicant, which is called KDF. By means of this strand forming device, which is known, for example, from DE-OS 2452 749, which corresponds to GB 15 22 139, and which was filed by the legal predecessor of the applicant, groups of filter segments or groups of filter rods in a transverse method by means of a cross-sectional group forming apparatus is formed and then transferred to the strand forming apparatus such that the groups of filter rods can be wrapped longitudinally axially with the wrapping material. The group-forming device is a device which is completely exchangeable in the event of a change in the filter segments or the order of the filter segments.

This involves a great financial outlay and low variability in multifilter production.

Applicant's typical group image device is called GC E. Both the KDF 2E and the GC E are known in the art.

Multisegment filters or multiple filters are filters that consist of different segments, such as different materials. These materials are, for example, cellulose acetate, paper, fleece, granules, sintered elements, hollow cylinders or hollow chambers and capsules and the like. Such multi-segment filters, which in the context of this invention also include the term "multiple filters", are formed after forming groups of filter segments, for example Wrapped in a strand process with wrapping material such as, for example, paper and then divided into two, four or six times long filter rods to be further processed. With regard to the group-forming device, reference should be made in particular to the prior application of the Applicant, which has the file reference DE 101 46 019.8. This application is intended to be fully incorporated by reference into the disclosure of the present application.

From DE 27 27 663 C2 an apparatus for feeding wrapping material for tobacco smoking articles is known in which Filterstabgrtrppen by means of a roller drum and a roll plate to multi-component filter rods are combined by unification tapes rolled around adjacent end portions of each filter section of a group become. Here, a single union band can span one or more filter sections and thus combine more than two sections of the filter rod. In general, however, the total width of the union bands is smaller than the length of the finished filter rod. This then results in spaces of filter material in which no union bands were wrapped around.

The multi-segment filters thus produced have the disadvantage that their diameter varies. Further, the method of forming the groups of filter segments is disadvantageous in that at least one fixed rolling surface is provided which exerts a substantial force on this group at the moment the rolling group enters, without retreating. Due to the rigidity of the rolling surfaces, damage to the groups to be rolled over may occur.

DE 198 57 576 A1 discloses a device for wrapping leaflets around rod-shaped objects with a rolling channel for reeling the articles with the leaflet, wherein the rolling channel is formed by adjacent strands of a first and second roller belt.

In DE 100 04 906 A1 a device for producing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco-processing industry is described with a rolling channel for wrapping the article with a leaflet.

From GB 794 699 A a depositing device for filter cigarettes is known which has a rolling channel of two conveyor belts.

DE 25 20 026 A describes an apparatus for producing combined filter rods for filter cigarettes or other rod-shaped objects of the tobacco-processing industry.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-segment filter manufacturing device, which further develops a device for assembling groups of filter segments for the production of multi-segment filters such that a variability in the multi-filter production is made possible. The corresponding device should also be inexpensive and in particular with regard to the variability of the production of different multifilters. Furthermore, it should be provided to make the Multisegmentfilterherstelleinrichtung space-saving, in particular, the corresponding operations, which are feasible with the corresponding devices or devices to be realized on a shortened conveying path.

This object is achieved by a Multisegmentfilterherstelleinrichtung with a device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material for the production of multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry with a rolling channel for reeling the groups with the wrapping material, the rolling channel of adjacent Trumen at least a first and at least one second roll band, a filter segment group assembler and a transfer device for transferring groups of filter segments from the filter segment group assembler.

Such a Multisegmentfilterherstelleinrichtung is very space-saving to implement and very costly. The preferred filter segment group assembly device can be subdivided into a plurality of independent functional units.

Due to the subdivision of the filter segment group assembly into a plurality of independent functional units maximum variability in the multi-filter production is given, with the desire to produce different multifilters, a fast and cost-effective adjustment is possible, in which possibly the independent Functional units merely have to be rearranged and adapted or, for example, only a few modules or functional units have to be purchased. In the context of this application, the term "functional units" also includes the term "module".

By this solution of the problem, it has also been possible for the first time to allow a wrapping of groups of filter segments in a transverse axial method by means of a rolling through corresponding conveyor belts. The device according to the invention has the advantage that a particularly gentle and space-saving coating of groups of filter segments for the production of multi-segment filters is made possible. In this case, by providing usually elastic bands, it is possible to provide a gentle covering, wherein in particular even slight differences in diameter of the filter segments are compensated. In order to provide a particularly effective compensation of the diameter differences, a roller conveyor pair is provided for each segment. Due to the fact that only groups of filter segments are enveloped, it is possible to provide a relatively narrow roller belt, so that in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a single first roller conveyor and a single second roller conveyor is provided. This simplifies the device according to the invention substantially, in particular with regard to the control of the device. By providing a device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry, comprising a rolling channel for rolling the groups with the wrapping material, the rolling channel being formed by adjacent strands of at least a first and at least a second roller band , it is possible to produce a multisegment filter that is as uniform as possible in terms of diameter.

In the context of this invention, the preferred apparatus for wrapping groups of filter segments may also be called a filter segment group wrapper.

Furthermore, if a feed device for Zufördem the groups is provided to the rolling channel, wherein the feed device is designed as a Zuförderertrommel, which emits the groups directly to the rolling channel, a particularly gentle and accurate transfer of the groups to be wrapped on the rolling channel is possible.

The particular advantages of such a configuration and also further embodiments of the devices for enveloping groups of filter segments, which are described below, reference is made in particular to the patent application EP 1 013 183 A2 of the applicant, which incorporated by reference into the disclosure content of the present application shall be.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is when the Zufördertrommel has a first deflection for one of the conveyor belts. In this embodiment, in which, for example, the deflection can be a groove formed in the feed drum, in which the roller conveyor to be deflected runs, the rotational movement of the feed drum can be used simultaneously for driving one of the roller conveyors. As a result, a particularly strong simplification of the device is possible because an additional deflection pulley or deflection pulley for one of the conveyor belts can be saved by the dual function of the Zufördertrommel. The feed drum is in this case preferably mounted rotatably about a common axis with the first deflection. Preferably, the Zufördertrommel is firmly connected to the first deflection, wherein the Zufördertrommel means of the first deflection serves as a drive for the circulating on the first deflection roller conveyor.

If a discharge device for discharging the coated groups is provided by the rolling channel, wherein the discharge device is designed as a removal drum, a particularly space-saving device is given.

Also, the removal drum is preferably associated with a second deflection for one of the conveyor belts, wherein in particular the removal drum and the second deflection are rotatably mounted about a common axis. Preferably, the removal drum and the second deflection is rotatable relative to each other about the common axis. In this way, at a certain speed of the feed roller on this rotating roller conveyor, the removal drum can work in its peripheral speed independently of the speed of the roller conveyor. This allows a decrease from the rolling channel with the transport speed of the groups in the rolling channel, or with a speed higher or lower than the transport speed of the objects in the rolling channel with decrease of the wrapped groups. The device according to the invention is therefore very flexibly adaptable to different requirement profiles by the preferably possible relative movement between the second deflection and the removal drum.

Preferably, the discharge device takes over the wrapped groups substantially directly from the rolling channel, whereby a gentle and fast and safe transfer is possible.

Particularly preferred in the apparatus according to the invention is a feed drum which has receptacles for the groups to be rolled. It is again preferred if the Zufördertrommel has formed as a first webs recordings, with channels open into the webs, which are connected to hold the objects with a vacuum source. In one embodiment of the invention, the first webs are cross-axial arranged to the conveying direction of the feed drum. With the help of such Zufördertrommeln the invention can be realized particularly simple and reliable. In this embodiment, the objects to be wrapped are detected by the feed drum or the webs on the feed drum at the moment of the circulating on the feed drum roller conveyor, in which the corresponding web is in the other roll band closest to the circumference of the Zuförderertrommel. It is preferred if the circulating on the feed drum roller conveyor runs faster than the opposite roller conveyor. This ensures that at the moment of the transfer of the groups to be wrapped on the rolling channel a forward rolling of the groups takes place. This is particularly preferred when the Zufördertrommel already passes the objects with attached wrapping material to the rolling channel. In this way, immediately at the beginning, ie directly at the transfer of groups, eg. With attached wrapping material, the rolling and thus wrapping the objects begin. It is therefore defined a defined and exact starting position of the rolling due to the invention.

The exact transfer of the coated groups from the rolling channel to the removal drum can be in turn with the help of the above-mentioned webs, which extend transversely to the conveying direction of the groups in the rolling channel, improve. On the one hand can be accelerated at a relation to the peripheral speed of the discharge drum increased speed of this revolving roller belt of the wrapped groups against a web, so that they can then be held exactly and defined on the webs by means of opening into the webs channels and the connected vacuum source. However, it is also possible that the coated groups are accelerated again when leaving the rolling channel at a compared to the current around the Abfördertrommel roller conveyor with higher peripheral speed of the removal drum from the discharge drum or the corresponding web.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention has a feed drum with second channels, which in turn can be connected to a vacuum source for holding wrapping material or wrapping material sections on the feed drum. For this purpose, second webs are preferably provided which run transversely and which open into the second channels. With the aid of webs of this type, the wrapping material sections can also be held in a defined manner on the feed drum.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that at least one of the roller conveyors is heated at least in the region of the rolling channel. In such an embodiment, therefore, the adhesive bond which holds the wrapping material on wrapping to the group to be wrapped, can be improved by the heat supply.

If the, on the first deflection, the feed drum associated, rotating conveyor belt consists of a plurality of mutually spaced subbands, arranging the webs as a receptacle for the objects to be transported or arranging the connected to a vacuum wave channels on the webs realize easier by webs or conveyor belts are provided in alternation along the transverse axis to the conveying direction of the Zuförderertrommel. If, instead, the conveyor belts are not divided, that is to say only a single first conveyor belt and a single second conveyor belt is provided, a more exact enclosure of the groups is possible, whereby the channels connected to a vacuum source can come into operative connection with passage openings provided in at least one conveyor belt, in order to keep the corresponding filter segments in the groups of filter segments or the enveloped groups in a suitable manner by a compressive force or suction, in order to be able to feed them exactly to the rolling channel or to be able to remove them exactly from the rolling channel.

If a functional unit is provided for each type of filter segment of a multi-segment filter, a particularly space-saving device can be implemented. If one, in particular single, functional unit is provided per filter segment of a multi-segment filter, a particularly high variability of the device is possible. A particularly simple combination of groups of filter segments is possible if the plurality of independent functional units are arranged in a row in such a way that at least a part of the conveying elements of two adjacent functional units come into operative connection with each other, in particular into one another. On these conveyor elements filter segments can then be assembled in a particularly simple manner. Preferably, the conveying elements comprise compilation drums and / or transfer drums. If the interlocking conveyor elements are arranged horizontally in a row, a preferred and simple embodiment of the device is given. Preferably, each functional unit comprises at least one compilation drum. Preferably, the group of filter segments by means of the conveying elements can be conveyed transversely axially, so that the device and also the independent functional units can be configured correspondingly compact.

The multi-segment filter production device preferably comprises at least one conveyor belt which comprises receiving troughs for filter segments transaxially to the conveying direction, wherein at least two adjacent functional units each comprise at least one conveying element which can be brought into operative connection with the at least one conveyor belt.

By this preferred embodiment of the invention, a particularly low-noise device is made possible, since a large number of compilation drums and transfer drums, which generate noise due to a large number of suction and compressed-air circuits, are eliminated. Further is by the continuous movement of a conveyor belt or more adjacent and in the same direction moving conveyor belts a very gentle transport of the filter elements or filter segments possible, so that no further precautions are necessary to transport even very sensitive filter segments. Finally, it is advantageous that the operating personnel can always have the filter segments arranged on the conveyor belt or the conveyor belts in view, so that it is possible to intervene accordingly in the event of a fault.

Preferably, each functional unit comprises at least one conveying element, which can be brought into operative connection with the at least one conveyor belt. In this embodiment of the multi-segment filter production device according to the invention, the conveyor belt or conveyor belts extend over all functional units, so that all compilation and transfer drums, in the other embodiments for the horizontal transport of the filter segments or the groups of filter segments to the device for wrapping the groups of filter segments are provided for the production of multi-segment filters, can be replaced.

Preferably, the conveying direction is horizontal. If means for fixing filter segments in receiving troughs which are arranged on the conveyor belt or the conveyor belts are provided, a very secure transport of the filter segments is possible.

With regard to the further embodiment of the Multisegmentfilterherstelleinrichtung and in particular also of the conveyor or the conveyor is fully referenced in the same day as the present application, a German patent application of the Applicant entitled "device for assembling groups of filter segments for the production of multi-segment filters of tobacco processing Industry and bowl drum ".

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Multisegmentfilterherstelleinrichtung gem. einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Multisegmentfilterherstelleinrichtung gem. einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer bevorzugten Vorrichtung zum Umhüllen von Gruppen von Filtersegmenten mit einem Umhüllungsmaterial zur Herstellung von Multisegmentfiltern,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Querschnittsdarstellung entlang des Schnittes A-A aus der Fig. 3,

Fig. 5a)

eine Ausführungsform einer Funktionseinheit für Weichelemente in schematischer Darstellung,

Fig. 5b)

eine schematische Anordnung von Filtersegmenten gem. der Lage in den jeweiligen Trommeln aus Fig. 5a),

Fig. 6a)

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Funktionseinheit für Weichelemente in schematischer Darstellung,

Fig. 6b)

eine schematische Anordnung von Filtersegmenten, in der die Platzierung auf den Trommeln der Fig. 6a) gezeigt ist,

Fig. 7a)

eine schematische Ansicht einer Funktionseinheit für Hartelemente,

Fig. 7b)

eine schematische Anordnung von Filtersegmenten, wie diese in den Trommeln der Fig. 7a) in etwa angeordnet sind.

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, reference being expressly made to the drawings for all in the text unspecified details of the invention. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of a Multisegmentfilterherstelleinrichtung gem. a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2

a schematic side view of a Multisegmentfilterherstelleinrichtung gem. a second embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3

a schematic side view of a preferred apparatus for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material for the production of multi-segment filters,

Fig. 4

a schematic cross-sectional view along the section AA of FIG. 3,

Fig. 5a)

an embodiment of a functional unit for soft elements in a schematic representation,

Fig. 5b)

a schematic arrangement of filter segments acc. the position in the respective drums of Fig. 5a),

Fig. 6a)

another embodiment of a functional unit for soft elements in a schematic representation,

Fig. 6b)

a schematic arrangement of filter segments, in which the placement on the drums of Fig. 6a) is shown,

Fig. 7a)

a schematic view of a functional unit for hard elements,

Fig. 7b)

a schematic arrangement of filter segments, as they are approximately arranged in the drums of Fig. 7a).

In the following description of the figures, similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals, so that a new idea is omitted.

A multi-segment filter production device according to the invention with a device according to the invention for assembling groups of filter segments for the production of multi-segment filters is shown in FIG.

This is a group-forming device 41, although in each case independent functional units 60.1 - 60.3, and 61.1 are used. The functional units 60.2 and 60.3 are soft element units, by means of which two individual filter segments are supplied (FIG. 5a), the functional unit 60.1 is a soft element unit, by means of which a single filter plug or a single filter segment of double the use length is supplied , and in the functional unit 61.1 to a hard element unit. Reservoirs 53.1 - 53.3 and 54.1 are respectively provided in the functional units, wherein a soft element container 53.1 - 53.3 is naturally provided in the soft element unit 60.1 - 60.3 and a hard element reservoir 54.1 is provided in the hard element unit 61.1. In the soft element units, soft segments or soft elements, for example of a cellulose acetate or a nonwoven, are processed and the processed segments are deposited on a drum, whereas in the hard element unit hard segments, such as sintered granules, granule-filled pods or empty pods, are positioned on drums. The group-forming device 41 or the independent functional units are supplied with energy by means of a power supply unit 58.

By means of the Multisegmentfilterherstelleinrichtung gem. For example, multisegment filters for cigarettes that have four filter elements can be produced.

It is now, for example, a soft element double use length in the center of the corresponding trough 84 of the assembly drum 64.2 (see Fig. 6 a)) arranged. Hard elements can then be arranged adjacent to this soft element of twice the useful length, whereupon by means of the functional unit 60.2 two soft elements are arranged outside around the arranged hard elements. Finally, by means of the functional unit 60.3 arranged closest to the transfer unit 62.1, two further soft elements are arranged on the left and right of the group of filter elements in the respective hollows of the transfer drum 63.6 or compiling drum 64.2 in a transverse axial alignment. The thus formed group of filter segments is then transferred to a transfer unit 62.1 and by means of the known transfer drums 63.1 - 63.3 queraxial on a supply drum 2 of the device for wrapping groups 4 of filter segments 5.1 - 5.7, 83, 87 for the production of multi-segment filters 49 of Tobacco-processing industry, which is also referred to as wrapping device, filed to then by means of wrapping paper, which is withdrawn from a reel 19, this form a multi-segment filter 49. For this purpose, a standard filter wrapping paper can be used.

Multiple filters can be produced, which are processed as 2-, 4- or 6-fold long filter rods in the filter attachment machine MAX of the applicant with tobacco sticks to filter cigarettes.

The preferred wrapping apparatus, which is also shown schematically in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, is discussed in more detail in the context of the description of FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a further exemplary embodiment of the multi-segment filter production device according to the invention. Instead of the transfer drums 63: 5 - 63.7 used in FIG. 1 and the assembly drum 64.1 used there. - 64.3, a conveyor belt 120 is used, which can take over all functional units 53.4 - 53.6 and 54.2 filter segments and transport. For this purpose, recordings are preferably provided in the conveyor belt 120, which are not shown in this figure. These receptacles include suction air openings that can be operatively connected to a vacuum box 123. The conveyor belt 120 is driven in the conveying direction 130 by a drive wheel 121 and is deflected by a deflection wheel 122. There is also provided a cleaning box 124, by means of which the conveyor belt can be cleaned accordingly. A detailed description of the conveyor belt 120 can be found in the applicant's German patent application entitled "Apparatus for assembling groups of filter segments for the manufacture of multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry and can drum" as filed above. In this regard, reference is made in full to the description of this in the aforementioned patent application.

The deposited on the conveyor belt 120 filter segments are brought together by the appropriate depositing into groups and then fed via the transfer drums 63.9 and 63.10 (the transfer unit 62.2) of the supply drum 2 of the wrapping device according to the invention.

The preferred wrapping apparatus is shown in FIG. 3 in a schematic side view. The filter segment groups 4 are transferred from a transfer drum 63.1 in the conveying direction or direction of rotation 14.1 of the supply drum 2, which moves in the direction of rotation 14.2. In an engaging portion of a knife drum 7 with a paper feed drum 3, on the wrapping paper 9 peeled off from a bobbin 19, the wrapping paper is cut into wrapping paper sections by means of the knife drum 7. Subsequently, the wrapping paper sections are stapled to the filter segment group 4. For this purpose, glue 33 is applied from a glue container 12 by means of a glue roller 11, which is in operative connection with a glue plate 10, on the wrapping material 9 in advance. The paper transport drum 3 accordingly moves slightly faster than the wrapping paper 9 is supplied, so that the wrapping paper sections rest on the paper transport drum 3 at a distance after being cut by the cutterhead 7.

The wrapping material portion 6 adhered to the respective filter segment group 4 is brought into the knitting area of a feed drum 23 rotating in the rotational direction 14.3. Once there, preferably the filter segment groups 4 are held in receiving troughs at corresponding webs 36 by suction and preferably also the wrapping material sections 6 are held by suction air accordingly. The groups of filter segment groups 4 and wrapping material sections 6 are fed by the feed drum 23 directly into a rolling channel 25 which is defined by at least a first roller conveyor 18 and at least a second roller conveyor 20. The at least first roller band 18 may be a plurality of partial belts or a single roller belt. Likewise, the at least second roller belt may be a plurality of subbands, as well as a single roller band.

In the variant with a plurality of Teilbändem these are designed such that they move substantially parallel to each other. The first roller belt 18 preferably moves faster than the second roller belt 20, so that a corresponding rewinding of the filter segment groups 4 with the wrapping material sections 6 is performed. The second roller belt 20 is deflected around a roller 21 and a roller 22 in the respective direction of rotation 14.5 and 14.6. The rolled filter segment groups 4, which were thus formed into multi-segment filters 49, are transferred at the end of the rolling channel 25 to a removal drum 24 which has corresponding receiving depressions 28 and webs 37. Thereafter, the multi-segment filters 49 are transported on a transport drum 30 for further processing, for example. For assembling with tobacco sticks and for providing a tipping paper section on.

The Zufördertrommel 23 has on its circumference in a uniform distance arranged webs 36. The webs 36 are arranged on the circumference at regular intervals. The webs 36 extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the feed drum 23. On the webs first vacuum channels 32 (see Fig. 4) are provided, which are connected to a vacuum shaft 40. With the help of the vacuum channels 32, the filter segments can be held on the webs 36. In order to also keep the wrapping material sections 6 on the feed drum 23, further vacuum channels are provided in the feed drum 23, which hold the wrapping material sections 6. However, these further vacuum channels are not shown in the figures. At the point which is defined by the section AA at the circumference of the feed drum 23, the side of the filter segment group 4 facing the feed drum 23 comes into contact with a first conveyor belt 18 which also revolves on the feed drum 23. Also at this point, the filter segment group comes in contact with a second roller conveyor 20. Thus, the rolling channel 25 begins at this point. The first roller belt 18 runs at the peripheral speed of the feed drum 23. The second roller conveyor 20 runs with respect to the speed of the first roller belt 18 reduced speed.

The number of revolutions of the filter segment group 4 in the rolling channel 25 depends on the difference in the speeds of the conveyor belts 18 and 20. By changing the speed of the roller belt 18, the number of revolutions of the filter segment group 4 in the rolling channel 25 can be changed. The conveying directions of the first roller belt 18 and the second roller belt 20 are equal in the region of the rolling channel 25.

The removal drum 24 has circumferentially arranged webs 37. The removal drum 24 runs at a circumferential speed and is rectified with the feed drum 23. The speed of the removal drum 24 is less than the conveying speed of the first roller belt 18. Thus, the shroud 25 leaving enveloped filter segment groups 4 and 49 Multisegmentfilter of the first roller 18 against the serving as receptacles in the removal drum 24 webs 37 pressed. It therefore comes to a precise and secure transfer of the multi-segment filter 49 of the rolling channel 25 by means of the first roller belt 18 to the acting as a recording webs 37 on the discharge drum 24th

Vacuum channels for holding the multi-segment filters 49 on the removal drum 24 are likewise provided on the webs 37.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view along the section AA from FIG. 3. At this point, there is a group of filter segments 5.1 - 5.7 in the rolling channel 25 beginning there. The filter segments 5.1 - 5.7 are shown hatched accordingly. These filter segments 5.1 - 5.7 are clamped between the first roller belt 18 and the second roller belt 20. The first roller belt 18 is divided into 8 subbands in this embodiment. It can, however, too an embodiment may be provided, in which a single roller belt 18 is provided, wherein the vacuum channels 32 shown in Fig. 4 can come into contact with openings in the roller belt 18 so that a negative pressure on the filter segments 5.1 - 5.7 can act. In Fig. 4, a respective web 36 is also shown in some broken-line representations. Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows a vacuum source 40, which can be brought into operative connection with the vacuum channels 32.

In Fig. 5a) a soft element unit according to the invention 60.2, 60.3 is shown schematically, are supplied to the two individual filter segments. In a soft element storage tank 53.1 soft filter rods 80, such as. From cellulose acetate, introduced via a feed element 70.1. By means of a removal drum 8.1, the corresponding filter rods or filter elements 80, for example, an 8-fold use length taken. For a secure decrease of the filter elements 80, the deflector roller 71.1 is provided. A device for removing rod-shaped articles from a supply is known, for example, from DE 25 05 998 C2, which corresponds to US Pat. No. 4,020,973.

The filter elements 80 are then cut on the removal drum 8.1 by means of a first circular knife 72.1, which is operated in rotation and is constantly ground on a grinding element 73.1, into two filter elements 81 four times the length of use. Thereupon, two further cuts are made by two further circular knives 72.2, which are arranged one after the other, of which only the front circular blade can be seen in FIG. 5a), so that the filter elements 81 are cut into a total of four filter elements 82 twice the length of use.

There then takes place a transfer of the four filter elements 82 which are arranged longitudinally on the removal drum 8.1, as shown, for example, in FIG. 5b), on a staggering drum 13.1, by means of which the filter elements 82 are staggered, as in FIG. 5b). is also indicated. Next There is a transfer into a sliding / cutting drum 74.1, in which a first transverse axial alignment of the filter elements 82 is made to then cut them with the circular blade 72.3 in two filter plug 83. The filter plugs 83 cut in this way are transferred to a transfer drum 63.4, in order then to be transferred to a slide / transfer drum 75.1, in which the filter plugs 83 are pushed apart. Finally, the pushed apart filter plug 83 are transferred to a compilation drum 64.1 and then to a transfer drum 63.5, which can be brought into operative connection with a compilation drum 64.2 - 64.5 another functional unit to the deposited on the transfer drum 63.5 filter elements with those on the other compilation drum 64.2 - Bring together 64.5 deposited filter elements.

In Fig. 6a), a further embodiment of a functional unit 60.1 according to the invention is shown in a schematic representation. With this functional unit 60.1, a single filter plug of double the use length is supplied. The difference to the functional unit 60.2 or 60.3 from FIG. 5a) is that a staggering drum 13.3 is provided instead of the downstream first transfer drum 63.4, by means of which the cut filter stoppers 83 are transferred staggered to the sliding / transfer drum 75.2, so that per Trough in the sliding / transfer drum 75.2 or per trough in the assembly drum 64.2 and transfer drum 63.6 assigned to this unit, a maximum of only one filter stopper 83 is arranged. In Fig. 6b) and Fig. 5b) is also schematically the receiving trough 84 of the assembly drum 64.1 and 64.2 shown. With the functional unit according to FIG. 6a), preferably the first and possibly the last filter segment of a multi-segment filter are inserted.

In Fig. 7a) a hard element unit according to the invention 61.1 - 61.3 is shown. From a Hartelementvorratsbehälter 54.1 are over two Zuführschächte 86.1 and 86.2 hard filter elements 87 two removal drums 8.3 and 8.4 fed. For this purpose, as schematically indicated in Fig. 7a), a mobility of Zuführschächte 86.1 and 86.2 feasible to provide the smoothest possible transfer of the hard filter elements 87 in the removal drums 8.3 and 8.4. The removal drums 8.3 and 8.4 can also be designed accordingly to allow rapid transfer of many elements. For this purpose, reference is made in particular to the applicant's patent application entitled "Transfer Device and Drum Drum and Method for the Transfer of Cigarette Components", which has the official file reference DE 101 46 992.6. The content of the applicant's patent application is intended to be incorporated in full in this patent application.
The staggered, as indicated in Fig. 7b), passed hard filter elements 87 are then transferred into sliding drums 16.1 and 16.2, in which the hard filter elements 87 are arranged transversely in the successive receiving troughs. The cross-axially aligned hard filter elements are transferred via a transfer drum 63.8 to the assembly drum 64.3 of this unit and then transferred to the transfer drum 63.7.

The soft element units 60.4-60.6 of FIG. 2 substantially correspond to the soft element units 60.1-60.3 of FIG. 1. Similarly, the hard element unit 61.2 of FIG. 2 essentially corresponds to the hard element unit 61.1 of FIG. 1. The same applies to the transfer unit 62.2 of FIG. 2 and the transfer unit 62.1 of FIG. 1. Here, only in comparison to FIG. 1 in FIG. 2, a conveyor belt 120 is provided which replaces the transfer drums 63.5 - 63.6 and 63.3 and the Zufördertrommeln 64.1 - 64.3. As a result, a quieter machine can be realized, which can pass and transport the filter elements gentler.

By using independent functional units in a device for assembling groups of filter segments for production of multi-segment filters, it is possible, for example, to achieve an increase in production output when using hard elements by using several modules. Furthermore, a high production output is possible if only soft modules or soft element units are used. In particular, two to five filter segments can be produced per multi-segment filter. Corresponding granules are preferably used in hard elements.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Bänderrollungsvorrichtung

2

supply drum

3

Paper transport drum

4

Filter segment group

5.1

filter segments

5.7

filter segments

6

wrapping material

7

cutterhead

8.1

removal drum

8.4

removal drum

9

Wrapping material strip

10

Leimscheibe

11

glue roller

12

glue container

13.1

staggering drum

13.3

staggering drum

14.1

direction of rotation

14.6

direction of rotation

16.1

pushing drum

16.2

pushing drum

18

1st roller tape

19

reel

20

2nd roller tape

21

role

22

role

23

feed drum

24

conveyor drum

25

rolling channel

28

receiving trough

30

transport drum

32

Vacuum channel

33

glue

36

web

37

web

40

Under pressure wave

41

Filter segment group assembly device

49

Multi-segment filter

53.1

Soft element reservoir

53.6

Soft element reservoir

54.1

Hart element reservoir

54.2

Hart element reservoir

58

Power supply unit

60.1

Soft element unit

60.6

Soft element unit

61.1

Hard element unit

61.2

Hard element unit

62.1

Transfer unit

62.2

Transfer unit

63.1

Transfer drum

63.10

Transfer drum

64.1

Assembly drum

64.3

Assembly drum

70.1

feeding

70.2

feeding

71.1

Abweiserrolle

71.2

Abweiserrolle

72.1

circular blade

72.6

circular blade

73.1

grinding element

73.6

grinding element

80

Filter element (8-fold)

81

Filter element (4-fold)

82

Filter element (2-fold)

83

filter plugs

84

receiving trough

86.1

feed chute

86.2

feed chute

87

Hart filter element

120

conveyor belt

121

drive wheel

122

guide wheel

123

vacuum box

124

cleaning box

Claims (35)

1. Multi-segment filter production device with a device for wrapping groups (4) of filter segments with a wrapping material (9) to produce multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry with a rolling channel (25) for rolling the groups (4) with the wrapping material (9), the rolling channel (25) being formed by adjacent strands of at least one first and at least one second roller conveyor (18, 20), a filter segment group assembly device (41) and a transfer device (62.1, 62.2) for transferring groups (4) of filter segments (5.1 to 5.7, 83, 87) from the filter segment group assembly device (41).
2. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 1, characterised in that a single first roller conveyor (18) and a single second roller conveyor (20) are provided.
3. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a feed device is provided for feeding the groups (4) to the rolling channel (25), the feed device being configured as a feed drum (23) which delivers the group (4) directly to the rolling channel (25).
4. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 3, characterised in that a first deflection device for one of the roller conveyors (18, 20) is associated with the feed drum (23).
5. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 4, characterised in that the feed drum (23) and the first deflection device are pivoted about a common axis.
6. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 5, characterised in that the feed drum (23) is securely connected to the first deflection device, the feed drum (23), by means of the first deflection device, serving as a drive for the roller conveyor (18) rotating on the first deflection device.
7. Multi-segment filter production device according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that a conveying device (24) is provided for conveying the wrapped groups (4) from the rolling channel (25), the conveying device (24) being configured as a conveyor drum (24).
8. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 7, characterised in that a second deflection device for one of the roller conveyors (18, 20) is associated with the conveyor drum (24).
9. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 8, characterised in that the conveyor drum (24) and the second deflection device are pivoted about a common axis.
10. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 9, characterised in that the conveyor drum (24) and the second deflection device are pivoted relative to one another about the common axis.
11. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 10, characterised in that the circumferential speed of the conveyor drum (24) is slower than that of the roller conveyor (18) moving on the second deflection device.
12. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 10, characterised in that the circumferential speed of the conveyor drum (24) is the same as the roller conveyor (18) moving on the second deflection device.
13. Multi-segment filter production device according to one or more of claims 7 to 12, characterised in that the conveying device (24) accepts the wrapped groups (4) substantially directly from the rolling channel (25).
14. Multi-segment filter production device according to one or more of claims 7 to 13, characterised in that the feed drum (23) and the conveying device (24) are associated with the same roller conveyor (18).
15. Multi-segment filter production device according to one or more of claims 7 to 14, characterised in that the conveying device (24) comprises seats (28) for the wrapped groups (4).
16. Multi-segment filter production device according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the feed drum (23) comprises seats (28) for the wrapped groups (4).
17. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 15 or 16, characterised in that the seats (28) are configured as first ridges (36, 37) into which channels (32) open, which in turn may be connected to a vacuum source (40) for holding the groups (4).
18. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 17, characterised in that the first ridges (36, 37) are arranged cross-axially to the conveying direction of the feed drum (23) and/or the conveying device (24).
19. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that the circumferential spacing of the first ridges (37) on the conveyor drum (24) is less than that on the feed drum (23).
20. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that the circumferential spacings of the first ridges (36, 37) on the conveyor drum (24) and the feed drum (23) respectively are the same size.
21. Multi-segment filter production device according one or more of claims 16 to 20, characterised in that the feed drum (23) comprises second channels which may be connected to a vacuum source (40) for holding the wrapping material (9).
22. Multi-segment filter production device according to one or more of claims 1 to 21, characterised in that the roller conveyors (18, 20) comprise smooth surfaces facing the rolling channel (25).
23. Multi-segment filter production device according to one or more of claims 3 to 22, characterised in that the at least first roller conveyor (18) deflected by the first deflection device moves more rapidly than the at least second roller conveyor (20).
24. Multi-segment filter production device according to one or more of claims 1 to 23, characterised in that at least one of the roller conveyors is heated.
25. Multi-segment filter production device according to one or more of claims 1 to 24, characterised in that the filter segment group assembly device (41) may be divided into a plurality of independent functional units (60.1 - 60.6, 61.1 - 61.2).
26. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 25, characterised in that a functional unit (60.1 - 60.6, 61.1 - 61.2) is provided for each type of filter segment (5.1 - 5.7, 83, 87) of a multi-segment filter (49).
27. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 25 or 26, characterised in that a, in particular a single, functional unit (60.1 - 60.6, 61.1 - 61.2) is provided for each filter segment (5.1 - 5.7, 83, 87) of a multi-segment filter (49).
28. Multi-segment filter production device according to one or more of claims 1 to 27, characterised in that the plurality of independent functional units (60.1 - 60.6, 61.1 - 61.2) are arranged in a row, such that at least part of the conveyor elements (63.1 - 63.10, 64.1 - 64.3) of two adjacent functional units may co-operate with one another, in particular interlock with one another.
29. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 28, characterised in that the conveyor elements (63.1 - 63.10, 64.1 - 64.3) comprise assembly drums (64.1 - 64.3) and/or transfer drums (63.1 - 63.10).
30. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 28 or 29, characterised in that the conveyor elements which may co-operate with one another are arranged in a row horizontally.
31. Multi-segment filter production device according to one or more of claims 25 to 30, characterised in that each functional unit comprises at least one assembly drum (64.1 - 64.3).
32. Multi-segment filter production device according to one or more of claims 28 to 31, characterised in that the group (4) of filter segments (5.1 - 5.7, 83, 87) may be conveyed cross-axially by means of the conveyor elements.
33. Multi-segment filter production device according to one or more of claims 25 to 27, characterised in that at least one conveyor belt (120) is provided which comprises seat grooves for filter segments (5.1 - 5.7, 83, 87) cross-axially to the conveying direction (130), at least two adjacent functional units (60.1 - 60.6, 61.1 - 61.2) respectively comprising at least one conveyor element (75.1, 75.2, 63.8) which may co-operate with the at least one conveyor belt (120).
34. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 33, characterised in that each functional unit comprises at least one conveyor element which may co-operate with the at least one conveyor belt (120).
35. Multi-segment filter production device according to claim 33 or 34, characterised in that the conveying direction (130) is substantially horizontal.

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