EP1442666A1 - Method particularly for loading a cigarette rod machine and distributor particularly for performing the method - Google Patents

Abstract

In a process to manufacture cigarettes the cut tobacco particles are subjected to final mixing prior to rolling and the multi-section cigarette paper-filling stage. The cigarette manufacturing assembly has a supplementary external feed (28) unit to the tobacco distribution station (10), located between the tobacco hopper (13) and sieve (16, 32).

Description

The invention relates to a distributor device, in particular for loading a Cigarette rod machine, the distributor device being essentially one Input device for entering a product stream, a pre-distributor for distribution, Dosing and loosening of the product stream, a memory for receiving the Product stream and a conveyor element for transporting the product stream from the Storage includes a storage shaft, being in the direction of transport of the product stream optionally a sifter before or after the stowage shaft to separate from processing and non-processing parts of the product flow is.

• Einführen eines Produktstroms in eine Verteilervorrichtung mittels einer Eingabevorrichtung,
• Verteilen, Dosieren und Auflockern des Produktstroms durch einen Vorverteiler,
• Speichern des Produktstroms in einem Speicher,
• Transportieren des Produktstroms mittels eines Förderelementes vom Speicher zu einem Stauschacht oder einem Sichter,
• Sichten des Produktstroms in einem Sichter wahlweise vor oder nach dem Einstreuen in den Stauschacht.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method, in particular for loading a cigarette rod machine, comprising the steps:

• Introducing a product stream into a distribution device by means of an input device,
• Distribution, dosing and loosening of the product flow through a pre-distributor,
• Storing the product stream in a memory,
• Transporting the product stream from the storage to a storage shaft or a sifter by means of a conveying element,
• Sifting the product stream in a sifter either before or after it is strewn into the stowage shaft.

Distribution devices are used to supply them usually via an air flow to meter the supplied tobacco, sift and one or to form several tobacco strands, which then one downstream Cigarette rod machine are fed. Strands of tobacco that become cigarettes or The like to be processed usually consist of a tobacco mixture various tobacco components or types. But others are also common Components that affect the taste or texture of the cigarette, such as. Carnations, part of the product flow. The one for making the cigarettes or the like required product stream is already known in known processes Entry into the distribution device is finally compiled, mixed and via a Input devices, which expediently consist of one or more Feeding locks is formed, inserted into the distribution device. On The request from a pre-distributor downstream of the input device falls entire content of the or each feed lock via the pre-distributor as Product stream in a store, with at least the tobacco components on the Dosed into the storage and loosened up. From the storage the Memory content, namely the final one before entering the distribution device formed product stream from individual tobacco components and additional Components, in small individual units based on the "first in, first out" principle Via a conveyor element, either a storage shaft and then a classifier or vice versa, before the sighted product stream to a suction line conveyor or the like is supplied to form one or more strands of tobacco. In the sifter the portions of the product stream suitable for processing, e.g. the sliced tobacco, from the portions not suitable for processing, e.g. B. the Ribs or other foreign bodies, separated.

All known distribution devices and methods that are used to load a Cigarette rod machine serve, but have the disadvantage that the tobacco types and possible additives or components mixed before the distributor device must be what the individual and flexible composition of the product stream prevented. It is also disadvantageous that the complete, from different Components, namely tobacco components and additives, formed product stream at least partially segregated during transport through the distribution device. The principle of sifting is explained in more detail here for better understanding. Sifting is usually done in a line of sight in which an air stream is in one almost closed circuit flows in the direction of transport. The airflow or the Flow velocity is selected / set so that light, ie for Processing suitable portions of the product stream, also as "desired" Designated tobacco fraction, directed towards the cigarette rod machine or are routed while heavier, usually not for processing suitable proportions, e.g. the ribs of the tobacco leaves, stones, plastic particles or other foreign objects, falling down due to gravity and against the air flow and be dissipated. When loading the cigarette rod machine after the the conventional method or with the conventional distributor device Now segregate by e.g. Carnations, which have a much higher weight than the desired tobacco fraction, sorted out in the classifier, i.e. sifted and removed from the product stream and thus only the actual strand production still partially or not at all. On the one hand, this creates a inhomogeneous product stream and on the other hand the product stream no longer has that desired mixture.

Furthermore, it has been shown that in the actual production of tobacco rod accruing tobacco residues that have already been sighted, e.g. so-called excess tobacco, be sighted again during a return within the distribution device, which is uneconomical and increases the load on distribution devices.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to be flexible and economical to create advantageous distribution device which is suitable for a homogeneous and to create a customizable product stream. Furthermore, it is the job of Invention to propose a method that the production of a homogeneous and individually mixed product flow guaranteed.

This task is performed by a distribution device of the type mentioned solved the features of the preamble of claim 1 in that the Distribution device in addition to the input device at least one other external Feeder for feeding at least one further component into the Distributor device or in the product stream, the feed in Direction of transport of the product flow between the storage and the classifier is arranged. This is surprisingly simple and particularly effective created the possibility of the product flow within the distribution device Add at least one additive or component and add to it mix. Due to the additional external feed, e.g. also different types of tobacco mixed directly within the distributor device become. Other additives, such as Carnations, dust agglomerates etc. with the Product stream to be mixed within the distribution device. With others Words means the external supply does not mean a return within the Distribution device, e.g. the return of excess tobacco to the store to take up the product flow, but rather an external one Feed any components into the product stream. Because the feeder is arranged between the memory and the classifier, the product stream form particularly individually and economically advantageous because the introduction of the or each additional component at different e.g. the segregation or that Double vision preventing positions can be done.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the classifier has at least two Additions on. This is an even more individual mixing of product flow on the one hand and additional components on the other hand. So there is for example the possibility of feeding components to the classifier in such a way that they only a few sightings are left, which relieves the sifter. This can e.g. also tobacco that has already been exposed, e.g. be expanded tobacco. But it can components are also added that should not be removed at all. This affects e.g. the carnations already mentioned. The reverse is of course also one Components can be fed to other parts of the classifier Components that should be particularly heavily sighted. Through the several Additions can also be effectively avoided by segregating heavier components are fed into the classifier via a separate access.

The cross section d _{1 of} the classifier in the area of the upper access is advantageously smaller than the cross section d _{2 of} the classifier in the area of the lower access. With this design according to the invention, the flow velocity of the air increases in the area of the upper access, so that components guided through the upper access into the classifier are only slightly or not at all sighted, but immediately - and mixed with the inflowing product stream - from the Sifters are led. This is particularly advantageous for the return of tobacco that has already been sighted, since this then does not unnecessarily burden the sifter. The introduction of components that are heavy compared to the tobacco through the upper access leads to the fact that these components are not spotted despite the high weight due to the high flow velocity due to the reduced diameter or cross-section, but rather with those introduced through the lower access into the classifier Mix product stream.

Furthermore, the object on which the invention is based is achieved by a method solved that in addition to those mentioned in the preamble of claim 10 Steps, characterized in that the product flow within the Distribution device behind the store with at least one other component is mixed. This method can be particularly cheap and effectively a homogeneous and individually mixed product flow produce as the final blend of for the manufacture of the tobacco rod required product flow is made within the distribution device.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Verteilervorrichtung mit geöffnetem Gehäuse mit zwei separaten Zugängen zu einem vor einem Stauschacht angeordneten Sichter,

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Verteilervorrichtung mit geöffnetem Gehäuse mit einem gemeinsamen Zugang zu einem vor einem Stauschacht abgeordneten Sichter,

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Verteilervorrichtung mit geöffnetem Gehäuse mit einem gemeinsamen Zugang zu einem vor einem doppelten Stauschacht angeordneten Sichter sowie einem hinter dem Sichter angeordneten zusätzlichen Speicher, und

Fig. 4

eine Seitenansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Verteilervorrichtung mit geöffnetem Gehäuse mit einem gemeinsamen Zugang zu einem Sichter, wobei der Sichter hinter einem Stauschacht angeordnet ist.

Further features and advantages of the distributor device and the method result from the subclaims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments of the distributor device and the principle of the method are explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows:

Fig. 1

2 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the distributor device according to the invention with an open housing with two separate accesses to a classifier arranged in front of a storage shaft,

Fig. 2

1 shows a side view of a further embodiment of the distributor device with an open housing with a common access to a classifier arranged in front of a storage shaft,

Fig. 3

a side view of a further embodiment of the distributor device with an open housing with a common access to a classifier arranged in front of a double stowage shaft and an additional storage arranged behind the classifier, and

Fig. 4

a side view of a further embodiment of the distributor device with an open housing with a common access to a sifter, the sifter being arranged behind a storage shaft.

The distribution devices described in Figures 1 to 4, hereinafter also as Designated distributors are used to supply them usually via an air flow dosing the supplied product flow, sifting and from the sifted material mixing one or more with at least one further component To form tobacco strands, which is then a downstream cigarette rod machine are fed.

A known distributor 10 comprises an input device as essential elements 11, through which a product stream is introduced into the distributor device 10, a Pre-distributor 12 for distributing, metering and loosening the product stream, one Storage 13 for receiving the product stream, a conveyor element 14 for Transporting the product stream from the storage 13 to a storage shaft 15, 33. In Transport direction of the product flow either in front of or behind the stowage shaft 15, 33 a sifter 16, 32 is arranged to separate from and not to be processed processing parts of the product stream. Since such distributors 10 are generally known, is based on the detailed description of all for the actual function of necessary parts is dispensed with.

With the transport direction of the product flow is the passage of the product flow and / or the further additives and components starting from the distributor 10 from the input device 11 to the stowage shaft 15 or to the classifier 32 meant. The designation in the transport direction of the product stream is in front of or behind not on the actual arrangement of individual parts within the distributor 10 related, but rather describes the order in which the product stream and / or the additives and components flow through the parts or on which Place the additives and components in the product stream.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the input device 11 is a so-called Feeding lock trained. However, the input device 11 can also have multiple loading locks through which the product flow into the Distribution device 10 is introduced. The memory 13 is in the range of Conveying element 14 arranged in front of the classifier 16, which is designed as a steep conveyor belt is. The classifier 16 is immediately in the direction of transport of the product stream arranged on the conveyor element 14, so in this embodiment before Reservoir 15. The sifter 16 is designed as a zigzag sifter and is part of one almost closed air circuit 17. However, there are all others known classifier can be used.

In a lower region 18 of the classifying section of classifier 16 there are means 19 for Generating an airflow arranged. The classifier 16 is in an upper region 20 a guide 21 connected on the one hand as a return 22 for the air circuit and on the other hand serves as a feed 23 to the stowage shaft 15. The essentially vertically aligned sifter 16 has a first access 24 which is within the Classification route between the lower area 18 and the upper area 20 in the Sifter 16 leads. In the area of the access 24, the conveying element 14 is for input of the product stream arranged in the classifier 16. The position of the access 24 along however, the classifying section is freely selectable.

Above the first access 24, the classifier 16 has a second access 25. However, the number of accesses is also freely selectable. Individual or more additional components or additives can now be entered into the sifter 16 via the second access 25. In the preferred embodiment, a further conveying element 26 is arranged in the area of the access 25, which takes the or each additional component or the additives from a second store 27 arranged in the transport direction in front of the classifier 16 or further stores (not shown) and the classifier 16 supplies. The memory 27 can be filled via an additional feed 28 of the distributor device 10, wherein the feed 28 can also be connected directly to the second access 25. The accesses 24, 25 are arranged next to one another or one above the other, the access 25 being arranged in the upper region 20 of the line of sight 16, so that the product stream first flows past the access 24 and then past the access 25. In this upper region 20, the cross section d _{1 of} the sifter 16 is smaller than the cross section d _{2 of} the sifter 16 in the region of the lower entrance 24. However, the position of the entrances 24, 25 is variable and is not restricted to the arrangement shown.

The embodiments described in Figures 2 to 4 are essentially the Distribution device 10 according to Figure 1 constructed similarly, so that for the same parts identical reference numbers have been assigned. The distributor device 10 according to FIG. 2 differs, however, in that the sifter 16 only has a single access 24 to sifter 16. The device according to FIG. 3 corresponds essentially to that Device according to Figure 2, but with the difference that in the transport direction of the product flow behind the classifier 16 and in front of the stowage shaft 15 (here as a double Reservoir shaft) another memory 29 is arranged. The memory 29 is preferably immediately behind an upstream of the stowage shaft 15 Rotary feeder 30 is arranged and is supplied with additional 31 Components or additives fed. The feed 31, e.g. as a conveyor belt, Pipe system or the like can be formed, but can also directly on the Storage shaft 15 may be connected. In the distribution device shown in Figure 4 10 is a sifter 32 in the direction of transport of the product stream behind a stowage duct 33 arranged. The storage shaft 33 has two entrances 34, 35. Before every access 34, 35, a conveying element 36, 37 is arranged, which is used to convey the product flow on the one hand and additional components or additives on the other hand from storage 38, 39 to the storage shaft 33. The stores 38, 39 are fed via the feeds 11, 28 fed to the distribution device 10. Alternatively, the feed 28 could also be direct be connected to the access 35.

The method for loading a Ziagertten strand machine for the production of one or more strands of tobacco basically works according to the following principle: A first product stream consisting of one or more tobacco components and / or further additives is formed, the distributor device 10 is supplied. about one or more additional separate entrances can be one or more additional Components or additives are introduced into the distribution device, the then within the distribution device before or during sifting with the Product stream are mixed. In other words, the or each storage well filled from at least two independent reservoirs.

Der Speicher 13 wird über die Eingabevorrichtung 11 mit einem Produktstrom, der üblicherweise aus einer Schnittabakmischung besteht, gefüllt. Der Tabak wird durch periodisches Öffnen und Schließen von (nicht dargestellten) Saugrohrklappen mittels Luftströmung in eine oder mehrere Beschickungsschleusen der Eingabevorrichtung 11 transportiert. Nach einer Tabakanforderung aus dem Vorverteiler 12 gelangt der Tabak über eine (ebenfalls nicht dargestellte) Dosierwalze in den Speicher 13. Der Steilbandförderer (Förderelement 14) fördert portionsweise kontinuierlich Tabak in den Sichter 16. Der Tabak aus dem Speicher 13 fällt durch den Zugang 24 in die Sichtstrecke des Sichters 16. Gleichzeitig fällt eine aus dem Speicher 27 geförderte Komponente, wie z. B. Nelken, durch den Zugang 25 in den Sichter 16. Die oder jede zusätzliche Komponente kann auch direkt in den Sichter 16 geführt werden. Der aus dem Speicher 13 entnommene Produktstrom, üblicherweise eine Tabakmischung, wird dann innerhalb des Sichters 16 bzw. unmittelbar beim Austreten des Produktstroms aus dem Sichter 16 mit der oder den zusätzlichen Komponenten zu einem homogenen Produktstrom vermischt. Durch die Querschnittsverringerung im Bereich 20 trägt die dort herrschende größere Strömungsgeschwindigkeit dazu bei, daß die zusätzliche Komponente kaum oder gar nicht mehr gesichtet wird, sondern gleich weiter in Richtung der Führung 21 transportiert wird. Für den Fall, daß z.B. Nelken als zusätzliche Komponente beigefügt werden, werden diese trotz des größeren Gewichts gegenüber dem Tabak nicht ausgesichtet sondern zur Vermischung mit dem Tabak gefördert. Für den Fall, daß z.B. Überschußtabak, der bereits in einem früheren Umlauf gesichtet wurde, als zusätzliche Komponente beigefügt wird, wird dieser ohne nochmalige Sichtung innerhalb der Verteilervorrichtung 10 dem noch zu sichtenden Produktstrom beigemengt und mit diesem vermischt. Der so gemischte Produktstrom, nunmehr aus einem ersten Produktstrom sowie mindestens einer weiteren Komponente bestehend, wird über die Führung 21 dem Stauschacht 15 zugeführt, wobei der Produktstrom durch die Zellradschleuse 30 geleitet wird. Die in dem Kreislauf 17 befindliche Luft wird über die Rückführung 22 wieder dem Sichter 16 zugeführt.

The method is described in more detail using the embodiment according to FIG. 1 as follows:

The memory 13 is filled via the input device 11 with a product stream, which usually consists of a cut tobacco mixture. The tobacco is transported into one or more feed locks of the input device 11 by periodic opening and closing of intake manifold flaps (not shown) by means of air flow. After a tobacco request from the pre-distributor 12, the tobacco arrives in the store 13 via a metering roller (also not shown). The steep belt conveyor (conveying element 14) continuously conveys tobacco into the sifter 16 in portions the line of sight of the classifier 16. At the same time, a component conveyed from the memory 27 falls, such as, for. B. cloves, through the access 25 into the classifier 16. The or each additional component can also be guided directly into the classifier 16. The product stream removed from the store 13, usually a tobacco mixture, is then mixed with the additional component (s) within the classifier 16 or immediately when the product stream emerges from the classifier 16 to form a homogeneous product stream. Due to the reduction in cross-section in the area 20, the greater flow velocity prevailing there contributes to the fact that the additional component is hardly or not at all sighted, but is instead transported further in the direction of the guide 21. In the event that, for example, cloves are added as an additional component, in spite of the greater weight, they are not spared compared to the tobacco but are promoted for mixing with the tobacco. In the event that, for example, excess tobacco, which has already been sighted in a previous round, is added as an additional component, this is added to the product stream to be sifted and mixed with it without being sifted again within the distributor device 10. The product stream mixed in this way, now consisting of a first product stream and at least one further component, is fed to the stowage duct 15 via the guide 21, the product stream being passed through the rotary valve 30. The air in the circuit 17 is fed back to the classifier 16 via the return line 22.

The method based on the embodiment according to FIG. 2 essentially runs exactly the same as the procedure previously described. However, the Product flow before the sifter 16 with one or more additional Components or additives mixed. Those coming from memory 27 Components are passed through a baffle 40 into the area of the access 24 and immediately before entering the sifter 16 with that from the memory 13 coming product stream mixed.

In the case of the method with the distributor device according to FIG. 3, in addition to that in FIG In connection with Figure 2 described methods after sifting and before Sprinkling the product stream into the stowage shaft 15 a further component or other additives are introduced into the product stream and mixed with it.

The method with the distributor device 10 according to FIG. 4 runs in opposite directions the previously described procedure changed order. And that is Product stream from the memory 38 passed directly into the storage shaft 33, namely in Area of access 34. The additional component is from the second memory 39 passed through the access 35 in the storage shaft 33 so that the product flow and the additional component when falling into the storage shaft in the area of the Mix lower access 34 to a homogeneous product stream, which then Sifter 32 is fed.

Claims (22)

Distribution device, in particular for loading a cigarette rod machine, the distribution device (10) essentially having an input device (11) for entering a product stream, a pre-distributor (12) for distributing, metering and loosening the product stream, a memory (13) for receiving the product stream and comprises a conveying element (14) for transporting the product stream from the store (13) to a stowage shaft (15, 33), a separator (16, 32) for separation either in the transport direction of the product stream before or after the stowage shaft (15, 33) Is arranged of parts of the product flow to be processed and not to be processed, characterized in that the distributor device (10) in addition to the input device (11) at least one further external feed (28) for feeding at least one further component into the distributor device (10) or has in the product stream, the feed (28) in the transport direction of the P product flow between the memory (13) and the classifier (16, 32) is arranged. Distribution device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one additional memory (27) for accommodating the or each further component is arranged within the distribution device (10). Distributor device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a separate conveying element (14, 26) is assigned to each store (13, 27). Distributor device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each store (13, 27) is arranged in front of the classifier (16, 32) in the transport direction of the product stream or each component. Distribution device according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the classifier (16) has a common access (24) for the feed (28) and / or the stores (13, 27). Distributor device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the classifier (16) has at least two accesses (24, 25). Distribution device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the accesses (24, 25) are arranged one after the other or one above the other in the transport direction of the product flow, in such a way that the access (25) for the feed (28) or for the store (27) located above the access (24) for the memory (13). Distributor device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the cross section d _{1 of} the sifter (16) in the area of the upper access (25) is smaller than the cross section d _{2 of} the sifter (16) in the area of the lower access (24). Distributor device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one further external feed (31) for feeding at least one further additive into the distributor device (10) or into the product stream is provided behind the classifier (16) in the transport direction of the product stream , Method, in particular for loading a cigarette rod machine, comprising the steps: Introducing a product stream into a distribution device (10) by means of an input device (11), Distribution, metering and loosening of the product stream by a pre-distributor (12), Storing the product stream in a memory (13), Transporting the product stream by means of a conveying element (14) from the store (13) to a storage shaft (15, 33) or a sifter (16, 32), Sifting the product stream in the sifter (16, 32) either before or after being sprinkled into the stowage shaft (15, 33), characterized in that the product stream within the distributor device (10) is mixed with at least one further component behind the store (13). A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the product stream is mixed with at least one further component immediately prior to sifting. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the product stream is mixed with at least one further component during the sifting. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that each further component is stored within the distributor device (10). Method according to claim 12, characterized in that each further component on the one hand and the product stream on the other hand are fed to the classifier (16) via separate accesses (24, 25). Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that each further component is guided into the classifier (16) behind the product flow in the transport direction. Method according to one of Claims 10 to 15, characterized in that each further component is mixed with the product stream in a region (20) at the outlet of the product stream from the classifier (16). Method according to Claim 15 or 16, characterized in that an air flow flows within the classifier (16), the speed of the air flow within the classifier (16) being higher in the region (20) than in the other classifier (16). Method according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the degree of sighting is adjusted by changing the position of the accesses (24, 25) in the classifier (16). Method according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the product stream mixed with at least one further component is fed to the classifier (16) via a common access (24). Method according to one of claims 10 to 19, characterized in that the product stream and each further component are in each case taken from different stores (13, 27) within the distributor device. Method according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 20, characterized in that at least one further additive is added to the product stream supplemented by at least one further component after sifting. Method according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that each further component on the one hand and the product stream on the other hand are fed to a stowage shaft (33) via separate accesses (34, 35) and mixed therein.

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