EP1488711B1 - Process and apparatus for operating a machine of the tobacco processing industry - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine for the production of cigarettes uses strips of cigarette paper (10) to be wrapped around a tobacco strand (12) or a filter. The cigarette paper strip is drawn from a supply bobbin (17) to be secured in an initial position (14) in its movement path to the shaping unit (19,20), to be cut (13). Before the cigarette paper is fixed at the initial position, it is drawn into a suction channel (42) which branches off the movement path.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a machine the tobacco processing industry, wherein at least one wrapping material strip, for wrapping a strand of smokable material or filter material is provided on its conveyor of a wrapping material strip stock to a format device of the machine is fixed in at least one predetermined position to subsequently to be promoted from the specified position.

The invention further relates to a device for feeding at least a wrapping material strip on a conveying path to a feed element, the at least one wrapping material strip at least a strand of smokable material or filter material the tobacco-processing industry supplies, at least one provided a wrapping material strip dividing separating element is, and wherein a fixing element is provided by means of a End of the divided Hüllmaterialstreifens is fixable.

From DE 36 00 321 C2, which corresponds to US 4,648,409 A is a paper web feeding apparatus for a cigarette making machine known. Here is a suction drum for conveying at least one paper web provided to a format tape. By means of an actuator on which a knife provided is it possible to cut off the paper web then, if after starting the cigarette manufacturing machine on the Cigarette paper applied imprint is no longer flawed. In this device, so a so-called Anfahrschuss or the committee at the restart. In the Re-commissioning or when restarting the machine for Cigarette making is a manual intervention for threading the Paper web necessary after machine downtime.

At a demolition of the wrapping material strip and also at a first Commissioning the stranding machine, it is necessary to manually To supply wrapping material strips to a feed element, so that the Wrapping material strips to a format tape and finally to a Format is promoted. Also in the aforementioned DE 36 00 321 C2 a manual feed after a production stop is necessary.

This is relatively time consuming and especially in two-strand machines disturbing and also leads to faulty cigarette rods or filter strands. This is especially due to business interruptions to think about, after which regularly the wrapping material strips must be threaded into appropriate elements. Furthermore, it is disadvantageous that in the case of an unwanted crack in the Wrapping material strips an undefined amount of wrapping material in the machine can remain at a standstill this.

To counteract these disadvantages, was by the Applicant invented a method and a corresponding device, which in the German patent application with the file number DE 102 05 055 entitled "Method and apparatus for conveying a Wrapping strip in a machine of the tobacco processing industry " Formulated on 07.02.2002 at the German Patent and Trademark Office was submitted. This was for an automatic start or re-commissioning a machine of tobacco-processing Industry of wrapping material strips in a predefinable Position fixed to continue from the predeterminable position to be promoted. It was also intended, accordingly to cut or generally separate the wrapping material strip. For this purpose, for example, a knife or a laser is provided.

If in the device according to DE 102 05 055 between the Fixing element and the format tape a paper tear happens, it is difficult to place the wrapping material strip between the fuser and the format tape is disposed of.

In contrast, it is an object of the present invention, in a corresponding method for operating a machine of Tobacco processing industry and a corresponding device to allow good functionality, if in particular a paper tear between a fuser and a format tape happens.

This problem is solved by a method for operating a Machine of the tobacco processing industry, wherein at least one Wrapping material strip for wrapping a strand of smokable Material or filter material is provided on its conveyor from a wrapping material strip stock to a format device the machine fixed in at least one predetermined position is then further promoted from the predetermined position to be, before fixing in the predetermined position of the at least one wrapping material strip in a suction, the of branches off the conveyor, is sucked.

By the method according to the invention are the wrapping material strips evenly tensioned before fixing so that a defined fixation is possible. After the defined Fixing is the supply to the smokable material or the filter material safely possible.

If the at least one wrapping material strip just before the suction can be torn, in case of disturbances, such as Speed differences between the tobacco rod and the Wrapping material strips in the barrel or differences in the stopping time the distribution unit and the strand unit, for example, to a Wrapper tear or strand breakage, a safe continuation of the operation of the tobacco processing machine Be assured of industry. Preferably happens the tearing by means of compressed air.

When tearing a wrapping material strip in a two-strand machine is, it makes sense also tear the second wrapping material strip allow. For this purpose, the second wrapping material strip is provided just tear in front of the suction channel.

After the excess wrapping material strip is sucked off was, the suction is terminated in the suction channel.

A very accurate feeding of the wrapping material strip is then given when cutting the at least one wrapping material strip becomes. This happens especially afterwards. The wrapping material strip is preferably then conveyed to the format device.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention Procedure is the suction duct through an air curtain locked. The air curtain prevents the Wrapping material strip inadvertently enters the suction channel or abuts against a corresponding edge of the suction channel, so that a defined promotion of Hüllmaterialstreifens no longer possible would. Preferably, the inventive method is in in a two-strand or in a four-strand machine, in the two or four wrapping material strips are promoted.

In a single-line machine usually happens no intentional Tearing of the material strip but in the vast majority Cases only a cutting and fixing and a suction of the Hüllmaterialstreifenrestes, extending between the fixing and the format tape is located.

The object is further achieved by a device for feeding at least a wrapping material strip on a conveyor to a Feed element to the at least one wrapping material strip at least one strand of smokable material or filter material the tobacco processing industry supplies solved, with a first the separating element which divides at least one wrapping material strip is provided, and wherein a fixing provided is, by means of which one end of the divided Hüllmaterialstreifens fixable is, with a suction channel is provided, that of the conveying path branches.

By using the suction channel it is possible to strip wrapping material defined by a bleed or a paper tear, so that any wrapping material remains not on the Feed path to a feed element remain, so that little interference during operation of the machine of the tobacco processing industry given are.

Preferably, at least one first air nozzle is in the suction channel provided by means of a corresponding suction pressure or conveying air flow is formed. If at least one second separating element is provided, in case of any disturbances, the above already mentioned, defines the wrapping material strips torn become. Preferably, the second separating element comprises a second Air nozzle.

If at least a third air nozzle to create an air curtain is provided, it comes with the supply of the wrapping material strip to the feeder to little to no interference more.

Preferably, each Hüllmaterialstreifen a first air nozzle and / or a first separating element and / or a third air nozzle and / or a second separating element. In this case can each wrapping material strip defined to be promoted.

A particularly simple and elegant design is then given when the fixing element comprises in the first separating element is. Preferably, the fixing element is upstream of arranged first separator.

An inventive stranding machine, in particular filter rod machine or cigarette rod machine comprises at least a delivery device according to the invention, described above has been.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Zuführvorrichtung in einem ersten Verfahrenszustand, nämlich beim Anfahren der Strangmaschine,

Fig. 2

eine schematische dreidimensionale Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Zuführvorrichtung,

Fig. 3

eine Darstellung der Zuführvorrichtung aus Fig. 1 im Betriebszustand der Strangmaschine, und

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung der Zuführvorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in einem Verfahrensstadium, bei dem nach einem Hüllmaterialstreifenriss die Reste des Hüllmaterialstreifens aus der Zuführvorrichtung entfernt werden.

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings. With respect to all details of the invention not explained in detail, reference is expressly made to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a feed device according to the invention in a first method state, namely during startup of the strand machine, FIG.

Fig. 2

a schematic three-dimensional representation of the feeding device according to the invention,

Fig. 3

an illustration of the feeder of Fig. 1 in the operating state of the strand machine, and

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of the feeder of Fig. 1 in a process stage in which after a Hüllmaterialstreifenriss the remains of the wrapping material strip are removed from the feeder.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an inventive Feeding device 1 in a first process state. The principle of feeding a wrapping material strip or Hüllstreifens of a wrapping material strip stock to a format device is from DE 102 05 055 and EP-A-1 334 666 and the US 2003 145 866 of the applicant known. To repetitions To avoid this patent application is completely directed.

In the context of this invention, supplying the at least one means Wrapping material strip in particular the transport of an end or beginning of the wrapping material strip from a wrapping material strip stock to the strand of smokable material or filter material or the corresponding transport of the separated part of a Wrapping material. In particular, feeding to the Strang meant to restart the stranding machine. in the The scope of this invention is referred to as the recommissioning also understood the term starting.

The part of the strand machine shown in Fig. 1 comprises in particular the feeding device 1, by means of a wrapping material strip 10 in the form of a cigarette paper from a wrapping material strip stock in the form of a bobbin first a feed element 11 in the form of a deflection roller can be fed, wherein the wrapping material strip 10 in the following above an abutment 31 in conjunction is brought with a tobacco rod 12, by means of a Strand conveyor belt 18 in FIG. 1 from right to left (in the direction of the arrow) is encouraged. For effective entrainment of the wrapping material strip beginning the Applicant has obtained patents, namely, for example EP 0 595 118 B1 corresponding to US Pat. No. 5,361,783. The disclosure of these patents is intended to be fully incorporated into the Revelation of this patent application be included.

In order to start up or start up the machine, ne to ensure that the beginning of the wrapping material strip 10 downstream of the guide roller 11 of the associated format tape 19 and the associated strand 12 is taken, was at the said patents proposed to provide a displacement element, which is arranged above the abutment 31, and the when feeding the wrapping material strip beginning to reduce the Distance between the strand conveyor belt 18 and the wrapping material strip 10 is activated. This displacement element is in the figures not shown.

After reaching the format band 19, the deflection roller 30th is deflected and a format 20 for continuous wrapping the strand 12 is supplied with the wrapping material strip 10, extends the frictional force between the format strip 19 and the wrapping material strips 10 off to this in accordance with continuous operation transport. In Fig. 1 is further in a schematic sectional view in side view, the feeding device 1 further executed in the form of a knife 13, on a mounting plate 26 is attached, by means of a pneumatic cylinder 25 with rod guide linearly transverse to the conveying direction of the wrapping material strip 10 can be moved.

The knife 13 comes into operative engagement with a cutting edge 22 for cutting the Hüllmaterialstreifens 10. It is also an abutment 24 is provided, against which the pressure surface 14 presses. When cutting the Hüllmaterialstreifens 10 at the cutting edge 22, the one end of the Hüllmaterialstreifens 10 is pressed with the pressing surface 14 against a surface of the abutment 24 and so the wrapping material strip 10 is held. A cutting and fixing of the one end of the cut-off wrapping material strip 10 takes place, for example, in the event of a paper tear. In a paper tear in only one web, the paper is cut by means of the second separating element 35 before cutting and fixing the other web.

In Fig. 1, the feeding device 1 when starting the machine shown. In this case, the wrapping material strip 10 is in a suction channel 42 pulled a suction tube 33. For this serves an air flow, which is generated by the first air nozzle 34. Support or can help an airflow passing through the second air nozzle 35 or more air nozzles 35 is generated.

The upstream part 10 "will be down at the first startup threaded into the feeder and then by means of an air stream, which is generated by the fourth air nozzles 38, transported. The air pressure in the suction channel 42 causes the paper webs 10 are held evenly to tension. In this embodiment only one single line machine is shown. The however, the same applies to a or four-strand machine, in which case the corresponding tracks are arranged one behind the other in the plane of the drawing. By the uniform Tension of the wrapping material strips 10 are differences in length between the tracks in, for example, a two-line machine balanced and the cutting process can be done. Due to the uniform tension, it is also possible a very to achieve an exact cut. At the the pneumatic cylinder with Rod guide comprehensive drive unit, a knife 13 is arranged and a pressing surface 14, which on a corresponding Stamp for clamping the paper or the envelope material strip is arranged. By the extension of the drive unit or the pneumatic cylinder with rod guide 25 are the wrapping material strips kept and cut clean evenly.

The wrapping material strip portion which has been cut becomes passed directly into the suction channel 42. Now a shutdown occurs the suction and an air curtain 37 is by means of one or more third air nozzles 36 constructed. When returning the pneumatic cylinder 25 become the wrapping material strips by the air flow, the third or the third air nozzles 36 and the fourth air nozzles 38 is generated, for example, driven by air Guide roller 11 of the feeder 1 and the Einfädlers transported to the tobacco rod 12. Furthermore, fifth air nozzles 39 provided, which serve to drive the guide roller 11.

The air curtain 37 and the transport of the wrapping material strip 10th with its upstream part 10 'is shown in more detail in Fig. 3. It is the operating state of the strand machine and thus the corresponding feeder 1 shown.

In case of disturbances such as speed differences between the tobacco rod and the wrapping material strips or at Differences in the stopping time of the distributor unit and the String unit that can lead to a paper or strand break, the paper webs or wrapping material strips 10 are compressed air one or more fourth air nozzles 35 separated. simultaneously the suction in the suction channel 42 is activated. This process requires shortest switching times and airways. For this Reason are four Schnellschaltventile 41, for example, by the Firm Festo, Germany, are available in the area of the housing 27 and 28, which includes the main body 27 and the lid 28, arranged. Each wrapping material strip is a valve for suction and a valve provided for severing.

In Fig. 2, in which the fast-switching valves 41 are shown, are so two valves for two first air nozzles 34 are provided or for four first air nozzles 34 when using a two-beam machine finds and also two more quick-change valves 41st for two second air nozzles 35. The wrapping material strips are through the air flow in the suction channel 42 again evenly to tension held and the cutting process can be done. Subsequently Again, the same process can start over to the upstream Part 10 "of the cigarette paper strip, which cut off and was fixed again to supply the guide roller 11.

Should the machine of the tobacco processing industry shut down or a non-pressurized machine condition prevails after switching off or switching off the machine or at Disruptions of the pneumatic system of the wrapping material strips 10 mechanically be kept in the feeder 1. This is a Compression spring 40 is provided, the pressure surface in the absence of compressed air 14 against the anvil 24 presses.

4 illustrates the operating state in which a paper strip 10, which torn between the fixing member 14 and the format tape 19 is torn into the suction channel 42 so as to remove this interfering paper strip 10 from the feeder 1 to remove. Here, the upstream part is 10 "in the fixing element on the pressure surface 14 and the abutment 24th fixed. The strip of paper located above the cutting edge 22 was cut off and is also on the way to the suction channel 42. In this state, the air nozzles 38 and 39 switched off.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

feeder

10

Cigarette paper strip

10 '

downstream part of the cigarette paper strip

10 "

upstream part of the cigarette paper strip

11

idler pulley

12

tobacco rod

13

knife

14

pressing surface

17

reel

18

Strand conveyor belt

19

format tape

20

format

21

transport air

22

cutting edge

24

thrust bearing

25

Pneumatic cylinder with rod guide

26

mounting plate

27

body

28

cover

30

idler pulley

31

thrust bearing

33

suction tube

34

first air nozzle

35

second air nozzle

36

third air nozzle

37

air curtain

38

fourth air nozzle

39

fifth air nozzle

40

feather

41

Fast switching valve

42

suction

Claims (16)

1. A method of operating a machine for the tobacco-processing industry, at least one strip (10) of wrapping material, which is provided for wrapping a rod (12) of smokable material or filter material, being fixed in at least one predeterminable position (14) on its conveying path from a wrapping material strip supply (17) to a wrapping apparatus (19, 20) of the machine, in order then to be conveyed on from the predeterminable position (14), characterised in that, prior to fixing in the predeterminable position (14), the at least one wrapping material strip (10) is sucked into an extraction duct (42) which branches off from the conveying path.
2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one wrapping material strip (10) is torn just upstream of the extraction duct (42).
3. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that tearing is performed by means of compressed air.
4. A method according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the at least one wrapping material strip (10) is cut.
5. A method according to claim 4, characterised in that suction into the extraction duct (42) is then terminated.
6. A method according to claim 4 and/or claim 5, characterised in that the extraction duct (42) is closed by an air curtain (37).
7. A method according to one or more of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the wrapping material strip (10) is then conveyed to the wrapping apparatus (19, 20).
8. An apparatus for feeding at least one wrapping material strip (10) on a conveying path to a feed element (11), which feeds the at least one wrapping material strip (10) to at least one rod (12) of smokable material or filter material in the tobacco-processing industry, a separating element (13) being provided for dividing the at least one wrapping material strip (10), and a fixing element (13, 14) being provided by means of which one end of the divided wrapping material strip (10) may be fixed, characterised in that an extraction duct (42) is provided, which branches off from the conveying path.
9. A feed apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that at least a first air jet (34) is provided in the extraction duct (42).
10. A feed apparatus according to claim 8 and/or claim 9, characterised in that at least a second separating element (35) is provided.
11. A feed apparatus according to claim 10, characterised in that the second separating element (35) comprises at least a second air jet.
12. A feed apparatus according to one or more of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that at least a third air jet (36) is provided for producing an air curtain (37).
13. A feed apparatus according to one or more of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that a first air jet (34) and/or a first separating element (13) and/or a third air jet (36) and/or a second separating element (35) is provided per wrapping material strip (10).
14. A feed apparatus according to one or more of claims 8 to 13, characterised in that the fixing element (13, 14) is included in the first separating element (13).
15. A feed apparatus according to one or more of claims 8 to 14, characterised in that the fixing element (13, 14) is arranged upstream of the first separating element (13).
16. A rod machine, in particular a filter rod machine or cigarette rod machine, having at least one feed apparatus according to one or more of claims 8 to 15.

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