Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
  • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
  • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
  • A24C5/39—Tobacco feeding devices
  • A24C5/396—Tobacco feeding devices with separating means, e.g. winnowing, removing impurities

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for processing fibrous material for further processing, in particular a distributor - so-called hopper - for processing cut tobacco in the manufacture of cigarettes, the tobacco being introduced into a closed container of the distributor and in this by loosening, removing (Tobacco) lumps and sifting to form a tobacco rod is treated using a dosing system.
• the distributor and hopper are part of a cigarette maker.
• the cut and otherwise treated tobacco is introduced into the distributor in the area of an (upper) lock and reaches the area of the metering system via a pre-distributor.
• This essentially consists of a specially designed metering roller to which the tobacco is fed in a uniform tobacco flow.
• the tobacco is sifted to remove components with a higher weight, in particular ribs, stems and foreign parts.
• the tobacco is then fed to a strand conveyor, which transports a precisely dimensioned tobacco rod to form cigarettes.
• the invention is based on the knowledge that an optimal or complete screening of the tobacco is important for the removal of components with a higher weight for the operation of the distributor / hopper and for the quality of the manufactured tobacco rod.
• the invention is therefore based on the object of further developing and improving a distributor, especially with regard to the tobacco sifting.
• the device according to the invention is characterized in that the tobacco can be passed through one or more sifters, wherein the one or more classifiers are arranged upstream of the dosing system in the conveying direction of the tobacco.
• the tobacco is therefore predominantly or exclusively sifted in an area in front of the metering system, so that tobacco freed from stems, ribs and foreign parts is fed to the metering system.
• a special feature of the invention is that at least one sifter is arranged upstream of the distributor as a whole, in such a way that the incoming tobacco is first passed through the sifter and then tobacco freed from components with a higher weight is introduced into the distributor or into a lock thereof.
• the classifier can be designed in various ways.
• a special feature is the use of a cone sifter, especially when the sifter is positioned outside the distributor or in front of the lock.
• This proposal is based on the knowledge that cone classifiers with surprising advantages can also be used for classifying fibrous goods, such as cut tobacco.
• the sighted tobacco is introduced directly into the distributor or into its lock by the blown or compressed air supplied to the classifier.
• a classifier can also be positioned within the distributor, preferably in the version with a zigzag-shaped line of sight (zigzag classifier). It is advantageous to position at least one classifier following a pre-distributor, which consists of several rotating elements for loosening the tobacco.
• Another special feature is the design of a conveyor line for the tobacco following the classifier, namely for the feed to the dosing system.
• 1 is a distributor in side view
• 2 shows a detail of the distributor according to FIG. 1, namely a classifier in the vertical section II-II of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 shows the distributor according to FIG. 1 in vertical section in the sectional plane III-III of FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale
• FIG. 5 shows a detail V of the distributor according to FIG. 4 on an enlarged scale
• FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of a distributor in vertical section
• FIG. 7 shows a detail VII of the distributor according to FIG. 6 on an enlarged scale.
• the distributors or hoppers shown in the drawings are used to process cut tobacco. This is introduced in an upper area into the distributor, namely into a lock 10. From there, the tobacco is transferred to a pre-distributor 11. The tobacco is loosened in its area. The tobacco is then fed to a metering system 12 in different ways. A largely regular tobacco stream 13 is generated in the area thereof, which is fed in the upward direction to an organ for producing a continuous tobacco rod, namely a suction belt 14.
• a classifier 15 This organ separates parts of the tobacco with a higher weight, in particular ribs, stems, but also foreign parts such as metal parts, stones, etc. from the tobacco.
• a classifier 15 is arranged in the conveying direction of the tobacco in front of the metering system 12, so that tobacco that has been exposed is fed to the metering system 12.
• the distributor according to FIGS. 1 to 3 is a special feature.
• the classifier is arranged upstream of the distributor or the lock 10.
• the classifier 15 is positioned as a separate member next to the distributor, specifically in a classifier housing 16. This is connected to the distributor, namely a distributor housing 17.
• the unit thus created is arranged on a common machine frame 18.
• the otherwise pretreated, cut tobacco is fed to the sifter 15.
• a feed line 19 or a feed tube enters the sifter 15 from above in the vertical direction.
• the tobacco processed within the classifier 15 is introduced in the upper region of the classifier 15 or classifier housing 16 via a connecting line 20, namely a horizontally directed pipe, into the distributor, specifically in its lock 10.
• the classifier 15 is designed in a special way, namely as a (modified) cone classifier.
• This consists of an upright, preferably centrally positioned within the sifter housing 16, and a guide wall 22 arranged at a distance therefrom.
• an upright viewing channel 23 is formed, the shape of which is defined by the contours of the guide body 21 on the one hand and the outer Guide wall 22 is determined on the other hand.
• the guide body 21 is conical, namely it consists of two superimposed double cones, which are connected to one another in the area of a cross-sectional constriction 24 to form a unit or a common guide body 21. This is tapered at the top and provided with a truncated end 25 at the bottom.
• the guide body 21 is positioned centrally within the classifier housing 16 and is surrounded by the guide wall 22 in such a way that, seen in horizontal section, an annular view channel 23 is formed, the effective transverse dimension of which is approximately the same over the height, due to adaptation of the guide wall 22 the contours of the guide body 21.
• the guide wall 22 runs parallel and at a constant distance from the guide body 21.
• the tobacco is introduced into the sifter 15 via the feed line 19 arranged centrally to the guide body 21 and above it. Due to its own weight, the tobacco moves downward in the region of the viewing channel 23, specifically along the lateral surface of the guide body 21. The downward movement of the tobacco is countered by an air flow supplied from below. Air is introduced at an increased pressure into the lower region of the classifier 15 or classifier housing 16 via an air line 26. The air line 26 opens into a lower chamber 27 and enters Upward direction in the classifier housing 16.
• the lower region of the guide wall 22 is designed to be air-permeable, namely as an oblique or conical sieve 28.
• the air enters the viewing channel 23 in an upward flow and counteracts the downward movement of the tobacco.
• the light, cut tobacco is thereby pushed back in the upward direction, while pieces 29 to be separated out with a higher weight (stems, ribs, foreign parts) sink downward against the air flow.
• an extraction device for the pieces 29, namely a cellular wheel 30 with a derivation 32 At the lower end of the viewing channel 23 there is an extraction device for the pieces 29, namely a cellular wheel 30 with a derivation 32.
• the tobacco freed from the pieces 29 to be separated out passes into an area above the guide body 21, namely into a collecting chamber 31 with an enlarged cross section.
• the connecting line 20 connects to the transfer of the tobacco sighted to the actual distributor.
• the distributor is designed in a special way due to the lack of a sifter within the distributor or within the distributor housing 17.
• the tobacco is fed to the sifter 15 and thus to the distributor in portions or batches.
• the tobacco portion treated in the sifter 15 is collected in the lock 10 and then fed to the actual distributor.
• the lock 10 has a lower, closable opening.
• a lock floor consists of two pivotable flaps 33. These are pivoted downwards to open the lock 10. As a result, the entire contents of the lock 10 reach the area of the pre-distributor 11.
• the tobacco is fed in the pre-distributor through an oblique guide wall 34 work organs.
• These are (three) spiked rollers 35, 36, 37 which, due to their arrangement and size, control the free flow of the tobacco downwards into the area of a funnel-shaped collecting container 38.
• the spiked rollers 35 ... 37 are provided with radially directed spikes which, due to their design and arrangement, cause the tobacco to be loosened but also to guide the tobacco flow. It is achieved that the tobacco flows downward in a loosened tobacco flow tapered collecting container 38 arrives below the pre-distributor 11.
• spiked roller 37 are arranged in such a way that a spiked roller 37 with a larger diameter and a smaller spiked roller 36 lie opposite one another and form a barrier to the tobacco through the mutual engagement of spikes. This can only go down in accordance with the rotational movements of the spiked rollers 36, 37.
• Another spiked roller 35 is located in an area above the spiked roller 36 and is used to feed the tobacco in such a way that it is predominantly directed to the larger spiked roller 37.
• the particularly advantageous direction of rotation of the spiked rollers 35, 36, 37 is indicated in each case by the direction arrow in FIG. 3.
• the guide wall 34 is designed in such a way that it matches the contour of the spiked roller 37 of the pre-distributor 11 follows and ends with the formation of a cross-sectional constriction 40 in the upper region of the collecting container 38.
• the tobacco is conveyed upwards from the collecting container 38, namely by a steep conveyor 41. It is an endless conveyor which has inclined drivers 42 for detecting a quantity of tobacco in each case in the region of an upwardly moving conveying strand 43. This is slightly inclined relative to a vertical position , with an inclination of about 6 °.
• the conveyor namely steep conveyor 41, is deflected into a downward conveying path via deflection rollers.
• the tobacco is transferred to the metering system 12 in this area.
• the tobacco arrives in an essentially upright shaft 44, which feeds the tobacco to a metering roller 45, namely a spiked roller.
• a metering roller 45 namely a spiked roller.
• an organ for removing the tobacco from the steep conveyor 41 there is an organ for removing the tobacco from the steep conveyor 41. It is a separating roller 46 which combs the tobacco out of the comb-shaped drivers 42.
• the uniform tobacco stream 13 is generated, which is fed to the suction belt 14 via an upright conveyor, namely a suction shaft 47.
• a discharge device namely a transverse screw conveyor 48. This has the task of requesting tobacco that is located in this area when a machine stops.
• the classifier 15 is accommodated within the distributor or within the correspondingly configured distributor housing 17, specifically after the pre-distributor 11.
• the tobacco arriving arrives directly in the lock 10 via a feed line 49
• Below the lock 10 is the pre-distributor 11 in the embodiment described.
• the tobacco emerging from this pre-distributor 11 is taken up by a cross conveyor 50, namely an endless conveyor belt.
• the cross conveyor 50 or its upper run is slightly rising in the conveying direction, that is, directed at an acute angle.
• the cross conveyor 50 leads to an inlet opening 51 in the classifier 15.
• a metering device works together with the cross conveyor 50, specifically a metering conveyor 52, which is positioned as an endless belt above the cross conveyor 50, at an angle to the cross conveyor 50.
• a deflecting end facing the inlet opening 51 or a deflecting roller 53 of the metering conveyor 52 forms an opposite one Cross conveyor 50 a metering gap for the passage of tobacco to the sifter 15.
• the metering gap is adjustable, namely by adjusting the metering conveyor 52. Its deflecting roller 54 - located away from the inlet opening 51 - is fixed in place, while the opposite deflecting roller 53 in upward and Downward direction is adjustable.
• the metering conveyor 52 is accordingly pivotable about the deflection roller 54, changing the metering gap defined with the cross conveyor 50.
• a spiked roller 55 is arranged as the conveying and distributing member.
• the classifier 15 is a zigzag classifier.
• An upright viewing channel 56 is angled several times, that is to say in a zigzag shape.
• Two parallel guide walls 57, 58 define a viewing channel 56 with an alternating flow direction.
• the tobacco arrives via the inlet opening 51 in the area of an obliquely directed leg of the guide wall 58 into the sifter 15 or viewing channel 56.
• the tobacco sliding downward under its own weight is countered by an air flow from below which is separated by Pieces 29 with a higher dead weight convey the tobacco back upwards, namely via the inlet opening 51 into the area of a (circular) deflection channel 59.
• a tobacco stream 60 free of pieces 29 is created in this area. This tobacco stream 60 is fed to the metering system 12.
• the air introduced into the viewing channel 56 from below is generated by a fan or by a fan 61 (cross-flow fan). This is located in an upright air duct 62, which forms a closed duct system with the viewing duct 56.
• the blown air is introduced by the fan 61 through an arc-deflected channel leg 63 from below into the viewing channel 56 and produces the visual effect already described there in connection with an upward conveying of the tobacco.
• the upper region of the classifier 15 is designed in a special way (FIGS. 4, 5).
• An upper area of the air duct 62 leads to an air connection or to an air-permeable drum 64, in particular in the form of a sieve. This is rotatably and concentrically positioned in the circular deflection duct 58.
• the drum 64 is driven to rotate in the conveying direction of the tobacco or the tobacco stream 60.
• the air is drawn into the air-permeable drum 64 by the fan 61 via the viewing channel 56 and then introduced into the viewing channel 56 below via the air channel 62 and the channel leg 63.
• the relatively light tobacco is guided along a circular wall of the deflection channel 59 due to the rectified air flow.
• the tobacco stream 60 rests on the wall of the deflection channel 59 due to centrifugal forces.
• the overall air-permeable drum 64 is sealed against air passage by a fixed inner segment 65, so that in this region of lower centrifugal forces the tobacco stream 60 does not contact the drum 64.
• the tobacco or tobacco stream 50 arrives after the deflection channel 59 in the area of a rotary valve 66 as a conveying and sealing element with respect to the negative pressure area of the classifier 15.
• the tobacco is passed through the rotary valve 66 to an inclined channel 67, which to the at the entrance of the Shaft 44 arranged separating roller 46 leads. This brings the tobacco into the area of the dosing system 12, which is formed here in the same way as in the embodiment of FIG. 3rd
• the classifier 15 is likewise accommodated within the distributor or within the distributor housing 17.
• tobacco is fed directly to the lock 10 and transferred from it to the pre-distributor 11. From here, the tobacco arrives in the area of the collecting container 38 arranged below the pre-distributor 11
• the tobacco is conveyed into a downward, upright or vertical transport shaft
• the safe removal of the tobacco from the upward conveyor 68 is effected by a separating roller 71 which combs the tobacco out of the drivers 42 of the upward conveyor 68.
• the transport shaft 70 leads directly to the classifier 15 in the vertical direction, and the classifier 15 connects to the transport shaft 70.
• the classifier 15 is also designed as a zigzag classifier with a corresponding viewing channel 56 which is delimited by angled, parallel guide walls 57, 58.
• a processing roller 72 which on the one hand loosens the tobacco and on the other hand delimits the area of the classifier with increased air pressure compared to the previous area - the transport shaft.
• Air is supplied to the viewing channel 56 from below, which flows upwards and conveys the tobacco upwards within the viewing channel 56, but which causes the pieces 29 to sink downwards due to the higher weight.
• the air flow is generated in the lower area, immediately adjacent to the lower end of the viewing channel 56, by a fan 74.
• This is arranged in a housing as part of an upright air channel 75.
• an air-permeable drum 64 is in turn mounted, which is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow.
• An air circulation also arises in this embodiment.
• the in the classifier or viewing channel 56 below Introduced air transports the tobacco into the area of the drum 64.
• the tobacco lies against the outer jacket of the air-permeable drum 64 and is transported through it for transfer to an intermediate channel 76.
• the metering system 12 already described in principle also connects to this Separating roller 46 and shaft 44.
• a special feature is the upper area of the classifier 15 with a tobacco foresight. Air is introduced laterally in an area upstream of the classifier 15, namely in the transport shaft 70. For this purpose, an air nozzle 77 is arranged next to the transport shaft 70 and directed so that air is directed in the transverse direction (arrow in FIG. 7) into the transport shaft 70 and thus into the tobacco stream.
• a branch duct 78 is formed opposite the air nozzle 77.
• the mouth of the same forms an outlet opening of the transport shaft 70.
• the air of the air nozzle 77 leads part of the tobacco through cross flow from the transport shaft 70 into the branch duct 78. This leads to a collecting area and is combined with the tobacco supplied from the classifier 15, specifically on the jacket of the drum 64.
• An air-permeable delimitation is attached above the drum 64, namely an inclined separating sieve 79. This prevents tobacco from passing into the upper region of the classifier housing 16.
• the exemplary embodiments shown with screens designed in a special way enable a highly effective separation of the undesirable components from the tobacco through a compact design and high efficiency.

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• Manufacturing Of Cigar And Cigarette Tobacco (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

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• 2002
  • 2002-10-31 DE DE10251210A patent/DE10251210A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 2003
  • 2003-10-25 US US10/533,221 patent/US7584758B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-10-25 AU AU2003278141A patent/AU2003278141A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-10-25 PL PL374905A patent/PL206422B1/pl unknown
  • 2003-10-25 DE DE50310914T patent/DE50310914D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-10-25 AT AT03769456T patent/ATE416637T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-10-25 WO PCT/EP2003/011870 patent/WO2004039182A2/fr active Application Filing
  • 2003-10-25 JP JP2004547565A patent/JP2006504420A/ja active Pending
  • 2003-10-25 EP EP03769456A patent/EP1562451B1/fr not_active Revoked

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