EP1597979B1 - Production of filter plugs or filter cigarettes - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves having a pre-determined filter-cut to length, where filter staffs (100) are taken out of a magazine (20). The filter staffs are inserted in each case into n-multiple (n = 2, 3, 4, ....) filter plug for a pre-determined filter plug length by means of a mechanism (115). A filter plug is cut for a second pre-determined filter plug length by means of a mechanism, with a different length with the number increased or reduced. The filter is cut to length with the change remaining constant. The filter staffs are shiftably arranged in a lengthwise-axial direction of the filter to be cut.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing filter plugs from filter rods with a predetermined Filterstablänge and a method for producing filter cigarettes, double-length tobacco sticks are cut into tobacco sticks simple length between the tobacco sticks single length filter plug double length are introduced, the double-length filter plug with the tobacco sticks simple length by wrapping by means of a tipping paper leaflets are connected to filter cigarettes double the length of use. Moreover, the invention relates to a filter attachment machine with a filter feed.

Under a filter tipping machine is a device for the production of filter cigarettes with means for receiving tobacco rods of double length, with means for cutting these double-length tobacco sticks in tobacco sticks of simple length, with means for introducing double length filter stoppers between the tobacco rods of simple length, comprising means for connecting the double length filter stoppers to the single length tobacco stems by wrapping with a tipping paper sheet severed by means of a cutter from a tipping paper strip supplied with means for effecting a severing cut through the tobacco double-length filter plug, so that filter cigarettes normal use length arise. In a single-lane filter tufting machine, a sequence of tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups arranged transversely axially behind one another and transported is fed to a padding device as a single-web material flow.

Filament applicators of the patent applicant are known under the name "MAX".

For feeding filter plugs to the tobacco rod pairs, filter rods of multiple use length are removed from a filter magazine on a filter attachment machine and subsequently cut into filter plugs of double use length. Subsequently, the cut filter plugs are arranged in a series of successively transversely spaced filter plugs which are fed to the longitudinally axially spaced tobacco rod pairs.

In US 4,943,272 (equivalent to DE-T-689 10 669 ) describes an apparatus for producing cigarette filters. Here are several times from a filter magazine, z. B. three times long, filter rods removed by means of a removal drum and fed to a cutting drum on which a single cutting blade is arranged. After a first cutting of the filter rod, a filter piece formed is removed from the cutting drum, while the filter rod shortened by a filter rod remains on the cutting drum and moved longitudinally axially to a stop becomes. Subsequently, the shortened filter rod is again cut by the cutting device, so that subsequently a filter piece is removed from the cutting drum again. The shortened by two filter pieces filter rod is again shifted longitudinally on the cutting drum to the stop and past the cutting device. Subsequently, the third filter piece of the originally three-times long filter rod is fed from a removal drum further drums.

The device described for the production of cigarette filters can also be used as a filter feed to a filter attachment machine. Further, two filter manufacturing apparatuses may be combined to obtain a construction for producing double filter pieces.

In US Pat. No. 3,253,491 discloses a cutting device for filter mouthpieces, are cut with the filter rods of multiple lengths in filter plug simple use length. In the cutting device, the filter rods are conveyed along a rotating conveyor along axial axial rotating cutting blades over and cut by them. The conveyor is composed of a plurality of discs of different or the same predetermined width, which are arranged coaxially spaced from each other, so that there are gaps between the discs, in which engage the rotating cutting blades.

Filter plugs of various predeterminable lengths are produced by using different disc arrangements and, at different times, different arrangements of cutting blades. For this purpose, the total width of the arrangement is adapted to the length of the filter rods to be cut.

Based on this prior art, it is an object of the present invention, the production of filter plug, z. B. on a Filteransetzmaschine to simplify, the structural complexity to be kept as low as possible when changing the filter plug length. Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to simplify the changeover times on a filter attachment machine in a format change or brand change. Another object is to improve a filter attachment machine.

As a solution to the problem, a method for producing filter plug of filter rods with a predetermined filter rod length is given, wherein the filter rods are removed from a magazine, the filter rods each in n-times filter plug for a predetermined filter plug length by means (n-1) -fold cutting devices or are cut into k-fold filter plugs for a second predetermined filter plug length by means of (k-1) -fold cutting device, when changing the filter plug to be cut from a predetermined filter plug length to another predetermined filter plug length, the number of cutting devices is increased or decreased, the Filter rod length of the filter rods to be processed remains constant when changing.

The invention is based on the idea that at least two different filter plugs are produced from filter rods having a predetermined total filter rod length as cigarette filters with corresponding different filter plug lengths, so that at least two different cigarette filter formats or cigarette formats can be produced from a filter rod. In particular, the filter rod length is selected as the smallest, common multiple of the filter lengths to be produced. For example, you can For a total filter rod length of 120 mm, 4 double-length filter plugs each 30 mm in length or 6 double-length filter plugs each 20 mm in length are produced. According to the number of filter plugs and lengths to be produced from a filter rod, the number of cutting devices or cutting blades is changed and adjusted. When changing the filter plug to be produced, the conversion measures are reduced according to the invention to a Filteransetzmaschine, since the same and constant filter rod length of the filter rods to be processed different lengths cigarette filters are produced. For example, this eliminates a complete replacement of the filter rods in the filter rod magazine a Filteransetzmaschine.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if the filter rods are cut from displaceable in the longitudinal axial direction of the filter rods arranged cutting devices. Here, the cutting devices are arranged offset on a cutting drum in the longitudinal direction of the filter rods to be cut.

To produce filter rods of different lengths on a filter attachment machine, the distance between the cutting devices is changed when the filter plug length is changed. As a result, the preferred filter plug length is varied and adjusted.

It is particularly advantageous if the distance between the cutting devices is changed such that all n-times or k-times filter plugs each have the same filter plug length.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that after cutting the filter rods, the filter plugs are arranged in the conveying direction transversely axially behind one another, preferably in a row. By training as a single-lane material flow The double-length filter plugs are then inserted between longitudinally spaced tobacco rod pairs, which are subsequently provided on the filter tipping machine with a tipping paper and wrapped.

Preferably, after cutting the filter rods, the filter plugs are staggered by means of at least one staggering drum and / or pushed by means of at least one cutting drum.

According to a preferred development of the method, it is proposed that the staggering drum is exchanged during a change in the length of the filter plug, so that after a change in the number of filter stoppers to be produced from a filter rod, the filter stoppers are staggered in a different way to form a series of filter stoppers disposed transversely one behind the other.

Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for the production of filter cigarettes, tobacco rods of double length are cut into tobacco sticks simple length between the tobacco sticks single length filter plug double length are introduced, the double-length filter plug with the tobacco sticks simple length by wrapping by means of a tipping paper leaflet be connected to filter cigarettes double useful length, wherein the filter plug are prepared according to the method described above. The filter plug is produced, for example, in a filter feed of a filter attachment machine.

For this purpose, it is particularly advantageous if the length of the filter cigarettes produced is kept constant before and after a change or a change in the filter plug length. Hereby, the length of the tobacco sticks to be connected with a filter plug is determined adjusted and varied accordingly.

Further, a filter attachment machine is provided with a filter feed, wherein from a magazine filter rods with a predetermined Filterstablänge are removed, the filter rods are cut into filter plugs with a predetermined filter plug length and the filter plugs between longitudinally spaced tobacco rods are introduced, wherein the filter attachment machine is developed by the Filter rods in each n-fold filter plug by (n-1) -fold cutting devices or the filter rods in each k-fold filter plug by (k-1) -fold cutting devices are cut, the filter rod length of the filter rods to be processed remains constant, and at a Change from n-cut filter plug to k-cut filter plug the number of cutting devices can be increased or reduced.

In particular, the cutting devices in the longitudinal axial direction of the filter rods to be cut are displaceable.

For this purpose, it is stated that the distance between the cutting devices is variable.

If appropriate, the filter feed device has at least one removal drum and / or at least one cutting drum and / or at least one staggering drum and / or at least one sliding drum and / or at least one accelerator drum and / or at least one insertion drum.

The staggering drum can be exchangeable, so that when changing the filter plug to be produced, the filter plugs are arranged to a material flow arranged transversely axially one behind the other.

It is further provided that the length of the filter cigarettes produced is constant on a filter attachment machine before and after the change of the filter plug length.

Fig. 1 a, 1b

schematisch jeweils ein Ablaufdiagramm zur Herstellung von Filterzigaretten doppelter Gebrauchslänge;

Fig. 2a, 2b

jeweils eine schematische Darstellung eines Staffelund Schiebeprozesses für verschieden lange Filterstopfen;

Fig. 3a, 3b

schematisch weitere Staffel- und Schiebevorgänge bei unterschiedlich langen Filterstopfen und

Fig. 4

schematisch eine Trommelanordnung einer Filterzuführung einer Filteransetzmaschine.

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

Fig. 1 a, 1b

schematically each a flowchart for the production of filter cigarettes double the use length;

Fig. 2a, 2b

in each case a schematic representation of a staggering and sliding process for different length filter plug;

Fig. 3a, 3b

schematically further staggering and shift operations with different length filter plugs and

Fig. 4

schematically a drum assembly of a filter feed a Filteransetzmaschine.

In the following figures, the same or similar elements or corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that apart from a corresponding renewed idea.

In FIGS. 1a and 1b In each case, schematic flowcharts for the production of filter cigarettes are shown, in the example In FIG. 1a From an isolated filter rod 100 (step A), which is taken from a magazine, with the help of 3 cutting blades 115 four double-length filter plugs 110.1, 110.2, 110.3 and 110.4 are cut. This takes place in process step B.

Subsequently, the cut filter plugs 110.1, 110.2, 110.3, 110.4 staggered in step C on a staggering drum and then pushed together in step D. For this purpose, stops 120 for limiting the longitudinal axial displacement movement are arranged on the sliding drum.

The filter plugs 110.1, 110.2, 110.3, 110.4, which are arranged longitudinally axially behind one another in the conveying direction, are then inserted between tobacco rods 130.1, 130.2, which are spaced longitudinally axially (method step E). After pushing together and tumbling of the formed tobacco rod filter plug tobacco rod groups are the Smoke article groups provided with a tipping paper plate and wrapped by tipping paper leaflets, so that double-length filter cigarettes 150 arise (step F). By means of a separating cut on a cutting blade 160, filter cigarettes of normal use length are obtained (method step G).

In FIG. 1b schematically shows the production process of filter cigarettes, wherein from the filter rod 100, which has the same length as the filter rod 100 in FIG. 1a has, by means of the two cutting blades 115 three filter plugs 210.1, 210.2, 210.3 arise. Each of the filter plugs 210.1 to 210.3 has a larger filter plug length than the filter plugs 110.1 to 110.4 (FIG. Fig. 1a ). To make long filter plugs, a cutting knife ( Fig. 1 b , Method step B) on a cutting drum, wherein the remaining cutting blades 115 are moved and positioned in the longitudinal axial direction of the Fllterstabs 110.

Subsequently, in the process steps C and D staggering and pushing together the staggered filter plugs 210.1 to 210.3. In accordance with method step E (analogous to FIG. 1 a) the filter stoppers 210.1 to 210.3, which are arranged transaxially one after the other, are inserted between tobacco sticks 230.1 and 230.2, the tobacco sticks 230.1 and 230.2 being of shorter length than the tobacco sticks 130.1, 130.2 (FIG. Fig. 1a ) exhibit. After that, smoking article groups are provided with a tipping paper leaflet and enveloped by tipping paper leaflets so that filter cigarettes of double use length 250 (process step F) are formed.

The length of the double-length filter cigarettes 150 ( Fig. 1a ) and 250 ( Fig. 1 b) correspond to each other, as in the embodiment FIG. 1 a shorter filter plugs 110.1 to 110.4 together with longer tobacco rods 130.1, 130.2 to double-length filter cigarettes 150 are assembled. In the embodiment according to FIG. 1b longer filter plugs 210.1 to 210.3 are used together with shorter tobacco rods 230.1, 230.2.

In the FIGS. 2a and 2b In a detailed view, the process steps C and D for different length filter plug according to the embodiments FIGS. 1a and 1b shown enlarged. In process step D, the filter plugs 110.1 to 110.4 or 210.1 to 210.3 are arranged one behind the other to the center of a sliding drum, wherein the stops 120 are mutually arranged on the sliding drum, so that in the conveying direction the filter plugs 110.1 to 110.4 or 210.1 to 210.3 in the shots of Sliding drum centered and arranged one behind the other.

In the FIGS. 3a and 3b Further alternative embodiments of staggering (method step C) and a displacement of the filter stoppers 110.1 to 110.4 and 210.1 to 210.3 are shown, wherein in method step D, pairs of stops 120 are arranged on the haul drum.

In FIG. 4 is a view of a Filterzuführeinrichtung 10 shown schematically, wherein the filter feeder 10 is integrated, for example, in a filter attachment machine. From a magazine 20 with filter rods 100, the filter rods 100 are individually removed by means of a removal drum 30 and transported to cutting knives 115, where the filter rods 100 in several double-length filter plug (corresponding to the number of cutting blades) are cut (see. Fig. 1a, 1b ).

The number and the length of the filter plug depend on the number of cutting blades 115 on the removal drum 130. following The cut double-length filter plug on a staggering drum 40 (see. Fig. 1a, 1b , Step C) staggered and transferred to a sliding drum 50 (step D). On the drag drum 50, the staggered filter plugs are arranged in a row and then transferred to an accelerator drum 60 which welterfördert the isolated filter plug to a feed drum 70, so that the filter plug between tobacco rod pairs (step E) are inserted.

When changing the filter plug to be produced on the Fllterzuführeinrichtung 10 one or more cutting blades 115 are added to the removal drum 30 or removed, so that smaller filter plug are made with a smaller filter plug length or 115 larger filter plug arise when removing a cutting blade. When changing the filter plug length and the number of filter plug to be produced from a filter rod 100 is increased or decreased. In addition, the positions of the cutting blades 115 must be aligned with the removal drum 30 in a Fllterstopfenwechsel.

To stagger the filter plug according to a change of the filter plug length accordingly, the staggering drum 40 must be replaced as a further measure. Alternatively, the filter supply device may have a further staggering drum, so that an exchange is not required. The remaining drums and / or aggregates are not to be exchanged because the total filter rod length is constant.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Filterzuführeinrichtung

20

magazine

30

removal drum

40

staggering drum

50

Schlebetrommel

60

accelerating drum

70

removal drum

100

filter rod

110.1

filter plug

110.2

filter plug

110.3

filter plug

110.4

filter plug

115

cutting blade

120

attack

130.1

tobacco rod

130.2

tobacco rod

150

Filter cigarettes of double length

160

cutting blade

210.1

filter plug

210.2

filter plug

210.3

filter plug

230.1

tobacco rod

230.2

tobacco rod

250

Filter cigarettes of double length

Claims (9)

1. Method for producing filter plugs (110.1, 110.2, 110.3, 110.4; 210.1, 210.2, 210.3) from filter rods (100) with a predetermined filter rod length, in which the filter rods (100) are removed from a magazine (20), the filter rods (100) are cut in each case into n-fold (n = 2, 3, 4, ....) filter plugs (110.1, 110.2, 110.3, 110.4) for a predetermined filter plug length by means of (n-1)-fold cutting devices (115) or in each case into k-fold (k = 2, 3, 4, ... ; k ≠ n) filter plugs (210.1, 210.2, 210.3) for a second predetermined filter plug length by means of (k-1)-fold cutting devices (115), the number of cutting devices (115) being increased (k > n) or reduced (k < n) when changing the filter plugs to be cut from one predetermined filter plug length to another predetermined filter plug length, characterised in that the filter rod length of the filter rods (100) to be processed remains constant during the change.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that the filter rods (100) are cut by cutting devices (115) arranged displaceably in the longitudinal-axial direction of the filter rods (100).
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the spacing between the cutting devices (115) is changed when changing the filter plug length.
4. Method according to Claim 3, characterised in that the spacing between the cutting devices (115) is changed in such a way that the n-fold or k-fold filter plugs (110.1, 110.2, 110.3, 110.4; 210.1, 210.2, 210.3) in each case have the same filter plug length.
5. Method according to one or more of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that, after the cutting of the filter rods (100), the filter plugs (110.1, 110.2, 110.3, 110.4; 210.1, 210.2, 210.3) are arranged, in the conveying direction, transverse-axially one behind the other, preferably in a row.
6. Method according to one or more of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that, after the cutting of the filter rods (100), the filter plugs (110.1, 110.2, 110.3, 110.4; 210.1, 210.2, 210.3) are staggered by means of at least one staggering drum (40) and/or pushed by means of at least one pushing drum (50).
7. Method according to one or more of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the staggering drum (40) is exchanged when changing the filter plug length.
8. Method for producing filter cigarettes, in which double-length tobacco rods are cut into single-length tobacco rods (130.1, 130.2; 230.1, 230.2), double-length filter plugs (110.1, 110.2, 110.3, 110.4; 210.1, 210.2, 210.3) are introduced between the single-length tobacco rods (130.1, 130.2; 230.1, 230.2), the double-length filter rods (110.1, 110.2, 110.3, 110.4; 210.1, 210.2, 210.3) are joined to the single-length tobacco rods (130.1, 130.2; 230.1, 230.2) by wrapping with a covering paper sheet to form filter cigarettes (150; 250) of double use length, the filter plugs (110.1, 110.2, 110.3, 110.4; 210.1, 210.2, 210.3) being produced by the method according to one or more of Claims 1 to 7.
9. Method according to Claim 8, characterised in that the length of the filter cigarettes (150; 250) produced is kept constant before and after changing the filter plug length.

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