EP1847186A1 - Processing unit for processing at least one strip of filter tow for manufacturing filters for rod-shaped tobacco articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The preparation unit prepares at least one filter tow strip (8) for making cigarette filters, movable longitudinally. and processing machines (12, 14, 16, 18), The processing machines are in a row at an angle to the vertical, and may be roughly horizontal. The preparation unit is a separate module, and is alongside or over another preparation unit. It has an intersection point (40) with the machinery for further processing of the strip.

Description

The invention relates to a processing unit for processing at least one filter tow strip for the production of filters for rod-shaped smoking articles such as cigarettes, with at least one Towführungsstrecke along which a filter tow is movable in the direction of its longitudinal extent, and with the at least one Towführungsstrecke associated processing facilities for processing the filter tow , Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for processing filter tow material for the production of filters for rod-shaped smoking articles, such as cigarettes, with filter tow providing means for providing at least two filter tows and at least two processing units.

Such a processing unit and such a device are for example from the DE 42 09 789 A1 or the DE 43 08 093 A1 known. With these known devices filter rods can be produced in the two-strand process. In this case, filter tows (eg cellulose acetate filaments) from a bale withdrawn, processed by stretching and treating with plasticizer, round-shaped and delivered in a desired shape and consistency for further processing to a filter rod making a filter strand from the processed filter tow by wrapping with a Hüllmaterialstreifen, finally in filter rods for cigarettes or other rod-shaped smoking article is cut.

Although the devices and systems described above have been well-established in practice, it has been found that there is a growing need for greater flexibility in packaging such devices and systems and, in some cases, the space required to set up such a device or system Difficulties.

In view of these findings, the invention is based on the object of further improving a processing unit and a device of the type mentioned in the introduction.

This object is achieved according to a first aspect of the present invention by a processing unit for processing at least one filter tow strip for the production of filters for rod-shaped smoking articles such as cigarettes, with at least one Towführungsstrecke along which a filter tow is movable in the direction of its longitudinal extent, and with the at least one Towführungsstrecke associated processing facilities for processing the Filtertowstreifens, characterized in that the processing facilities are at least substantially at an angle to the vertical, preferably approximately horizontally, row and the processing unit as a separate module, which for a combination with at least one further processing unit in side by side and / or superimposed arrangement, and an interface for connection to a downstream device for further processing of the filter tow strip, in particular a stranding machine.

Characterized in that according to the invention the treatment unit is designed as a separate module, which is designed for a combination with at least one further treatment unit in juxtaposed and / or superimposed arrangement, and has an interface for connection to a downstream device for further processing of the filter tow such as a stranding machine , One obtains a modular design that meets the growing need for greater flexibility in the assembly of a filter strand plant more. In particular, a multi-strand filter machine can be realized in a particularly simple manner by the modular arrangement of several processing units. Furthermore, the modular design leads to a higher number of identical parts and thus to a total of less design effort, which in turn has an advantageous effect in lower manufacturing and maintenance costs.

In particular, in the case of a stacked arrangement of at least two module-shaped processing units according to the present invention, the footprint required overall can be significantly reduced. Although it does not appear in certain embodiments excluded that, in contrast to the prior art, the treatment unit according to the invention claimed a greater height in the vertical direction. However, this is readily acceptable in view of the advantage achieved by the construction according to the invention a significant reduction in space requirements in the horizontal direction and otherwise provides experience otherwise anyway no problem, especially by the arrangement of the processing facilities substantially at an angle to the vertical, preferably about horizontally directed row the height required by the processing unit is relatively low. Especially the latter feature is particularly advantageous for a flat design of the treatment unit responsible and therefore also allows a superposed arrangement of more than two processing units.

In this context, it should be noted that the term "tow routing path" primarily means only the path along which the filter tow strip moves through the processing unit. Of course At least in sections, the tow guide path can be provided with a web guide, which guides the filter tow strip in a supportive manner. Such a web guide is at least not consistently mandatory.

It is expedient to provide a defined interface for the connection to at least one further processing unit.

However, it is also preferably conceivable to arrange at least two rows of processing devices in a processing unit such that they lie substantially horizontally next to one another and / or substantially vertically above one another and are each directed at an angle to the vertical, preferably approximately horizontally.

In the event that at least two substantially separate Towführungsstrecken are provided in a processing unit, along each of which a filter tow is movable in the direction of its longitudinal extent, preferably the one row of processing facilities at least a portion of a Towführungsstrecke and the other row of processing facilities at least be associated with a portion of the other Towführungsstrecke, which can be adapted to the intended use of space required by the processing unit in a particularly simple and at the same time skillful manner. In the case of a substantially vertically stacked arrangement said sections of the two Towführungsstrecken are substantially vertically above the other, which can be realized in a space-saving arrangement Mehrstrangfiltertowaufbereitung in a treatment unit.

In contrast, if a processing unit is provided with only a single Towführungsstrecke along which a single filter tow is movable in the direction of its longitudinal extent, resulting in a single-strand filter, preferably one row of processing facilities a first section of the Towführungsstrecke and the other row of processing facilities a second Section of the Towführungsstrecke be assigned, which can be adapted to the application in a particularly simple and at the same time clever way in the case of a single-strand filter preparation required by the processing unit space. In the case of a stacked arrangement of the two rows of processing equipment thus also the two sections of the Towführungsstrecke are substantially vertically above the other; In this way, a relatively space-saving design can also be realized in a single-strand filter preparation.

Usually, the processing means comprise means for spreading, stretching, treating and / or forming the filter tow.

For example, a device for rounding the filter tow strip can be provided, which preferably forms the last processing device in the sequence. This results in the advantage that, after leaving this last processing device, the filter tow strip, which is now essentially round in cross-section, can in principle be deflected in any direction before it leaves the processing unit.

For the modular construction of at least two processing units, it is expedient to provide the processing unit with at least one further inlet and at least one further outlet, wherein the filter tow strip prepared by another processing unit can be passed through such a further inlet and such a further outlet that the filter tow strips prepared by the processing units can run in substantially the same direction to the same downstream device.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for processing filter tow material for the production of filters for rod-shaped smoking articles, such as cigarettes, with filter tow providing means for providing at least two filter tows and at least two processing units. Such a device accordingly has a substantially modular construction of at least two processing units.

In such a device, the processing units can be arranged in different ways. To reduce the footprint, at least two processing units should preferably be arranged substantially vertically one above the other. Additionally or alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to arrange the processing units either essentially one behind the other and / or substantially next to one another.

The same applies to the filter tow providing means with respect to the direction of movement of the processed filter tow strips as they exit the device. In this regard, it is also conceivable, in particular, to arrange the filter tow supply means either essentially next to and / or in front of the processing units. A group-by-group summary of the filter tow provision means is also conceivable, for example, in that the filter tow provision means in the group are arranged essentially next to one another and the group is placed substantially in front of the processing units.

Expediently, such a device should furthermore have a transition module, by means of which the filter tow strips processed by the processing units are transferred to a downstream device for further processing, such as, for example, a stranding machine.

The construction of the device can result in a machine setup either in line or at an angle. In the latter case, the processing units are arranged substantially in an angular, preferably approximately right-angled, row to the processing direction of a downstream device.

Figur 1

schematisch im Längsschnitt eine Kombination von vier Aufbereitungsmodulen mit einer Mehrstrangmaschine gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführung der Erfindung, wobei die Aufbereitungsmodule zwei nebeneinander liegende Gruppen aus jeweils zwei übereinander liegenden Aufbereitungsmodulen bilden, von denen in Figur 1 nur eine Gruppe erkennbar ist; und

Figur 2

in schematischer Draufsicht die Anlage von Figur 1, wobei zusätzlich erkennbar ist, dass eine vor der Anordnung der Aufbereitungsmodule liegende Gruppe von vier neben- und hintereinander liegenden Towballen vorgesehen ist.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

schematically in longitudinal section a combination of four processing modules with a multi-strand machine according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the processing modules form two adjacent groups of two superimposed conditioning modules, of which only one group can be seen in Figure 1; and

FIG. 2

in a schematic plan view of the system of Figure 1, which is additionally recognizable that a lying before the arrangement of the processing modules group of four next to and behind one another towballs is provided.

In the figures, only schematically and in part in detail processing modules and a device containing them according to the invention for processing filter towers for the production of filters for rod-shaped smoking articles such as in particular cigarettes in the strand method are shown, the figures only in each case only substantially for the understanding show the parts and components required by the invention. In mechanical engineering usual components of the machine such as details of the machine frame, brackets, bearings and panels are not shown in the drawings in the interest of their better manageability substantially.

FIG. 1 shows schematically the construction of the processing modules 2 shown there. The structure of the two processing modules 2 shown is essentially identical except for one exception in the outlet region.

In the described embodiment, each processing module 2 is designed in two columns, wherein the two tow guide paths formed by the strands lie substantially next to one another in a horizontal plane. In Figure 1, therefore, only the viewer facing strand with the associated Towführungsstrecke is recognizable. Although the following description refers only to a strand or a tow guide path, this naturally also applies to the second strand, which is not recognizable in FIG.

Each processing module 2 has a housing 4, whose right front side according to FIG. 1 forms an inlet side, on which an inlet 6 is provided, through which a filter tow 8 enters the housing 4. The inlet 6 is formed by an opening in the corresponding end face of the housing 4, wherein for the formation of the inlet 6, for example, the housing 4 may also be opened on its end face as a whole. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a spreader nozzle 9 arranged downstream at a short distance from the inlet 6 and a pair of rollers 10 directly downstream of the spreader nozzle 9 belong to the inlet region. The spreader nozzle 9 may be pivotally mounted in order to be able to align itself in dependence on the instantaneous course of the filter tow strip 8 , The filter tow 8 is shown schematically in FIG. 1 by a dotted line. In fact, the filter tow 8 is made of a flat strip and must be introduced into the conditioning module 2 so as to be in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of FIG.

After the pair of rollers 10 of the filter tow 8 passes through various processing facilities.

After first the filter tow 8 between the pair of rollers 10 and a downstream pair of rollers 12 undergoes a pre-stretching, the filter tow 8 passes through a known stretching device, which is formed by the pair of rollers 12 and a further downstream pair of rollers 14 and makes the main stretch on the filter tow 8 , and downstream of the lower pair of rollers 14, a likewise known treatment device 16 in which the filter tow is sprayed with a treatment agent, which is not shown in detail in the figures.

After exiting the treatment device 16, the filter tow 8 passes through a shaping device 18, the structure of which is not shown in detail in the figures but is also known per se and of which only one roller 20 and one direct downstream secondary pulley 22 are shown in FIG. In the shaping device 18, the filter tow 8 is round-shaped. Of the in the illustrated embodiment according to Figure 1 subsequently deflected filter tow 8 is then deflected by the guide roller 22 in the direction of a merging device 24 which serves to bring together several processed in the individual processing modules 2 filter tow 8 and in the illustrated embodiment has a plurality of rollers, one of which Roll a round shaped filter tow 8 leads.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, the processing modules 2 shown differ with regard to the arrangement of the merging device 24, which is provided recognizably only in the upper processing module 2, while it is missing in the lower processing module 2. Thus, the two processing modules 2 shown also differ with regard to the guidance of the round shaped filter tow strip 8 after leaving the deflection roller 22. For the filter tow 8 of the lower processing module 2 must be guided obliquely upward in the embodiment of Figure 1 to the arranged in the upper processing module 2 merge means 24 so that for this purpose the lower processing module 2 on the upper side of the housing 4, a corresponding outlet 26 must be provided. In contrast, the round-shaped filter tow 8 runs in the upper processing module 2 of the guide roller 22 internally to the merger 24. The thus merged filter tow 8 leave together after exiting the merge means 24, the upper processing module 2 through an outlet 28 which in the adjacent end face of the housing 4 of upper processing module 2 is formed accordingly. The described outlets usually consist of openings in the corresponding wall of the housing 4. The larger these openings, the more a variable orientation of the course of the filter tow 8 is possible. In this context, it is also conceivable, for example, to form the outlet 28 provided on the end face of the housing 4 in that this end face of the housing 4 remains completely open.

However, it is also conceivable, in the lower processing module 2 according to FIG. 1, likewise a merging device and a front-side outlet the merging device 24 and the outlet 28 and the upper processing module 2 to provide an upper outlet corresponding to the outlet 26 to establish a structural identity between the processing modules 2. In such a case, the combination of the processed filter tow strips 8 can then take place optionally in a specific processing module 2. Determining for this is in particular a correct adaptation to the interface of a downstream device.

As can also be seen from FIG. 1, the processing devices 12 to 18 described above lie one behind the other in a horizontally directed row in the exemplary embodiment shown. This has the consequence that in the illustrated embodiment also not specifically denoted Towführungsstrecke that runs from right to left in accordance with Figure 1, is directed substantially horizontally, in the section between the pair of rollers 10 and the shaping device 18.

For easy accessibility to the processing facilities, for example, for the purpose of maintenance, the housing 4 can be opened accordingly, which is not shown in detail in the figures.

In addition, Figure 1 shows a towball 30, which, based on the processing direction of the processing modules 2, is arranged in front of them. In fact, a plurality of towballs 30 are provided, each of which towballen 30 is associated with a strand or a Towführungsstrecke. As can also be seen from FIG. 1, before entering the processing module 2, the filter tow 8 is drawn off from the towbale 30 and is moved over an only schematically represented deflecting and tow spreading member 32, which is arranged at the upper end of a support arm not shown in the figures directed the inlet 6.

Of course, the conditioning modules shown in Figure 1 may be used as individual functional units with a downstream stranding machine. But since the construction is based on a modular concept with essentially uniform interfaces and the use of as many common parts is based, the processing modules 2 can be particularly simple and without great design effort together in combination with a downstream multi-strand machine for a multiple strand filter use. An example of such combinations is shown in the figures, the example shown there being not exhaustive.

The arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is intended for four-strand filter production, for which purpose two superimposed preparation modules are used, as can be seen in particular from FIG.

In Figure 2, the same four-strand arrangement is shown schematically in plan view. FIG. 2 schematically shows four towballs 30, of which each towboll 30 is assigned to a string or to a tow guide segment. In this case, in the illustrated embodiment, the four towballs 30 are combined into two adjacent groups, in each of which two towballs are arranged one behind the other.

But there are other placements of Towballen 30 conceivable. In the case of the arrangement of the towballs 30, it is necessary in any case to ensure that the filter tow 8 is guided, after removal from the respective towballs 30, from the deflection and tow spreading member 32, such that the filter tows 8 enter the associated processing module 2 in the manner shown in FIG entry. Possibly. For this purpose, the filter tow strip 8 drawn off from the towbale 30 must still be subjected to a twist.

As the figures finally reveal, in the illustrated embodiment, the processing modules 2 downstream of a four-strand machine 40 into which the processed filter tow 8 after entering the upper processing module 2 according to Figure 1 enter, where they are then further processed.

Instead of providing the merging device 24 shown in FIG. 1 in the upper processing module 2, it is alternatively also conceivable to provide a transition module between the arrangement of the processing modules 2 and the downstream four-strand machine 40, in which the filter tow strips 8 are guided together in such a way that they can enter together in the downstream four-strand machine 40. The use of such a transition module, which is not shown in the figures, is particularly appropriate if the processing modules 2 are not provided with a merging device 24.

The processing modules 2 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 each have two tow guide paths and are thus each formed with a double-stranded configuration. In principle, however, it is also conceivable to process only a single filter tow strip in a single processing module and thus to design the corresponding processing module as single-stranded. Incidentally, in the case of a two-strand processing module, as an alternative to the previously described embodiment, two superimposed rows of processing devices 10 to 18 and thus two superimposed and substantially horizontally oriented Towführungsstrecken may be arranged.

Claims (16)

Processing unit for processing at least one filter tow strip (8) for the production of filters for rod-shaped smoking articles, such as cigarettes, with at least one tow guide path, along which a filter tow strip (8) is movable in the direction of its longitudinal extent, and with the processing devices (12) associated with at least one tow guide path , 14, 16, 18) for processing the filter tow strip,
characterized in that the processing means (12, 14, 16, 18) are at least substantially in an angled to the vertical, preferably approximately horizontally, row and the processing unit as a separate module, which for a combination with at least one further processing unit (2) is in juxtaposed and / or superimposed arrangement, and an interface for connection to a downstream device (40) for further processing of the filter tow strip (8), in particular a stranding machine having. Processing unit according to claim 1,
characterized by a defined interface for the connection with at least one further processing unit (2). Processing unit according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized by at least two rows of processing means (12, 14, 16, 18) lying substantially horizontally next to one another and / or substantially vertically one above the other, each directed at an angle to the vertical, preferably approximately horizontal. Processing unit according to claim 3, with at least two substantially separate tow guide sections, along each of which a filter tow strip (8) is movable in the direction of its longitudinal extent,
characterized in that the one row of processing means (12, 14, 16, 18) at least a portion of the one Towführungsstrecke and the other series of processing means (12, 14, 16, 18) at least is associated with a portion of the other Towführungsstrecke, so that at least the said portions of the two Towführungsstrecken are substantially each angled to the vertical, preferably approximately horizontally, are directed. Processing unit according to claim 3, with a single tow guide path, along which a single filter tow strip is movable in the direction of its longitudinal extent,
characterized in that the one row of processing means is associated with a first portion of the tow guide path and the other row of processing means is associated with a second portion of the tow path such that the two portions of the tow path are each substantially angled to the vertical, preferably approximately horizontal. Processing unit according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the processing means (12, 14, 16, 18) comprise means for spreading, stretching, treating and / or forming the filter tow strip (8). Processing unit according to claim 6, comprising means (18) for rounding the filter tow strip,
characterized in that the means (18) for rounding the filter tow strip forms the last processing device in the order. Processing unit according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized by at least one inlet and at least one outlet for the passage of at least one filtered filter strip prepared by another treatment unit. Apparatus for processing filter tow material for the production of filters for rod-shaped smoking articles, such as cigarettes, with filter tow supply means (30) for providing at least two filter tow strips (8),
characterized by at least two processing units (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims. Device according to claim 9,
characterized in that at least two processing units (2) are arranged substantially vertically one above the other. Device according to claim 9 or 10,
characterized in that the processing units (2) with respect to the direction of movement of the processed filter tow strips (8) are arranged at their exit from the device substantially side by side. Device according to at least one of claims 9 to 11,
characterized in that the filter tow providing means are arranged with respect to the direction of movement of the processed filter tow strips (8) as they exit the apparatus substantially adjacent to the conditioning units (2). Device according to at least one of claims 9 to 12,
characterized in that the filter tow providing means (30) are arranged with respect to the direction of movement of the processed filter tow strips (8) as they exit the apparatus substantially in front of the conditioning units (2). Device according to claim 13,
characterized in that the filter tow providing means (30) are arranged in a group with respect to the direction of movement of the processed filter tow strips (8) as they exit the apparatus substantially side by side. Device according to at least one of claims 9 to 14,
characterized by a transition module for transferring the processed from the processing units (2) filter towers (8) to a downstream device (40) for further processing, preferably a stranding machine. Device according to at least one of claims 9 to 15,
characterized in that the processing units (2) are arranged substantially in an angular, preferably approximately rectangular, to the processing direction of a downstream device (40) lying row.

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