EP1847186B1 - 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 In this case, filter tows (eg cellulose acetate filaments) from a bale withdrawn, processed by stretching and treating with plasticizer, round-shaped and delivered in a desired shape and consistency for further processing to a filter rod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.

An arrangement for producing at least one filter bag is from EP 1625799 A1 known.

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 lie at least substantially at an angle to the vertical, preferably approximately horizontally, row and the processing unit as a separate module for a combination with at least one further processing unit in side by side and / or superimposed arrangement is executed and an interface for connection to a downstream device for further processing of the filter towstrip, in particular a stranding machine has.

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 clever way. 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 preparation modules, of which FIG. 1 only one group is recognizable; and

FIG. 2

in a schematic plan view of the plant of FIG. 1 , wherein it is additionally recognizable that a group of four juxtaposed and successive towballs is provided before the arrangement of the processing modules.

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 schematically shows the structure 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 FIG. 1 is therefore only the viewer facing strand with the associated Towführungsstrecke recognizable. Although the following description refers only to a strand or a Towführungsstrecke, this of course also applies to the in FIG. 1 unrecognizable second strand.

Each processing module 2 has a housing 4, according to FIG. 1 right end side 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 in FIG. 1 represented schematically by a dotted line. In fact, the filter tow 8 consists of a flat strip and must be introduced into the conditioning module 2 so that it is in a plane perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 runs.

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, passes through the filter tow 8 a per se known stretching device, which is formed by the pair of rollers 12 and a downstream further 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 emerging from the treatment device 16 of the filter tow 8 passes through a shaping device 18, the structure in the figures not shown in detail, but also known per se and of the in FIG. 1 only one roller 20 and a directly downstream downstream pulley 22 are shown. In the shaping device 18, the filter tow 8 is round-shaped. Of the so round shaped filter tow 8 is shown in the illustrated embodiment FIG. 1 subsequently deflected by the deflection roller 22 in the direction of a merging device 24, which serves to bring together a plurality of processed in the individual processing modules 2 filter tow 8 and in the illustrated embodiment has a plurality of rollers, each of which a roll a round shaped filter tow 8 leads.

In the 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 in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 obliquely upward to the merging device 24 arranged in the upper processing module 2, so that for this purpose at 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.

But it is also conceivable in the lower processing module 2 according to FIG. 1 also a merging device and a front-side outlet accordingly 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 FIG. 1 can be seen, are the previously described processing devices 12 to 18 in the illustrated embodiment in a horizontally oriented row behind the other. This has the consequence that in the illustrated embodiment, the not designated in detail tow guide path, according to FIG. 1 from right to left, is directed substantially horizontally, in the section between the pair of rollers 10 and the former 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.

Besides, lets FIG. 1 recognize a Towballen 30, which, based on the processing direction of the processing modules 2, arranged in front of these. In fact, a plurality of towballs 30 are provided, each of which towballen 30 is associated with a strand or a Towführungsstrecke. As FIG. 1 can be seen, is withdrawn before entering the processing module 2 of the filter tow 8 from the Towballen 30 and via an only schematically shown deflection and Towausbungsungsorgan 32, which is arranged at the upper end of a support arm, not shown in the figures, in the direction of the inlet. 6 directed.

In the FIG. 1 Of course, processing modules shown can 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 in the FIGS. 1 and 2 arrangement shown is provided for a four-strand filter production, including two superimposed conditioning modules are used, in particular FIG. 1 lets recognize.

In FIG. 2 the same four-strand arrangement is shown schematically in plan view. FIG. 2 schematically shows four Towballen 30, each of which Towballen 30 is associated with a strand or a Towführungsstrecke. 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 arrangement of the towballs 30 must be ensured in any case that the filter tow 8 is guided after removal from the respective Towballen 30 from the Umlenkund Towausbungsungsorgan 32 so that the filter tow 8 in the in FIG. 1 shown manner in the associated processing module 2 occurs. 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 can finally be seen, in the illustrated embodiment, the processing modules 2 downstream of a four-strand machine 40, in which the processed filter tow 8 after leaving the upper processing module 2 according to FIG. 1 enter where they will be processed further.

Instead of in the or the upper processing modules 2 in FIG. 1 Alternatively, it is also conceivable to provide a transfer 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 so that they can enter the downstream four-strand machine 40 together. 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 basis of the FIGS. 1 and 2 Processing modules 2 described in each case have two tow guide paths and are therefore each formed with two strands. 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)

1. Treatment unit for the treatment of at least one filter tow strip (8) for the production of filters for rod-shaped smoking articles, such as for example cigarettes, with at least one tow guide section, along which a filter tow strip (8) can be moved in the direction of its longitudinal extent, and with processing devices (12, 14, 16, 18) assigned to at least one tow guide section for processing the filter tow strip,
   characterised in that the processing devices (12, 14, 16, 18) lie at least substantially in a row oriented at an angle to the vertical, preferably approximately horizontally, and the treatment unit is provided as a separate module for combination with at least one further treatment unit (2) in an arrangement lying next to one another and/or on top of one another, and comprises an interface for connecting to a device (40), connected downstream, for the further processing of the filter tow strip (8), in particular a strand machine.
2. Treatment unit according to claim 1,
   characterised by a defined interface for connecting to at least one other treatment unit (2).
3. Treatment unit according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised by at least two rows of processing devices (12, 14, 16, 18) which lie substantially horizontally next to one another and/or substantially vertically on top of one another and in each case are oriented at an angle to the vertical, preferably approximately horizontally.
4. Treatment unit according to claim 3, with at least two tow guide sections substantially separated from one another, along which in each case a filter tow strip (8) can be moved in the direction of its longitudinal extent,
   characterised in that one row of processing devices (12, 14, 16, 18) is assigned to at least one section of one tow guide section and the other row of processing devices (12, 14, 16, 18) to at least one section of the other tow guide section, so that at least the aforementioned sections of the two tow guide sections are oriented substantially in each case at an angle to the vertical, preferably approximately horizontally.
5. Treatment unit according to claim 3, with a single tow guide section, along which a single filter tow strip can be moved in the direction of its longitudinal extent,
   characterised in that one row of processing devices is assigned to a first section of the tow guide section and the other row of processing devices to a second section of the tow guide section, so that the two sections of the tow guide section are oriented substantially in each case at an angle to the vertical, preferably approximately horizontally.
6. Treatment unit according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that the processing devices (12, 14, 16, 18) comprise devices for spreading, stretching, treating and/or shaping the filter tow strip (8).
7. Treatment unit according to claim 6, with a device (18) for round-shaping the filter tow strip,
   characterised in that the device (18) for round-shaping the filter tow strip forms the last processing device in the sequence.
8. Treatment unit according to at least one of the preceding claims,
   characterised by at least one inlet and at least one outlet for feeding through at least one filter tow strip treated by another treatment unit.
9. Device for treating filter tow material for the production of filters for rod-shaped smoking articles, such as for example cigarettes, with filter tow provision means (30) for the provision of at least two filter tow strips (8),
   characterised by at least two treatment units (2) according to at least one of the preceding claims.
10. Device according to claim 9,
    characterised in that at least two treatment units (2) are arranged substantially vertically on top of one another.
11. Device according to claim 9 or 10,
    characterised in that the treatment units (2) are arranged substantially next to one another with regard to the direction of movement of the treated filter tow strips (8) when they leave the device.
12. Device according to at least one of claims 9 to 11,
    characterised in that the filter tow provision means are arranged substantially next to the treatment units (2) with regard to the direction of movement of the treated filter tow strips (8) when they leave the device.
13. Device according to at least one of claims 9 to 12,
    characterised in that the filter tow provision means (30) are arranged substantially before the treatment units (2) with regard to the direction of movement of the treated filter tow strips (8) when they leave the device.
14. Device according to claim 13,
    characterised in that the filter tow provision means (30) are arranged substantially next to one another in a group with regard to the direction of movement of the treated filter tow strips (8) when they leave the device.
15. Device according to at least one of claims 9 to 14,
    characterised by a transition module to transfer the filter tow strips (8) treated by the treatment units (2) to a device (40), connected downstream, for further processing, preferably a strand machine.
16. Device according to at least one of claims 9 to 15,
    characterised in that the treatment units (2) are arranged substantially in a row lying at an angle, preferably approximately at right angles, to the processing direction of a downstream device (40).

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