EP1852021B1 - Dispositif soufflant pour dilater des bandes continues de matière filtrante - Google Patents

Dispositif soufflant pour dilater des bandes continues de matière filtrante Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1852021B1
EP1852021B1 EP20070106035 EP07106035A EP1852021B1 EP 1852021 B1 EP1852021 B1 EP 1852021B1 EP 20070106035 EP20070106035 EP 20070106035 EP 07106035 A EP07106035 A EP 07106035A EP 1852021 B1 EP1852021 B1 EP 1852021B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pressure
air
plenum chamber
open
valves
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EP20070106035
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP1852021A3 (fr
EP1852021A2 (fr
Inventor
Marco Righetti
Giampaolo Gianese
Armando Turrini
Leonardo Balletti
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GD SpA
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GD SpA
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    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D02—YARNS; MECHANICAL FINISHING OF YARNS OR ROPES; WARPING OR BEAMING
    • D02J—FINISHING OR DRESSING OF FILAMENTS, YARNS, THREADS, CORDS, ROPES OR THE LIKE
    • D02J1/00—Modifying the structure or properties resulting from a particular structure; Modifying, retaining, or restoring the physical form or cross-sectional shape, e.g. by use of dies or squeeze rollers
    • D02J1/18—Separating or spreading
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/0295—Process control means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a blower device for expanding continuous webs of filter material.
  • the invention finds application in machines for manufacturing cigarette filters.
  • machines utilized in the tobacco industry include cigarette filter makers that operate by forming continuous rods or webs of filter material, drawn from compacted bales of fibrous tow held in magazines positioned upstream of the production line.
  • one or more streams of the filter tow are pulled from the bale, advanced each along a respective mechanical and chemical treatment line, and subjected to a succession of steps resulting ultimately in the emergence of long continuous filter rods.
  • One of the steps performed typically on each stream of fibrous tow consists in expanding the material by blowing air at the fibres.
  • the step in question is necessary in order to increase the volume of the tow, to convert the compacted stream drawn from the bale into a web of constant width, and to spread and separate the tow strands in such a way that a uniform and consistent distribution is obtained across the full width of the advancing material, and the density of the web thus rendered similarly constant.
  • Blower devices of conventional type installed in filter makers comprise a blower unit generating a flow of air, and a delivery duct by which the flow of air from the unit is conveyed toward a junction from which at least two outlet ducts are taken off, each terminating in a nozzle from which the air is jetted at the tow strands.
  • Such devices further comprise a plurality of open/close valves placed at the junction, typically butterfly valves, each located at the inlet of a relative outlet duct.
  • the valves serve to regulate the force of the air flow along the ducts, hence the pressure of the jets impacting on the tow.
  • valves are in general operated manually, as dictated by the specific requirements of the filter making process.
  • control over the open/close valves is influenced by the human factor, in terms of the exact positioning of the valve and the speed with which the position can be altered.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a blower device unaffected by the drawbacks mentioned above.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a blower device for expanding continuous webs of filter material, such as will allow the position of open/close valves controlling relative outlet ducts to be varied selectively without affecting the pressure of the flow delivered by other outlet ducts.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a blower device for expanding continuous webs of filter tow in which the position of the open/close valves can be controlled automatically.
  • numeral 1 denotes a blower device for expanding webs of filter material, in its entirety, embodied in accordance with the present invention.
  • the device 1 is applicable preferably to a machine 2 for manufacturing cigarette filters.
  • a filter maker 2 of the type in question incorporates at least one garniture section 3 on which to form a continuous filter rod 4 from a material caused to advance along a respective mechanical and chemical treatment line 5.
  • the mechanical and chemical treatment line 5 is associated with a magazine 6, upstream, from which a respective continuous stream or web 7 of filter tow is drawn off over a guide bar 8.
  • the mechanical and chemical treatment line 5 further comprises a plurality of rollers arranged in contrarotating pairs 9, each pair 9 operated by a relative drive unit to which at least one roller of the pair 9 is coupled.
  • the function of the pairs 9 of rollers is to draw the web 7 of filter material forward and spread the constituent fibres longitudinally and transversely.
  • the mechanical and chemical treatment line 5 includes a chemical treatment station 10 at which the web 7 of filter material is impregnated with selected substances such as plasticizers or the like.
  • the filter maker 2 further comprises a blower device 1 operating on the web of filter tow during its passage preferably through at least one blowing station 11.
  • the cigarette filter maker 2 is a twin track type, with dual mechanical and chemical treatment lines 5.
  • the blower device 1 comprises at least one blower unit 12 connected by way of a delivery duct 13 to an air flow control system denoted 14.
  • the blower unit 12 comprises a rotor 15 internally, by which the flow of air is generated.
  • the air flow control system 14 comprises at least two valves 16 serving to open and close respective air outlet ducts 17. Accordingly, the blower device 1 presents at least two air outlet ducts 17.
  • the outlet ducts 17 extend from the control system 14 to the mechanical and chemical treatment line 5 of the filter maker 2, each terminating with a relative nozzle 18 installed at a respective blowing station 11 located along the line.
  • a jet is emitted from each nozzle 18 directly at the continuous web 7 of fibrous tow, serving to spread the fibres and distribute them more uniformly.
  • control system 14 further comprises a plenum chamber 19 connected both to the delivery duct 13 and to the air outlet ducts 17.
  • the plenum chamber 19 is filled from the delivery duct 13 with the flow of air generated by the blower unit 12.
  • the chamber 19 functions as an air reservoir supplying the outlet ducts 17.
  • the plenum chamber 19 is of substantially prismatic appearance, as illustrated in figure 3 , and able to house the aforementioned open/close valves 16.
  • the valves are arranged one alongside the next and in alignment with the respective air outlet ducts 17, with which they are operationally associated.
  • the blower device 1 comprises pressure control means 20 operating in conjunction with the plenum chamber 19.
  • pressure control means 20 comprise an auxiliary control circuit 21 by which the air pressure internally of the plenum chamber 19 is monitored through a feedback loop.
  • the auxiliary control circuit 21, illustrated schematically in figure 2 comprises at least one pressure transducer 22 positioned internally of the plenum chamber 19.
  • the transducer 22 senses the pressure inside the chamber 19 and relays a corresponding pressure signal to a processing and control unit 23.
  • blower unit 12 can be governed by the processing and control unit 23 on the basis of the pressure detected in the plenum chamber 19 by the transducer 22, as will be explained shortly in greater detail.
  • valves 16 are poppet valves preferably of tulip type design, that is to say consisting in a rectilinear stem 24 and a tulip head 25 of which a tapered end 25a registers in the outlet duct 17 and is able consequently to shut off the supply of air to the selfsame duct.
  • the valves 16 are capable of movement through a plurality of positions between fully closed, in which the corresponding air outlet duct 17 is shut off, and fully open, in which air can enter the selfsame duct 17.
  • the valves 16 are therefore able to assume any intermediate position between the two limit positions mentioned, according to the pressure levels it is wished to maintain in the air outlet ducts 17.
  • the positioning of valves 16 will also determine the pressure at which air is jetted from the nozzles 18 positioned at the relative blowing stations 11.
  • the tulip head open/close valves 16 describe a linear stroke between the two limit positions, toward or away from the relative outlet duct 17.
  • the movement in question is controlled through the agency of positioning means denoted 26.
  • Such positioning means 26 might be manual, for example equipped with a knob, a setscrew or other hand-operated control mechanism.
  • the positioning means 26 can be automatic.
  • the automatic positioning means 26 illustrated comprise actuators 26a located externally of the plenum chamber 19 and aligned with each valve 16.
  • automatic positioning means 26 further comprise a master control unit 27, managed advantageously by a software program, and a plurality of pressure sensors 28.
  • one such sensor 28 is positioned in each of the air outlet ducts 17 so as to monitor the pressure level internally of the respective duct 17, and connected electrically to the master control unit 27.
  • figure 2 shows just one pressure sensor 28 connected directly to the master control unit 27.
  • the master control unit 27 operates in conjunction with the pressure sensors 28, piloting the operation of the actuators 26a in such a way as to position the open/close valves 16 in the appropriate manner.
  • the cigarette filter maker 2 forms continuous streams or webs 7 of filter material which, to reiterate, are drawn from a compact mass or bale of fibrous tow held in a magazine 6.
  • Each web 7 undergoes a series of mechanical and chemical treatments along a relative mechanical and chemical treatment line 5 forming part of the filter maker 2.
  • the web 7 is invested by the flow of air jetted from each nozzle 18 positioned at each of the stations 11, in such a way that the filter material will be spread to form a band of constant width, as far as possible, thereby redistributing the fibres of the web 7 across the full width of the band and maintaining the density of the web likewise constant.
  • a cigarette filter maker 2 will comprise preferably three blowing stations 11, at least.
  • the pressure of the jet emitted by each nozzle 18 is not particularly high, normally just a few mBar above atmospheric pressure.
  • typical values of the slight overpressure are in the order of 140 mBar at the outlet coinciding with the first blowing station 11 located at the passage of the web 7 over the guide bar 8 (see figure 1 ), 110 mBar at the outlet coinciding with the second blowing station 11 located immediately preceding the first of the pairs of rollers 9, and 50 mBar at the outlet coinciding with the third blowing station 11, preceding the chemical treatment station 10.
  • a cigarette filter maker 2 of the type described thus far will be equipped, preferably, with at least two mechanical and chemical treatment lines 5 so as to turn out at least two continuous filter rods 4.
  • a twin track machine 2 presenting two mechanical and chemical treatment lines 5 and three blowing stations 11 per line 5 will therefore require at least six air outlet ducts 17 connected to a single blower device 1.
  • blower device 1 is provided with at least one additional air outlet duct 17, for use in the event that one of the other outlet ducts 17 should happen to malfunction or need servicing, or as a spare outlet located directly in the machine.
  • the plenum chamber 19 replaces the ordinary junction in blower devices of the prior art and functions as an air reservoir, or equalizing chamber.
  • the plenum chamber 19 is able to absorb the resulting variations in pressure and thus avoid excessive fluctuations in the pressure level of the air flow through the remaining outlet ducts 17.
  • the interaction between the plenum chamber 19 and the pressure control means 20, and in particular the auxiliary control circuit 21, to which the chamber 19 is connected establishes a feedback loop through which pressure in the selfsame chamber can be monitored and controlled, and maintained at a constant level.
  • pressure in the plenum chamber 19 is feedback-controlled by the auxiliary circuit 21.
  • the circuit 21 monitors the pressure level in the chamber 19 continuously, and regulates the output of the blower unit 12 according to the situation prevailing at any given moment.
  • the pressure transducer 22 forming part of the auxiliary control circuit 21 senses the level of pressure internally of the chamber 19 and relays a corresponding signal to the processing and control unit 23.
  • This input signal is processed by the unit 23 and compared with a reference signal entered previously by an operator; in the event that the pressure input signal received from the transducer 22 by the processing and control unit 23 is different to the reference value set by the operator, the unit 23 will respond by making the appropriate adjustment to the operation of the blower unit 12, and in particular to the speed of the rotor 15.
  • a pressure level in the plenum chamber 19 lower than the reference value entered by the operator triggers an increase in the speed of the rotor 15 ; conversely, a higher level of pressure triggers a reduction in the speed of the rotor 15.
  • the auxiliary control circuit 21 produces a corrective action on the blower unit 12 whereby the pressure internally of the plenum chamber 19 is held at a constant level, and if necessary restored to the reference value entered by the operator.
  • the movement of the open/close valves 16 brought about by the automatic positioning means 26 is managed by the master control unit 27.
  • the unit 27 in question can be used by the operator, with the aid of appropriate software, to set preferred parameters such as the requisite pressure through the air outlet ducts 17.
  • each air outlet duct 17 The pressure registering internally of each air outlet duct 17 is monitored by the sensor 28 installed in the selfsame duct.
  • the pressure sensors 28 are connected to the master control unit 27, which on receiving an input signal from the sensors 28 indicating a pressure different to the level selected by the user, will respond by generating an output signal to operate the actuators 26a.
  • Movement is thereupon induced in the relative open/close valves 16 by the actuators 26a, and continues until the pressure detected by the sensors 28 located in the outlet ducts 17 equals the reference value.
  • processing and control unit 23 and the master control unit 27 will be wired one to another, combining thus in operation to maintain the air pressure at selected levels both in the plenum chamber 19 and in the air outlet ducts 17.
  • control units 23 and 27 could be incorporated physically into a single monitoring, processing and control unit such as a computer.
  • the auxiliary control circuit 21 cuts in to restore the pressure to the reference value and ensure that the pressure level internally of the plenum chamber 19 remains constant.
  • the interaction between the plenum chamber 19 and the pressure control means 20 serves to safeguard the integrity of the web 7 of filter material, and prevent any risk that pressure fluctuations in the jets from the nozzles 18 of the various outlet ducts 17 might spoil the fibrous tow and jeopardize the quality of the filter.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
  • Window Of Vehicle (AREA)
  • Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
  • Crystals, And After-Treatments Of Crystals (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Un dispositif soufflant pour dilater des bandes continues (7) de matière filtrante, comprenant au moins un groupe soufflant (12) relié, par l'intermédiaire d'un conduit d'amenée (13), à un système (14) de régulation d'un flux d'air généré par ledit groupe soufflant (12), le système (14) de régulation du flux d'air étant à son tour doté d'au moins deux vannes (16) servant à ouvrir et fermer des conduits (17) respectifs de sortie d'air, ledit dispositif étant caractérisé en ce que le système (14) de régulation du flux d'air comprend en outre une chambre de distribution (19) raccordée au conduit d'amenée (13) et auxdits au moins deux conduits (17) de sortie d'air et coopérant avec des moyens (20) de régulation de la pression de manière à maintenir une pression constante dans la chambre de distribution (19) elle-même.
  2. Le dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les moyens (20) de régulation de la pression comprennent un circuit auxiliaire (21) servant à contrôler et à réguler le niveau de pression à l'intérieur de la chambre de distribution (19) par l'intermédiaire d'une boucle de rétroaction.
  3. Le dispositif selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que le circuit auxiliaire (21) de régulation comprend au moins un transducteur de pression (22) placé à l'intérieur de la chambre de distribution (19) et servant à détecter le niveau de pression dans cette même chambre de distribution (19).
  4. Le dispositif selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que le circuit auxiliaire (21) de régulation comprend en outre une unité de traitement et de contrôle (23) reliée opérationnellement au transducteur de pression (22) de manière à traiter un signal de pression provenant dudit transducteur (22), à comparer ce signal avec une valeur de pression de référence prédéfinie, et à piloter le fonctionnement du groupe soufflant (12) sur la base de cette comparaison.
  5. Le dispositif selon les revendications de 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que la chambre de distribution (19) est un réservoir d'air alimenté en air par le conduit d'amenée (13), et les conduits (17) de sortie d'air sont alimentés avec l'air présent dans le réservoir.
  6. Le dispositif selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que les vannes (16) d'ouverture/fermeture sont logées à l'intérieur de la chambre de distribution (19).
  7. Le dispositif selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que les vannes (16) d'ouverture/fermeture peuvent se déplacer parmi une pluralité de positions, entre une position dans laquelle les conduits (17) respectifs de sortie d'air sont complètement ouverts et une position dans laquelle ces mêmes conduits (17) de sortie sont complètement fermés.
  8. Le dispositif selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens (26) servant à positionner les vannes (16) d'ouverture/fermeture, situés à l'extérieur de la chambre de distribution (19) et associés à chacune desdites vannes (16).
  9. Le dispositif selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de positionnement (26) sont à actionnement manuel.
  10. Le dispositif selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de positionnement (26) sont à actionnement automatique.
  11. Le dispositif selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de positionnement (26) automatiques comprennent une unité maître de contrôle (27).
  12. Le dispositif selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de positionnement (26) automatiques comprennent en outre une pluralité de capteurs de pression (28) reliés opérationnellement à l'unité maître de contrôle (27), situés chacun dans un conduit (17) respectif de sortie d'air et servant chacun à contrôler le niveau de pression dans ledit conduit (17) de sortie.
  13. Le dispositif selon la revendication 12, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de positionnement (26) automatiques comprennent des actionneurs (26a) alignés avec et associés à chacune des vannes (16) d'ouverture/fermeture.
  14. Le dispositif selon la revendication 13, caractérisé en ce que les vannes (16) d'ouverture/fermeture sont positionnées par les actionneurs (26a) après réception d'un signal de commande provenant de l'unité maître de contrôle (27), généré en réponse au niveau de pression détecté par les capteurs de pression (28) à l'intérieur des conduits (17) de sortie d'air et de façon cohérente avec une valeur de pression de référence prédéfinie mémorisée dans l'unité maître de contrôle (27).
  15. Une machine de fabrication de filtres pour cigarettes, comprenant au moins un canal de formation (3) le long duquel est formé un bâtonnet-filtre continu (4) respectif, et au moins une ligne (5) de traitement mécanique et chimique d'une bande continue (7) de matière filtrante, ladite ligne (5) de traitement mécanique et chimique étant équipée à son tour d'au moins une paire de rouleaux contre-rotatifs (9) servant à faire avancer longitudinalement ladite bande (7) vers le canal de formation (3), et un groupe d'entraînement avec lequel au moins un rouleau de la paire (9) est accouplé, ladite machine étant caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend au moins un dispositif soufflant (1) selon les revendications de 1 à 14.
EP20070106035 2006-04-13 2007-04-12 Dispositif soufflant pour dilater des bandes continues de matière filtrante Active EP1852021B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITBO20060273 ITBO20060273A1 (it) 2006-04-13 2006-04-13 Dispositivo soffiatore per dilatare filoni continui di materiale filtrante

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1852021A2 EP1852021A2 (fr) 2007-11-07
EP1852021A3 EP1852021A3 (fr) 2007-12-19
EP1852021B1 true EP1852021B1 (fr) 2009-08-12

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EP20070106035 Active EP1852021B1 (fr) 2006-04-13 2007-04-12 Dispositif soufflant pour dilater des bandes continues de matière filtrante

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EP (1) EP1852021B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE602007001905D1 (fr)
IT (1) ITBO20060273A1 (fr)

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2814605A1 (de) * 1978-04-05 1979-10-18 Hauni Werke Koerber & Co Kg Verfahren und vorrichtung zum ausbreiten einer bewegten luftdurchlaessigen gewebebahn

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EP1852021A3 (fr) 2007-12-19
DE602007001905D1 (de) 2009-09-24
ITBO20060273A1 (it) 2006-07-13
EP1852021A2 (fr) 2007-11-07

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