EP2253230A1 - Suction line conveyor and method for manufacturing a strand for the tobacco industry - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (100) has strand guiding channels (111, 112), and a suction line conveyor exhibiting suction belts (121-124). The strand guiding channels exhibit a set of sections (131, 133) for scattering strands, and another set of sections (132, 134) for suction of excess air e.g. tobacco-air-mixture. The both sets of sections are limited by a suction line on a suction line side. The sections are arranged parallel to one another in conveying direction of the suction line conveyor. The sections are separated from one another by bars (141, 142) that are extended up to the suction line.

Description

The invention relates to a device for producing at least one strand of the tobacco-processing industry, with at least one strand guide channel and at least one at least one suction belt suction conveyor.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing at least one strand of the tobacco processing industry.

A device of the type mentioned is from the DE 35 34 249 C2 the applicant known. The upstream of the Saugstrangförderer device for processing tobacco fibers is designed to claim the sensitive tobacco fibers no more than absolutely necessary to keep the mechanical complexity and space requirements with sufficient sighting of heavy and light tobacco fibers low and the risk of clogging narrow channels reduce.

This is in the DE 35 34 249 C2 achieved in that the classifying air stream promotes the deflected tobacco fibers in a first stream to a curved surfaces guiding the tobacco fibers into a strand pattern zone comprising the strand former.

Another device for transporting and treating tobacco particles shows US 4,883,077 , Therein, the air flow is distributed in such a way that a reliable sighting and a homogeneous shuddering of the particles in the strand zone is ensured.

The DE 39 40 357 C2 shows a machine for the simultaneous production of two continuous cigarette rods with a pair of parallel suction conveyors and pneumatic systems which control the tobacco stream fed to the suction conveyors. This is intended to improve the ejection speed of the cigarette making machine and improve its routine cleaning and maintenance.

In the DE 41 14 104 C2 The disclosed device for producing two endless tobacco rods has the aim of producing two tobacco rods of similar tobacco volume and tobacco distribution or composition. For this purpose, the tobacco stream is deflected in each case with less than half of its tobacco in the form of tobacco streams in the sub-layer and the tobacco partial streams complementary tobacco residue initially promoted substantially straight up and then combined in each case half with the tobacco streams.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and an improved method for producing at least one strand of the tobacco processing industry that meets one or more of said improvement requirements.

This object is achieved by a device of the type mentioned, which is characterized in that the strand guide channel has a first section for churning the strand and a second section for sucking excess air, wherein the first and the second section at least on the intake manifold side of the at least one Suction belt to be limited.

The prior art is further improved thanks to the present invention, in particular with regard to the construction of the device, because the present invention reduces tobacco loss, reduces obstructions in the tobacco flow, in particular obstruction narrow channels, reduces the cleaning effort and above all, a simple and efficient too realizing construction ready.

The device according to the invention is equally suitable for producing only one strand of the tobacco-processing industry, in particular a tobacco rod for Production of cigarettes or even one or more strands for the production of filters, such as those for the production of two or more such strands. In the case of the production of two or more such strands, the corresponding elements of the device, such as strand guide channel and suction belt, are also provided in accordance with an increased number. Insofar as in this description embodiments refer to the production of only one strand, these are equally applicable to devices for producing two or more strands.

The inventive design of two different sections, or so-called segments, of the strand guide channel on the one hand for shaking the strand and on the other hand for sucking excess air is characterized in that both sections extend to the at least one suction belt.

The inventive arrangement makes it possible that the suction of excess air as well as the churning of the strand takes place in the immediate vicinity of the at least one suction belt. In contrast, existing in the prior art solutions to suck the excess air in a direction away from the suction belt direction greater distance from the suction belt. The invention is based on the finding that as late as possible extraction of the excess air, i. suction in the second section delimited by the at least one suction belt leads to a reduction in tobacco loss on the one hand and to an improved, more homogeneous strand structure on the other hand.

Another advantage of the device according to the invention is that, in particular in the second section, possible blockages or obstructions in the air flow can be significantly reduced, since the inventive arrangement of the two sections and in particular by the suction taking place only in immediate proximity to the at least one suction belt Air in the second section less aufzuschauernendes material, especially tobacco and possibly additives, is located, which could be deposited in the second section and so could affect the flow of air, especially blockages lead. If less aufzuschauernendes material in the second section, the losses, in particular tobacco losses, due to unwanted suction of Aufzuschauerndem material in the second section can be significantly reduced in an advantageous manner.

Furthermore, the advantages mentioned are to be realized with the inventive arrangement of the components of the device in a particularly simple and easy to clean and maintain construction.

Preferably, both sections of the strand guide channel end at the height of the at least one suction belt. Furthermore, the first and second sections preferably extend along the strand guide channel both in a direction away from the at least one suction belt and in a direction parallel to the at least one suction belt or conveying direction along the at least one suction belt, preferably over the entire length of the landfill region ,

The invention can be developed by arranging the first and second sections of the strand guide channel laterally next to one another, as seen in the conveying direction of the suction strand conveyor. This preferred arrangement of the two sections essentially corresponds to a division of the strand guide channel parallel to the conveying direction of the suction strand conveyor in at least the first and the second section. With this arrangement according to the invention, an extension of the two sections in the conveying direction along the strand guide channel can be achieved in a particularly preferred manner.

The invention can be developed by arranging the first and second sections of the strand guide channel substantially parallel to one another in the conveying direction of the suction strand conveyor. This preferred arrangement according to the invention of the two sections represents a particularly simple and efficient construction of the device according to the invention.

The invention can be developed by the fact that the first section is predominantly flowed through by a mixture of aufzuschauerndem material and air, in particular a tobacco-air mixture, and the second section predominantly of excess air. This preferred embodiment provides that the two sections are arranged so that the mixture of aufzuschauerndem material and air predominantly flows through the first section and flows through the second section predominantly excess air, compared to the existing solutions in the prior art only little aufzuschauernendes material contains. In this way, the loss of aufzuschauerndem material, in particular the tobacco loss can be significantly reduced because the extracted from the second section excess air contains little aufzuschauernendes material.

Furthermore, this preferred embodiment can reduce clogging of the second section, which usually has a smaller cross-section than the first section, since only a very small portion of the material to be screened is in the second section, which deposits and thus leads to disabilities, as could cause blockages of the strand guide channel.

The invention can be developed by the fact that the first and the second section of the strand guide channel are separated from one another by a web, preferably extending to the suction strand conveyor.

The preferred separation of the two sections of the strand guide channel by a web reinforces the advantages described above, since the web is additionally prevented from mixing the excess air with the material to be screened, so that possible losses of material to be screened can be further reduced. Furthermore, the strand structure in the first section can be further improved by the formation of a web, since the web prevents or at least reduces impairment of the formation of the strand by the extraction of excess air.

It is further preferred that the device according to the invention has a suction device, which is designed to form a suction pressure for churning the strand and for sucking off excess air. Under suction pressure is understood in terms of the present invention, a negative pressure, which sucks through the at least one suction belt through the mixture of aufzuschauerndem material and air or the excess air. The higher the suction pressure, the greater the negative pressure, d. H. the lower is the absolute value of the pressure. A lower suction pressure or vacuum accordingly corresponds to a higher absolute pressure.

The device according to the invention is preferably developed by a suction device having a first and a second suction source, wherein the first suction source via a first suction chute and the at least one suction belt with the first portion of the strand guide channel and the second suction source via a second suction chute and the at least one Suction belt is in communication with the second section of the strand guide channel.

According to the invention, it is particularly preferred to connect the two sections with separate suction sources, so that two separate flows can form: from the first section through the at least one suction belt and through the first suction shaft to the first suction source and from the second portion through the at least one suction belt via the second suction chute to the second suction source. In this case, it is furthermore particularly preferred that these two streams run essentially parallel at least in sections, in particular in the zone of the strand guide channel in which the strand forms, and in the immediate vicinity of the at least one suction belt. In this way, an advantageous air flow is formed, which facilitates the separation of the mixture of aufzuschauerndem material and air on the one hand and the excess air on the other. Furthermore, such an arrangement results in that the strand construction in the first section of the flow guide channel is not affected by a laterally branching excess air suction.

In the event that a device for producing two or more strands of the tobacco processing industry is provided and the corresponding components of the device are therefore provided two or more times, the first suction sections associated with the respective first sections can be connected to each other and / or each second suction wells which are associated with the respective second sections, also be connected to each other.

The invention is preferably developed in that at least one of the suction sources is designed to form a different from the suction pressure of the other suction source suction pressure, wherein preferably the suction pressure of the first suction source is higher than the suction pressure of the second suction source.

By means of the further development of the invention, the suction pressure to which the two sections of the strand guide channel are exposed can be formed differently. This contributes advantageously to the fact that the flow of the mixture of aufzuschauerndem material and air on the one hand and the excess air on the other hand can be controlled so that on the one hand an improved, in particular homogeneous, strand structure can be achieved and at the same time the amount aufzuschauerndem material in the second Section can be reduced. The there incurred in small quantities tobacco can be recycled to the processing process. The fact that the suction pressure of the first suction source is preferably higher than the suction pressure of the second suction source, it can be ensured that the aufzuschauernde material is sucked predominantly in the first section to churn the strand and in the second section predominantly only excess air is sucked.

The invention can be further developed in that the suction device is designed to form a higher suction pressure downstream in the conveying direction of the suction strand conveyor, for which purpose the suction device preferably has at least one further suction source arranged downstream in the conveying direction of the suction strand conveyor. In addition to the previously described variation of the suction pressure transversely to the conveying direction of the suction strand conveyor, a variation of the suction pressure along the conveying direction of the suction strand conveyor is furthermore preferred. In particular, such a different design of the suction pressure along the conveying direction of the Saugstrangförderers for the first portion of the strand guide channel is preferred because along the conveying direction increases the amount of the at least one suction belt aufauerten stranded material at the at least one suction and in this direction also increasing suction pressure strand formation positive can influence. For this purpose, one, two or more additional suction sources are preferably arranged along the conveying direction of the suction-strand conveyor, which are connected via a common or two or more separate suction ducts to the first section of the strand-guiding channel via the at least one suction belt. These additional suction sources are preferably designed to be operated with different suction pressures, so that the suction pressure along the conveying direction can be varied according to the requirements.

The invention can be developed by a recirculation system, which is designed to supply the extracted by the suction device air to the strand guide channel again. The air sucked in by the one, two, and / or several further suction source (s) of the suction device is preferably cleaned or filtered and subsequently returned to the strand guide channel for renewed suction or suction. Such a recirculation system is preferred to reduce the supply of fresh air and the removal of exhaust air from the system.

The invention may be further developed in that the suction belt conveyor has a first suction belt for churning the strand and a second suction belt for sucking off excess air, wherein the second suction belt is preferably a different material, a different structure and / or a different surface, in particular a different fabric pore size , as the first suction belt. This further development form provides two suction belts with different functions - a first suction belt for shaking the strand and a second suction belt for suctioning off excess air with preferably different properties. The churning of the strand or the extraction of excess air takes place by the suction through the first or second suction belt. By the two suction belts having different properties, which may in particular lead to a different air permeability of the two suction belts, the intake behavior can be positively influenced and controlled in this way. In this case, it is particularly preferred to align the properties of the suction belts, for example, with the cross-section of the associated section of the strand guide channel, the suction pressure of the associated suction source (s) and / or the type and / or quantity of the material to be screened.

The invention can be developed by arranging the first and second suction belts parallel to one another on a plane. The arrangement of the two suction belts at the same height represents a particularly efficient and easy-to-implement construction of the device according to the invention and can positively influence the strand structure.

Furthermore, cross-sectional changes of the suction belts and / or changes in cross section of the suction ducts are preferred, which can bring about an advantageous throttling effect.

The invention can be developed by a cleaning device for, preferably continuous, cleaning at least one, preferably the second, suction belt. The second suction belt is used to extract excess air, so that the deposition of aufzuschauerndem material or impurities on the second suction belt is undesirable, as this may affect the suction performance. It is therefore preferred that in particular the second suction belt is cleaned during the operation of the device. A particularly easy to implement and preferred cleaning can be achieved by continuously cleaning the second suction belt by scraping with a scraper. In this way it can be ensured that the suction power for extracting excess air substantially maintains the desired value and thus no adverse effects on the strand structure and / or the extraction of excess air due to fluctuations in the suction through deposited material on the suction belt.

The invention can be further developed in that the first suction belt is designed to be operated in the conveying direction of the suction belt conveyor, and the second suction belt is designed to be operated counter to the conveying direction of the suction belt conveyor. The provision of two separate suction belts makes it possible in an advantageous manner to be able to operate the two suction belts in opposite directions to each other. The first suction belt, on which the strand is thrown up, is thereby operated in the conveying direction of the suction strand conveyor. It is particularly preferred, however, to operate the second suction belt in the opposite direction. This has the advantage that in this way the second suction belt only enters the strand guide channel at the end of the strand guide channel, on which the strand is increasingly hunched, and passes through this in the direction opposite to the first suction belt. In this way, a kind of self-cleaning of the second suction belt can take place, since the load on the second suction belt decreases with the material which has possibly reached the second section, against the conveying direction of the suction strand conveyor. Furthermore, an advantageous throttle effect can be achieved in this way.

As an alternative to the last-mentioned further development, the invention can be developed by integrally forming the first and second suction belts. In a device for producing two or more strands of the tobacco-processing industry, the other respective first and second suction belts may each be formed in one piece. It is also possible to form all suction belts of a device according to the invention in one piece.

The one-piece design of the first and second suction belt and optionally further suction belts has the advantage of a particularly simple construction and possibly a common drive of the suction belts. By forming the individual suction belts as sections of an integrally formed suction belt with different properties, on the one hand the advantages associated with the one-piece design and at the same time the advantage of different properties of the individual suction belts can be realized.

The invention can be further developed in that the strand guide channel has a, preferably variable, curvature, wherein the curvature is preferably formed such that material to be screened is predominantly guided into the first section of the strand guide channel. The curvature of the strand guide channel according to the invention preferably interacts with the flow of the mixture of material and air aufzuschauerndem or excess air, so that the formation of a homogeneous strand on the one hand and the removal of excess air on the other hand are optimally supported. For this purpose, the curvature of the strand guide channel is preferably designed such that on the aufzuschauernde material centrifugal forces are exerted, which direct the material in the first section of the strand guide channel. For this purpose, one further preferably with a, preferably variable, curvature provided, opening into the strand guide channel guide wall provided on which the aufzuschauernde material is guided along. In this way, the separation of the mixture of aufzuschauerndem material and air on the one hand and excess air on the other hand can be improved, so that also a possible loss of aufzuschauerndem material further reduced and the strand structure can be further improved.

Further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention will become apparent by combining the preferred features discussed herein.

A further aspect of the invention is a method for producing at least one strand of the tobacco processing industry of the type mentioned above, characterized by the steps: shuddering of the strand in a first section of the strand guide channel, suctioning excess air in a second section of the strand guide channel, wherein the first and the second portion are each sucked through the at least one suction belt.

The method according to the invention can be developed according to claims 17 to 22. These developed methods have features or method steps which make them particularly suitable for being used for a device according to the invention and its further developments. For the embodiments, specific features, variants and advantages of the features of this method and of the method developments, reference is made to the preceding description of the corresponding device features.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Zigarettenstrangmaschine mit nur einem Faserstrang;

Figur 2

einen schematischen Querschnitt einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfin- dung;

Figur 3

einen schematischen Querschnitt einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfin- dung;

Figur 4

einen schematischen Querschnitt einer dritten Ausführungsform der Erfin- dung;

Figur 5

einen schematischen Querschnitt der in Figur 2 dargestellten ersten Ausfüh- rungsform der Erfindung mit Darstellung der Saugschächte; und

Figur 6

einen schematischen Querschnitt einer vierten Ausführungsform der Erfin- dung.

In the following preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

a perspective view of a cigarette rod machine with only one fiber strand;

FIG. 2

a schematic cross section of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3

a schematic cross section of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4

a schematic cross section of a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5

a schematic cross-section of in FIG. 2 illustrated first embodiment of the invention with representation of the suction wells; and

FIG. 6

a schematic cross section of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a single-strand cigarette rod machine 50, ie a stranding machine for processing tobacco fibers to a tobacco fiber strand for the production of cigarettes. The cigarette rod making machine 50 serves as an exemplary embodiment of a machine in which a device according to the invention can be used. In the FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 The devices 100, 200, 300 according to the invention shown are designed to be used for cigarette rod machines with two fiber strands. However, the skilled artisan recognizes that in the FIGS. 2 to 5 each double-existing components can also be easily used and in a single-strand cigarette rod machine 50 as in Fig. 1 shown can be used. The advantages of the invention are realized both in devices according to the invention for cigarette rod machines with only one fiber strand and for cigarette rod machines with two or more fiber strands. The characteristics, advantages and features of the embodiments presented here for cigarette rod machines with two fiber strands apply correspondingly to devices according to the invention for cigarette rod machines with only one or more than two fiber strands. The same applies to filter production machines in which one or more filter strands are formed.

Likewise, the person skilled in the art recognizes that the basic mode of operation of the in Fig. 1 shown single-stranded cigarette rod machine 50 on cigarette rod machines with two or more fiber strands are transferable accordingly.

• Von einer Schleuse 1 wird ein Vorverteiler 2 portionsweise mit Tabak beschickt. Eine Entnahmewalze 3 des Vorverteilers 2 ergänzt gesteuert einen Vorratsbehälter 4 mit Tabak, aus dem ein Steilförderer 5 Tabak entnimmt und einen Stauschacht 6 gesteuert beschickt. Aus dem Stauschacht 6 entnimmt eine Stiftwalze 7 einen gleichförmigen Tabakstrom, der von einer Ausschlagwalze 8 aus den Stiften der Stiftwalze 7 herausgeschlagen und auf ein mit konstanter Geschwindigkeit umlaufendes Streutuch 9 geschleudert wird. Ein auf dem Streutuch 9 gebildetes Tabakvlies wird in eine Sichteinrichtung 11 geschleudert, die im Wesentlichen aus einem Luftvorhang besteht, den größere bzw. schwerere Tabakteile passieren, während alle anderen Tabakteilchen von der Luft in einen von einer Stiftwalze 12 und einer Wand 13 gebildeten Trichter 14 gelenkt werden. Von der Stiftwalze 12 wird der Tabak in einen Strangführungskanal 16 der ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung gegen einen Strangförderer 17 geschleudert, an dem der Tabak mittels in eine Unterdruckkammer 18 gesaugter Luft gehalten und ein Tabakstrang aufgeschauert wird. Für eine detaillierte Beschreibung eines solchen Strangförderers 17 sei bspw, auf die DE 4215059 der Anmelderin verwiesen.

The operation of the cigarette rod maker 50 is as follows:

• From a lock 1, a pre-distributor 2 is charged in portions with tobacco. A removal roller 3 of the pre-distributor 2 added controlled a reservoir 4 with tobacco, from which a steep conveyor 5 takes tobacco and fed a stowage 6 controlled. From the storage shaft 6, a pin roller 7 removes a uniform stream of tobacco which has been knocked out of the pins of the pin roller 7 by a rollover roller 8 and is spun on a circulating at a constant speed spreading cloth 9. A tobacco fleece formed on the spreading cloth 9 is thrown into a sighting device 11, which consists essentially of an air curtain, the larger or heavier tobacco particles pass, while all other tobacco particles from the air in a funnel formed by a pin roller 12 and a wall 13 14th be steered. From the pin roller 12, the tobacco is thrown into a strand guide channel 16 of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention against a strand conveyor 17, held on the tobacco by means sucked into a vacuum chamber 18 air and a tobacco rod is aufauert. For a detailed description of such a strand conveyor 17 is, for example, on the DE 4215059 referred to the applicant.

A trimmer 19 removes excess tobacco from the tobacco rod, which is then placed on a synchronized cigarette paper strip 21. The cigarette paper strip 21 is withdrawn from a reel 22, passed through a printing unit 23 and placed on a driven format tape 24. The format strip 24 transports the tobacco rod and the cigarette paper strip 21 through a format 26, in which the cigarette paper strip 21 is folded around the tobacco rod, so that still protrudes an edge which is glued in a known manner by a Glimapparat, not shown. Then the bond is closed and dried by a Tandemnahtplätte 27. A thus formed cigarette rod 28 passes through a strand density meter 29, which controls the device 19, and is cut by a knife apparatus 31 into double-length cigarettes 32. The double-ended cigarettes 32 are transferred from a controlled arms 33 having Übergabevorriuchtung 34 a transfer drum 36 of a filter attachment machine 37, on the cutting drum 38, they are shared with a circular knife in single cigarettes. Conveyor belts 39, 41 promote excess tobacco in a arranged under the reservoir 4 container 42, from which the recycled tobacco is removed from the vertical conveyor 5 again.

In the FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 The inventive devices 100, 200, 300, 400 shown are designed to be used for cigarette rod machines with two fiber strands. These are in each case the components 111, 113, 115, 117, 121, 122, 131, 132, 141, 151, 152, 155, 156, 212, 213, 215, 217 required for a device according to the invention for a cigarette rod machine with only one fiber strand , 221, 222, 231, 232, 241, 251, 252, 255, 256, 311, 313, 315, 317, 321, 322, 331, 332, 341, 351, 352, 355, 356, 411, 413, 415 , 417, 421, 422, 431, 432, 441, 451, 452, 455, 456 a second time 112, 114, 116, 118, 123, 124, 133, 134, 142, 153, 154, 157, 158, 212 , 214, 216, 218, 223, 224, 233, 234, 242, 253, 254, 257, 258, 312, 314, 316, 318, 323, 324, 333, 334, 342, 353, 354, 357, 358, 412, 414, 416, 418, 423, 424, 433, 434, 442, 453, 454, 457, 458.

In the FIG. 2 , and with suction shafts also in FIG. 5 , illustrated first embodiment of the device 100 according to the invention comprises two strand guide channels 111, 112 each having a first portion 131, 133 for shaking the strand and a respective second section 132, 134 for sucking excess air. The first two sections 131, 133 of the strand guide channels 111, 112 are on the suction side of the respective first suction belts 121, 123 limited. The respective second sections 132, 134 of the strand guide channels 111, 112 are each bounded by a second suction belt 122, 124. Between the first and second sections, a web 141, 142 is arranged in each case, which extends to the suction belt. The suction band-side end of the strand guide channels 111, 112, on which the respective first 131, 133 and second 132, 134 sections are arranged, are held by holding sections 143, 144, 145 of a holding device.

The strand guide channels 111, 112 each have an opening into the strand guide channel guide wall 113, 114, which is opposite to the vertical 115, 116 provided with a preferably variable curvature. This curvature is in FIG. 2 represented by increasing with increasing distance from the intake-side end of the strand guide channels 111, 112 increasing angle 117, 118.

In the strand guide channels 111, 112 is a mixture of aufzuschauerndem material (especially tobacco) and air, i. in particular a tobacco-air mixture, in the direction of the suction band end of the strand guide channels 111, 112 performed. Due to the curvature of the guide walls 113, 114, the material to be screened is subject to centrifugal forces which concentrate the material to be screened along the guide forces 113, 114 and lead the material to be screened along the arrows 113a, 114a predominantly into the respective first sections 131, 133 of the strand guide channels 111, 112 , In this way, the first sections 131, 133 predominantly flow through a mixture of material to be scoured and air in the direction of the arrows 151, 153. On the other hand, the respectively second sections 132, 134 of the strand guide channels 111, 112 are predominantly replaced by excess air in the direction of the arrows 152, Flows through 154.

How out FIG. 2 1, the first 131, 133 and second 132, 134 sections of the strand guide channels 111, 112, viewed in the conveying direction of the suction strand conveyor, are arranged laterally side by side and substantially parallel to one another. The The flow or suction direction of the mixture of material aufzuschauerndem and air 151, 153 and the flow or suction direction of excess air 152, 154 are preferably substantially parallel.

On the side of the suction belts 121, 122, 123, 124 facing away from the strand guide channels 111, 112, air is conveyed through the air-permeable first suction belts 121, 123 in the direction of the first suction belts 121, 123 with a suction pressure generated by preferably a first suction source of a suction device Aspirated arrows 155, 157. The aufzuschauernde material remains on the strand guide channels 111, 112 side facing the first suction belts 121, 123 in the first sections 131, 133. Also on the strand guide channels 111, 112 side facing away from the respective second suction belts 122, 124 is preferably by a second suction source the suction device constructed a suction pressure and the excess air from the respective second portions 132, 134 sucked through the air-permeable second suction belts 122, 124 in the direction of the arrows 156, 158. In the second sections 132, 134 is predominantly excess air. Nevertheless, material to be screened in the second sections 132, 134 remains on the sides of the second suction belts 122, 124 facing the strand guide channels 111, 112 in the respective second sections 132, 134.

It is particularly preferred that the two first suction belts 121, 123 with respect to the second suction belts 122, 124 have different materials, structures, surfaces and / or tissue pore sizes.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the first suction belts 121, 123 are operated in the conveying direction of the suction belt conveyor, whereas the second suction belts 122, 124 are counter to this direction, i. against the conveying direction of the Saugstrangförderers, operated. In this way, there is an advantageous self-cleaning effect of the second suction belts 122, 124, since they are operated in opposite directions to the increasing strand structure and thus also increasing density of aufzuschauernden material in opposite directions. Furthermore, an advantageous throttle effect results from the opposite direction of the second suction belts 122, 124.

The suction or suction directions on the side facing the strand guide channels 111, 112 side of the suction belts 121, 122, 123, 124 in the direction of the arrows 155, 156, 157, 158 are preferably substantially parallel.

The respective first intake pressure in the direction of the arrows 155, 157 is preferably greater than the respectively second intake pressure in the direction of the arrows 156, 158. In this way, the separation of the mixture of material aufzuschauerndem and air into the respective first sections 131, 133 is guided by the excess air, which is guided into the respective second sections 132, 134, supported in an advantageous manner, and thus an improved strand structure at the respective first suction belts 121, 123 achieved.

The separation of the mixture of aufzuschauerndem material and air from the excess air is further supported by the funnel-shaped inflow cross-section 131 a, 133 a of the respective first sections 131, 133.

On the side facing the strand guide channels 111, 112 side of the suction belts 121, 122, 123, 124 suction shafts 161, 162, 163, 164 are arranged, which are connected to suction sources of a suction device (not shown) in connection. The respective first sections 131, 133 communicate with the first two suction ducts 161, 163 via the air-permeable first suction belts 121, 123. In the two first suction wells 161, 163, a respective first suction pressure is formed by a suction device. The respective first suction shafts 161, 163 may be connected to one another and have a common first suction source or two separate first suction sources. The respective second sections 132, 134 communicate with the second suction ducts 162, 164 via the air-permeable second suction belts 122, 124. The suction device forms in the second suction wells 162, 164 each a second suction pressure. The second suction wells 162, 164 may be separated from one another by a dividing wall 165 or connected to each other without the dividing wall 165 and having a common second suction source or two separate second suction sources. The first suction pressure formed in the first suction wells 161, 163 is preferably higher than the second suction pressure formed in the second suction wells 162, 164. By suction pressure is meant a negative pressure, i. a higher negative pressure corresponds to a lower absolute pressure.

The in the Figures 3 . 4 and 6 shown second, third and fourth embodiments of the device according to the invention correspond in a variety of their features of in FIG. 2 respectively. FIG. 5 shown first embodiment of the device according to the invention. Parts in the Figures 3 . 4 and 6 across from FIG. 2 are unchanged will not be described again. The same or substantially functionally identical parts are in FIG. 3 with opposite FIG. 2 at 100, in FIG. 4 with opposite FIG. 2 at 200, in FIG. 6 with opposite FIG. 2 marked by 300 increased reference numerals. The following Description is particularly directed to the differences of the second, third and fourth embodiments from the first embodiment. In particular, the second, third and fourth embodiments can be used with the in FIG. 5 shown suction wells 161, 162, 163, 164 and optionally the partition 165 are combined.

In the in FIG. 3 In each case, the first 221, 223 and second 222, 224 suction belt are integrally formed as a suction belt 225, 226. It is particularly preferred that the two one-piece suction belts 225, 226 each have different materials, structures, surfaces and or tissue pore sizes in the areas of the respective first suction belt 221, 223 and the respective second suction belt 222, 224 have. In this way, the advantages of the one-piece design, namely in particular a simple construction and a common drive, can be combined with the advantages of different Saugbandeigenschaften.

In the in FIG. 4 shown third embodiment of the device 300 according to the invention all four suction belts, that is, both the first two suction belts 321, 323 and the two second suction belts 322, 324 combined to form a common suction belt 327 and thus formed in one piece. It is particularly preferred that the one-piece suction belt 327 has at least four different sections corresponding to the four suction belts 321, 322, 323, 324, and the various properties, in particular different materials, structures, surfaces and / or tissue pore sizes have. In particular, it is preferred that the portions corresponding to the two first suction bands 321, 323 have different properties than the portions corresponding to the respective second suction bands 322, 324. In this way, the advantages of the integral formation of the suction belts, namely in particular a simple construction and a common drive, can be combined with the advantages of different suction belt properties.

In the in FIG. 6 shown fourth embodiment of the device 400 according to the invention strand guide channels 411 and 412 are arranged mirror images of each other. In this case, the first sections 431, 433 for shunting the strands with the variably curved guide walls 413, 414 are arranged directly adjacent to each other, while the second sections 452, 454 for sucking excess air are arranged on the outside. The curvature of the guide walls 413, 414 is opposite to each other. The first sections 431, 433 are all direct arranged adjacent to each other. This construction allows a more compact design of the device according to the invention.

Claims (16)

Device (100, 200, 300, 400) for producing at least one strand of the tobacco processing industry, comprising at least one strand guide channel (16, 111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 312, 411, 412) and at least one at least one suction belt (121 , 122, 123, 124, 221, 222, 223, 224, 321, 322, 323, 324, 421, 422, 423, 424) have suction strand conveyors (17),
characterized in that the strand guide channel (16, 111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 312, 411, 412) has a first portion (131, 133, 231, 233, 331, 333, 431, 433) for churning the strand and a second portion (132, 134, 232, 234, 332, 334, 432, 434) for sucking off excess air, in particular a tobacco-air mixture, wherein the first (131, 133, 231, 233, 331, 333 , 431, 433) and the second (132, 134, 232, 234, 332, 334, 432, 434) section at least suction band side of the at least one suction belt (121, 122, 123, 124, 221, 222, 223, 224, 321, 322, 323, 324, 421, 422, 423, 424). Device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to the preceding claim,
characterized in that the first (131, 133, 231, 233, 331, 333, 431, 433) and the second (132, 134, 232, 234, 332, 334, 432, 434) portion of the strand guide channel (16, 111 , 112, 211, 212, 311, 312, 411, 412) in the conveying direction of the suction strand conveyor (17) are arranged laterally side by side. Device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the first (131, 133, 231, 233, 331, 333, 431, 433) and the second (132, 134, 232, 234, 332, 334, 432, 434) portion of the strand guide channel (16, 111 , 112, 211, 212, 311, 312, 411, 412) in the conveying direction of the suction belt conveyor (17) are arranged substantially parallel to each other. Device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the first portion (131, 133, 231, 233, 331, 333, 431, 433) predominantly (from a mixture of aufzuschauerndem material and air, in particular a tobacco-air mixture, and the second section 132, 134 , 232, 234, 332, 334, 432, 434) is predominantly flowed through by excess air. Device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the first (131, 133, 231, 233, 331, 333, 431, 433) and the second (132, 134, 232, 234, 332, 334, 432, 434) portion of the strand guide channel (16, 111 , 112, 211, 212, 311, 312, 411, 412) through one, preferably to the suction belt (121, 122, 123, 124, 221, 222, 223, 224, 321, 322, 323, 324, 421, 422 , 423, 424) extending web (141, 142, 241, 242, 341, 342, 441, 442) are separated from each other. Device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized by a suction device having a first and a second suction source, wherein the first suction source via a first suction chute (161, 163) and the at least one suction belt with the first portion (131, 133, 231, 233, 331, 333, 431 , 433) of the strand guide channel (16, 111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 312, 411, 412) and the second suction source via a second suction chute (162, 164) and the at least one suction belt with the second portion (132, 134 , 232, 234, 332, 334, 432, 434) of the strand guide channel (16, 111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 312, 411, 412). Device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to the preceding claim,
characterized in that at least one of the suction sources is designed to form a different from the suction pressure of the other suction source different suction pressure, wherein preferably the suction pressure of the first suction source is higher than the suction pressure of the second suction source. Device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to one of the two preceding claims,
characterized in that the suction device is arranged downstream in the conveying direction of the suction rod conveyor (17) form a higher suction pressure, to which the suction device preferably has at least one further, downstream in the conveying direction of the suction rod conveyor (17) arranged suction source. Device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 8,
characterized by a recirculation system configured to re-supply the suctioned by the suction air air to the strand guide channel (16, 111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 312, 411, 412). Device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the suction belt conveyor (17) comprises a first suction belt (121, 123, 221, 223, 321, 323, 421, 423) for shaking the strand and a second suction belt (122, 124, 222, 224, 322, 324, 422, 424) for sucking off excess air, the second suction belt preferably having a different material, a different structure and / or a different surface, in particular a different fabric pore size, than the first suction belt. Device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to the preceding claim,
characterized in that the first (121, 123, 221, 223, 321, 323, 421, 423) and the second (122, 124, 222, 224, 322, 324, 422, 424) suction belt are arranged parallel to each other on a plane are. Device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to one of the two preceding claims,
characterized by a cleaning device for, preferably continuously, cleaning at least one, preferably the second, suction belt (122, 124, 232, 224, 322, 324, 422, 424). Device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 12,
characterized in that first suction belt (121, 123, 221, 223, 321, 323, 421, 423) is designed to be operated in the conveying direction of the suction belt conveyor (17), and the second suction belt (122, 124, 222, 224, 322, 324, 422, 424) is designed to be operated counter to the conveying direction of the suction strand conveyor (17). Device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to one of the preceding claims 10 to 12,
characterized in that the first (121, 123, 221, 223, 321, 323, 421, 423) and the second suction belt (122, 124, 222, 224, 322, 324, 422, 424) are integrally formed. Device (100, 200, 300, 400) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that a first strand guide channel (16, 111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 312, 411, 412) of the at least one strand guide channel (16, 111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 312, 411, 412) a , preferably variable, has curvature, wherein the curvature is preferably formed such that material to be screened is fed predominantly into the first section of the first strand guide channel (16, 111, 112, 211, 212, 311, 312, 411, 412). Device (400) according to the preceding claim, having at least one second strand guide channel (412), wherein the second strand guide channel (412) has a, preferably variable, curvature, wherein the curvature is preferably formed such that material aufzuschauerndes predominantly in the first portion of second strand guide channel (412), characterized in that the curvature of the first strand guide channel (411) is opposite to the curvature of the second strand guide channel (412).

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