EP2308328B1 - Method for processing string-shaped waste from smoked products - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for processing stranded tobacco article waste, with an inlet and an outlet having format means in which strand material is formed into a strand and provided with a, preferably strip-shaped, envelope of wrapping material, a transport path portion along which the strand in from Inlet to the outlet of the format device defined transport direction is guided, and a separator, which is designed to separate strand material and wrapping material from each other.

For the purposes of the present invention, "smoking article waste" is understood to mean any type of waste produced in the manufacture of smoking articles. These include in particular cut tobacco or tobacco fibers, wrapping paper in strip form and filter tow material and filter fiber material. For smoking article waste, the term "shot" is alternatively used. In the case of string-shaped smoking article waste is also called "continuous shot". There When starting up the system, initially only substantially rejects is produced, one speaks in such a case of "starting shot".

For the purposes of the present invention, "smoking articles" are understood as meaning all types of smoking articles, in particular cigarettes, filter cigarettes, cigarillos and cigars, regardless of whether they are already finished or are still at a certain production stage, and furthermore whether they are a rod shape with discrete length or in the form of an infinite strand.

The EP 0 286 828 A1 discloses a continuous-shot processing apparatus having a deflector element which acts as a kind of diverter for deflecting a strand already wrapped with wrapping material downwardly from the transport path section and for supplying a cutting unit located below the transport path section. This cutting unit can optionally be provided to cut the strand in individual lengths or cut in the longitudinal direction.

It is an object of the present invention to propose measures which allow a simplified processing of stranded smoking article waste with a consistent or improved result.

This object is achieved according to a first aspect of the present invention by a device for processing stranded smoking article waste, having a format device having an inlet and an outlet, in which strand material is formed into a strand and provided with a, preferably strip-shaped, envelope of wrapping material, a transport path section, along which the strand is guided in the transport direction defined by the inlet to the outlet of the format device, and a separator which is designed to separate strand material and wrapping material, characterized in that the separation device is arranged adjacent to the outlet of the format device and to the transport path section and is formed such that the separation of the strand material and the wrapping material from each other is already initiated in or on the transport path section.

The advantage of the solution according to the invention is, in particular, to provide a simple but effective disposal possibility for stranded smoking article waste, in which the separation between strand material and wrapping material already takes place during the separation from the transport path section or at least initiated.

Preferred embodiments and development of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Thus, the separating device preferably has a first suction device, which is arranged and designed to remove by means of negative pressure loose wrapping material from the transport path and thus from the strand. In a further development of this embodiment, the suction device has a mouthpiece whose suction opening lies directly on one side, preferably the underside, of the transport path section and opens into the transport path section. Thus, loose wrapping material can be removed in a simple yet very effective manner from the strand and from the transport path section.

A further preferred embodiment, wherein the format means comprises a circumferential format strip running between the inlet and the outlet along the underside of the transport path section and thus the underside delimited by the transport path portion and guided away at the outlet of the transport path portion, preferably deflected by a deflection roller is characterized in that a scraper is provided, which is arranged opposite to the transport direction between the underside of the transport path section and the top of the format strip and formed to possibly Separate loose wrapping material adhering to the format strip from the format strip. In a structurally skilled development of this embodiment, a wall section of the mouthpiece which is proximal to the outlet of the format device has the scraper.

Furthermore, the separating device may have a second suction device, which is designed to remove loose strand material from the transport path section. Preferably, the second suction device is arranged downstream of the first suction device.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the separating device has a substantially downwardly directed shaft or a substantially downwardly directed chute whose or an upper end having an inlet arranged substantially directly on the underside of the transport path section and the one or more is designed to dissipate loose strand material from the transport path section down. This design offers a structurally particularly simple, but effective way to dispose of loose strand material. Appropriately, the shaft or the chute can lead to the second suction device. A particularly clever construction results from the fact that a wall section of the mouthpiece which is distal to the outlet of the format device forms the shaft or the chute.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the separating device has a strand cutter which is arranged adjacent to the outlet of the format device and designed to cut open the strand emerging from the outlet of the format device substantially in its longitudinal direction and thus in the transport direction this way the strip-shaped enclosure to separate from the strand material. The strand cutter can have a fixed or a rotating knife. In a preferred embodiment of this embodiment, a rotatably driven winding element is used, which is arranged adjacent to the strand cutter and designed to wind the strip-shaped enclosure, wherein preferably a scraper is provided, which is designed to free the winding element of the wound strip-shaped enclosure. Furthermore, the separating device may have a downwardly directed, preferably connected to a suction device shaft whose inlet end having an upper end is arranged on the underside of the transport path section and which is designed to remove strand pieces and / or strand material. In addition, the duct having an outlet end may be directed to a vibrating conveyor trough provided with apertures formed so that loose strand material falls down through these apertures while conveyed strand pieces along the vibrating conveyor trough and sent for further utilization ,

Preferably, the strand material comprises cut tobacco or tobacco fibers and the wrapping material comprises paper for producing cigarettes therefrom. In principle, however, other materials are also conceivable for the strand material and the wrapping material, in particular for the strand material, filter fiber material or filter tow material.

Fig. 1

schematisch im Längsschnitt eine Anordnung zur getrennten Aus- sonderung von losem Papier und losem Tabak aus einem Tabak- strang am Formatauslauf gemäß einem ersten bevorzugten Ausfüh- rungsbeispiel der Erfindung; und

Fig. 2

schematisch im Querschnitt eine Anordnung zur Auftrennung von Strangschuss in Tabak und Papier sowie gegebenenfalls auch in Strangstücke am Formatauslauf gemäß einem zweiten bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

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

Fig. 1

1 shows a schematic longitudinal section of an arrangement for the separate separation of loose paper and loose tobacco from a tobacco rod at the format outlet according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 2

schematically in cross-section an arrangement for separation of strand shot in tobacco and paper and optionally also in strand pieces at the format outlet according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

For the production of cigarettes, an endless strand is preferably first formed, which consists of tobacco and is wrapped with paper and glued. From this strand bars of finite length are cut according to the desired cigarette length.

For the formation of the strand shape, a format or a format device is provided. The tobacco is conveyed in loose strip form, which otherwise has no defined shape, in the inlet of the format and formed within the format to a solid strand with a round cross-section. Usually, the format has an endless circulating format tape which enters the inlet of the format and exits the format outlet and is deflected back outside the format to the inlet. Before entering through the inlet into the format, the format strip is substantially flat and continuously picks up tobacco fibers and possibly further components. Within the format, the format band is arched upwards with its lateral edge sections, which additionally supports the formation of the strand. With its running through the format Trum the format tape moves along the transport path for the strand and limits mainly the underside of the conveyor belt. The format tape thus serves as a conveyor for the transport of the tobacco by the format and also to support the strand formation. Before the format strip is led away from the transport path of the strand again at the outlet of the format or after leaving the outlet of the format, which usually takes place by deflection via a deflection roller or roller, the format strip must be returned from its highly curved state back to a flat state ; because only then is it possible to deflect the format tape kink-free over a deflection roller or roller.

Usually, a paper strip is placed before entering the format between the tobacco and the format strip, which forms the subsequent wrapping paper, with which the tobacco is enveloped within the format. Thus, in this case, the format tape still has the additional task of laying the paper strip around the tobacco during the formation of the strand within the format.

When starting and shutting down a cigarette making machine falls on the format outlet a relatively high amount of loose paper, loose tobacco, wrapped strand and strand sections. It is therefore necessary to eliminate the paper and tobacco and also to separate the paper from the tobacco. For this purpose, the in Fig. 1 shown arrangement provided.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a transport path section 2, along which a strand 4 in the transport direction according to arrow A (according to FIG Fig. 1 from right to left). In the right part of Fig. 1 is the downstream end portion of an otherwise in Fig. 1 Formats 6, not shown, of which only a portion of a circulating format strip 8 is shown substantially recognizable. As Fig. 1 can also be seen schematically, the format tape 8 runs with a horizontal run 8a along the Transportwegabschnittes 2 and thereby mainly limits its bottom. From a drive, not shown in the figures, the format belt 8 is set in the direction of arrow B in motion, so that its run 8a in the same direction as the transport direction A runs. As Fig. 1 can also be seen, a guide roller 10 is provided, which rotates in the direction of the arrow C to guide away the format band 8 with its other strand 8b from the transport path section 2 down. The deflection roller 10 is located in the outlet region of the format 6 and may be concretely preferably either directly in the outlet of the format or shortly downstream arranged behind it.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment according to FIG. 1 above the Transportwegabschnittes 2 in the outlet region of the format 6, a strand cutter 11 is arranged, which has a directed in the direction of transport A knife 11 a. This knife 11a is adjustable in a substantially vertical direction stored, between an upper rest position, in which the knife 11a is located at a distance from the strand 4, and a lower working position, in which the knife 11a is at least partially immersed in the strand 4, the strand 4 in the longitudinal direction and thus also cut open the wrapping paper and expose the tobacco fibers in strand 4 while the wrapping paper is falling down. Alternatively, a strand cutter with a rotating circular knife according to the in FIG. 2 shown strand cutter 40 can be used. Concretely, when the strand slicer 11 is located in the discharge area of the format 6, it may preferably be arranged either directly at the outlet of the format 6 or shortly downstream thereof, wherein in the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment of the strand cutter 11 immediately upstream of the deflection roller 10 sits. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to provide the strand cutter at a location within the format 6.

To separate the loose paper from the strand 4, this is at the deflection of the format outlet and a in Fig. 1 not shown pipe system in a likewise in Fig. 1 promoted container not shown. For this purpose, a mouthpiece 12 is provided in the illustrated embodiment, which has a cavity 14, which via a connection 16 with a in Fig. 1 also not shown suction device is connected. As Fig. 1 can also be seen sitting the mouthpiece 12 below the Transportwegabschnittes 2 and has an upwardly tapering shape. The uppermost end of the mouthpiece 12 abuts directly on the underside of the transport path section 2 and is provided with a suction slot 18, which connects the cavity 14 of the mouthpiece 12 with the transport path section 2. Through this suction slot 18 loose paper 20 is sucked out of the transport path section 2 and thus from the strand 4 and conveyed into the cavity 14 of the mouthpiece 12; There it will then be over the terminal 16 with the help of the mentioned, however in Fig. 1 Suction device not shown in the already mentioned, but in Fig. 1 not shown pipe system and further in the also already mentioned, but in Fig. 1 promoted container not shown.

In order to prevent any paper adhering to the size tape 8 is taken and deflected, a scraper or scraper 22 is additionally provided, which separates the loose paper from the size tape 8. As Fig. 1 reveals the stripper 22 extends with a tip opposite to the transport direction A and sits directly between the bottom of the Transportwegabschnittes 2 and running along the transport path 2 strand 4 and the top of the format strip 8 at a location where it from the strand 8a on the guide roller 10 is deflected in the strand 8b. Of course, the distance between the tip of the scraper 22 and the top of the format strip 8 should be as small as possible in order to effectively remove the paper from the format strip 8 can. Optionally, it is also conceivable that the top of the format strip 8 is slightly touched by the tip of the scraper 22.

In the illustrated embodiment according to FIG. 1 the scraper 22 is part of a deflection roller 2 and thus to the outlet of the format 6 proximal wall portion 12a of the mouthpiece 12th

As Fig. 1 can also be seen, in the illustrated embodiment, additional loose tobacco 24 is separated from the transport path section 2 and separated from the strand 4 and conveyed into a connecting pipe 26, which also to an in Fig. 1 not shown suction device is connected, whereby then the loose tobacco 24 removed by suction and in a likewise in Fig. 1 not shown container is conveyed. In the illustrated embodiment according to Fig. 1 the loose tobacco 24 is passed over a chute, which is formed from the outside of a downwardly inclined in the transport direction, relative to the guide roller 10 proximal wall portion 12b of the mouthpiece 12.

At the in FIG. 1 In the embodiment shown, the entire arrangement for separating loose paper 20 and loose tobacco 24 forms a unit which is accommodated in a housing 28 which sits below the transport path section 2. Thus, the space between the proximal wall portion forms 12b of the mouthpiece 12 and the opposite wall of the housing 28 is a kind of slot for the loose tobacco 24, wherein the housing 28 must of course have on its upper side an opening in order to accommodate the loose tobacco 24 can.

Accordingly, in the arrangement of Fig. 1 the removal of the loose paper 20 substantially immediately at the format outlet and the removal of loose tobacco 24 at a location a short distance downstream. In this way, separate disposal of loose paper 20 and loose tobacco 24 is made possible. It should also be noted at this point that due to the described arrangement, the separation of loose paper 20 and loose tobacco 24 already takes place during the separation from the Transportwegabschnitt 2.

The dummy bar formed later is fed to a chopper not shown in the figures until the correct quality is achieved. Only then is the strand 4 knocked off and into an in Fig. 1 directed measuring head, not shown. As such a chopper due to the operation of the arrangement of Fig. 1 If there is no need to cut loose paper anymore, the cutting function in the shredder can be dispensed with, so that only shredding is necessary. This circumstance leads to lower maintenance, easier assembly and, as a result, also to a reduction in costs.

In Fig. 2 is a further arrangement for Schusstrennung shown schematically in longitudinal section.

In contrast to Fig. 1 is in Fig. 2 the format is shown substantially in total length schematically as a 'block' and marked with the reference numeral "36". In the embodiment shown, the format 36 consists of a top format section or seam plate 36a and a bottom format section 36b. Between the two mentioned sections 36a and 36b of the format 36, the transport path section 2 is defined, along which the strand 4 in the transport direction A is guided from an inlet 36c to an outlet 36d of the format 36.

As FIG. 2 Furthermore, a measuring head 38 is provided adjacent to the transport path section 2, which checks the quality of the strand 4 formed. As long as the required quality has not yet been reached, which is the case in particular when starting production, the strand 2 has to be disposed of from the transport path section 2 and thus the process. For the disposal of such a starting shot, the in Fig. 2 shown arrangement provided.

For this purpose, a strand slicer 40, which has a rotating circular knife 42, is disposed substantially immediately downstream of the outlet 36d of the format 36. The rotating circular blade 42 of the strand cutter 40 is arranged in the illustrated embodiment above the Transportwegabschnittes 2 and lies in the same imaginary plane as the Transportwegabschnitt 2. Like Fig. 2 Further, the rotating circular blade 42 is vertically aligned. The rotating circular blade 42 is pivotally mounted and can be raised in an upper rest position away from the strand 4 and lowered so far into a working position that it at least the (in Fig. 2 not visible) wrapping paper of the strand 4 in the longitudinal direction or transport direction A severed. In this way, the wrapping paper is cut open and the tobacco fibers are exposed in the strand 4.

However, after cutting, the wrapping paper retains its strip shape and drops down into a well 44 or is directed into the well 44 manually and / or by technical means. As Fig. 2 can recognize the shaft 44 is disposed below the Transportwegabschnittes 2 and begins with its inlet at the upper end substantially directly below the Transportwegabschnittes 2 in the region of the outlet 36d of the format 36 and extends in the transport direction A inclined downwards.

The wrapping paper strip detached from the strand 4 by the strand cutter 40 and guided into the shaft 44 is wound up by a rotating fork 46, which is mounted in a rotary manner below the transport path section 2 in the shaft 44. The wrapping paper strip is wound up in the illustrated embodiment via two prongs 46a, over which the rotating fork 46 has in the illustrated embodiment. The rotational speed of the rotary fork 46 is controlled as a function of engine speed, so that tearing of the wrapping paper strip during winding on the fork 46 is prevented.

The opening of the wrapping paper by the strand slicer 40, as previously mentioned, results in the tobacco falling out of the strand 4 into the well 44. It moves the in Fig. 2 not shown tobacco past the rotating fork 46 and reaches a vibrating conveyor 48. In addition to individual tobacco fibers also strand pieces pass through the shaft 44 on the vibrating conveyor 48. The vibrating conveyor 48 has holes and / or slots, whereby a screening effect is achieved. In this case, the hole pattern or slot profile is selected so that the tobacco fibers fall through the vibrating conveyor 48 through into a collecting container 50 located underneath, while the larger strand pieces are transported laterally by the vibrating conveyor 48 in the direction of arrow D. These remaining strand pieces need only be comminuted with a downstream, simple device, which has, for example, only one agitator without a knife. Incidentally, due to the special setting and effect of the strand slicer 40, only a relatively small amount of extrudates is incident anyway.

In particular, the tobacco fibers collected in the collecting container 50 can be returned directly to the production and thus used directly, which can be done for example by means of a pneumatic device not shown in the figures.

To end the weft separation, for example, when the startup process is completed and now the normal process or production is to begin, the rotating circular knife 42 of the strand cutter 40 is in its rest position pivoted upwards and thereby the strand cutter 40 deactivated. Subsequently, the strand 4 is cut transversely to the transport direction A, so that the leading part still falls into the shaft 44, while the trailing part of the strand 4 is now passed along its normal process path corresponding to the Transportwegabschnitt 2 above the shaft 44 at this. This is then the time to free the rotating fork 46 from the wound-up paper, for which a preferred in Fig. 2 not shown scraper is used. The removed paper is then, for example, a in Fig. 2 not shown collecting container or a likewise in Fig. 2 supplied suction device, not shown.

Alternatively, it is also possible in principle, instead of in Fig. 2 shown rotating fork 46 directly to use a suction device, whereby the separated wrapping paper strip is not wound, but is directly fed to a disposal.

Finally, it should be noted that when using the arrangement according to Fig. 2 an otherwise used shredder can be omitted without replacement, if the amount of the closed strand 4 can be sufficiently reduced.

Claims (15)

1. Device for processing rod-shaped reject smoking articles, comprising a formatting device (6; 36) having an inlet (36c) and an outlet (36d) in which rod material (24) is shaped to a rod (4) and provided with a preferably strip-shaped wrapping of wrapping material (20), a conveying path portion (2) along which the rod (4) is fed in a defined conveying direction (A) from the inlet (36c) to the outlet (36d) of the formatting device (6; 36), and a separating device (12, 12b, 18, 22; 40, 44, 46) which is configured to separate rod material (24) and wrapping material (20) from one another,
   characterised in that the separating device (12, 12b, 18, 22; 40, 44, 46) is disposed adjacent to the outlet (36d) of the formatting device (6; 36) and conveying path portion (2) so that and configured so that separation of the rod material (24) and wrapping material (20) from one another is already started in or on the conveying path portion (2).
2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the separating device has a first suction unit (12, 16) which is disposed and configured so as to remove loose wrapping material (20) out of the conveying path portion (2) and hence from the rod (4) with the aid of negative pressure.
3. Device as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the suction unit has a mouthpiece (12), the suction orifice (18) of which lies directly on a side, preferably the bottom side, of the conveying path portion (2) and opens into the conveying path portion (2).
4. Device as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, in which the formatting device (6) has a circulating formatting belt (8) which runs between the inlet and the outlet along the bottom side of the conveying path portion (2) and thus bounds the bottom side of the conveying path portion (2) and is led away from the conveying path portion (2) at the outlet, preferably deflected by a deflector roll (10), characterised by a scraper (22) which is disposed opposite the conveying direction (A) between the bottom side of the conveying path portion (2) and the top side of the formatting belt (8) and configured to separate from the formatting belt (8) any loose wrapping material (20) adhering to the formatting belt (8).
5. Device as claimed in claims 3 and 4, characterised in that a proximal wall portion (12a) of the mouthpiece (12) relative to the outlet of the formatting device (6) incorporates the scraper (22).
6. Device as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the separating device has a second suction unit (26) which is configured to remove loose rod material (24) from the conveying path portion (2).
7. Device as claimed in claims 2 and 6, characterised in that the second suction unit (26) is disposed downstream of the first suction unit (12, 16).
8. Device as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the separating device has an essentially downwardly directed shaft or an essentially downwardly directed chute (12b), the top end of which incorporating an inlet is disposed essentially directly on the bottom side of the conveying path portion (2) and which is configured to feed loose rod material (24) downwards away from the conveying path portion (2).
9. Device as claimed in claims 6 and 8, characterised in that the shaft or chute (12b) leads to the second suction unit (26).
10. Device as claimed in claim 2 as well as claim 8 or 9, characterised in that a distal wall portion (12b) of the mouthpiece (12) relative to the outlet of the formatting device (6) forms the shaft or chute.
11. Device as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the separating device has a rod cutter (11; 40) which is disposed adjacent to the outlet (36d) of the formatting device (6; 36) or in the formatting device and configured to cut the rod (4) essentially in its longitudinal direction and hence in the conveying direction (A) in order to separate the strip-shaped wrapping from the rod material.
12. Device as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the separating device has a winding element (46) drivable in rotation, which is disposed adjacent to the outlet (36d) of the formatting device (36) and configured to wind the strip-shaped wrapping.
13. Device as claimed in claim 12, characterised by a scraper, which is configured to free the winding element (46) of the wound wrapping.
14. Device as claimed in at least one of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the separating device has a downwardly directed shaft (44), preferably connected to a suction unit, the top end of which incorporating an inlet is disposed on the bottom side of the conveying path portion (2) and which is configured to remove rod pieces and/or rod material.
15. Device as claimed in claim 14, characterised in that the shaft (44) is directed by means of a bottom end incorporating an outlet towards a vibrating chute (48), which is provided with orifices configured so that loose rod material drops downwards through these orifices whereas rod pieces are conveyed (D) along the vibrating chute.

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