EP2449896B1 - Device for producing coaxial filters for smokeable rod shaped articles - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for the production of coaxial filters for rod-shaped smoking articles, such as cigarettes, with a for producing a paper-wrapped simple filter strand, but no cutting function exercising filter strand manufacturing device, a processing unit for processing a Filtertowstreifens, a further processing device, in particular a strand-making machine, as which is provided for further processing of simple filter towers further processing device, and a Koaxialherstellungsvorrichtung with a wrapping device which is designed to wrap the filter strand with the filter tow as an additional filter tow to form a Koaxialfiltertowstranges, a filter strand web, along which the filter strand in the direction of its longitudinal extension to the wrapping device is movable, and a tow guideway along which d he additional filter tow is movable in the direction of its longitudinal extent to the wrapping device.

Such an arrangement is known from US 5 012 829 A known.

The US Pat. No. 3,860,011 discloses a method and apparatus for making a filter rod for cigarette filter mouthpieces wherein a material flow of fibrous filter material as well as porous paper and the paper is wrapped around the fibrous filter material to form a filter rod. For this purpose, a hose body is continuously fed, around which a continuous stream of material of fibrous material is arranged, before continuously fed paper surrounds the continuously fed fiber material. The filter rod is in turn moved to continue the movement of the three material flows, while the fiber material is pressed against the hose body or a tube for entering a frictional engagement hereby for the purpose of uniform feed. For this purpose, a device for concentrically embedding a length of the tube in the filter material is used to frictionally engage the filter material with the tube under a compressive force distributed over the circumference.

Coaxial filters for rod-shaped smoking articles and in particular for cigarettes are known (eg from the US 3,396,061 A ) and have an inner, formed into a round bar soul, which is surrounded by an outer sheath. Both the inner core and the outer cover are each made of filter tow material. Typically, the characteristic of a coaxial filter is that the filter tow material used for the core differs from the filter tow material forming the outer envelope, for example, in terms of material, density, stiffness, and the additives contained therein. As a result, in particular the permeability, the filtration properties and / or the taste and thus the smoking behavior and / or mechanical properties such as stiffness can be selectively influenced in a desired manner.

It is an object of the present invention to propose an arrangement which is as simple as possible for the production of coaxial filters for rod-shaped smoking articles.

• einer zur Herstellung eines mit Papier umhüllten einfachen Filterstranges vorgesehenen, jedoch keine Schneidefunktion ausübenden Filterstrangherstellungsvorrichtung,
• einer Aufbereitungseinheit zur Aufbereitung eines Filtertowstreifens,
• einer Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung, insbesondere einer Strangherstellungsmaschine, als welche eine zur Weiterverarbeitung von einfachen Filtertowstreifen vorgesehene Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung vorgesehen ist, und
• einer Koaxialherstellungsvorrichtung mit
• einer Umhüllungseinrichtung, die ausgebildet ist, den Filterstrang mit dem Filtertowstreifen als zusätzlichen Filtertowstreifen zur Bildung eines Koaxialfiltertowstranges zu umhüllen,
• einer Filterstrangbahn, entlang derer der Filterstrang in Richtung seiner Längserstreckung zur Umhüllungseinrichtung bewegbar ist, und
• einer Towführungsbahn, entlang derer der zusätzliche Filtertowstreifen in Richtung seiner Längserstreckung zur Umhüllungseinrichtung bewegbar ist,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

• die Filterstrangherstellungsvorrichtung eine auslassseitige Schnittstelle aufweist,
• die Aufbereitungseinheit eine auslassseitige Schnittstelle aufweist und ausgebildet ist, den zusätzlichen Filtertowstreifen derart aufzubereiten, dass er eine im Wesentlichen ausgebreitete Form erhält,
• die Towführungsbahn derart ausgebildet ist, dass entlang dieser der zusätzliche Filtertowstreifen in einer im Wesentlichen ausgebreiteten Form in Richtung seiner Längserstreckung zur Umhüllungseinrichtung bewegbar ist,
• die Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung eine einlassseitige Schnittstelle aufweist, und
• die Koaxialfilterherstellungsvorrichtung ferner
• eine stromaufwärts vor der Umhüllungseinrichtung gelegene erste Schnittstelle, von der die Filterstrangbahn zur Umhüllungseinrichtung führt und die an die auslassseitige Schnittstelle der Filterstrangherstellungsvorrichtung angeschlossen ist,
• eine stromaufwärts vor der Umhüllungseinrichtung gelegene zweite Schnittstelle, von der die Towführungsbahn zur Umhüllungseinrichtung führt und die an die auslassseitige Schnittstelle der Aufbereitungseinheit angeschlossen ist, und
• eine stromabwärts von der Umhüllungseinrichtung befindliche dritte Schnittstelle aufweist, die an die einlassseitige Schnittstelle der zur Weiterverarbeitung von einfachen Filtertowstreifen vorgesehenen Weiterverarbeitungseinrichtung angeschlossen ist.

This object is achieved according to the present invention with an arrangement for the production of coaxial filters for rod-shaped smoking articles, such as cigarettes, with

• a filter rod manufacturing apparatus provided for making a plain filter strand wrapped with paper but not having a cutting function;
• a processing unit for processing a filter tow strip,
• a further processing device, in particular a strand production machine, as which is provided for further processing of simple filter towers further processing device, and
• a coaxial production device with
• a wrapping device, which is designed to wrap the filter strand with the filter tow strip as an additional filter tow strip to form a coaxial filter tow strand,
• a filter strand web, along which the filter strand is movable in the direction of its longitudinal extent to the wrapping device, and
• a tow guide track, along which the additional filter tow strip is movable in the direction of its longitudinal extent to the wrapping device,

characterized in that

• the filter rod manufacturing device has an outlet side interface,
• the processing unit has an outlet-side interface and is designed to condition the additional filter tow strip such that it receives a substantially expanded shape,
• the tow guide track is designed such that along the latter the additional filter tow strip can be moved in a substantially expanded form in the direction of its longitudinal extent to the wrapping device,
• the further processing device has an inlet-side interface, and
• the coaxial filter manufacturing apparatus further
• a first interface located upstream of the enclosure means from which the filter strand web leads to the enclosure means and which is connected to the outlet side interface of the filter rod production apparatus;
• a second interface located upstream of the wrapping device, from which the tow path leads to the wrapping device and which is connected to the outlet side interface of the processing unit, and
• a third interface located downstream of the wrapping device, which is connected to the inlet-side interface of the further processing device provided for the further processing of simple filter tow strips.

With the aid of the invention, coaxial filters of the type can be produced in which a further paper layer is contained between the inner core and the outer wrapping layer. This paper layer thus separates the outer wrapping layer of the inner soul. Such a filter construction is not only advantageous for a targeted influencing and adaptation of the filtering properties, but also for increasing the mechanical rigidity of the filter body.

For the production of such coaxial filters, the invention now proposes to use a filter strand produced with a conventional filter production plant and wrapped in paper and to wrap it with an additional filter tow, which is provided by a further conventional filter treatment unit, and the filter tow strand formed therefrom in a downstream one further conventional further processing device, in particular strand production machine, to weiterzuverarbeiten to coaxial filter rods provided with an intermediate layer of paper.

Accordingly, the solution according to the invention allows to a greater extent the use of previously used for the production of simple, so single-layer filter strands or bars components. These are on the one hand to modules, machines or devices for the preparation of filter towers and on the other to further processing devices or strand production machines for further processing of the processed filter towers to filter strands or filter rods, which for the construction of conventional filter production equipment for the production of simple, so single-layer filter rods be used. In such a conventional filter production line filter tows (eg cellulose acetate) are stripped from a bale, prepared by stretching and treating with plasticizer, round-shaped and delivered in a desired shape and consistency for further processing to a further processing device or strand manufacturing machine, which from the prepared filter tow strips by wrapping with a wrapping material strip produces a filter strand, which is finally cut into filter rods for cigarettes or other rod-shaped smoking articles. Such a conventional system is now used according to the present invention for the production of the inner core for paper-lined coaxial filter rods or rods, wherein the further processing device or strand production machine is to operate without cutting function by either the cutting function is switched off or a cutting device is not provided from the outset. However, such a modification means no significant expense. In this case, the invention makes use of the knowledge that with such a system a strand already wrapped with paper is provided, which can thus be used in a simple and skilful manner as inner soul for the production of the coaxial filter in question here. For the introduction of the intermediate layer of paper, a separate device is not required because of the inner soul to be used as a filter strand is already supplied with a Papierumhüllung.

For the production of the outer wrapping layer, a further processing unit is required, through which a correspondingly prepared additional filter tow strip is made available. This additional treatment unit is also a conventional component available on the market. In order to merge the already wrapped with paper filter strand and the aforementioned additional filter tow to form a Koaxialfilterstranges, also the device according to claim 1 is needed. The coaxial filter strand formed in this way is further processed in a further processing device or strand production machine, which is likewise to be provided additionally and is originally intended for further processing of single or single-layer filter tow strips. Thus acts It is also in this additional processing device or strand manufacturing machine to a conventional and already available on the market machine.

Accordingly, the invention provides an economically advantageous solution because four out of five components make use of existing conventional devices or machines that need to undergo only minor modifications and adaptations, if any, while providing a specifically designed system significantly higher Would require effort, however, avoided by the solution according to the invention in a clever way.

It should be noted in this context that the terms "filter strand web" and "tow web" primarily mean the path along which the filter strand or filter tow strip moves. Of course, at least in sections, the filter strand web and / or the Towführungsbahn be provided with a web guide, which leads the filter strand or filter tows supportive. However, such a track guide is at least not consistently mandatory.

Preferred embodiments and further developments of the device according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The third interface may be designed for connection to the inlet-side interface of the web of a conventional one-line further processing device, in particular a strand production machine, provided for further processing of simple filter tow strips. Alternatively, a multi-lane, preferably two-lane, further processing device can also be used for such further processing of the coaxial filter strand, so that in this case the third interface is designed for selective coupling to an inlet-side interface of one of a plurality of lanes, such a further processing device. Although in this latter alternative embodiment, the unused tracks are turned off or blocked in the multi-lane further processing device and thus not used; However, such a measure is economically advantageous, since even with a single-lane use of a multi-lane post-processing device on an existing device or machine is used, which - if at all - only slight modifications and adaptations needs to be subjected, while providing a specifically designed device or machine would require a much higher effort at this point.

In the downstream conventional multi-lane further processing device provided for further processing of simple filter tow strips, in particular a strand-making machine, each lane is usually assigned at least one processing unit. When connecting a selected from the plurality of webs path with its inlet-side interface to the third interface, as already mentioned, the remaining tracks are blocked or turned off, so that expediently also those other webs associated processing units should be turned off, on the one hand, an unnecessary load To avoid this then not effectively used processing units and on the other to save a caused by the operation of these units unnecessary energy consumption. The strand forming units which are generally present in the multi-web further processing device should therefore preferably be designed to be switched off selectively. Furthermore, the cutting devices which are likewise generally also provided in a multi-lane further processing device should optionally be able to be switched off, wherein in the case of switching off a cutting device, the associated blade can preferably be brought into a rest position outside the lane. For this purpose, for example, a pivot mechanism may be provided, through which the knife is folded away. The movement of the knife when not in use in a rest position outside the track is used in particular for safety. Furthermore, each web of the multi-lane further processing device can be assigned a switch-off push-in drum.

Also, the further processing device may have at least one transfer spider, with interchangeable shoes for takeover and onward transport is provided by cut from the coaxial filter strand filter rods.

For a space-saving arrangement, the filter strand web and the tow guide web should lie substantially one above the other.

In order to divert the filter strand or the additional filter tow strip, the filter strand web and / or the tow guide web can have at least one wedge groove over which the filter strand or the additional filter tow strip is guided.

For the purpose of better guidance or deflection, the tow guide track can have at least one roller over which the filter tow strip is guided. Since the filter tow strip is used to form the outer layer or casing for the coaxial filter and is therefore wrapped around the filter strand from the outside in the wrapping device, the filter tow strip along the second tow path is at least initially moved in a substantially expanded shape in the direction of its longitudinal extent. Therefore, that roller should preferably be provided with a smooth or slightly concave curved surface. By using a concavely curved lateral surface of the filter tow can already be preformed a little by getting at least a slight curvature transverse to its longitudinal extent, with which he then runs into the wrapping device, whereby the wrapping process takes place there is somewhat simplified.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the wrapping device has a hollow inlet or wrapping finger, which tapers in the conveying direction, through which the filter strand and the additional filter tow strip are guided together and the filter tow strip is placed around the filter tow line. Thus, the preferred inlet or wrapping finger has a cup or funnel shape, the inner surface of which forms a guide for the outer filter tow strip and, due to the increasing cross-sectional constriction in the transport direction, causes the filter tow to move around the belt as it progresses through the runner or wrapping finger at the same time also by the inlet or wrapping finger out led filter tow line sets.

Preferably, the conventional filter rod manufacturing apparatus originally provided for producing a simple filter strand, which is used according to the invention for producing an already encased inner core for the coaxial filter strand, comprises a conventional processing unit for processing a filter tow strip used for the production of the inner core and a downstream strand production machine, in which, however, eliminates the cutting function, since the enveloped with paper inner soul must be present in strand form for the subsequent wrapping with the additional filter tow.

In a further development of this embodiment, at least a portion of the processing unit of the aforementioned filter-strand production device can be arranged such that there the transport of the filter tow-strip takes place approximately in the horizontal or vertical direction. In a preferred development of this embodiment, the processing unit is arranged such that the transport of the filter tow strip through this processing unit takes place in an upstream section approximately in the vertical direction and in a downstream section approximately in the horizontal direction. Such an arrangement proves to be particularly space-saving.

For a space-saving arrangement, the additional processing unit for processing the additional filter tow strip should be located above the filter rod manufacturing apparatus for producing the paper wrapped inner core.

Preferably, at least a portion of this additional processing unit may be arranged so that there takes place the transport of the additional filter tow strip approximately in the horizontal or vertical direction.

It is fundamentally irrelevant whether the preparation of the first filter tow strip in the upper processing unit and the processing of the second filter tow strip in the lower processing unit takes place or vice versa.

Fig. 1

im Längsschnitt eine schematische Darstellung einer im Wesentlichen gesamten Anlage zur Herstellung von Koaxialfiltern in einer ersten Ausführung, welche herkömmliche Aufbereitungseinheiten einerseits und eine herkömmliche Strangherstellungsmaschine andererseits sowie ein dazwischenliegendes Übergangsmodul aufweist,

Fig. 2

im Längsschnitt eine schematische Darstellung einer im Wesentlichen gesamten Anlage zur Herstellung von Koaxialfiltern in einer zweiten Ausführung, welche herkömmliche Aufbereitungseinheiten einerseits und eine herkömmliche Strangherstellungsmaschine andererseits sowie ein dazwischenliegendes Übergangsmodul aufweist, und

Fig. 3

ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Umhüllungsfingers in Seitenansicht (a), Draufsicht (b) und Querschnittsansicht (c).

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

Fig. 1

a longitudinal section of a schematic representation of a substantially entire plant for the production of coaxial filters in a first embodiment, which has conventional processing units on the one hand and a conventional strand-making machine on the other hand and an intermediate transition module,

Fig. 2

in a longitudinal section a schematic representation of a substantially entire plant for the production of coaxial filters in a second embodiment, which conventional processing units on the one hand and a conventional strand-making machine on the other hand and an intermediate transition module has, and

Fig. 3

an embodiment of a wrapping finger in side view (a), top view (b) and cross-sectional view (c).

In the figures, only schematically and in part in detail components, modules and devices and a plant containing them according to the invention for the production of coaxial filters for rod-shaped smoking articles such as in particular cigarettes in the strand process are shown, wherein the figures only in each case only substantially for the understanding of Invention required parts and components show. Components of the machine or device which are customary in mechanical engineering, such as, for example, details of a frame and of holders, supports and coverings, are essentially not shown in the drawings for the sake of better clarity. In addition, in the figures, the processing and transport direction is oriented from right to left.

Like the schematic representations of Figures 1 and 2 show the facility shown there in their respect to the processing and Transport direction upstream region of a substantially complete filter strand manufacturing device 2 on. This filter strand production device 2 includes a first processing unit 4, which is provided for the preparation and provision of a first filter tow 6. Before entering the first processing unit 4, the first filter tow strip 6 is drawn off from a filter towball, not shown, and directed via a deflecting and Towausbreitungsorgan 8 in the direction of an unspecified in the figures inlet of the first processing unit 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the first conditioning unit 4 has an upstream first portion 4a and a downstream second portion 4b. In this case, these two sections 4a, 4b are arranged and aligned such that the transport of the first filter tow strip 6 through the first section 4a takes place vertically and through the second section 4b substantially horizontally. In the first processing unit 4, the first filter tow 6 is prepared in particular by stretching and treating with plasticizer, round-shaped and delivered in a desired shape and consistency to a downstream single-strand machine 10, which is also part of the filter manufacturing device 2. The processing facilities used in the first processing unit 4 are in the Figures 1 and 2 only shown schematically and not marked with reference numerals.

In the first processing unit 4 downstream single-strand machine 10 of the then already round shaped first filter tow 6 is subjected to further processing steps and in particular wrapped with a wrapping material strips of paper. Although the processing equipment used for this purpose are partially schematic in the Figures 1 and 2 recognizable within the single-strand machine 10, but not specially marked with reference numerals. In the end, a filter strand 12 emerges in this way, which emerges from the single-strand machine 10 via an outlet-side interface 10a.

The first processing unit 4 and the downstream single-strand machine 10 are conventional components which are common Form the filter strand manufacturing device 2, which is a conventional single-strand plant for the production of simple, so single-layer filter strands or filter rods.

According to the invention, such a conventional filter strand production device 2 is now used for producing a paper-wrapped inner core for the formation of coaxial filters. For this purpose, it is necessary that the single-strand machine 10 emits the filter strand 12 as a continuous strand through its outlet-side interface 10a. While in a conventional single-strand system, the filter rods are output in cut lengths, in the present case, a cutting function is not desirable. Therefore, a possibly present in the single-strand machine 10 cutting device must be switched off or uninstalled or be provided in the single-strand machine 10 from the outset a cutting device. Incidentally, however, the first processing unit 4 and the single-strand machine 10 are conventional components which are generally used to form a substantially complete single-strand system for the production of simple, ie single-layer filter strands or filter rods.

As the Figures 1 and 2 can also be seen, a second processing unit 14 is provided, through which a second filter tow 16 is processed and made available. Also, the second filter tow 16 is deducted before entering the second processing unit 14 of a second filter towers, not shown, and directed via a likewise not shown deflecting and Towausbungsungsorgan towards a not shown inlet of the second processing unit 14. Within the second processing unit 14, the second filter tow 16 is likewise processed accordingly at least by stretching and treating with plasticizer and discharged from the second processing unit 14 via an outlet-side interface 14a in a desired shape and consistency. The processing facilities used for this purpose are in the Figures 1 and 2 in the second processing unit 14 also only schematically recognizable and not marked with reference numerals.

As the Figures 1 and 2 can also be seen, the second processing unit 14 is arranged horizontally in the illustrated embodiment, so that there takes place the transport of the second filter tow 16 in the horizontal direction. In this case, the second processing unit 14 is arranged above the filter strand production device 2 and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, rests on its single-strand machine 10 and part of the second section 4b of the first processing unit 4. On the other hand, the first portion 4a of the first conditioning unit 4 is disposed at the upstream end of the second portion 4b of the first conditioning unit 4.

On the downstream side of the arrangement of the filter strand production device 2 and the second treatment unit 14 lying above it, a device 18 is provided which assumes specific functions for the production of coaxial filters and is referred to below as a transition module. In this transition module 18, in the manner described in more detail below, the filter core 12 provided as the inner core has been wrapped in paper in the single-strand machine 10 and output through the outlet-side interface 10a of the single-strand machine 10, and through the outlet side Interface 14a of the upper second processing unit 14 output second filter tow 16 merged into a common coaxial filter strand.

For the transport of the filter strand 12 and the second filter tow band 16 by the transition module 18, a corresponding filter strand web and a corresponding tow guide web are provided in the transition module 18, but in the Figures 1 and 2 are not shown. The upstream end of the filter strand path forms its inlet-side interface, which in the Figures 1 and 2 is denoted by the reference numeral "18a", and the upstream end of the tow path forms its inlet-side interface, which in the Figures 1 and 2 designated by the reference numeral "18b". For the connection of the filter strand web of the transition module 18 to the single-strand machine 10 of the filter strand production device 2, the outlet-side interface 10a of the single-strand machine 10 and the inlet side must Interface 18a of the filter strand track with respect to positioning and alignment coincide with each other, wherein the same applies to the connection of the inlet-side interface 18b of the tow path to the outlet-side interface 14a of the second conditioning unit 14. The mentioned interfaces are preferably provided with passage openings for the passage of the respective filter tow strip.

The filter strand web and the tow guide run together within the transition module 18 in the direction of a wrapping device 22, which is also included in the transition module 18. In the wrapping device 22, the filter strand 12, which has already been round-shaped in the single-strand machine 10 of the preceding filter strand production device 2 and wrapped with wrapping paper, is enveloped by the second filter tow strip 16. For this purpose, the second filter tow strip 16 should reach the wrapping device 22 in a substantially expanded form or optionally in a shape that is slightly curved transversely to its longitudinal extension. Therefore, a round shaping of the second filter tow 16 in the second processing unit 14 is not provided.

Not least by the fact that the second processing unit 14 is located above the filter strand manufacturing device 2, in the embodiment according to Fig. 1 the second filter tow 16 transported from above in the direction of the guided underneath filter rod 12 until the second filter tow 16 comes in the wrapping device 22 on top of the filter strand 12 to lie around it then to wrap. That is why in the execution of Fig. 1 the not shown Towführungsbahn arranged above the filter strand track not shown within the transition module 18. This also reveals the use of two spaced-apart rollers 28, which are rotatably mounted in the region of the upper Towführungsbahn not shown, and provided as a deflection means to deflect the second filter tow 16 accordingly and how Fig. 1 can be seen schematically. Since the second filter tow 16 must be spread substantially flat or slightly curved, the use of rollers is required, since this is a relative have wide contact surface. In the illustrated embodiment according to Fig. 1 is the lateral surface of the rollers 28 a little concave, whereby the second filter tow 16 is already preformed a little. This gives it an upward slight curvature transverse to its longitudinal extension, with which it then runs in the wrapping device 22, whereby the wrapping process takes place there is simplified.

However, it is also conceivable that, if required, the relative arrangement of the second filter tow strip 16 with respect to the filter strand 12 in the region of the inlet of the wrapping device 22 is reversed, so that the round-shaped and provided with wrapping paper filter strand 12 with the substantially flat spread second filter tow 16 from below is shrouded. Such a modified embodiment is exemplified in Fig. 2 shown. Compared to the execution of Fig. 1 three rollers 28 are provided, which ensure that the second filter tow 16 after entry through the inlet-side interface 18b in the transition module 18 from above to a point below the filter strand 12 and is deflected from there in the direction of the wrapping device 22. Thus, the associated Towführungsbahn not shown passes from the upper inlet-side interface 18b down the filter strand path over and then approaches this again from below.

In contrast, runs in the illustrated embodiments according to the Figures 1 and 2 the filter strand web for guiding the filter strand 12 is substantially rectilinear. Of course, corresponding guide means such as rollers can be used to guide the filter strand 12, which are not shown in the figures.

The wrapping device 22 has an inlet or wrapping finger 30, which in Fig. 3 is shown. This wrapping finger 30 is a hollow body which tapers in the conveying direction according to the arrow A and which is open at its two end faces. As Fig. 3 Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the wrapping finger 30 is open at its upstream portion 30a at the top to form an inlet of the already round-shaped and wrapped with wrapping paper filter strand 12 to facilitate obliquely from above. Therefore, the wrapping finger 30 is in the in Fig. 3 shown embodiment and alignment in particular for use in a device according to the in Fig. 2 shown embodiment suitable. Of course, the section 30a may also be correspondingly open on the sides or at the bottom. At its downstream end 30b, however, the lateral surface of the wrapping finger 30 is closed, in particular Fig. 3b lets recognize. Accordingly, the wrapping finger 30 has a cup or funnel shape whose inner surface forms a guide for the outer second filter tow 16. The increasing in the conveying direction according to arrow A cross-sectional constriction has the result that the second filter tow 16 leaves its originally substantially spread flat shape and during its continued movement through the wrapping finger 30 around the likewise also guided by the wrapping finger 30 filter strand 12. As a result, a coaxial filter strand 32 emerges, emerging from the downstream end 30b of the wrapping finger 30, like the Fig. 3a and b can be seen schematically. Fig. 3c shows in cross section the structure of the manufactured Koaxialfilterstranges 32, which as the inner soul, the round-shaped filter strand 12 and as an outer sheath the second filter tow 16 has. Further leaves Fig. 3c schematically recognize an intermediate layer 12 a, which lies between the inner core 12 and the outer sheath 16, consists of paper and is wound around the inner core 12.

The coaxial filter strand 32 produced in this way emerges from the cladding device 22 through an outlet 22a and is then conveyed into a downstream stranding machine 34. The outlet 22a of the shroud 22 simultaneously forms an outlet-side interface for the transition module 18, and must conform to an inlet-side interface 34a of the stranding machine 34 for smooth transfer of the coaxial filter strand with respect to positioning and alignment. These interfaces are also preferably provided with corresponding passage openings for the passage of the Koaxialfilterstranges.

While for the production of the Koaxialfilterstranges 32 of the filter strand 12 to form the inner core and the liner of wrapping paper and the second filter tow 16 are produced separately and must be available and thus a corresponding two-lane preparation and preparation upstream of the transition module 18 is required, For example, the coaxial filter strand 32 exiting the transition module 18 downstream forms only a single strand that is to travel along a path in the downstream stranding machine 34 and to be further processed. During its movement through the stranding machine 34 of the coaxial filter strand 32 is subjected to the same further processing steps, as is the case with a simple filter strand, the further processing of the stranding machine 34 would be used in a conventional manner. Here, the Köaxialfilterstrang 32 is wrapped in particular with a Hüllmaterialstreifen total, whereby the outside of the outer layer formed by the second filter tow 16 is covered with wrapping paper, and then cut into filter rods. Although the processing equipment used for this purpose are partially schematic in the Figures 1 and 2 shown in the stranding machine 34, but not specially marked with reference numerals.

As can be seen from the preceding description, a conventional stranding machine, which requires essentially no modifications or adaptations, is also used for the downstream further processing of the coaxial filter strand 32.

Claims (18)

1. Configuration for producing coaxial filters for rod-shaped smoking articles, such as cigarettes for example, comprising

   - a filter strand producing device (2) provided as a means of producing a single filter strand (12) wrapped with paper (12a) but fulfilling no cutting function,

   - a processing unit (14) for processing a filter tow strip (16),

   - a finishing unit (34), in particular a strand producing machine, which is provided in the form of a finishing unit for finishing single filter tow strips, and

   - a coaxial filter producing device (18) comprising

   - a wrapping unit (22) which is configured to wrap the filter strand (12) with the filter tow strip (16) serving as an additional filter tow strip in order to form a coaxial filter tow strand (32),

   - a filter strand path, along which the filter strand (12) can be moved in the direction of its longitudinal extension to the wrapping unit (22), and

   - a tow guide path, along which the additional filter tow strip (16) can be moved in the direction of its longitudinal extension to the wrapping unit (22),

   characterised in that

   - the filter strand producing device (2) has an outlet side interface (10a),

   - the processing unit (14) has an outlet side interface (14a) and is configured to process the additional filter tow strip (16) in such a way that an essentially opened-flat shape is imparted to it,

   - the tow guide path is configured so that the additional filter tow strip (16) can be moved along it in the direction of its longitudinal extension to the wrapping unit (22) in an essentially opened-flat shape,

   - the finishing unit (34) has an inlet side interface (34a), and

   - the coaxial filter producing device (18) further comprises

   - a first interface (18a) disposed upstream of the wrapping unit (22) from which the filter strand path leads to the wrapping unit (22) and which is connected to the outlet side interface (10a) of the filter strand producing device (2),

   - a second interface (18b) disposed upstream of the wrapping unit (22) from which the tow guide path leads to the wrapping unit (22) and which is connected to the outlet side interface (14a) of the processing unit (14), and

   - a third interface (22a) disposed downstream of the wrapping unit (22) which is connected to an inlet side interface (34a) of the finishing unit (34) provided as a means of finishing single filter tow strips.
2. Configuration as claimed in claim 1, wherein the finishing device (34) is a single path finishing device.
3. Configuration as claimed in claim 1, wherein the finishing device is provided in the form of a multi-path, preferably two-path, finishing device for finishing single filter tow strips and the third interface of the coaxial filter producing device (18) is connected to the inlet side interface of one of a plurality of paths of this finishing device.
4. Configuration as claimed in claim 3, wherein each path co-operates with at least one processing unit, and one path selected from the plurality of paths is connected by its inlet side interface to the third interface and the other paths and the processing units co-operating with the other paths are disconnected.
5. Configuration as claimed in claim 3, wherein the finishing device has strand producing units which can be selectively disconnected.
6. Configuration as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the finishing device has cutting units which can be selectively disconnected.
7. Configuration as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cutting units respectively have at least one blade which, when the cutting unit is disconnected, can be moved into a non-operating position outside of the path co-operating with the disconnected cutting unit.
8. Configuration as claimed in at least one of claims 4 to 7, wherein every path of the finishing device co-operates with a disconnectable conveyor drum.
9. Configuration as claimed in at least one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the finishing device has at least one transfer spider which is provided with interchangeable shoes for picking up cut filter strand pieces.
10. Configuration as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter strand path and the tow guide path are disposed essentially one above the other in the coaxial filter producing device (18).
11. Configuration as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the tow guide path in the coaxial filter producing device (18) has at least one smooth or concavely cambered roller (28) across which the additional filter tow strip (16) is fed.
12. Configuration as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the wrapping unit (22) of the coaxial filter producing device (18) has a hollow intake or wrapping finger (30) tapering in the conveying direction (A) through which the filter strand (12) and the additional filter tow strip (16) are jointly fed, during which the additional filter tow strip (16) is placed around the filter strand (12).
13. Configuration as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter strand producing device (2) comprises a strand producing machine (10) and a processing unit (4) connected upstream for processing the filter tow strip (6) used to produce the filter strand (12), and the first interface (18a) is connected to an outlet side interface (10a) of the strand producing machine (10).
14. Configuration as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one section (4a) of the processing unit (4) of the filter strand producing device (2) is disposed so that the filter tow strip (6) is conveyed there in an approximately horizontal direction.
15. Configuration as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one section (4b) of the processing unit (4) of the filter strand producing device is disposed so that the filter tow strip (6) is conveyed there in an approximately vertical direction.
16. Configuration as claimed in claims 13 to 15, wherein the processing unit (4) of the filter strand producing device (2) is disposed so that the filter tow strip (6) used to produce the filter strand (12) is conveyed through this processing unit in an approximately vertical direction in a section (4a) disposed upstream and in an approximately horizontal direction in a section (4b) disposed downstream.
17. Configuration as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit (14) for processing the additional filter tow strip (16) is disposed above the filter strand producing device (2).
18. Configuration as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one section of the processing unit (14) for processing the additional filter tow strip (16) is disposed in such a way that the additional filter tow strip (16) is conveyed there in an approximately horizontal direction.

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