EP2608685B1 - Device for the treatment of tobacco - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for treating or conditioning tobacco, in particular cut tobacco, with a rotatable drum body, wherein the drum body has a Einbringseite with an insertion opening for introducing tobacco into the drum body interior and a Ausbringseite with a discharge opening for dispensing tobacco from the drum body interior , wherein in particular in the conveying direction of the tobacco inside the drum, a loosening zone between the introduction port and a treatment zone is formed, being loosened in the loosening zone, preferably compacted, tobacco material and in the conveying direction of the tobacco in a subsequent treatment zone of the loosened tobacco is treatable, and wherein in particular in the loosening zone a means for introducing steam is provided.

Tobacco is relatively strong after harvest, ie dried to a residual moisture content of about 9% to 12% and usually for shipping in rectangular or cylindrical bales or packages pressed, with other molds are possible. The tobacco may be pure vorentripptes Blattgut (without significant rib portions). The removed before drying ribs, which are processed separately and the leaf tobacco mixed again, can also be pressed and shipped in a dry state. The pressed and relatively dry raw tobacco can be stored in this state for a long time.

If this relatively dry tobacco is to become smoke products, e.g. Cigarettes are processed, so it is necessary in the known processing methods and tobacco processing equipment to solve the individual leaves (or pieces of leaves) or ribs (or pieces of ribs) in the pressed bales of each other again and to separate. Since the leaves strongly adhere to each other and are very dry, making them fragile and very sensitive to mechanical effects, the loosening must be gentle. The method of dissolving, which is predominantly used today, involves wetting and dissolving the bales with steam (heat) and water after careful mechanical comminution in a conditioning drum.

For the preparation of the harvested tobacco leaves, several treatment steps are carried out, so that cut tobacco or fine tobacco cut is provided for further processing in cigarette manufacturing machines at the end of the treatment process. Cut tobacco usually undergoes a treatment prior to its finishing, which essentially comprises the following steps: dissolving, conditioning the tobacco by preheating and moistening, sowing the tobacco, mixing and cutting the tobacco, drying the tobacco, sieving and cooling the tobacco, and flavoring the tobacco tobacco. The mixing of the tobacco will also dazzle called.

From the publications DE-A-39 08 937 and DE-A-39 08 939 For example, methods of making cut tobacco are known.

In addition, in the document DE-A-197 56 217 discloses a method for the treatment of fine-cut tobacco, wherein the individual treatment steps are explicitly carried out, so that reference is expressly made to this document.

The main process steps in the tobacco processing or in the so-called primary process consist of dissolving and conditioning the tobacco and addition of additives, separating and cutting the tobacco, drying and blending. In addition, ancillary process steps can be performed in addition. These secondary process steps consist in the selection of undissolved parts, metal and foreign bodies. In addition, there is a Nebenprozessschritt in expanding the tobacco.

These process steps are used in so-called process elements, e.g. Dissolving and conditioning drums, mixing boxes, classifying devices, drying drums, etc. are carried out.

For example, it is off EP-B-1 273 240 and particularly EP-A-0 917 828 a conditioning drum for treating tobacco is described. Also revealed EP-B-0 424 501 a device for treating tobacco with a treatment device which is cylindrical about an inclined axis, wherein the drum body has a tobacco inlet and a tobacco outlet. Here, a loosening unit, which rotates with the drum body, is provided at the tobacco inlet of the drum body. Furthermore, means for introducing treatment steam into the loosening unit are provided.

Based on this prior art, the object of the invention is to improve a conditioning drum or a treatment drum of the tobacco-processing industry in a simple and cost-effective manner.

This object is achieved by a device for treating tobacco, in particular cut tobacco, with a rotatable drum body, wherein the drum body has a Einbringseite with an insertion opening for introducing tobacco into the drum body interior and a Ausbringseite with a discharge opening for dispensing tobacco from the drum body interior wherein in particular in the conveying direction of the tobacco in the drum body interior, a loosening zone between the introduction opening and a treatment zone is formed, being loosened in the loosening zone, preferably compacted, tobacco material and in the conveying direction in a subsequent treatment zone of the loosened tobacco is treatable, and in particular in the Loosening zone is provided a means for introducing steam, which is further developed in that outside the drum body, preferably arranged in parallel, recirculating air return lines between the discharge side and the egg In particular, a first recirculation air return line is operated or operated as a production recirculation return line in the production operation of the device and wherein in particular the second recirculation return line in the non-production process of the device, preferably at or during a preheating phase of the device, operable or operated, while the first recirculation return line is not operated.

The invention is based on the idea that a device for treating tobacco or for conditioning tobacco, which also is referred to as a conditioning drum or treatment drum of the tobacco-processing industry, after starting the device in a preheating phase circulating air is conveyed through the drum body via a formed as a bypass line Umluftrückführleitung between the discharge side and the feed side or from the discharge side to the feed side, wherein within the bypass line In the preheating phase, circulating air conveyed back to the introduction side is led out of the interior of the drum body via a heat exchanger in order to heat the recirculated air during the preheating phase or during the preheating operation.

During the preheating phase, the drum inside is not filled with tobacco, so that the air is continuously circulated for preheating and heated by the arranged on the outside heat exchanger, in particular fin heat exchanger, until the operating temperature of the circulating air for the production of the device or the conditioning drum is reached. In the production plant itself cut tobacco is introduced into the drum interior, wherein the cut tobacco is introduced at the introduction side in the drum body, wherein first in a release zone of the cut tobacco is released and in particular is applied in the loosening zone with steam. Subsequently, the dissolved tobacco is introduced into one or more subsequent treatment zones, so that, following the treatment zone (s), the treated tobacco is discharged from the drum body on the discharge side.

In particular, the conditioning device or the conditioning drum has a rotatable cylindrical drum body, with an introduction opening or a tobacco entry on the input side on the input side and a discharge opening on the output side Tobacco discharge are provided. In addition, the rotationally driven release / conditioning drum is arranged around a slightly horizontally inclined axis of rotation. Furthermore, the conditioning device or the conditioning drum has, in addition to the inlet-side loosening zone, at least one subsequent treatment zone in which the dissolved tobacco is further processed after being dissolved in the release zone while being conveyed in the direction of tobacco discharge in the subsequent treatment zone.

After completion of the preheating phase in which the circulating air is passed through a bypass line and a heat exchanger provided in the bypass line, the air is recirculated from the inside of the drum via a further circulating air return line between the insertion side of the drum body in the production operation of the conditioning drum or the device Recirculation return line for the production process no heat exchanger or the like is provided. Here, the process air is recycled from the drum interior directly from the discharge side to the delivery side, wherein the circulating air is heated continuously in the production operation by the treatment processes in the interior of the drum body and is heated.

Thus, by using the apparatus for treating tobacco or conditioning drum provided by the present invention during the preheat phase and before the tobacco is put into service, a recirculation return line between the discharge side and the delivery side is used to continuously supply the recirculated air by means of a heat exchanger inserted in the recirculation return line Operating temperature to heat, while in the recirculation return line for the production operation no circulating air is conveyed through. After completion of the preheat phase, the parallel (second) recirculation return line becomes operated as a production recirculation return line, while no circulating air is passed through the recirculation return line for the preheat phase.

The advantage of the invention is that the pollution from the tobacco particles contaminated circulating air during production is reduced by the direct return to the introduction side, since the circulating air does not have facilities in the recirculation return line, e.g. a heat exchanger is performed. During the preheating phase, however, the circulating air is not or hardly provided with tobacco particles, so that the circulating air for the preheating via a heat exchanger, in particular a fin heat exchanger, passed, due to the low or nonexistent contamination of tobacco in the circulating air during the preheating the Heat exchanger is not contaminated by tobacco particles.

For this purpose, according to a preferred embodiment, provision is made for the recirculation return line or production recirculation return line operated or operable in the production mode to be designed without a heat exchanger and / or the recirculation return line operated or operable in the preheating phase to be configured with a heat exchanger, in particular with a lamella heat exchanger. wherein the recirculation return lines are operated alternately.

In particular, a favorable embodiment of the device results from the fact that the recirculation return line for the production operation is smaller in diameter than the recirculation return line for the preheating phase.

Furthermore, in one embodiment of the device, it is preferred when at the discharge side of the drum body the recirculation return line for the production (production recirculation return line) and the recirculation return line for preheating phases or non-production operation of the device are each separately connected to the delivery side of the device and / or the recirculation return line for the production process and the Recirculation return line for the preheating phase open into a common return line, wherein in particular the common return line is connected at the inlet side suction side with a fan.

For this purpose, it is furthermore advantageous if a screen chamber has a screen or screen cloth arranged on at least two attachment points of the screen chamber on the discharge side of the drum body, wherein in particular the screen or screen cloth is freely suspended between the spaced apart and mutually opposite attachment points. In the screen chamber formed on the output side of the drum body with a quickly and easily exchangeable sieve or fabric, the rectangular sieve or fabric is attached to two line-like attachment points or mounting locations, wherein the sieve cloth or the sieve between the fortifications hanging, in particular free hanging, is formed.

It can also be provided within the scope of the invention that, for example, edges of the sieve cloth or sieve rest on corresponding edges of the sieve chamber. Moreover, it can also be provided in the context of the invention that the screen cloth, which is formed for example as a screen gauze, stiffeners or reinforcing ribs or the like, resulting in improved handling of the screen or sieve. In particular, the sieve cloth or sieve is multiple, for example by stiffening ribs, divided, resulting in improved handling when inserting and fixing the strainer or Siebtuchs

In particular, it is provided in one embodiment that the sieve, which is also designed as a sieve cloth or the like, is clamped using an access door or the like on the delivery side of the device or is mounted, whereby the sieve on the access side on the delivery side easily removable or is interchangeable. The sieve or the sieve cloth are frontally. inserted from the front side. Further, with larger drum diameters of the conditioning drum, the screen is divided into a plurality of screen segments, resulting in ease of handling of the multi-segment screen.

For this purpose, it is also advantageous that the screen chamber is formed on the output side of the drum body above the discharge opening, wherein in particular the screen chamber is hood-like, wherein the screen is arranged sagging on the underside of the hood, wherein by the application of negative pressure, the circulating air from the inside of the drum the screen is passed through and passed over the recirculation return line for the production process or by the recirculation return line for the preheat phase.

In addition, it is further provided in one embodiment of the device that the screen chamber has a, preferably pivotable, blowing device, wherein in particular the blowing device on the inner side of the screen, preferably pivotally mounted, is arranged. This makes it possible that the sucked tobacco from the circulating air, which was sucked or is at the bottom of the screen, down into a discharge channel on the output side the drum body is blown, wherein by the pivotable blowing device, for example in the form of a bar-like linkage or a nozzle-equipped beam, the screen over the entire width is supplied with blowing air to the hung on the underside of the screen tobacco particles down into the discharge channel or to blow into the discharge side of the drum body.

Moreover, an embodiment of the device is characterized in that the screen chamber has a connection for the circulating air return line for the production process and / or a connection for the circulating air return line for the preheating phase of the device, wherein the connections are respectively formed above the screen cloth and the screen, so that the sucked from tobacco particles sucked process air is returned to the feed side again. This occurs both during the preheating phase of the device and during the production operation of the device.

In addition, a drive, in particular a pneumatic drive, is provided for the pivoting of the blowing device, wherein furthermore an end position control is provided by a corresponding position control device for the pneumatic drive or for the blowing device, whereby a corresponding function monitoring takes place during operation of the screen chamber or the conditioning drum , If, during production operation, the movement of the pivotable blowing device along the sieve surface or along the sieve cloth is disturbed, for example, an incorrect position of the sieve is reported by the control device.

In addition, a further embodiment of the device is characterized in that the rotationally driven drum body opposite a stationary, on the drum body, preferably arranged on the insertion side, aperture is sealed using a formed between the drum body and the diaphragm sealing means, wherein the sealing means is a sealing material, in particular a felt seal, and a sealing material against a pressing surface pressing means, preferably a with compressed air or with a pressure medium acted upon or acted upon hose, has.

By using a sealing device with a pressing device for a sealing material and with sealing material, the sealing material is uniformly pressed on the entire sealing surface between a diaphragm of the drum body and the rotating drum body in cooperation of the pressing device and the pressurized by the pressing device sealing material, as for example by the use a pressurized with compressed air hose is always pressed the same force over the entire sealing surface. In this case, the sealing device is arranged between the diaphragm and a sealing surface of the drum body.

In addition, in an advantageous embodiment of the device is provided that a, preferably formed on the application side of the device, outlet hood has an inner hood and an outer hood connected to the inner hood, wherein the inner hood has sheets and wherein a tabbed support frame with open, folded profile sheets is provided, wherein the sheets of the inner hood are connected to the tabs of the support frame for the inner hood.

Characterized in that the outlet hood has a support frame with frame parts with open, folded profile sheets, wherein the profile sheets have corresponding tabs, so that on the tabs the sheets of the inner hood are arranged and connected to the tabs, the support surface or contact surface of the support frame is reduced to the inner cover, resulting in an optimized heat distribution during the discharge of treated tobacco from the drum body at the outlet hood. Due to the improved heat distribution in the outlet hood caking of tobacco on the inside of the outlet hood or on the inner hood are avoided.

In addition, it is provided in a further embodiment of the device that the outer cover has cover plates which are connected to the support frame, wherein in particular between the inner cover and the outside of a heat insulation and / or at least one heating device are arranged.

According to a further embodiment of the device or the conditioning drum is also provided that the drum body is rotatably supported by using at least one or more self-aligning bearing rollers, in particular the bearing roller or the bearing rollers with a drum body surrounding race cooperate, so that under rotation of the drum body also rotate the rollers or the bearing rollers. In this case, the entire drum body is rotated by the drive of the bearing rollers, the bearing rollers align themselves due to the self-aligning arrangement of the bearing rollers, so that after commissioning of the drum or driven in engagement with the race bearing rollers these are fixed after self-alignment. As a result, the bearing roller is held in the optimum position due to the orientation of the drum body at a predetermined inclination relative to the horizontal.

For this purpose, it is further provided that the bearing roller is connected to a bearing plate, wherein the bearing plate relative to a, preferably stationary, holding device for the bearing plate is mounted linearly movable and pivotable. After the self-alignment of the bearing roller, the bearing plate is fixed to the holding device according to, for example, using screws.

Moreover, in one embodiment of the conditioning device, it is preferred if the bearing plate for the bearing roller can be moved linearly by means of a spindle acting on the bearing plate.

Further, an embodiment of the device is characterized in that on the introduction of the drum body opening into the insertion of the drum body trough, in particular vibrating trough, is arranged for the supply of tobacco in the drum body, wherein a above the inclined arranged trough arranged feed line for the , preferably recirculated, recirculated air opens into the channel, wherein in particular the circulating air and the tobacco can be introduced or introduced via the common introduction opening into the drum body.

In this embodiment, a vibrating trough having a predetermined inclination is disposed on the introduction side of the drum body, so that due to the vibration and the inclination of the trough, for example, cut tobacco is introduced into the drum body through the introduction port. It is provided according to the invention that removed in the production operation from the drum body recirculated air is conveyed via the recirculation return line and supply to Einbringseite and introduced via the insertion opening on the feed side of the drum body together with the conveyed on the gutter tobacco. Here, on the introduction side of the drum body exclusively a common Insertion opening for the tobacco and the circulating air provided. Thus, no further separate openings for introducing the air and the tobacco are provided for the circulating air and the tobacco on the introduction side. As a result, the introduction side of the drum body or the drum body has only a single insertion opening. The supply line for the circulating air is formed opening in the direction above the channel, the common supply area for the circulating air and the tobacco being closed or separated, for example, by pivotable flaps relative to the external environment.

For this purpose, the device is provided in a development that the flow cross-section of the supply, preferably based on the flow direction of the circulating air, at least partially enlarging, so that, for example, by blowing the recirculated air into the supply using a blower emerging from the fan Circulating air is supplied to the supply line, wherein the formation of a flow direction, preferably continuously, increasing flow cross-section of the feed line, the circulating air circulating over the entire width of the cross section and at the same time the flow rate decreases due to the widening increase of the flow cross-section. As a result, the speed of the recirculated air in the drum body is reduced, so that no turbulence in a release zone of the drum body due to low or reduced flow velocities of the circulating air in the drum body arise. Thus, an optimum environment for the tobacco is achieved in the release zone of the drum body, wherein due to the reduced flow rate of the circulating air in the drum body, the dissolved tobacco particles are not blown away, thereby producing the conditioning drum in the operation of the tobacco in the release zone is improved.

In addition, in a development it is preferred that the supply line on the output side, preferably in the mouth region above the channel, a, preferably adjustable, control flap, whereby the flow and the flow direction of the recirculated air recirculation is adjusted accordingly or is a directional flow direction of the recirculated To reach circulating air.

In addition, a preferred embodiment of the device is characterized in that relative to the conveying direction of the tobacco on the, preferably inclined, groove in front of the mouth region of the supply line at least one, preferably pivotable, flap is provided, arranged in particular in the conveying direction of the tobacco two flaps one behind the other are. As a result, the junction region of the supply line is separated into the channel with respect to the external environment, wherein the flaps are moved by conveying tobacco on the vibrating channel. In this case, it is prevented by the flaps or the like that air passes or flows on the mouth region to the outside or tobacco particles are blown to the outside.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments according to the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention may satisfy individual features or a combination of several features.

Fig. 1a, 1b

schematisch jeweils verschiedene Ansichten einer Konditioniertrommel der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie zum Konditionieren von Tabak;

Fig. 2a bis 2c

schematisch jeweils verschiedene Ansichten bzw. Schnitte einer am Auslauf einer Konditioniertrommel angeordneten Siebkammer;

Fig. 3a

schematisch einen Querschnitt durch einen Trommelkörper einer Konditioniertrommel und

Fig. 3b

schematisch eine Detailansicht des Übergangsbereichs zwischen dem Trommelkörper und einer an der Einbringseite des Trommelkörpers vorgesehenen Blende;

Fig. 4a, 4b

schematisch eine Rückenansicht sowie eine Vorderansicht einer an der Ausbringseite einer Konditioniertrommel vorgesehenen Auslaufhaube;

Fig. 4c

schematisch eine Detailansicht der Auslaufhaube mit einer Innenhaube und einer Außenhaube;

Fig. 5a

schematisch im Ausschnitt eine perspektivische Ansicht einer auf Lagerrollen gelagerten Konditioniertrommel;

Fig. 5b bis 5d

schematisch verschiedene Ansichten einer Lagerrolle für eine Konditioniertrommel bzw. für einen Trommelkörper einer Konditioniertrommel;

Fig. 5e

schematisch eine Draufsicht auf eine Halterung für eine Lagerrolle und

Fig. 6a, 6b

jeweils schematisch einen Querschnitt durch einen Trommelkörper einer Konditioniertrommel im Bereich der Einbringseite im Querschnitt (Fig. 6a) und in einer perspektivischen Teilansicht im Querschnitt (vgl. Fig. 6b).

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings all details of the invention not explained in detail, reference is expressly made to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1a, 1b

schematically each different views of a conditioning drum of the tobacco processing industry for conditioning tobacco;

Fig. 2a to 2c

schematically each different views or sections of a arranged at the outlet of a conditioning drum screen chamber;

Fig. 3a

schematically a cross section through a drum body of a conditioning drum and

Fig. 3b

schematically a detailed view of the transition region between the drum body and provided on the insertion side of the drum body aperture;

Fig. 4a, 4b

schematically a back view and a front view of a provided on the delivery side of a conditioning drum outlet hood;

Fig. 4c

schematically a detailed view of the outlet hood with an inner hood and an outer hood;

Fig. 5a

schematically in section a perspective view of a bearing rollers mounted on conditioning drum;

Fig. 5b to 5d

schematically different views of a bearing roller for a conditioning drum or for a Drum body of a conditioning drum;

Fig. 5e

schematically a plan view of a holder for a bearing roller and

Fig. 6a, 6b

each schematically a cross section through a drum body of a conditioning drum in the region of the introduction side in cross section ( Fig. 6a ) and in a perspective partial view in cross section (see. Fig. 6b ).

In the following figures, identical or similar elements or corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that a corresponding renewed idea is dispensed with.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a side view of a conditioning drum 10 having a cylindrical drum body 12. The conditioning drum 10 is driven by a corresponding drive, for example in the form of one or more driven bearing rollers (see. Fig. 5a to 5d ), wherein the rotational axis of the conditioning drum 10 is driven at a predetermined inclination angle of up to 20 degrees to the horizontal.

The conditioning drum 10 has on its front side or insertion side 11 a corresponding entry opening, is introduced by the compacted tobacco in the interior of the drum. Furthermore, the conditioning drum has a corresponding discharge side 13 at the end opposite the entry opening.

By the horizontal inclination of the conditioning drum 10, for example 5 degrees, the introduced tobacco material is loosened and dissolved in a loosening zone with a rotation of the conditioning drum 10. Subsequently, the tobacco dissolved in the interior of the drum is conveyed further into a treatment zone adjoining the loosening zone with rotation of the conditioning drum 10, so that after the treatment of the dissolved tobacco in the treatment zone, it is discharged on the discharge side 13.

In FIG. 1b is a schematic plan view of the in FIG. 1a shown conditioning drum 10 shown.

The drum body 12 has in the region of the introduction side 11 and in the region of the discharge side 13 each a drum body 12 surrounding raceway 14, 16 which on corresponding bearing rollers in engagement with the circumferential surface of the bearing rollers (see. Fig. 5b ) are placed on a storage rack or the like.

On the discharge side 13 of the conditioning drum 10, a discharge hood 18 is arranged, so that the tobacco material treated inside the drum is conveyed away via the discharge hood 18 downwards via a corresponding hatch or the like. Above the discharge hood 18 a Siebkammerhaube 20 is arranged, are connected to the two recirculation return lines 22, 24 on both sides of the Siebkammerhaube 20 (see. Fig. 1b ). The two recirculating return lines 22, 24 open into a common return line 25 on the introduction side 11, wherein a fan 26 is connected on the suction side to the common return line 25, so that via the recirculation return lines 22, 24 each sucked circulating air from the interior of the drum body 12 is sucked , Subsequently, the sucked by the fan 26 process air or circulating air is injected at the introduction side via a corresponding feed channel 27 into the drum interior.

The recirculation return line 24, which is connected to the Siebkammerhaube 20 is used during the preheating of the conditioning drum 10, wherein during the preheating no tobacco is introduced into the interior of the drum. During the preheat phase, the air from the interior of the drum is drawn in via the recirculation return line 24 using the fan 26, the recirculated recirculated air from the interior of the drum being passed through a heat exchanger 28 in the recirculation return line 24 to be heated to a corresponding process temperature. The heat exchanger 28 is preferably designed as a plate heat exchanger in order to achieve a rapid heating of the process air in the preheating phase.

During the preheating phase, no process air is conveyed via the second recirculation return line 22. For this purpose, corresponding valves 32, 34 are connected in the corresponding passage or blocking position in the circulating-air return lines 22, 24. After the preheating phase, the valve 34 is switched to blocking position and brought the other valve 32 in the passage position, so that via the recirculation return line 22 during production, in which appropriate tobacco is introduced into the conditioning drum 10, the circulating air is fed back to the insertion side 11 and there again is blown into the interior of the drum. During production, the recirculation return line 22 designed as a production recirculation return line 22 is designed without a heat exchanger, and furthermore the recirculation return line 22 in the flow cross section or diameter is smaller than the recirculation return line 24 for the preheating phase.

In FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a Siebkammerhaube 20 shown in cross section. FIG. 2b schematically shows a Cross section through the Siebkammerhaube 20 and in Figure 2c a schematic longitudinal section through the Siebkammerhaube 20 is shown.

The Siebkammerhaube 20 has on its outer side via a closed housing made of metal, with corresponding connections for the circulating air return lines 22, 24 are provided laterally. Inside, the screen chamber hood 20 has on its underside a screen 40, wherein the screen 40 of Siebgaze and has a frame and stiffened and divided into a plurality of screen surfaces by using stiffening ribs or frame particles.

How out Figure 2c As can be seen, the screen 40 is fixed or suspended at the front and at the back of the Siebkammerhaube 20 on the inside, whereby the screen 40 between the front and the back of the Siebkammerhaube 20 is arranged freely suspended.

By the hanging screen 40, a screen chamber 42 is formed above the screen 40, wherein by applying a negative pressure to one of the recirculating air return lines (see. Fig. 1a, 1b , Reference numeral 22, 24) negative pressure in the screen chamber 42 is formed, whereby the suctioned from the inside of the drum process air is sucked through the screen 40 and is brought back via the appropriately switched recirculation return line on the introduction side of the conditioning drum. In addition, in the screen chamber 42 above the screen 40 a over the entire width of the screen 40 extending blower tube 44 is pivotally arranged so that by applying the blowpipe 44 at the bottom of the sieve 40 adhering tobacco particles are blown off, whereby the sieved tobacco particles down be blown off into a discharge channel.

The sieve 40 can be clamped on the foldable sieve chamber hood 20 and thus be quickly removed or easily replaced after opening the sieve chamber hood 20. After replacing the sieve 40, the screen chamber hood 20 is again folded into its working position and locked by means of a closure 46.

The blower tube 44 is pivotable over corresponding pivotable pivot arms 48 over the entire width or length of the screen 40. In order to pressurize the blower tube 44 with blown air, the pivot arms 48 are advantageously designed as hollow tubes or the like to apply blown air to the nozzles arranged on the underside of the blower tube 44.

By using screen gauze (s) or the like which are fitted in one or more frames, a very light screen 40 for the process air is provided, the screen 40 resting laterally on the edges or on the edges of the screen chamber hood 20.

In FIG. 3a is a schematic view through a drum body 12 of a conditioning 10 is shown in cross section. The in FIG. 3a Transition between the drum body 12 and an aperture 50 arranged on the entry side 11 is designated by A in FIG FIG. 3b enlarged in detail enlarged shown.

Trained as an inlet aperture panel 50 is designed as a fixed, ie stationary aperture. Between the panel 50 and the end face of the rotating drum body 12, a felt seal 52 and a compressed air hose 54 are arranged. The compressed air hose 54 and the felt seal 52 are circumferentially formed over the front side of the drum body 12 to the drum body 12 opposite the fixed inlet shutter 50 to seal. Due to the constant application of compressed air hose 54 with compressed air as the pressure medium, the same force is constantly exerted on the entire sealing surface, whereby the felt seal 52 rests evenly on the rotating driven drum body 12 and is pressed evenly.

In FIG. 4a is schematically shown the frame 58 of the discharge hood 18 in a perspective rear view. In FIG. 4b is the front view of the Austragshaube 18 with an existing (inner) panels inner hood 56, wherein the sheets of the inner hood 56 are attached to protruding tabs 62 of the open, folded frame sections 59, 61 existing support structure 58.

In FIG. 4a the support structure or the frame 58 is shown with frame profiles 59, 61 welded to each other, wherein the frame profiles 59, 61 are folded as profile sheets and the frame plates 59, 61 have corresponding projections or tabs 62 which are selectively connected to the sheets of the inner hood 56 to be welded.

In FIG. 4b is schematically shown a provided with inner plates and outer plates Austragshaube 18 in a front view, wherein due to the selective connection of the inner plates of the inner cover 56, the inner plates with the tabs (see. Fig. 4a , Reference numeral 62) are connected. In the FIG. 4b B indicated connection point between the inner hood 56 and the outer hood 66 is in Figure 4c enlarged in a detailed view. The inner hood 56 has inner panels 64, which are connected at their boundaries with a frame section 65 of the frame. On the outside of the frame profile 65 is an outer panel or cover plate 66 of the outer hood 68 arranged or fixed. Between the inner panel 64 and the outer panel 66, a corresponding insulating layer 69 is further arranged.

The fact that the sheets or inner plates 64 of the inner hood 56 only on the tabs (see. Fig. 4a , Reference numeral 62) of the frame parts of the support frame designed as frame 58 are arranged or connected thereto, the frame 58 at a distance from the inner hood 56, whereby using heating mats or insulating material between the outer cover 68 and the inner cover 56 of the cold junction between the inside and the outside is minimized or is.

FIG. 5a shows in section a perspective view of a conditioning drum 10, wherein the conditioning drum 10 on the drum body 12 has a raceway 14. The race 14 is disposed on the outside of the drum body 11, wherein the race 14 is mounted resting on bearing rollers on the underside of the conditioning drum 10.

In FIG. 5b is the in FIG. 5a and C designated view is shown in an enlarged detail view. The race lies on a bearing roller or roller 72, wherein the roller 72 is connected by means of a holder 74 with a support profile 76 of a frame for the conditioning drum 10. The holding device 74 for the roller 72 is designed to be self-adjusting.

In FIGS. 5c and 5d each views of the support profile 76 disposed roller 72 are shown in a schematic view and a plan view. Here, a drive 78 for the roller 72 is arranged laterally on the roller 72, so that by the rotation of the roller 72 of the running roller 72 in engagement with the roller 14 and thus the conditioning drum 10 is set in rotation. In FIG. 5e schematically a plan view of a portion of the holding device 74 for the roller 72 is shown.

The roller 72 is fixedly connected via laterally arranged on the roller 72 arms with a base plate 75, wherein the base plate 75 relative to the stationary frame profile 76 is slidably formed. In this case, the frame profile 76 has corresponding longitudinal holes 79. Further, the base plate 75 has round holes 80, so that by inserting bolts into the round holes 80 after positioning by a longitudinal displacement of the base plate 75 relative to the support frame 76, the bolts used are screwed, thereby the positioning and longitudinal displacement of the base plate 75, the roller 72 is held in a predetermined position.

In addition, the base plate 75 is connected via a lower-side frame part using a holder 83 engaging on the frame part with a half-round 82 in engagement with the holder 83, on which a spider 81 engages. By forming a convex or rounded surface of the half-round 82, the first loosely arranged on the support section 76 base plate 75 is aligned with the arrangement of a drum body on the rollers 72 together with the roller 75. The roller 75 is disposed on the base plate 75 due to the self-aligning bearing and the convex surface of the half-round 82. The base plate 75 is placed floating on the main beam formed as a support profile 76 and is held loose by the spindle 81 under tension.

By rotating the drum or the drum body 12, the roller 72 engaging the circulating ring 14 is directed itself and can then be permanently fixed in the self-aligned position by inserting fastening screws or tightening fastening screws in this position.

In the Figures 6a and 6b are shown in cross section different views of a drum body 12 in the cutout on the insertion side schematically. The circulating air sucked on the output side by the fan 26 from the drum interior of the drum body 12 is blown into the drum interior at the feed side 11 via the feed channel 27 designed as a feed line. In this case, the feed channel 27 is curved in the conveying direction or blowing direction of the circulating air, so that the circulating air is deflected in a part-circular manner by the fan 26 arranged on the upper side on the drum body 12.

From the in Fig. 6b shown perspective sectional view can be seen that the feed channel 27 is widening in the conveying direction of the circulating air, so that the flow cross-section is smaller in a fan-side region than in a more remote region of the feed channel 27. The feed channel 27 opens at the ends above a tilted trained vibration trough 30, wherein the vibrating trough 30 has a conveyor bottom 31 and side walls 33. The side walls 33 bound this laterally the conveyor bottom 31st

At the introduction side 11, the drum body 12 has an insertion opening 15, through which the recycled circulating air and the tobacco introduced via the conveying floor 31 or via the vibrating channel 30 are conveyed into the interior of the drum body 12 at the same time during production. Here, the feed channel 27 is disposed above the vibrating trough 30, wherein the circulating air and the tobacco can be introduced via the common insertion opening 15 in the drum body 12. In this case, the circulating air and the tobacco are simultaneously introduced into the interior of the drum via the same conveying path.

Furthermore, the feed channel 27 has an adjustable control flap 29 in the end-side mouth region in order to adjust the flow of the recirculated air in its direction.

In addition, two flaps 35, 36 are arranged in front of the junction area in the closed vibrating channel 30 above the conveying floor 31 of the vibrating trough 30 in the conveying direction of the tobacco product, whereby the inlet opening 15 is or is protected from the external environment. In addition, the pivotable flaps 35, 36 support the introduction of the deflected through the curved feed channel 27 circulating air into the interior of the drum body 12, since in the region between the junction region of the feed line 27 and the inlet opening 75, the vibrating trough 30 is formed closed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

conditioning drum

11

Einbringseite

12

drum body

13

Ausbringseite

14

Race ring / bearing ring

15

introduction opening

16

Race ring / bearing ring

18

outlet hood

20

Siebkammerhaube

22

Circulating air return duct

24

Circulating air return duct

25

Return line

26

fan

27

feed

28

heat exchangers

29

control flap

30

Vibrationsrinne

31

Live floor

32

Valve

33

side walls

34

Valve

35

flap

36

flap

40

scree

42

screen chamber

44

blowpipe

46

shutter

48

swivel arm

50

cover

52

felt seal

54

Compressed air hose

56

indoor dome

58

frame

59

frame profile

61

frame profile

62

flap

64

inner panel

65

frame profile

66

outer panel

68

exterior hood

69

insulating

72

caster

74

bracket

75

baseplate

76

support section

78

drive

79

Long hole

80

round hole

81

spindle

82

semicircle

83

holder

Claims (15)

1. Device (10) for treating tobacco, in particular cut tobacco, with a turnable drum body (12), wherein the drum body (12) has a delivery side (11) with a delivery opening for delivering tobacco into the inside of the drum body and a discharge side (13) with a discharge opening for discharging tobacco from the inside of the drum body, wherein in particular a loosening zone is developed in the inside of the drum between the delivery opening and a treatment zone in the conveying direction of the tobacco, wherein, preferably compact, tobacco product becomes or is loosened in the loosening zone and the loosened tobacco can be treated in the conveying direction of the tobacco in a subsequent treatment zone, and wherein in particular a means for introducing steam is provided in the loosening zone, characterised in that outside the drum body (12) circulating air return lines (22, 24), preferably arranged parallel, are provided between the discharge side (13) and the delivery side (11) of the drum body (12), wherein in particular a first circulating air return line (22) can be operated or is operated as a production circulating air return line in the production operation of the device (10) and wherein in particular the second circulating air return line (24) can be operated or is operated in the non-production operation of the device (10), preferably in or during a preheating phase of the device (10).
2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the circulating air return line (22) that is operated or can be operated in the production operation is developed without a heat exchanger and/or the circulating air return line (24) that is operated or can be operated in the preheating phase is developed with a heat exchanger (28), in particular with a plate fin heat exchanger (28), and/or the circulating air return line (22) for the production operation is developed smaller in diameter than the circulating air return line (24) for the preheating phase.
3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that on the discharge side (13) of the drum body (12), the circulating air return line (22) for the production operation and the circulating air return line (24) for the preheating phase are each connected separately to the discharge side (13) of the device (10) and/or the circulating air return line (22) for the production process and the circulating air return line (24) for the preheating phase pass into a common return line (25), wherein in particular the common return line (25) is connected to a fan (26) on the suction side.
4. Device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that on the discharge side (13) of the drum body (12), a screen chamber (42) has a screen (40) arranged on at least two attachment points of the screen chamber (42), wherein in particular the screen (40) is arranged suspended, in particular freely, between the attachment points separated from one another and opposite one another, wherein in particular the screen chamber (42) is developed on the discharge side of the drum body (12) above the discharge opening.
5. Device (10) according to claim 4, characterised in that the screen chamber (42) has a, preferably pivotable, blowing device (44), wherein in particular the blowing device (44) is arranged on the inside of the screen (40), preferably pivotably.
6. Device (10) according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the screen chamber (42) has a connection for the circulating air return line (22) for the production process and/or a connection for the circulating air return line (24) for the preheating phase.
7. Device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the drum body (12), driven rotatingly, is sealed with respect to a fixed aperture (50) arranged on the drum body (12), preferably on the delivery side (11), using a sealing apparatus (52, 54) developed between the drum body (12) and the aperture, wherein the sealing apparatus (52, 54) has a sealing material (52), in particular a felt packing (52), and a pressing apparatus (54) pressing against a pressure surface, preferably a hose (54), to which compressed air or a pressure medium can be or has been applied.
8. Device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a discharge hood (18), preferably developed on the discharge side (13) of the device (10), has an inside hood (56) and an outside hood (68) connected to the inside hood (56), wherein the inside hood (56) has plates (64) and wherein a support frame (58) provided with clips (62) is provided with open tilted profile plates (59, 61), wherein the plates (64) of the inside hood (58) are connected to the clips (62) of the support frame (58) for the inside hood (56), wherein in particular the outside hood (68) has cover plates (66) which are connected to the support frame (58), wherein in particular a thermal insulation and/or at least one heating apparatus is arranged between the inside hood (56) and the outside hood (68).
9. Device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the drum body (12) is mounted in a rotating manner using at least one self-adjusting bearing roller (72), wherein in particular the bearing roller (72) or bearing rollers (72) act together with a raceway (14, 16) surrounding the drum body (12).
10. Device (10) according to claim 9, characterised in that the bearing roller (72) is connected to a bearing plate (75), wherein the bearing plate (75) is mounted with respect to a, preferably fixed, retaining device (76) for the bearing plate (75) which can be moved and pivoted in a linear manner.
11. Device (10) according to claim 10, characterised in that the bearing plate (75) for the bearing roller (72) can be moved in a linear manner by means of a spindle (81) acting on the bearing plate (75).
12. Device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that a groove (30), in particular vibration groove (30), passing into the delivery opening (15) of the drum body (12), for feeding the tobacco into the drum body (12) is arranged on the delivery side (11), wherein a feed line (27) arranged above the groove (30) for the, preferably returned, circulating air passes into the groove (30), wherein in particular the circulating air and the tobacco can be or are introduced into the drum body (12) via the common delivery opening (15).
13. Device according to claim 12, characterised in that the flow cross-section of the feed line (27), preferably based on the direction of flow of the circulating air, is developed self-increasing at least section-wise.
14. Device according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the feed line (27) has, on the discharge side, preferably in the opening area above the groove (30), a, preferably adjustable, control valve (29).
15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that based on the conveying direction of the tobacco, at least one, preferably pivotable, valve (35, 36) is provided on the, preferably inclined, groove (30) before the opening area of the feed line (27), wherein in particular two valves (35, 36) are arranged in series in the conveying direction of the tobacco.

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