EP2777408A1 - Procédé et appareil pour l'assemblage de produits cylindriques à segments multiples, tels que des produits du tabac - Google Patents

Procédé et appareil pour l'assemblage de produits cylindriques à segments multiples, tels que des produits du tabac Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2777408A1
EP2777408A1 EP14159398.8A EP14159398A EP2777408A1 EP 2777408 A1 EP2777408 A1 EP 2777408A1 EP 14159398 A EP14159398 A EP 14159398A EP 2777408 A1 EP2777408 A1 EP 2777408A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
mandrel
pliable material
cylindrical object
fill tube
substantially cylindrical
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP14159398.8A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Robert Amiss
Miroslaw Kaminski
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Koerber Technologies GmbH
Original Assignee
Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH filed Critical Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH
Publication of EP2777408A1 publication Critical patent/EP2777408A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
    • A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
    • A24C5/10—Machines with wrapping rollers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/0275—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters for filters with special features
    • A24D3/0287—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters for filters with special features for composite filters

Definitions

  • This patent application relates generally to apparatuses and methods for manufacturing cylindrical products, such as tobacco products. More specifically, this patent application relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling the components of multi-segmented smoking articles, such as cigarettes.
  • Conventional smoking articles such as cigarettes, typically include a tobacco rod, a filter, and a layer or layers of paper surrounding the tobacco rod and filter.
  • the design of cigarettes has evolved to include other components or segments, such as solid heat sources, flavor pellets, flavor capsules, and/or other items. Some of these components may be small in size, difficult to manipulate, and/or difficult to combine. Accordingly, the demands on cigarette manufacturing techniques and related equipment have increased as a result of the evolution in cigarette design.
  • an apparatus for assembling a multi-segmented cylindrical product can comprise: a feeder adapted to supply segments of a pliable material; and a rotating drum having an outer periphery and a plurality of fixtures distributed around the outer periphery, each fixture adapted to support a substantially cylindrical object, and wrap a segment of the pliable material around the substantially cylindrical object and a portion of the fixture to form a fill tube defining a pocket in the pliable material.
  • each rolling fixture comprises: a first mandrel; a second mandrel oriented substantially coaxially with respect to the first mandrel, the first and second mandrels adapted to receive the cylindrical object therebetween; and at least one support roller oriented substantially parallel to the first mandrel and the second mandrel, the support roller being adapted to wrap the segment of the pliable material around the substantially cylindrical object.
  • the first mandrel and second mandrel are preferably movable with respect to one another along a common axis.
  • the apparatus advantageously further comprises vacuum holes located in at least one of the first mandrel or the second mandrel, the vacuum holes being in communication with a vacuum source.
  • the at least one support roller preferably comprises a first support roller and a second support roller, the apparatus further comprises vacuum holes located in between the first support roller and the second support roller, the vacuum holes being in communication with a vacuum source.
  • the apparatus advantageously further comprises a volumetric metering device adapted to meter granular material into the fill tube.
  • the cylindrical object comprises a smoking article
  • the apparatus further comprising: a wrapping station adapted to support the fill tube and a tobacco rod in an end-to-end arrangement, and wrap the fill tube and tobacco rod with paper.
  • the apparatus advantageously further comprises a source of tobacco rods that supplies tobacco rods to the wrapping station.
  • the apparatus preferably further comprises a tipping machine that adds a filter to the combined fill tube and tobacco rod.
  • Each fixture is advantageously adapted to support the substantially cylindrical object in a substantially vertical orientation.
  • the feeder is advantageously adapted to feed the segments of pliable material to the rotating drum in a substantially vertical orientation.
  • the substantially cylindrical object preferably comprises a heat source, wherein the heat source in particular comprises a carbon plug.
  • the segments of pliable material preferably comprise segments of paper, metallic foil, or film.
  • the granular material preferably comprises pellets.
  • a method for assembling a multi-segmented cylindrical product comprises wrapping a segment of pliable material around a substantially cylindrical object to form a fill tube with a pocket extending from the substantially cylindrical object.
  • the method advantageously comprises wrapping a segment of pliable material around a substantially cylindrical object to form a fill tube with a pocket extending from the substantially cylindrical object.
  • the method preferably further comprises metering a predetermined volume of a granular material into the pocket.
  • the fill tube is advantageously transferred from a non-vertical orientation to a substantially vertical orientation prior the step of metering.
  • the fill tube is transferred to a substantially non-vertical orientation after the step of metering.
  • the step of metering advantageously comprises dispensing the granular material into the pocket from above the pocket.
  • the step of wrapping comprises rotating the substantially cylindrical object with respect to the outer periphery of a rotating drum, and wrapping the pliable material around the substantially cylindrical object while it rotates.
  • the substantially cylindrical object comprises a heat source, wherein in particular the heat source comprises a carbon plug; the segments of pliable material comprise segments of paper, metallic foil, or film; and/or the granular material comprises at least one of pellets of compressed tobacco, flavor capsules, and flavor impregnated granulates.
  • Embodiments according to the invention can fulfill individual characteristics or a combination of several characteristics.
  • a multi-segmented cigarette can include a solid heat source and a predetermined volume of flavor pellets in addition to loose tobacco and a filter.
  • all or a portion of the cigarette can be oriented substantially vertically during one or more phases of the manufacturing process.
  • the cigarette can be held in the substantially vertical position during insertion of the pellets from above.
  • the cigarette, or portion thereof can be transferred from a non-vertical position (e.g., horizontal) prior to, and/or after, the substantially vertical processes to accommodate horizontal processing in upstream and/or downstream equipment.
  • a non-vertical position e.g., horizontal
  • the present invention is not limited to tobacco products, but can be implemented in other manufacturing processes involving hollow tubular objects, such as, for example, pill capsules.
  • a vertical or substantially vertical orientation when referring to a “vertical” or “substantially vertical” orientation herein, it is generally meant that components having a length that is longer than its width or diameter are oriented with the length in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation.
  • the cylinder in a vertical orientation when its axis is oriented vertically.
  • the term "substantially vertical” may encompass deviations from exactly vertical, for example, where the axis is closer to a vertical orientation than to a horizontal orientation, e.g., inclined by greater than 45 degrees.
  • Figure 1 is a top, elevational view of an embodiment of a system 100 for making multi-segmented smoking articles, such as cigarettes.
  • Figure 2 is a flow diagram depicting an embodiment of a process of making a multi-segmented cigarette.
  • the axis Z represents, without limitation, the substantially-vertical orientation discussed herein.
  • the circular arrows in Figure 1 represent examples of direction of rotation.
  • the system 100 can generally include a cylindrical object supply unit 102, which can supply substantially cylindrical objects, e.g., a solid or semi-solid carbon plug heat source for a cigarette (hereinafter, generally, "heat sources").
  • the cylindrical object supply unit 102 can include a hopper 104 that holds a plurality of the heat sources.
  • the heat sources can be supplied to the hopper 104 by manual or automatic operations, or by a combination of the two.
  • the system 100 is described herein in connection with heat sources as the cylindrical object, the application is not limited to the embodiment described. Rather, the invention can alternatively be used with other cylindrical and substantially cylindrical objects, such as filter rods with or without objects in them, threads or additives. Additionally or alternatively, the substantially cylindrical objects can comprise tubes filled with aromatic substances.
  • the cylindrical object supply unit 102 can transport the heat sources from the hopper 104 to a transfer drum 106, such as a 45° transfer drum, which moves the heat sources from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation.
  • the transfer drum 106 can then deposit the heat sources on a chain of primary transfer drums 108A, 108B, 108C and secondary transfer drums 110A, 110B, which transport the heat sources downstream in a substantially vertical orientation for later processing.
  • the supply unit 102 can subdivide (e.g., cut) bulk heat sources contained in the hopper 104 into smaller heat sources to be used in downstream processing.
  • the unit 102 can subdivide a cylindrical rod of the heat source material into multiple, shorter cylindrical units, however, other embodiments are possible.
  • the unit 102 can comprise a hopper and cutting head on the filter feed module of a MAX filter attachment apparatus, available from Hauni Maschinenbau AG of Hamburg, Germany.
  • the system 100 can also include a fill tube maker 112 that receives the heat sources A and wraps them with segments of a pliable material B (e.g., metallic foil, film, or paper) inserted by a pliable material inserter 114, to make a fill tube C having a hollow tubular portion D, which in the present application is also called a pocket. Further details about the fill tube maker 112 will be provided below.
  • a pliable material B e.g., metallic foil, film, or paper
  • a pliable material inserter 114 inserted by a pliable material inserter 114, to make a fill tube C having a hollow tubular portion D, which in the present application is also called a pocket.
  • the term pliable material is used herein to describe a metallic foil, film, or paper. However, the term is not limited to the embodiments described.
  • the term pliable material generally refers to a sheet-like material that exhibits some resilience to bending, or which exhibits some degree of plastic deformation, such as a metallic foil or metallic foil laminated with paper.
  • other embodiments can include, without limitation, thin sheets of plastic, polymers, composites, rubbers, or other materials known in the art.
  • a fill tube as a component of a cigarette, the term is not limited to the embodiments described herein.
  • a fill tube refers generally to any combination of a cylindrical or substantially-cylindrical object with a piece of pliable material to form a tubular component having an open top and a closed bottom formed by the cylindrical or substantially-cylindrical object.
  • the pliable material inserter 114 can receive the pliable material from a bobbin and glue pot machine 116, which cuts the pliable material into segments B of the desired size, and applies adhesive to all or a portion of the pliable material B.
  • the adhesive can be applied, for example, to portions of the pliable material that contact the heat sources A, and/or to portions of the pliable material that overlap with one another.
  • the pliable material inserter 114 and the bobbin and glue pot machine 116 can comprise the plug wrap guide system from the MAX filter attachment apparatus, as well as a BOB MAX bobbin holder and bobbin changer, all available from Hauni Maschinenbau AG of Hamburg, Germany.
  • the pliable material inserter 114 alone or in combination with the bobbin and glue pot machine 116 is also called a feeder which is adapted to supply segments of a pliable material.
  • the pliable material inserter 114 can insert segments B of the pliable material to the fill tube maker 112, e.g., at an insertion point where the fill tube maker 112 receives the segments B. According to embodiments, the pliable material inserter 114 can feed the segments B to the fill tube maker 112 in a substantially vertical orientation, however, other embodiments are possible. Likewise, in embodiments, the fill tube maker 112 can make the fill tubes C in a substantially vertical orientation, however other variations are possible.
  • a transfer drum 118 can take the fill tubes C from the fill tube maker 112 and transfer them, e.g., while in a substantially vertical orientation, to a granular object filling drum 120.
  • a volumetric metering device 300 shown schematically, can fill the hollow tubular portion D of the fill tubes C with a predetermined volume of a granular material E, such as, for example, tobacco pellets or flavor capsules. Any number of known metering devices can be used, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art based on this description.
  • the metering device can utilize the principles and structures disclosed in European Patent EP 1 228 709 B1 , owned by the assignee of this application, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the metering device 300 can dispense the granular material E into the hollow tubular portion D of the fill tube C from above, e.g., while the fill tube C is in a substantially vertical orientation. This can occur while the fill tube C is located on the object filling drum 120.
  • granular material is used in embodiments to describe tobacco pellets, flavor capsules, or flavor impregnated granulates, the term is not limited to the described embodiments. Rather, the term granular material refers generally to any material that is made up of small grains, particles, beads, or the like, such as pellets, powders, and capsules, whether regular or irregular in size and/or shape.
  • a tobacco rod supply unit 124 can provide a supply of tobacco rods F (e.g., loose tobacco wrapped in paper having a substantially cylindrical shape).
  • the tobacco rod supply unit 124 can include a hopper 126 that holds a plurality of the tobacco rods F.
  • the tobacco rods F can be supplied to the hopper 126 by manual or automatic operations, or by a combination of the two.
  • the tobacco rod supply unit 124 can transport the tobacco rods F from the hopper 126 to a transfer drum 128, such as a 45° transfer drum, which moves the tobacco rods F from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation.
  • the transfer drum 128 can then deposit the tobacco rods F on a chain of primary transfer drums 130A, 130B, 130C and secondary transfer drums 132A, 132B, which can transport the tobacco rods F to a combiner drum 134, e.g., in a substantially vertical orientation.
  • the supply unit 124 can subdivide bulk tobacco rods contained in the hopper 126 into smaller tobacco rods to be used in downstream processing.
  • the unit 124 can subdivide (e.g., cut) a long tobacco rod into multiple, shorter tobacco rods, however, other embodiments are possible.
  • the tobacco rod supply unit 124 can comprise the hopper on the filter feed module of a MAX filter attachment apparatus, available from Hauni Maschinenbau AG of Hamburg, Germany.
  • the combiner drum 134 can receive the fill tubes C (filled with the granular material) from the granular material filling drum 120 and combine them with tobacco rods F received from the secondary transfer drum 132B, for example, in an end-to-end arrangement.
  • the secondary transfer drum 132B can transfer a tobacco rod F to the combiner drum 134 at point X, and the filling drum 120 can subsequently transfer a fill tube C (e.g., with tubular portion D filled with granular material E) to the combiner drum 134 at point Y.
  • secondary transfer drum 132B can supply the tobacco rod F to the combiner drum 134 at a first vertical height
  • the filling drum 120 can supply the fill tube C to the combiner drum 134 at a second vertical height, such that the fill tube C and the tobacco rod F are combined substantially coaxially on the combiner drum 134, for example, in an end-to-end abutting configuration.
  • the open end of the fill tube C can abut the tobacco rod F, as shown in Figure 2 , effectively closing off the hollow tubular portion, preventing the granular material E located therein from escaping in downstream operations, however other configurations are possible.
  • a wrapping drum 136 can receive the fill tube C and tobacco rods F combined in end-to-end fashion from the combiner drum 134, and wrap them in an outer wrap G, such as cigarette paper. This can form a filterless cigarette rod H.
  • an outer wrapper inserter 138 can receive cigarette paper from a bobbin and glue pot machine 140, which cuts the cigarette paper into outer wraps G of the desired size, and applies adhesive to all or a portion of the outer wraps G. The adhesive can be applied to all or a portion of the outer wrap G, for example, to portions of the outer wrap G that overlap with one another.
  • the inserter 138 can comprise a cutter on the filter feed module of a MAX filter attachment apparatus, available from Hauni Maschinenbau AG of Hamburg, Germany.
  • the bobbin and glue pot machine 140 can comprise a BOB ME, also available from Hauni Maschinenbau AG of Hamburg, Germany.
  • the wrapping drum 136 alone or in combination with the inserter 138 is also called a wrapping station.
  • the inserter 138 feeds the outer wraps G to the combined fill tubes C / tobacco rods F on the wrapping drum 136, where the wrapping drum 136 rolls the outer wraps H around all or a portion of each combined fill tube C / tobacco rod F.
  • the outer wraps G are applied to the combined fill tubes C / tobacco rods F while they are in a substantially vertical orientation.
  • a take-off drum 142 and a chain of transfer drums 144A, 144B, 144C can remove the filterless cigarette H from the wrapping drum 136, and transport them to a tipping machine 146, which adds a filter element and/or tipping paper to the filterless cigarette H.
  • the tipping machine 146 can transfer the filterless cigarettes H from substantially vertical to substantially horizontal, e.g., using a 45° transfer drum 148.
  • the tipping machine 146 can also invert (e.g., flip by about 180°) every other filterless cigarette H, for example, using a transfer drum 150.
  • the tipping machine 146 can then insert a double-length filter between pairs of end-to-end arranged filterless cigarette rods.
  • the tipping machine 146 can then apply double-length tipping paper around the double-length filter and adjoining cigarette rods, to form a double-ended, filtered cigarette.
  • the tipping machine 146 can subsequently divide the double-ended, filtered cigarette in half, for example by cutting with a rotating blade, to form a pair of filtered cigarettes.
  • One of the filtered cigarettes can be inverted by about 180° to facilitate transporting the finished product in similar orientations, for example, for downstream testing, packaging, etc.
  • the fill tube maker 112 can include a drum 200 that rotates, e.g., around an axis A1.
  • the drum 200 can be supported on a motor-driven shaft (not illustrated) that rotates drum 200 about axis A1 in direction M, however other embodiments are possible as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure.
  • the drum 200 can define an outer periphery 202, shown for illustration purposes as being substantially circular, however, other shapes are possible.
  • a plurality of fixtures 204 can be distributed around the outer periphery 202 of drum 200, for example, spaced equal distances from one another. In Figure 3 , portions of the fixtures 204 are removed for ease of illustration.
  • each fixture 204 can include a first mandrel 206 and a second mandrel 208.
  • the first and second mandrels 206, 208 can be substantially cylindrical in shape (e.g., can have a diameter generally equal to that of a cigarette), however other shapes and configurations are possible.
  • the first and second mandrels 206, 208 can be arranged on a common axis A2, and can rotate in synchronicity about the axis A2, for example, in direction M1.
  • the drum 200, and consequently the mandrels 206, 208 located in its outer periphery 202 can rotate about axis A1.
  • the first and second mandrels 206, 208 can translate with respect to one another along the axis A2.
  • the second mandrel 208 translates back-and-forth along axis A2 towards, and away from, first mandrel 206, which does not translate.
  • other embodiments are possible, such as both mandrels 206, 208 translating along axis A2, or the first mandrel 206 translating along axis A2 with respect to the second mandrel 208.
  • the first mandrel 206 can include a plurality of vacuum holes 210 located on its periphery, and/or a vacuum hole 212 located at its distal end.
  • the vacuum holes 210 and/or vacuum hole 212 can be connected to a supply of vacuum or pressure using techniques known in the art. Similar vacuum holes can additionally or alternatively be located on the second mandrel 208.
  • the first and second mandrels 206, 208 can be supported by bearing blocks 214, 216, respectively, which are coupled to a fixture base 218.
  • the bearing blocks 214, 216 can support the mandrels 206, 208 for rotation and/or translation.
  • the fixture base 218 can, in turn, be mounted to the drum 202, e.g., using fasteners or other techniques known in the art.
  • each fixture 204 can also include a first support roller 220 and/or a second support roller 222 oriented substantially parallel to the axis A2.
  • the support rollers 220, 222 can be mounted to a roller support 224 located on fixture base 218.
  • one or more vacuum holes 226 can be located between the support rollers 220, 222, for example, on roller support 224.
  • the vacuum holes 226 can be connected to a supply of vacuum or pressure using techniques known in the art.
  • the first and second support rollers 220, 222 can rotate about axes substantially parallel to the axis A2, for example, in directions N and O, respectively.
  • the mandrels 206, 208 and support rollers 220, 222 can each be individually driven for rotation by their own power source, for example, by an electric motor (not shown) coupled thereto using conventional techniques.
  • the mandrels 206, 208 and rollers 220, 222 can be driven for rotation by a transmission system (not shown) such as gears, belts, etc., that translates rotation of the drum into rotation of the mandrels 206, 208 and support rollers 220, 222.
  • a transmission system such as gears, belts, etc.
  • translation of the first and/or second mandrels 206, 208 can be driven by a linear drive, hydraulic actuator, screw mechanism, or the like that is coupled to each pair of mandrels 206, 208, or to a group of mandrel pairs.
  • a cam mechanism (not shown) can be associated with the drum 202, and can act on a portion of each first mandrel 206 and/or second mandrel 208, such as the proximal ends, to impart motion thereto along axis A2.
  • a combination of the foregoing techniques can be used to translate the mandrels 206, 208.
  • a programmable logic controller can be used to coordinate rotation of the drum 202, movement of the first and second mandrels 206, 208, rotation of the support rollers 220, 222, and application of vacuum or pressure at the vacuum holes.
  • the PLC can be used to control and coordinate the operation of all or some of the components of system 100.
  • Figure 5A depicts a fixture 204 in a ready position, e.g., the position it occupies as drum 200 rotates the fixture 204 between transfer drum 110B and transfer drum 118 (see Figure 1 ).
  • the first and second mandrels 206, 208 are spaced apart from one another along axis A2 sufficiently to receive a heat source A therebetween.
  • Figure 5B depicts fixture 204 when it is located on the periphery 202 of drum 200 in registry with transfer drum 110B.
  • a heat source A is inserted between the first and second mandrels 206, 208 until it rests against the first and second support rollers 220, 222.
  • vacuum may be applied to the vacuum holes 226 to help attract and/or retain heat source A against support rollers 220, 222.
  • Figure 5C depicts fixture 204 substantially immediately after the heat source A is inserted between the first and second mandrels 206, 208.
  • the second mandrel 208 can translate along axis A2 until heat source A contacts the first mandrel 206, thereby sandwiching the heat source A between mandrels 206, 208.
  • vacuum may be applied to vacuum holes 210 and/or vacuum hole 212.
  • the mandrels 206, 208 can remain in this position as the fixture 200 is rotated towards the pliable material inserter 114 by drum 200.
  • the first and second mandrels 206, 208 and/or the first and second support rollers 220, 222 can begin to rotate, thereby causing the heat source A to rotate about axis A2, for example, in direction M1.
  • the inserter 114 ejects a segment of the pliable material B, which can be attracted to the first mandrel 206 by the vacuum drawn through holes 210.
  • the vertical alignment of the heat source A and the pliable material inserter 114 can cause the pliable material segment B to attach around all or a portion of the heat source A, as well as a portion of the first mandrel 206.
  • Rotation of the mandrels 206, 208 can wrap the pliable material around the first mandrel 206 and heat source A, e.g., between the support rollers 220, 222 and the first mandrel 206 / heat source A, until pliable material B is completely wrapped around the heat source A, as shown in Figure 5D , thereby creating the fill tube C.
  • Adhesive applied to the pliable material segment A by the pliable material inserter 114 can adhere the pliable material segment B to the heat source A, and/or to areas where the material B overlaps on itself.
  • the portion of the pliable material segment B surrounding the first mandrel 206 can form the hollow tubular portion D once the first mandrel 206 is removed therefrom.
  • the application of vacuum to vacuum holes 210, vacuum hole 212, and/or vacuum holes 226 can stop. Additionally or alternatively, pressure can be applied to these holes to facilitate later separation of the fill tube C from the fixture 204.
  • the mandrels 206, 208 can remain in the position shown as the drum 200 rotates the fill tube C into registry with the transfer drum 118.
  • the first and second mandrels 206, 208 can move apart from one another along axis A2 (e.g., to the position shown in Figure 5A ), thereby removing first mandrel 206 from the hollow tubular portion D of the fill tube C.
  • Vacuum can be applied to a vacuum hole (not shown) located in the distal end of second mandrel 208 to help retain the heat source A on the second mandrel 208 as it pulls away from the first mandrel 206.
  • a rod can extend through the distal end of first mandrel 206 to push the fill tube C off of the first mandrel 206.
  • the fill tube C can then be transferred from drum 200 to transfer drum 118 for downstream processing. Vacuum associated with the transfer drum 118 can help facilitate removal of the fill tube C from the drum 200 to transfer drum 118.
  • the fixture 200 can remain in the position of Figure 5A until the drum 200 rotates it back into registry with transfer drum 110B, as previously described above in connection with Figure 5A .
  • the pliable material inserter 114 can be configured to contour, or "curl" the segments B of pliable material prior to, or during, transfer to the fill tube maker 112. By contouring a portion of the segments B to have a curvature that complements the diameter of the heat sources A (e.g., is about the same or larger in diameter), the consistency with which the segments B wrap onto the heat sources A can be improved.
  • the inserter 114 can include a preform drum 400 having a plurality of arcuate recesses 402 distributed about its periphery, e.g., equidistantly.
  • the recesses 402 can define a curvature corresponding to the desired contour of the segments B.
  • the recesses 402 can define a cross-sectional shape that is a portion of a circle or ellipse, however, other configurations are possible.
  • the recesses 402 can define an arc that is about equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the heat sources A, e.g., about the same diameter as the mandrels.
  • the preform drum 400 can include a plurality of vacuum holes 404 distributed over the arcuate recesses 402 and/or areas of the drum 400 adjacent to the recesses 402.
  • the vacuum holes 404 can be connected to a source of vacuum, and can help secure the segments B on the outer periphery of the preform drum 400, and/or can help pull portions of the segments B into the recesses 402.
  • the preform drum 400 is shown in combination with the fixtures 204.
  • the drum 400 can be synchronized with drum 200, so that the mandrels 206,208 move into registry with the recesses 402 and press the segments B into the recesses 402, thereby helping to contour the segments B to the desired shape.
  • the mandrels 206, 208 can have a diameter that complements the shape of the recesses 402.
  • the mandrels 206, 208 can have a diameter that is the same as, or smaller than, the diameter of the recesses 402.
  • other configurations are possible.
  • the preform drum 400 can serve as the drum that transfers the segments B to the fill tube maker 112. In other words, after contouring the segments B, drum 400 can directly transfer the segments B to the fill tube maker 112. Alternatively, an intervening drum or other device can receive the contoured segments B from the preform drum 400 and in turn transfer them to the fill tube maker 112.

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  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
EP14159398.8A 2013-03-15 2014-03-13 Procédé et appareil pour l'assemblage de produits cylindriques à segments multiples, tels que des produits du tabac Withdrawn EP2777408A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201361962287P 2013-03-15 2013-03-15
US14/202,467 US20140261470A1 (en) 2013-03-15 2014-03-10 Method and apparatus for assembly of multi-segmented cylindrical products, such as tobacco products

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Publication Number Publication Date
EP2777408A1 true EP2777408A1 (fr) 2014-09-17

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EP14159398.8A Withdrawn EP2777408A1 (fr) 2013-03-15 2014-03-13 Procédé et appareil pour l'assemblage de produits cylindriques à segments multiples, tels que des produits du tabac

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US (1) US20140261470A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2777408A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN104041938A (fr)

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DE102015205768A1 (de) 2015-03-31 2016-10-06 Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh Verfahren zur Herstellung einer ersten Untereinheit eines HNB-Rauchartikels mit einem Stabkörper und einem daran angeordneten Hohlraum
IT201800009608A1 (it) * 2018-10-19 2020-04-19 Gd Spa Linea e metodo di produzione di articoli a forma di barretta dell’industria del tabacco

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US10039314B2 (en) * 2014-10-07 2018-08-07 David A Greene Centripetally assisted pre-formed cigarette wrapper filler
US20170055576A1 (en) 2015-08-31 2017-03-02 R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company Smoking article
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KR102022302B1 (ko) * 2016-10-25 2019-11-04 태영산업 주식회사 담배용 필터의 제조장치
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