EP3097795B1 - Method and device for producing a multi-segment filter - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco-processing industry. The invention further relates to a granulate filling device of the tobacco-processing industry with an inlet for filling granules in the Granulatbefüllvorrichtung and an outlet for dispensing granules in a strand machine of the tobacco processing industry, wherein a suction air connection and / or a compressed air connection is provided, by means of which an air flow is generated, the granules detected by the inlet and transported to the outlet. Finally, the invention relates to a filter rod machine of the tobacco processing industry with a Granulatbefüllvorrichtung.

WO 2013/022360 A2 shows a device by means of which loose substances in vacuum pockets by means of conveyor belts and gripping members or sliding members are introduced.

EP 1 571 933 B1 shows a method and apparatus for filling multiple cigarette filters at high speed using suction pressure to provide a downward motive force of one of the gravitationally moving supply stream of a particulate material so that cavities are filled with particulate material over a length corresponding to a predetermined feed path of a carrier strip. In this case, cavities between filter elements are filled with a particulate material.

Particularly at high strand conveying speeds, the known filling methods lead to incompletely filled gaps between the filter segments.

US 3,524,454 A discloses the production of filter cigarettes in which granules are introduced between other filter components.

WO 03/016137 A1 discloses an apparatus and method for filling gaps between filter segments.

It is an object of the present invention to allow as complete as possible filling of the gaps provided between filter segments in the strand method.

• Zurverfügungstellen eines Stroms von Filtersegmenten, die auf einem Umhüllungsmaterialstreifen aufgelegt sind, wobei zwischen den Filtersegmenten Lücken vorgesehen sind,
• Fördern des Stroms in einer längsaxialen Förderrichtung,
• Befüllen der Lücken mit einem Granulat, wobei das Befüllen der Lücken mit dem Granulat mittels eines mit Granulat angereicherten Luftstroms geschieht, wobei der mit Granulat angereicherte Luftstrom in einer Granulatbefüllvorrichtung wenigstens eine Bewegungskomponente in Förderrichtung des Stroms hat, wobei das Granulat, das in dem Luftstrom gefördert wird, am Ausgang der Granulatbefüllvorrichtung eine Bewegungskomponente in Förderrichtung des Stroms hat.

This object is achieved by a method for producing multi-segment filters of the tobacco-processing industry, with the following method steps:

• Providing a stream of filter segments placed on a wrapping material strip with gaps between the filter segments,
• Conveying the stream in a longitudinal axial conveying direction,
• Filling the gaps with a granulate, wherein the filling of the gaps with the granules by means of a granular enriched air stream, wherein the granule-enriched air stream in a granulate filling has at least one component of movement in the conveying direction of the stream, wherein the granules, which is conveyed in the air flow, at the outlet of the granulate filling device has a component of movement in the conveying direction of the stream.

By placing the granules with a movement component in the conveying direction of the flow, a more uniform filling of the gaps is made possible. The granules are in this case conveyed in an air stream and has at the output of Granulatbefüllvorrichtung a component of movement in the conveying direction of the stream or the strand. The displacement of the granules with a movement component in the conveying direction of the stream can be achieved by various measures, which will be described below.

Preferably, the movement of air through a mechanical device, the movement component is forced in the conveying direction. In this way, a movement component in the conveying direction can be provided in a very defined manner.

The mechanical device may also be referred to as Luftstromleitvorrichtung.

Preferably, the mechanical device forces the air flow on a curved path, which can result in a very space-saving mechanical device and also a very efficient filling of the gaps with granules.

In the context of the invention, a granulate means particulate material such as granules, powders, spheres, small capsules, additives and the like. For example, the granules may be activated carbon or from corn.

It is particularly preferred if the granules due to a on the Granule acting centrifugal force is moved along a curved wall of Granulatbefüllvorrichtung along. In this way, a very efficient dispensing of the granules from the Granulatbefüllvorrichtung be provided in the gaps.

If, on the output side of the granulate filling device, the granules, in particular before filling the gaps with granules, are separated from the air stream, a very efficient filling of the gaps is possible. In this case, a separation of the granulate from the air flow is made possible or provided in particular shortly before the delivery of the granulate from the outlet of the granulate filling device. In particular, by providing a curved path and a sufficiently high centrifugal force acting on the granules to move along a curved wall of the granule filling device, separation of the granules from the air flow is efficiently possible.

Preferably, the granules are delivered tangentially from the Granulatbefüllvorrichtung in the gaps. If the granules are accelerated to a speed in the longitudinal axial direction of movement of 50% to 150% of the speed of the flow, a complete filling of the gaps with granules is possible.

Preferably, the speed in the longitudinal axial direction of movement of the granules is between 70% to 130% of the speed of the stream, in particular between 80% to 120% of the speed of the stream and particularly preferably between 90% to 110% of the speed of the stream. The speed of the stream is also understood to mean the speed of the strand.

The object is further achieved by a granulate filling device of the tobacco processing industry with an inlet for filling granules in the Granulatbefüllvorrichtung and an outlet for dispensing granules in a strand machine of the tobacco processing industry, wherein a suction air connection and / or a compressed air connection provided is, by means of which an air flow is generated, the granules from the inlet detected and conveyed to the outlet, which is further developed in that a mechanical device is provided, which defines at least one conveying channel for the granules and the air flow, which is helical, whereby Air flow receives a component of movement in a conveying direction of the strand machine.

The granule filling device according to the invention makes it possible to very efficiently and completely fill gaps between filter segments of a stream of filter segments or of a gap-filled strand of filter segments with granules.

In the context of the invention is helically also helical or spiral to understand. The mechanical device has a delivery channel, which is given for example by a helical groove in a cylinder which is surrounded by a hollow cylinder. Alternatively, a helical groove may be provided in a hollow cylinder and an inner cylinder may close off the delivery channel, to the inside. The mechanical device can also be defined in the form of a spiral, wherein the spiral is designed, for example, like a twist drill and is arranged in a hollow chamber.

Preferably, the granules in the air stream are accelerated so that they are conveyed along an inner wall of the Granulatbefüllvorrichtung pushed outward along.

Preferably, an inner wall of the Granulatbefüllvorrichtung is provided on which the granules, in particular pushed outward along, is conveyed along.

Preferably, the granules are discharged tangentially from the outlet. The tangential outlet means, in particular, that the granules are released tangentially from the inner wall.

It is particularly preferred if the outlet is slot-shaped. The slot-shaped outlet is preferably arranged along the longitudinal axis of the granulate filling device and can be aligned coaxially with the longitudinal axis of a stranding machine in order to be able to introduce granules into the stream via the slot-shaped outlet into the gaps arranged between the filter segments. Due to the slit-shaped outlet whose length is preferably adjustable, a very uniform and high filling of the gaps with granules is possible. In particular, then sufficient time remains to be able to fill enough granules in the gaps.

With the tangential discharge of the granules, the granules thus have a component of movement in the conveying direction of the filter strand or the stream of filter segments, which are provided with gaps, as well as towards the filter strand, preferably down, i. in the direction of gravity.

Preferably, a plurality of delivery channels are provided, so that a large amount of granules can be promoted, and very defined.

The plurality of conveying channels are preferably parallel to one another and in particular preferably coaxial. The helical conveying channels are thus arranged coaxially. In this case, it may be provided that the air stream enriched with granules experiences a plurality of helical revolutions, wherein the air stream with the granules passes by at one or the outlet several times. However, it may also be a single circulation or less than a circulation provided, for example, only a promotion of the granules by 90 °.

Preferably, the mechanical device defining the at least one delivery channel is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis. The mechanical device may then be rotated, for example by the air flow itself, or a motor device may be provided to generate the rotational movement.

The object is further achieved by a filter rod machine of the tobacco-processing industry with a granulate filling device described above, wherein the outlet of the granulate filling device is arranged above a format device of the filter rod machine, wherein the format device is adapted to a wrapping material strip, are applied to the filter segments, first so as to lay around the filter segments that an opening remains through which granules can be introduced into gaps between the filter segments, then then close the wrapping material strip completely around the formed strand, wherein the filter rod machine also has a cutting device, by means of the filter strand in Filter is cut to length.

By the filter rod machine according to the invention a very efficient production of a multi-segment filter strand with filter segments and granule filling between the filter segments is possible. Filter segments are understood in the context of the invention, in particular filter segments made of cellulose acetate. However, other filter segments that are substantially dimensionally stable or flexible may also be provided.

Preferably, the exit of the granule filling device communicates with the opening of the wrapping material strip. Preferably, the exit of the granule filling device is immediately above the opening of the wrapping material strip.

Preferably, the outlet of the granulate filling device and the conveying direction of the filter rod machine are parallel to each other. The mechanical device of the granulate filling device preferably forces the granules at the outlet to have a velocity component which is in the conveying direction of the filter rod machine. Preferably, the velocity component is along the conveying direction.

The mechanical device, which defines at least one conveying channel for the granulate and the air stream, which is helical, can be constructed, for example, on the principle of an axial fan.

It is fed from a magazine or a storage container for granules, the granules via a controllable opening an air flow. By means of the opening, the amount of granules depending on the strand speed, and thus the number of gaps to be filled, can be adjusted. The filling area can be modular and varied.

The granules are conveyed with an air flow, which is introduced, for example, by compressed air into the Granulatbefüllvorrichtung, and puts the mechanical device in a rotary motion. Due to the rotational movement, the granules collect on the outside of the room, for example a hollow cylinder, which adjoins the mechanical device. The mechanical device can be designed as a kind of screw or spiral arranged in a hollow cylinder. About a feed chute or a corresponding output, which is slit-shaped, preferably over the entire range of the mechanical device or the screw or the spiral, the granules gets into the gaps.

Alternatively, the mechanical device can be actively driven, for example by an external drive via a motor. Due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotation, a separation of the granules from the air flow is achieved. The deposition process can then be controlled by the speed of the motor. The granules are thus separated as in a centrifuge and the air flow continues to move in the direction of the strand and is led out of the system at the end of the device. At the end of the system or the Granulatbefüllvorrichtung an air flow will flow out, which is more than 90% granulate-free. It can be recycled back into the system, the remaining granules. The airflow can also be returned to the system.

It is in the variant of the rotating mechanical device preferably a distance between the mechanical device and the cylinder wall, in which the mechanical device is arranged, provided, which is at least twice as large as the largest granule element used.

Alternatively, a standing spiral, which is designed in the form of a screw conveyor, may be provided. The screw conveyor may be fixed and arranged in a corresponding hollow cylinder. For this case, the mechanical device can be accurately inserted into the hollow cylinder. Granules can be introduced into the screw flights on one side of the mechanical device and conveyed by means of compressed air to the end of the screw, or a corresponding air stream can be generated by means of suction air, which is or will be filled with granules. Below the screw, a slot is preferably provided in the hollow cylinder, which serves as an outlet for granules. Also in this case, the air flow, which is filled with granules, imposed a helical movement, whereby a deposition of the granules on the inner wall of the hollow cylinder is possible, so that a substantially complete separation of the air flow is made possible by the granules at the outlet.

The air flow generated in the screw thread or in the spiral accelerates the granules with respect to a movement component in the strand conveying direction, preferably at the strand speed of the filter rod machine. There is preferably a tangential deposition between 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock, more preferably between 7 o'clock and 9 o'clock, or, if the grooves of the spiral or the screw is formed the other way round, between 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock, more preferably between 3 o'clock and 5 o'clock.

Alternatively, via a vacuum chamber, over which several channels are provided, can be interspersed with the granules, a corresponding filling be made. The vacuum chamber is part of a vacuum tank. The channels may be formed as grooves. The channels are preferably formed obliquely to the conveying direction of the stranding machine. Particularly preferably, the channels are formed at an angle of 30 ° to 60 °, in particular 45 ° in the conveying direction, so that granules which is accelerated in the channels by suction, at an angle of 30 ° to 60 ° with a component of movement in the conveying direction get on the stream of filter segments with gaps in between. The channels are redirected in a 90 ° arc so that the granules are tightly packed by the centrifugal force outwards against the arch wall. The air flow is sucked inwards in the direction of the Saugluftbehälters and thus separated from the granules. Preferably, a relatively high kinetic energy is applied to the granules to provide velocity matching to the strand velocity.

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. 1

eine schematische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Filterstrangmaschine,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Granulatbefüllvorrichtung,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Granulatbefüllvorrichtung mit einer Formatvorrichtung einer Strangmaschine,

Fig. 4

eine schematische dreidimensionale Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Granulatbefüllvorrichtung in einer anderen Ausführungsform,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung aus Fig. 4,

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen weiteren Granulatbefüllvorrichtung mit einer Formatvorrichtung einer Strangmaschine,

Fig. 7

eine schematische dreidimensionale Darstellung eines Moduls einer erfindungsgemäßen Granulatbefüllvorrichtung,

Fig. 8

einen Teil der erfindungsgemäßen Granulatbefüllvorrichtung gemäß Fig. 7 in einer genaueren Darstellung,

Fig. 9

eine schematische Darstellung eines Auslasses aus einer Granulatbefüllvorrichtung und

Fig. 10

eine schematische Darstellung einer anderen Form des Auslasses einer Granulatbefüllvorrichtung.

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings, reference being expressly made to the drawings with respect to all in the text unspecified details of the invention. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a filter rod machine according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a schematic view of a Granulatbefüllvorrichtung invention,

Fig. 3

FIG. 2 a schematic sectional view of a granulate filling device according to the invention with a format device of a stranding machine, FIG.

Fig. 4

3 shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of a granule filling device according to the invention in another embodiment,

Fig. 5

a schematic sectional view of Fig. 4 .

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of a further Granulatbefüllvorrichtung invention with a formatting device of a stranding machine,

Fig. 7

a schematic three-dimensional representation of a module of a Granulatbefüllvorrichtung invention,

Fig. 8

a part of the Granulatbefüllvorrichtung invention according to Fig. 7 in a more detailed representation,

Fig. 9

a schematic representation of an outlet from a Granulatbefüllvorrichtung and

Fig. 10

a schematic representation of another form of the outlet of a Granulatbefüllvorrichtung.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that apart from a new idea each.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a filter rod machine 10 according to the invention of the tobacco processing industry. On a to a pulley 12th deflected wrapping material strip 11 filter segments 15 are provided with gaps 20 applied. The wrapping material strip 11, which is placed on a format strip, not shown, is then guided in the conveying direction 21 by a format device 13, in which the wrapping material strip 11 is first partially wound around the filter segment stream 9, so that an opening remains upwards. After filling the gaps 20 with a granulate 16, the wrapping material strip is further deflected in the format device 13 in such a way that a closed filter strand 17 is formed after bonding of an overlapping edge region of the wrapping material strip. The filter strand 17 then has, for example, alternately filter elements 15 and filled with granules 16 gaps 20, so that the filter strand acts completely without gaps.

From the filter strand 18 filters 19 are cut or cut by means of a cutting device.

To fill granules in the gaps 20, a Granulatbefüllvorrichtung 14 is provided, the input side receives granules 16 via a granule 32 granules and by means of an air flow, which is built in the Granulatbefüllvorrichtung 14, and at least partially moves in the conveying direction 21, granules accordingly into the gaps 20 gives. For this purpose, a slot-shaped outlet 24 is preferably provided in the granulate filling device 14. However, the outlet 24 is not shown here for the sake of clarity. The granules 16 thus receives both a movement component in the conveying direction 21 and a downwards in the direction of the gaps 20th

In Fig. 2 a first preferred embodiment of a Granulatbefüllvorrichtung invention 14 is shown in a schematic three-dimensional representation. In this exemplary embodiment, suction air or a negative pressure in a suction air space 27 is generated via ten suction air openings 28. The suction air space 27 is closed down and to the Saugluftöffnungen 28 with housing walls. Up an intermediate wall 30 is provided, above which conveyor channels 26 are arranged, which are closed at the top over an inner surface 29 of a housing cover 44.

Granules are introduced at the occasion 22 from above. The inlet extends approximately the entire length of the device, as far as channels are provided there. Since there is a negative pressure in the suction air space 27, the negative pressure is drawn through the channels 26, whereby a suction air flow is created and the granules are conveyed from the inlet 22 through the conveying channels 26. This is in Fig. 3 which is a schematic sectional drawing through Fig. 2 is shown in more detail.

The result is an air flow 31, which is enriched with granules and is relatively quickly conveyed through the channel 26 in the direction of the outlet 24. The channel 26 is curved towards the end, so that the granules 16 abuts the inner surface 29 of the housing cover 44. The air flow 31 is separated from the granules in accordance with the below below the intermediate wall 30 indicated arrow. In addition, the air used can be reused, preferably via a separator or filter in which granules remaining in the air stream can be filtered out and reused. The granules 16 are introduced tangentially from the inner surface 29 of the housing cover 44 into the cavities or gaps between the filter elements, not shown, which move in the format device 13 in the conveying direction.

4 and 5 show another embodiment of a granulate filling device 14 according to the invention. There is provided a fixed screw, which in this embodiment has four inlets 22, 22 ', 22 "and 22"'. Granules are filled into these inlets. Fig. 4 shows a schematic three-dimensional representation of the granules filling device 14 and Fig. 5 a section through this embodiment in a schematic representation. Suction air is drawn or a negative pressure applied via the suction air opening 28, so that a negative pressure is present at the opening 35 through the suction channel 34, so that this negative pressure is present via the screw threads or the helical grooves 33, 33 ', 33 "and 33"' continues, so that at the inlets 22, 22 ', 22 "and 22"' negative pressure is applied, so that the granules are sucked by the negative pressure and is entrained with a resulting airflow 31.

A longitudinal axial slot is also provided as the outlet 24, which extends almost the entire length of the mechanical device 23. The mechanical device 23 is inserted fairly accurately in the hollow cylindrical housing. It is insofar provided a bore or a hollow cylindrical cavity into which the mechanical device 23 is introduced. This may be accurate, so that between the outer surfaces of the coils, the grooves 33, 33 ', 33 "and 33"' separate from each other and the inner surface of the hollow cylinder is no gap. In Fig. 5 the outer wall 36 is closed by a cover 45 to the left side.

The filled granules can pass through the outlet whenever a corresponding groove 33, 33 ', 33 ", 33"' bears against the outlet 24. That is, the filled granules reach the outlet for the first time after a little less than a 180 ° rotation, and then return there after another 360 °.

Here, too, a separation of the granules is achieved by the air flow, that this is guided along by centrifugal force on the inner wall of the hollow cylinder. It may also be provided here a tangential deposition of the granules and discharge via the outlet 24 in an underlying format device.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a view of a further granulate filling device 14 according to the invention in this embodiment, mechanical devices 23, 23 'are provided, which may for example correspond to such as those in the Fig. 7 and 8th are shown. It is in the embodiment of Fig. 6 Compressed air generated by a pump 39. The compressed air is discharged into a compressed air line 37 and from there into an air flow control device 40. At the beginning of the air flow control device, a metering device is provided, the granules from a granule container 32 via an inlet 22 can dosed. Hereby, the amount of granules can be adapted to the strand speed and / or the size of the gaps between filter segments.

In addition, the airflow control device 40 may serve to adjust or harmonize the compressed air flow, i. to produce a uniform flow of air. It may also already be provided here to impose a helical movement on the generated airflow 31.

The air stream, which is enriched with granules, passes through the mechanical devices 23, 23 ', which are spirally formed, and in these granules are correspondingly mixed with a movement component in the strand direction or in the longitudinal axial direction of the granulate filling device and delivered to the format device 13. Subsequently, the excess compressed air via an air line 38, for example, guided back into the pump 39.

The mechanical device 23 or 23 'may be formed as in Fig. 7 shown schematically in three dimensions. There is provided a helical body in a hollow cylinder defining an inner surface 29 which is circular in section. At 22, an air flow that is mixed with granules is introduced into the conveying channels 26 defined by the mechanical device 23 and the inner surface 29 of the hollow cylinder. As a result, the air flow 31 experiences a helical movement with a movement component in the conveying direction of the stranding machine or in the longitudinal axis of the granule filling device. According to this embodiment Fig. 7 it is provided that the mechanical device 23 can rotate about a rotation axis 41. This can be done for example by the air flow 31. However, preferred is a motor drive, since so the degree of deposition of the granules 16 of the air flow 31 due to the centrifugal force adjusted easier can be. Also in this embodiment, a slot-shaped opening is provided as an outlet 24 in the lower region of the housing in order to be able to deliver granules there. This is more accurate in Fig. 8 shown. In Fig. 7 is still shown that a corresponding end cap 45 is provided, through which the compressed air can be removed. It may also be instead of the use of compressed air at the air outlet 42, a negative pressure to be set to produce a corresponding air flow 31.

Fig. 8 once more clearly shows the outlet 24 through which the granules can be discharged into the format device 13. As a result of the rotational movement of the granules, the latter is pressed against the inner surface 29 and slips down through the granulate-forced movement component directed downwards on the inner surface 29 to the outlet 24 and into the gaps (not shown) between filter segments.

The outer shape of the housing is shown here cuboid. However, the outer shape can also have other designs.

In Fig. 8 the outlet is set at about 8:30 clock. There, so at 8:30 clock, begins the tangent of the hollow cylindrical inner surface of the housing 43. Preferably, the tangent of the outlet or begins on the inner surface 29 of the hollow cylinder of the housing 43 between 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock or if the mechanical device 23 in the opposite direction is rotated as shown, between 3 o'clock and 6 o'clock. Particularly preferred is an outlet between 7 o'clock and 9 o'clock or 7 o'clock and 8 o'clock or vice versa between 3 o'clock and 5 o'clock, and more preferably between 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock. This is schematic in the FIGS. 9 and 10 shown again in a section.

There is in Fig. 9 the outlet 24 is arranged so that the tangent begins at almost 9 o'clock. In Fig. 10 the tangent starts at about 7:30.

Although within the scope of the invention Fig. 4 to 8 from a hollow cylinder as an outer boundary of the mechanical device 23 and 23 'was the speech, a hollow cone can also be used, in which case the mechanical device 23, 23' should be adjusted according to the fit of the hollow cone.

All mentioned features, including the drawings alone to be taken as well as individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features are considered alone and in combination as essential to the invention. Embodiments of the invention may be accomplished by individual features or a combination of several features. In the context of the invention, features which are identified by "particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

9

Filter segment current

10

Filter rod machine

11

Wrapping material strip

12

idler pulley

13

format device

14

Granulatbefüllvorrichtung

15

filter segment

16

granules

17

strand

18

cutter

19

filter

20

gap

21

conveying direction

22, 22 ', 22 ", 22"'

inlet

23, 23 '

mechanical device

24

outlet

25

longitudinal axis

26

delivery channel

27

Saugluftraum

28

suction air

29

palm

30

partition

31

airflow

32

granule units

33, 33 ', 33 ", 33"'

helical groove

34

suction

35

opening

36

outer wall

37

Compressed air line

38

air line

39

pump

40

Air flow control device

41

axis of rotation

42

air outlet

43

casing

44

housing cover

45

End cover

Claims (15)

1. Method for producing multi-segment filters (19) of the tobacco processing industry, comprising the following method steps:

   - Providing a flow (9) of filter segments (15) which have been placed on a wrapping material strip (11), wherein gaps (20) are provided between the filter segments (15),

   - Conveying the flow (9) in a longitudinal axial conveying direction (21),

   - Filling the gaps (20) with a granulate (16), characterized in that the filling of the gaps (20) with the granulate (16) takes place with the aid of an airflow (31) enriched with granulate (16), wherein, in a granulate filling device (14), the airflow (31) enriched with granulate has at least one movement component in the conveying direction (21) of the flow (9), wherein, at the outlet (24) of the granulate filling device (14), the granulate (16) which is conveyed in the airflow (31) has a movement component in the conveying direction (21) of the flow (9).
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the movement component in the conveying direction (21) is forced upon the airflow (31) by means of a mechanical device (23, 23').
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mechanical device (23, 23') forces a curved path upon the airflow (31).
4. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the granulate (16) moves along a curved wall (29) of the granulate filling device (14) as the result of a centrifugal force acting on the granulate (16).
5. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the granulate (16) is separated from the airflow (31) on the output side of the granulate filling device (14), in particular prior to filling the gaps (20) with granulate (16).
6. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the granulate (16) is discharged tangentially into the gaps (20) from the granulate filling device (14).
7. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the granulate (16) is accelerated in the longitudinal axial movement direction (21) to a speed that is 50% to 150% of the speed of the flow (9).
8. Granulate filling device (14) of the tobacco processing industry having an inlet (22, 22', 22", 22"') for filling granulate (16) into the granulate filling device (14) and an outlet (24) for discharging granulate (16) into a rod machine (10) of the tobacco processing industry, wherein a suction air connection (28) and/or a compressed air connection (37) is provided, by means of which an airflow (31) is generated, which captures granulate (16) from the inlet (22 - 22"') and conveys it to the outlet (24), characterized in that a mechanical device (23, 23') is provided, which defines at least one conveying channel (26, 33, 33', 33", 33"') for the granulate (16) and the airflow (31), which is helical, as a result of which the airflow (31) receives a movement component in a conveying direction (21) of the rod machine (10).
9. Granulate filling device (14) according to Claim 8, characterized in that an inner wall (29) of the granulate filling device (14) is provided, along which the granulate (16) is conveyed, in particular pushed outward.
10. Granulate filling device (14) according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the granulate (16) is released tangentially out of the outlet (24).
11. Granulate filling device (14) according to any one of Claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the outlet (24) is slot-shaped.
12. Granulate filling device (14) according to any one of Claims 8 to 11, characterized in that several conveying channels (26, 33 - 33"') are provided.
13. Granulate filling device (14) according to any one of Claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the mechanical device (23, 23') which defines the at least one conveying channel (26, 33 - 33"') is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (41).
14. Filter rod machine (10) of the tobacco processing industry having a granulate filling device (14) of the tobacco processing industry according to any one of Claims 8 to 13, wherein the outlet (24) of the granulate filling device (14) is located above a formatting device (13) of the filter rod machine (10), wherein the formatting device (13) is configured to initially position a wrapping material strip (11), on which filter segments (15) have been placed, around the filter segments (15) in such a way that an opening remains, through which granulate (16) can be introduced into gaps (20) between the filter segments (15), in order to subsequently completely close the wrapping material strip (11) around the formed rod (17), wherein the filter rod machine (10) additionally comprises a cut-to-length device (18), by means of which the rod (17) in the filter (19) can be cut to length.
15. Filter rod machine (10) according to Claim 14, characterized in that the outlet (24) of the granulate filling device (14) and the conveying direction (21) of the filter rod machine (10) are parallel to one another, wherein the mechanical device (23, 23') of the granulate filling device (14) in particular forces a velocity component in the conveying direction (21) of the filter rod machine (10) upon the granulate (16) at the outlet (24).

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