EP3111786B1 - Assembly of segments of the tobacco processing industry - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for assembling groups of segments, in particular filter segments, for producing rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry.

The document EP 1 427 299 B1 discloses a device for assembling groups of filter segments for the production of multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry in a strand process, wherein at least two different types of filter segments are provided for each multi-segment filter. The device can be subdivided into a plurality of independent functional units, each of which is designed as a module, the filter segments in the independent functional units being conveyable transversely axially. This enables an efficient combination of groups of filter segments, which is also variable. In the assembly process, filter segments are placed in corresponding troughs of conveyors, such as conveyor drums or a conveyor belt, with more and more filter segments being introduced into the troughs in the conveying direction.

Out EP 1 393 640 B1 a correspondingly further developed device is also known. Here, a number of filter segments are first put together, in order to then divide these groups of filter segments by staggering them on corresponding conveying elements and arranging them one behind the other in the transverse-axial conveying direction in order to be discharged into a strand from a transfer element from a transverse-axial conveying direction to a longitudinally axial conveying direction ,

DE 25 34 666 A1 discloses a device for producing combined filter plugs for filter cigarettes or other rod-shaped objects of the tobacco processing industry, in which different filters are first cut in two filter runs, then staggered and then assembled in alignment axially. The promotion of the filter segments is transverse axial, ie in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the filter segments. This produces filters with two different filter segments.

It is an object of the present invention to enable a safe and variable manufacture of rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, in particular an efficient and variable combination of groups of segments, preferably groups of segments, in particular filter segments.

This object is achieved by a method for assembling groups of segments, in particular filter segments, for producing rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, segments of a first type being conveyed in a direction which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the segments, the segments of the first type are arranged at a transverse axial distance from one another which is larger than the diameter of the respective segment of the first type, segments of a second type being arranged between the segments of the first type, so that the segments of the first type and the segments of the second type are arranged alternately one behind the other in a row in the transverse axial direction, the segments of the first type and the segments of the second type being conveyed in a row transverse axially, a segment of a third type being arranged longitudinally axially next to the segments of the first type and the segments the second type is added.

According to the invention, this enables a very variable combination of rod-shaped or cylindrical segments, in particular filter segments, for the production of rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry, in particular for the production of multi-segment filters. Here, at least three different segments can be introduced into one strand. Segments of a first type, segments of a third type, segments of a second type and again segments of a third type can thus be introduced alternately in the strand, whereupon the sequence of the segments is then repeated. This avoids any problems caused by groups of segments that are too long, which could possibly cause problems during the transfer from a transverse axial conveying direction to a longitudinal axial conveying direction. In this way, for example, a multi-segment filter with three different segments can be produced very efficiently.

Segments of the second type and segments of a fourth type are preferably arranged between the segments of the first type. The segments of the second type and the segments of the fourth type can, for example, be introduced into the gaps between the segments of the first type such that the longitudinal axes of the segments of the second type or segments of the fourth type are arranged next to one another. However, it is preferred if the segments of the second type and the segments of the fourth type are or are spaced apart transversely to one another. In this way, for example, a rod-shaped article with four different segments can be produced in a very simple manner. In the variant in which the segments of the second type and the segments of the fourth type are arranged spaced apart axially from one another are or become, the distance between the segments of the first type must be chosen to be correspondingly large. For example, this should then be more than two diameters of the segments of the first type. Correspondingly, further segments, that is to say, for example, a segment of a fifth type in the transverse axial direction can additionally be introduced between the segments of the first type. Overall, there is a very variable combination of segments for the production of rod-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry.

There are preferably at least two different segments of the third type. As a result, the number of different segment types in a rod-shaped article produced can also be increased in a simple manner. For example, the segments of the third type corresponding to the segments of the first and second types can also be arranged spaced apart from one another in the transverse axial conveying direction in an alternating sequence. The segments of the different types (first type, second type, third type, fourth type, fifth type and subsequent types) can have a different length. Preferably, the diameter of the segments of the different types is the same or substantially the same.

The rod-shaped segments are preferably conveyed into troughs of conveyor elements, in particular conveyor drums or a conveyor belt. This enables a very precise and reliable combination of segments, in particular of at least two segments or groups of segments.

The segments of the first type and / or the segments of the second type and / or the segments of the fourth type are or are preferably aligned in the conveying direction. This enables the groups of segments to be transferred very precisely into a longitudinally conveyed strand.

The segments of the third type preferably abut one end face an end face of the segments of the first and / or second and / or fourth type. This enables a very secure transfer of the groups of segments from a transverse axial conveying direction to a longitudinal axial conveying direction.

The segments are preferably filter segments and / or tobacco rod segments. The filter segments are preferably soft elements and / or hard elements, these being in particular hollow tubes, granule segments, fiber filter segments, tow filter segments and / or segments filled with capsules. The capsules can contain, for example, a flavor and, when used by a consumer, can be crushed to release the flavor.

In addition, a method for producing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry is preferably provided, comprising a method according to the invention or preferred method, which is shown above, the assembled segments being transferred from a transverse axial conveying direction into a longitudinal axial conveying direction into one strand while conveying in be wrapped with a wrapping material strip and then cut to length in rod-shaped articles.

In particular, a method for producing double-long triple filters in a transverse method or in a transverse axial conveyance is described, the individual components or segments of the triple filter being different from one another. Segments, in particular filter segments from three feed devices, in particular filter feed devices, assembly drums of a drum run of a multi-segment filter production device are fed. The filter segments of the first filter feed device in the transport direction are inserted into every second trough of an assembly drum or an assembly drum is provided, the troughs of which have a double distance, for example eight π. The filter segments of the second filter feed device in the conveying direction or transport direction are placed in the unoccupied troughs of the assembly drum of the second filter feed device after transfer of the first filter segments to the assembly drum of the second filter feed device. Filter segments of a third filter feed device, as seen in the transport direction, are then placed next to the filter segments of the first and second filter feed devices, specifically on an assembly drum of the third filter feed device.

The method according to the invention can also be used to produce multi-segment filters or rod-shaped articles with several segments, such as n-fold filters. It is only necessary to adjust the distance between the troughs on the first assembly drum and accordingly on the next assembly drum. Alternatively, the number of unoccupied troughs can be adapted to the amount of different filter elements. It is also useful to adjust the pitch of the assembly drum in the filter feeder. In multi-segment filter manufacturing devices, a common division is four π. The first two modules or filter feed devices in the conveying direction or transport direction then have, for example, a pitch of eight π. These are the drums, which are arranged above the assembly drum and have this division of eight π.

Double-length double filters can also be produced in this way.

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 according to the invention can fulfill individual features or a combination of several features.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens mit einer hierzu vorgesehenen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Schnittdarstellung durch einen mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren hergestellten stabförmigen Artikel, und

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung eines Strangs der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie.

The invention is described below without restricting the general inventive concept on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, expressly referring to all details according to the invention not explained in detail in the text Drawings are referenced. Show it:

Fig. 1

2 shows a schematic sectional illustration of a method according to the invention with a device provided for this purpose,

Fig. 2

is a schematic sectional view through a rod-shaped article produced with the inventive method, and

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of a strand of the tobacco processing industry.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numbers, so that a renewed presentation is not given.

Fig. 1 shows schematically the method steps and a device by means of which the method steps can be carried out. It is a corresponding multi-segment filter manufacturing device or a multi-segment article manufacturing device of the tobacco processing industry in Fig. 1 in a schematic plan view in the lower area of the Fig. 1 shown.

A first module 21, then a second module 22 and then a third module 23 are arranged one behind the other in the transverse-axial conveying direction 19. In these modules, the segments 11, 12, 13 are first prepared, as will be explained in the following, in order to then be put together. After the segments 11-13 have been assembled into segment pairs 11, 13 and 12, 13, these segment pairs, which can also be referred to as groups of segments, are transferred into or to a strand machine 24, in which a strand is conveyed in the longitudinal axial conveying direction. In the strand machine 24, a wrapping material strip is wrapped around the strand 20 and the strand is cut at corresponding cutting positions 16 ′.

In the first module 21, which comprises a filter segment feed device, a filter rod eight times the useful length is first removed from a magazine and cut in the middle, in order to then cut the two resulting filter rods four times the useful length in the middle into filter rods twice the useful length. The resulting four filter rods are twice as long as in Fig. 1 is indicated, staggered and then aligned in the transverse axial conveying direction to be delivered to a conveying element on which the filter rods are arranged twice the length of use with a distance A. In principle, in the second module 22, which can also represent a filter feed device, the same procedure is carried out as in the first module 21, namely a filter rod eight times the working length is cut into a total of four filter rods twice the working length in order to then stagger these and arrange them in alignment in the conveying direction , Exactly the same is also carried out in the third module 23.

The filter rods 11 of twice the useful length are transferred from the first module 21 to a transfer element of the second module 22. A filter rod or segment of the second type is inserted between the filter rods or segments of the first type on a drum, which can be, for example, an assembly drum in which every second trough is occupied by a filter rod of the first type 11. The introduction is preferably aligned in the transverse axial conveying direction 19. This alternating series of filter rods of double useful length or segments of the first and second type is then transferred to the third module 23 and there a filter rod or a segment of a third type 13 is inserted into the troughs of a corresponding assembly drum to the filter rods of the first and second type 11 or 12 so that the end faces 30, 31 lie opposite one another.

After these groups of segments 11-13 have been compiled accordingly, they are moved in a longitudinal axial conveying direction transferred into a strand 20 so that filter rods 11, 13, 12, 13, 11, 13 etc. alternate. The strand 20 is conveyed in the longitudinal axial conveying direction 18, covered with a wrapping material, not shown, as known in the prior art, and cut off by a knife at the cutting layers 16 '. This creates a multi-segment filter of double useful length comprising a halved segment 15 of the first type towards each end, a segment of the third type adjacent to these halved segments 15 of the first type and in the middle a segment of the second type.

In the further processing, this multi-segment filter or multi-segment filter can be inserted between two tobacco sticks and can be wrapped with topping paper and a cut can then be made through the segment of the first type 11 in order to produce corresponding filter cigarettes.

The corresponding segments of the first, second or third type can already include, for example, a tobacco rod. In this way, a filter cigarette can already be produced in this way, for example a cigarette in which tobacco is no longer burned but only heated.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a rod-shaped article 10 produced with the method according to the invention, specifically in a schematic sectional illustration. Halved segments 15 of the first type are provided towards the ends. This can be a common filter element or a tobacco rod. A segment of third type 13 adjoins inwards, on both sides. This can be a hollow segment or hollow tube. A segment of the first type is then provided in the middle, for example a filter segment from a filter tow. In the middle of the segment of the first type 11, a cut position 16 is indicated, through which a corresponding cut can be made in order to produce a single-length article from the double-length article of the tobacco processing industry. In addition, in Fig. 2 a longitudinal axis 17 of the rod-shaped article 10 is shown.

In Fig. 3 a part of a strand 20 is shown schematically, which is conveyed longitudinally axially in the conveying direction 18. An example is shown here in which four different segments are introduced into the strand. This can be done, for example, by first arranging or assembling a segment of the first type, a segment of the second type and a segment of the fourth type alternately in a longitudinal axial alignment one behind the other in the transverse-axial conveying direction, and then in each case in a longitudinal-axial manner for each segment that has been assembled in this way Arrange a third type 13 segment adjacent to each other. After the transfer into strand 20, a sequence as in FIG Fig. 3 , namely segment 11 of the first type, segment 13 of the third type, segment 12 of the second type, segment 13 of the third type, segments 14 of the fourth type and segment of the third type. Various other variants can be used or applied.

In the context of the invention, features that are labeled “in particular” or “preferably” are to be understood as optional features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

rod-shaped article

11

First type segment

12

Second type segment

13

Third segment

14

Fourth segment

15

halved segment of the first kind

16, 16 '

cut position

17

longitudinal axis

18

conveying direction

19

conveying direction

20

strand

21

first module

22

second module

23

third module

24

rod machine

30

front

31

front

D

diameter

A

distance

Claims (9)

1. A method for assembling groups of segments (11-14), in particular filter segments, for producing rod-like articles (10) of the tobacco processing industry, wherein segments (11) of a first type are delivered in a direction (19) transverse to the longitudinal axis (17) of the segments (11), wherein the segments (11) of the first type are arranged relative to each other at a transaxial distance (A) that is greater than the diameter (D) of the respective segment (11) of the first type, wherein segments (12) of a second type are arranged between the segments (11) of the first type so that the segments (11) of the first type and the segments (12) of the second type are sequentially arranged alternatingly in a row in a transaxial direction, wherein the segments (11) of the first type and the segments (12) of the second type are delivered transaxially in a row, wherein a segment (13) of a third type is added along the longitudinal axis next to the segments (11) of the first type and the segments (12) of the second type, respectively.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that segments (12) of the second type and segments (14) of a fourth type are arranged between the segments (11) of the first type.
3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the segments (12) of the second type and the segments (14) of the fourth type are or will be arranged transaxially at a distance from each other.
4. The method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least two different segments (13) of the third type are provided.
5. The method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the segments (11-14) are delivered inserted in recesses in delivery elements, in particular delivery drums.
6. The method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the segments (11) of the first type, and/or the segments (12) of the second type, and/or the segments (14) of the fourth type are or will be arranged flush with each other in the direction of delivery (19).
7. The method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a face (30) of the segments (13) of the third type abuts a face (31) of the segments (11, 12, 14) of the first, and/or second, and/or fourth type.
8. The method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the segments (11-14) are filter segments and/or tobacco rod segments, wherein the filter segments comprise hollow tubes, granule segments, fiber filters segments, tow filter segments, and/or segments filled with capsules.
9. A method for producing rod-like articles (10) of the tobacco processing industry, comprising a method according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the assembled segments (11-14) are transferred from a transaxial direction of delivery (19) into a longitudinally axial direction of delivery (18) into a strand (20), whereas the delivery in a longitudinally axial direction of delivery (18) is encased with a wrapping material strip and then cut to length into rod-like articles (10).

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