EP3174410B1 - Appareil et procédé pour la production de filtres pour cigarettes ou autres articles à fumer - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé pour la production de filtres pour cigarettes ou autres articles à fumer Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3174410B1
EP3174410B1 EP15754024.6A EP15754024A EP3174410B1 EP 3174410 B1 EP3174410 B1 EP 3174410B1 EP 15754024 A EP15754024 A EP 15754024A EP 3174410 B1 EP3174410 B1 EP 3174410B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
filters
drying chamber
filter making
generator device
radiofrequency generator
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.)
Active
Application number
EP15754024.6A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3174410A1 (fr
Inventor
Antonella Giannini
Alberto Monzoni
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.)
Montrade SpA
Original Assignee
Montrade SpA
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Publication date
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Priority to PL15754024T priority Critical patent/PL3174410T3/pl
Publication of EP3174410A1 publication Critical patent/EP3174410A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3174410B1 publication Critical patent/EP3174410B1/fr
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Classifications

    • 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
    • A24D3/025—Final operations, i.e. after the filter rod forming process
    • 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
    • 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
    • A24D3/0295—Process control means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for the production of filters for cigarettes or other smoking articles.
  • Machines for producing filters for cigarettes or other smoking articles able to produce filters made of cellulose acetate fibres bonded together with the addition of a plasticizer agent, tipically triacetine (glycerol triacetate), are old and well-known.
  • a machine of this kind is disclosed for example in document EP 2 636 321 A1 of the same Applicant.
  • the addition of a plasticizer agent is adopted both for wrapped acetate filters (i.e. filters which are wrapped in a web of paper or other material), and for non-wrapped acetate filters (NWA), i.e. filters which have no wrap.
  • the action of the plasticizer agent is completed upon a given aging time, after which the filters pass from a relatively soft consistency to a relatively hardened state, with a simultaneous elastic recovery, which, in the case of NWA filters, gives origin to a diameter reduction.
  • the aging time may vary from a minimum of about 40 minutes to a maximum of 72-120 hours, as a function of the degree of hardness and, in the case of NWA filters, as a function of the degree of diameter stabilization which is necessary to achieve for enabling subsequent handling and/or processing operations on the filters.
  • the object of the present invention is that of overcoming the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, by providing an apparatus which is more efficient, more compact and safer with respect to the known solutions.
  • the invention provides an apparatus for the production of filters for cigarettes or other smoking articles, characterized in that it comprises filter making means and conveying means for feeding the produced filters through a drying chamber which is adapted to provide an accelerated aging of the filters, and in that said apparatus further comprises means for varying the speed at which said filters go through said drying chamber, on the basis of at least one detected parameter which is indicative of the humidity contained in said filters, so that, for a given power of said radiofrequency generator device, the residence time of the filters within the drying chamber is adjusted so as to ensure a substantial elimination of the humidity content of the filters.
  • the invention also provides a method for producing filters for cigarettes or other smoking articles, which makes use of the above mentioned apparatus.
  • Radiofrequency drying devices have been known and used for some time (see for example EP 1 369 654 A1 and EP 1 544 561 A1 ).
  • This technology is based on the behaviour of a dielectric material such as water, which, when subjected to an electric field undergoes a polarization of its molecules, i.e. a deformation and/or an orientation according to the lines of the electric field.
  • the electric field is alternated, i.e. it is an oscillating field
  • the polarization direction is inverted at each inversion of the electric field.
  • the water molecules are forced to move with the same frequency as that of the oscillating electric field, thus dissipating energy by intermolecular friction and consequently generating heat which causes water evaporation.
  • the elimination of the water content can be accelerated by activating air circulation within the drying chamber.
  • the Applicant has found that the technology of radiofrequency dryers is ideal for the application forming the subject of the present invention. Due to the application of a high frequency oscillating electric field, aging of the filters coming from the filter making machine is accelerated, due to the quick elimination of the water content.
  • a radiofrequency generator device has a further advantage of being very compact and ensuring a high degree of safety, which renders its application to the apparatus according to the invention an ideal one. Furthermore, the effects of the radiofrequency generator device can be controlled and foreseen precisely for a given device power. Therefore, by using this device it is possible to reliably control actual elimination of the entire humidity content from the filters, without jeopardizing the productivity of the plant, i.e. while keeping the conveying speed of the filters at the maximum possible value.
  • the apparatus of the invention comprises sensors means of any known type (such as infrared sensors or capacitive sensors) for detecting the residual humidity content in the filters (or for detecting any other parameter which is indicative of the humidity content, such as even the weight of the filters).
  • sensors means of any known type (such as infrared sensors or capacitive sensors) for detecting the residual humidity content in the filters (or for detecting any other parameter which is indicative of the humidity content, such as even the weight of the filters).
  • an actuating electric motor which is controlled by an electronic control unit according to a closed loop logic, on the basis of the detected value of the above mentioned parameter.
  • the control unit then attends to varying the speed at which the filters go through said drying chamber on the basis of said detected parameter, so that, for a given power of said radiofrequency generator device, the residence time of the filters within said drying chamber is adjusted so as to ensure a substantial elimination of the humidity content from the filters.
  • the invention is applicable to the production of filters of any known type, but it is particularly advantageous in the production of filters made of cellulose acetate fibers additioned with a plasticizer agent (both for wrapped acetate filters and for non-wrapped acetate filters or NWA) in order to dramatically accelerate the aging process.
  • a plasticizer agent both for wrapped acetate filters and for non-wrapped acetate filters or NWA
  • the radiofrequency generator device associated to the drying chamber is therefore controlled so as to achieve a predetermined degree of hardening of the filters and/or a predetermined degree of diameter stabilization of the filters.
  • the drying chamber adapted to accelerate aging of the filters can be arranged along the line downstream of the filter making means, or outside of said line.
  • said drying chamber which is adapted to accelerate the aging of the filters can be incorporated within the same machine which comprises the above mentioned filter making means, or it can be arranged downstream of said machine.
  • Figures 1 , 2 of the annexed drawings show a line for production of filters for cigarettes or other smoking articles, including a first station 10 constituted by a machine of any known type, which includes filter making means for the production of filters constituted by cellulose acetate fibers added with a plasticizer agent.
  • a machine of this type is for example described and shown in document EP 2 636 321 A1 of the same Applicant.
  • the machine shown in the annexed drawings is namely the machine marketed under the name "MONO" by the Applicant.
  • the invention is applicable in general to any type of machine for producing filters and to any type of filters.
  • this machine comprises filter making means which include: means for handling and subsequently forming a tow of fibers of cellulose acetate which are picked up from a bale of fibers, means for adding a plasticizer agent in order to bond the fibers together and form a cylindrical tow, means for stabilizing the tow by a vapour flow, means for drying the surface of the tow and means for cutting the tow in order to obtain filters of predetermined lengths.
  • the action of the plasticizer agent is completed upon a given aging time, after which the filters pass from a relatively soft consistency to a relatively hardened state, with a simultaneous elastic recovery of the fibers which, in the case of NWA filters, gives origin to a diameter reduction.
  • the present invention enables a dramatic decrease in the aging time of the filters.
  • the invention provides a drying chamber downstream of said filter making means and in particular downstream of said means for cutting the filters according to a desired length.
  • the drying chamber could be incorporated into the machine 10 which includes the above mentioned filter making means, but in the illustrated example it is provided along the conveyor line downstream of machine 10. It would be also possible to provide the drying chamber downstream of the machine 10, but off-line, such as at a parking area served by an accumulation (buffer) conveyor.
  • the drying chamber is a tunnel-like chamber arranged along the line between the outlet of machine 10 and the final end of the line (where, in the illustrated example, a station 20 is provided for storage of filters within filter-carrying cartridges, for subsequent transportation thereof).
  • filters F are loaded on the conveyed belt 40 (by guiding means of any known type) so that they are arranged transversally on belt 40, forming a number of superimposed layers with staggered pitch (see figure 1A ).
  • this drying chamber comprises a radiofrequency generator 50 of any known type, comprising an oscillator adapted to generate a high frequency oscillating electric field which is applied to electrodes arranged inside the drying tunnel.
  • the details of construction of the radiofrequency device 50 are not shown herein, since this device can be made in any way known to the experts in the field.
  • the technology of radiofrequency is based on the behaviour of a dielectric material such as water, which, when subjected to an electric field undergoes a polarization of its molecules, i.e. a deformation and an orientation according to the lines of the electric field. If the electric field is an alternated (oscillating) field, the direction of polarization becomes inverted at each inversion of the electric field. The water molecules are forced to move at the same frequency as the frequency of the field, thus dissipating energy by intermolecular friction which produces the heat required for drying.
  • a dielectric material such as water
  • the solution of figures 1 , 2 has a horizontal drying tunnel
  • the solution of figures 3 , 4 has a vertical tunnel, in which the filters are caused to advance vertically while they are held clamped between two vertical conveyor belts 41, 42.
  • the conveyor belts 41, 42 extend further along a path which returns vertically downwardly to feed the dried filters to station 20.
  • the apparatus of the invention comprises one or more sensors HS of any known type (such as infrared sensors or capacitive sensors) for detecting the residual humidity content (or for detecting any other parameter which is indicative of the humidity, such as even the weight of the filters).
  • sensors HS of any known type (such as infrared sensors or capacitive sensors) for detecting the residual humidity content (or for detecting any other parameter which is indicative of the humidity, such as even the weight of the filters).
  • sensors HS of any known type (such as infrared sensors or capacitive sensors) for detecting the residual humidity content (or for detecting any other parameter which is indicative of the humidity, such as even the weight of the filters).
  • driving electric motors M at least one of which is controlled by an electronic control unit E according to a closed loop logic on the basis of the value of said parameter detected by sensor HS.
  • Control unit E then attends to controlling electric motor M so as to vary the speed at which the filters go through the drying chamber, on the basis of said detected parameter, so that, for a given power of said radiofrequency generator device, the residence time of the filters within said drying chamber is adjusted so as to ensure a substantially elimination of the humidity content from the filters.
  • the electronic unit E can also be connected to an electronic control board of the radiofrequency device, for receiving an information on the operating power of this device. In this manner, it is possible to provide an automatic control such as that indicated above also in the case that the power of device 50 is varied.
  • the basic concept of the present invention lies in the idea of providing a drying chamber arranged and configured so as to cause an accelerated aging of the filters after that they have been shaped and cut at the desired length by the filter making means.
  • the drying chamber can be provided along the line downstream the machine which includes the filter making means, or off-line, or also it can be incorporated within the machine which comprises the filter making means.
  • any suitable technology can be used for the drying chamber, studies and texts of the Applicant show that the technology of radiofrequency driers is particularly advantageous.
  • the radio frequency generator device due to the nature itself of the principle used (increase of the kinetic energy of water molecules) provides the advantage of being very compact and of ensuring a high degree of safety, which renders its application to the apparatus of the invention an ideal one. Furthermore, due to the present invention, the effects of the radiofrequency generator device can be controlled and foreseen precisely, for each given power of the device. By using this device, it is therefore possible to reliably control a really total elimination of the humidity content from the filters, without jeopardizing the productivity of the plant, i.e. while keeping the conveyor speed of the filters at the maximum possible value.

Landscapes

  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Appareil pour la production de filtres pour cigarettes ou autres articles à fumer, comprenant des moyens de fabrication de filtres (10) et des moyens de transport (40, 41, 42) pour acheminer les filtres produits (F) à travers une chambre de séchage (30) adaptée pour assurer un vieillissement accéléré des filtres (F), dans lequel un dispositif générateur de radiofréquence (50) est associé à ladite chambre de séchage (30), pour générer un champ électrique oscillant à haute fréquence dans lequel lesdits filtres sont immergés, caractérisé en ce que
    ledit appareil comprend en outre des moyens pour faire varier la vitesse à laquelle lesdits filtres passent à travers ladite chambre de séchage, sur la base d'au moins un paramètre détecté, qui indique l'humidité contenue dans lesdits filtres, de sorte que, pour une puissance donnée dudit dispositif générateur de radiofréquence (50), le temps de séjour des filtres dans ladite chambre de séchage soit réglé de manière à assurer une élimination sensible de la teneur en humidité des filtres.
  2. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de fabrication de filtre (10) sont adaptés pour fabriquer des filtres (F) constitués de fibres d'acétate de cellulose auxquelles est ajouté un agent plastifiant, et en ce que ledit dispositif générateur de radiofréquence (50) associé à ladite chambre de séchage (30) est commandé de manière à atteindre un degré prédéterminé de durcissement des filtres (F) et/ou un degré prédéterminé de stabilisation du diamètre des filtres (F).
  3. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite chambre de séchage adaptée pour accélérer le vieillissement des filtres est agencée le long d'une ligne en aval des moyens de fabrication de filtres, ou à l'extérieur de ladite ligne.
  4. Appareil selon la revendication 1, dans lequel lesdits moyens de fabrication de filtres sont intégrés dans une machine de fabrication de filtres (10), caractérisé en ce que ladite chambre de séchage adaptée pour accélérer le vieillissement des filtres est intégrée dans ladite machine ou est agencée en aval de ladite machine.
  5. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de transport comprennent au moins une bande transporteuse (40, 41, 42).
  6. Appareil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite chambre de séchage (30) est en forme de tunnel horizontal ou vertical.
  7. Procédé pour la production de filtres pour cigarettes ou autres articles à fumer, comprenant les étapes consistant à fournir des moyens de fabrication de filtres (10), et des moyens pour transporter les filtres produits (F) vers une chambre de séchage (30) adaptée pour provoquer un vieillissement accéléré des filtres (F), caractérisé en ce qu'un dispositif générateur de radiofréquence (50) est associé à ladite chambre de séchage (30), pour générer un champ électrique oscillant à haute fréquence dans lequel lesdits filtres sont immergés et en ce que ledit procédé comprend en outre le fait de faire varier la vitesse à laquelle lesdits filtres passent à travers ladite chambre de séchage, sur la base d'au moins un paramètre détecté, qui indique l'humidité contenue dans lesdits filtres, de sorte que, pour une puissance donnée dudit dispositif générateur de radiofréquence (50) le temps de séjour des filtres dans ladite chambre de séchage soit réglé de manière à assurer une élimination sensible de la teneur en humidité des filtres.
  8. Procédé selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de fabrication de filtres (10) sont adaptés pour fabriquer des filtres (F) constitués de fibres d'acétate de cellulose auxquelles est ajouté un agent plastifiant, et en ce que ledit dispositif générateur de radiofréquence (50) associé à ladite chambre de séchage (30) est commandé de manière à atteindre un degré prédéterminé de durcissement des filtres (F) et/ou un degré prédéterminé de stabilisation de diamètre des filtres (F).
EP15754024.6A 2014-08-01 2015-07-31 Appareil et procédé pour la production de filtres pour cigarettes ou autres articles à fumer Active EP3174410B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL15754024T PL3174410T3 (pl) 2014-08-01 2015-07-31 Urządzenie i sposób produkcji filtrów do papierosów lub innych artykułów do palenia

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTO20140621 2014-08-01
PCT/IB2015/055822 WO2016016862A1 (fr) 2014-08-01 2015-07-31 Appareil et procédé pour la production de filtres pour cigarettes ou autres articles à fumer

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3174410A1 EP3174410A1 (fr) 2017-06-07
EP3174410B1 true EP3174410B1 (fr) 2018-08-29

Family

ID=51655923

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15754024.6A Active EP3174410B1 (fr) 2014-08-01 2015-07-31 Appareil et procédé pour la production de filtres pour cigarettes ou autres articles à fumer

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3174410B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN107072290A (fr)
PL (1) PL3174410T3 (fr)
RU (1) RU2673139C2 (fr)
WO (1) WO2016016862A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107853751A (zh) * 2017-12-06 2018-03-30 南通烟滤嘴有限责任公司 滤棒成型机中成型部位冷却除湿装置

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1294866B (de) * 1964-06-30 1969-05-08 Reemtsma H F & Ph Verfahren zum Herstellen von Filtern fuer Tabakrauch
GB9407715D0 (en) * 1994-04-19 1994-06-15 British American Tobacco Co Improvements relating to tobacco smoke filter elements
IT1279617B1 (it) * 1995-09-07 1997-12-16 Gd Spa Apparecchiatura per il convogliamento di articoli a forma di barretta, in particolare sigarette.
DE10008786A1 (de) * 2000-02-24 2001-08-30 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Fördereinrichtung zum Überführen von Filterstäben der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie
DE10157760A1 (de) * 2001-11-27 2003-06-05 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von stabförmigen Gegenständen
DE10207357A1 (de) * 2002-02-21 2003-09-11 Rhodia Acetow Gmbh Vorrichtung zur gleichzeitigen, kontinuierlichen Messung und Regelung der Acetat- und Triacetinmenge in Filterstäben in der Zigarettenindustrie
ITVI20020116A1 (it) 2002-06-03 2003-12-03 Rf Systems Srl Dispositivo per il riscaldamento e/o l'essiccazione di superfici
EP1544561A1 (fr) 2003-12-16 2005-06-22 Rf Systems Srl Système pour sécher des matériaux
DE102005058091B4 (de) * 2005-12-05 2007-10-11 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Aushärteeinrichtung für Filterstäbe
DE102006047098A1 (de) * 2006-09-28 2008-04-03 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Erwärmen und Aushärten von Filterstäben
ITBO20120106A1 (it) * 2012-03-05 2013-09-06 Montrade Srl Metodo e macchina per la produzione di filtri senza carta per articoli da fumo

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
RU2017104507A (ru) 2018-09-03
RU2673139C2 (ru) 2018-11-22
RU2017104507A3 (fr) 2018-10-15
WO2016016862A1 (fr) 2016-02-04
CN107072290A (zh) 2017-08-18
PL3174410T3 (pl) 2019-02-28
EP3174410A1 (fr) 2017-06-07

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