EP3298909A1 - Manufacture of smoking products - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing smoking article products (100) from in each case a plurality of article segments (1, 2, 3, 4). In this case, a first article segment group having a plurality, in particular more than two or more than three, article segments (1, 2, 3) is formed or provided, wherein the first article segment group (1, 2, 3) is conveyed transversely axially and from a wrapping material strip ( 10), wherein the first wrapped article segment group (1, 2, 3) is cut centrally and into two article segment subgroups each having the same number of article segments (1, 2, 3) and then the cross-axially promoted article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) , 3) are each turned by 180 ° by means of a turning device, so that the ends of the wrapped article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) initially facing each other before turning are facing each other after turning, wherein between the ends opposite to each other after turning Article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) at least one further article segment (4) is inserted and the at least one further Ar Particle segment (4) is connected to the outer article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) by wrapping with a wrapping material strip (30) to form a second article segment group, and wherein at least one smoking article product (100) is formed from the second article segment group.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing smoking article components from in each case a plurality of article segments, in particular at least three or more than three article segments.

For the manufacture of multi-segment filters, filters made of segments of various materials are assembled on multifilament machines, grouped and formed into a multi-segment filter strand which is wrapped with a wrapping paper which wraps and holds the stranded filter segments together. Subsequently, multi-segment filter rods are cut to length in multiple use length and further processed in a filter attachment machine. Known multifilter machines are known under the name MULFI-ME or MERLIN Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH.

Furthermore, it is off EP 1 441 604 B1 a multi-segment filter manufacturing device with a device for wrapping groups of filter segments with a wrapping material for the production of multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry known. Here, filter segments in a device for assembling groups of filter segments, which is subdivided as modular functional units, assembled according to groups. Here, for example, soft and hard filter segments in a transverse process or in a promotion of the filter segments or groups of filter segments, which is transverse to the longitudinal extent, promoted and assembled in accordance with multi-segment filter. Subsequently, the thus assembled groups of filter segments are wrapped or wrapped with a band roll with a wrapping material strip. This is also done in a conveying direction of the groups of filter segments which is transverse to their longitudinal axis, ie in a transverse process. In the end, multisegment filters of multiple use length, which are transported further and, for example, if they are twice the useful length, can be introduced directly between two tobacco rods into a filter attachment machine.

In addition, in WO 2014/064655 A2 discloses a method and a machine for producing multi-component cigarettes.

It is an object of the present invention to produce in a simple and efficient manner rod-shaped, composed of several segments, smoking products or smoking articles of the tobacco-processing industry.

This object is achieved by a method for producing smoking article products from a plurality of article segments, in particular at least three or more than three article segments, wherein a first article segment group is formed or provided with several, especially more than two or more than three, article segments, the first Article segment group is cross-axially or is wrapped and is wrapped by a wrapping material strip, wherein the first wrapped article segment group is cut centrally and into two article segment subgroups, each with the same number of article segments, and then the cross-axially promoted article segment subgroups turned by a turning device in each case by 180 ° so that the ends of the wrapped article segment subgroups initially facing each other are facing each other after turning, with at least one further article segment inserted between the reversing ends of the article segment subgroups and the at least one further article segment with the outer article subgroups by wrapping with a wrapping material strip to a second article segment group, and wherein from the second article segment group at least one smoking article product is or is formed.

The invention is based on the idea that rod-shaped smoking article products have a plurality of rod-shaped article segments, in particular more than three article segments, the article segments and the article segment groups and the article segment subgroups being conveyed before the turning process and after the turning process in the transverse-axial direction. In this case, the article segments as well as the article segment groups as well as article segment subgroups on conveyor drums or corresponding conveyors are conveyed across the axis.

Due to the fact that the formed, wrapped article segment groups are each cut centrally, exact, straight edges are produced at the ends of the finished smoking article products, so that the two cleanly cut outer product ends contribute to an improvement in the product quality in the further processing of the smoking article products.

In the context of the invention, the rod-shaped smoking article products are designed, for example, as multi-segment filters or multifilters. In addition, it is also possible in one embodiment within the scope of the invention that the smoking article products each have a plurality, in particular different, filter segments and additionally a segment with a consumable substance for a smoker, such as a flavoring.
In particular, in the production process according to the invention, the first article segment group is provided with at least three article segments, wherein the middle article segment is cut centrally after the wrapping of the first article group. Moreover, it is conceivable within the scope of the invention for the first article group to have an even number of article segments, the article segments being arranged symmetrically prior to the wrapping. In particular, in each case at least two article segments of the article segment group and of the article segment subgroup and the second article segment group differ.

Overall, the manufactured smoking article products have several different article segments.

Moreover, in one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the second article segment group, preferably in the middle, is cut into two or more than two smoking article products.

For this purpose, it is further provided that the article segments of the first article segment group are arranged symmetrically, in particular to the vertical center plane, before cutting. The center plane is understood to mean the vertical plane to the longitudinal axis of the first article segment group formed, with the middle of the length of the article segment group lying in the vertical plane.

Advantageously, it is further provided in the method that the first article segment group has an even number of article segments, in particular before cutting. The article segments are arranged symmetrically to the center plane, wherein the cut is made by the first article segment group in the vertical center plane.

In one alternative, the first article segment group has an odd number of article segments, especially before cutting. Here, the article segments of the first article segment group are also arranged symmetrically to the vertical center plane, wherein after wrapping the first article segment group a central section through the arranged in the middle, preferably twice as long, article segment of the article segment group takes place.

Moreover, in one embodiment of the method is provided that for the formation or for the provision of the first article segment group, preferably in sequential order, several article segments are promoted transversely axially and are arranged side by side, so that after the arrangement of the article segments side by side, the first article segment group formed is. In this case, the article segments of a first type are preferably conveyed, so that article segments of the second type are subsequently delivered to the article segments of the first type, the article segments of the second type being arranged next to article segments of the first type. Here, the article segments of the first type and the second type are promoted and assembled transaxially on corresponding conveyor drums or conveyors.

In the context of the invention, it is possible for the article segments for the first article segment group to be cut into article segments before they are delivered to the first article segment group to be formed by cutting articles and then to be delivered or conveyed to the first article segment group to be formed.

For this purpose, it is provided in one embodiment of the method that for the formation of the first article segment group a plurality of article segments are longitudinally spaced axially and subsequently between the longitudinally spaced-apart article segments another or more, especially two, article segments are arranged. Here, for example, two or four or an even number of article segments are divided in the middle, so that the groups formed on article segments are longitudinally spaced from each other axially, wherein the groups of the article segments have the same number.

In a development of the method is provided in an alternative, that one or more article segments at the, preferably outer and / or free, ends of an article segment or that one or more article segments are arranged at the opposite ends of a group of article segments. Here, the article segments for forming the first article segment group are subsequently applied to the opposite ends of an article segment or a group of article segments, for example on a conveyor drum, whereby the article segments from which the first article segment group is formed, are arranged symmetrically.

Furthermore, the method is characterized in that the article segment subgroups formed from the first article segment groups, after turning, are cross-axial, e.g. be conveyed transaxially on a conveyor drum or other conveyors.

In particular, it is advantageous that the article segment subgroups are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal axial direction after the application of the article segment subgroups and subsequently one or more article segments are introduced between the longitudinally axially spaced article segment subgroups.

In the context of the invention, it is provided here that only one or exclusively two article segments are introduced between the longitudinally spaced-apart article segment subgroups.

Furthermore, in one refinement, the method is characterized in that the smoking article products formed from the second article segment groups are arranged in a row transverse to one another after the second article segment group has been cut in a further method step. As a result, the smoking article products are further promoted, for example, for further processing on a filter attachment machine, wherein, for example, the device for producing the smoking article, in which the inventive method is performed, is connected to the filter attachment machine, so that the smoking article to the filter tipping machine, preferably transaxially, further promoted. In particular, the orientation of the smoking article products arranged one behind the other in a row is the same.

In addition, an advantageous method step is characterized in that the article segments of the smoking article products are formed as filter segments or that the smoking article each have at least one or more filter segments as article segments and at least one article segment with a consumable, especially aromatic and / or tobacco-based product.

Overall, the inventive method provides a smoking article product having at least three article segments, wherein the article segment subgroups formed from the first article segment group have at least two article segments.

Within the scope of the invention, it may further be provided that the manufactured smoking article products have four or more than four article segments, wherein the article segment subgroups formed from the first article segment groups and the smoking articles differ by one article segment.

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

Fig. 1a bis 1d

jeweils schematisch Verfahrensabläufe zur Herstellung von Multisegmentfiltern und

Fig. 2a bis 2d

jeweils schematisch Verfahrensschritte zur Herstellung von Multisegmentfiltern.

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. 1a to 1d

in each case schematically process sequences for the production of multi-segment filters and

Fig. 2a to 2d

each schematically process steps for the production of multi-segment filters.

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.

In the Fig. 1a to 1c In each case, method steps for the production of multi-segment filters 100 are shown schematically.

According to the embodiment in Fig. 1a In method step A, two filter segments 1 arranged next to one another are provided and further conveyed transaxially. On their further promotion, the filter segments 1 are longitudinally axially spaced apart, so that a gap is formed and in method step B in the gap between the longitudinally spaced filter segments 1 two juxtaposed filter segments 2 are introduced. The filter segments 1 and the filter segments 2 are respectively transversely, ie conveyed transversely to its central longitudinal axis on conveyor drums or corresponding conveyors.

Subsequently, before the process step C, the symmetrical arrangement of the filter segments 1 and 2 divided from the middle of step B and the two halves of filter segments 1, 2 longitudinally spaced from each other, so that then in the gap between the symmetrical groups of filter segments 1 and 2 two side by side arranged filter segments 3 are introduced into the gap between the two segments, so that a first article segment group is formed.

The group of filter segments compiled in method step C. is arranged mirror-symmetrically to the center plane of the assembled groups of filter segments. Subsequently, the filter segments 1, 2, 3 assembled in method step C are transferred to a further conveyor drum, so that subsequently in method step D the assembled filter segment arrangement of three filter segments are enveloped by a wrapping strip 10 as a first article segment group.

Subsequently, the enveloped filter segment arrangements from method step D are transferred to a cutting drum so that the wrapped filter segment groups are cut centrally on the cutting drum by means of a cutting blade 20 or a corresponding cutting device. This results in two filter segment groups, which are subsequently transferred as article segment subgroups each to a turning device, so that in process step F the transferred filter segment groups are rotated by 180 ° by means of a turning device, whereby the filter segments 3 inside in process step E after performing the turning process in step F outside lie. In this case, according to method step F, the filter segment groups formed adjacent to each other are simultaneously turned through 180 ° by means of a corresponding turning device.

After turning in method step F, the simultaneously turned filter segment groups are transferred as article segment subgroups to a conveyor drum, so that the filter segment groups are conveyed further in the transverse-axial direction. In this case, the filter segment groups are spaced apart transaxially from each other, wherein the ends of the filter segments (see method step E) which initially point outwards are facing one another after turning.

Subsequently, in method step G, two filter segments 4 are inserted into the central gap between the filter segment groups and subsequently encased in method step H by a second wrapping strip 30, whereby a second enveloped article segment group is formed.

Here, the material strip 30 envelops the centrally inserted filter segments 4 and a part of the adjacent filter segments 1 of the already enclosed, outer filter segment groups.

Subsequently, the double-length filter segment groups from method step H are conveyed transaxially to a conveyor drum, so that subsequently the double-length filter segment groups are cut centrally as a second article segment group by means of a cutting blade 40 or a corresponding cutting device, so that two symmetrically mutually arranged multi-segment filter 100 are formed in step I.

Subsequently, in a further method step, the multi-segment filters 100 arranged next to one another are formed by method steps and devices to form a series of cross-axially successively arranged multi-segment filters 100 in method step K.

In the context of the invention, it is conceivable that between the method steps F and G additionally the two turned and enveloped filter segment groups are spaced apart as article segment subgroups in the longitudinal axial direction. Moreover, it is also possible within the scope of the invention for the individually provided filter segments 1, 2, 3, 4 to be cut from multiply long filter segment bars before the formation of the corresponding groups or subgroups, with corresponding delivery processes for providing two filter segments of the same type (Staggering, pushing, etc.) are provided.

At the in Fig. 1b In the embodiment shown, the method steps A to F correspond to the method steps in FIG Fig. 1a , In contrast to the embodiment in Fig. 1a In step G, a double-length filter segment rod 400 is inserted between the filter segment groups with the filter segments 1, 2, 3 and then encased in process step H with the outer filter segment groups connected to the wrapping strip 30 so that a second article segment group is formed. Subsequently, in method step E, the double-length filter segment rod 400 is cut into single-length filter segments 4 by means of the cutting blade 40, wherein two multi-segment filters 100 are produced as smoking article products through the central cut.

At the in Fig. 1c shown embodiment, in contrast to the embodiment in Fig. 1a in method step C, a double-length filter segment rod 300 is arranged in the gap between the symmetrically arranged groups of the filter segments 1 and 2, so that subsequently in step D of the double-long segment rod 300 together with the outer filter segments 1 and 2 from the wrapping strip 10 to a the first item segment group is wrapped and subsequently cut into filter segments 3 in method step E by means of the cutting blade 20. The further method steps F to K correspond to those in Fig. 1a shown method steps.

At the in Fig. 1d shown embodiment in comparison to the other embodiments, in particular to Fig. 1a , segment filters 300 and 400, which are twice as long, are inserted between the subgroups formed on filter segments in method steps D and G (see method step C in FIG Fig. 1c and step G in the embodiment Fig. 1 b) ,

In the further exemplary embodiments 2 a to 2 d, further process diagrams are schematically illustrated for the production of multi-segment filters 100.

According to the in Fig. 2a In method steps A, two separate filter segments 1 arranged next to one another are provided and conveyed in the transverse-axial direction. In method step B, two longitudinally spaced-apart filter segments 2 are then arranged and further conveyed at the outer free ends of the two filter segments 1, so that in method step C, the outer free ends of the filter segments 2 each have a filter segment 3 is applied. In method step D, the filter segment group compiled in method step C is enveloped by a wrapping strip 10, so that a first wrapped article segment group is formed and subsequently in process step E by means of a cutting knife 20 or the like the wrapped filter segment group is formed into two equal and symmetrically arranged article segment subgroups.

Subsequently, the two article segment subgroups are turned over by means of a turning device in method step F, so that the ends of the filter segments 3 pointing outwards in method step E point inwards in method step G and are arranged opposite one another. Following this, in method step G, two filter segments 4 arranged next to one another are inserted between the rotated article segment subgroups which are longitudinally spaced apart, so that subsequently in method step H the filter segments 4 with the already encased article segments are encased by a wrapping strip 30 to form a second encased article segment group get connected.

Subsequently, in method step I, the entire second article segment group is cut centrally so that two multi-segment filters 100 with four different segments are formed. Subsequently, in method step K, a series of mutually identically oriented multi-segment filters 100 is formed, which are provided for a further processing process, for example on a filter attachment machine.

At the in Fig. 2b illustrated embodiment, the illustrated method steps A to F correspond to the method steps A to F in Fig. 2a , After the formation of two article segment subgroups each having three filter segments (see method step E), the article segment subgroups from the filter segments 1, 2, 3 are separated longitudinally axially and arranged symmetrically relative to one another in the method step G arranged a double-length segment bar 400, which is subsequently connected to the two outer article groups in step H by means of the wrapping strip 30 to a second article segment group.

Following this, the double-length segment bar 400 is cut in process step I by means of the cutting blade 40 into two filter segments 4, so that two multisegment filters 100 with four different segments are formed by the cutting operation. Subsequently, the formed multi-segment filters 100 are positioned to form a series of filter segments arranged one behind the other in method step K.

At the in Fig. 2c In the process step A, a double-length filter segment rod 110 is provided in method step A, so that subsequently in method step B, two longitudinally spaced apart filter segments 2 are placed at the outer ends at the outer ends of the filter segment rod 110. Subsequently, in method step C, a filter segment 3 is respectively arranged at the outer free ends of the filter segments 2. In process step D, the wrapping of the article group formed in process step C takes place with a wrapping strip 10, so that a first coated article segment group subsequently to the wrapping in process step E by a central section through the segment bar 1 10 two filter segments 1 and two article segment subgroups of three different Filter segments 1, 2, 3 caused by cutting by means of the cutting blade 20.

The further method steps F to K correspond to the method steps F to K according to FIG Fig. 2a ,

In the process scheme according to Fig. 2d the method steps A to F correspond to the method steps in the exemplary embodiment in FIG Fig. 2c , After formation of two article segment subgroups from three different filter segments 1, 2, 3 and turning them in process step F In each case, double-segment bars 400, which are subsequently connected to the wrapping strip 30 with the article-segment subgroups in method step H, are inserted centrally between the turned article segment subgroups, whereby a second wrapped article segment group is created.

Subsequently, the double-length segment bar 400 is divided into two filter segments 4 in method step I, so that two multisegment filters 100 are formed from the second article segment group, which are subsequently arranged one behind the other and in the same orientation in a row (see method step K).

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

1

filter segment

2

filter segment

3

filter segment

4

filter segment

10

wrapping strip

20

cutting blade

30

wrapping strip

40

cutting blade

100

Multi-segment filter

110

Filter segment bar

300

Filter segment bar

400

Filter segment bar

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K

step

Claims (12)

A method for producing smoking article products (100) from in each case a plurality of article segments (1, 2, 3, 4), in particular at least three or more than three article segments (1, 2, 3, 4), wherein a first article segment group with several, in particular more than two or more than three, article segments (1, 2, 3) is formed or provided, wherein the first article segment group (1, 2, 3) is transversely promoted and is or is wrapped by a wrapping material strip (10), wherein the first wrapped article segment group (1, 2, 3) in the middle and in two article segment subgroups each having the same number of article segments (1, 2, 3) is cut and then the cross-axially promoted article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) by means of a turning device in each case by 180 ° be turned so that the ends of the wrapped article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) initially facing before turning are facing each other after turning, wherein between de n after turning opposite ends of the article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) at least one further article segment (4) is inserted and the at least one further article segment (4) with the outer article segment subgroups (1, 2, 3) is connected by wrapping with a wrapping material strip (30) to a second article segment group, and wherein from the second article segment group at least one smoking article product (100) is or is formed. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the second article segment group, preferably in the middle, is cut into two or more than two smoking article products (100). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the article segments of the first article segment group are arranged symmetrically, in particular to the vertical center plane, prior to cutting. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first article segment group has an even number of article segments, in particular before cutting. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first article segment group has an odd number of article segments, in particular before cutting. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that for the formation of the first article segment group, preferably in sequential order, several article segments are conveyed transversely axially and are arranged side by side. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that a plurality of article segments are longitudinally spaced apart from each other and subsequently between the longitudinally axially spaced article segments a further or more, in particular two, article segments are arranged. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that one or more article segments at the ends of an article segment or that one or more article segments are arranged at the opposite ends of a group of article segments. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the article segment subgroups are conveyed cross-axial after turning. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the article segment subgroups are spaced after the turning of the article segment subgroups in the longitudinal direction from one another and subsequently introduced one or more article segments between the longitudinally axially spaced-apart article segment subgroups. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the smoking article products (100) are arranged in a row transversely axially behind one another. Method according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the article segments of the smoking article products (100) are formed as filter segments or that the smoking article products (100) each at least one or more filter segments as article segments and at least one article segment with a consumable, especially aromatic and / or tobacco-based product.

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