EP3542648B1 - Device and method for producing a rod made of web material - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for producing a strand of web material, comprising a separating device which is set up to separate a flat web into a large number of strips. The invention also relates to a method for producing a strand of web material, in which a flat web is separated into a large number of strips using a separating device.

A device for producing a rod of reconditioned tobacco material is, for example, from DE 1 954 036 out. A flat web of reconditioned tobacco material is cut into parallel strips using a slicing device. These strips are gathered into a strand and surrounded by an outer covering. The covered strand is cut into pieces of a predetermined length so that a rod-shaped article such as a cigarette can be manufactured.

Disc knives are used to produce the individual strips. The interacting circular cutting knives are in direct contact with each other and cut the material at the point to be cut by sliding the two blades directly on each other.

Out of CH 576 753 A5 a method of manufacturing smoking articles is shown. A flat web of tobacco foil is fed through two forming rollers. Longitudinal ribs are embossed into the tobacco foil by these two deformation rollers.

The object of the present invention is to specify an improved device and an improved method for producing a strand.

The object is achieved by a device for producing a strand of web material, comprising a separating device which is designed to separate a flat web into a large number of strips, the device being further developed in that the separating device has a first and a second working together with this roller, wherein the lateral surfaces of the rollers in the axial direction alternately have circumferential grooves and elevations that are closed in the circumferential direction and in an effective area the elevations of the first roller engage in the grooves of the second roller and the elevations of the second roller engage in the grooves of the first roller, with the The separating device is set up to separate immediately adjacent strips from one another along a predetermined dividing line in the effective area by stretching the flat web transversely to the dividing line so much that it tears apart along the dividing line, the device further comprising a strand forming unit t configured to form a strand of the plurality of strips.

The first and the second roller are not in contact with each other in the effective area. The flat web is not cut along the dividing line by the interaction of two blades, but is defined by overstretching torn. In the device according to aspects of the invention, the flat web is advantageously severed in a defined manner along the at least one separating line, but no cutting process takes place. On the contrary, the flat web is locally overstretched to such an extent that it tears apart in a defined manner and advantageously an open structure on the Breaking edge of the strips arises. Because of this open structure, the strips are, for example, more suitable for absorbing additives or for releasing them, for example when heated.

The flat web is, for example, flat reconditioned tobacco material, a PLA film or a paper web. If reconditioned tobacco material is used as the flat web, the rod produced in the rod-forming unit from the plurality of strips of reconditioned tobacco material is, for example, a rod from which smoking products are later produced. Because of its property of being able to absorb additives well and release them again, the rod of reconditioned tobacco material is particularly suitable for so-called "heat-not-burn" tobacco products. If PLA film is used as the material for the flat web, a cooling element or the like can be produced from the strand, for example. The situation is similar if the flat web is a paper web. For example, a filter element or a spacer element can be produced from it.

A further advantage of the separating device according to aspects of the invention is the significantly reduced wear of the separating device compared to conventional cutting devices in which the blades used to separate the flat web are in direct contact with one another and slide off one another during the cutting process. The cooperating rollers of the separating device are not in mechanical contact with one another, ie they do not touch one another during operation of the device. For this reason, there is no or significantly reduced material abrasion or wear on the two rollers. This enables significantly longer and improved roller service lives compared to conventional solutions.

The grooves and elevations of the first roller are preferably all of the same dimensions, as are the grooves and elevations of the second roller. All grooves and elevations present on the respective roller are therefore in The same width in the axial direction of the roller and the same depth in the radial direction. The same applies in particular to the surveys. Provision is also made in particular for the elevations of the first roller and the elevations of the second roller to be of different heights in the radial direction. In this way, the strips lying in the grooves on one roll can be pressed onto the bottom of the grooves by the elevations of the other roll. This pressure can be used to promote the flat web. The strips present in the opposite grooves, on the other hand, rest freely on the end faces of the elevations. The two rollers can be designed in the same way and complementary in shape to each other. This enables optimal interaction between the rollers.

The separating device is therefore set up in particular to produce a large number of strips from the flat web, with the strips produced all having at least approximately the same width. Furthermore, the rollers of the separating device can in particular be set up in such a way that strips with different widths are produced. In this case, both regularly different and irregularly different strip widths can be provided. For example, for this purpose, every second groove and the elevation interacting with it are twice as wide in the axial direction as the adjacent grooves or elevations. Strips of different widths can thus be produced regularly. It is therefore possible to produce strips of different widths or to provide a pattern. The width of the strips is measured transversely to a longitudinal extension direction of the strips and in a strip plane. The plane of the strip should be that plane in which a smooth strip of reconditioned tobacco material leaving the separating device extends.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the elevations and the grooves are connected to one another by radially running flanks and the dividing line runs between a first flank of the first roller and a second flank of the second roller.

It is further provided in particular that the elevations and the grooves are at least approximately rectangular in cross section. The cross section of the elevations and grooves is considered in a plane in which the two axes of the two rolls lie. A first flank is understood to mean a flank that runs between an elevation and a groove or between a groove and an elevation on the surface of the first roller. The same applies to the second flank, correspondingly to the second roller. A flank running radially is to be understood as meaning a surface which lies in a plane defined by the radius of the roll.

A particularly efficient separating process can be achieved by the configuration of the grooves and the elevations mentioned, namely by a flank running radially between the elevation and the groove.

According to a further embodiment, the device is further developed in that the separating device is set up for separating a flat web with a predetermined material thickness, there being an axial gap between the first and second flank which is one to three times a value of the predetermined material thickness of the flat track is.

In other words, this means that there is a clearance in an axial direction between the crests of the first roll and the crests of the second roll. In other words, the grooves of different rolls overlap in the axial direction by the axial gap size. The specified axial gap has proven to be particularly suitable for ensuring that adjacent strips are efficiently separated.

The outer surface of the rolls can be described, for example, as comprising a plurality of discs which are spaced apart from one another. The distance between the disks is the respective axial one width of the groove. The width of the discs measured in the axial direction corresponds to the respective width of the elevations. On the rollers there is a periodic arrangement of discs aligned parallel to one another, the distances between which are all the same. The distance between the elevations is set up in such a way that strips with a strip width of at least approximately 0.8 mm to 10 mm can be produced from the flat web. This value also corresponds, for example, to the axial distance between adjacent elevations.

Furthermore, the device is further developed in particular in that the separating device is set up for separating a flat web with a predetermined material thickness, with a distance measured in the radial direction of the rollers between an upper side of the elevations of the first roller and an upper side of the elevations of the second roller being the fifth is up to ten times a value of the specified material thickness of the flat web. In other words, the two rollers are aligned with one another in such a way that they engage in one another by a factor of five to ten times the specified material thickness of the flat web. This ensures that the flat web is overstretched in a direction perpendicular to its surface by five to ten times the value of its material thickness. The specified value ensures that the flat web is overstretched beyond the value for the elongation at break, so that a reliable separation of adjacent strips takes place.

For example, the device comprises a first embossing device which is arranged downstream of the separating device and is set up to emboss the strip with a longitudinally, for example periodically, variable structure which rises from the strip plane.

The periodically variable structure is, for example, wavy or zigzag-shaped. The first embossing device can also be referred to as an "out of plane" embossing device, since the embossed structure rises out of the plane of the strip and thus "out of plane" in this sense. The embossed structure ensures that the stripes in the manufactured hook strands together. In other words, there is an interaction between the individual strips in the rod, which comprises a multiplicity of strips of reconditioned tobacco material. These can no longer shift too easily in relation to one another in the axial direction of the strand, which prevents undesirable effects such as head failure.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the grooves and elevations of the rollers, viewed in the circumferential direction, are designed to be variable, in particular periodically, in the axial direction.

This configuration of the rollers gives the strips produced a variable structure in the plane of the strips, in this sense "in plane". Such an "in plane" structure has a similar effect to the aforementioned "out of plane" structure. The strips interact with each other in the produced strand, so that their displaceability in the longitudinal axial direction is reduced. This property is advantageous both for the manufactured product and for the processing of the strand. For example, the likelihood that individual strips will be pulled out of the strand when it is cut is reduced.

According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the elevations of the rollers, in their outwardly directed end faces, have a groove-shaped recess running around in the circumferential direction. In other words, the elevations of the rollers, viewed in a cross section in which the axial direction lies, are partially set back inwards in the region of their end faces, ie in the direction of a smaller radius. The groove provided in the end faces of the elevations is, for example, V-shaped, U-shaped, semi-circular or has another suitable shape. Such a configuration of the end faces of the elevations causes the strips to have only a small contact area with the end face of the elevations. The radially circumferential grooves extend, for example, over an area between 60% and 80% of the total End face, so that a remaining maximum contact area of the strips is between 20% and 40%. The reduction in the contact surface advantageously counteracts a tendency, depending on the web material, to stick to the end faces of the elevations. For example, it is also provided that the grooves extend over almost the entire end face of the elevations. If the grooves then have a V-shaped cross section, for example, then in the ideal case the strips only rest along two lines (two points in the cross section). In this way, a minimal bearing surface for the strips on the end faces of the elevations can be achieved. A reduction in the contact area and the associated decreasing tendency of the material to adhere to the end faces of the elevations is particularly advantageous for the processing of reconditioned tobacco material, which has a high glycerol content and therefore sometimes has a very sticky consistency.

The principle according to which the web material is separated into individual strips remains unaffected by this change in the shape of the elevations. For this purpose, it is provided in particular that in the edge areas of the elevations there is always a small area extending parallel to the axial direction, so that the elevations do not run to a point towards their edges. Such a configuration also has the advantage that the service life of the rollers can be improved. Similar to a cutting knife, which is used to process sheets of paper, this section of the elevations has the effect of a preliminary bevel to the actual cutting bevel. The pre-bevel absorbs high resistance during the cut and thus relieves the main bevel, so that the service life can be improved overall.

For example, the device comprises a bending device arranged downstream of the separating device, which is set up to at least partially oppose the strips produced by the separating device with a structure present, in particular periodically, in the strip plane in the region of their extrema lying in the strip plane bend a remaining part of the surface out of the plane of the strip.

The kinked extremes, which are the tips of the waves in an exemplary wave cut or the outer corners of the spikes in a zigzag cut, ensure that the strips in the strand interlock even more strongly against one another. For example, the extrema can be bent or bent by at least approximately 90° with respect to the plane of the strip. It is also provided that successive extrema are bent, kinked or chamfered alternately upwards and downwards out of the plane of the strip.

The aforementioned measures not only lead to increased interaction of the strips in the strand produced, so that, for example, undesirable phenomena such as head loss or the like can be reduced, they also increase the filling power of the strips at the same time. This is particularly advantageous for short tobacco rods, such as are used in "heat-not-burn" products.

According to a further example, the device comprises a selective delay device between the first embossing device and/or the bending device and the strand forming unit, which provides at least one transport section and a delay section with a conveying path that is longer than the transport section, a grouping device also being present that is set up for this purpose dividing the plurality of strips into at least a first group and a second group, wherein in the delay device the first group is guided along the transport route and the second group is guided along the delay route, and the delay device is further configured to separate the first and the second Group downstream of the transport and delay line to merge back into a common strand and provide this common strand of the strand forming unit.

Due to the difference in length between the transport section and the delay section, a phase shift between the two groups of strips can be achieved. For example, the strips of different groups are pulled over rollers or bolts with different diameters, so that the path difference provided can be adjusted. The phase shift achieved in this way is, for example, half a period of the impressed "out of plane" structure or of the "in plane" structure present as a result of the separation process. An extremum of a strip of the first group thus meets the same extremum of the strip of the second group, as a result of which a particularly large gain in volume and thus increased filling power can be achieved.

In this case, the device is designed, for example, in such a way that adjacent strips are assigned alternately to the first and to the second group. Provision is also made, for example, for the device to be set up in such a way that a large number of groups are provided, with two or more delay paths of different lengths also being provided from a number of three groups. By providing different phase shifts between the individual groups, the filling power and the associated gain in volume can be further improved.

According to a further example, the device comprises a second embossing device which is arranged downstream of the separating device and is set up to emboss the strip with a structure which is variable transversely to its longitudinal direction and rises from the plane of the strip.

For example, a V-shaped, W-shaped, channel-shaped or similar structure is embossed in the longitudinal direction of the strips, which rises out of the plane of the strips. It is true that such a structure, which can be changed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strips, does not ensure that the strips interlock with one another in the longitudinal direction of the strand produced However, there is an improved filling power effect.

Above all in combination with a separating process that can be changed "in plane", ie strips that are periodically changeable, for example wavy, in their plane, such central or longitudinal folds can have a significantly increased volume and thus improved filling power. At the same time, the "in plane" structure causes the strips to interlock in the longitudinal direction.

According to one embodiment, the device is further developed by a pulling device, in particular a pair of pulling rollers, which is integrated in a transport path of the plurality of strips downstream of the separating device and upstream of the strand-forming unit.

A pulling device is particularly advantageous when reconditioned tobacco material is used as web material. Reconditioned tobacco material varies widely in properties, however, many flat sheets of reconditioned tobacco material tend to be sticky. After such a web material has been separated into individual strips, it is sometimes difficult to pull the individual strips off the rollers. A pulling device ensures that the individual strips are continuously pulled off the rollers of the separating device. On the one hand, it can be avoided that the strips tear off due to excessive tensile forces and, on the other hand, that the individual strips stick to the rollers due to insufficient tensile forces. A pulling device is the method of choice to continuously pull the strips individually from the rollers, but not to exert too much force on the material, which could result in negative stretching effects.

In this context, it is provided in particular that the pulling device comprises a sensor and the device for producing the strand has a corresponding control/regulation, so that a force measurement in the pulling device on the individual strips acting force can be measured and, if necessary, regulated.

According to a further embodiment, the device is characterized by a tension decoupling device present in particular immediately upstream of the strand-shaping unit, which is set up to decouple the strips from tensile stress in the longitudinal direction, so that the strips can be made available to the strand-shaping unit free of tensile stress.

A decoupling is advantageously carried out before being drawn into the strand-forming unit, so that the strips can be drawn into the format inlet of the strand-forming unit without tension. For example, such a tension decoupling device is realized by a loop box or the like.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the device is further developed in that the strand-forming unit comprises an injection device with an injector which is arranged at least approximately centrally in a format channel of the strand-forming unit, the injector for supplying liquid additives, compressed air, a flavor thread, a metal thread and /or a metal strip centrally installed in the rod of reconditioned tobacco material.

The intended injector has a positive effect on strand formation in various aspects. For example, compressed air fed centrally into the strand supports the formation of the strand and, if necessary, the adhesion of the strips to a wrapping material. If a liquid additive is fed centrally into the strand, the liquid remains in the strand and is adsorbed or absorbed by the surrounding strips. Liquid additives often lead to undesirable optical changes such as spots, discoloration or the like on a wrapping material. If the liquid additive is fed centrally to the strand, the probability that it will penetrate to the coating material is extremely low. The undesired effects described can thus almost be avoided completely. By adding a flavor thread, a metal thread or metal strip, the range of use and the variability of the rod made from reconditioned tobacco material are improved.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the device is characterized by an application device which is present between the separating device and the strand-forming unit and is designed to provide the strips with liquid and/or solid additives to provide solid additives, the application device further comprises a wetting device which is adapted to wet the strips upstream of the application of the solid additives with a liquid, the solid additives being in particular dry, granular and/or dusty additives.

Treating the individual strips with liquid or solid additives does not have a negative effect on the separation process compared to treating the flat web with the corresponding additives. This takes place on the untreated flat web and is not negatively influenced by the added additives. The liquid additives can be applied, for example, in an atomization chamber or swirl chamber. Liquid and/or solid additives can also be applied to the strips by mechanical contact, for example rubbing contact. The dusty additives are, for example, tobacco dust. Flavor-carrying substances, nicotine-containing substances or substances for stick solidification, for example, are provided as liquid additives. This applies advantageously to all of the embodiments mentioned.

According to a further example, the device comprises a guide element which is arranged, for example, immediately upstream of the strand-forming unit and for guiding at least two strip bundles in a strand-like geometric arrangement comprises a first and a second guide, the guide element in particular further comprising a central guide for guiding a thread, which is at least partially surrounded by the first and/or the second guide.

According to a further example, it is provided that the device is designed in such a way that the separating device is supplied with a first flat web and a second flat web separate therefrom. The strips made from the first flat web are guided in the first guide, the strips made from the second flat web are guided in the second guide. The strand-like geometric arrangement is, for example, an arrangement in which the channels describe a sector of a circle. The central guide is arranged, for example, in the center of the circle. In this case, the guides are not exactly a sector of a circle, but rather a sector of a circle in which the central area provided for the central guide is left out.

Provision is also made, for example, for the strips produced from different flat webs to be assigned to a plurality of guides. In this way, an alternating arrangement of the strips of the first and the second flat web can be provided, viewed in the circumferential direction of the strand. This contributes to the homogenization of the strand. The individual circular sectors can be, for example, 180°, 120° or 90° of a circular angle, depending on whether two, three or four individual bundles are to be fed into the strand inlet. Other divisions are also provided depending on the number of strands to be homogenized with one another.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the device is developed in that the application device is set up to treat the at least two strip bundles by adding them differently and/or by adding different additives.

Such an embodiment is provided for the case, for example, that a single flat web is processed into strips. The division of the strips produced from this single flat web into two different bundles of strips and the subsequent addition of different additives allows a wide variation of the strand produced. The different additions can relate both to the amount of additives (with the same type of additives used) and to the application of different additives (ie different types, for example flavors). The different additives can therefore be additives which differ from one another in terms of type and/or quantity.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the device is further developed in that the strand-forming unit comprises a gluing device which is set up to apply glue to a strip of wrapping material on the inside, in particular over the entire surface, and/or to a thread fed centrally to the strand, before the strand-forming unit consists of the plurality of strips forms the strand.

Applying glue to the inside surface of the wrapping material, for example to wrapping paper, allows the strips lying on the outside of the strand to be attached to the wrapping material and thus improves the anchoring of the strips in the rod. In addition, improved mechanical strength of the strand can be achieved. By introducing compressed air via the injector that is present at least approximately centrally in the format channel, the contact with the glued wrapping material can be supported. By gluing the thread that is fed centrally to the strand, it can also be prevented that it is pulled out of the rod-shaped article being produced, for example during the cutting process of the strand.

With the device according to aspects of the invention, reconditioned tobacco material can be processed which is produced according to the paper method or according to the slurry method. It is also provided that a reconditioned tobacco material is processed, which is produced by a hybrid process. The device preferably comprises a feed device in which, for example, a bobbin is accommodated, from which the reconditioned tobacco material is unwound. It is further provided in particular that there is more than one bobbin, so that two or more flat webs of reconditioned tobacco material can be fed to the separating device.

It is further provided in particular that the reconditioned tobacco material is fed to the separating device in such a way that the fibers present in the flat web are aligned parallel to the intended separating line. In this way, the flat web can be separated into the individual strips in a particularly efficient manner.

The device according to aspects of the invention is also constructed in particular in a modular manner. In particular, it is provided that the separating device, the strand-forming unit, the first embossing device, the bending device, the delay device, the grouping device, the second embossing device, the tension decoupling device, the injection device, the application device, a device comprising the guide element and/or the gluing device as separate Modules or units are designed, which can be flexibly combined and assembled into a suitable device for producing a rod of reconditioned tobacco material.

As already mentioned above, the device is also provided for processing web material, which is PLA film or a paper web.

According to a further embodiment, the device is designed as a two-strand machine. This applies to all of its functional units, in particular the strand-forming unit is designed as a two-strand machine.

The object is also achieved by a method for producing a strand of web material, in which a flat web is separated into a plurality of strips with a separating device, the method being further developed in that the separating device comprises a first roller and a second roller that interacts with it , wherein the lateral surfaces of the rollers in the axial direction alternately have circumferentially closed grooves and elevations and in an effective area the elevations of the first roller engage in the grooves of the second roller and the elevations of the second roller engage in the grooves of the first roller, with immediately adjacent strips are separated from one another along a predetermined dividing line in the knitting area by the flat web being stretched transversely to the dividing line to such an extent that it tears apart along the dividing line, with a strand being formed from the plurality of strips in a strand-forming unit.

The same or similar advantages apply to the method for producing the rod from reconditioned tobacco material as they have already been mentioned above with regard to the device, so that repetitions should be dispensed with. A highly efficient method is specified, which works with little wear and provides strips whose open structure present at the separating edge enables improved absorption or release of additives or flavorings.

As already mentioned in the context of the device, the flat web is, for example, flat reconditioned tobacco material, a PLA film or a paper web. The method is thus used, for example, to produce smoking products if the flat web is reconditioned tobacco material. If PLA film is used as the material for the flat sheet, a cooling element or the like, for example, can be produced by means of the method. The situation is similar if the flat web is a paper web. For example, a filter element or a spacer element can be produced from it.

The method is preferably developed in that a flat web is processed with a predetermined material thickness, the elevations and the grooves of the rollers being connected to one another by radially running flanks and the dividing line running between a first flank of the first roller and a second flank of the second roller, with a axial gap is provided, which is one to three times a value of the predetermined material thickness of the flat web.

Furthermore, it is provided in particular that a flat web with a predetermined material thickness is processed, with a distance measured in the radial direction of the rollers between an upper side of the elevations of the first roller and an upper side of the second roller being five to ten times a value of the predetermined material thickness of the flat web.

Strips with a strip width of between 0.8 mm and 10 mm are produced with the method, for example. The two rollers are not in contact with each other. The method is therefore a method for separating the flat web into individual strips, with the surfaces of the rollers interacting with one another in an effective area not being in mechanical contact with one another.

According to one example, the method includes that the strip is embossed with a first embossing device arranged downstream of the separating device with a longitudinally, in particular periodically, variable structure which rises from the plane of the strip.

Furthermore, according to a further embodiment, it is provided that the grooves and elevations of the rollers, viewed in the circumferential direction, in the axial direction, in particular periodically, are designed to be variable and strips with a variable structure in the strip plane are produced with the separating device.

In other words, the method is for the production of strips suitable, which have a variable structure "out of plane" and / or "in plane". Advantageously, the individual strips in the strand that is formed interlock with one another, so that undesirable phenomena such as head loss or the like can be reduced.

This effect can be further improved by the fact that, according to a further example, the method comprises the strips being bent out of the strip plane at least in regions in relation to a remaining surface part using a bending device arranged downstream of the separating device in the region of their extrema lying in the strip plane.

In this context, it is provided, for example, that successive extremes are bent or bent in different directions out of the plane of the strip. An angle between the bent area and the remaining surface area is, for example, at least approximately 90°. The filling power of the strand produced can be improved by the measures mentioned.

According to a further example, it is provided that between the first embossing device and/or the bending device and the strand-forming unit there is a selective delaying device which provides at least one transport section and a delaying section with a conveying path that is longer than the transport section, with a grouping device also being present, with dividing the plurality of strips into at least a first group and a second group, in the delay device the first group being guided along the transport route and the second group being guided along the delay route, and the first and second groups downstream of the transport and delay route brought together again to form a common strand and this common strand is made available to the strand-forming unit.

The strips of the different groups are thus delayed in relation to one another. This delay is, for example, 180° of the period of the variable structure of the strips. In this way, the filling power of the strips is further improved.

According to a further example, a measure that also improves the filling power is that the strip is embossed with a second embossing device arranged downstream of the separating device with a structure that is variable transversely to its longitudinal direction and that rises out of the plane of the strip.

The method is further developed in that the strips are pulled downstream of the separating device and upstream of the strand-forming unit by a pulling device, in particular a pair of pulling rollers, in a transport direction away from the separating device and in the direction of the strand-forming unit.

According to a further advantageous development of the method, it is provided that the strips are decoupled from a tensile stress in the longitudinal direction with a tension decoupling device present, in particular directly upstream of the strand-shaping unit, so that the strips are provided to the strand-shaping unit free of tensile stress. A tension-free format infeed is advantageously guaranteed. For this purpose, it is provided, for example, that a loop is formed in front of the format infeed.

According to a further embodiment, the method is further developed in that the strand-forming unit comprises an injection device with an injector which is arranged at least approximately centrally in a format channel of the strand-forming unit, with the injector injecting liquid additives, compressed air, a flavor thread, a metal thread and/or a Metal strip is fed centrally into the rod of reconditioned tobacco material.

The supply of liquid additives centrally in the strand avoids optically undesired staining on the outside of the covering material and the supply of compressed air can improve adhesion of the strips to the covering material, especially if this is glued.

According to a further embodiment, the method is further developed in that the application device present between the separating device and the format unit is provided with liquid and/or solid additives. If the strips are provided with solid additives, the strips are applied upstream of the application of the solid Additives are wetted with a liquid, in particular dry, granular and/or dusty additives being used as solid additives. The addition of various additives allows an extremely flexible manufacturing process to be specified.

According to a further example, the method comprises that the strips are divided into at least two bundles of strips and are guided with a guide element which is arranged, in particular directly, upstream of the strand-forming unit and which has a first guide for guiding the at least two bundles of strips in a strand-like geometric arrangement for guiding the first bundle of strips and a second guide for guiding the second bundle of strips, the guide element in particular further comprising a central guide in which a thread is guided, the central guide being surrounded at least in sections by the first and/or the second guide .

Above all, the example mentioned is advantageous if the method is designed, for example, in such a way that the separating device is fed with two different flat webs of, in particular different, reconditioned tobacco material. The strips of the first flat web are guided in a first guide, the strips of the second flat web are guided in a second guide. there is Furthermore, it is particularly provided that the strips of the first flat web are separated and guided in two first guides. The same applies to the strips of the second flat web, which are guided in two second guides. The two guides can, for example, be arranged alternately along the circumference of the strand-like geometric arrangement. For example, if it is a first flat track of type A and a second flat track of type B, the guides can be arranged alternately ABAB along the circumference of the guide element.

According to a further example, it is provided that the at least two bundles of strips are treated with the application device by adding them differently and/or by adding different additives. Such an example is advantageous above all when a single flat web is processed from a single web material.

The strips produced are divided into at least two bundles of strips and treated by adding additives in different ways. It is provided that both different additives and different amounts of the same additive can be added. This allows for a simple change in the type of skein being produced, such as a flavor or brand.

According to a further embodiment, the method is developed in that a strip of wrapping material is glued on the inside, in particular over the entire surface, and/or a thread fed centrally to the strand with a gluing device included in the strand-shaping unit before a strand is formed from the plurality of strips in the strand-shaping unit becomes.

Due to the gluing of the covering material, in particular over the entire surface, a mechanically stable strand can be specified in which undesirable effects, such as head loss or the like, are significantly reduced or avoided.

Further features of the invention will be apparent from the description of embodiments of the invention taken 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 Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eines Strangs aus Bahnmaterial in schematisch vereinfachter Darstellung,

Fig. 2

eine schematisch vereinfachte Detailansicht der Walzen einer Trennvorrichtung der Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eines Strangs, dargestellt im Wirkbereich der beiden Walzen und in einer Schnittebene, in der die Achsen der Walzen liegen,

Fig. 3

eine weitere Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eines Strangs mit einer ersten Prägevorrichtung, dargestellt in schematisch vereinfachter Darstellung,

Fig. 4

eine weitere Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eines Strangs mit einer Zugentkopplungsvorrichtung, dargestellt in schematisch vereinfachter Darstellung,

Fig. 5

eine schematisch vereinfachte Draufsicht auf eine Walze, deren Nuten und Erhebungen, betrachtet in Umfangsrichtung, in axialer Richtung periodisch veränderlich ausgestaltet sind,

Fig. 6

eine weitere Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eines Strangs mit einer Biegevorrichtung, dargestellt in schematisch vereinfachter Darstellung,

Fig. 7

eine schematisch vereinfachte Draufsicht auf einen Streifen aus Bahnmaterial bei dem die von der Biegevorrichtung abzuknickenden Extrema angedeutet sind,

Fig. 8

eine weitere Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eines Strangs mit einer Verzögerungsvorrichtung, dargestellt in schematisch vereinfachter Darstellung,

Fig. 9

eine weitere Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eines Strangs mit einer Applikationsvorrichtung, dargestellt in schematisch vereinfachter Darstellung,

Fig. 10

eine weitere Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eines Strangs aus zwei verschiedenen Bahnmaterialien, dargestellt in schematisch vereinfachter Darstellung,

Fig. 11

ein Führungselement einer solchen Vorrichtung in schematisch vereinfachter Draufsicht,

Fig. 12

eine weitere Vorrichtung zum Herstellen eines Strangs mit einer Zugvorrichtung, dargestellt in schematisch vereinfachter Ansicht,

Fig. 13a)

eine erste schematisch vereinfachte Querschnittsansicht durch eine Erhebung einer Walze, wobei die Erhebung in ihrer äußeren Stirnseite eine Nut aufweist und

Fig. 13b)

eine schematisch vereinfachte Querschnittsansicht durch eine weitere Erhebung einer Walze, deren Erhebung eine anders geformte Nut aufweist.

The invention is described below without restricting the general inventive concept using exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, with express reference being made to the drawings with regard to all details according to the invention that are not explained in more detail in the text. Show it:

1

a device for producing a strand of web material in a schematically simplified representation,

2

a schematically simplified detailed view of the rollers of a separating device of the device for producing a strand, shown in the effective area of the two rollers and in a sectional plane in which the axes of the rollers lie,

3

a further device for producing a strand with a first embossing device, shown in a schematically simplified representation,

4

a further device for producing a strand with a tension decoupling device, shown in a schematically simplified representation,

figure 5

a schematically simplified top view of a roller, the grooves and elevations of which, viewed in the circumferential direction, are designed to change periodically in the axial direction,

6

another device for producing a strand with a Bending device, shown in a schematically simplified representation,

7

a schematically simplified plan view of a strip of web material in which the extremes to be bent by the bending device are indicated,

8

a further device for producing a strand with a delay device, shown in a schematically simplified representation,

9

a further device for producing a strand with an application device, shown in a schematically simplified representation,

10

another device for producing a strand from two different web materials, shown in a schematically simplified representation,

11

a guide element of such a device in a schematically simplified top view,

12

another device for producing a strand with a pulling device, shown in a schematically simplified view,

Fig. 13a)

a first schematically simplified cross-sectional view through an elevation of a roller, the elevation having a groove in its outer face and

Fig. 13b)

a schematically simplified cross-sectional view through a further elevation of a roller, the elevation of which has a differently shaped groove.

In the drawings, elements and/or parts that are the same or of the same type are provided with the same reference numbers, so that they are not presented again in each case.

1 shows a device 2 for producing a strand 4 of web material. The web material is unrolled from a bobbin 8 as a flat web 6 . An unwinding unit 10 is provided for this purpose. The web material is, for example, reconditioned tobacco material, PLA film or paper. The flat web 6 is fed to a separating device 12 included in the device 2 . The separating device 12 is set up to separate the flat web 6 into a large number of strips 14 . The stripes extend in a stripe plane and are in the representation of 1 one behind the other perpendicular to the plane of the paper. The strip planes E are also perpendicular to the plane of the paper.

In 1 1 is a schematic plan view of the plurality of strips 14 produced, showing the strips 14 arranged side-by-side. The longitudinally separated flat web 6, which now consists of strips 14 running parallel to one another, is conveyed over transport rollers 16, only some of which are provided with reference numbers for reasons of clarity, in the direction of an infeed and bundling funnel 18 of a strand forming unit 20 of the device 2 for production of the strand 4 transported. The strand 4 is formed from the plurality of strips 14 in the strand forming unit 20 . The strand formation takes place, for example, in a format channel 22, which is only indicated schematically. After strand formation, strand 4 can be cut into individual rod-shaped segments 24 of a desired length.

The separating device 12 comprises a first roller 26 and a second roller 28 which cooperate. The two rollers 26, 28 are not in mechanical contact with each other. The first roller 26 rotates about a first axis 27, the second roller 28 rotates about a second axis 29. 2 shows a schematically simplified detailed view of the two rollers 26, 28 of the separating device 12 in an effective area of the two rollers 26, 28. The in 2 The representation shown is a sectional plane in which the axes 27, 29 of the rollers 26, 28 lie.

The first roller 26 has a first lateral surface 30 and the second roller 28 has a second lateral surface 32. The lateral surfaces 30, 32 of the rollers 26, 28 alternate in the axial direction A, which runs parallel to the first and second axes 27, 29 circumferential grooves 34 and elevations 36 closed in the circumferential direction. For reasons of clarity, only some of the grooves 34 and elevations 36 are provided with reference numbers. In the effective range of the two rollers 26, 28, the elevations 36 of the first roller 26 engage in the grooves 34 of the second roller 28 and the elevations 36 of the second roller 28 engage in the grooves 34 of the first roller 26. The flat web 6, when it is in is introduced into the effective area between the two rollers 26, 28, is overstretched locally and transversely to a dividing line to such an extent that the flat web 6 tears apart along the dividing line. The position of the dividing line is in 2 indicated by the parting plane T shown in dotted line. The dividing line runs in the dividing plane T and perpendicular to the paper plane of the representation 2 .

The elevations 36 of the rollers 26, 28 each include an upper side 38 which is part of the respective lateral surface 30, 32 of the associated roller 26, 28. The grooves 34 each include a base 40, which is also part of the lateral surface 30, 32 of the associated roller 26, 28. The elevations 36 and the grooves 34, more precisely the top 38 of the elevation 36 and the bottom 40 of the adjacent groove 34 are each connected by flanks 42, 44 with each other. Depending on whether the grooves 34 or the elevations 36 are to be assigned to the first or the second roller 26, 28, these flanks should be designated as the first flanks 42 if it is the first roller 26, and as the second flanks 44 if it is is the second roller 28. The flanks 42, 44 run radially, ie in a radial direction R, which is perpendicular stands on the axial direction A. The radial direction R runs in the direction of a radius of the respective roller 26, 28. The dividing lines along which the flat web 6 is separated into strips 14 runs between the first flanks 42 of the first roller 26 and the second flanks 44 of the second roller 28.

The separating device 12 is set up for separating a flat web 6 with a predetermined material thickness. Between the flanks 42, 44 of opposite rollers 26, 28, ie between the first flank 42 and the second flank 44, there is an axial gap 46 which is one to three times the value of the specified material thickness of the flat web 6. A distance D measured in the radial direction R of the rollers 26, 28 between the upper side 38 of the elevations 36 of the first roller 26 and the upper side 38 of the elevations 36 of the second roller 28 is five to ten times the value of the specified material thickness of the flat web 6.

The local overstretching of the flat web 6 results in the individual strips 14 being present separately from one another in the grooves 34 of the rollers 26, 28, of which only a few are provided with reference symbols for reasons of clarity. The strips 14 have an open structure at their edges 48, since they are not separated by a cut, but are torn apart in a defined manner by overstretching.

3 shows another device 2 for producing a strand 4. This device 2 also includes an unwinding unit 10, a separating device 12 and a strand forming unit 20, which are shown very schematically. Furthermore, the device 2 comprises a first embossing device 50 arranged downstream of the separating device 12. The first embossing device 50 is set up to emboss the strip 14 with a structure that is variable in the longitudinal direction L of the strip 14, which structure results from the strip plane E, which is 3 is indicated with a dotted line rises. The embossed structure is in the direction perpendicular to Stripe plane E shown greatly exaggerated for reasons of clarity. In particular, the embossed structure is a periodic structure.

There may also be a second embossing device, not shown, which is included in the device 2 as an alternative or in addition to the first embossing device 50, which is designed such that it embosses a structure that is variable transversely to its longitudinal direction L and that also changes rises from the strip level E. For example, a V-shaped structure is embossed into the strip 14, which extends in the longitudinal direction L like a groove.

4 shows a further device 2, which also includes an unwinding unit 10 and a separating device 12 as well as a strand-forming unit 20. The device 2 shown comprises a tension decoupling device 52 arranged in particular directly upstream of the strand forming unit 20. The tension decoupling device 52 is, for example, a loop box in which the plurality of strips 14 produced is guided in a loop.

The tension decoupling device 52 ensures that the strips 14 are decoupled from a tension in the longitudinal direction L, so that the strips 14 can be made available to the strand-forming unit 20 free of tension.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, the device 2 is designed in such a way that the grooves 34 and the elevations 36 of the rollers 26, 28 are designed to be variable in an axial direction A, viewed in the circumferential direction. This illustrates the representation in figure 5 .

This figure shows an example of a schematically simplified top view of the first roller 26. Its grooves 34 and elevations 36 are designed periodically in a wave shape along the circumference of the roller 26. In the figure 5 The second roller 28, which is not visible, is complementary in shape to the first Roller 26 configured, so that in turn it is ensured that the respective elevations 36 of the different rollers 26, 28 engage in the matching grooves 34 of the respective opposite roller 26, 28. The rollers 26, 28 are not exactly complementary in shape because it must still be ensured that the outer surfaces 30, 32 of the rollers 26, 28 do not touch. With the help of an appropriately designed pair of rollers 26, 28, it is possible to separate the flat web 6 into strips 14, the structure of which varies in the strip plane E. The stripe plane E lies in figure 5 in the drawing plane.

6 shows a further device 2, which comprises a separating device 12, the rollers 26, 28 as in connection with figure 5 are explained, designed. Accordingly, the separating device 12 leaves strips 14, which have a variable structure located in the strip plane E. The device 2 also includes a bending device 54, which is arranged downstream of the separating device 12 and which is set up to bend the structure of the strips 14 produced in the region of their in-plane extremes 56 in regions relative to a remaining surface part from the strip plane E.

7 FIG. 1 shows, by way of example, a schematically simplified top view of an individual strip 14 made of web material, which has a variable structure located in the plane E of the strip. A zigzag structure is shown as an example.

The bending device 54 is set up to bend the extremes 56 of this structure, for example these are the outer tips of the zigzag structure shown, relative to a remaining surface part 58 from the strip plane E. It is possible, for example, for all extremes 56 to be bent in the same direction. Alternatively, the extrema 56 can also be bent out of the stripe plane E in different directions. For example, these alternately move upwards and downwards out of the stripe plane E kinked, as schematic and greatly exaggerated in 6 implied.

8 shows another device 2 for producing a strand 4. The device 2 in turn comprises an unwinding unit 10 and a strand-forming unit 20. Device 2 is also provided with a separating device 12, for example, which cuts grooves 34 and elevations 36 that are not variable in the circumferential direction in their rollers 26, 28. In this case, the separating device 12 is followed by a first embossing device 50, which embosses a variable structure into the strip 14 that is produced, which rises out of the strip plane E (cf. 3 ).

Alternatively, the separating device 12 is a separating device such as is used in connection with figure 5 and 6 was described, the rollers 26, 28 have grooves 34 and elevations 36, which are designed to be variable in the circumferential direction. Correspondingly, such a separating device 12 provides a multiplicity of strips 14, which can be changed in the strip plane E (cf. figure 5 ). In this case, the first embossing device 50 can be omitted. Instead, the device 2 comprises a bending device 54 at the position of the first embossing device 50, as described in connection with FIGS Figures 6 and 7 was explained.

Between the first embossing device 50 or the bending device 54 and the strand forming unit 20, the device 2 comprises a selective delay device 60. This provides a transport section 62, which is shown with a solid line, and a delay section 64, which is shown with a dashed line. The delay section 64 has a longer conveying path than the transport section 62 . The delaying device 60 further comprises a grouping device 66, shown in a highly schematic and simplified manner, adapted to divide the plurality of strips 14 leaving the separating device 12 into a first group and a second group. The first group of strips 14 is along the Transport route 62 out and the second group is guided along the delay line 64. This has the effect that the first group guided on the transport path 62 experiences a phase shift in the longitudinal direction L of the strips 14 compared to the second group of strips 14 guided on the delay path 64 . At the end of the delay device 60, the first and the second group are combined again downstream of the transport and delay path 62, 64 in a combining unit 68 to form a common strand 4. This common strand 4 is then made available to the strand forming unit 20 . The merging unit 68 is optional. Their function can also be provided by the inlet funnel 18 alone.

According to a further embodiment, the strand forming unit 20, as in 1 indicated schematically, an injection unit 70. This includes an injector 72 which is arranged at least approximately centrally in the format channel 22 of the strand forming unit 20. The injector 72 is set up to supply liquid additives, compressed air, a flavor thread, a metal thread and/or a metal strip to the strand 4 formed in the format channel 22 . The threads are placed centrally in strand 4, the same applies to the additives.

9 shows another device 2 for producing a strand 4, which includes an application device 74. The device 2 also includes an unwinding unit 10, a separating device 12 and a strand forming unit 20. The application device 74 present between the separating device 12 and the format unit 20 is set up to provide the strips 14 with liquid and/or solid additives. If the application device 74 is set up to provide the strips 14 with solid additives, such as tobacco dust or the like, it also includes an in 9 not shown wetting device. The strips 14 are wetted with this so that the solid additives adhere better to the strips 14 . Furthermore, the application device 74 can be set up to the strips 14 with to provide a liquid additive. In this case, the strips 14 are sprayed, for example, or passed through a mist chamber.

According to another in 10 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the device 2 comprises two unwinding units 10 and 10'. A bobbin 8, 8' on which web material is present is arranged in each unwinding unit. In particular, it is provided that the reels 8 and 8' comprise different web material. In this respect, a first flat track 6 and a second flat track 6 ′ of the separating device 12 are provided. The separating device 12 accordingly provides two different bundles of strips, the first bundle of strips being produced from the web material of the first unwinding unit 10 and the second bundle of strips being produced from the web material of the second unwinding unit 10'. In order to homogenize the two materials, which are, for example, tobacco materials, a guide element 76 present immediately upstream of the rod-forming unit 20 is provided.

The guide element 76 is in 11 shown in a schematically simplified plan view in the longitudinal direction L. The guide element 76 is designed, for example, to guide four bundles of strips. To this end, it includes four guides 78, which are divided into two groups. There are two first guides 78A and two second guides 78B, labeled A and B in the figure. For example, the first bundle of strips is guided in guides 78A while the second bundle of strips is guided in guides 78B. In this way, homogenization between the two bundles of strips in the strand fed to the strand-forming unit 20 can be ensured. The guide element 76 is designed, for example, in the manner of a sleeve or a ring.

The guide element 76 also includes a central guide 80 which is suitable, for example, for guiding a thread, for example a flavor thread, a metal thread or metal strip. This central guide 80 is surrounded by the remaining guides 78 so that the yarn is fed centrally to the strand.

The guide element 76 can also be used to separate the plurality of strips 14 produced into different groups in a device 2 which comprises only a single unwinding unit 10 . The individual groups of strips 14 can then be guided separately, and in particular the application device 74 can be designed in such a way that the different groups are treated by adding different additives. The addition of additives can differ both in terms of quantity and type. Again, at the conclusion of this treatment, the different groups of bundles, such as those associated with 11 explained, brought together and homogenized.

According to a further embodiment, the format unit 20 comprises a gluing device which is set up to supply a format channel 22 (cf. 1 ) supplied strip of wrapping material, for example a strip of paper, to glue, in particular over the entire surface. Provision can also be made to also apply glue to a thread fed centrally to the strand 4 before the strand 4 is formed from the plurality of strips 14 in the format channel 22 .

Provision is also made in particular for the unwinding unit 10, 10' to be set up to accommodate a multiple-width, for example double-width, bobbin 8, 8'. The further processing takes place accordingly in a multi-strand machine, for example a double-strand machine. The components of the device 2 that are present downstream of the unwinding unit are implemented in multiples, for example twice, in such an exemplary embodiment, which is not shown.

12 shows a further device 2 for producing a strand 4 in a schematically simplified view, which comprises a pulling device 82 . The traction device 82, which is, for example, a Pull roller pair 84 is arranged downstream of the separating device 12 in the transport path of the plurality of strips 14 . The pulling device 82 is integrated into the material flow upstream of the strand forming unit 20 . The pulling device 82 is primarily used in devices 2 in which web material is processed which is reconditioned tobacco material. Reconditioned tobacco material is often rather sticky, so that it is sometimes difficult to pull the individual strips 14 off the rollers of the separating device 12 . The pulling device 82 now ensures that the individual strips 14 are pulled off the rollers 26, 28 with a defined force, the force exerted being neither too high nor too low.

The pulling device 82 also includes, in particular, a pulling control and/or regulation 86, with which a pulling force exerted on the strips 14 can be measured. For this purpose, for example, a force measuring roller or a dancer can be integrated into the pulling device 82 to optimize the process.

13a ) shows a first schematically simplified cross-sectional view through an elevation 36 of a roller 26, 28. Only a partial area of the elevation 36 in the area of an outer face 88 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, this is V-shaped. The strip 14 only comes into contact with the end face 88 of the elevation 36 in a left-hand and a right-hand edge region 92, 94. Thus, the contact area between the strip 14 and the face 88 of the bump 36 is substantially reduced. The tendency of the strip 14 to stick to the face 88 of the boss 36 is therefore substantially reduced.

The same applies to the in Figure 13b ) shown embodiment. The figure again shows an end region of the elevation 36 in a schematically simplified cross-sectional view. The one not shown in this illustration Strip 14 contacts face 88 of bump 36 only in left edge region 92 and right edge region 94 . For this reason, the tendency of the strip 14 to adhere to the end face 88 is also substantially reduced with such a configuration of the end face 88 of the projection 36 .

According to a further embodiment, the device 2 is designed as a two-strand machine. This applies to all of its functional units; in particular, the strand-forming unit 20 is designed as a two-strand machine.

Reference List

2

contraption

4

strand

6, 6'

flat track

8, 8'

Bobine

10, 10`

unwind unit

12

separator

14

stripes

16

transport roller

18

inlet funnel

20

strand forming unit

22

format channel

24

rod-shaped segments

26

first roll

27

first axis

28

second roll

29

second axis

30

first lateral surface

32

second lateral surface

34

grooves

36

surveys

38

top

40

Floor

42

first flanks

44

second flanks

46

axial clearance

48

edge

50

first embossing device

52

train decoupling device

54

bending device

56

extrema

58

remaining area

60

delay device

62

transport route

64

delay line

66

grouping device

68

summary unit

70

injection unit

72

injector

74

application device

76

guide element

78

guides

78A

first guided tours

78B

second guides

80

central leadership

82

pulling device

84

pull roller pair

86

train control

88

face

90

recess

92

left edge area

94

right edge area

A

axial direction

T

parting line

R

radial direction

D

Distance

L

longitudinal direction

E

stripe level

Claims (17)

1. A device (2) for producing a rod (4) made of web material,
   comprising a separating device (12) which is designed to separate a flat web (6) into a plurality of strips (14), characterized in that the separating device (12) comprises a first roller (26) and a second roller (28) which interacts with said first roller, wherein the lateral surfaces (30, 32) of the rollers (26, 28) alternately have circumferential grooves (34) and projections (36) which are closed in the circumferential direction in the axial direction (A) and, in a region of action, the projections (36) of the first roller (26) engage in the grooves (34) of the second roller (28) and the projections (36) of the second roller (28) engage in the grooves (34) of the first roller (26), wherein the separating device (12) is designed to separate immediately adjacent strips (14) from one another along a predetermined separation line in the region of action in that the flat web (6) is expanded transversely to the separation line so strongly that it tears apart along the separation line, wherein the device (2) further comprises a rod-forming unit (20) which is designed to form a rod (4) from the plurality of strips (14).
2. The device (2) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the projections (36) and the grooves (34) are connected to one another by radially extending edges (42, 44) and the separation line extends between a first edge (42) of the first roller (26) and a second edge (44) of the second roller (28).
3. The device (2) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the separating device (12) is designed to separate a flat web (6) having a predetermined material thickness, wherein an axial gap width (46) is present between the first and the second edge (42, 44), which axial gap width is one to three times a value of the predefined material thickness of the flat web (6).
4. The device (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the separating device (12) is designed to separate a flat web (6) having a predetermined material thickness, wherein a distance (D) measured in the radial direction (R) of the rollers (26, 28) between an upper side (38) of the projections (36) of the first roller (26) and an upper side (38) of the projections (36) of the second roller (28) is five to ten times a value of the predefined material thickness of the flat web (6).
5. The device (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the grooves (34) and projections (36) of the rollers (26, 28), viewed in the circumferential direction, are configured variably, in particular periodically, in the axial direction.
6. The device (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized by a feed tension device, in particular a pair of feed rollers, which is integrated in a conveying distance of the plurality of strips (14) downstream of the separating device (12) and upstream of the rod-forming unit (20), in particular further comprising a traction decoupling device (52) which is present in particular immediately upstream of the rod-forming unit (20) and is designed to decouple the strips (14) from a tensile stress in the longitudinal direction (L) so that the strips (14) can be provided to the rod-forming unit (20) free of tensile stress.
7. The device (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rod-forming unit (20) comprises an injection device (70) having an injector (72) which is arranged at least approximately centrally in a garniture channel (22) of the rod-forming unit (20), wherein the injector (72) is designed to supply liquid additives, compressed air, a flavor strand, a metal strand and/or a metal strip centrally into the rod (4) made of reconditioned tobacco material.
8. The device (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized by an application device (74) present between the separating device (12) and the rod-forming unit (20), which is designed to provide the strips (14) with liquid and/or solid additives, wherein, inasmuch as the application device (74) is designed to provide the strips with solid additives, the application device (74) further comprises a wetting device which is designed to wet the strips (14) upstream of the application of the solid additives with a liquid, wherein the solid additives are in particular dry, granular and/or dust-like additives.
9. The device (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rod-forming unit (20) comprises a gluing device which is designed to glue a wrapping material strip on the inside, in particular all-over, and/or a strand supplied centrally to the rod (4) before the rod-forming unit (20) forms the rod (4) from the plurality of strips (14).
10. A method for producing a rod (4) made of web material, in which a flat web (6) is separated into a plurality of strips with a separating device (12), characterized in that the separating device (12) comprises a first roller (26) and a second roller (28) which interacts with said first roller, wherein the lateral surfaces (30, 32) of the rollers (26, 28) alternately have circumferential grooves (34) and projections (36) which are closed in the circumferential direction in the axial direction (A) and, in a region of action, the projections (36) of the first roller (26) engage in the grooves (34) of the second roller (28) and the projections (36) of the second roller (28) engage in the grooves (34) of the first roller (26), wherein immediately adjacent strips (14) are separated from one another along a predetermined separation line in the region of action in that the flat web (6) is expanded transversely to the separation line so strongly that it tears apart along the separation line, wherein a rod (4) is formed from the plurality of strips (14) in a rod-forming unit (20).
11. The method according to Claim 10, characterized in that a flat web (6) having a predetermined material thickness is processed, wherein the projections (36) and the grooves (34) of the rollers (26, 28) are connected to one another by radially extending edges (42, 44) and the separation line extends between a first edge (42) of the first roller (26) and a second edge (44) of the second roller (28), wherein an axial gap width (46) is provided between the first and the second edge (42, 44), which axial gap width is one to three times a value of the predefined material thickness of the flat web (6).
12. The method according to Claim 10, characterized in that a flat web (6) having a predetermined material thickness is processed, wherein a distance (D) measured in the radial direction (R) of the rollers (26, 28) between an upper side (38) of the projections (36) of the first roller (26) and an upper side (38) of the projections (36) of the second roller (28) is five to ten times a value of the predefined material thickness of the flat web (6).
13. The method according to any one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the grooves (34) and projections (36) of the rollers (26, 28) are configured variably, in particular periodically, in the axial direction (A), viewed in the circumferential direction, and strips (14) having a structure which is variable in the strip plane (E) are produced with the separating device (12).
14. The method according to any one of Claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the strips (14) are drawn downstream of the separating device (12) and upstream of the rod-forming unit (20) by a feed tension device, in particular a pair of feed rollers, in a conveying direction away from the separating device (12) and in the direction of the rod-forming unit (20), wherein the strips (14) are further in particular decoupled with a traction decoupling device (68) which is present in particular immediately upstream of the rod-forming unit (20) from a tensile stress in the longitudinal direction (L) so that the strips (14) are provided to the rod-forming unit (20) free of tensile stresses.
15. The method according to any one of Claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the rod-forming unit (20) comprises an injection device (70) having an injector (72) which is arranged at least approximately centrally in a garniture channel (22) of the rod-forming unit (20), wherein liquid additives, compressed air, a flavor strand, a metal strand and/or a metal strip is/are supplied centrally into the rod (4) made of reconditioned tobacco material with the injector (72).
16. The method according to any one of Claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the strips (14) are provided with liquid and/or solid additives with an application device (74) which is present between the separating device (12) and the garniture unit (20), wherein, inasmuch as the strips (14) are provided with solid additives, the strips (14) are wetted with a liquid upstream of the application of the solid additives, wherein dry, granular and/or dust-like additives are in particular used as solid additives.
17. The method according to any one of Claims 10 to 16, characterized in that a wrapping material strip is glued on the inside, in particular all-over, and/or a strand supplied centrally to the rod (4) is glued with a gluing device comprised by the rod-forming unit (20) before a rod (4) is formed in the rod-forming unit (20) from the plurality of strips (14).

Images