EP3556228B1

EP3556228B1 - Machine and method for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry

Info

Publication number: EP3556228B1
Application number: EP19168335.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giuliano Gamberini; Nicola Baldanza; Marco Esposti; Massimo Sartoni; Luca Federici
Original assignee: GD SpA
Current assignee: GD SpA
Priority date: 2018-04-16
Filing date: 2019-04-10
Publication date: 2022-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 2039-04-10
Also published as: IT201800004530A1; EP3556228A1; PL3556228T3

Description

This invention relates to a machine and a method for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry.
The invention addresses the processing of webs of material for the tobacco industry, such as, for example: tobacco, wrapping material, paper, filter material (e.g., PLA) etc.
The webs are typically wound in rolls which are unwound to feed the webs along a feed path on which suitable guide means and/or transfer means and/or processing units are located to allow processing the web to make semi-finished products used in the production of articles for the tobacco industry.
The term "articles for the tobacco industry" is used generally to denote rod-shaped articles such as, for example: cigarettes (traditional or heat not burn), cigars, cigarillos and the like.
The invention is applicable in particular to machines for processing webs of wrapping material or webs of tobacco, for example, of pre-treated, reconstituted or homogenized tobacco supplied in rolls.
Processing the webs may include, for example, cutting the web transversely or longitudinally.
Processing the web involves initially loading the web of material to start the production process.
As already mentioned, the web is typically supplied in rolls from which the web must be unrolled to make the web follow a predetermined feed path by way of a plurality of rollers, guide means, transfer means and other processing devices.
When a roll is first loaded onto the machine for the first time, the web has to be unwound and fed along the entire feed path inside the machine. To do this, the operator typically has to manually grip the front portion (that is, the free end) of the web wound on the roll and accompany/thread the web along the entire feed path to ensure that the web is correctly loaded/positioned along/through all the components of the machine. These operations, besides calling for a skilled operator, are highly time consuming, which translates as lengthy machine down times.
Once the machine has started and after the web has been threaded along the entire feed path, the web is unwound and fed automatically and uninterruptedly from the roll along the feed path. Often, however, on account of the high operating speeds at which the web is unwound and processed and/or on account of the physical properties of the web material, the web tears or is irreversibly damaged. In such situations, the machine process is necessarily brought to a stop to allow the operator to identify the zone where the web has been torn or damaged and to feed the web manually along the feed path again, downstream of that zone and all the way to the processing zone. The operator may also need to cut off a damaged or torn portion of the web before re-threading and guiding the web along the means/rollers/devices defining the stretch of the feed path downstream of the zone where the web was torn or damaged and all the way to the processing zone. One possible example of this kind of machines can be found in US4646986 .
The Applicant has found that these operations have an adverse effect on the efficiency of the production process in that they are highly time-consuming and require the constant presence of an operator at the machine to check that the web is being fed correctly and, if necessary, to take prompt action to grip the web and accompany it along the feed path up to the processing zone.
In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to propose a machine and a method for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry to overcome one or more of the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.
More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide a machine for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry which allows the operations of guiding / accompanying / threading the web along the feed path to the processing unit more rapidly and precisely.
Another aim of this invention is to provide a method for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry which allows improving the efficiency of the production process, reducing maintenance times and the time needed for initially threading the web along the feed path, that is to say, for loading the web for the first time.
The technical purpose indicated and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a machine and a method for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry, comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.
More specifically, this invention provides a machine for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry, comprising an unwinding unit for unwinding a web of material for the tobacco industry along a feed path "P" and a web processing unit located downstream of the unwinding unit along the feed path "P" and configured to receive and process the web. Advantageously, the machine also comprises a guide mechanism comprising a retaining device configured to retain an end portion of the web.
More specifically, the guide mechanism is configured to automatically guide the end portion along at least one stretch of the feed path in such a way as to dispose the web in abutment against and/or partly wrapped round guiding and/or transferring and/or processing means of the processing unit.
Advantageously, a movable guide mechanism makes it possible to guide the web automatically along the feed path "P" at any point of the feed path "P" and starting from any point of the feed path "P" itself.
In other words, not only can the web be initially threaded (or made to "make the round"), automatically, rapidly and precisely, that is to say, guided along the entire feed path "P" the first time but it is also possible for maintenance to be carried out promptly and precisely at any point on the feed path "P" in the event of tearing or damage during normal machine operation.
Advantageously, therefore, the retaining device is capable of automatically holding and guiding the end portion of the web along the entire feed path "P" (full round of web) or only a part of it (the stretch of the feed path "P" remaining to reach at least the processing unit).
The invention also provides a method for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry, comprising a step of unwinding a web of material for the tobacco industry along a feed path "P" and a step of processing the web along the feed path "P".
Advantageously, the method also comprises a step of retaining an end portion of the web and automatically guiding that end portion along at least one stretch of the feed path "P" in such a way as to dispose the web in abutment against and/or partly wrapped round guiding and/or transferring and/or processing means of a processing unit of a machine for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry, preferably a machine according to this invention.
Thanks to this method, the web is thus automatically guided along the feed path "P" without the need for operator intervention, thus increasing the level of automation, precision and efficiency of the production process by allowing prompt and effective action to be taken whenever necessary. The dependent claims, which are incorporated herein by reference, correspond to different embodiments of the invention.
Further features and advantages of this invention are more apparent in the description below, with reference to a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of a machine for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic front view showing a machine for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry according to this invention, in which the guide mechanism is disposed at an operating position on the feed path;
Figure 2 is another schematic front view of the machine of Figure 1, in which the movable guide mechanism is disposed at a non-operating position, according to this invention; and
Figure 3 is a detail view of a movable guide mechanism according to this invention.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a machine for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry, hereinafter referred to simply as machine 1.
The machine 1 comprises an unwinding unit 10 for unwinding a web 2 of material for the tobacco industry along a feed path "P".
Looking in more detail, the unwinding unit 10 comprises at least one roll 11 of web 2 mounted on a roll holder device 12 according to known technology.
The machine 1 comprises a unit 20 for processing the web 2, located downstream of the unwinding unit 10 along the feed path "P" and configured to receive and process the web 2.
While the web 2 is being unwound, the processing unit 20 preferably operates continuously on the web 2.
With reference to the embodiment of the machine 1 illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the processing unit 20 preferably comprises a crimping device 21 for crimping the web 2.
Alternatively, the processing unit may comprise cutting devices, not illustrated, for cutting the web 2 longitudinally or for cutting the web 2 transversely.
In the embodiment of the machine 1 illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the feed path "P" of the web 2 starts at an infeed section 13 of the unwinding unit 10, where the web 2 is unwound from the roll 11, and terminates at an outfeed section 22 of the processing unit, after the web 2 has been processed.
Preferably, a buffer 30, configured to define a reservoir/storage unit of the web 2 unwound from the unwinding unit 10, is interposed between the unwinding unit 10 and the processing unit 20 along the feed path "P".
Preferably, the buffer 30 makes it possible for production to continue in the event of a shutdown in the unwinding unit 10 or in the processing unit 20, for example to carry out maintenance or to change the roll 11.
Looking in more detail, the buffer 30 comprises a plurality of fixed transfer rollers 31 and a plurality of movable transfer rollers 32 mounted on a lift/lower device 33.
Advantageously, the machine 1 according to this invention also comprises a guide mechanism 40, which in turn comprises a retaining device 41 configured to hold an end portion 2a of the web 2 and to automatically guide the end portion 2a along at least one stretch of the feed path "P" in such a way as to dispose the web 2 in abutment against and/or partly wrapped round guiding and/or transferring and/or processing means of the processing unit 20.
In other words, the retaining device 41 transports the end portion 2a of the web 2 (while holding it) and automatically guides it along the feed path "P" to allow the web 2 to be disposed precisely and rapidly in abutment against and/or partly wrapped round the guiding and/or transferring and/or processing means of the processing unit 20.
More specifically, if the end portion 2a is guided from the infeed section 13 to the outfeed section 22, that is to say, along the entire feed path "P", then the guide mechanism 40 allows performing initial threading (round of web).
The guide mechanism 40 thus automates the work that was previously done by the operator in prior art machines and makes the process faster and more efficient.
The movements of the guide mechanism 40 can thus be advantageously programmed according to a preset logic enabling the guide mechanism to dispose the retaining device 41 at a position where it grips the end portion 2a of the web 2 and drags it along the feed path "P".
That way, the retaining device 41 is able to dispose the web 2 in abutment against and/or partly wrapped round guiding and/or transferring and/or processing means of the processing unit 20.
The machine 1 preferably comprises movement means 50 configured to move the guide mechanism 40.
The movement means 50 comprise a guide 51 disposed along a trajectory "T" and at least one actuator 52 configured to move the guide mechanism 40 along the guide 51.
Still more preferably, the actuator 52 is mounted on the guide mechanism 40, for example by means of a rack and pinion system, or on the guide 51, for example by means of a belt system.
The guide mechanism 40 preferably comprises a carriage 42 which is movable along the guide 51 (that is, along the trajectory "T") and at least one arm 43 mounted on the carriage 42 by means of a coupling 44 defining at least one degree of freedom to rotate about a first axis of rotation "X".
More specifically, the retaining device 41 is mounted on the arm 43.
In a preferred embodiment of this invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the guide mechanism 40 preferably comprises an arm 43 defining a single rigid member extending between the coupling 44 and the retaining device 41 and the retaining device 41 is mounted at a free end of the arm 43, opposite to the coupling.
Advantageously, the presence of a single arm 43 simplifies the structure of the guide mechanism 40 and defines a structurally simple element which makes it easier to construct, drive and adjust the guide mechanism 40.
In a possible embodiment of this invention, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the guide mechanism 40 might, however, comprise more than one arm 43: for example a guide mechanism defined by an arm-coupling sequence.
Preferably, the first axis of rotation "X" is perpendicular to the trajectory "T" (that is, to the guide 51) and, still more preferably, horizontal. Advantageously, therefore, the arm 43 can rotate about the coupling 44 so that, in practice, it can move the retaining device 41 towards or away from the feed path "P" in such a way as to allow guiding the web 2.
During normal operation of the machine 1, while the web 2 is being unwound automatically from the roll 11 by suitable feed means forming part of the units 10 and 20, the arm 43 can be rotated to a retracted position (illustrated in Figure 2) where it does not interfere with the units 10 and 20 as the web 2 moves along the feed path "P".
In effect, Figure 2 shows the retaining device 41 at a distal position relative to the feed path "P", with the arm 43 disposed in such a way as not to interfere with the units 10 and 20.
Preferably, furthermore, with reference to the embodiment of the machine 1 illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the trajectory "T" is rectilinear and preferably horizontal; preferably, also, the trajectory "T" lies above the feed path "P".
In other words, the guide 51 is mounted above the units 10 and 20 and the carriage 42 of the guide mechanism 40 is slidable along the guide 51 to move the retaining device 41 horizontally so that it can reach any point of the feed path "P" thanks to the rotation of the arm 43 which allows vertically adjusting the position of the retaining device 41. The arm is thus rotatable between the trajectory "T" (that is, the guide 51) and the feed path "P".
Preferably, the machine 1 comprises a vertical supporting wall 1a to which the unwinding unit 10, the processing unit 20 and, preferably, the buffer 30 are cantilevered, and the feed path "P" lies substantially in a first position plane parallel to the vertical supporting wall 1a at a first distance from the vertical supporting wall 1a, and the trajectory "T" (that is, the guide 51) lies in a second position plane parallel to the vertical supporting wall 1a at a second distance from the vertical supporting wall 1a, greater than the first distance.
In other words, with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the guide mechanism 40 can advantageously be translated along the guide 51 and the arm 43 can rotate about the first axis of rotation "X" in a vertical plane parallel to the vertical supporting wall 1a to move the retaining device 41 towards or away from guide and/or transfer and/or processing means of the unwinding unit 10 and/or of the processing unit 20 and/or of the buffer 30.
Preferably, the retaining device 41 comprises a gripper 41a (as illustrated in Figure 3) or a pneumatic suction device, to hold the web 2.
Preferably, with reference to Figure 3, the retaining device 41 extends transversely to the arm 43 and, still more preferably, perpendicularly. More specifically, the retaining device 41 extends transversely to the arm 43 towards the vertical supporting wall 1a.
In a possible embodiment of the machine 1 of this invention, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the movement means 50 might comprise two guides 51 and, slidable thereon, respective carriages 42 associated with respective arms 43, at the free ends of which a single retaining device 41, is mounted. The two arms 43 are configured in such a way as to move the retaining device 41 along the feed path "P".
According to this invention, the machine 1 preferably comprises detecting means, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, configured to detect a change in the tension of the web 2 along the feed path "P" and/or the integrity of the web 2 along the feed path "P", compared to predetermined reference values.
The detecting means are preferably sensors associated with the guide and/or transfer and/or processing means of the unwinding unit 10 and/or of the processing unit 20.
According to this invention, the machine 1 preferably also comprises a control and drive unit, not illustrated, connected to the detecting means and configured to selectively drive the guide mechanism 40 when the change in the tension of the web 2 along the feed path "P" and/or the integrity of the web 2 along the feed path "P" does not fall within predetermined criteria of acceptability.
In other words, the machine 1 is advantageously able to detect faults in the unwinding system of the web 2 and to take action on the guide mechanism 40 accordingly.
For example, if the web 2 is torn, the guide mechanism 40 may be moved into the tear zone and the retaining device 41 made to engage and hold the end portion 2a of the web 2 to guide it along the feed path "P" again. The machine 1 preferably also comprises a cutting device which is selectively activable by the control and drive unit and which is configured to cut the web 2 transversely in a zone of the web 2 where the change of tension was detected.
Still more preferably, the retaining device 41 comprises the cutting device. According to another aspect of it, this invention also provides a method for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry, comprising a step of unwinding the web 2 of material for the tobacco industry along the feed path "P" and a step of processing the web along the feed path "P". Advantageously, the method also comprises a step of retaining an end portion of the web and automatically guiding that end portion along at least one stretch of the feed path "P" in such a way as to dispose the web in abutment against and/or partly wrapped round guiding and/or transferring and/or processing means of a processing unit of a machine for processing a web 2 of material for the tobacco industry, preferably a machine 1 according to this invention.
Preferably, the step of retaining and guiding the web 2 is accomplished by retaining the end portion 2a of the web 2 mechanically or by pneumatic suction.
Preferably, before the step of retaining and guiding, the method comprises a step of automatically moving a retaining device 41 of the guide mechanism 40, configured to retain the end portion 2a of the web, towards the end portion 2a of the web 2 in such a way that the retaining device 41 can automatically engage the end portion 2a to implement the step of retaining.
Advantageously, therefore, the method allows automating the process of initial threading, as well as any other operation on the feed path "P", rapidly and efficiently thanks to the smart system of moving the retaining device 41.
A possible alternative embodiment of the method of this invention may comprise a step of an operator manually delivering the end portion 2a of the web to the retaining device 41. That way, the process of initial threading or maintenance operation is carried out semi-automatically; once the operator has delivered the end portion 2a of the web 2 to it, the retaining device 41 can proceed to automatically guiding the web along the feed path "P".
Preferably, the method also comprises a step of detecting a change, if any, in the tension of the web 2 along the feed path "P" and/or the integrity of the web 2 along the feed path "P", compared to predetermined reference values, followed by a step of selectively driving the retaining device 41 to implement the step of retaining, when the value of the change does not meet given acceptability criteria.
Advantageously, the method thus allows prompt and precise maintenance action to be taken on the machine 1.
Preferably, the method may also comprise a step of cutting the web 2 transversely in a zone of the web 2 where the change in tension was detected.
This invention achieves the preset aims, overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art, by providing a machine and a method for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry, capable of improving the efficiency of the production process by proposing operating solutions ensuring that the web is correctly fed along the feed path, thereby increasing the level of automation while reducing down time and costs.

Claims

A machine (1) for processing a web (2) of material for the tobacco industry, comprising:
- an unwinding unit (10) for unwinding a web (2) of material for the tobacco industry along a feed path (P);

- a unit (20) for processing the web (2), located downstream of the unwinding unit (10) along the feed path (P) and configured to receive and process the web (2);

- a guide mechanism (40) comprising a retaining device (41) configured to retain an end portion (2a) of the web (2), the guide mechanism (40) being configured to automatically guide the end portion (2a) along at least one stretch of the feed path (P) in such a way as to dispose the web (2) in abutment against and/or partly wrapped round guiding and/or transferring and/or processing means of the processing unit (20).
characterized in that said machine comprises movement means (50) configured to move the guide mechanism (40) and comprising a guide (51) disposed along a trajectory (T) and at least one actuator (52) configured to move the guide mechanism (40) along the guide (51); and in that the guide mechanism (40) comprises a carriage (42) which is movable along the guide (51) and at least one arm (43) mounted on the carriage (42) by means of a coupling (44) defining at least one degree of freedom to rotate about a first axis of rotation (X); the retaining device (41) being mounted on the at least one arm (43).
The machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein the guide mechanism (40) comprises an arm (43) defining a single rigid member extending between the coupling (44) and the retaining device (41), and wherein the retaining device (41) is mounted at a free end of the arm (43), opposite to the coupling (44).
The machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first axis of rotation (X) is perpendicular to the trajectory (T) and preferably horizontal.
The machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a vertical supporting wall (1a) to which the unwinding unit (10) and the processing unit (20) are cantilevered, and wherein the feed path (P) lies substantially in a first position plane parallel to the vertical supporting wall (1a) at a first distance from the vertical supporting wall (1a), and wherein the trajectory (T) lies in a second position plane parallel to the vertical supporting wall (1a) at a second distance from the vertical supporting wall (1a), greater than the first distance.
The machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the trajectory (T) is rectilinear and preferably horizontal.
The machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the trajectory (T) lies above the feed path (P).
The machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining device (41) comprises a gripper (41a) or a pneumatic suction unit.
The machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining device (41) extends transversely to the at least one arm (43), preferably perpendicularly.
The machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising:
- detecting means configured to detect a change in the tension of the web (2) along the feed path (P) and/or the integrity of the web (2) along the feed path (P), compared to predetermined reference values; and

- a control and drive unit connected to the detecting means and configured to selectively drive the guide mechanism (40) when the value of the change in tension does not meet given acceptability criteria.
The machine (1) according to claim 9, comprising a cutting device configured to cut the web transversely in a zone of the web (2) where the change was detected, the device being selectively activable by the control and drive unit.
The machine (1) according to claim 10, wherein the retaining device (41) comprises the cutting device.
A method for processing a web of material for the tobacco industry, comprising:
- a step of unwinding a web (2) of material for the tobacco industry along a feed path (P);

- a step of processing the web (2) along the feed path (P);

- a step of retaining an end portion (2a) of the web (2) and automatically guiding that end portion (2a) along at least one stretch of the feed path (P) in such a way as to dispose the web (2) in abutment against and/or partly wrapped round guiding and/or transferring and/or processing means of a processing unit (20) of a machine (1) for processing a web (2) of material for the tobacco industry, preferably a machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims;
the step of retaining being carried out by a guide mechanism (40) comprising a retaining device (41) configured to retain an end portion (2a) of the web (2) and by movement means (50) configured to move the guide mechanism (40), the movement means (50) comprising a guide (51) disposed along a trajectory (T) and at least one actuator (52) configured to move the guide mechanism (40) along the guide (51);

the guide mechanism (40) comprising a carriage (42) which is movable along the guide (51) and at least one arm (43) mounted on the carriage (42) by means of a coupling (44) defining at least one degree of freedom to rotate about a first axis of rotation (X);

the retaining device (41) being mounted on the at least one arm (43).
The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of retaining and guiding the web (2) is accomplished by retaining the end portion (2a) of the web (2) mechanically or by pneumatic suction.
The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of retaining and guiding is preceded by a step of automatically moving a retaining device (41), which is configured to retain the end portion (2a) of the web (2), towards the end portion (2a) of the web (2) in such a way that the retaining device (41) can automatically engage the end portion (2a) to implement the step of retaining and guiding.
The method according to one or more of claims 12-14, comprising a step of detecting a change, if any, in the tension of the web (2) along the feed path (P) and/or the integrity of the web (2) along the feed path (P), compared to predetermined reference values, followed by a step of selectively driving the retaining device to implement the step of retaining and guiding, when the value of the change does not meet given acceptability criteria.
The method according to claim 15, comprising a step of cutting the web (2) transversely in a zone of the web (2) where the change was detected.