EP3639680A1 - Production line and method for the production of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry - Google Patents
Production line and method for the production of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3639680A1 EP3639680A1 EP19203175.5A EP19203175A EP3639680A1 EP 3639680 A1 EP3639680 A1 EP 3639680A1 EP 19203175 A EP19203175 A EP 19203175A EP 3639680 A1 EP3639680 A1 EP 3639680A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- capsules
- segments
- wrapping
- unit
- longitudinal axis
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 40
- 241000208125 Nicotiana Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 24
- 235000002637 Nicotiana tabacum Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 24
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 15
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 109
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 39
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 235000019504 cigarettes Nutrition 0.000 description 14
- 239000000123 paper Substances 0.000 description 8
- 229920000747 poly(lactic acid) Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 239000004626 polylactic acid Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000443 aerosol Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 4
- 125000003118 aryl group Chemical group 0.000 description 3
- 229920002301 cellulose acetate Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical class C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003094 microcapsule Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011101 paper laminate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000741 silica gel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910002027 silica gel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000391 smoking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- -1 that is to say Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24C—MACHINES FOR MAKING CIGARS OR CIGARETTES
- A24C5/00—Making cigarettes; Making tipping materials for, or attaching filters or mouthpieces to, cigars or cigarettes
- A24C5/32—Separating, ordering, counting or examining cigarettes; Regulating the feeding of tobacco according to rod or cigarette condition
- A24C5/322—Transporting cigarettes during manufacturing
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
- A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
- A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
- A24D3/0275—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters for filters with special features
- A24D3/0287—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters for filters with special features for composite filters
Definitions
- This invention relates to a line and a method for the production of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry.
- rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry is used not only to denote conventional cigarettes, which are intended to be smoked following the combustion of tobacco, but also new generation cigarettes, which are intended to be smoked following heating of the tobacco or of an alternative substance capable of producing an aerosol.
- the term "rod-shaped article of the tobacco industry” may also denote the filters used to make what are known as “filter cigarettes”.
- Some examples of production lines that make cigarettes, in particular filter cigarettes, are known from patent documents WO2005/046365 , US4321050 and US2006201523 .
- a line for the production of filters, in particular multi-component filters, is known, on the other hand, from patent document EP1787534 , again by way of example.
- the aim of this invention is to provide a line and a method for the production of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry that are free of the above mentioned disadvantages.
- the reference numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a line for the production of rod-shaped articles 2 of the tobacco industry.
- rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry is used to mean either the cigarettes or the filters as specified above.
- the articles 2, be they cigarettes or filters, are of multi-component type, that is to say, they comprise a plurality of cylindrical segments 3 which are aligned with each other along the respective longitudinal axes X and are wrapped together in a tubular wrap 4 of wrapping material.
- the tubular wrap 4 placed round all or part of the set of segments 3 is made of paper.
- the articles 2 may in turn be semi-products to be sent on for further processing, or finished products of the cigarette or filter type.
- the segments 3 making up each article 2 may be in contact with each other, one after the other (as shown in Figure 1 ) or in one or more pairs of adjacent segments 3, where the segments 3 may be separated by a space.
- At least one of the segments 3 is a capsule 3a containing a filling material.
- the filling material may be a material that produces an aerosol, such as tobacco granules or fibres, or an aromatic material - for example in the form of granules consisting of microcapsules containing an aromatic liquid - or a filter material such as activated carbon granules, cellulose acetate fibres, silica gel granules or a material having a cooling effect while smoking the article 2, such as PLA (polylactic acid) granules or fibres.
- PLA polylactic acid
- At least one of the capsules 3a may contain tobacco granules or fibres capable of creating an aerosol.
- At least one of the capsules 3a may contain filter material or PLA granules or fibres.
- the segments 3 which are not capsules 3a as specified above may contain tobacco, such as shredded tobacco or a crimped and gathered tobacco sheet, for example, or a filter material such as cellulose acetate, for example.
- the production line 1 comprises a plurality of units 5 for feeding respective segments 3, of which at least one, labelled 5a, is positioned and shaped to supply the aforementioned capsules 3a.
- the feed units 5 are independent of each other; that is to say, they can be substituted, omitted or moved one by one.
- the feed unit 5 is positioned and shaped to feed the capsules 3a in an ordered succession.
- the production line 1 also comprises an assembling unit 6, adapted to make up the sets of segments 3 and to wrap them in the tubular wrap 4 of wrapping material to make the multicomponent articles 2.
- FIG 2 illustrates a possible embodiment of this invention, in which the assembling unit 6 is fed by four feed units 5, of which only one, positioned in line with the assembling unit 6, feeds the capsules 3a.
- the assembling unit better illustrated in Figure 3 , comprises a unit 7 for making the capsules 3a and a transfer conveyor 8, which is interposed between the unit 7 for making the capsules 3a and the assembling unit 6 and which is configured to transfer in sequence the capsules 3a in an ordered succession from a pickup station U, located at the outlet of the unit 7 for making the capsules 3a, to a delivery station I, located at the infeed of the assembling unit 6.
- the unit 7 for making the capsules 3a comprises the following, in succession:
- the station A is configured to receive from an overhead line 9 a plurality of tubular bodies 10, illustrated in Figure 4 , from which the cylindrical tubular walls of the capsules 3a are formed by multiple transverse cutting.
- the tubular bodies 10 are made of paper material.
- the length of the tubular bodies 10 is a multiple of the length of the capsules 3a.
- the length of the tubular bodies 10 is eight times the length of the capsules 3a.
- the station A comprises a feed hopper 11 configured to contain the tubular bodies 10 in bulk and to feed them to a train of drums 12 by which the tubular bodies 10 are, in a known manner not described herein, cut into segments whose length is equal to the final length of the capsules 3a and which are then axially offset from each other and then aligned, one after the other, in such a way as to form a succession of segments whose main axis of extension X is perpendicular to the feed direction of the succession.
- the train of drums 12, fed with a mass of tubular bodies 10, thus delivers to a transfer drum 13 an ordered succession of segments, each defining the cylindrical tubular wall of a capsule 3a.
- the station A also comprises a device 14 for feeding a continuous web N of wrapping material, from which to make by transverse cutting a plurality of connecting strips used to wrap the respective tubular wraps conveyed in succession by the drum 13.
- the web “N” may be a single layer of paper or a multilayer material such as, for example, a metal foil and paper laminate.
- the web N may be perforated.
- the perforations may be made prior to feeding it (that is at the paper mill) or in-process while it is being unwound by specific perforating means of known type, not illustrated, such as laser devices or mechanical perforators.
- the station A also comprises a gumming device 15 to apply a layer of adhesive on the web N and a cutting device 16 to divide the web N into connecting strips, as described above.
- the station A also comprises a receiving drum 17 configured to receive, from the cutting device 16, the succession of connecting strips and, from the transfer drum 13, the tubular segments used to make the capsules 3a. Next, the drum 17 feeds the connecting strips and the segments to a rolling drum 18 in such a way that each connecting strip is applied in cantilever fashion to a respective tubular segment.
- the rolling drum 18 acts in conjunction with a rolling bed 19 configured to roll each connecting strip around the respective tubular segment.
- the station A Downstream of the rolling bed 19, the station A comprises a device 20 for closing a first of the two longitudinal ends of the capsules 3a.
- the first longitudinal end labelled 21 and illustrated in Figure 4 , defines the bottom of the capsules 3, ready to be filled at the filling station R.
- the closing device 20 comprises a train of horizontal axis feed drums 22, each equipped with a plurality of closing means (not illustrated) moved by a fixed cam (not illustrated).
- Each closing means comprises a drive rod, slidable in a respective linear guide and engaged with the fixed cam in such a way that during rotation of the feed drum 22, the cam causes the closing means to move with reciprocating translational motion in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tubular segments with which the capsules 3a are formed.
- the closing means fold the ends of the connecting strips that protrude from the edges of the tubular segments on which the connecting strips themselves are wrapped and glued.
- the closing means fold the ends of the tubular segments on which the connecting strips themselves are wrapped and glued.
- Folding the connecting strips or the segments or both is preferably carried out in sectors - for example in four sectors - in successive steps along the path defined by the train of feed drums 22. In other words, one sector is folded on each feed drum 22 until all the sectors are folded.
- the feed station A may receive and transfer ready-made empty capsules, that is to say, capsules already provided with the bottom, as specified above.
- the capsules 3, each provided with the bottom and open at the end opposite the bottom, are picked up by a tapered drum 23, configured to transfer the empty capsules 3a to the filling station R and to modify their orientation from horizontal to vertical with the open end facing up, ready for filling.
- the filling station R is provided with at least one vertical axis feed drum 24 which in turn comprises a fixed cam (not illustrated) and on which a plurality of filling means 25 is mounted.
- the filling means 25 each comprise a drive rod (not illustrated) which is slidable in a respective linear guide and which is engaged with the fixed cam in such a way that as the feed drum 24 rotates, the cam mechanism causes a reciprocating translational movement of the filling means 25 along a vertical direction, parallel to the main axis of extension of the succession of capsules 3a as they pass through the filling station R.
- the closing station C located downstream of the filling station R, comprises a device 26 for closing the second of the two longitudinal ends of the capsules 3a.
- the second longitudinal end labelled 27 and illustrated in Figure 4 , defines the top of the capsules 3a, closed and ready to be conveyed to the assembling unit 6.
- the closing device 26 is the same as the closing device 20 described above, except that the feed drums have a vertical axis instead of a horizontal axis.
- the closing device 26 comprises a train of vertical axis feed drums, each equipped with a plurality of closing means (not illustrated) moved by a fixed cam (not illustrated).
- Each closing means comprises a drive rod, slidable in a respective linear guide and engaged with the fixed cam in such a way that during rotation of the feed drum, the cam causes the closing means to move with reciprocating translational motion in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the capsules 3a.
- a tapered drum 28 Downstream of the closing station C there is a tapered drum 28 that is the same as the tapered drum 23 described above.
- the drum 28 is configured to transfer the full capsules 3a from the closing device 26 to the pickup station U of the assembling unit 6 to modify its orientation from vertical to horizontal.
- the drum 28 engages the transfer conveyor 8, which comprises at least one transfer drum 29 provided with seats (not illustrated), each adapted to contain a respective capsule 3a.
- the seats for containing and transporting the capsules 3a are connected to a conventional suction source which is not illustrated.
- the transfer conveyor 8 comprises a train of transfer drums 29.
- the train 29 of drums is assembled in modules.
- the transfer conveyor 8 is a linear conveyor: that is to say, it comprises a conveyor belt trained around at least one pair of (horizontal axis) pulleys.
- the conveyor belt is provided with seats (not illustrated), each adapted to contain a respective capsule 3a.
- the seats for containing and transporting the capsules 3a are connected to a conventional suction source which is not illustrated.
- the transfer conveyor 8 comprises a buffer (storage unit) for accumulating the capsules 3a and whose function is to compensate for any differences in production speed between the unit 7 for making the capsules 3a and the assembling unit 6.
- the buffer is a buffer of conventional type, not described herein, preferably a FIFO (first in first out) buffer.
- the transfer conveyor 8 whether provided with the buffer or not, ensures that the capsules 3a produced in situ by the unit 7 are transferred directly and in sequence, in an ordered succession. This simplifies the entire production process of the articles 2. In particular, if the capsules 3a have an assembly direction, their bottom-to-top orientation is thus maintained.
- the integrity of the capsules 3a is also maintained, since their storage in a mass and subsequent singulation could easily damage the capsules 3a, especially their longitudinal ends, delicately folded during production.
- the unit 7 for making the capsules 3a is not provided and the transfer conveyor 8 of the unit 5a for feeding the capsules 3a receives the capsules 3a from an overhead feed line or hopper and transfers them to the delivery station I located at the infeed of the assembling unit 6.
- the transfer conveyor 8 is configured to pick up the capsules 3a from a first path, along which the capsules 3a advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis, and to deliver the capsules to a second path, along which the capsules 3a advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis.
- the transfer conveyor is configured to pick up the capsules 3a from a first path, along which the capsules advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis, and to deliver the capsules 3a to a second path, along which the capsules 3a advance in the direction of their longitudinal axis.
- the assembling unit 6 comprises a modular section 30 for combining the segments 3 in groups, where each module 31 is fed by at least one respective feed unit 5 and is provided with a plurality of drums 32 for feeding the segments in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis and in which at least two adjacent modules 31 combine the segments by means of two respective drums 32 operatively coupled to each other.
- the assembling unit 6 comprises a wrapping section, equipped with a wrapping device 33 for wrapping a wrapping material around the combination of segments.
- the module 31 that is fed with the capsules 3a by the transfer conveyor 8 (hence by the feed unit 5a) is simultaneously fed by a further feed unit 5 equipped with a hopper, while each of the remaining modules 31 is fed by a single feed unit 5 equipped with a hopper.
- the wrapping device 33 comprises a rolling unit 34 through which the segments, made up of groups, are wrapped in a sheet of wrapping material, in particular paper, during a rolling motion of the segments themselves about their longitudinal axis.
- the wrapping device of the assembling unit comprises a forming beam along which the segments, made up of groups, advance aligned with one another along the respective longitudinal axes and wrapped during their advance by a continuous web of wrapping material, in particular paper, for forming a rod.
- rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry be they cigarettes or filters, which comprise a plurality of component segments, at least one of which is a (cylindrical) capsule, in turn comprising a tubular side wall, a closed top end and a closed bottom end and containing inside it a filling material, specifically granules (for example, of tobacco) or fibres (for example, of PLA).
- a filling material specifically granules (for example, of tobacco) or fibres (for example, of PLA).
- the method by which the articles 2 are made by the production line 1 comprises the following steps:
- the step of feeding the capsules 3a to the assembling unit 6 comprises transferring in sequence the capsules 3a in an ordered succession from a pickup station U, located at the outlet of a unit 7 for making the capsules 3a, and a delivery station I, located at the infeed of the assembling unit 6.
- the transfer of the capsules 3a comprises picking up the capsules 3a from a first path, along which the capsules 3a advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis X, and delivering the capsules 3a to a second path, along which the capsules 3a advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis X.
- the transfer of the capsules 3a comprises picking up the capsules 3a from a first path, along which the capsules 3a advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis X, and delivering the capsules 3a to a second path, along which the capsules 3a advance in the direction of their longitudinal axis X.
- the step of wrapping the wrapping material around the combination of segments 3 is performed in a rolling unit 34 through which the segments 3, made up of groups, are wrapped in a sheet of wrapping material, in particular paper, during a rolling motion of the segments 3 about their longitudinal axis X.
- the step of wrapping the wrapping material around the combination of segments 3 is performed in a forming beam along which the segments 3, made up of groups, advance aligned with one another along the respective longitudinal axes X and wrapped during their advance by a continuous web of wrapping material, in particular paper, for forming at least one rod.
Landscapes
- Manufacturing Of Cigar And Cigarette Tobacco (AREA)
- Wrapping Of Specific Fragile Articles (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to a line and a method for the production of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry.
- Hereinafter, the term "rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry" is used not only to denote conventional cigarettes, which are intended to be smoked following the combustion of tobacco, but also new generation cigarettes, which are intended to be smoked following heating of the tobacco or of an alternative substance capable of producing an aerosol.
- Alternatively, the term "rod-shaped article of the tobacco industry" may also denote the filters used to make what are known as "filter cigarettes". Some examples of production lines that make cigarettes, in particular filter cigarettes, are known from patent documents
WO2005/046365 ,US4321050 andUS2006201523 . - The production lines described in the documents just mentioned have a twofold disadvantage. On the one hand, they have a considerably large footprint and, on the other, they have a rigid configuration that does not allow quick and easy changeover: that is to say, changing from the production of cigarettes of one kind to the production of cigarettes of a different kind cannot be carried out rapidly.
- A line for the production of filters, in particular multi-component filters, is known, on the other hand, from patent document
EP1787534 , again by way of example. - In this case, too, changeover from the production of filters of one kind to filters of a different kind is neither quick nor easy. That is because changing over from one product to another means supplying filter components from different storage units, which translates as greater complexity in logistic terms and due also to the footprint of the storage units themselves. Generally speaking, manufacturing lines currently available on the market for the production of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry are dedicated to the production of cigarettes only or of filters only and, in both cases, are very rigid in production and/or plan configuration terms.
- The aim of this invention is to provide a line and a method for the production of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry that are free of the above mentioned disadvantages.
- Provided by this invention are a line and a method for the production of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry as set out in the appended claims. The invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment of it and in which:
-
Figure 1 schematically represents a line for the production of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry according to this invention; -
Figure 2 is a front view of a line for the production of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry made according to this invention; -
Figure 3 is an enlarged front view of a portion of the production line ofFigure 2 ; and -
Figure 4 schematically represents a part of the method for the production of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry according to this invention. - With reference to
Figure 1 , thereference numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a line for the production of rod-shaped articles 2 of the tobacco industry. - As mentioned above, the term "rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry" is used to mean either the cigarettes or the filters as specified above.
- The
articles 2, be they cigarettes or filters, are of multi-component type, that is to say, they comprise a plurality ofcylindrical segments 3 which are aligned with each other along the respective longitudinal axes X and are wrapped together in atubular wrap 4 of wrapping material. Preferably, thetubular wrap 4 placed round all or part of the set ofsegments 3 is made of paper. - The
articles 2 may in turn be semi-products to be sent on for further processing, or finished products of the cigarette or filter type. - The
segments 3 making up eacharticle 2 may be in contact with each other, one after the other (as shown inFigure 1 ) or in one or more pairs ofadjacent segments 3, where thesegments 3 may be separated by a space. - More specifically, at least one of the
segments 3 is acapsule 3a containing a filling material. The filling material may be a material that produces an aerosol, such as tobacco granules or fibres, or an aromatic material - for example in the form of granules consisting of microcapsules containing an aromatic liquid - or a filter material such as activated carbon granules, cellulose acetate fibres, silica gel granules or a material having a cooling effect while smoking thearticle 2, such as PLA (polylactic acid) granules or fibres. - For example, in the case where the
articles 2 are multi-component cigarettes, at least one of thecapsules 3a may contain tobacco granules or fibres capable of creating an aerosol. In this case, there may be at least onefurther capsule 3a containing, for example, filter material or PLA granules or fibres. - Similarly, again by way of example, in the case where the
articles 2 are multi-component filters, at least one of thecapsules 3a may contain filter material or PLA granules or fibres. - In the context of this invention, the term "granules" includes what are known as "powders".
- Also in the context of this invention, the
segments 3 which are notcapsules 3a as specified above may contain tobacco, such as shredded tobacco or a crimped and gathered tobacco sheet, for example, or a filter material such as cellulose acetate, for example. - The
production line 1 comprises a plurality ofunits 5 for feedingrespective segments 3, of which at least one, labelled 5a, is positioned and shaped to supply theaforementioned capsules 3a. - Advantageously, to make the
production line 1 highly versatile and reconfigurable, thefeed units 5 are independent of each other; that is to say, they can be substituted, omitted or moved one by one. - More specifically, the
feed unit 5 is positioned and shaped to feed thecapsules 3a in an ordered succession. - The
production line 1 also comprises an assemblingunit 6, adapted to make up the sets ofsegments 3 and to wrap them in thetubular wrap 4 of wrapping material to make themulticomponent articles 2. -
Figure 2 illustrates a possible embodiment of this invention, in which the assemblingunit 6 is fed by fourfeed units 5, of which only one, positioned in line with the assemblingunit 6, feeds thecapsules 3a. The assembling unit, better illustrated inFigure 3 , comprises aunit 7 for making thecapsules 3a and atransfer conveyor 8, which is interposed between theunit 7 for making thecapsules 3a and the assemblingunit 6 and which is configured to transfer in sequence thecapsules 3a in an ordered succession from a pickup station U, located at the outlet of theunit 7 for making thecapsules 3a, to a delivery station I, located at the infeed of the assemblingunit 6. - The
unit 7 for making thecapsules 3a comprises the following, in succession: - a station A for feeding
empty capsules 3a, - a station R for filling the
capsules 3a, and - a station C for closing the
full capsules 3a. - Looking in more detail, the station A is configured to receive from an overhead line 9 a plurality of
tubular bodies 10, illustrated inFigure 4 , from which the cylindrical tubular walls of thecapsules 3a are formed by multiple transverse cutting. - Preferably, the
tubular bodies 10 are made of paper material. - For the purpose, the length of the
tubular bodies 10 is a multiple of the length of thecapsules 3a. For example, as illustrated inFigure 4 , the length of thetubular bodies 10 is eight times the length of thecapsules 3a. - The station A comprises a
feed hopper 11 configured to contain thetubular bodies 10 in bulk and to feed them to a train ofdrums 12 by which thetubular bodies 10 are, in a known manner not described herein, cut into segments whose length is equal to the final length of thecapsules 3a and which are then axially offset from each other and then aligned, one after the other, in such a way as to form a succession of segments whose main axis of extension X is perpendicular to the feed direction of the succession. The train ofdrums 12, fed with a mass oftubular bodies 10, thus delivers to atransfer drum 13 an ordered succession of segments, each defining the cylindrical tubular wall of acapsule 3a. - The station A also comprises a
device 14 for feeding a continuous web N of wrapping material, from which to make by transverse cutting a plurality of connecting strips used to wrap the respective tubular wraps conveyed in succession by thedrum 13. - The web "N" may be a single layer of paper or a multilayer material such as, for example, a metal foil and paper laminate.
- Optionally, the web N may be perforated. In this case, the perforations may be made prior to feeding it (that is at the paper mill) or in-process while it is being unwound by specific perforating means of known type, not illustrated, such as laser devices or mechanical perforators.
- The station A also comprises a
gumming device 15 to apply a layer of adhesive on the web N and acutting device 16 to divide the web N into connecting strips, as described above. - The station A also comprises a
receiving drum 17 configured to receive, from thecutting device 16, the succession of connecting strips and, from thetransfer drum 13, the tubular segments used to make thecapsules 3a. Next, thedrum 17 feeds the connecting strips and the segments to arolling drum 18 in such a way that each connecting strip is applied in cantilever fashion to a respective tubular segment. - The
rolling drum 18 acts in conjunction with arolling bed 19 configured to roll each connecting strip around the respective tubular segment. - Downstream of the
rolling bed 19, the station A comprises adevice 20 for closing a first of the two longitudinal ends of thecapsules 3a. The first longitudinal end, labelled 21 and illustrated inFigure 4 , defines the bottom of thecapsules 3, ready to be filled at the filling station R. - The
closing device 20 comprises a train of horizontalaxis feed drums 22, each equipped with a plurality of closing means (not illustrated) moved by a fixed cam (not illustrated). - Each closing means comprises a drive rod, slidable in a respective linear guide and engaged with the fixed cam in such a way that during rotation of the
feed drum 22, the cam causes the closing means to move with reciprocating translational motion in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tubular segments with which thecapsules 3a are formed. - In a first embodiment, the closing means fold the ends of the connecting strips that protrude from the edges of the tubular segments on which the connecting strips themselves are wrapped and glued.
- In a further embodiment, the closing means fold the ends of the tubular segments on which the connecting strips themselves are wrapped and glued.
- Folding the connecting strips or the segments or both is preferably carried out in sectors - for example in four sectors - in successive steps along the path defined by the train of
feed drums 22. In other words, one sector is folded on eachfeed drum 22 until all the sectors are folded. - In a simplified variant, not illustrated, the feed station A may receive and transfer ready-made empty capsules, that is to say, capsules already provided with the bottom, as specified above.
- On leaving the station A, the
capsules 3, each provided with the bottom and open at the end opposite the bottom, are picked up by atapered drum 23, configured to transfer theempty capsules 3a to the filling station R and to modify their orientation from horizontal to vertical with the open end facing up, ready for filling. - The filling station R is provided with at least one vertical
axis feed drum 24 which in turn comprises a fixed cam (not illustrated) and on which a plurality offilling means 25 is mounted. The filling means 25 each comprise a drive rod (not illustrated) which is slidable in a respective linear guide and which is engaged with the fixed cam in such a way that as thefeed drum 24 rotates, the cam mechanism causes a reciprocating translational movement of the filling means 25 along a vertical direction, parallel to the main axis of extension of the succession ofcapsules 3a as they pass through the filling station R. - The closing station C, located downstream of the filling station R, comprises a
device 26 for closing the second of the two longitudinal ends of thecapsules 3a. The second longitudinal end, labelled 27 and illustrated inFigure 4 , defines the top of thecapsules 3a, closed and ready to be conveyed to the assemblingunit 6. - The closing
device 26 is the same as theclosing device 20 described above, except that the feed drums have a vertical axis instead of a horizontal axis. In particular, the closingdevice 26 comprises a train of vertical axis feed drums, each equipped with a plurality of closing means (not illustrated) moved by a fixed cam (not illustrated). - Each closing means comprises a drive rod, slidable in a respective linear guide and engaged with the fixed cam in such a way that during rotation of the feed drum, the cam causes the closing means to move with reciprocating translational motion in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the
capsules 3a. - Downstream of the closing station C there is a tapered
drum 28 that is the same as the tapereddrum 23 described above. - The
drum 28 is configured to transfer thefull capsules 3a from the closingdevice 26 to the pickup station U of the assemblingunit 6 to modify its orientation from vertical to horizontal. - In the station U, the
drum 28 engages thetransfer conveyor 8, which comprises at least onetransfer drum 29 provided with seats (not illustrated), each adapted to contain arespective capsule 3a. Preferably, the seats for containing and transporting thecapsules 3a are connected to a conventional suction source which is not illustrated. - Preferably, the
transfer conveyor 8 comprises a train of transfer drums 29. Preferably, thetrain 29 of drums is assembled in modules. - Alternatively, in a variant not illustrated, the
transfer conveyor 8 is a linear conveyor: that is to say, it comprises a conveyor belt trained around at least one pair of (horizontal axis) pulleys. In this case, the conveyor belt is provided with seats (not illustrated), each adapted to contain arespective capsule 3a. In this case, too, the seats for containing and transporting thecapsules 3a are connected to a conventional suction source which is not illustrated. - In a further variant, not illustrated, the
transfer conveyor 8 comprises a buffer (storage unit) for accumulating thecapsules 3a and whose function is to compensate for any differences in production speed between theunit 7 for making thecapsules 3a and the assemblingunit 6. The buffer is a buffer of conventional type, not described herein, preferably a FIFO (first in first out) buffer. - Whatever the case, the
transfer conveyor 8, whether provided with the buffer or not, ensures that thecapsules 3a produced in situ by theunit 7 are transferred directly and in sequence, in an ordered succession. This simplifies the entire production process of thearticles 2. In particular, if thecapsules 3a have an assembly direction, their bottom-to-top orientation is thus maintained. - Moreover, the integrity of the
capsules 3a is also maintained, since their storage in a mass and subsequent singulation could easily damage thecapsules 3a, especially their longitudinal ends, delicately folded during production. - In a variant not illustrated, the
unit 7 for making thecapsules 3a is not provided and thetransfer conveyor 8 of theunit 5a for feeding thecapsules 3a receives thecapsules 3a from an overhead feed line or hopper and transfers them to the delivery station I located at the infeed of the assemblingunit 6. - In all the variants described above, the
transfer conveyor 8 is configured to pick up thecapsules 3a from a first path, along which thecapsules 3a advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis, and to deliver the capsules to a second path, along which thecapsules 3a advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis. - Alternatively, in a different embodiment, not illustrated, of the line for the production of the
articles 2, the transfer conveyor is configured to pick up thecapsules 3a from a first path, along which the capsules advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis, and to deliver thecapsules 3a to a second path, along which thecapsules 3a advance in the direction of their longitudinal axis. - As illustrated in
Figure 2 , the assemblingunit 6 comprises amodular section 30 for combining thesegments 3 in groups, where eachmodule 31 is fed by at least onerespective feed unit 5 and is provided with a plurality ofdrums 32 for feeding the segments in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis and in which at least twoadjacent modules 31 combine the segments by means of tworespective drums 32 operatively coupled to each other. - Following the
section 30, the assemblingunit 6 comprises a wrapping section, equipped with awrapping device 33 for wrapping a wrapping material around the combination of segments. - More specifically, the
module 31 that is fed with thecapsules 3a by the transfer conveyor 8 (hence by thefeed unit 5a) is simultaneously fed by afurther feed unit 5 equipped with a hopper, while each of the remainingmodules 31 is fed by asingle feed unit 5 equipped with a hopper. - The
wrapping device 33 comprises a rollingunit 34 through which the segments, made up of groups, are wrapped in a sheet of wrapping material, in particular paper, during a rolling motion of the segments themselves about their longitudinal axis. - The ways the
modules 31 and the wrapping section are positioned relative to each other and cooperate with each other are described in detail in patent documentWO2014/064655 , which is incorporated herein by reference. - In a variant not illustrated, the wrapping device of the assembling unit comprises a forming beam along which the segments, made up of groups, advance aligned with one another along the respective longitudinal axes and wrapped during their advance by a continuous web of wrapping material, in particular paper, for forming a rod.
- A wrapping device of this kind is described in detail in patent document
EP1787534 , which is incorporated herein by reference. - What is described in the foregoing allows making rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry, be they cigarettes or filters, which comprise a plurality of component segments, at least one of which is a (cylindrical) capsule, in turn comprising a tubular side wall, a closed top end and a closed bottom end and containing inside it a filling material, specifically granules (for example, of tobacco) or fibres (for example, of PLA).
- The method by which the
articles 2 are made by theproduction line 1 comprises the following steps: - making at least some of the
segments 3 forming eacharticle 2 in the form ofcylindrical capsules 3a, with a diameter equal to the diameter of all thesegments 3 and containing inside them a filling material, in particular granules or fibres; - feeding the
segments 3 to the assemblingunit 6, an inlet I of which is positioned and shaped to receive, in particular in an orderly succession, thecapsules 3a; - combining the
segments 3 in groups in themodular combination section 30 of the assemblingunit 6, in which eachmodule 31 is equipped with a plurality ofdrums 32 for feeding thesegments 3 in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis (X), and in which at least twoadjacent modules 31 combine thesegments 3 by means of tworespective drums 32 operatively coupled to each other; and lastly - wrapping a wrapping material around the combination of
segments 3 in the wrapping section of the assemblingunit 6. - The step of feeding the
capsules 3a to the assemblingunit 6 comprises transferring in sequence thecapsules 3a in an ordered succession from a pickup station U, located at the outlet of aunit 7 for making thecapsules 3a, and a delivery station I, located at the infeed of the assemblingunit 6. - More specifically, the transfer of the
capsules 3a comprises picking up thecapsules 3a from a first path, along which thecapsules 3a advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis X, and delivering thecapsules 3a to a second path, along which thecapsules 3a advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis X. - Alternatively, the transfer of the
capsules 3a comprises picking up thecapsules 3a from a first path, along which thecapsules 3a advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis X, and delivering thecapsules 3a to a second path, along which thecapsules 3a advance in the direction of their longitudinal axis X. - Lastly, the step of wrapping the wrapping material around the combination of segments 3 (at least one of which is, as already mentioned, is a
cylindrical capsule 3a of the same gauge size) is performed in a rollingunit 34 through which thesegments 3, made up of groups, are wrapped in a sheet of wrapping material, in particular paper, during a rolling motion of thesegments 3 about their longitudinal axis X. - Alternatively, based on a variant described above, the step of wrapping the wrapping material around the combination of
segments 3 is performed in a forming beam along which thesegments 3, made up of groups, advance aligned with one another along the respective longitudinal axes X and wrapped during their advance by a continuous web of wrapping material, in particular paper, for forming at least one rod. - The possibility of filling the capsules, in particular in situ, with different material according to different production requirements, for example with a material that produces an aerosol or, alternatively, with an aromatic, filtering or cooling substance, as specified above, without major alterations to the logistics of the production line, allows making the production line adaptable and versatile and capable of easily and quickly performing production changeovers, even from cigarettes to filters and vice versa.
Claims (14)
- A production line for rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry, each of which is a multi-component article (2) which comprises a plurality of cylindrical segments (3, 3a) aligned with each other along the respective longitudinal axes (X), characterized in that it comprises:- a plurality of units (5, 5a) for feeding respective said segments (3, 3a), of which at least one (5a) positioned and shaped to supply, in particular in an orderly succession, segments (3a) consisting of capsules (3a) containing inside them a filling material, in particular granules or fibres; and- a unit (6) for assembling said segments (3, 3a), in turn comprising in succession:- a modular section (30) for combination of the segments (3, 3a) in groups, where each module (31) is fed by at least one feed unit (5, 5a) and is provided with a plurality of drums (32) for feeding the segments (3, 3a) in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis and in which at least two adjacent modules (31) combine the segments (3, 3a) by means of two respective drums (32) operatively coupled to each other; and- a wrapping section, equipped with a wrapping device (33) for wrapping a wrapping material around the combination of segments (3, 3a).
- The production line according to claim 1, wherein the feed units (5, 5a) are independent of each other.
- The production line according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the unit (5a) for feeding said capsules (3a) comprises:- a unit (7) for making the capsules (3a), comprising in succession a station (A) for feeding empty capsules (3a); a filling station (R), which is equipped with a plurality of filling means (25) for inserting the filling material in each empty capsule (3a) through a respective open longitudinal end (27); and a closing station (C), which is equipped with a plurality of closing means for making in each full capsule (3a) a respective wall for closing the open longitudinal end (27), said closing wall being transversal to the longitudinal axis (X) of the capsule (3a); and- a transfer conveyor (8), which is interposed between the unit (7) for making the capsules (3a) and the assembling unit (6) and is configured to transfer in sequence the capsules (3a) in an ordered succession from a pickup station (U), located at the outlet of the unit (7) for making the capsules (3a), to a delivery station (I), located at the infeed of the assembling unit (6).
- The production line according to claim 3, wherein the transfer conveyor (8) is configured to pick up the capsules (3a) from a first path, along which the capsules (3a) advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis (X), and to deliver the capsules (3a) to a second path, along which the capsules (3a) advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis (X).
- The production line according to claim 3, wherein the transfer conveyor (8) is configured to pick up the capsules (3a) from a first path, along which the capsules (3a) advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis (X), and to deliver the capsules (3a) to a second path, along which the capsules (3a) advance in the direction of their longitudinal axis (X).
- The production line according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wrapping device of the assembling unit (6) comprises a forming beam along which the segments (3, 3a), made up of groups, advance aligned with one another along the respective longitudinal axes (X) and wrapped during their advance by a continuous web of wrapping material, in particular paper, for forming at least one rod.
- The production line according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wrapping device (33) of the assembling unit (6) comprises a rolling unit (34) through which the segments (3, 3a), made up of groups, are wrapped in a sheet of wrapping material, in particular paper, during a rolling motion of the segments themselves about their longitudinal axis (X).
- A method for making rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry, each of which is a multi-component article (2) which comprises a plurality of cylindrical segments (3, 3a) aligned with each other along the respective longitudinal axes (X), characterized in that it comprises the following steps:- making at least some of the segments (3) forming each article (2) in the form of cylindrical capsules (3a), with a diameter equal to the diameter of all the segments (3) and containing inside them a filling material, in particular granules or fibres;- feeding the segments (3, 3a) to an assembling unit (6), an inlet (I) of which is positioned and shaped to receive, in particular in an orderly succession, said capsules (3a);- combining said segments (3, 3a) in groups in a modular combination section (30) of the assembling unit (6), in which each module (31) is equipped with a plurality of drums (32) for feeding the segments (3, 3a) in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis (X), and in which at least two adjacent modules (31) combine the segments (3, 3a) by means of two respective drums (32) operatively coupled to each other; and- wrapping a wrapping material around the combination of segments (3, 3a) in a wrapping section (33) of the assembling unit.
- The method according to claim 8, wherein the step of feeding the segments (3, 3a) to the assembling unit (6) is achieved using respective feed units (5, 5a), which are independent of each other.
- The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the step of feeding the capsules (3a) to the assembling unit (6) comprises transferring in sequence the capsules (3a) in an ordered succession from a pickup station (U), positioned at the outlet of a unit (7) for making the capsules, and a delivery station (I), located at the infeed of the assembling unit (6).
- The method according to claim 10, wherein the transfer of the capsules (3a) comprises picking up the capsules (3a) from a first path, along which the capsules (3a) advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis (X), and delivering the capsules (3a) to a second path, along which the capsules (3a) advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis (X).
- The method according to claim 10, wherein the transfer of the capsules (3a) comprises picking up the capsules (3a) from a first path, along which the capsules (3a) advance in a direction transversal to their longitudinal axis (X), and delivering the capsules (3a) to a second path, along which the capsules (3a) advance in the direction of their longitudinal axis (X).
- The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the step of wrapping a wrapping material around the combination of segments (3, 3a) is performed in a forming beam along which the segments (3, 3a), made up of groups, advance aligned with one another along the respective longitudinal axes (X) and wrapped during their advance by a continuous web of wrapping material, in particular paper, for forming at least one rod.
- The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the step of wrapping a wrapping material around the combination of segments (3, 3a) is performed in a rolling unit (34) through which the segments (3, 3a), made up of groups, are wrapped in a sheet of wrapping material, in particular paper, during a rolling motion of the segments (3, 3a) about their longitudinal axis (X).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
HRP20230454TT HRP20230454T1 (en) | 2018-10-19 | 2019-10-15 | Production line and method for the production of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT102018000009608A IT201800009608A1 (en) | 2018-10-19 | 2018-10-19 | Line and method of production of bar-shaped items from the tobacco industry |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3639680A1 true EP3639680A1 (en) | 2020-04-22 |
EP3639680B1 EP3639680B1 (en) | 2023-04-26 |
Family
ID=67441549
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19203175.5A Active EP3639680B1 (en) | 2018-10-19 | 2019-10-15 | Production line and method for the production of rod-shaped articles of the tobacco industry |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3639680B1 (en) |
HR (1) | HRP20230454T1 (en) |
IT (1) | IT201800009608A1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL3639680T3 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT202000027263A1 (en) | 2020-11-13 | 2022-05-13 | Gd Spa | MODULAR PACKAGING MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF TOGANIC ITEMS OR PARTS FOR TOGANIC ITEMS |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4321050A (en) | 1976-09-09 | 1982-03-23 | Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. Kg | Apparatus for severing and shifting plugs for cigarettes or the like |
WO2005046365A1 (en) | 2003-11-17 | 2005-05-26 | G.D S.P.A. | A system for monitoring and controlling machines used in the manufacture of tobacco products |
WO2006070289A1 (en) * | 2004-12-30 | 2006-07-06 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Triple hopper max with built-in granulated cavity filling capability |
US20060201523A1 (en) | 2003-11-19 | 2006-09-14 | Hauni Maschinenbau Ag | Arrangement for producing filter cigarettes |
EP1787534A1 (en) | 2005-11-16 | 2007-05-23 | G.D. Societa' per Azioni | A machine for manufacturing composite filters |
WO2014064655A2 (en) | 2012-10-25 | 2014-05-01 | G.D Societa' Per Azioni | Assembly machine for producing cigarettes, and relative assembly method |
EP2777408A1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2014-09-17 | HAUNI Maschinenbau AG | Method and apparatus for assembly of multi-segmented cylindrical products, such as tobacco products |
EP3111786A1 (en) * | 2015-06-30 | 2017-01-04 | Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH | Assembly of segments of the tobacco processing industry |
-
2018
- 2018-10-19 IT IT102018000009608A patent/IT201800009608A1/en unknown
-
2019
- 2019-10-15 HR HRP20230454TT patent/HRP20230454T1/en unknown
- 2019-10-15 EP EP19203175.5A patent/EP3639680B1/en active Active
- 2019-10-15 PL PL19203175.5T patent/PL3639680T3/en unknown
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4321050A (en) | 1976-09-09 | 1982-03-23 | Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. Kg | Apparatus for severing and shifting plugs for cigarettes or the like |
WO2005046365A1 (en) | 2003-11-17 | 2005-05-26 | G.D S.P.A. | A system for monitoring and controlling machines used in the manufacture of tobacco products |
US20060201523A1 (en) | 2003-11-19 | 2006-09-14 | Hauni Maschinenbau Ag | Arrangement for producing filter cigarettes |
WO2006070289A1 (en) * | 2004-12-30 | 2006-07-06 | Philip Morris Products S.A. | Triple hopper max with built-in granulated cavity filling capability |
EP1787534A1 (en) | 2005-11-16 | 2007-05-23 | G.D. Societa' per Azioni | A machine for manufacturing composite filters |
WO2014064655A2 (en) | 2012-10-25 | 2014-05-01 | G.D Societa' Per Azioni | Assembly machine for producing cigarettes, and relative assembly method |
EP2777408A1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2014-09-17 | HAUNI Maschinenbau AG | Method and apparatus for assembly of multi-segmented cylindrical products, such as tobacco products |
EP3111786A1 (en) * | 2015-06-30 | 2017-01-04 | Hauni Maschinenbau GmbH | Assembly of segments of the tobacco processing industry |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
IT202000027263A1 (en) | 2020-11-13 | 2022-05-13 | Gd Spa | MODULAR PACKAGING MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF TOGANIC ITEMS OR PARTS FOR TOGANIC ITEMS |
EP4000425A1 (en) | 2020-11-13 | 2022-05-25 | G.D Societa' Per Azioni | Modular manufacturing machine for the production of smoking articles or parts of smoking articles |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
IT201800009608A1 (en) | 2020-04-19 |
HRP20230454T1 (en) | 2023-07-07 |
PL3639680T3 (en) | 2023-07-24 |
EP3639680B1 (en) | 2023-04-26 |
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