EP3659448B1 - Machine for making filters for smoking articles - Google Patents
Machine for making filters for smoking articles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3659448B1 EP3659448B1 EP19206915.1A EP19206915A EP3659448B1 EP 3659448 B1 EP3659448 B1 EP 3659448B1 EP 19206915 A EP19206915 A EP 19206915A EP 3659448 B1 EP3659448 B1 EP 3659448B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- forming
- machine according
- forming beam
- steam flow
- parameter
- 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.)
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- 230000000391 smoking effect Effects 0.000 title claims description 13
- 230000003750 conditioning effect Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 9
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 4
- URAYPUMNDPQOKB-UHFFFAOYSA-N triacetin Chemical compound CC(=O)OCC(OC(C)=O)COC(C)=O URAYPUMNDPQOKB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 241000208125 Nicotiana Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000002637 Nicotiana tabacum Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920002301 cellulose acetate Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000013773 glyceryl triacetate Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000001087 glyceryl triacetate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229960002622 triacetin Drugs 0.000 description 2
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004886 process control Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
- A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
- A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
- A24D3/0229—Filter rod forming processes
- A24D3/0233—Filter rod forming processes by means of a garniture
-
- 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
- A24D3/027—Multiple line manufacturing devices
Definitions
- This invention addresses the technical field of machinery for making articles of the tobacco industry. More specifically, this invention relates to a machine for making filters for smoking articles.
- filters for smoking articles are made from a strip of filter material, usually cellulose acetate, which is drawn out, stretched and treated with additive materials, in particular plasticizing fluids (triacetin, for example) to form a stream of filter tow.
- the stream is processed and subjected to the action of process fluids, such as steam, for example, to obtain a filter rod from which individual filter segments are cut.
- the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to propose a machine for making filters for smoking articles to overcome at least some of the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
- this invention has for an aim to provide a machine for making filters for smoking articles, capable of allowing improved and more efficient control of the operating parameters of the production process, with special regard to the structural properties of the product to be made and high production capacity.
- This invention discloses a machine for making filters for smoking articles comprising at least two forming beams placed side by side, each extending predominantly along a longitudinal axis and having an internal channel adapted to form a stream of filter tow.
- Each forming beam is associated with a respective porous conveyor element configured to slide inside the respective channel and to carry the tow along a feed path parallel to the longitudinal axis.
- the conveyor element is adapted to comply with the shape of the transverse cross section of the internal channel in such a way as to be at least partly wrapped around the tow.
- Each forming beam is also provided with a succession of treatment stations located along the feed path of the respective forming beam and comprising at least one nozzle configured to blow a flow of steam into the respective internal channel.
- the machine of this invention allows achieving optimum control of process parameters with regard to both production speed and product properties, with the guarantee of high product quality.
- the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a machine for making filters for smoking articles.
- the machine of this invention comprises at least two forming beams 2 configured to receive respective streams 3 of filter tow.
- Each stream 3 of filter tow - cellulose acetate for example - comes from one or more processing stations, not illustrated.
- the filter tow is drawn out from compressed bales of filter tow material and made to advance through the above mentioned processing stations, not illustrated, where it is first stretched and then impregnated with a plasticizing fluid such as triacetin, for example.
- a plasticizing fluid such as triacetin, for example.
- the stream 3 is folded on itself about its longitudinal axis to form a continuous rod 4 of filter material.
- the filter making machine 1 may also comprise cutting means 5 adapted to cut the rod 4 transversely into a plurality of segments 6 whose longitudinal dimensions are suitable for the subsequent processes.
- Each forming beam 2 has an internal channel 7 which extends predominantly along a longitudinal axis, adapted to receive the stream 3, and whose transverse cross section changes along the longitudinal axis in such a way as to impart a predetermined shape to the stream 3 of filter tow in order to form the rod 4.
- the machine 1 also comprises porous conveyor means 9 - for example, a conveyor belt made of material permeable to air and steam - associated with respective forming beams 2 and configured to slide in the channel 7 of the forming beam 2 along the predominant longitudinal axis.
- porous conveyor means 9 - for example, a conveyor belt made of material permeable to air and steam - associated with respective forming beams 2 and configured to slide in the channel 7 of the forming beam 2 along the predominant longitudinal axis.
- the porous conveyor means are also configured to carry the stream 3 of filter tow along a feed path 8 coinciding with the longitudinal axis.
- the conveyor means 9 are adapted to comply with the shape of the transverse cross section of the channel 7 and to be at least partly wrapped around the stream 3.
- Each forming beam 2 also comprises a succession of treatment stations 10, located along the feed path of the respective forming beam 2 and comprising at least one nozzle 11 configured to blow a flow of steam into the internal channel of the respective forming beam 2.
- the forming beams 2 are placed side by side and parallel to each other, lying preferably in a plane that is substantially horizontal, that is to say, parallel to the flat surface that supports the machine 1.
- the internal channels 7 of adjacent forming beams 2 are spaced from each other.
- the spacing between the internal channels 7 ensures that there is no interference particularly in terms of the operating parameters of the flow of steam that is injected into them.
- the structure and distribution of the internal channels 7 in the machine 1, are such as to ensure that there is no interaction, especially thermal interaction, between the flows of steam intended for adjacent forming beams 2.
- Each nozzle 11 is an insert having a substantially annular shape, placed around the respective internal channel 7 and preferably comprising at least two portions made separately.
- each forming beam 2 comprises a base 2a and a lid 2b which is reclosable on the base 2a along a plane parallel to the predominant longitudinal axis to form the channel 7.
- the base 2a defines one half-portion of the channel 7, for example, the lower half-portion
- the cover 2b defines the other half-portion of the channel 7, for example, the upper half-portion, so that the channel 7 is obtained in a configuration where the cover 2b is fitted over the base 2a.
- each forming beam 2 comprises two parts - the base 2a and the lid 2b - configured to be coupled to each other in order to form the channel 7 in which the filter tow slides and is formed into shape.
- the base 2a and the lid 2b are provided with respective cavities adapted to house respective portions of the insert making up each nozzle 11 which are inserted and connected therein.
- the respective bases 2a of the at least two forming beams 2 are made in one piece and the respective lids 2b of the at least two forming beams 2 are made in one piece.
- each forming beam 2 may have a base 2a and a lid 2b that are independent of those of the other forming beam or beams 2 so that it is possible to work on each one individually, or these component elements may be made in one piece so that opening the lid 2b of one forming beam 2 automatically causes all the lids 2b to be opened, thereby making it possible to work simultaneously on all the forming beams 2 forming part of the machine 1.
- At least one forming beam 2 comprises adjustment means interposed between the lid 2b and the base 2a; these adjustments are configured to vary the distance between these two elements.
- each forming beam 2 comprises suitable adjustment means configured to vary the distance between the base 2a and the lid 2b.
- the lids 2b and the bases 2a of the forming beams 2 are made in one piece, only one forming beam need comprise suitable adjustment means capable of simultaneously varying the distance between each lid 2b and the respective base 2a of each and every forming beam.
- Each forming beam 2 also comprises at least one sensor 12 for detecting at least one parameter of the steam flow so as to allow monitoring precisely and accurately the properties of the steam fed into the forming beam.
- the at least one parameter of the steam flow may be one of the following: steam flow rate; steam flow temperature; steam flow pressure.
- each forming beam 2 further comprises conditioning means 13 configured to vary at least one parameter of the steam flow. This feature ensures that the steam flow supply and application parameters are at all times in line with the specific requirements of the production process to be used and with the properties of the finished product to be made.
- the parameters of the steam flow supplied to each forming beam 2 can be driven and controlled independently.
- a single filter making machine can be used to make a plurality of filter rods treated with different parameters in order to make different products in parallel.
- the machine 1 allows optimizing the production process to ensure the process is controlled precisely in order to make, in parallel, a plurality of filter rods having the exact same properties, thereby maintaining a high level of finished product quality.
- the machine 1 comprises a control and drive unit 14 connected to each forming beam 2 and configured to enable the respective conditioning means 13 in such a way as to vary the at least one parameter of the steam flow as a function of a value of the at least one parameter detected by the at least one respective sensor 12.
- the unit 14 allows acting on the conditioning means 13 so that the operating parameters of the steam flow fed to the treatment stations 10 of each forming beam 2 can be modified in order to allow the production process to be precisely and accurately controlled in real time.
- Such control may be performed both automatically and by an operator.
- the unit 14 is capable of processing the information received from the sensors 12 and, if it detects that the values received are not in line with preset threshold values and/or parameters, it may selectively enable the conditioning means 13 of one or more forming means 2 independently of each other in order to return the machine 1 to optimum operating conditions, whether such conditions are determined by the properties of the product to be made or by safety conditions of the installation which the machine 1 is part of.
- the unit 13 may also be equipped with an operator interface terminal on which the values representing the parameters measured by the sensors 12 can be displayed and through which the operator can operate directly on the parameters to enable/disable specific conditioning means to bring these values into line with the required result.
- the unit 14 is configured to enable, and generally speaking to control, each of the conditioning means 13 independently of every other conditioning means 13.
- this feature allows operating on the forming beams 2 individually without a change made to the operating conditions of one of them being inevitably applied to all the others, too.
- the filter making machine 1 comprises at least one feed station 15 configured to generate the steam flow and to feed it to each treatment station 10.
- the machine 1 thus comprises a feed line 15a which allows placing the at least one feed station 15 in fluid communication with the forming beams 2, specifically with the treatment stations 10.
- each feed station 15 there may be only one feed station 15 connected to each forming beam 2, hence to each treatment station 10.
- the feed line 15a branches out immediately upstream of the conditioning means 13 so that the conditioning means 13 can act solely on the respective forming beam 2.
- the machine 1 may further comprise control means operating on each feed station 15 and configured to vary the at least one parameter of the steam flow as a function of a value of the at least one parameter detected by the at least one sensor.
- This aspect is particularly important if the sensors 12 detect that the operating parameters differ from the required values to such an extent that they cannot be corrected by simply enabling the conditioning means 14 which operate on the flow of steam that has already been generated.
- this invention achieves the preset aims by overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art by making available to the user a highly versatile and efficient machine for making filters for smoking articles.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
Description
- This invention addresses the technical field of machinery for making articles of the tobacco industry. More specifically, this invention relates to a machine for making filters for smoking articles. In the prior art, filters for smoking articles are made from a strip of filter material, usually cellulose acetate, which is drawn out, stretched and treated with additive materials, in particular plasticizing fluids (triacetin, for example) to form a stream of filter tow. The stream is processed and subjected to the action of process fluids, such as steam, for example, to obtain a filter rod from which individual filter segments are cut. Known in the prior art are stations for processing a stream of filter tow where a flow of steam from an external source is fed to an elongated chamber and brought into contact with the stream of tow through a plurality of radial ducts. This solution has some drawbacks connected with the fact that the path followed by the steam is not an optimum one since it has to traverse an elongated chamber and is not uniform because it is radially concentrated in the ducts.
- Moreover, the prior art machines are inherently unsuitable for meeting current market requirements in terms not only of production volumes but also of product quality.
- Example of known machines in the relevant field can be found in documents
EP2636321 ,WO2017125849 andEP1741353 , which disclose machines for the production of articles of the tobacco industry. - The Applicant has thus observed that there is, in this field, a strongly felt need for a machine which makes filters for smoking articles and which can ensure that the finished product is of high quality and, at the same time, that speed of production is high.
- In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to propose a machine for making filters for smoking articles to overcome at least some of the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
- In particular, this invention has for an aim to provide a machine for making filters for smoking articles, capable of allowing improved and more efficient control of the operating parameters of the production process, with special regard to the structural properties of the product to be made and high production capacity.
- The technical purpose indicated and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a machine for making filters for smoking articles comprising the technical features described in one or more of the accompanying claims.
- This invention discloses a machine for making filters for smoking articles comprising at least two forming beams placed side by side, each extending predominantly along a longitudinal axis and having an internal channel adapted to form a stream of filter tow.
- Each forming beam is associated with a respective porous conveyor element configured to slide inside the respective channel and to carry the tow along a feed path parallel to the longitudinal axis.
- The conveyor element is adapted to comply with the shape of the transverse cross section of the internal channel in such a way as to be at least partly wrapped around the tow.
- Each forming beam is also provided with a succession of treatment stations located along the feed path of the respective forming beam and comprising at least one nozzle configured to blow a flow of steam into the respective internal channel.
- Advantageously, the machine of this invention allows achieving optimum control of process parameters with regard to both production speed and product properties, with the guarantee of high product quality.
- 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 detailed description below, with reference to a preferred, but non-exclusive, embodiment of a machine for making filters for smoking articles, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 shows a reference diagram of the machine of this invention; -
Figure 2 is a view in cross section of a detail of a forming beam of a machine for making filters for smoking articles; -
Figure 3 is a view in cross section along a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction of the machine at one of the nozzles. - With reference to the accompanying drawing, the
numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a machine for making filters for smoking articles. - The machine of this invention comprises at least two forming
beams 2 configured to receiverespective streams 3 of filter tow. - Each
stream 3 of filter tow - cellulose acetate for example - comes from one or more processing stations, not illustrated. - Preferably, the filter tow is drawn out from compressed bales of filter tow material and made to advance through the above mentioned processing stations, not illustrated, where it is first stretched and then impregnated with a plasticizing fluid such as triacetin, for example. Thus, the
stream 3 of filter tow which reaches the formingbeam 2 is impregnated with a plasticizing fluid. - Along the forming beam, the
stream 3 is folded on itself about its longitudinal axis to form acontinuous rod 4 of filter material. - Advantageously, the
filter making machine 1 may also comprise cutting means 5 adapted to cut therod 4 transversely into a plurality ofsegments 6 whose longitudinal dimensions are suitable for the subsequent processes. Each formingbeam 2 has an internal channel 7 which extends predominantly along a longitudinal axis, adapted to receive thestream 3, and whose transverse cross section changes along the longitudinal axis in such a way as to impart a predetermined shape to thestream 3 of filter tow in order to form therod 4. - The
machine 1 also comprises porous conveyor means 9 - for example, a conveyor belt made of material permeable to air and steam - associated with respective formingbeams 2 and configured to slide in the channel 7 of the formingbeam 2 along the predominant longitudinal axis. - The porous conveyor means are also configured to carry the
stream 3 of filter tow along afeed path 8 coinciding with the longitudinal axis. - In addition, the conveyor means 9 are adapted to comply with the shape of the transverse cross section of the channel 7 and to be at least partly wrapped around the
stream 3. - Preferably, in the configuration where the conveyor means 9 are wrapped as far as possible circumferentially around the
stream 3, the conveyor means 9 do not overlap but leave a portion of thestream 3 uncovered. Each formingbeam 2 also comprises a succession oftreatment stations 10, located along the feed path of the respective formingbeam 2 and comprising at least onenozzle 11 configured to blow a flow of steam into the internal channel of the respective formingbeam 2. - More specifically, in the embodiment illustrated by way of non-limiting example in
Figure 1 , there are threetreatment stations 10 distributed along the feed path. - In alternative embodiments, there may be one or
more treatment stations 10 distributed in various ways along the feed path. - The forming
beams 2 are placed side by side and parallel to each other, lying preferably in a plane that is substantially horizontal, that is to say, parallel to the flat surface that supports themachine 1. - To allow the forming
beams 2 to be correctly positioned, to prevent overlapping and interference between their components, the internal channels 7 of adjacent formingbeams 2 are spaced from each other. Advantageously, the spacing between the internal channels 7 ensures that there is no interference particularly in terms of the operating parameters of the flow of steam that is injected into them. - In other words, the structure and distribution of the internal channels 7 in the
machine 1, are such as to ensure that there is no interaction, especially thermal interaction, between the flows of steam intended for adjacent formingbeams 2. - Each
nozzle 11 is an insert having a substantially annular shape, placed around the respective internal channel 7 and preferably comprising at least two portions made separately. - Preferably, each forming
beam 2 comprises abase 2a and a lid 2b which is reclosable on thebase 2a along a plane parallel to the predominant longitudinal axis to form the channel 7. - Still more preferably, the
base 2a defines one half-portion of the channel 7, for example, the lower half-portion, and the cover 2b defines the other half-portion of the channel 7, for example, the upper half-portion, so that the channel 7 is obtained in a configuration where the cover 2b is fitted over thebase 2a. - In other words, each forming
beam 2 comprises two parts - thebase 2a and the lid 2b - configured to be coupled to each other in order to form the channel 7 in which the filter tow slides and is formed into shape. - Advantageously, the
base 2a and the lid 2b are provided with respective cavities adapted to house respective portions of the insert making up eachnozzle 11 which are inserted and connected therein. - Thus, once the
base 2a has been uncoupled from the lid 2b, it is possible to gain access to the inside of the channel 7, also and especially the portions of it which pass through thetreatment stations 10, since the inserts that make up thenozzles 11 are also separated and moved apart when the lid 2b is opened. - In a particular embodiment, the
respective bases 2a of the at least two formingbeams 2 are made in one piece and the respective lids 2b of the at least two formingbeams 2 are made in one piece. - In other words, each forming
beam 2 may have abase 2a and a lid 2b that are independent of those of the other forming beam orbeams 2 so that it is possible to work on each one individually, or these component elements may be made in one piece so that opening the lid 2b of one formingbeam 2 automatically causes all the lids 2b to be opened, thereby making it possible to work simultaneously on all the formingbeams 2 forming part of themachine 1. - Generally speaking, at least one forming
beam 2 comprises adjustment means interposed between the lid 2b and thebase 2a; these adjustments are configured to vary the distance between these two elements. - In other words, in the case where the lids 2b and the
bases 2a of the single formingbeams 2 are independent of each other, each formingbeam 2 comprises suitable adjustment means configured to vary the distance between thebase 2a and the lid 2b. - Alternatively, in the case where the lids 2b and the
bases 2a of the formingbeams 2 are made in one piece, only one forming beam need comprise suitable adjustment means capable of simultaneously varying the distance between each lid 2b and therespective base 2a of each and every forming beam. - Each forming
beam 2 also comprises at least onesensor 12 for detecting at least one parameter of the steam flow so as to allow monitoring precisely and accurately the properties of the steam fed into the forming beam. - By way of non-limiting example, the at least one parameter of the steam flow may be one of the following: steam flow rate; steam flow temperature; steam flow pressure.
- Monitoring these parameters allows ensuring a high level of process control. Advantageously, each forming
beam 2 further comprises conditioning means 13 configured to vary at least one parameter of the steam flow. This feature ensures that the steam flow supply and application parameters are at all times in line with the specific requirements of the production process to be used and with the properties of the finished product to be made. - Advantageously, the parameters of the steam flow supplied to each forming
beam 2 can be driven and controlled independently. - That means a single filter making machine can be used to make a plurality of filter rods treated with different parameters in order to make different products in parallel.
- Alternatively, the
machine 1 according to this invention allows optimizing the production process to ensure the process is controlled precisely in order to make, in parallel, a plurality of filter rods having the exact same properties, thereby maintaining a high level of finished product quality. - Indeed, even if just one of the forming
beams 2 undergoes a change in its operating conditions, action can be taken on thetreatment stations 10 of only that formingbeam 2, by changing the properties of the steam flowing in them in order to bring the product back into line with specifications without such changes having any effect on the product of the adjacent formingbeams 2. - The
machine 1 comprises a control anddrive unit 14 connected to each formingbeam 2 and configured to enable the respective conditioning means 13 in such a way as to vary the at least one parameter of the steam flow as a function of a value of the at least one parameter detected by the at least onerespective sensor 12. - In other words, the
unit 14 allows acting on the conditioning means 13 so that the operating parameters of the steam flow fed to thetreatment stations 10 of each formingbeam 2 can be modified in order to allow the production process to be precisely and accurately controlled in real time. - Such control may be performed both automatically and by an operator.
- That is to say, the
unit 14 is capable of processing the information received from thesensors 12 and, if it detects that the values received are not in line with preset threshold values and/or parameters, it may selectively enable the conditioning means 13 of one or more formingmeans 2 independently of each other in order to return themachine 1 to optimum operating conditions, whether such conditions are determined by the properties of the product to be made or by safety conditions of the installation which themachine 1 is part of. - Advantageously, the
unit 13 may also be equipped with an operator interface terminal on which the values representing the parameters measured by thesensors 12 can be displayed and through which the operator can operate directly on the parameters to enable/disable specific conditioning means to bring these values into line with the required result. - Preferably, the
unit 14 is configured to enable, and generally speaking to control, each of the conditioning means 13 independently of every other conditioning means 13. - Advantageously, this feature allows operating on the forming
beams 2 individually without a change made to the operating conditions of one of them being inevitably applied to all the others, too. - According to a specific aspect of this invention, the
filter making machine 1 comprises at least onefeed station 15 configured to generate the steam flow and to feed it to eachtreatment station 10. - The
machine 1 thus comprises afeed line 15a which allows placing the at least onefeed station 15 in fluid communication with the formingbeams 2, specifically with thetreatment stations 10. - More specifically, there may be only one
feed station 15 connected to each formingbeam 2, hence to eachtreatment station 10. - In such a case, the
feed line 15a branches out immediately upstream of the conditioning means 13 so that the conditioning means 13 can act solely on the respective formingbeam 2. - Alternatively, there may be two or
more feed stations 15 in fluid communication with respective formingbeams 2, so that even the steam flow can be generated independently, allowing greater versatility by making it possible to modulate the properties of the steam flow at the source to obtain a wider range of variability of the steam properties. - The
machine 1 may further comprise control means operating on eachfeed station 15 and configured to vary the at least one parameter of the steam flow as a function of a value of the at least one parameter detected by the at least one sensor. - In other words, it is possible to operate directly on the
feed station 15 in order to modify the parameters of the steam flow directly at the source. - This aspect is particularly important if the
sensors 12 detect that the operating parameters differ from the required values to such an extent that they cannot be corrected by simply enabling the conditioning means 14 which operate on the flow of steam that has already been generated. - In this situation, it is advantageous to be able to operate on the
feed station 15 to modify the properties of the steam flow directly at its source. Advantageously, this invention achieves the preset aims by overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art by making available to the user a highly versatile and efficient machine for making filters for smoking articles.
Claims (11)
- A machine for making filters for smoking articles, comprising at least two forming beams (2) placed side by side, each extending along a longitudinal axis and having an internal channel (7) adapted to form a stream of tow, wherein each forming beam (2) is associated with a respective porous conveyor element (9) configured to slide inside the respective channel (7) and to carry the tow along a feed path (8) parallel to the longitudinal axis, the conveyor element (9) being adapted to comply with the shape of the transverse cross section of the internal channel (7) and being at least partly wrapped around the tow; and wherein each forming beam, (2) has a succession of treatment stations (10) located along the feed path (8) of the respective forming beam (2) and comprising at least one nozzle (11) configured to blow a flow of steam into the internal channel (7) of the respective forming beam (2), wherein each forming beam (2) comprises conditioning means (13) configured to vary at least one parameter of the steam flow;- a control and drive unit (14) connected to each forming beam (2) and configured to enable respective conditioning means (13) associated with a forming beam (2) independently of the conditioning means (13) associated with at least one other forming beam (2) in such a way as to vary the at least one parameter of the steam flow.
- The machine according to claim 1, wherein the at least two forming beams (2) are parallel to each other and lie in a substantially horizontal plane.
- The machine according to one or both of the preceding claims, wherein each forming beam (2) comprises at least one sensor (12) for detecting at least one parameter of the steam flow.
- The machine according to one claim 3, wherein the at least one parameter comprises at least one of the following: steam flow rate, steam flow temperature, steam flow pressure.
- The filter making machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each nozzle (11) is an insert having a substantially annular shape disposed around the respective internal channel (7).
- The filter making machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each forming beam (2) comprises a base (2a) and a lid (2b) which is reclosable on the base (2a) along a plane parallel to the main longitudinal axis to form the respective internal channel (7).
- The machine according to claim 6, wherein the respective bases of the at least two forming beams (2) are each made as a single part and the respective lids of the at least two forming beams (2) are each made as a single part.
- The filter making machine according to claim 6 or 7, wherein at least one of the forming beams (2) comprises adjustment means interposed between the lid (2b) and the base (2a), the adjustment means being configured to vary a relative distance between the base (2a) and the lid (2b).
- The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising at least one feed station (15) configured to generate the steam flow and one feed line (15a) for placing the at least one feed station (15) in fluid communication with the forming beams (2).
- The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of feed stations and one feed line (15a) for placing each feed station in fluid communication with a respective forming beam (2).
- The machine according to claim 9 or 10, when dependent on claim 3, comprising control means operating on each feed station (15) and configured to vary the at least one parameter of the steam flow as a function of a value of the at least one parameter detected by the respective sensor (12).
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
HRP20230163TT HRP20230163T1 (en) | 2018-11-06 | 2019-11-04 | Machine for making filters for smoking articles |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT102018000010059A IT201800010059A1 (en) | 2018-11-06 | 2018-11-06 | Filter packing machine for smoking items |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3659448A1 EP3659448A1 (en) | 2020-06-03 |
EP3659448B1 true EP3659448B1 (en) | 2023-01-11 |
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EP19206915.1A Active EP3659448B1 (en) | 2018-11-06 | 2019-11-04 | Machine for making filters for smoking articles |
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EP (1) | EP3659448B1 (en) |
HR (1) | HRP20230163T1 (en) |
IT (1) | IT201800010059A1 (en) |
PL (1) | PL3659448T3 (en) |
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DE102005032366A1 (en) * | 2005-07-08 | 2007-01-11 | Hauni Maschinenbau Ag | Forming device of the tobacco processing industry |
ITBO20120106A1 (en) * | 2012-03-05 | 2013-09-06 | Montrade Srl | METHOD AND MACHINE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FILTERS WITHOUT PAPER FOR SMOKE ITEMS |
ITUB20160197A1 (en) * | 2016-01-21 | 2017-07-21 | Gd Spa | Packaging machine for cigarette filters and method for packaging cigarette filters. |
-
2018
- 2018-11-06 IT IT102018000010059A patent/IT201800010059A1/en unknown
-
2019
- 2019-11-04 EP EP19206915.1A patent/EP3659448B1/en active Active
- 2019-11-04 PL PL19206915.1T patent/PL3659448T3/en unknown
- 2019-11-04 HR HRP20230163TT patent/HRP20230163T1/en unknown
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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PL3659448T3 (en) | 2023-04-11 |
IT201800010059A1 (en) | 2020-05-06 |
EP3659448A1 (en) | 2020-06-03 |
HRP20230163T1 (en) | 2023-03-31 |
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