EP4111875A1 - Groups of filter segments with gaps - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a filter in the tobacco processing industry, an insertion device and a machine in the tobacco processing industry. The aim of the invention is to provide several gaps (32) between filter segments (31) and to maintain the gaps (32) during cross-axial transport and during transfer to a line (34).

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a filter for the tobacco processing industry. The invention also relates to an insertion device for the tobacco processing industry, which is designed to insert filter segments from the tobacco processing industry into a line of the tobacco processing industry or to place them against a line of the tobacco processing industry, with at least one receiving recess for receiving filter segments, the at least a receiving trough has a longitudinal extent and wherein the receiving trough has a curved bottom transversely to the longitudinal extent, which is used to receive the filter segments. The invention also relates to a machine in the tobacco processing industry for assembling filter segments from the tobacco processing industry into filter segment groups, the machine having conveying elements which have receiving troughs for receiving filter rods and/or filter segments, the conveying elements moving the receiving trough transversely to its longitudinal axis, and wherein the conveying organs comprise elements by means of which filter rods and/or filter segments are or will be cut and assembled.

The invention also relates to a rod-shaped product of the tobacco processing industry.

From the DE-OS 28 09 160 a device for producing multiple filters with a recess is known. The multiple filters are first put together in a crosswise process. During the transfer to a strand that is conveyed along the longitudinal axis, gaps for the recess are created by means of spacer lugs on the receiving troughs of the insert wheel.

In EP 2 798 967 B1 a method and a device are described by means of which multiple filters or multi-segment filters of the tobacco processing industry are produced, with a gap being formed between two filter segments, with the gap then being filled with granules.

It is the object of the present invention to specify a method and a device by means of which it is possible to produce filters in the tobacco processing industry in a process-reliable and very precise manner, which have at least two gaps with a single useful length. In addition, the filters produced should have efficient filter properties with low material consumption.

This object is achieved by a method for producing a filter for the tobacco processing industry, in which case filter segments in conveying elements are cut and assembled in a transverse axial conveying direction in such a way that in a receiving trough of a conveying element from which the filter segments are removed, they are transferred in a longitudinal axial conveying direction at least two gaps between the filter segments are provided in the longitudinal axial direction, with the filter segments being removed from the receiving trough of the conveying element by means of a transfer element while maintaining the gaps between the filter segments and being deposited in a strand on a wrapping material that is conveyed in the longitudinal axial direction or on a strand can be created, after which the wrapping material is wrapped around the filter segments and the gaps, after which the filter is cut to length from the strand.

Within the scope of the invention, the gaps, which can also be referred to as gaps or air chambers, are or remain empty. The filter produced thus has gaps between filter segments that are exclusively filled with a gas, in particular air.

A filter of simple usable length is understood within the scope of the invention to mean that the filter has the length of the end product, which is attached to a tobacco rod, for example, and is ready for use, or alternatively a finished end product that can be used as a heat-not-burn product .

The invention is based on the idea that even when filter segments with gaps are put together to form groups of filter segments, the gaps must be retained when the filter segments are transferred or when groups of filter segments are transferred during cross-axial conveyance or from cross-axial conveyance into longitudinal-axial conveyance Funding leads to increased process reliability and reliable filters.

The conveying element from which the filter segments with the gaps or the groups of filter segments are removed is preferably the last conveying element downstream, which conveys the filter segments exclusively transversely axially.

In order to maintain the at least two gaps between the filter segments, the transfer element preferably has cross-axially arranged webs in a receiving trough, the webs having a thickness adapted to the size of the gap or gaps in the longitudinal axial direction of the receiving trough. This is the retention of the gaps and also the size of the gaps is particularly efficient and easy. In addition, this also ensures that the filter segments remain stable in their position during conveyance, in particular during transfer, from transverse axial to longitudinal axial conveyance.

The thickness of the web is preferably as large as the gap between the filter segments, at least adjacent to or bordering on the surface of the receiving trough of the transfer element. Preferably, the web or the webs are conical in sections, the web being tapered in particular away from the bottom or from the surface of the receiving trough. This enables the filter segments to be accommodated particularly securely while maintaining the gaps in the receiving trough of the transfer element. The transfer element is preferably an insertion device. In particular, the insertion device is preferably an insertion wheel.

Furthermore, gaps between the filter segments are preferably maintained when filter segments are transferred from one conveying element conveying transversely axially to another conveying element conveying transversely axially. This is preferably done by means of mechanical spacer elements that are arranged in or on the conveying elements and/or in the transfer area between two adjacent conveying elements. This can be ridges in the receiving troughs of the conveyor organs. Spreading wedges can also be provided on or in the conveying elements, which ensure that a desired distance or a gap, in particular a predetermined large one, is provided between the filter segments.

When transferring from the transverse-axial conveying direction to the longitudinal-axial conveying direction, at least four filter segments are preferably arranged longitudinally relative to one another in such a way that at least three gaps are provided between the filter segments.

Preferably, at least one gap is a different size than one other gap. The size of a gap is understood to mean, in particular, an extent in the longitudinal axial direction. In particular, the gaps can be of different sizes. Gaps of the same size can also be provided in part, or only gaps that are different.

The groups of filter segments or the filter segments spaced apart by gaps are preferably inserted by the conveying element at a distance from the previously inserted group of filter segments. In order to realize this, the transfer element preferably includes a spacer nose. With regard to the spacer nose, for example, on the DE-OS 28 09 160 referred.

The object is also achieved by an insertion device of the tobacco processing industry, which is designed to insert filter segments from the tobacco processing industry into a line of the tobacco processing industry or to place them against a line of the tobacco processing industry, with at least one receiving recess for receiving filter segments, wherein the at least one receiving trough has a longitudinal extent and wherein the receiving trough has a curved base transversely to the longitudinal extent, which is used to receive the filter segments. Here, according to the invention, the webs protrude beyond the curved bottom of the receiving trough.

In this case, the bottom is preferably curved in such a way that it is possible to accommodate the filter segments, which are usually circular in cross section, in a form-adapted manner. For example, the arched bottom is in the form of a segment of a circle in cross section.

A corresponding insertion device from the prior art is out EP 3 248 477 B1 famous. Here webs between suction openings in the bottom of a receiving trough are shown.

The insertion device according to the invention has webs that extend from Extend away from the bottom, so that they provide a contact surface for an end face of a filter segment introduced into the receiving trough on their end faces or on one end face.

A filter segment introduced into the receiving trough preferably touches an end face of the web on its end face. The web is preferably wider toward the bottom of the receiving trough of the insertion device and tapers away from the bottom, so that the filter segments that are received in the receiving trough can be received more easily and with a high level of process reliability.

At least two webs, in particular at least three webs, are preferably provided, which are arranged between receiving areas for filter segments in the receiving trough.

If a spacer lug is preferably provided in the longitudinal extent of the receiving trough at the end or at the beginning of the receiving trough, groups of filter segments can be inserted into a string of groups of filter segments at a distance from other groups of filter segments. The spacer lug preferably has a lengthwise-axial extent that corresponds to a lengthwise-axial extent of at least one web. In this way it can be ensured that the same distance between the filter segments of a group of filter segments and between a filter segment and another group of filter segments is produced in the longitudinally axially conveyed strand.

The object is also achieved by a machine in the tobacco processing industry for assembling filter segments from the tobacco processing industry into filter segment groups, the machine having conveying elements which have receiving recesses for receiving filter rods and/or filter segments, the conveying elements having the receiving recesses transverse to their longitudinal axis move, and wherein the conveying elements comprise elements by means of which filter rods and / or Filter segments are or are cut and assembled, with manipulation elements also being provided in or on the conveying elements and/or between two adjacent conveying elements, the manipulation elements serving to create and/or maintain at least two gaps in the longitudinal axial direction between the filter segments.

Webs or expanding wedges can be used according to the invention as manipulation organs. In addition, spreader drums can be used, such as single-sided or double-sided spreader drums. The sliding elements of a double sliding drum can also be considered as a manipulation organ. A corresponding double sliding drum with the corresponding manipulation organs is out EP 3 536 173 B1 famous. For example, serve stops 26 and 28 from Fig. 1b EP 3 536 173 B1 as organs of manipulation.

The manipulation organs can be arranged in or on the conveying organs or be encompassed by the conveying organs or be provided between two conveying organs in order to create or maintain the gaps during the transfer from one conveying organ to another conveying organ. Webs are preferably provided for retention during the transfer. At least one expanding wedge is provided to create gaps during transfer or on a conveying element, with two expanding wedges preferably being provided to create two gaps.

Preferably, three gaps are created and/or maintained between the filter segments.

If preferably an insertion device or a transfer element is provided, which is in particular an above-described inventive or preferred insertion device, by means of which the filter segments arranged in a conveyor element as a group with at least two gaps between the filter segments of a transverse axial Transferring the conveying direction to a conveying device conveying the groups longitudinally and axially is a very efficient way of carrying out the process. The conveying device conveying the groups longitudinally and axially is preferably a rod machine of the tobacco processing industry. The insertion device is preferably designed to transfer the group of filter segments without changing their position in relation to one another.

The insertion device preferably has a receiving trough for receiving filter segments, webs being provided which are arranged transversely axially in the receiving trough and serve to fill or maintain the gaps between the filter segments.

In addition, the object is achieved by a filter manufacturing machine of the tobacco processing industry comprising a rod machine of the tobacco processing industry and a machine according to the invention described above or a preferred machine of the tobacco processing industry described above.

A known filter manufacturing machine of the applicant, for example the KDF5/6MF, can easily be converted into a machine according to the invention, whereby one of the two existing filter runs can be used for the process and the second filter run can be adapted to the further method or the further machine according to the invention .

In order to reduce the quantities removed from the filter magazine or filter magazines, both filter runs can also be used and the further process steps can then be carried out.

In the filter run, for example, the product is first cut seven times into eight segments of equal length in a multi-cutting head or cut three times into four segments of equal length. After staggering, the products are transported in a double sliding drum with a defined placed at a distance from each other. On the transport level, i.e. after the actual filter run, in the case of eight cut segments, outer cuts are made with two knives and a predefinable large gap of 2.5 mm, for example, between the filter segments is created with expanding wedges or two one-sided or one double-sided expanding drum . In order to be able to maintain the gaps between the segments exactly, spacers can be provided in the drum recesses or expanding wedges between the drums in the drum transitions. In order to enable the exact distance between the filter segments when inserting them into a format set, spacers are provided between the segments in a tray in the insert wheel recesses.

• queraxiale Schneiden eines Filterstabs mehrfacher Gebrauchslänge in Filtersegmente,
• Staffeln der Filtersegmente in queraxialer Richtung,
• Verschieben der Filtersegmente in längsaxialer Richtung, derart, dass Filtersegmente queraxial fluchtend hintereinander angeordnet sind, wobei in einer Aufnahmemulde eines Förderorgans entweder ein Filtersegment angeordnet ist, das mittig geschnitten wird, so dass zwei Filtersegmente längsaxial hintereinander in der Aufnahmemulde angeordnet sind, oder wobei in einer Aufnahmemulde eines Förderorgans zwei Filtersegmente längsaxial hintereinander angeordnet sind,
• queraxiales Schneiden der zwei in einer Aufnahmemulde längsaxial hintereinander angeordneten Filtersegmente,
• längsaxiales Beabstanden der vier Filtersegmente beim queraxialen Transport, so dass zwischen den vier Filtersegmenten Lücken entstehen,
• Übergabe der vier beabstandeten Filtersegmente in eine längsaxiale Förderrichtung auf einen Umhüllungsmaterialstreifen,
• Umhüllen der Filtersegmente beim längsaxialen Transport zur Ausbildung eines Filterstrangs,
• Ablängen von Filtern aus dem Filterstrang.

In one embodiment, a method for producing a filter in the tobacco processing industry is provided with the following method steps:

• cross-axial cutting of a filter rod of multiple usage length into filter segments,
• staggering of the filter segments in the cross-axial direction,
• Displacement of the filter segments in the longitudinal axial direction in such a way that filter segments are arranged one behind the other in a transverse axial alignment, with either a filter segment being arranged in a receiving trough of a conveying element, which is cut in the middle so that two filter segments are arranged longitudinally axially one behind the other in the receiving trough, or with one receiving trough of a conveying element, two filter segments are arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis,
• Cross-axial cutting of the two filter segments arranged one behind the other in a receiving trough,
• Longitudinally axial spacing of the four filter segments during transaxial transport, so that gaps arise between the four filter segments,
• Transfer of the four spaced-apart filter segments in a longitudinal-axial conveying direction onto a strip of wrapping material,
• Covering the filter segments during longitudinal transport to form a filter rod,
• Cutting filters from the filter rod to length.

In this method, filters with double the useful length are first produced, which can then be placed between two tobacco rods in order to provide a central cut through the filter rod of half the useful length after wrapping with tipping paper and thus produce filter cigarettes.

The filter segments can be made from a single material or from different materials, with different or multiple filter runs preferably being provided when using different materials.

In an alternative process sequence, the filter rod can initially be cut into four segments of equal size, with a pressure-relieved cut being able to be used for a sensitive filter material. After staggering, the filter segments are positioned in the middle of the machine with a simple sliding process. In this process flow, the cuts for the gaps, which can also be referred to as air chambers, are made at the transport level. First, a central cut is made and then two outer cuts are made using the single or multi-cut method. Here, too, spreading wedges or spreading drums can be used after the cut in order to create defined distances between the filter segments to form gaps. Spreading wedges or spacers can also be present in the receiving troughs when the conveying elements are transferred, in order to be able to maintain the defined distances, i.e. the defined gaps.

The gaps between the filter segments are preferably of the same size. In this case, the webs, spacers, expanding wedges, etc. are each the same size or thickness or depth. In case different large gaps are provided, the size of the gaps defining manipulation organs can also be of different sizes or have different distances.

The object is also achieved by a rod-shaped product of the tobacco processing industry, in particular a filter cigarette, wherein the rod-shaped product of the tobacco processing industry comprises a filter of a single usable length of the tobacco processing industry, the filter of a single usable length having at least three filter segments and at least two gaps between the Having filter segments, the gaps forming air chambers. In particular, the material consumption is reduced by the rod-shaped product according to the invention. In particular, the filter segments are made from a filter tow made from cellulose acetate. The at least two gaps are preferably filled with air. The stick product can also be a heat-not-burn product.

Further features of the invention will be apparent from the description of embodiments of the invention taken together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments according to the invention can fulfill individual features or a combination of several features.

Fig. 1

eine schematische dreidimensionale Darstellung eines Teils einer erfindungsgemäßen Einlegevorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung der Einlegevorrichtung aus Fig. 1 von unten in schematischer Form,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Filtersegmentzusammenstellmaschine,

Fig. 4

eine alternative Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Filtersegmentzusammenstellmaschine in schematischer Darstellung und

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung eines stabförmigen Produkts der Tabak verarbeitenden Industrie.

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

1

a schematic three-dimensional representation of part of an insertion device according to the invention,

2

a representation of the insertion device 1 from below in schematic form,

3

a schematic representation of a filter segment assembly machine according to the invention,

4

an alternative embodiment of a filter segment assembly machine according to the invention in a schematic representation and

figure 5

a schematic representation of a rod-shaped product of the tobacco processing industry.

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

1 Fig. 12 shows schematically part of a tuck-in device 10 according to the invention. The insertion device 10, which is very schematic in the

3 and 4 shown has a plurality of arms 11 to which gondolas 12 are attached. Basically, the principle of such an insertion device is 10 in EP 3 248 477 B1 disclosed. The insertion device has the reference number 10 there as well EP 3 248 477 B1 the applicant. Compared to the insertion device 10 of EP 3 248 477 B1 the gondola 12 has a receiving trough 13 which separates the receiving areas for filter segments 31 from one another by webs 14 .

In this exemplary embodiment, the webs 14 are shown tapering away from the base 17 of the receiving trough 13 . So these are wedge-shaped. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 four receiving areas for filter segments 31 are provided in the receiving trough 13 and three webs 14 which serve to maintain gaps 32 between the filter segments when the filter segments 31 are received by the insertion device 10 in the receiving trough 13 . So that the filter segments 31 are not damaged when they are received in the receiving trough 13 or whose position relative to one another cannot be moved or shifted, the webs 14 are wedge-shaped.

In this exemplary embodiment, the webs 14 have the same width or depth, since the gaps 32 between the filter segments are of the same size. However, gaps 32 of different sizes can also be provided. In this case, the webs 14 are also of different sizes or have a different width or depth. In the context of this description, width under depth is understood to mean the extension in the longitudinal axial direction of the trough 13 .

The spacer lug 16 serves to ensure, when the filter segments 31 accommodated in the receiving trough 13 are transferred to or into a line 34 of filter segments 31 and gaps 32 between the filter segments 31, that between the filter segment 31 already installed downstream and the a gap is also provided upstream at the front point of the first introduced filter segment 31 . The thickness of the spacer lug 16 is preferably the same as the thickness of the webs 14.

In 2 , which is a schematic representation of the part of the insertion device 10 from 1 shows from below, suction openings 15 are also provided, by means of which the filter segments 31 are held in the receiving trough 13 or the receiving areas of the receiving trough 13 by suction air.

3 shows a schematic of a filter segment assembly machine 5 according to the invention as well as a schematic of the arrangement of the filter segments 31 at various points of the filter segment assembly machine 5.

Filter rods 30 are arranged in a filter magazine 35 and are removed from a removal and cutting drum 36 . The conveying direction of the removal and cutting drum 36 is shown schematically by a arrow shown. The filter rod 30 is thus perpendicular to the in 3 made representation, ie funded with a face in the plane of the drawing. On the removal and cutting drum 36, the filter rod 30 is cut into eight filter segments 31 by seven cuts, which is indicated by the filter segment arrangement A. The eight filter segments 31 arranged in a receiving trough are then transferred to a transport drum 37 and then to a staggering drum 38 and staggered according to the filter segment arrangement B. After being transferred to the double sliding drum 39, the filter segments 31 are first pushed outwards, as indicated in the filter segment arrangement C, in order to then be pushed into the middle, specifically with a spacing. The distance can be predetermined and can be 2 mm or 3 mm or 4 mm, for example, or have another distance, which is preferably in a range between 1 mm and 7 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 5 mm.

This is then followed by a transfer drum 40 . Webs are preferably provided in the troughs in the transfer drum 40, which ensure that the gap between the filter segments 31 is maintained.

The first four drums 36 - 39 can also according to the EP 3 536 173 B1 be formed, in which case the drums 37, 38 and 39 are to be regarded as sliding drums, the one in the EP 3 536 173 B1 have intended functionality.

The drum 39 is followed by a transfer drum 40 which also has webs in the receiving troughs, for example, in order to maintain the gap 32 between the filter segments 31 . The filter segments 31 with the gap 32 are transferred from the transfer drum 40 to a cutting and pushing drum 41 . Here, cuts are made in the two filter segments 31 transferred from the transfer drum 40 . After cutting, expansion wedges are preferably provided to provide a gap between the filter segments 31 where a cut has just been made. In a modified embodiment, the cuts can be made on the drum 42 or 43.

In particular, when cutting and also in the area of the expanding wedges, it is important to ensure that the previously provided gap 32 remains. For this purpose, a web is preferably provided which has a thickness or depth in the longitudinal axial direction which corresponds to the width of the gap. As an alternative to using a web, in principle two stops can also be provided, the stop surfaces of which are as far apart from one another as the gap is large.

The subsequent drums 42 and 43 are used to transport and maintain the spacing of the gaps or maintain the arrangement of the group 33 of filter segments 31 and gaps 32. The group 33 of filter segments 31 and gaps 32 is then using an insertion device 10, which has a receiving trough has, which has 13 protruding webs 14 from the bottom of the receiving trough, as in the Figures 1 and 2 is described in more detail, transferred from the transverse axial conveying direction 20 into a longitudinal axial conveying direction 21 . In particular, the group 33 of filter segments 31 and gaps 32 is placed on a non-illustrated wrapping material. The wrapping material preferably already has a strip of adhesive so that the filter segments 31 adhere to the wrapping material. The group 33 of filter segments 31 and gaps 32 is then conveyed in the longitudinal axial conveying direction 21 in the direction of a formatting device, in which the strip of wrapping material is wrapped around the filter segments 31 and gaps 32 in order to then cut filter rods, in particular preferably twice the useful length, to length. The point at which the filter segments 31 or filters are cut to length is shown with the cutting position 51 .

A slightly different procedure is shown schematically in 4 compared to 3 shown. Here the filter rod 30 is not initially cut into eight filter segments 31, but into four filter segments 31. The four filter segments are then staggered in the staggered drum 38, like this in the filter segment arrangement B of 4 is shown, in order then to be shifted, preferably centrally, in the transport drum 44 or in the shift drum 45 or in the transport drum 44 and the shift drum 45. On the one hand, provision can be made for the longitudinal axial displacement of the filter segments 31 to take place exclusively in the displacement drum 45 or exclusively in the transport drum 44, or for one-sided displacement in the transport drum 44 and one-sided displacement from the other side in the displacement drum 45 to be provided.

The filter segments 31 aligned in the transverse axial direction are then transferred to the cutting and sliding drum 46, in which they are given a central cut by means of a circular knife 50 and then a gap is provided between the filter segments 31 by a manipulation element, such as an expanding wedge. The filter segments 31 provided with a gap 32 in this way are transferred to a cutting and pushing drum 41, in which the two filter segments receive a further cut by a circular blade 50, gaps 32 also being formed between the two filter segments 31 that have been cut in each case, for example by two expanding wedges . Here, too, it is important that the gap 32 initially produced, which exists in the middle between the two filter segments 31 initially produced, is maintained during the transfer from the cutting and shifting drum 46 to the cutting and shifting drum 41 . A web can be provided for this purpose, for example.

The further course of the procedure then corresponds to the course of the procedure 3 .

figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a rod-shaped article of the tobacco processing industry, in this case a filter cigarette 63. A filter 62 is attached to a tobacco rod 60 by means of a tipping paper 61. The filter 62 comprises three filter segments 31 made of a cellulose acetate and two gaps 32. The outer filter segments 31 have a same length, whereas the filter segment 31 is slightly shorter. The gap between the filter segment 31 on the mouth side and the middle filter segment 31 is slightly larger than the gap between the filter segment 31 on the rod side and the middle filter segment 31. Four or even more filter segments 31 can also be provided and correspondingly three or more gaps 32.

All of the features mentioned, including those that can be taken from the drawings alone and also individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features, are considered essential to the invention alone and in combination. Embodiments according to the invention can be fulfilled by individual features or a combination of several features.

Reference List

5

Filter segment assembly machine

10

insertion device

11

poor

12

gondola

13

receiving recess

14

web

15

suction port

16

spacer nose

17

floor

20

cross-axial conveying direction

21

longitudinal conveying direction

30

filter rod

31

filter segment

32

gap

33

Group of filter segments and gaps

34

strand

35

magazine

36

Removal and cutting drum

37

transport drum

38

relay drum

39

Double sliding drum

40

transfer drum

41

Cutting and pushing drum

42

transport drum

43

transport drum

44

transport drum

45

sliding drum

46

Cutting and pushing drum

50

circular knife

51

cutting position

60

tobacco stick

61

lining paper

62

filter

63

filter cigarette

A

filter segment arrangement

B

filter segment arrangement

C

filter segment arrangement

Claims (15)

A method for producing a filter for the tobacco processing industry, in which filter segments (31) are cut and assembled in conveying elements (36 - 46) in a transverse axial conveying direction (20) in such a way that a receiving trough of a conveying element (43) from which the filter segments ( 31) are removed in order to be transferred in a longitudinal-axial conveying direction (21), at least two gaps (32) are provided between the filter segments (31) in the longitudinal-axial direction, the filter segments (31) being transferred by means of a transfer element (10) while maintaining the Gaps (32) between the filter segments (31) are removed from the receiving trough of the conveying element (43) and placed on a wrapping material that is conveyed longitudinally axially in a strand or applied to a strand, the wrapping material then being wrapped around the filter segments ( 31) and the gaps (32) is wound, the filter then being cut to length from the strand. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that in order to maintain the at least two gaps (32) between the filter segments (31), the transfer element (10) has cross-axially arranged webs (14) in a receiving trough (13), the webs (14) having a have a thickness adapted to the size of the gaps (32) in the longitudinal axial direction of the receiving trough (13). Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when filter segments (31) are transferred from a transversely axial conveying element (38 - 42, 44 - 45) to a further transversely axial conveying element (39 - 46), there are gaps (32) between the Filter segments (31) are retained. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that during the transfer from the transverse-axial conveying direction (20) to the longitudinal-axial conveying direction (21), at least four filter segments (31) are arranged longitudinally-axially relative to one another in such a way that at least three gaps (32) between the filter segments (31) are provided. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one gap (32) has a different size than another gap (32). Insertion device (10) of the tobacco processing industry, which is designed to introduce filter segments (31) from the tobacco processing industry into a line (34) of the tobacco processing industry or to place them against a line (34) of the tobacco processing industry, with at least one receiving trough ( 13) for accommodating filter segments (31), the at least one receiving trough (13) having a longitudinal extent and the receiving trough (13) having a curved base (17) transverse to the longitudinal extent, which serves to receive the filter segments (31), characterized in that the receiving trough (13) has webs (14) transverse to its longitudinal extent, which extend over the curved bottom (17) and serve to maintain gaps (32) between the filter segments (31). Insertion device (10) according to Claim 6, characterized in that
that a filter segment placed in the receiving trough (13) touches an end face of the web (14) on its end face. Insertion device (10) according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that at least two webs (14), in particular at least three webs (14), are provided, which are arranged between receiving areas for filter segments (31) in the receiving trough (13). Insertion device (10) according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that a spacer lug (16) is provided in the longitudinal extent of the receiving trough (13) at the end or at the beginning of the receiving trough (13), the spacer lug (16) in particular having a longitudinal axial Has an extension that corresponds to a longitudinal axial extension of at least one web (14). Machine (5) in the tobacco processing industry for assembling filter segments (31) in the tobacco processing industry into filter segment groups (33), the machine (5) having conveying elements (36 - 46) which have receiving troughs for receiving filter rods (30) and/or or filter segments (31), wherein the conveying elements (36 - 46) move the receiving troughs transversely to their longitudinal axis, and wherein the conveying elements (36 - 46) comprise elements by means of which filter rods (30) and/or filter segments (31) are cut and are or will be put together, with manipulation elements also being provided in or on the conveying elements (36 - 46) and/or between two adjacent conveying elements (36 - 46). are, the manipulation organs serving to create and/or maintain at least two gaps (32) in the longitudinal axial direction between the filter segments (31). Machine (5) according to claim 10, characterized in that at least three gaps (32) are created and/or maintained between the filter segments (31). Machine (5) of the tobacco processing industry according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that an insertion device (10), in particular according to one of Claims 5 to 9, is provided, by means of which the filter segments arranged as a group (33) in a conveying element (43) are arranged (31) are transferred with at least two gaps (32) between the filter segments (31) from a transverse axial conveying direction (20) into a conveying device conveying the group (33) longitudinally. Machine (5) according to Claim 12, characterized in that the insertion device (10) is designed to transfer the group (33) of filter segments (31) without changing their position in relation to one another, the insertion device (10) in particular having a receiving trough ( 13) for receiving filter segments (31), webs (14) being provided which are arranged transversely axially in the receiving trough (13) and serve to fill or maintain the gaps (32) between the filter segments (31). Filter manufacturing machine in the tobacco processing industry, comprising a rod machine in the tobacco processing industry and a machine (5) according to one of Claims 10 to 13. Rod-shaped product (63) of the tobacco processing industry, comprising a filter (62) of a single use length of the tobacco processing industry, the filter (62) of a single use length at least three filter segments (31) and at least two gaps (32) between the filter segments (31), the gaps (32) forming air chambers.

Images