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
  • A24C5/01—Making cigarettes for simulated smoking devices
• • 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
  • A24C5/005—Treatment of cigarette paper
• • 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
  • A24C5/47—Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces
  • A24C5/471—Attaching filters or mouthpieces to cigars or cigarettes, e.g. inserting filters into cigarettes or their mouthpieces by means of a connecting band
• • 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
  • A24C5/56—Making tipping materials, e.g. sheet cork for mouthpieces of cigars or cigarettes, by mechanical means
  • A24C5/58—Applying the tipping materials
• • 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
  • A24C5/60—Final treatment of cigarettes, e.g. marking, printing, branding, decorating
  • A24C5/601—Marking, printing or decorating cigarettes
• • 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
  • A24D3/0279—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters for filters with special features with tubes

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of smoking articles and the object thereof is a plant and a method for the production of filter tubes.
• filter tubes is commonly used for smoker articles (in other words, articles pf the tobacco industry) characterized by a hollow tubular element rigidly connected to a filtering segment by the application of a paper connecting strip, typically of the "cork” type, rolled onto both elements. Filter tubes are sold with the tubular element empty, thus allowing the consumer to fill them autonomously with a mixture of tobacco or other smokable materials, according to their preferences. The diffusion thereof is mainly in contexts where users desire more control over the composition and intensity of their smoking experience.
• plants for the production of filter tubes comprise a machine for the production of a succession of hollow tubular elements (commonly called maker machine) and a machine for applying at least one filter segment to each hollow tubular element (commonly called filter tip attachment machine) so as to form a respective group of segments.
• Known plants further comprise an unwinding unit configured to receive at least one roll from which a paper web is unwound which is cut to form a plurality of connecting strips used to wrap and stabilize the respective groups of segments.
• the paper employed as connecting strip has a graphic design printed on the surface.
• the paper web is often embossed beforehand.
• a plurality of ridges and recesses is made on the paper web according to a predetermined pattern.
• the unwinding unit of the known plants is configured to operate with rolls in which the paper web has already undergone an embossing process and which, therefore, already have the aforesaid plurality of ridges and recesses.
• rolls with a pre-embossed web occupy a larger space than rolls with a smooth web (i.e., not embossed), length of the web wound on the roll being equal. This can result in difficulty in storing the rolls in the limited spaces of warehouses, as well as in the movement thereof during the internal and external transport.
• the aforesaid plants are to be capable of handling large rolls (wound web being equal).
• the rolls will require frequent changes.
• a further problem relates to the possibility of the web pre-embossing being ruined during the storage in rolls, compromising the quality of the end product. Indeed, if the pre-embossing is damaged during storage, for example, due to excessive pressures, humidity or incorrect handling, the web could lose its structural integrity, compromising the end product.
• the technical task specified and the objects specified are substantially achieved by a plant for the production of filter tubes having the technical features outlined below.
• the technical task specified and the objects specified are substantially achieved by a method for the production of filter tubes, which is preferably performed by means of the aforesaid plant.
• the plant comprises feed means for feeding a succession of hollow tubular elements.
• hollow tubular element refers to the part of the filter tube product intended to contain, in use, the smoking material.
• This hollow tubular element is an internally empty cylinder usually made of paper.
• the plant comprises a filter tip attachment machine for applying at least one filter segment to each hollow tubular element.
• filter segment refers to the part of the filter tube product which consists of filtering material. This segment is usually made of cellulose acetate fiber or other porous materials and/or having a filtering effect (such as, for example, preferably crimped paper or cellulose), i.e., designed to trap some particles present in the smoke during the combustion of the product.
• the filter tip attachment machine comprises a downfeed line configured to feed a succession of filter segments.
• the filter tip attachment machine comprises a combiner drum in which each filter segment is combined with at least one hollow tubular element to form a group of segments.
• each (double-length) filter segment in the combiner drum is combined with a pair of tubular segments obtained from cutting a double-length hollow tubular element.
• the plant comprises an unwinding unit configured to receive at least one roll and to unwind from it a web, preferably of paper.
• such a web is smooth (i.e., it is not pre-embossed).
• the web has a substantially smooth surface, i.e., without ridges and/or recesses.
• the filter tip attachment machine comprises an applicator device operatively positioned downstream of the combiner drum and configured to receive the web unwound from the unwinding unit, to divide (preferably cut) the web into connecting strips and to apply each connecting strip in a flag-like manner on a respective group of segments.
• the plant comprises web guide means for guiding the web along a feed path that preferably extends between the unwinding unit and the applicator device.
• feed path means the movement path along which the web is fed, which starts from the unwinding of the web from the respective roll and ends with the application of each connecting strip on the respective group of segments.
• the filter tip attachment machine therefore comprises a rolling device, positioned downstream of the applicator device and configured to wrap the aforesaid connecting strip round the respective group of segments.
• the plant comprises an embossing unit, located along the feed path of the web in position interposed between the unwinding unit and the applicator device.
• the embossing unit is configured to print an embossing on the web.
• the embossing unit is configured to print a plurality of recesses and ridges on the surface of the web according to a predefined pattern.
• the Applicant has found that the employment of an embossing device operatively disposed in the production line, introduced in order to obtain filter tubes with an embossed connecting strip without employing a pre-embossed web (due to all the drawbacks described above), ensures a plurality of advantages.
• the addition of the pre-embossing device to the feed line allows increased flexibility in adapting to production needs. Since the pre-embossing occurs in real time during the production process, it is possible to easily adjust the intensity of the embossing based on the specifications required by the end product or the client's preferences. This level of control can result in increased accuracy in the quality of the embossing, thus ensuring an improved use experience for the final consumer.
• the embossing unit can be employed in a plant for the production of filter tubes ad hoc designed or can be retrofittable or retrofitted in a pre-existing plant for the production of filter tubes originally devoid of the possibility of embossing the web.
• the expression "retrofit” means the functional integration of an embossing unit in a pre-existing plant for the production of filter tubes, originally devoid of such a functionality, without requiring significant structural modifications to the plant itself.
• the embossing unit is designed to be operatively compatible with existing plants, allowing the addition of the embossing function via minimum mechanical and functional connections.
• the retrofit thus defined, allows the production capacity of the plant to be enriched, improving the operating efficiency and quality of the finished product without the need to replace or redesign the basic infrastructure.
• the embossing unit can be integrated in a relatively easy manner in a pre-existing plant for the production of filter tubes, thus providing the possibility of enriching the production process without the need to invest in a complete and new plant.
• the embossing unit comprises a containing frame and an embossing device supported by the containing frame.
• the embossing unit comprises further operating elements (a web entraining device, guide rollers, tensioners, and so on) supported by the containing frame.
• said embossing unit is of the stand-alone type, i.e., suitable to employ in any zone of the working area outside the filter tip attachment machine.
• the embossing unit is separate from said filter tip attachment machine and the web unwinding unit.
• “Separate” means physically detached from, and independent of the unwinding unit and the filter tip attachment machine.
• the filter tip attachment machine comprises a main frame and the unwinding unit comprises a secondary frame.
• the embossing unit is interposed between the main and secondary frames but separate from them.
• the feed path of the web starts at the secondary web, passes through the embossing unit, and ends at the main frame.
• the embossing unit is again interposed between the main and secondary frames along the feed path of the web, but it is firmly fixed (physically connected) to the secondary frame and/or it is integrated in the secondary frame. Also, according to such an example, the feed path of the web starts at the secondary frame, passes through the embossing unit and ends at the main frame.
• the unwinding unit is reincluded (integrated) in the main frame.
• the embossing unit can be physically separate from the main frame, and external to it, or it can be physically connected to the main frame.
• reference numeral 1 indicates a plant for the production of filter tubes.
• a method for the production of filter tubes according to the present invention is also described, which is preferably performed by means of the aforesaid plant 1.
• plant 1 comprises feed means for feeding a succession of hollow tubular elements.
• the feed means comprise a maker machine "M”, configured to make hollow tubular elements, and transfer means for transferring said hollow tubular elements from the maker machine "M” to the filter tip attachment machine “N” (described below).
• the maker machine “M” is of the known type and therefore, its structure is not described in detail.
• the maker machine “M” is configured to make a succession of double-length hollow tubular elements, in particular obtained by cutting a continuous tubular element.
• the feed means can comprise a containment hopper for containing a plurality of hollow tubular elements and transfer means (preferably at least one drum) for transferring said hollow tubular elements from the containment hopper to the filter tip attachment machine "N" (described below).
• Plant 1 further comprises a filter tip attachment machine "N” for applying at least one filter segment to each hollow tubular element.
• the filter tip attachment machine “N” receives the succession of hollow tubular elements from the feed means (for example, from the maker machine "M") and is configured to combine at least one filter segment with a respective hollow tubular element, preferably a double-filter segment with two tubular segments obtained from cutting a respective double-length hollow tubular element, thus obtaining a group of segments.
• the expression “to combine” means arranging the hollow tubular element and the filter segment side-by-side, with the respective longitudinal extension axes axially aligned.
• the expression "to combine” means arranging the hollow tubular element and the filter segment mutually abutting (i.e., with a respective end disposed in contact).
• a space or another segment could be positioned between said hollow tubular element and the filter segment.
• the filter tip attachment machine "N” comprises a downfeed line “D” configured to feed a succession of filter segments.
• the filter tip attachment machine "N” comprises a downfeed line “D” configured to feed a succession of double-length filter segments.
• the filter tip attachment machine “N” therefore comprises a combiner drum “E” in which each filter segment is combined with at least one hollow tubular element to form a group of segments.
• the transfer means are disposed at a transfer station "B" in which the hollow tubular elements advanced in a longitudinal direction (i.e., parallel to the extension axis of the hollow tubular elements) at the maker machine "M” are deflected from the longitudinal path thereof and advanced in a direction transverse to the extension axis thereof at the filter tip attachment machine "N".
• the maker machine “M” is configured to make double-length hollow tubular elements and the downfeed line “D" is configured to feed a succession of double-length filter segments.
• the filter tip attachment machine “N” comprises a cutting and spreading station “C” configured to cut and spread each of said double-length hollow tubular elements so as to obtain two respective single-length hollow tubular elements which are spaced from each other.
• the combining drum “E” is configured to place a respective double-length filter segment between said two single-length hollow tubular elements.
• the double-length hollow tubular elements are transferred into the cutting and spreading station "C" where they are cut so as to obtain single-length hollow tubular elements which are spaced from one another. Then, the single-length hollow tubular elements thus spaced are conveyed towards the combiner drum "E".
• the double-length filter segments are also conveyed, for example, through a succession of drums, from the downfeed line "D" up to the combiner drum "E". Each double-length filter segment on the combiner drum "E” is interposed (i.e. inserted in the space) between two respective hollow tubular elements.
• the combiner drum "E” forms a succession of groups of segments, each comprising a double-length filter segment and, abutting on opposite ends of the filter segment and coaxial to the filter segment, two single-length hollow tubular elements.
• Plant 1 comprises an unwinding unit “A” configured to receive at least one roll from which a web "S", preferably made of paper (either paper-based or cellulose-based), is unwound.
• the unwinding unit “A” has an architecture that is known in the prior art and in particular, it comprises at least one support for a roll.
• web “S” is smooth. In other words, web “S” is not pre-embossed.
• web "S" has a substantially smooth surface, i.e., without ridges and/or recesses.
• the paper web "S” is fed to the filter tip attachment machine "N".
• Plant 1 comprises guide means for web “S", interposed between the unwinding unit "A” and an applicator device “G” of the filter tip attachment machine "N".
• the guide means for the web “S” are configured to guide web “S” along a feed path "L".
• the feed path "L” of web “S” starts at the unwinding unit "A” and ends at the applicator device "G".
• one or more unwinders of web “S” and/or tensioners of web “S” and/or at least one rubberizing device for applying an adhesive (or glue) on web “S” are provided along the feed path “L”; such unwinders, tensioners and rubberizing device are not illustrated in the drawings and are of the known type, therefore, they are not further detailed.
• the applicator device “G” is operatively positioned downstream of the combiner drum “E” and configured to receive web “S", to divide (preferably cut) web “S” into connecting strips and to apply each connecting strip in a flag-like manner on a respective group of segments (in particular, consisting of a filter segment and at least one hollow tubular element).
• the applicator device “G” preferably comprises a support drum and a blade cutting drum, tangent to each other and operating in a known manner to divide web "S" into connecting strips.
• each connecting strip is applied in a "flag-like manner" to a respective group of segments and then rolled (wrapped) round the group of segments so as to obtain a double-length filter tube.
• the filter tip attachment machine “N” comprises a rolling device “I”, positioned downstream of the applicator device “G” and configured to wrap each connecting strip round a respective group of segments.
• the rolling device “I” has a rolling drum which acts in conjunction with a rolling bed.
• the filter tip attachment machine “N” further comprises, downstream of the rolling device “I", a cutting station "H” in which the double-length filter tubes are cut so as to obtain single-length filter tubes, forming two parallel flows.
• the filter tip attachment machine “N” comprises, downstream of the cutting station "H", an overturning station “R” in which the filter tubes of one of the two aforesaid flows are overturned so as to form a single flow of single-length filter tubes having the same orientation.
• a laser station for making perforations at the filter tubes can be provided downstream of the overturning station "R".
• plant 1 comprises an embossing device 110, located along the feed path "L" of the web in position interposed between the unwinding unit "A” and the applicator device "G".
• the embossing device 110 is configured to print an embossing on the web.
• Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention.
• the filter tip attachment machine "N” comprises a main frame 10 and the unwinding unit “A” comprises a secondary frame 20.
• the two frames 10, 20 are separate from, and independent of each other. In other words, the two frames 10, 20 are physically detached.
• Plant 1 further comprises an embossing unit 100, also positioned outside the main frame 10 and detached therefrom. Moreover, in said specific embodiment, the embossing unit 100 is separate from and independent of the unwinding unit "A".
• the embossing unit 100 comprises a respective containing frame 101 which supports an embossing device 110, of the type with opposed rollers, for example.
• Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the embossing unit 100.
• the embossing unit 100 comprises, mounted on the containing frame 101 (i.e., supported by the containing frame 101), an entraining device 140 having the function of pulling web "S", a tensioner 150 (for example, an oscillating arm tensioner) and guide rollers 160, 170 forming part of the guide means.
• a tensioner 150 for example, an oscillating arm tensioner
• guide rollers 160, 170 forming part of the guide means.
• the embossing unit 100 can comprise a pre-unwinding device 180 ( Figure 4 ), positioned upstream of the aforesaid entraining device 140, for example.
• the embossing unit 100 can comprise further tensioners 190 ( Figure 4 ).
• Such an embodiment of the embossing unit 4 is particularly advantageous when applied downstream of an unwinding unit "A" in which the respective roll is only braked but not motorized.
• such an embodiment of the embossing unit 100 can be applied advantageously to the embodiment of plant 1 according to Figure 3 , which is described in the continuation of the present description.
• the embossing unit 100 is configured to allow the feeding of web "S" along a first path that guides web “S” through the embossing device 110, or along a second path in which web "S” circumvents the embossing device 110 without passing through it.
• the containing frame 101 is equipped with lower support elements 102 for defining a positioning which is independent of the embossing unit 100 with respect to the main frame 10. This gives the embossing unit 100 an independent structure.
• the containing frame 101 is interposed between the main frame 10 and the secondary frame 20.
• the containing frame 101 is separate from and independent of both main and secondary frames 10, 20.
• the feed path "L" of the web starts at the secondary frame 20, crosses the containing frame 101 and ends at the main frame 10.
• FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the invention that is described below.
• the containing frame 101 of the embossing unit 100 is separate from, and independent of the main frame 10 but mechanically connected to the secondary frame 20.
• the containing frame 101 is coupled to the secondary frame 20.
• the feed path "L” of the paper web starts at the secondary frame 20, crosses the containing frame 101 ( by crossing an interface zone in the joint between secondary frame 20 and containing frame 101). Then, the feed path “L” of web “S” extends towards the main frame 10, and the web “S” is conveyed outside the frames 10, 20, 101 (preferably above the frames 10, 20, 101).
• the guide means can comprise a portion that guides the web in the stretch outside the frames 10, 20, 101.
• said portion of the guide means is only diagrammatically depicted as a channel 200 positioned outside the frames 10, 20, 101. It is understood that the drawing is diagrammatic.
• Said portion guiding the web in the stretch outside the frames 10, 20, 101 can be employed also in the plant depicted in Figure 1 , in the event of different mutual positioning between unwinding unit "A” and embossing unit 100, and/or it could be omitted in the plant depicted in Figure 2 , in the event of a different mutual positioning between unwinding unit "A” and embossing unit 100.
• the embossing unit 100 can be made as shown in Figure 4 .
• FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the plant of the present invention, which is described below.
• the unwinding unit "A" is disposed on, or integrated in the main frame 10.
• the containing frame 101 of the embossing unit 100 can be stand-alone (as shown in Figure 3 ) or connected outside the main frame 10 (solution not illustrated).
• the containing frame 101 can be separate from and independent of the main frame 10, or it can be coupled thereto.
• the feed path "L" of web “S” starts at the main frame 10 (at the unwinding unit "A"), it crosses the containing frame 101 and returns to the main frame 10.
• the feed path "L" of web "S” passes through the frames 10, 101 from above.
• the guide means comprise a portion that guides the web in the stretch outside the frames 10, 101.
• said portion of the guide means is only diagrammatically depicted as a channel 200 positioned outside the frames 10, 101. It is understood that the drawing is diagrammatic.
• the embossing unit 100 can be made as shown in Figure 4 .
• the present invention achieves the intended purposes by eliminating the drawbacks highlighted in the prior art.
• plant 1 and the method, as described and claimed ensure increased operating and structural efficiency.
• Such a result is particularly achieved by employing an embossing device 110, interposed between the feeding unit "A" and the applicator device “G” of the filter tip attachment machine "N".
• an embossing device 110 allows employing webs without pre-embossing and therefore, less voluminous than those regularly employed in the prior art.
• such a technical feature allows rolls having a longer web (roll volume being equal) to be employed.
• plant 1 and the method, as described and/or claimed ensure an improved finished product in terms of quality.
• Such a result is particularly achieved by employing an embossing device 110, interposed between the feeding unit "A” and the applicator device “G” of the filter tip attachment machine “N”, configured to perform the embossing during the production steps of the filter tubes.
• embossing device 110 By embossing the web directly in plant 1, the risk that the embossing is damaged when the rolls are stored is eliminated, thus ensuring a production of articles with no defects nor inferior quality.
• embossing device 110 as described and claimed is installable on plants for the production of filter tubes in a highly advantageous manner.
• the embossing device 110 is installable on plants for the production of filter tubes in a highly advantageous manner.
• advantageousously thereby, there is no need to make ad hoc plants 1, but it is possible to modify an existing plant 1, resulting in considerable economic and time savings.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (1)

Citations (3)

• 2025
  • 2025-04-17 EP EP25171373.1A patent/EP4635312A1/fr active Pending

Patent Citations (3)

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