GB1601801A

GB1601801A - Feeding means for a rod like element

Info

Publication number: GB1601801A
Application number: GB270578A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Wiggins Teape Group Ltd
Current assignee: Wiggins Teape Group Ltd
Priority date: 1978-05-11
Filing date: 1978-05-11
Publication date: 1981-11-04

Description

(54) FEEDING MEANS FOR A ROD LIKE ELEMENT (71) We, THE WIGGINS TEAPE GROUP LIMITED, A British Company, of P.O. Box 88, Gateway House, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 2EE, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to feeding means for a rod-like element or a stream of rod-like elements which have to be moved in a lengthwise direction and to simultaneously have an intermittent transverse component imparted to their movement. Thus the movement may be required to feed the elements onto a moving conveyor and arrange them in a row or, for example, onto a moving drum.

Devices employing a fluid such as air are known for moving small components and one particular type of device which is made by F. Brauer Limited of Harpenden, Hertfordshire, England is referred as an Airmover. This type of device uses a venturi into which air at normal shop pressures is supplied. The movement of the air is arranged so that as it passes through the venturi it induces ambient air into the venturi which it ejects in high volume at high velocity and low pressure from the exit end of the venturi.

This exiting air entrains further surrounding air and creates strong air-flow which is sufficient to move small elements. The exiting air can be used for the removal and conveying of dust and powder, fumes, soft low-density swarf, plastic granules and similar elements.

The present invention utilizes the general principal of such a device to provide means for imparting the required movement to a rod-like element or stream of rod-like elements.

According to the present invention therefore means for feeding a rod-like element or stream of rod-like elements in a lengthwise direction and to simultaneously impart an intermittent transverse component to the movement comprises a venturi through which the element can pass, means for supplying a flow-creating pressurized fluid into said venturi to cause a fluid movement therethrough to move said element or elements lengthwise, and means for supplying a pulsed flow of fluid into the exit portion of the venturi to cause the element or a portion thereof passing therethrough to be deflected towards one side of the exit portion.

The exiting rod-like element therefore has a snaking movement and the pulsing can be arranged so that if a stream of rod-like elements pass through the feeding means to enter parallel channels in a moving support, each pulse ensures that the leading end of each element moves sideways to enter the next channel as the tail of the previous element moves onto the support. Thus preventing the elements being damaged as the moving support moves away from the exit of the venturi.

Feeding means according to the invention are particularly, although not exclusively, applicable for use with relatively soft elements, for example, a formed element which is to be cut up for use as a cigarette filter tip and which has not yet completely dried after being made in a forming machine. Such elements are fragile and can be easily damaged. The invention allows for such elements to be safely fed onto a collating drum, for example of the kind set forth in the Applicants' U.K. Patent Application No. 2706/78 Filed 23rd January 1978. and from which the Applicants UK Patent Application No 2012551A filed 8th January 1979 claims Priority.

Preferably the exit portion of the venturi has an assymetric configuration.

With this arrangement the wall of the exit portion of the venturi can be provided with a port through which the pulsed flow of fluid is delivered, the distance of the portion of the wall in which the port is provided being closer to the general longitudinal axis of the venturi than the portion of the venturi wall spaced away from it across said axis. The spaced away portion of the wall therefore allows room for the air pulse to act on the element and create the necessary sideways movement.

In a preferred arrangement the crosssectional configuration of the exit mouth of the venturi is substantially rectangular, the distance between the portion of the wall in which the port is provided and the portion opposite to it being greater than the distance between the other two wall portions.

If desired the pulsed air may be arranged to deflect the element onto a guide wall provided in the exit portion of the venturi.

In any case, a constricted middle section of the venturi is preferably substantially circular in cross-section.

The flow-creating fluid may be arranged to be delivered into the constricted wall section of the venturi through an annular port, the downstream wall of which is shaped to cause the fluid to enter the venturi in the desired direction. Thus, the shape of the wall is such as to cause the air-flow to move closely around it.

The flow-creating fluid is preferably supplied to the annular port through an annular plenum chamber surrounding the venturi.

Various fluids may be used but in a convenient construction for moving rod-like elements which are to be used in the manufacture of filter tips for cigarettes the flowcreating fluid is air, as is the pulsed flow of fluid.

The invention also includes means for feeding a rod-like element as set forth above in combination with a collating means as set forth in the applicants UK Patent Application No. 2706/78 filed on 23rd January 1978, and from which the Applicants UK Patent Application No 2012551A filed 8th January 1979 claims Priority.

The invention can be performed in many ways but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a cross-sectional side elevation of feeding means according to the invention Figure 2 is a plan view of the means shown in Figure 1 and, Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part of the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2.

As shown in the drawings the feeding means are intended for use with rod-like elements made from a fibrous substance which are to be used in the manufacture of cigarette filter tips. The elements are fed in a stream from a making machine and are of approximately one metre in length. Because they have just emerged from the machine they are still very easily damaged. The feeding means are used to deliver the elements to a collating device of a kind set forth in the applicants UK Patent Application No.

2706/78 filed 23rd January 1978, and from which the Applicants UK Patent Application No 2012551A filed 8th January 1979 claims Priority.

These collating means comprise a rotating drum provided with grooves on its outer surface into which it is intended to insert the rod-like elements to move them transversely of the path of movement from which they issue from the making machine. Due to the length of the element there is a certain amount of movement sideways of the drum between the leading end of the element entering the groove on the drum surface and the trailing edge reaching the groove and the present feeding means act to not only provide a longitudinal movement to the elements to assist in feeding them onto the drum but also to move the leading end of each element sidways to enter the next groove in the drum.

There is also the possibility that if merely the end of the groove were relied upon to cause the sideways movement this could cause damage to the element by digging in to its surface and thus preventing smooth loading into the groove.

The feeding means according to the present invention therefore comprises a venturi indicated by reference numeral 1 having flaring ends 2 and 3. The intake portion provided by the flaring end 2 is of circular cross-section and has a tapering wall 4. This intake portion is formed in an end member 5.

The exit portion of the venturi provided by the flaring end 3 has a substantially rectangular cross section at the exit opening 6 and is provided in a main body 7. The main body also carries a constricted middle section 8 of the venturi which is of circular cross-section.

The member 5 and body 7 are connected together by suitable means (not shown) but are spaced apart by an insert 9. The insert thus causes an annular port 10 to be formed at the entrance to the constricted middle section 8 and this leads to an annular plenum chamber 11 formed in the body 7. Air is supplied to the plenum chamber 11 by a passage (not shown) so that this air ufider pressure can escape through the annular port 10 and into the restricted portion 8. The downstream wall of the annular port 10 is formed with a double chamferred portion indicated by reference numeral 12 in Figure 3 and this causes the air to move around the surface and to pass through the constricted portion 8 and into the exit portion 3 of the venturi.The air supply and dimensions are arranged in such a manner that this air induces ambient air to be sucked into the inlet portion 2 of the venturi as indicated by arrows 13. The air is ejected in high volume and at high velocity and low pressure from the exit end 6 as indicated by arrows 14 and this movement of air through the venturi entrains further surrounding air and creates a strong air flow.

The wall 15 of the exit portion 3 of the venturi is provided with a port 16 leading to an air passage 17 through which a pulsed flow of air is provided by suitable means (not shown). The distance ofthis portion 15 ofthe wall from the general longitudinal axis of the venturi, indicated by reference numeral 18, is less than the other portion 19 of the wall 15 spaced away from it across the axis and this portion 19 is arranged to act as a guide wall.

The apparatus works as follows. A stream of rod-like element are fed to the device from a cigarette filter making machine and each element passes through the venturi. In Figure 2 a typical element is indicated by broken lines 20. The air movement through the venturi moves the element along and the air pulse causes it to be deflected, in a manner to be described, so that the end 23 of the element 20 enters a groove 21 on a collating drum 22 of a device of the kind described in the Applicants' UK Patent Application No.

2706/78 Filed 23 January 1978 and from which the Applicants UK Patent Application No 2012551A filed 8th January 1979 claims priority. When viewed in plan view, as shown in Figure 2, the drum is moving in a direction towards the top of the drawing and pulsed air is delivered to the passage 17 and emerges from a port 16 in synchronism with the movements of the drum so that a pulse is delivered as the leading end of the element 20 enters the exit portion of the venturi, so that this end is given a transverse component to its movement towards the surface 19. The surface 19 thus acts as a guide wall and causes the end 23 to be deflected and guided into the groove 21 of the drum 22.As the drum 22 is moving in the direction of the arrow 25 the element is progressively drawn into alignment during the continuing movement of the element in the drum so that it can be loaded into the groove 21 without damage.

Due to the fact that the air is pulsed through the port 16 the leading end of the next element will be similarly moved sideways to enter the next groove on the drum and its tail end will likewise be allowed to align itself as the movement of the drum continues.

It will be appreciated that if the leading end 23 of the element was merely loaded directly into one of the grooves on the drum the movement of the drum would tend to drag the end of the element out of alignment as the end was loaded onto the drum and this could cause damage, especially if the edge of the element 20 caught on the end corners of the groove.

In the arrangement described above the feeding means are used for loading rod-like elements onto collating means but it will be appreciated that they have many other applications where it is necessary to intermittently impart a sideways movement to a flow of elements or a continuing element. Thus, the device could be used for applying a kink into a continuous element whilst it was still soft and prior to application onto another member, or according to the manner of operation it could be used to provide a sinuous continuous element.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. Means for feeding a rod-like element or stream of rod-like elements in a lengthwise direction and to simultaneously impart an intermittent transverse component to the movement comprising a venturi through which the elements can pass, means for supplying a flow-creating fluid into said venturi to cause a fluid movement therethrough to move said element or elements lengthwise and means for supplying a pulsed flow of fluid into the exit portion of the venturi to cause the element or a portion thereof passing therethrough to be deflected towards one side of the exit portion.

2. Means as claimed in claim 1 in which the exit portion of the venturi has an assymetric configuration.

3. Means as claimed in claim 2 in which the wall of the exit portion of the venturi is provided with a port through which the pulsed flow of fluid is delivered, the distance of the portion of the wall in which the port is provided being closer to the general longitudinal axis of the venturi than the portion of the venturi wall spaced away from it across said axis.

4. Means as claimed in claim 3 in which the cross-sectional configuration of the exit mouth of the venturi is substantially rectangular, the distance between the portion of the wall in which the port is provided and the portion opposite to it being greater than the distance between the other two wall portions.

5. Means as claimed in claims 1 1 in which the element is deflected onto a guide wall provided in the exit portion of the venture.

6. Means as claimed in claims 1-5 in which the constricted middle section of the venturi is substantially circular in crosssection.

7. Means as claimed in claims 1--6 in which the flow creating fluid is delivered into the constricted middle section of the venturi through an annular port, the downstream wall of which is shaped to cause the fluid to enter the venturi in the desired direction.

8. Means as claimed in claim 7 in which

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Claims

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inlet portion 2 of the venturi as indicated by arrows 13. The air is ejected in high volume and at high velocity and low pressure from the exit end 6 as indicated by arrows 14 and this movement of air through the venturi entrains further surrounding air and creates a strong air flow.

The wall 15 of the exit portion 3 of the venturi is provided with a port 16 leading to an air passage 17 through which a pulsed flow of air is provided by suitable means (not shown). The distance ofthis portion 15 ofthe wall from the general longitudinal axis of the venturi, indicated by reference numeral 18, is less than the other portion 19 of the wall 15 spaced away from it across the axis and this portion 19 is arranged to act as a guide wall.

The apparatus works as follows. A stream of rod-like element are fed to the device from a cigarette filter making machine and each element passes through the venturi. In Figure 2 a typical element is indicated by broken lines 20. The air movement through the venturi moves the element along and the air pulse causes it to be deflected, in a manner to be described, so that the end 23 of the element 20 enters a groove 21 on a collating drum 22 of a device of the kind described in the Applicants' UK Patent Application No.

2706/78 Filed 23 January 1978 and from which the Applicants UK Patent Application No 2012551A filed 8th January 1979 claims priority. When viewed in plan view, as shown in Figure 2, the drum is moving in a direction towards the top of the drawing and pulsed air is delivered to the passage 17 and emerges from a port 16 in synchronism with the movements of the drum so that a pulse is delivered as the leading end of the element 20 enters the exit portion of the venturi, so that this end is given a transverse component to its movement towards the surface 19. The surface 19 thus acts as a guide wall and causes the end 23 to be deflected and guided into the groove 21 of the drum 22.As the drum 22 is moving in the direction of the arrow 25 the element is progressively drawn into alignment during the continuing movement of the element in the drum so that it can be loaded into the groove 21 without damage.

Due to the fact that the air is pulsed through the port 16 the leading end of the next element will be similarly moved sideways to enter the next groove on the drum and its tail end will likewise be allowed to align itself as the movement of the drum continues.

It will be appreciated that if the leading end 23 of the element was merely loaded directly into one of the grooves on the drum the movement of the drum would tend to drag the end of the element out of alignment as the end was loaded onto the drum and this could cause damage, especially if the edge of the element 20 caught on the end corners of the groove.

In the arrangement described above the feeding means are used for loading rod-like elements onto collating means but it will be appreciated that they have many other applications where it is necessary to intermittently impart a sideways movement to a flow of elements or a continuing element. Thus, the device could be used for applying a kink into a continuous element whilst it was still soft and prior to application onto another member, or according to the manner of operation it could be used to provide a sinuous continuous element.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. Means for feeding a rod-like element or stream of rod-like elements in a lengthwise direction and to simultaneously impart an intermittent transverse component to the movement comprising a venturi through which the elements can pass, means for supplying a flow-creating fluid into said venturi to cause a fluid movement therethrough to move said element or elements lengthwise and means for supplying a pulsed flow of fluid into the exit portion of the venturi to cause the element or a portion thereof passing therethrough to be deflected towards one side of the exit portion.

2. Means as claimed in claim 1 in which the exit portion of the venturi has an assymetric configuration.

3. Means as claimed in claim 2 in which the wall of the exit portion of the venturi is provided with a port through which the pulsed flow of fluid is delivered, the distance of the portion of the wall in which the port is provided being closer to the general longitudinal axis of the venturi than the portion of the venturi wall spaced away from it across said axis.

4. Means as claimed in claim 3 in which the cross-sectional configuration of the exit mouth of the venturi is substantially rectangular, the distance between the portion of the wall in which the port is provided and the portion opposite to it being greater than the distance between the other two wall portions.

5. Means as claimed in claims 1 1 in which the element is deflected onto a guide wall provided in the exit portion of the venture.

6. Means as claimed in claims 1-5 in which the constricted middle section of the venturi is substantially circular in crosssection.

7. Means as claimed in claims 1--6 in which the flow creating fluid is delivered into the constricted middle section of the venturi through an annular port, the downstream wall of which is shaped to cause the fluid to enter the venturi in the desired direction.

8. Means as claimed in claim 7 in which

the flow creating fluid is supplied to the annular port from an annular plenum.

9. Means as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims in which the flow creating fluid is air.

10. Means as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims in which the pulsed flow of fluid is air.

11. Means for feeding a rod-like element or stream of rod-like elements in a lengthwise direction and to simultaneously impart an intermittent transverse component to the movement substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

13. Means for feeding a rod-like element as claimed in any one of the above claims in combination with a collating means as set forth in the Applicants' UK Patent Application No. 2706/78. and from which the Applicants UK patent Application No 2012551A claims priority.