GB2439943A

GB2439943A - Additive preparation apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2439943A
Application number: GB0613442A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Charles Bull; Neill David Reynolds
Original assignee: CB Kaymich and Co Ltd
Current assignee: CB Kaymich and Co Ltd
Priority date: 2006-07-06
Filing date: 2006-07-06
Publication date: 2008-01-16
Also published as: GB0613442D0; WO2008003924A1

Abstract

Additive preparation apparatus, for preparing an additive to be applied to cigarette or filter during the manufacture thereof, the apparatus comprising a tank 3 suitable for receiving an additive; a heating chamber 10 having walls defining an internal volume of smaller internal volume than said tank and in communication therewith; a heating element associated with said heating chamber and for heating the contents thereof; wherein, in use, additive from said tank enters said heating chamber where it is heated by said heating element.

Description

ADDITIVE PREPARATION APPARATUS

This invention relates to the field of apparatus for preparing an additive, particularly apparatus suitable for melting an additive for application to a cigarette during manufacture thereof and to a method of preparing such an additive.

BACKGROUND

Many brands of cigarette contain a flavour which is applied during manufacture.

Sometimes flavour is applied in the manufacturing plant primary' where it is mixed with the raw tobacco in large volumes as the tobacco is processed and prepared for secondary processes. Secondary processes involve separating the tobacco and loading accurate quantities onto paper which is then rolled to form the cigarette tobacco rod which is cut to length as appropriate. Other secondary processes involve manufacture of filter rods which are then combined with cigarette tobacco rods to form the cigarette.

Sometimes flavour is applied in the secondary process into the tobacco stream as the cigarette tobacco rod is formed, onto the paper just before the cigarette rod is formed, or onto the filter tow' as the filter rod is formed. :: 20

One of the key flavouring substances used in cigarette manufacturing is menthol which is crystalline at room temperature and which melts at around 40 C. Since liquid can be more conveniently applied than crystals or powder, the menthol crystals are usually melted into a liquid state by flavour application apparatus before being delivered to the point of application. . . . .. . .

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The temperature at which flavours are processed can affect the taste of the end product and therefore, heated flavours are typically temperature controlled within a few degrees Celsius above melt temperature. This limits any scope to reduce melt times by running at higher temperatures and consequent higher input energy levels.

Although the description below mainly discusses menthol, the concepts apply to any flavour or other additive which needs to be heated, regardless of its state at room temperature. For example, other flavours may naturally reside in a liquid state at room temperature but may need to. hated in Qr.to. evaporatqarrier fluj.pr.to promote volatility and dispersion when the flavour reaches the cigarette within the manufacturing process. Other flavours include mint, fruit, dove and vanilla. Other types of additives include dyes, glues, plasticisers or other fluids.

A known flavour application apparatus is the applicant's UFA1000 Universal Flavour Applicator which is lustrated in Figures 1 and 2: The flavour application apparatus has a portable body 1. mounted for example on castors 2. The body contains two generally cylindrical tanks 3A, 3B, each of wh'ch can be lifted out of the body as illustrated in Figure 2, by means of gripping handles 4A, 48.

The tanks 3A, 3B each have a capacity of approximately 7.5 litres and contain the liquid flavour (or other additive) that is to be prepared for debvery. Flavour can be delivered from an output (not illustrated) in the apparatus I to a variety of locations (e.g. onto the cigarette paper, into the tobacco stream, into the tow), depending on requirements.

Solid menthol crystals are loaded into the tanks 3A, 38, each of which has a heated jacket (not illustrated) so that, through thermal conduction and convection, the crystals gradually melt into a liquid state. Although menthol does not require much energy to melt, it does not conduct heat particularly well and this leads to lengthy preparation times in the order of a number of hours before the tank of flavour is actually ready to use in the manufacturing process. It is not possible to simply increase the power to the heating element to speed up heating, as that would result in the crystals at the periphery of the * tank being overheated leading to a toss or impairment of the flavour. In any case, such an increase in heating power would be unlikely to have a proportionate reduction in melting time given the poor conductive properties of the menthol:. Twin tank systems, such as the UFAI000, have the advantage of allowing liquid flavour to be delivered from one tank (3A) while, at the same time, the next tank of flavour (3B) is heating up so as to minimise or eliminate delay when the first tank is exhausted.

However, even with a twin tank system, the preparation time for each tank is significant because of the inefficient way in which menthol heats up. Poor conduction and convection means that there is a tendency for a liquid upoor to form at the periphery and underside of the tank, around a central solid plug of menthol, If one tank is exhausted before the additive in the second tank has had sufficient time to melt, this can cause down time on the whole manufacturing apparatus until the second tank is ready.

A further problem is that, once melted, the liquid flavour may not be homogenously mixed if it contains components having different specific gravities.

These problems can be alleviated by the provision of a stirring system or agitator, such as that illustrated in Figure 3. The stirrer 5 is placed in one of the tanks 3A, 3B and is agitated automatically e.g. by rotation as indicated by the arrow in Figure 3. The stirrer is of benefit in reducing the melt time but is obtrusive and increases the difficulty of cleaning the apparatus. Cleaning is particularly important where different additives or flavours are delivered from the same apparatus.

Furthermore, the stirrer 5 cannot easily be inserted into the tank when it contains solid crystals of menthol and is even more difficult to insert or remove from a tank which contains menthol that has been melted and re-solidified into a solid mass.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise' and "contain' and variations of the words, for example "comprising' and "comprises', means "including but not limited to', and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses I..

the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, additives or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided additive preparation apparatus, for preparing an additive to be applied to cigarette or filter during the manufacture thereof, the apparatus comprising a tank suitable for receiving an additive; a heating chamber having walls defining an internal volume of smaller internal volume than said tank and in communication therewith; a heating element associated with said heating chamber and for heating the contents thereof; wherein, in use, additive from said tank enters said heating chamber where it is heated by said heating element.

Preferably, said additive is a flavour, preferably menthol crystals.

In a preferred form, said tank includes a heating element for example a heated jacket.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a pump for delivering liquid additive from said heating chamber to a point of application. Alternatively, or in addition, the apparatus further comprises a pump for recirculating additive from said heating chamber into said tank. The recirculating pump may comprise a reciprocating piston. Ideally, said recirculated additive is directed to a potentially cooler part of said tank.

In a preferred embodiment, said tank includes a gate or valve means, which may be automatically controlled, for selectively allowing passage of additive between said tank and said heating chamber.

Advantageously, said additive in said heating chamber is heated to a temperature of at least 40 C and/or is pressurised.

In a preferred form, a part of said tank in communication with said heating chamber is * tapered or otherwise shaped to facilitate the passage of said additive from said tank to said heating chamber.

Alternatively, or in addition, a part of said heating chamber in communication with said tank is tapered or otherwise shaped to facilitate the passage of said additive from said tank to said heating chamber.

Preferably, said heating element associated with said heating chamber is located substantially within said heating chamber.

Said heating element associated with said heating chamber may be located within one or more waifs of said heating chamber.

In a preferred form1 a wall of said heating chamber is provided with a heat-conducting fin extending into said internal volume of said heating chamber. The heat-conducting fin may itself contain a heating element.

In one embodiment, said heating element associated with said heating chamber is located in said internal volume of the heating chamber and could be in the form of a coil.

ln a further embodiment, said heating element associated with said heating chamber is located externally to said heating chamber, for example, wherein said heating element comprises a heating jacket substantially surrounding said heating chamber.

Preferably, said heating element comprises inductive or radiant heating means.

Alternatively, said heating element is heated by fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas or by a thern,o-nuclear or exothermic chemical reaction.

Aftematively, said heating element comprises hot fluid transport.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided cigarette manufacturing p..

apparatus including additive preparation apparatus as described in any of the preceding paragraphs.

*: According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of preparing an additive comprising the steps of: providing additive preparation apparatus as described in any of the preceding paragraphs; placing unprepared additive into said tank; enabling additive from said tank to enter said heating chamber actuating said heating element so as to heat the contents of said heating chamber.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of delivering prepared additive from an outlet of said heating chamber to a point of application.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of recirculating additive from said heating chamber to said main tank.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embocjjmes of the invention will now be more particularly described1 by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 (prior art) is a perspective view of a twin tank flavour application apparatus; Figure 2 (prior art) shows how the tanks can be removed from the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 (prior art) shows a stirrer, drawn to a larger scale, suitable for use in the Figure I apparatus; Figure 4 (prior art) is a schematic cross section of part of a flavour application apparatus; Figure 5 is a schematic cross section of part of a flavour application apparatus embodying the first aspect of the invention; p..

Figure 6 is a schematic cross section of a second embodiment of the flavour application apparatus; 4 Figure 7 is a schematic cross section of a third embodiment of the flavour application apparatus; Figure 8 is a schematic cross section of a fourth embodiment of the flavour application apparatus; Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the Figure 6 apparatus, having a main tank with tapered bottom; Figures IOA and 108 are front and side views respectively of an embodiment of the heating chamber, drawn to a larger scale; Figures 1 IA and I I B are top and front views respectively of an embodiment of the heating chamber and Figure 12 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the heating chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout this application, the term tank is not limiting and is intended to include any container suitable for holding an additive in solid or liquid form.

Although the following description refers to an additive comprising a flavour, for example menthol crystals, of the type used in the manufacture of cigarettes, filters or cigars, these terms are not limiting and the invention is applicable to the preparation of any substance that requires melting from a solid to a liquid state.

Figure 4 (prior art) shows schematically how menthol crystals 6 are located in tank 3 where they can be heated and melted. Heating is provided by a heating jacket 7 which substantially surrounds the generally cylindrical tank 3. The melted menthol 6 leaves the **I.

tank 3 through an outlet port 8 at the bottom thereof, from where it is pumped through a conduit 9 to the point of application P. S..

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Figure 5 shows a first embodiment of the invention. Instead of a heating jacket, the tank 3 is provided with a heating chamber 10 at the bottom thereof. The heating chamber, containing a heating element, is of smaller volume than the main tank 3 and is fed with solid menthol crystals 6 from the main tank. The flavour crystals can be. transferred into the heating chamber 10 either by gravity or an Archimedes screw or similar transport means from the main tank 3. Therefore, the main tank 3 can be described as "dry5 since it only contains solid menthol crystals, which are not heated or melted.

The preparation of the additive, by heating and melting, occurs in the heating chamber 10, resulting in prepared additive 6A being in liquid form.

The volume of the heating chamber 10 may be selected according to the flow rate of prepared additive that is required. However, the volume of the heating chamber will always be less than the volume of the main tank 3. The shape of the heating chamber may be selected to optimise the efficiency of the heating element employed and to minimise the melt time for the additive in the heating chamber. For example, if the heating element is a longitudinal element internal to the heating chamber, the heating chamber itself may be generally cylindrical about the longitudinal axis of the heating element.

Figures IOA and lOB are front and cross-sectional side views respectively of a suitable heating chamber. The heating chamber is provided with a flared or tapered upper region IOA through which additive enters the heating chamber from the main tank. The additive 6A in the heating chamber is heated by means of heating elements embedded in the side walls 14, 15 of the heating chamber.

The surface area of the side walls 14, 15 is relatively high compared with the volume of additive 6A therein so as to maximjse the surface area in contact with the additive 6A to increase the efficiency of heat transfer. In other words, the surface area of the side walls 14, 15 is much greater than the surface area of the end walls (not illustrated). It is desirable to minimise the distance between the heating element and the most distant *, region of additive 6A (e.g. the central region of the heating chamber). *.S.

An outlet 16 is provided near the bottom of the heating chamber for the exit of prepared additive 6A. The outlet may alternatively be sited on the underside of the base of the heating chamber.

In an alternative embodiment, heating is provided by a heating jacket substantially surrounding the walls of the heating chamber, instead of embedded heating elements therein. In a further embodiment, a heating element may be provided within the volume of additive 6A in the heating chamber.

Heating efficiency may be improved further by providing heat-conducting fins or the like -within the heating chamber. For example, as illustrated in Figure 1 IA, fins 14A, 15A protrude or extend into the additive from the side walls 14, 15 in order to increase the available surface area. Optionally, the fins may contain heating elements, otherwise their function is to improve conduction of heat from the side walls into the additive 6A.

A top view of an alternative heating chamber is shown in Figure 12. This heating chamber has an internal heating plate or foil 16 in the form of a coil, again so as to maximise the surface area in contact with the additive 6A. A heating chamber of this type may be generally cylindrical or polygonal, for example, octagonal as shown in Figure 12.

Once the flavour/additive 6A in the small heating chamber 10 has reached the correct processing temperature and has melted, it can then be transported using pump 11 into conduit 9 and then on to the point of flavour application P, for example onto the cigarette or filter making machine (not illustrated). Since the volume of additive to be heated in the heating chamber 10 is significanujy smaller than volume of the main tank 3, the energy required to melt the additive is dramatically less than that required to heat and completely melt the contents of the main tank and keep it in a liquid state. Additionally, the time taken to reach the point where a sufficient volume of additive is available to be applied to the cigarette IS dramatically reduced. Furthermore, since flavour additives are typically more volatile in their liquid state, minimising the quantity of heated additive at any one time reduces local environmental contamination and reduces any hazards associated with handling liquid flavours. S * *SS.

A controlled feed (instead of gravity feed) between the main tank 3 and the heating S...

chamber 10 may be provided. This is shown schematically in Figure 6 as a agate and feed system 12 and may comprise a manually or automatically controlled gate or valve or the like.

A further embodiment is illustrated in Figure 7 in which some of the prepared additive 6A in the heating chamber 10 may be re-circulated back into the main tank 3 by means of a reciprocating piston 13. This system could be used in conjunction with a conventional heating jacket around the main tank (see Figure 4) and/or with the heating element located only in the heating chamber io.

Use of the reciprocating piston 13 promotes agitation of the additive in the main tank and also provides some heat to the main tank, with the aim of facilitating the melting of the dry crystals 6. Agitation allows movement of the additive to mix the hotter liquid additive 6A with the colder contents 6 of the main tank thereby heating the contents of the main tank. Mixing results in a more even temperature distribution in the main tank and improves the energy transfer from the heating elements to the additive whilst maintaining reasonable overall temperature levels within the main tank. To further reduce the time taken for the additive to reach the correct temperature, the output from the re-circulating system may be deliberately directed into the region furthest away from the heating element and/or towards regions with highest level of potential heat loss. Typically, the region furthest away from heating element would be in the centre of the main tank.

Directed output from the heating chamber io may be squirted under pressure in order to promote agitation and circulation and also to provide forces and currents which break down any undesirable solid masses of additive or push any solid mass closer to the heating element.

Gate and feed system 12 can be used to direct the flow of the liquid additive. Until the additive reaches the correct temperature gate 12 is closed so that all of the additive 6A in the heating chamber 10 is re-circulated into the main tank 3.

Once the correct operating temperature has been reached, the reciprocating piston 13 can be switched off, gate 12 can be opened and the pump 11 can operate to transport the liquid additive via conduit 9 to the point of application P. *. In an alternative embodiment, once the correct operating temperature has been reacheJ, gate 12 can be opened and the pump 11 can operate to transport the liquid additive via conduit 9 to the point of application P, with the reciprocating piston 13 continuing to operate in order to recirculate some of the liquid additive 6A back into the main tank.

In some circumstances it is desirable to have a stand-alone tank of additive for storage * and/or preparation of liquid additive. For example, it may be desirable to have a tank of additive prepared away from the production line whilst the line is in operation, so that said prepareJ tank can be inserted into the line for immediate use when a previous tank has been exhausted The stand-alone tank could be inserted into the line in the manner illustrated in Figure 2.

A further aspect of the invention comprises a stand-alone tank as illustrated in Figure 8.

The only difference between the stand-alone tank and that illustrated in Figure 7 is that the stand-alone tank does not have its own gate, pump and conduit for delivering additive. Instead, all of the additive in the heating chamber 10 is recirculated by piston 13 back into the main tank 3. The stand-alone tank may be insertable directly into flavour -application apparatus in order to replace an exhausted tank.

Any of the above embodiments could be modified by providing a main tank as illustrated in Figure 9, wherein the lowermost region of the tank 3 is tapered or otherwise shaped to facilitate the passage of additive 6 from the main tank to the heating chamber 10.

Similarly, the upper part of the heating chamber could be tapered or otherwise shaped as illustrated in Figure lOB to facilitate transfer of the additivefrom the tank to the heating chamber. * * *S.. S... * *S*5

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Claims

CLAIMS

1. Additive preparation apparatus, for preparing an additive to be applied to cigarette or filter during the manufacture thereof, the apparatus comprising a tank suitable for receiving an additive; a heating chamber having walls defining an internal volume of smaller internal volume than said tank and in communication therewith; a heating element associated with said heating chamber and for heating the contents thereof; wherein, in use, additive from said tank enters said heating chamber where it is heated by said heating element.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim I wherein said additive is a flavour, preferably menthol crystals.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim I or claim 2 wherein said tank includes a heating element.

: 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said tank heating element is a * . 20 heated jacket. ***.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims further comprising a pump for delivering liquid additive from said heating chamber to a point of application. * 25

6. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims further comprising a pump for recirculating additive from said heating chamber into said tank.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said recirculating pump comprises a reciprocating piston.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said recirculated additive is directed to a potentially cooler part of said tank.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said tank includes a gate or valve means for selectively allowing passage of additive between said tank and said heating chamber.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said gate or valve means is automatically controlled.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said additive in said heating chamber is heated to a temperature of at least 40 C.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said additive is pressurised.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding daims wherein a part of said tank in communication with said heating chamber is tapered or otherwise shaped to facilitate the passage of said additive from said tank to said heating chamber.

: 14. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a part of said heating chamber in communication with said tank is tapered or otherwise ***.

shaped to facilitate the passage of said additive from said tank to said heating chamber.

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15. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said heating * * 25 element associated with said heating chamber is located substantially within * said heating chamber.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said heating element associated with said heating chamber is located within one or more walls of said heating chamber.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein a wall of said heating chamber is provided with a heat-conducting fin extending into said internal volume of said heating chamber.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein said heat-conducting fin contains a heating element 19. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said heating element associated with said heating chamber is located in said internal volume of the heating chamber.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19 wherein said heating element is in the form of a coil.

21. Apparatus as daimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said heating element associated with said heating chamber is located externally to said heating chamber.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein said heating element comprises a heating jacket substantially surrounding said heating chamber.

23. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding daims wherein said heating : element comprises inductive heating means. . 20 *...

24. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said heating element comprises radiant heating means.

25. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding daims wherein said heating * * 25 element is heated by fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas or by a thermo..

nuclear or exothermic chemical reaction.

26. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said heating element comprises hot fluid transport.

27. Additive preparation apparatus fOr preparing an additive to be applied to cigarette or filter during the manufacture thereof, substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of Figures 5-12.

28. Cigarette manufacturing apparatus including additive preparation apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

29. A methoci of preparing an additive, the method comprising the steps of: providing additive preparation apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims; placing unprepared additive into said tank; enabling additive from said tank to enter said heating chamber; actuating said heating element so as to heat the contents of said heating chamber.

30. The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of delivering prepared additive from an outlet of said heating chamber to a point of application.

31. The method of claim 29 or claim 30 further comprising the step of recirculating additive from said heating chamber to said main tank.

32. A method of preparing an additive to be applied to cigarette or filter during the manufacture thereof, substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of Figures 5-12.

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