IT202100011279A1 - APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SEGMENTS OF THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY EQUIPPED WITH PERFORATIONS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

of the industrial invention entitled:

"APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SEGMENTS

OF THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY EQUIPPED WITH PERFORATIONS"

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for producing segments of the tobacco industry provided with perforations.

AND? It is known to make perforations on the external surface of articles such as cigarettes in order to vary their properties. of ventilation or combustion, in particular so as to define holes along the complete circumference of the cigarette. During use, the presence of these perforations, when made on the paper tube that covers the tobacco, creates an additional passage of air towards the combustion area during aspiration, which is particularly advantageous when lighting the cigarette. When made on the filter, on the other hand, they allow the user to create a fresh air by-pass, which can also be adjusted by covering or uncovering these perforations with a finger. The realization of the perforations ? generally operated in filter-inserting machines, where the articles are transversally moved by means of drums. In such cars ? generally required a rotation of the articles on themselves in order to be able to expose the entire peripheral development of the articles to the laser head or, alternatively, the use of at least two drums supporting the articles on opposite corner areas, also in this case to progressively expose the? entire surface of the articles to a succession of laser heads.

The Applicant has found the need to identify an alternative to the known solutions described above, in order to make the process suitable for situations where the perforation of the articles in filter-inserting machines is impeded or not very suitable.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an apparatus and a method for the production of segments of the tobacco industry equipped with perforations which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

The specified purpose ? substantially achieved by an apparatus and a method for the production of segments of the tobacco industry equipped with perforations comprising the technical characteristics disclosed, respectively, in claims 1 and 9 and/or in one or more? of the claims dependent on them.

In accordance with the invention, the apparatus ? particularly intended for the production of cigarette segments and comprises means for feeding a paper web, means for feeding a filling material in the form of a cord of tobacco fibers, a forming beam for forming a continuous rod by winding the paper web around the filling material, a cutting device for cutting the continuous rod into a succession of segments, and a perforating device located downstream of the forming beam and arranged and/or configured to make a succession of perforations on the rod continuous or on the succession of segments during a longitudinal advance respectively of the continuous rod or of the succession of segments.

In accordance with a variant embodiment, the apparatus? particularly intended for the production of filter segments and comprises means for feeding a paper web, means for feeding a filling material in the form of a filter bead, a forming beam for forming a continuous rod by winding the paper web around the filling material, a cutting device for cutting the continuous rod into a succession of segments, and a drilling device arranged downstream of the forming beam and arranged and/or configured to make a succession of perforations on the continuous rod or on the succession of segments during a longitudinal advance respectively of the continuous rod or of the succession of segments.

In accordance with a variant embodiment, the apparatus? particularly intended for the production of empty tubular segments and comprises means for feeding a paper web, a forming beam for forming a continuous tubular by winding the paper web around a longitudinal axis, a cutting device for cutting the continuous tubular in a succession of tubular segments, and a drilling device arranged downstream of the forming beam and arranged and/or configured to make a succession of perforations on the continuous tubular or on the succession of tubular segments during a longitudinal feed respectively of the continuous tubular or of the succession of tubular segments.

Regardless of the application selected from those indicated above, the forming beam ? configured to operate a winding of the paper tape such as to create a closing band having a rectilinear longitudinal development and defined by an overlap between the overlapping lateral edges of the paper tape. Furthermore, the perforator device ? preferably arranged in such a way as to operate at least part of the perforations on the closing band, in particular the perforating device ? arranged vertically above the closing band.

In one embodiment, the piercing device is arranged between the forming beam and the cutting device.

In a different embodiment, the perforating device ? arranged downstream of the cutting device.

Preferably, the device also comprises, downstream of the cutting device, a unit for transferring the segments from a longitudinal feed path, leaving the cutting device, and a transversal feed path, for example defined by a train of drums. In one embodiment, the piercing device is disposed between the cutting device and the unit? of transfer.

Preferably, the device further comprises a control device, in particular an optical one, for controlling the perforations made by the perforating device. This control device? preferably placed downstream of the cutting device and more? preferably between the cutting device and the unit? of transfer.

In a different embodiment, the control device is disposed downstream of? unit? of transfer, therefore in an area with transversal advancement of the articles, the perforating device being in any case disposed upstream of the unit? of transfer, in an area with longitudinal advancement of the segments and of the rod/continuous tube.

Another object of the invention is a method for the production of tobacco industry segments equipped with perforations, in particular cigarette segments, comprising the steps of: feeding a paper ribbon and a filling material (in particular a tobacco cord) to a forming beam, making a continuous rod in the forming beam by wrapping the paper tape around the filler material, cutting the continuous rod into a succession of segments, and a step of making a plurality of rods. of perforations on the continuous rod or on the succession of segments downstream of the forming beam during a longitudinal advance respectively of the continuous rod or of the succession of segments.

According to a different embodiment, the method is particularly intended for the production of filter segments, comprising the steps of: feeding a paper web and a filler material (in the form of a filter bead) to a forming beam, making a continuous rod in the forming beam by winding the web paper around the filling material, cutting the continuous rod into a succession of segments, and a step of realizing a plurality of of perforations on the continuous rod or on the succession of segments downstream of the forming beam during a longitudinal advance respectively of the continuous rod or of the succession of segments.

According to a different embodiment, the method is particularly intended for the production of empty tubular segments, comprising the steps of: feeding a paper web to a forming beam, forming a continuous tubular in the forming beam by winding the paper web around a longitudinal axis, cutting the continuous tubular in a succession of tubular segments, and a phase of realizing a plurality? of perforations on the continuous tubular or on the succession of tubular segments downstream of the forming beam during a longitudinal advance respectively of the continuous tubular or of the succession of tubular segments. In greater detail, the phase of making the perforations ? made downstream of the complete formation of the baco or continuous tubular. In particular, the stage of winding up the paper tape creates a closing band having a rectilinear longitudinal development and defined by an overlap between the overlapping side edges of the paper tape. Preferably, the phase of making the perforations? made at least partially on the closing band.

In one embodiment, the step of making the perforations is carried out downstream of the complete formation of the rod or continuous tubular and before the cutting phase.

In a different embodiment, the step of making the perforations is made after the cutting phase.

Preferably, the method further comprises a step of inspecting the segments to verify at least one (qualitative) parameter of the perforations. That stage of inspecting the segments ? preferably made by optical inspection.

In one embodiment, the inspection step is made in an area with longitudinal advancement of the segments or rod or continuous tubular.

In a different embodiment, the inspection step is made in an area with transversal advancement of the segments.

Another object of the invention is a method for modifying a pre-existing maker machine for making segments of the tobacco industry, in particular tubular and/or bar-shaped segments, in which the machine includes means for feeding a paper tape , a forming beam for forming a continuous tube or rod by winding the paper web around a longitudinal axis, a cutting device for cutting the continuous tube or rod into a succession of segments, further comprising a step of installing in retrofit a drilling device on the pre-existing machine in a position downstream of the forming beam in such a way that the drilling device performs a succession of perforations on the continuous rod or on the continuous tubular or on the succession of segments during a longitudinal feed respectively of the continuous rod or of the continuous tubular or of the segments. Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of an apparatus and a method for the production of segments of the tobacco industry equipped with perforations, as illustrated in the attached drawings in which: - figure 1 ? a schematic view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- figure 2 ? a schematic view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- figure 3 ? a schematic view of an apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

- figure 4 ? a schematic view of an apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

- figure 5 ? a perspective view of a segment (semi-finished) of the tobacco industry obtained by the apparatus and method according to the present invention.

In accordance with the annexed figures, with 1 ? Overall, an apparatus for the production of segments of the tobacco industry provided with perforations has been shown in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

Under the heading ?segments of the tobacco industry? within the scope of the present invention, articles of pre-established length (generally of unitary or double length of a final article to be obtained) are to be understood, such as, for example, segments of cigarette rod or filter, defined by a paper tube containing a filling material (respectively, tobacco or filtering material), or hollow tubes, defined by an internally empty paper tube. In all cases, these segments are obtained by cutting a rod or continuous tube obtained by winding a paper tape, as described below.

The apparatus 1 comprises, in its main characteristics with reference to the embodiment of figure 1:

- means 2 for feeding a paper ribbon 100 (or other material suitable for forming);

- means 3 for feeding a filling material 200, in this specific case a tobacco bead;

- a forming beam 4 for making a continuous rod ?C? by winding the paper tape 100 around the filling material 200;

- a cutting device 5 for cutting the continuous rod ?C? in a succession of segments ?S?.

Downstream of the cutting device 5 pu? moreover be disposed a? unit? of transfer 6 to transfer the segments ?S? by a longitudinal advancement path, leaving the cutting device 5, and a transversal advancement path (defined for example by a succession of drums not illustrated).

In accordance with the invention, the apparatus 1 further comprises a perforating device 10 for making a plurality of of perforations ?P? on the paper tape 100, in particular on the paper tape 100 gi? completely wound on the filling material 200. Therefore, the perforating device 10 is advantageously arranged downstream of the forming beam 4.

Preferably, the piercing device 10 comprises a laser drilling head and can include, in addition to a laser source, one or more? between: a deviation optical path (for example through the use of mirrors/reflecting surfaces), a possible division into two beams in the case of a double-worm machine, focusing, regulation of power, duration and length and number of pulses. In this way the perforating device 10 ? extremely flexible and able to operate any type and configuration of perforations ?P?.

Advantageously, the use of a laser source ensures optimal flexibility of the perforator device 10 since? allows you to make the perforations ?P? according to different patterns that can be chosen according to needs. For example, a ?P? can? be chosen according to the degree of ventilation / pressure drop desired, improving the experience of the end user, or according to the format or brand of the product to be created. Furthermore, the perforations ?P? made by the perforating device 10 according to the invention are preferably defined by groups of holes arranged discontinuously (that is to say spaced apart from each other) along the longitudinal direction of advancement of the continuous rod ?C?. In this way, for example, as visible in figure 5, each group of holes ? disposed to a corresponding portion (end?) of a final article to be obtained. In the specific embodiment of figure 5, each segment ?S? obtained from the cut it has a double length of a final article to be obtained, specifically it defines a double piece of cigarette to be subsequently subjected to further cutting in the middle during a transversal feed. In this embodiment, the ?S? of double length, it has two groups of holes, each at one end? of the ?S? segment. Alternatively, the two groups of holes can be arranged close together in a central portion of the segment ?S?. In both cases, the segment ?S? is subsequently cut into unitary segments each of which has a group of holes at one end? (corresponding, once the cigarette is finished, to the tip of the cigarette).

In accordance with an alternative embodiment not shown, the segment ?S? outgoing from the cutting device 5 has already? unit length. In this situation, the ?S? has a single group of holes at one end.

The perforations ?P? they pass through, i.e. they completely affect all the layers of paper on which they are made, so as to allow the passage of air through them.

Preferably, the holes of each group of holes are aligned in succession along a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of advancement of the continuous rod ?C? and arranged on one or more parallel queues.

Furthermore, the holes of each group of holes can be arranged according to a one-dimensional linear sequence or according to a two-dimensional pattern.

With reference to the forming beam 4, it ? configured to operate a winding of the paper tape 100 such as to create a closing band ?F? having a rectilinear longitudinal development and defined by an overlap between the superimposed lateral edges of the paper tape 100. In other words, the winding of the paper tape 100? such as to define a closing band ?F? and longitudinal overlap. In this context, the perforating device 10 is preferably arranged in such a way as to operate at least part of the aforementioned perforations ?P? on the closing band ?F?. There? has the advantage of making the perforations ?P? in an area with a thickness greater than the single thickness of the paper tape 100 (and also containing the closing glue), making these perforations ?P? suitable to constitute a valid anti-counterfeiting tool since this modality? of perforation unsuitable to be made with the common production methods of counterfeit smoking articles.

This solution ? useful as an anti-counterfeiting tool also due to the fact that the ?P? are particularly visible in correspondence with the closing band ?F?, where the superimposition between the superimposed lateral edges of the paper tape 100 makes it more the color of the paper tape 100 itself is intense, usually white (therefore the contrast with the openings made is more visible).

Furthermore, the fact of predicting the perforations ?P? in correspondence with the closing band ?F? Where ? present the glue, therefore in a particularly robust area, avoids the risk that a succession of perforations ?P? (holes or slots) can reduce the tensile strength of the paper tape 100 itself, subject, once the continuous rod ?C? has been formed, to the internal pressure of the filling material 200 as well as to the tension of the winding, as well as to the stresses to which the segments ?S? are subjected in the subsequent stages of processing and transport. In particular, the perforating device 10 ? therefore arranged downstream of the tubular closure of the paper tape 100 (gluing, calibration and drying) and can? then operate in correspondence of an area already? stabilized.

Figure 2 shows a different embodiment, in particular an apparatus 1 for making segments ?S? in the form of filter pieces. This embodiment differs from that of figure 1 only in that the means 3 for feeding the filling material 200 feed a filter bead.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment, in particular an apparatus 1 for making segments ?S? in the form of hollow tubes. In this embodiment, the means 3 for feeding the filling material are absent and the forming beam 4 winds the paper tape 100 on itself, around a longitudinal axis to define a continuous tubular ?T? hollow in shape, possibly with the help of a core 7.

In all of the three embodiments described above, the perforating device 10 can operate in the same way, in particular preferably making at least part of the perforations ?P? on the closing band ?F? defined by the area of junction and longitudinal overlap created by the forming beam 4 on the paper web 100. In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in figures 1-3, the perforating device 10 is arranged between the forming beam 4 and the cutting device 5.

In accordance with a variant embodiment, illustrated in figure 4, the perforating device 10 is arranged downstream of the cutting device 5 and preferably between the cutting device 5 and the unit? of transfer 6.

These possibilities? positioning devices are particularly suitable for exploiting the existing space in maker machines of the known type and therefore are optimal for the retrofit application of the perforating device 10.

Furthermore, the fact that the perforating device 10 is located near the of the cutting device 5, as in the cases described above, guarantees an optimal and repeatable phasing of the position of the perforations ?P? with respect to the position in which they are intended to be (as in the case of the ends of a final article to be obtained, figure 5). In accordance with the embodiment of figures 1-3, the apparatus 1 further comprises a control device 20, preferably optical, for the control of the perforations ?P? made on the paper tape 100 by means of the perforating device 10.

In particular, the control device 20 can be arranged to control the perforations ?P? taking into account some parameters, such as: their effective number with respect to a predefined number, the fact that they are actually passing through, the absence of burns or other quality defects, their reciprocal position and with respect to the continuous rod ?C? or to the final article.

Preferably, the control device 20 is disposed downstream of the cutting device 5 and more? preferably between the cutting device 5 and the unit? of transfer 6 when the perforating device 10 ? arranged between the forming beam 4 and the cutting device 5. Alternatively, in accordance with a variant not shown, the control device 20 can? be placed downstream of the cutting device 5 and more? preferably between the cutting device 5 and the unit? of transfer 6 when the perforating device 10 ? also arranged downstream of the cutting device 5 and more? preferably between the cutting device 5 and the unit? of transfer 6.

Pi? in general, ? preferable (but not essential) that the control device 20 operates during a longitudinal feed of the rod or continuous tubular ?C?, ?T? or ?S? segments. Also in this case, the positioning of the control device 20 exploits the spaces existing in the pre-existing maker machines known and ? therefore it can also be installed in retrofit in machines originally lacking. of the tobacco industry (in technical jargon, ?maker? machine), in particular tubular and/or bar-shaped segments, in which the machine comprises (according to known technologies) means for feeding a paper ribbon, a forming beam for the formation of a continuous tube or rod by winding the paper web around a longitudinal axis (therefore, with or without filling material), a cutting device for cutting the continuous tube or rod into a succession of segments, and, in in accordance with the inventive idea of the present patent application, a step of retrofitting a drilling device in a position downstream of the forming beam so that the drilling device performs a succession of drillings on the continuous rod or on the continuous tubular or on the succession of segments during a longitudinal advance respectively of the continuous rod or of the continuous tubular or of said segments. The specific modalities? of retrofit positioning of the perforating device and of the possible control device are in accordance with the embodiments described above.

The present invention as described above lends itself to embodiment variants which in any case share the same inventive concept. For example, the apparatus pu? be of the double line or double rod/tubular type, for the creation of two rods/tubulars parallel to each other. In this case, each line has a respective punching device (and likewise a respective control device where provided).

The present invention achieves the proposed objects, overcoming the drawbacks complained of in the prior art.

The use of a perforating device in the specific position described, i.e. downstream of the forming beam during a longitudinal advancement of the rod/tubular or of the segments already? cut, allows an optimization of existing spaces and allows installation of the drilling device even in retrofit on pre-existing machines, without the need for of heavy modifications.

Furthermore, the creation of the perforations during the longitudinal feed allows the creation of perforations on the overlapping region of the paper tape, defining an optimal anti-counterfeiting function.

This positioning during the longitudinal advance also allows the simple creation of groups of perforations defined by sequences of holes aligned in the longitudinal direction one after the other.

Claims (16)

1. Apparatus for the production of tobacco industry segments (S) equipped with perforations (P), in particular cigarette segments, comprising means (2) for feeding a paper tape (100), means (3) for feeding of a filling material (200) and in particular of a cord of tobacco fibers, a forming beam (4) for forming a continuous rod (C) by winding the paper ribbon (100) around the filling material ( 200), a cutting device (5) for cutting the continuous rod (C) into a succession of segments (S), characterized in that it comprises a drilling device (10) arranged downstream of the forming beam (5) and arranged and/or configured to make a succession of perforations (P) on the continuous rod (C) or on said succession of segments (S) during a longitudinal advance respectively of the continuous rod (C) or of said succession of segments (S) . 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the forming beam (4) is configured to operate a winding of the paper tape (100) such as to create a closure band (F) having a rectilinear longitudinal development and defined by an overlap between the superimposed side edges of the paper tape, and in which said perforating device (10) is arranged in such a way as to operate at least part of said perforations (P) on said closure band (F), in particular the perforation device (10) being arranged vertically above said closure band (F). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the piercing device (10) is arranged between the forming beam (4) and the cutting device (5). 4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the piercing device (10) is arranged downstream of the cutting device (5). 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, comprising, downstream of the cutting device (5), a unit transfer (6) for transferring the segments (S) from a longitudinal feed path, leaving the cutting device (5), and a transversal feed path, and in which the drilling device (10) is ? disposed between the cutting device (5) and the unit? of transfer (6). 6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control device (20), preferably optical, for controlling the perforations (P) made by the perforation device (10), preferably said control device (20) being disposed downstream of the cutting device (5) and more? preferably between the cutting device (5) and the unit? of transfer (6). 7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said drilling device (10) comprises a laser drilling head. 8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said piercing device (10) is configured to create a succession of groups of holes in which the holes of each group are arranged according to a predetermined pattern, preferably modifiable according to one or more? predetermined schemes. 9. Method for the production of segments (S) of the tobacco industry equipped with perforations (P), comprising the steps of: feeding a paper ribbon (100) and a filling material (200), in particular a cord of fibers of tobacco, to a forming beam (4), making a continuous rod (C) in the forming beam (4) by winding the paper tape (100) around the filling material (200), cutting the continuous rod (C) in a succession of segments (S), characterized by the fact that it includes a phase of realizing a plurality? of perforations (P) on the continuous rod (C) or on said succession of segments (S) downstream of the forming beam (4) during a longitudinal advance respectively of the continuous rod (C) or of said succession of segments (S). 10. Method according to claim 9, wherein the step of winding up the paper ribbon (100) creates a closure band (F) having a rectilinear longitudinal development and defined by an overlap between superimposed lateral edges of the paper ribbon (100), and in which the phase of realization of the perforations (P) ? made at least partially on said closing band (F). 11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the step of making the perforations (P) is carried out after the complete formation of the bug (C) and before the cutting phase. 12. Method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the step of making the perforations (P) is made after the cutting phase. 13. Method according to any one of the preceding claims from 9 to 12, further comprising a step of inspecting the segments (S) to check at least one parameter of said perforations (S), preferably said step of inspecting the segments (S) being performed by optical inspection. 14. A method according to any one of the preceding claims from 9 to 13, wherein said step of making a plurality of of perforations (P) ? operated by making a succession of groups of holes in which the holes of each group are arranged according to a predetermined pattern, preferably modifiable according to one or more? predetermined schemes; preferably the step of making the perforations (P) being made by means of a laser drilling head. 15. A method according to any one of the preceding claims from 9 to 14, wherein said step of making a plurality of of perforations (P) ? made by making a succession of groups of holes in such a position that, downstream of the cut, each article has a single group of holes at its own end. or, alternatively, two groups of holes at the ends? or in a close position in a central portion of the article. 16. Method for modifying a pre-existing maker machine for making tobacco industry segments (S), in particular bar-shaped segments, in which said machine comprises means (2) for feeding a paper tape (100) , a forming beam (4) for forming a continuous rod (B) by winding said paper tape (100) around a longitudinal axis to enclose a filling material, a cutting device (5) for cutting the continuous rod (B) in a succession of segments (S), characterized in that it comprises a step of retrofitting a drilling device (10) in said pre-existing machine and in a position downstream of the forming beam (4) in so that the perforating device (10) performs a succession of perforations (P) on the continuous rod (C) or on the succession of segments (S) during a longitudinal advance respectively of the continuous rod (C) or of said segments (S).