JP2002238538A - Method and device for manufacturing multiple filter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for manufacturing multiple filters for products in a cigarette processing industry, and to provide the multiple filters. SOLUTION: At least two amounts in a ratio of filter materials 20, 26, 27, 30, and 116 are introduced into a filter sleeve 11 in one method process. In processing stations 17, 23, 24, 28, 31, 32, 131, and 132, at least two amounts in the ratio of the filter materials 20, 26, 27, 30, and 116 can be introduced into at least one filter sleeve 11. In one processing process in at least one processing station, at least two amounts in the ratio of filter materials can be introduced into at least one filter sleeve.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a multi-filter (Meh
rfach filter) and a device for carrying out the method, comprising a filter sleeve supply device and at least one transfer member loaded with the filter sleeve and supplying the filter sleeve to at least one processing station.

[0002] The invention further relates to the use of pre-prepared filter sleeves for producing multiple filters for products in the tobacco processing industry.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a filter sleeve for producing multiple filters for products in the tobacco processing industry.

The present invention also relates to a multi-filter manufacturing system including a filter sleeve supply device for supplying a filter sleeve and a transfer device for transferring the filter sleeve on a predetermined movement path.

[0005]

2. Description of the Related Art A method and an apparatus for producing a multi-filter are described, for example, in the Applicant's German Patent Application No.
No. 7,82,364, which describes an apparatus for producing a filter containing filter granules known in the art under the name "Bernhard" of the applicant. ing. German Offenlegungsschrift 17 82 364 discloses British Patent 1,243,977 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,603,058.
Number.

A multi-filter--also called a multi-segment filter--consists of at least two filter elements having an arbitrary order, typically eight or fewer filter elements. Inside the sleeve molded into the tube,
Different filter elements or filter segments are arranged. These filter elements may include soft filter elements such as cellulose acetate, paper, fleece,
Alternatively, it is a relatively hard filter element, such as granules, sintered elements, hollow cylinders or cavities and capsules. Such a filter material must not consist of 100% one material. These filter materials are:
For example, a mixed material such as granules embedded in cellulose acetate may be used. In this case, in particular, granular materials such as activated carbon are relevant. Depending on the material used and on the order of the filter segments, very different properties of the corresponding multi-filter are obtained, which multi-filter is mounted in particular on the end side of the bar-shaped articles in the tobacco processing industry.

[0007] German Patent Publication No. 17 82
No. 364 discloses a granule filling machine for producing filters containing granules and in particular triple filters. This triple filter means a filter consisting of three filter segments, in which case the filling machine "Bernhardt" produces triple filters of two working lengths, which are then used for the production of cigarettes. And arranged between two elongated articles coated with cigarette-coated paper and cut at the center. Thus, two cigarettes each having a filter are obtained.

[0008] German Patent Publication No. 17 82
No. 364 discloses a continuously rotating conveyor which has a housing for a filter sleeve and which transports the filter sleeve in the transverse direction. During transfer in the transverse direction, filter plugs and granules cut from a relatively long filter rod are alternately loaded into the sleeve. The filter plug is loaded into the sleeve by delivery means, ie, a ram. The granules fall into the sieve under the action of gravity.

The relatively large number of operating steps in the "Bernhardt" filling machine, in which case a particularly wide range of movements must take place, are described in DE-A 1782 364. Work efficiency is limited. It is desirable that the production of the corresponding filter be accelerated due to the situation where the power of the cigarette maker becomes higher and higher.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object underlying the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for increasing the production of multiple filters and a system for producing multiple filters.

[0011]

The above object is achieved by the following method steps: feeding the filter sleeve to a predetermined position;
And introducing the filter material in a predetermined proportion by weight, wherein at least two proportions of the filter material are introduced into the filter sleeve in one process step in a method for producing a multiple filter for a product in the tobacco processing industry. Solved by

With the method according to the invention, it is possible to significantly increase the filter production speed of the filter production machine. In the context of the present invention, the concept of "multiple filters" also encompasses the concept of "multi-segment filters", wherein at least two segments are present in the filters. These segments are made of various materials such as, for example, cellulose acetate, paper, fleece, granules, sintered elements, hollow cylinders or cavities, capsules and the like. Within the framework of the present invention,
At least two segments are formed essentially simultaneously in the filter sleeve. That is, the formation is the formation of multiple segments by the transfer of multiple amounts of the filter material. The filter material can be completely filled in one introduction step, or always in two or three proportions-the lowest layer is cellulose acetate, paper, etc., the upper layer is a soft material such as granules, and furthermore The upper layer is filled with an array of other soft materials. It is also possible to carry out one finishing method step in which only one filter material is introduced in a certain proportion.

In a first method step, a filter sleeve is used and / or manufactured. This filter sleeve is filled exclusively from one side, which allows a simple construction of the device for the production of multiple filters for products in the tobacco processing industry. When filling the filter sleeve from two sides, the filling speed can be further increased. In this case, filling takes place in each case in one filling step or in a number of filling steps-in which case a large number of filling material sets formed by a large number of segments are delivered.

The filter sleeve is rotated so that filling takes place from two sides. In this case, the filter sleeve to be supplied is formed in such a way that a filter element is provided in the center. That is, a pre-prepared filter sleeve having a filter element in the center is used. Furthermore, the filter sleeve is guided at least partially transversely on the predetermined trajectory in order to perform the filling, thereby achieving a fast implementation of the method and a simple construction of the device for this method. It is possible. Furthermore, the introduction of the filter material is effected by a vertical motion component. With this advantageous configuration of the invention, a compact device, i.e. a filter maker, is constructed.

[0015] The filter sleeve is formed in a preceding method step. This filter sleeve is a part of the covering material, in particular an annular wrapping material, which is molded into the tubular body. A number of filter material segments are formed which comprise gas-permeable compartments, such as soft elements consisting of cellulose acetate, paper or fleece, which alternately contain granules. In particular, n-fold (where n means a natural even number greater than 1) multiple filters are formed. An n-fold multiplex filter means a filter with n working lengths. That is, "multiplexing" of an n-fold multiplex filter means multiple segments.

[0016] Multiple filters are made in the manner described above.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a filter sleeve supply member and at least one transfer member loaded with the filter sleeve, and the transfer member can supply the filter sleeve to at least one processing station. In one type of apparatus for making multiple filters for products in the tobacco processing industry, at least one of the processing stations includes at least two proportions of filter material in at least one filter sleeve in one processing step. It is solved by being configured to be installable.

The fact that a quantity ratio can be introduced into a larger number of filter sleeves than a single filter sleeve in one processing station allows two quantity fractions to be introduced in each case.

With the arrangement according to the invention of an apparatus for producing multiple filters, it is possible to carry out a very rapid method.

A rotating device is provided as a processing station for rotating the filter sleeve. With this configuration according to the invention, the filling can take place more quickly. This is because the movements that the feeding and filling mechanisms must perform are short-circuited.

The at least one transfer member is at least one conveyor which rotates continuously and transfers the filter sleeve in the transverse direction. If at least one processing station is provided on only one conveyor, a very compact device configuration is possible. Modular construction is possible when the conveyor is associated with at least one processing station. If the conveyor is associated with at most one processing station, a special modular construction of the device is provided.

A number of conveyors are provided, at least one of which is associated with at least one processing station, and at least one of which is associated with only one processing station. With this advantageous configuration according to the invention, a good match between compact device and sufficient modularity is achieved.

A filter material supply station is provided, wherein the filter material supply station comprises two rotatable and non-concentrically provided discs each having a hole. On this occasion,
The hole in one disk and the hole in the other disk can be arranged in a certain place in parallel with each other. This filter material supply station allows, for example, a very precise dosing of the filter granules.

At least one filter material supply station is provided, wherein the filter material supply station has at least one feed member with a hole and / or at least one lever mechanism with a hole. ing. This filter material supply station allows for simple and quick handling of the filter material. The above two filter material supply stations are integrated into one filter material supply station, and various supply methods can be applied to this filter material supply station.

A filter material loading station is provided which has at least one first transfer means, in particular at least one ram, for introducing at least one two proportions of filter material into the filter sleeve in one method step. If so, a particularly simple construction of the device according to the invention is possible. In this case, the filter material loading station can be provided overlapping with the filter material supply station.

At least one second transfer means is provided, which functions as a counter bearing for the at least one first transfer means from the opposite side of the filter sleeve. The transfer means itself can also introduce the filter material into the filter sleeve. However, this delivery means is not always necessary.

The at least one filter sleeve can be disposed in a juxtaposed position with the at least two holes.

Furthermore, the object according to the invention comprises a filter sleeve supply device for supplying a filter sleeve, a transfer system for transferring the filter sleeve on a predetermined trajectory and at least one processing station. In a multi-filter manufacturing system for products in the tobacco processing industry, at least one processing station allows at least two quantity proportions of filter material to be introduced into at least one filter sleeve in one processing step. It is solved by being configured.

If a large proportion of the filter material is loaded or loadable in a number of filter sleeves, then at least two proportions of the filter material are respectively loaded in these filter sleeves, or Can be loaded. In a further configuration of this multiple filter manufacturing system, a rotating device for rotating the filter sleeve is provided as a processing station. Due to this advantageous configuration of the multi-filter manufacturing system, a particularly fast method implementation is possible. A particularly simple realization of the filter manufacturing system is possible if the transfer system is provided with a conveyor which rotates continuously and transfers the filter sleeve in the transverse direction.

If at least one processing station is associated with at least one conveyor, a modular design is possible. A very compact filter manufacturing system is achieved by having only one conveyor with at least one processing station. Particularly highly modular systems are achieved by providing a number of conveyors, each associated with at most one processing station.

The apparatus for making multiple filters for products in the tobacco processing industry, manufactured and sold by the Applicant, comprises about 1,200 multiplexes of double use length. Manufacturing filters.
With the device according to the invention, the use length of two tubes is about 5,2.
It is possible to produce 00 multiple filters. This makes the advantages of the solution according to the invention particularly clear.

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to an embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0033]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or corresponding features and, therefore, these reference numbers have not been described again.

FIG. 1 shows the transfer station in cross section. The sleeve 11 provided at the inlet of the sleeve supply drum 10 and having the first filter material 19 in the center is moved into the area of the transfer station. The same applies to the filter plug 20 made of, for example, cellulose acetate. The filter plug 20 has a length of, for example, 8 mm. This filter plug 20 is a filter plug
By means of the transfer conveyor 21, for example, the filter plug 2
0 is supplied to the filter plug storage unit 25 by a filter plug drum stored in the storage unit.

In a continuous method step illustrated in FIG. 2, the filter sleeve 11 is in operative engagement with the transfer station and is held in place by the vacuum holes 13 provided in the transfer drum. Furthermore, the ram 18 has already been inserted into the filter sleeve 11 from below. Further, the filter plug 20 transferred by the filter plug conveyor 21 is transferred to the transfer unit, and is held at the position shown in FIG. Furthermore,
Two different granules, a first granule 26 and a second granule 27, are filled in the slider 24 in the predetermined holes 14 for these granules. The amount of granules is determined by the pore size.

The slider 24 is blocked by sliding from left to right in the plane of the drawing and in the opposite direction.

FIG. 3 shows the transfer station in cross section, in which the ram 18 has been moved vertically further upwards, so that the filter sleeve 11 has essentially a transfer drum with its upper end. 12 ends in a straight line with the upper edge. Furthermore, the filter plug 20 is transported by the ram 17 in the axial direction of the ram, ie vertically downwards, into the tube 15 and into the first bore 14 of the slider 23. The circular cutter 28 guided in the guide 29 cuts the filter plug 20 exactly along the upper edge of the slider 23 into two equal filter plugs each 4 mm long. Filter plug 20
The vacuum or suction in the vacuum hole 13 is released in order to transfer the filter into the tube 15 and the filter sleeve 11 into the transfer drum hole 16.

In the next method step shown in FIG. 4, the slider 23 is slid to the left so that the upper part of the cut filter plug 20 is vertically aligned with the other hole 14 of the slider 23. Parallel. In another method step, not shown, the filter plug 20 is
Is fed into the other hole by means of another filter plug 30 of another material, for example a fleece enriched with granules, cut with a circular cutter and into the two remaining holes 14 of the slider 23. be introduced. FIG. 5 shows exactly how the other filter plug 30 has been introduced into the remaining hole. The first granules 26 have already fallen into the filter sleeve 11 by gravity. In order to achieve the tightest possible filling, the filter sleeve 11 is oscillated or rocked. For this purpose, a vibration generator 44 is provided, which is
The vibration movement is transmitted to the filter sleeve 11 by mechanical contact of the spring plate 44 with the filter sleeve 11.

FIG. 5 shows that the hole of the slider 23 in which the filter plug 30 is present and the hole of the slider 24 in which the granules are present are aligned in parallel with the transfer drum hole 16 and the filter sleeve 11. Oriented, so that the ram 17 can introduce the filter material 30 and 26 into the filter sleeve 11 in the next method step illustrated in FIG. Instead of the method steps as illustrated in FIG. 6, it is possible to introduce the filter material 30 and 26 only to reach the upper edge of the filter sleeve 11, thus further reducing the degree of movement of the ram 17. It is possible.

FIG. 7 shows that after the straight alignment is performed as described above, the hole in which the filter plug 20 is disposed and the hole of the slider 24 in which the granules 27 are disposed correspond to the filter sleeve 11. A method step is shown which is aligned in parallel with the ram 17 so that the ram 17 is ready to introduce material.

FIG. 8 shows that the filter sleeve 11, which is only half filled with filter material, is transferred downward by the lowering of the ram 18 and into the working area of the vacuum hole 13, so that the filter sleeve 11 is again The method steps which are held in a vacuum hole and correspondingly in a housing provided in the transfer drum 12 are shown. As a next method step, the half-filled filter sleeve is fed to a turning drum and then 180 °
The diverted filter sleeve is subjected to the same method steps, so that a total of five times the filter length of the two used lengths is produced. The fivefold filter then contains five different filter materials in this embodiment, which are arranged in segments in the five filters. This material comprises, for example, a first filter material 19 having a length of 8 mm after cutting a filter of two working lengths, a first granule 26 having a height of about 8 mm, a height of about 4 mm. Or 4m
m, a second filter plug 30 having a height of about 8 mm and a closing filter plug 20 having a thickness of 4 mm. Within the framework of the invention, it is possible to use filter plugs with a thickness of 2 mm or less, so that more filter material can be arranged in the segments of the filter sleeve 11.

FIG. 8 further comprises a lead-out drum 50, which leads the half-filled filter sleeve 11 to a turning drum not shown in FIG. The filter sleeve is then turned by 180 ° in this turning drum and is then fed again by the supply drum to the transfer drum 12, whereby the remainder of the filter sleeve 11 is filled.

Within the framework of the invention, it is also possible for the filter sleeve to be turned multiple times in order to load different filter materials at multiple stations. That is, each half of the filter sleeve 11 must be completely filled at the transfer station before they can be rotated.

In order to produce a filter sleeve 11 having a first filter material 19 in the center, it is possible, for example, to adjust the machine involved in the production of the applicant, namely Mmulfi E, accordingly. In order to subsequently bond the subsequently introduced filter plug, the seam bond of the filter sleeve 11 is folded back and bonded with a hot melt adhesive based on PVA-adhesive (polyvinyl acetate-adhesive). For this purpose, the cooling web bonding the seam is replaced by a heating web. The supply of adhesive is changed appropriately. That is, the filter sleeve is bonded with an adhesive that does not cause the adhesive bond to be released by heating.

Segment bonding, ie the bonding of the filter segments to be subsequently joined, is carried out by applying a hot-melting adhesive strip on the paper, and before the filter sleeve is deformed, into the filter sleeve. After the filter segments have been introduced into the filter sleeve, which has a trace of cooled hot melt adhesive, the entire filter sleeve is also heated by thermal contact or by a suitable energy-rich radiation, for example microwave radiation. This melts the hot melt adhesive and bonds the segments.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the delivery device according to the invention, in which four different filter materials can be delivered simultaneously into the filter sleeve. It is. The filter sleeve otherwise comprises, for example, a paper sleeve 37. In order to transfer the four different filter materials, a third slider 41 and a fourth slider 42 are provided in addition to the first slider 23 and the second slider 24. In the third slider 41, for example, the soft element 30 is introduced,
The granules 26 are introduced into the fourth slider 42.

Within the framework of the invention, it is possible to increase the number of holes of the slider 24 according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 to four, so that these four holes are filled with the corresponding granules. No other granule filling is necessary after turning and rotating the filter sleeve. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8, the filter plugs 20 and 30 have already been stored, so that after filling of one side of the filter sleeve 11, a further filter plug is introduced into the slider 23. do not have to. Of course, this applies to the embodiment according to FIG.

FIG. 10 shows an upper region (FIG. 10).
b), the granule feeding station, ie the granule dispensing station, is shown in a side view by cross section. Two discs that are offset from the two centers, a first disc 31 and a second disc 32, are shown. In this case, the first disk 31 is provided above the second disk 32. FIG. 10a shows the device in plan view. Both disks 31 and 32 have holes 14. Granules 26 are filled into these holes. For this purpose, granules 26 are supplied by a granule filling device 51.

The first disk 31 rotates on the disk 32 in the direction opposite to the clock hand, and this disk 32 also rotates in the clockwise direction in this embodiment. The second disk 32 is provided with a filter sleeve 11 below the disk. These filter sleeves 1
1 is held at an appropriate position by a usual holding device. Granules whose volume fraction is predetermined by the size of the holes move in the direction of the loading zones 38a-38b in a direction opposite to the clock hand. The filter sleeve 11 provided below the second disk 32 is moved accurately. At the loading position 38, the holes of both disks are aligned in a straight line. The granules are loaded into the filter sleeve by gravity, as shown in FIG. 10b. By means of the excellent granule feeding station according to the invention, ie the granulation dispensing station, the proportion of granules and the proportion of granules introduced into the filter sleeve are realized in a particularly simple manner. The large loading zones 38a-38b allow the disks 32 and 31 to rotate at high speeds and correspondingly increase the production speed. In order to achieve the densest possible filling of the granules, in this embodiment a vibration generator 44 and a spring plate 43 are provided, by means of which the filter sleeve is brought into contact with the granules 26 during or after filling. Vibrated together. The vibration generator 44 is an electromagnet having a mass that reciprocates at a frequency of 50 Hz, in particular.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a filter manufacturing machine. FIG. 11 does not show, for example, the processing stations shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, ie the processing stations provided for loading the filter elements.

In one single main drum 100, various processing steps are performed. The sleeve mass flow 101 guides the sleeve 114 of four times the working length to the filter making machine.
In the area of the transfer drum, the process is not shown, but a filter sleeve of four times the working length is cut at the center and moved axially. The sleeve supplied by the transfer conical drum 104 and the transfer drum 105 corresponding to the sleeve supply drum 10 in FIG. 1, for example, is transferred to the main drum 10 corresponding to the transfer drum 12 in FIG.
0 is supplied.

The filter element mass flow 102 supplies a filter element having a processing length of 12 times the filter length to the filter manufacturing machine. These filter elements are cut into shorter portions at locations not shown in part. The filter elements, i.e. the already cut filter elements 116, are supplied to a transfer drum 105 by a transfer cone drum 104, for example, which corresponds to the filter plug conveyor 21 in FIG.
It is cut by. In the filter making machine, three mechanisms are shown, and filter elements of appropriate length, each having different properties, are supplied by these mechanisms. If two filter element supply stations are provided below, a transfer cone drum 107 for transferring the filter elements is further provided.

A first storage container and a second storage container for the first granules 110 and the second granules 111 are provided. The granules are supplied by a suitable transfer element to a granule transfer station 112, in which, for example, the holes of a disk are completely filled with the desired granules. The main drum 100 moves in the direction of the clock hand. Before half the full rotation of the main drum 100 is completed, for example, one side of a two-use length multi-filter is completely filled. The filled multiple filter is transferred by the transfer drum 109 to the turning drum 108, where it is turned and further transferred to the transfer drum 109.
To the main drum 100 again. This turning drum 108 is described, for example, in the applicant's German Patent 199 20760. This German patent publication of the applicant describes a device for turning bar-shaped articles, comprising a turning drum, for accommodating the bar-shaped articles to be turned in a receptacle provided therefor. ing. In this case, the deflecting drum has at least one deflecting part, which deflects at least two bar-like articles to be diverted parallel to one another.

When the rotation of the main drum 100 is performed, another filling is performed. Further filling mechanisms are not shown in FIG. Immediately before the main drum 100 is completely rotated, one multi-filter or multiple multi-filters of two full lengths or partially filled lengths are used for the transfer drum 109 and the transfer conical drum. By means of the transfer drum 104 and the transfer drum 103, a double filter mass stream 117, ie a multiple filter mass stream, is obtained, wherein these multiple filters have a working length of two tubes.
Will be migrated to. Reference numeral 118 indicates a multiplex filter. Further, reference numeral 113 indicates a switch for controlling the filter manufacturing machine. In this embodiment of the invention,
Only one main drum 100 is shown, in which all processing stations for filling the filter sleeve 11 can be carried out. Immediately before the take-off for the filled and finished sleeve, a heating element is provided which is operatively connected to the sleeve, whereby the hot element applied to the inside of the paper sleeve in the preceding method step. Induces adhesion of the melt adhesive. This keeps the inserted filter material in that position. FIG. 11 shows a spring plate 43 that transmits vibration to a sleeve filled with granules.

FIG. 12 schematically shows another embodiment according to the present invention. The filter sleeve 11 is supplied to a transfer drum 12 by a sleeve supply drum 10. This is also shown schematically in FIG. 13 at position a). In position b), the filter sleeve 11 has been moved somewhat further upward, and the ram 17 has also been moved upward. In the course of the process up to position e), the ram has been moved further upward. In position f) the filter plug 20 is supplied by a filter plug conveyor 21--in this embodiment a drum. This step is schematically illustrated in FIG. 13 at position f).

In the schematic diagram of FIG. 13, the adjacent filter sleeves and filter plugs from positions f) to m) are shown. That is, in the schematic diagram of FIG. 13, the positions f) and g) must be observed together. In the next position h) and i), the ram 17 is moved downward, so that the filter plug 20 located in the position h) is also moved downward. In positions j) and k), the filter plug 20 is cut into two parts by a circular cutter 28. The upper portion of the filter plug 20 is present in the accommodation portion or the hole of the lever 35.

In positions l) and m), the lever 35 is pivoted, so that the hole in this lever is in contact with the hole in the main drum below it, ie the transfer drum 12 in which the filter sleeve 11 is located. Comes in a straight line. From here, the above method steps are again single method steps. In the positions b) to q), the ram 17 enters into the opening in which the filter sleeve 11 is located and places the corresponding filter material in this filter sleeve.
At positions r) and t), the ram 17 exits this opening again. In position s), the lever moves again to its starting position. The filter sleeve 11 partially filled in this way is taken out by the take-out drum 33. In this case, a filter sleeve with a filter element 34 is present in the housing of the take-out drum 33.
Within the framework of the present invention, that is, within the framework of this embodiment, it is possible to fill the entire half of the filter sleeve 11. Of course, in FIGS. 12 and 13,
Only the embodiment using a lever instead of the slider for moving the filter plug is shown. It is also possible to use a number of levers 35 into which, for example, granules can also be introduced, or to use a combination of levers and sliders.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing the structure of the module of the filter manufacturing machine. The construction of these modules includes the sleeve supply module 13
0, granule and soft filter material filling module 131 (2
x) and the turning module 132 are shown. In this embodiment, the filter sleeve is provided by a filter sleeve tray 120 and the filter elements are provided by two filter element trays 121. Therefore,
The filter sleeve supply module includes a filter sleeve supply / removal drum 123 and a transfer drum 124 by the filter sleeve tray 120. The transfer drum 124 takes out the filter sleeve and transfers it from the take-out drum 123 to the transfer drum 125, which transfers the filter sleeve to the granule drum 126 again. Upon reaching the granule drum 126, the granules are filled into the filter sleeve. In this case, for example, FIG.
The device illustrated at 0 is used. The filter sleeve, which is partially filled with granules, is then transferred to a lever drum 127 which may be formed, for example, in the configuration according to FIG. In this module, that is, the granule / soft filter element module 131, the toner is supplied from the filter element tray 121 to the lever drum 127 via the take-out drum 123 and the supply / filter sleeve take-out drum 128.

Supply / filter sleeve take-out drum 12
According to 8, a filter sleeve filled with suitable filter elements, such as granules and soft elements, one side of which is completely filled in this embodiment, is removed, and inside the turning module 132 Is delivered to the delivery drum 124 provided in the storage device. This delivery drum 12
4 transfers the half-filled filter sleeve 11 to a turning drum 129, in which the filter sleeve is turned. On the way to the deflection drum, the filter sleeve is subjected to the action of heat, which activates the hot melt adhesive trace and fixes the filter element. After the filter sleeve is turned, the half-filled filter sleeve is delivered to the granule / soft filter element filling module 131 and by the delivery drum 125,
The transfer drum is a filter drum which is connected to a granule drum 12.
The filter sleeve is filled again with granules in the granule drum. As a next method step, the filter sleeve is transferred to a lever drum 127, in which the filter sleeve is filled with another soft element. These soft elements are in this case delivered from the filter element tray 121 to the lever drum 127 via the take-out drum 123 and the supply / filter sleeve take-out drum 128. The now completely filled filter sleeve is then passed via drum 128 to heating station 39.
Is further provided to the delivery drum 124 provided with
This heating station activates, for example, the hot melt adhesive completely or in the rest of the filter sleeve.

On the left side of FIG. 14, two multiplex filters 118 which have been filled and finished are shown in a vertical cross section. This multiple filter comprises a first filter material 19,
It is assembled from granules 26 and one filter plug 20 each. The two filters are cut at the center of the first filter material 19 in the next cigarette production.

FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the filter making machine, which comprises two filter elements each having four different use lengths each of which is two pieces. One minute multiplex filter 118 is manufactured. In the two multiplex filters 118, two different types of granules 26 and 27 are loaded. In order to introduce further granules, two further granule modules 133 are added to the filter making machine according to FIG. 14 compared to the embodiment according to FIG. These granule modules are present between the sleeve feed module 130 and the granule and soft filter element filling module 131 and between the turning module 132 and another granule and soft filter element filling module 131. In other respects, the elements used here are corresponding elements.

With the filter manufacturing machine according to the present invention, it is possible to deform and manufacture a filter according to a customer's request. For this purpose, it must be interchanged, added or removed with a suitable module.

In the context of the description of the drawings, a manufacturing embodiment is illustrated, in which the filter sleeves 11 are used essentially under vertical alignment, but these filter sleeves are mounted horizontally. It is also possible to orient. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the use of the described drums, for example, the applicant's invention is described in DE-A-179 08 836 and U.S. Pat.
9,545 and G.I. German Patent No. 39 250 of D-Societa per Agioni
It is also possible to use a troughed belt for transporting and processing filters as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 73,209 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,249 or Hocke, European Patent Publication No. 1,084,229.

The concept of filter production is that the filter plugs of different filter materials and / or granules are introduced into the filter sleeve by assembling them alternately and directed in the direction of processing into multi-segment filters, ie multiple filters. Have been. Within the framework of the present invention, the term "filter material" also encompasses the term "granules".

A prefinished filter sleeve of at least two lengths is used, with the filter element being loosely or centrally anchored by gluing. In general, filter plugs of 8 mm length are transferred, and these filter plugs are then cut into filter plugs of 4 mm length. In a slightly modified concept which has been modified to the embodiment according to FIG.
The filter sleeve is held in a merry-go-round trough, i.
The rotation of 0 will further guide from one station to another. Depending on the configuration of the filter and, depending on the order of the alternation, these stations may be equipped with a sleeve feeder, a granule dispenser with a granule feed station and a filter plug feeder, a filter turning device and again a granule feed station. It is composed only of the granule dispensing device and the filter plug supply device or the granule supply device and the filter plug device provided. Except during turning, the filter sleeve is always held in the main drum 100 at the same position. When the filter material is fed into the filter sleeve, i.e., when the material is loaded into the filter sleeve, the filter sleeve is held in place by vacuum or suction.
The holding part of the filter sleeve is provided, for example, with a vibration mechanism, so that the granules are formed as much as possible into a compact mass.

FIG. 16 schematically shows another embodiment of a transfer station for transferring filter elements into the filter sleeve 11 containing the first filter material 19. The filter sleeve 11 is held in the transfer drum 12 in the state shown in FIG. In order to introduce the filter sleeve 11 into the hole 16 of the tubular disk 62, the tubular disk is moved upward by a lower ram 18 guided by a ram guide 60. This lower ram 18 is operatively connected to a lower control cam 68. This control cam determines how much the lower ram 18 moves up and down.

Two first filter plugs 64 have already been inserted into the first slider 23. Circular cutter 2
After the first two filter plugs 63 have been cut by 8, further housings of the first slider 23 are also provided with the respective first filter plugs. For this purpose, in particular, the upper ram 17 guided in the ram guide 61 serves.
This upper ram 17 is operatively connected to an upper control cam 67. This upper control cam defines how far the upper ram 17 is moved down and up. In FIG. 16, the upper ram 17 is provided at the uppermost position.

The first granules 26 are already in the second slider 24
In this case, it is loaded into a receiving portion provided for the slider. FIG. 16 shows a state in which the second granules 27 are loaded from the granule container 65 into the accommodation portion of the second slider 24 via the filling connection pipe 66. The vibration generator 44 is operatively connected to a filling connection tube 66 in order to achieve a compaction of the second granules 27 as compact as possible, ie a filling as close as possible. The vibration generator 44 vibrates at a frequency of, for example, 50 Hz. The vibration generator is an electromagnet having a moving mass, so that a corresponding vibration is generated.

FIG. 17 shows, for example, the main drum 100 of FIG.
The main drum 100 is somewhat modified with respect to the embodiment of the filter element, i.e. the embodiment in which the filter material is supplied, and the two multiple filters 118 built on the main drum 100, i.e. the two 10 is an embodiment showing how the multi-segment filter 118 is discharged.

According to the filter sleeve amount flow 101, four times the filter sleeve 114 is supplied to the storage drum 78. By means of the storage drum 78, a quadruple filter sleeve 114 is removed from the filter sleeve storage in the storage trough of the storage drum 78 each time. Thereafter, these quadruple filter sleeves are cut into two double filter sleeves 115 by the circular cutter 106. These double filter sleeves 115 are then arrayed in a formation drum 79 and then delivered to the feed drum 80, where the double filter sleeves are aligned. The feed drum 80 is provided behind the delivery drum 80. The transfer drum is provided for a filter element supplied to the transfer drum 80 from above.

FIG. 18 shows the respective positions of the filter elements according to FIG.

From the filter sleeve quantity stream 102, that is to say the filter element 72 with a working length of twelve from the filter sleeve reservoir, the storage drum 74 provided with the storage trough
Handed over to These filter elements are then cut into three parts by a second circular cutter 106, so that three filter elements 71 of a working length of four are obtained. These filter elements are arrayed in a formation drum 75 and then arranged in a horizontal direction in a feed drum 76, and then cut again by a circular cutter 106 into two filter elements 72 of the used length. Is done.

Two filter elements 7 of two use lengths
After cutting into two, these filter elements are arranged in a formation in a formation arrangement drum 77 and then delivered to a transfer / feed drum 80. In this embodiment, the two use length filter elements 72 are arranged forward, and the two use length two filter sleeves 115.
Are arranged behind it, so that only the front filter element 72 of two working lengths can be seen.
The respective filter elements 72 and 115 are then transferred to conical turning drums 81 and 82, after which the filter elements and the sleeve are supplied to the main drum 100 by being transferred to transfer drums 83 and 84. This main drum 1
00 is not shown in this drawing to improve the view of the drawing. This main drum is of course schematically illustrated in FIG. After the filling of the filter sleeve 115 is performed, the two multiple filters 118, ie, the multi-segment filters 118, are taken up by the take-up drum 85 and supplied to the conical turning drum 86. Finally, a delivery to a delivery drum 87 that gives the multi-segment filter 118 to the mass flow 88 is performed. Thus, in this embodiment, each of the filter elements 73
In the direction of the center, for example a multi-segment filter having a granule filling made on the main drum 100 and having in the center a known filter plug and the first filter material 19, i.e. a two-segment filter. Is formed.

That is, FIGS. 17 and 18 show three main functions,
For the supply of a pre-finished filter sleeve 11 to a pre-formed mass flow, for the supply of a filter element, for example a soft filter element, by means of functions as illustrated in the embodiment, and for the formation of a new mass flow. The finished product produced in the main drum 100 is transported by the transport drum.

[0075]

The method and apparatus according to the present invention make it possible to continuously produce multi-filters, which could only be produced by an intermittent production method in the past, by a consistent working process.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a transfer station according to a first method step.

FIG. 2 shows the transfer station according to FIG. 1 during the course of the method steps.

FIG. 3 shows the transfer station according to FIG. 1 during the course of the method steps.

FIG. 4 shows the transfer station according to FIG. 1 during the course of the method steps.

FIG. 5 shows the transfer station according to FIG. 1 during the course of the method steps.

FIG. 6 shows the transfer station according to FIG. 1 during the course of the method steps.

FIG. 7 shows the transfer station according to FIG. 1 during the course of the method steps.

FIG. 8 shows the transfer station according to FIG. 1 during the course of the method steps.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of another embodiment of a transfer station according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view (FIG. 10a) and a plan view (FIG. 10b) of the granule supply member.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a filter manufacturing machine.

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of components of a further filter manufacturing machine.

FIG. 13 is a view schematically showing the arrangement and positions of a filter sleeve, a filter element, and a ram in a continuous machining operation.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a triple filter having a working length of two tubes on the left side. The right side is a schematic diagram of a filter manufacturing machine constituted by a module capable of producing the filter illustrated on the left side.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a filter four times the used length of two filters on the left side, and a schematic diagram of a filter manufacturing machine constituted by a module capable of manufacturing the filter shown on the left side on the right side. .

FIG. 16 compared to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 8,
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a transfer station having other features.

FIG. 17 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a multi-segment filter for supplying filter material, that is, a functional member for removing multiple filters.

18 is a schematic view of a filter element in the course of the processing step according to FIG. 17;

[Reference code]

 Reference Signs List 10 filter sleeve supply drum 11 filter sleeve 12 transfer drum 13 vacuum drum 14 hole 15 tube 16 transfer drum hole 17 upper ram 18 lower ram 19 first filter material 20 filter plug 21 filter plug conveyor 22 filter plug drum 23 first Slider 24 Second slider 25 Filter plug receiving part 26 First granule 27 Second granule 28 Circular cutter 29 Cutter guide part 30 Filter plug 31 First disk 32 Second disk 33 Take-out drum 34 With filter element Filter sleeve 35 Lever 36 Lever guide 37 Paper coating material 38 Loading position 38a Loading zone 38b Loading zone 39 Heating zone 41 Third slider 42 Fourth slider 43 Spring plate 44 Vibration generator 50 Delivery Ram 51 granule filling device 60 ram guide 61 ram guide 62 tube disk 63 first double filter plug 64 second filter plug 65 granule container 66 filling connection pipe 67 upper control cam 68 lower control cam 70 for 12 Filter element 71 of four use lengths 72 filter element of two use lengths 73 filter element 74 accommodation drum 75 accommodation drum 75 formation arrangement drum 76 feed drum 77 formation arrangement drum 78 accommodation drum 79 Formed arrangement drum 80 Delivery drum / feed drum 81 Conical drum 82 Conical drum 83 Delivery drum 84 Delivery drum 86 Conical drum 87 Delivery drum 88 Flow rate 100 Main drum 101 Filter sleeve quantity flow 102 Filter element quantity flow 103 Delivery drum 104 Conical pull Transfer drum 105 Transfer drum 106 Circular cutter 107 Conical transfer drum 108 Turning drum 109 Transfer drum 110 First granule 111 Second granule 113 Switch 114 Four filter sleeves 115 Two filter sleeves 116 Filter element ( (Used length for 12) 117 double-fold filter mass flow 118 double-fold filter 120 filter sleeve tray 121 filter element tray 123 take-out drum 124 delivery drum 125 delivery drum 126 granule drum 127 holding drum 128 supply / filter sleeve Take-out drum 129 Turning drum 130 Filter sleeve module 131 Granular and soft filter element module 132 Turning module 122 Granule module a) to t) Description of position

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Sienke Horn, Germany, Guest Hacht, Irlenweg, 54 (72) Inventor Nikolaos Georgitosis Germany, Hamburg, Dünenweg, 14 (72) Inventor Heinz- Kristen Lorenzhen, Germany, Wentorf, Brau-Tannnenweg, 24 a. Grinde, Aihiro, 3 (72) Inventor Wolfgang Schutsteineger Gönt Schütrohecker, Germany, Marschaacht, El Pouferstraße, 195 (72) Inventor Andreas Linke, Germany, Bad Ordeslaw, Am Hohenkammp, 30 (72) Inventor Hans-Herbert Schmitt Fabrysius Strasse, Hamburg, Germany, 290 F-term (reference) 4B044 CC01Y CC11Y

Claims (29)

[Claims] The following method steps: supply of the filter sleeve (11) to a predetermined position, and a filter material (20, 26, 27, 30, 116) in a predetermined amount ratio
Process for producing a multiple filter (118) for products in the tobacco processing industry comprising the introduction of at least two proportions of filter material (20, 26, 2).
7, 30, 116) are introduced into the filter sleeve (11) in one method step. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the filter sleeve is filled exclusively from one side. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the filter sleeve is filled from two sides. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the filter sleeve is rotated for filling from two sides. 05. The supplied filter sleeve (11).
Method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that is provided with a filter element (19) in the center. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the filter sleeve is guided at least partially in a transverse direction on a predetermined trajectory for filling. the method of. The filter material (20, 26, 27, 3)
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the introduction of (0,116) is carried out by a vertical component of motion. 08. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter sleeve is formed in a preceding method step. 9. The filter segment according to claim 1, wherein the filter segments comprise alternating granule-containing materials, in particular gas-permeable compartments.
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein n-times are formed, where n is a natural even number greater than one. 11. A multi-filter made by the method according to claim 1. Description: 12. A filter sleeve supply member (10, 1).
30) and at least one transfer member (12, 100, 123 to 12) loaded with the filter sleeve (11).
7) and an apparatus for producing a multiple filter (118) for products in the tobacco processing industry, in a manner that allows the filter sleeve (11) to be supplied to at least one processing station by means of this transfer member. At least one processing station (17, 2)
3, 24, 28, 31, 32, 131, 132), at least two proportions of the filter material (20, 2).
6, 27, 30) can be introduced into at least one filter sleeve (11) in one processing step. 13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that a rotation device (108, 129) for rotating the filter sleeve (11) is provided as a working station. 14. At least one transfer member comprises at least one continuously rotating conveyor (12,100,12) for transferring the filter sleeve (11) in a transverse direction.
14, 127, 128, 129). 15. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least one processing station is provided on only one conveyor (12, 100). 16. A conveyor (12, 100, 126, 1).
Device according to any of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that at least one processing station is associated with (27, 129). 17. A conveyor (12, 100, 126, 1)
27. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least one processing station is associated with the processing station. 18. A method according to claim 18, wherein a number of conveyors are provided, at least one of which is associated with at least one processing station and at least one of which is associated with only one processing station. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein: 19. At least one filter material supply station (21, 102, 104, 105, 107,
112, 130, 131, 133).
In this case, these filter material supply stations have rotatable and non-concentrically provided discs (31, 32) each having two holes (14), and one disc (31). 19. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the holes (14) of the other disk (321) and the holes (14) of the other disk (321) can be arranged side by side at the location (38). apparatus. 20. At least one filter material supply station (21, 102, 104, 105, 107,
112, 130, 131, 133).
In this case they have at least one feed element (23, 24, 31, 32) provided with a hole (14) and / or at least one lever mechanism (35) provided with a hole (14). Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that: 21. Filter material loading stations (a to t; 15, 16, 38) are provided, said filter material loading stations being provided with at least one first transfer means (17). The first delivery means comprises at least two proportions of the filter material (20,
Device according to one of the claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the device (26, 27, 30) is adapted to be loaded into the filter sleeve (11) in one method step. 22. At least one second transfer means (18) is provided, said transfer means being a counter bearing for at least one first ram (17) from the opposite side of the filter sleeve (11). 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the device is configured to function as a unit. 23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the at least one filter sleeve is arranged such that it can be arranged axially in line with the at least two holes. 23. The apparatus according to any one of 22. 24. A filter sleeve supply device (10, 130) for supplying a filter sleeve, a transfer system (12, 100, 123 to 128) for transferring the filter sleeve (11) on a predetermined movement trajectory, and At least one processing station (17, 23, 24,
28, 31, 32, 131, 132) in a multi-filter production system for products in the tobacco processing industry, wherein at least one processing station has at least two volume fractions in one processing step. A multi-filter manufacturing system, characterized in that the material (20, 26, 27, 30) is adapted to be introduced into at least one filter sleeve (11). 25. A rotating device (108, 1) for rotating a filter sleeve (11) as a working station.
29. The multi-filter manufacturing system according to claim 24, wherein 29) is provided. 26. At least one conveyor (12, 100, 123 to 12) for continuously rotating and transporting the filter sleeve (11) transversely.
25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising:
6. The multiple filter manufacturing system according to 5. 27. A multi-filter manufacturing system according to claim 24, wherein at least one processing station is associated with at least one conveyor. 28. The multiple filter manufacturing system according to claim 26, wherein only one conveyor is provided with at least one processing station. 29. The multiple filter manufacturing system according to claim 26, wherein a plurality of conveyors are provided, each conveyor having at most one processing station.