JP2005058232A - Method and apparatus for producing filter rod - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and apparatus for effectively producing a filter rod to surely produce filters with uniform characteristics in a reduced space as possible. <P>SOLUTION: In the method for producing a filter rod 16 in tobacco processing industry, at least one filter materials 19 of a shape of layer 13 is conveyed to filter rod forming apparatus 14, 14', separating a slender part 22 of the layer 13 wherein the longitudinal axis of the slender part 22 directs to the crosswise direction of the conveying direction of the layer 13, and the filter rod 16 is formed from the layer 13. The apparatus for producing filter rod 16 is provided with a conveyer 11 for conveying the layer composed of the filter material 19 and the filter rod forming apparatus 14, 14', wherein the filter rod forming apparatus 14, 14' have grooves 15 and each of the longitudinal axis 24 of the groove directs crosswise direction to the conveying direction 23 of the conveyer 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing filter rods in the tobacco processing industry. This type of apparatus comprises a conveyor for transporting a layer of filter material and a filter rod forming device.

This device and method is known, for example, from US Pat. In this document, a filler is generated by guiding a strip or stream of uninterrupted fibers of a cigarette filter filler onto a spiked roll. The spiked roll is driven at a rotational speed such that the fiber is torn into non-uniform length pieces by the spike and exits the roll in any direction. The torn fiber falls onto the belt conveyor and is delivered to the unbroken support strip. The support strip is made of the same or different filter material. And a support strip and a filler are shape | molded by the filter continuous body. In order to form the filter continuum, the filter continuum is fed to a continuum molding machine. In this continuous body forming machine, the support strip is compressed from the side and formed into a continuous body that is not broken. In this case, the filter continuum is produced when it is conveyed in the direction of the longitudinal axis. After producing the filter continuum, the filter continuum is subsequently cut into filter rods.
German Patent Application Publication No. 3130807

  An object of the present invention is to provide an effective filter rod manufacturing method and apparatus for reliably manufacturing a filter having uniform characteristics in as little space as possible.

The task is a method for manufacturing filter rods in the tobacco processing industry, the next step-transporting at least one filter material in the form of a layer to a filter rod forming device,
-Separating the elongated portions of the layer, in which case the longitudinal axis of the elongated portion is oriented transversely to the transport direction of the layer;
-Solved by having the filter rod molded from the layer.

  A homogeneous filter rod can easily be produced by the method according to the invention, in particular when a homogeneous layer is provided. The shaping of the filter rod can take place from a layer or from an elongated part of a separated layer. The elongated portion preferably has a larger volume than the manufactured filter rod. The molding may be punching or stamping within the scope of the present invention. The method can be performed in a small space. This is because, when the filter rod is manufactured, the longitudinal axis thereof is directed in the transverse direction with respect to the conveying direction, as is common, as is common. This can save a lot of space.

  The layer is preferably a fleece. In this case, at least one type of fiber is provided as a filter material. This variant according to the invention makes it possible to produce filter rods with very homogeneous characteristics. This characteristic can be greatly changed.

  In a very advantageous embodiment of the invention, one type of fiber is a multicomponent fiber, in particular a bicomponent fiber. With respect to this fiber, reference is made in full to the contents of the applicant's European Patent Application No. 03 004594.2. The content of this European patent application is fully added to the disclosure content of the present application.

  If one of the constituent parts of the filter material is an additive, very good filter properties can be achieved. In the context of the present invention, additives are understood to be granules, powders, extruded materials, gel capsules, liquids or taste threads. Separation of the elongate part of the layer is effected by bringing together the two grooves and moving the groove at least partly in the transport direction of the layer, when forming the groove, the groove forms a hollow chamber having the shape of a filter rod. A very simple implementation of the method is then possible. In this case, at least one motion component of the groove is oriented in the transport direction for a short time. Furthermore, the groove is movable up and down, in particular along two circular tracks.

  The layer moves into the working area of the groove where the elongated layer portions are separated. It is preferably cut or pinched or torn or stamped or punched. The material reaching the hollow chamber formed by the groove or groove is molded into a filter rod. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the volume of the elongated part of the layer is larger than the volume of the hollow chamber formed by both grooves.

  The filter rod is preferably heated during molding. This makes it possible to produce a very homogeneous filter. In this case, simple manufacturing is possible at low cost, and large deformation is possible. The heating temperature of the filter material is preferably higher than the melting temperature of the multicomponent fiber coating or skin. This is higher than 127 ° C. in the case of a covering material made of polyethylene, for example. When bicomponent fibers are used, a polyester core is advantageous. Since the core has a melting temperature of 256 ° C, the fiber continuum is preferably heated to a temperature of 256 ° C or less. The fiber continuum is preferably heated in a temperature range of 127 to 150 ° C.

  The length of the multicomponent fiber is preferably 0.5 to 30 mm. Furthermore, the length of the multicomponent fiber is preferably 2 to 8 mm, in particular 3 to 6 mm. This length is shorter than the length of the filter manufactured from the filter rod or shorter than the length of the filter rod. By using multicomponent fibers with different material cores and coatings, the fibers in the filter rod can be very reliably bonded. For this purpose, the fiber mixture or the filter making the filter is heated to a temperature slightly above the melting point of the coating material. Thereby, a filter component can be adhere | attached.

  Usual bicomponent fibers are available from Trevira (Germany, 65926 Frankfurt). A suitable bicomponent fiber has a symbol of 255, has a count of 3.0 dtx, a cut length of 3-6 mm, a core made of PES (polyether chemical fiber) and a skin or covering made of copolyethylene. In this case, the outer skin or the covering material is changed so as to be easily adhered. That is, it has an additive for reducing the surface tension.

  When multiple filter components are used, other filter components such as granules, powders or extruded materials or other fibers adhere to the multicomponent fibers at the point of contact. The term “contact point” is understood to be “crossover point” and “attachment point”. Heating the multicomponent fiber softens the dressing and creates an adhesive or adhesive connection with other components of the filter at the point of contact. After the filter components have cooled, a filter rod or filter that is very stable in shape results.

  When the layer of filter material is formed by dropping the filter material onto the conveyor, a very homogeneous layer and thus a very homogeneous filter rod is obtained. In this case, it is advantageous if the filter material is loosened before dropping onto the conveyor. In order to loosen the fiber material and drop it onto the conveyor, reference is made in full to the contents of the applicant's European patent applications 03 007 672.3 and 03 007 675.6. The disclosure content of these applications is fully incorporated into the disclosure content of the present application. For this purpose, a mixing and / or individualizing device, referred to as “individualizing device”, labeled 115 in the above-mentioned European patent application, is used. Mixing and / or individualizing devices described in the applicant's European Patent Application No. 0 015 325.8 and labeled with reference numbers 201 and / or 209 can also be used. The contents of these European patent applications are also fully added to the disclosure content of the present application.

  The problem further relates to an apparatus for producing filter rods in the tobacco processing industry, comprising a conveyor for transporting a layer of filter material and a filter rod forming device, the filter rod forming device comprising a groove, the groove being This is solved by the fact that the respective longitudinal axis of each of them is oriented transversely to the conveying direction of the conveyor. With the device according to the invention, a very space-saving device can be realized for producing filter rods.

  Preferably two grooves each cooperate to form a hollow chamber in the shape of a filter rod. In a very advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the grooves are semicircular. In this case, a filter rod having a circular cross section is formed. If the groove edge is sharp, precise dispensing of the filter material supplied to the groove is possible.

  It is expedient if the filter rod forming device comprises at least one, preferably two grooved rolls and / or at least one, preferably two grooved belts. One grooved roll and one grooved belt can be provided. The grooved roll and the grooved belt cooperate with each other to form a hollow chamber for the filter rod.

  If the filter rod forming device is at least partially heatable, highly advantageous filter components such as the aforementioned multicomponent fibers or bicomponent fibers can be used. In order to accelerate the hardening of the filter material to the filter rod, the filter rod forming device is preferably partially cooled. If the conveyor is a belt conveyor, a very simple implementation is provided. The belt conveyor or conveyor is preferably provided with holes to apply negative pressure or suction air to the filter material layer carried on the conveyor.

  Furthermore, a mixing and / or individualizing device is provided, by means of which the filter material can fall on the conveyor. The mixing and / or individualizing device may be the mixing and / or individualizing device described in the applicant's European patent applications 03 007 675.6, 03 007 672.3 and 03 015 325.8. For this purpose, the above-described implementation is performed. The contents of this implementation are fully referenced.

  It is expedient to cut off the end of the filter rod in order to obtain a straight end or a smooth end. For this purpose, preferably a circular cutter or a laser device is provided. This laser device includes a mirror and / or a radiation member. In the present invention, a plurality of circular cutters can be provided. Instead, the end of the groove can be closed, eliminating the need to cut off the filter end.

  Next, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments without restricting the general inventive idea. For features not described in detail in the specification, reference is made to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention for producing filter rods in the tobacco processing industry. Filter material is suitably processed in the mixing and / or individualizing device 10. This mixing and / or individualizing device 10 is described in detail in the above-mentioned European patent application of the applicant. The mixing and / or individualizing device serves to separate the filter material in the form of fibers into pieces and to mix them together or granules such as activated carbon granules. Various components can be used, such as multicomponent fibers, especially bicomponent fibers as described above, other fibers such as cellulose, cotton, hemp, etc., activated carbon granules, activated carbon powder or other additive materials. For possible components, reference is made to the aforementioned European patent application numbers 03 007675.6, 03 007672.3, 03 004594.2, 03 015325.8. The disclosure content of these four European patent applications is incorporated into the disclosure content of this patent application in its entirety. A preferred mixture of filter materials comprises 80 to 95% by weight of activated carbon granules and 5 to 20% by weight of bicomponent fibers from the aforementioned Trevira.

  The separated and mixed filter material 19 falls onto the belt conveyor 11 to form a filter material layer 13 or fleece or fiber cake 13. A negative pressure 12 acts on the filter material layer 13 in order to compress the filter material only slightly or to ensure that the filter material is transported on the belt conveyor 11 during transport. The filter layer 13 is conveyed in a conveying direction 23 towards a pair of grooved drums in the form of two grooved drums 14, 14 '. The grooved drums are arranged one above the other, rotate in the opposite direction, and the filter material layer 13 reaching between the grooved drums is first transported in the same direction for a shorter time.

  The filter material layer 13 reaches the working range of the grooved drums 14, 14 '. In this case, the filter material strip 22 is separated from the filter material layer 13 by the edge 17 or edge 17 of the grooved drum and conveyed into the hollow chamber formed by the grooves 15 of the grooved drums 14, 14 '. A closed hollow chamber is formed at the moment when the two grooves 15 facing each other of each of the grooved drums 14, 14 'are accurately positioned up and down. This hollow chamber has a circular cross section. A filter rod 16 is formed in the hollow chamber.

  The grooved drums 14, 14 'are heated at least in the shaping area in order to weld at least the outer covering of the filter material that reaches the grooves. The grooved drum 14 and grooved drum 14 'are preferably air permeable, and warm air is guided through the filter material 19 between the grooved drums 14, 14' and the grooved drum. This heats the bicomponent fibers so that the fibers can adhere to each other and to the granules, forming a composite.

  The more the finished filter rod 16 is still in the groove of the drum, the more the filter rod 16 can be cooled, for example by cold air, as the grooved drums 14, 14 ′ rotate, thereby accelerating the hardening of the filter rod 16. Is done. Subsequently, the completed filter rod 16 is supplied to the belt conveyor 18 and is unloaded on the belt conveyor, for example, to be supplied to another processing step unit. Subsequently, the filter rod 16 is set between the two tobacco rods to produce two filter cigarettes. A cutter is preferably provided to cut the end of the filter rod 16 and produce a smooth surface. The cutter is not shown.

  The belt conveyors 11 and 18 change their direction via the guide rollers 21. The grooves 15 of the grooved drums 14, 14 ′ are provided so that the longitudinal axis 24 thereof faces in the transverse direction with respect to the conveying direction 23 of the filter material layer 13. This orientation achieves a very space-saving structure. The grooved drums 14, 14 'rotating in close proximity to each other are known as stamping rolls or punching rolls. If the filter material layer 13 is relatively thick and is thicker than the diameter of the hollow chamber produced by the two grooves 15 in contact with each other of the grooved drums 14, 14 ', the filter material 19 is formed by the grooves 15 or thereby. Pressed in the hollow chamber. The same happens when the transport speed of the filter material layer 13 is somewhat faster than the rotational speed of the grooved drum 14 or 14 '. The semicircular groove 15 determines the shape of the completed filter rod. An elliptical shape may be desired. In that case, grooves are formed accordingly. By the method according to the invention, circular or other shaped filter rods are continuously pressed or manufactured from the fiber cake or filter material layer 13.

  In another embodiment of the invention schematically illustrated in FIG. 2, the filter material layer 13 moves in the direction of the arrow 23 between two grooved belts 20 or 20 '. The grooved belt is provided with grooves 15 and edges 17 corresponding to the grooved drums 14, 14 '. By using a belt conveyor, the groove 15 or material of the grooved belt 20, 20 'extends or enlarges the area covered with the filter material, so that the heating action can be applied for a long time.

  FIG. 2 shows only a part, and the endless grooved belts 20, 20 'are only partly shown. The grooved belts 20, 20 ′ are guided around the guide roll 21 and change direction. The other functions are the same as those of the grooved drum shown in FIG. In this case, of course, as described above, the range and time for applying heat can be increased. In FIG. 2, hot air is schematically indicated by reference numeral 25. It is expedient if the grooved belts 20, 20 ′ are configured to pass air so that warm air passes through the filter material. The same is true for the grooved drums 14, 14 'shown in FIG. Also in FIG. 1, the warm air is schematically indicated by reference numeral 25.

1 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the critical part of the device according to the invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Mixing and / or individualization apparatus 11 Belt conveyor 12 Negative pressure 13 Filter material layer 14, 14 'Grooved drum 15 Groove 16 Filter rod 17 Edge 18 Belt conveyor 19 Filter material 20, 20' Grooved belt 21 Guide roller 22 Filter Material strip 23 Conveying direction 24 Long axis 25 Warm air flow

Claims (16)

In a method for manufacturing a filter rod (16) in the tobacco processing industry, the next step-At least one filter material (19) in the form of a layer (13) is applied to a filter rod forming device (14, 14 ', 20, 20 ')
-Separating the elongated part (22) of the layer (13), wherein the longitudinal axis of the elongated part (22) is transverse to the transport direction (23) of the layer (13);
-Forming the filter rod (16) from the layer (13).   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer (13) is a fleece and at least one fiber is provided as filter material (19).   3. Process according to claim 2, characterized in that one type of fiber is a multicomponent fiber, in particular a bicomponent fiber.   Method according to any one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that one of the constituent parts of the filter material (19) is an additive.   Separation of the elongated portion (22) of the layer (13) is performed by bringing the two grooves (15) together and moving the groove (15) at least partially in the transport direction (23) of the layer (13). 5. A method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the grooves (15) are brought together, the grooves form a hollow chamber having the shape of a filter rod (16).   6. A method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filter rod (16) is heated during molding.   Method according to any one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the layer (13) of filter material (19) is formed by dropping the filter material onto the conveyor (11).   8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the filter material (19) is loosened before being dropped onto the conveyor (11).   To manufacture a filter rod (16) for the tobacco processing industry, comprising a conveyor (11) for conveying a layer of filter material (19) and a filter rod forming device (14, 14 ', 20, 20'). The filter rod forming device (14, 14 ', 20, 20') is provided with a groove (15), each longitudinal axis (24) of which is in the conveying direction (23) of the conveyor (11). A device characterized by being directed laterally.   10. A device according to claim 9, characterized in that two grooves (15) each cooperate to form a hollow chamber in the form of a filter rod (16).   Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the groove (15) is semicircular.   12. Device according to any one or more of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the edge (17) of the groove (15) is pointed.   The filter rod forming device (14, 14 ', 20, 20') comprises at least one grooved roll (14, 14 ') and / or at least one grooved belt (20, 20'). Device according to any one or more of the claims 9 to 12, characterized.   14. A device according to any one or more of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the filter rod forming device (14, 14 ', 20, 20') is at least partially heatable.   15. A device according to any one or more of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the conveyor (11) is a belt conveyor.   A mixing and / or individualizing device (10) is provided, by means of which the filter material (19) can be dropped onto the conveyor (11). A device according to any one or more of the above.

Images