JP2007511228A - Equipment for producing filter cigarettes - Google Patents

Abstract

Arrangement and process for producing filter cigarettes. The arrangement includes a rod formation device structured and arranged to form a tobacco rod, a filter tipping device structured and arranged to apply filter plugs to at least a portion of the tobacco rod, and an assembly device structured and arranged to assemble multi-segment filter plugs from at least three filter segments. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing a filter cigarette provided with a strand constituting device for constituting a tobacco strand and a filter attaching device for attaching a filter plug to a tobacco stick cut from the tobacco strand. About.

  In order to produce a filter cigarette, the cut tobacco is processed in a distributor, processed into at least one tobacco strand and delivered to a strand unit, which causes at least one tobacco strand to be wrapped with paper. Rarely cut into two length tobacco sticks. This double length cigarette stick is then handed over by the strand unit to the filter mounter and cut into one length cigarette stick, in which case the two length filter rods are It is attached to a cigarette stick, wound with coated paper, and cut into filter cigarettes of one use length.

  The Applicant's cigarette strand machine is known under the name “PROTOS”. Applicant's filter mounting machine has the name “MAX”.

  In addition, a plurality of working lengths of filter rods cut into two lengths of filter plugs are sent by the filter mounter to a receiving station in the filter mounting machine, so that the filter rod magazine removes the filter It is known that the rod is removed and cut into a filter plug.

  Furthermore, it is desirable in the tobacco processing industry to produce multi-segment filters from different segments or filter sticks, for example made of different materials. These materials are, for example, cellulose acetate, paper, fleece, granules, elegant elements, hollow cylinders or hollow chambers and hollow capsules. Such a multi-segment filter, which also encompasses the concept “multi-filter” within the framework of the present invention, is formed of a group of filter segments and then wrapped, for example, with a packaging material such as paper during the movement of the strands. Then, it is divided into two, four, or six length filter rods for subsequent processing.

  From US Pat. No. 6,057,089, a strand construction device for filter rods is known, in which case a group of filter segments or a group of filter rods are constructed in a group construction device that works while moving sideways. Then, the group of filter rods is delivered to the strand construction device so that it is wrapped with packaging material in the longitudinal direction. In this case, the group constituent device is a device to be replaced as a whole when the filter segment or the order of the filter segments changes.

  Applicant's filter strand construction device is referred to as KDF-2E. Applicant's typical grouping device is called GC E. Both devices are known in the sales area and are both sold as MULFI type machines.

  Furthermore, from Patent Document 2, a device for wrapping a group of filter segments with a packaging material for manufacturing a multi-segment filter in the tobacco processing industry and a multi-segment filter manufacturing device are known.

  Patent Document 3 further discloses a separation device for manufacturing a cigarette filter. In the case of this separation device, the filter plug supply device includes two magazines, and a plurality of lengths from these magazines. Filter rods are removed and cut so that after the multiple cutting, grading, and moving steps, the dual filter of two lengths on the same transfer drum at the same time These dual filters are then inserted between a pair of tobacco sticks spaced longitudinally.

As a further prior art, from US Pat. No. 6,057,089, a method and apparatus for producing a filter cigarette with a dual filter is known. In this case, the filter components of different working lengths are inserted side by side between the tobacco sticks. For this reason, the filter rods are respectively taken out from the two magazines and cut into the filter components. In this case, the transfer path of the filter components is formed separately from both magazines.
German Patent Application Publication No. 24 52 749 International Publication No. 03/037113 Pamphlet German Patent Application Publication No. 695 28 549 (corresponds to US Pat. No. 5,984,851) European Patent Application Publication No. 1 016 350

  Starting from this prior art, the task of the present invention is to simplify the manufacture of filter cigarettes which allow the filter cigarettes to be manufactured and processed with multi-segment filters.

  This task is developed from the provision of an apparatus for knitting a multi-segment filter plug from at least three filter segment members, a strand construction device for constructing a tobacco strand, and a cut from the tobacco strand. This is solved by a facility for manufacturing a filter cigarette, which is provided with a filter mounting device for mounting a filter plug on a cigarette stick.

  Within the framework of the present invention, a multi-segment filter is understood as a filter consisting in particular of at least three different filter segment members. The filter segment members are made of different materials or manufactured in different ways. In order to construct a multi-segment filter, the filter segment members are fed into a production stream for the multi-segment filter.

  The present invention is based on the idea of directly connecting a filter segment group knitting device as known from, for example, Patent Document 2 to a filter mounting machine. In this case, the device according to the invention organizes the filter segment members into multi-segment filter plugs, in particular two use lengths, so that the filter plugs can be mounted on a cigarette stick with or without packaging. Is done. Thereby, a high processing speed is obtained in the filter mounting machine.

  In the filter mounting machine, only the multi-segment filter plug which is constituted by the apparatus according to the present invention and is prepared for the next processing by the filter mounting machine is processed. This eliminates the long transport path for the filter plug to be processed. Since it is no longer necessary to form a mass flow of finished manufactured filter rods, it is possible to process filters that are treated with great care. In addition, the filter strand production machine known under the applicant's name “KDF” is completely replaced by a device for knitting multi-segment filter plugs according to the invention. The corresponding components of the filter cigarette, tobacco stick and filter plug meet at the same time and are manufactured in a common facility, resulting in an improved logistic.

  According to the present invention, the mass flow with two lengths of cigarette stick and the mass flow with knitted, preferably two length multi-segment filter plugs are transferred to a filter mounting machine where Processed. In this case, it is not necessary to wrap the knitted multi-segment filter plug with a piece of paper, so that an unwrapped multi-segment filter plug comprising a plurality of filter segment members is also mounted on the cigarette stick. For the first time in a separate step, the multi-segment filter plug and cigarette stick are wrapped in a piece of bonded paper or coated paper and cut into filter cigarettes after separation and cutting by two lengths of filter plug.

  In contrast to the prior art according to US Pat. Nos. 6,099,028 and 4,049, the device according to the invention offers the possibility of producing a multi-segment filter plug with more than two filter segment members. In this case, the filter segment members are individually supplied to the manufacturing stream for the multi-segment filter plug. The manufacturing flow of the multi-segment filter plug is understood as a mass flow that generates the manufacturing of the multi-segment filter plug by adding another individual filter segment member. At the end of the production stream, a complete, in particular two-length, preferably symmetrically configured multi-segment filter plug is produced, which is connected to the tobacco stick in a subsequent processing step. Combined and mass produced into individual filter cigarettes.

  With the apparatus according to the present invention, the manufacturing step of the multi-segment filter is configured to be spatially separated from the other processing steps of the filter mounting apparatus. As a result, the apparatus for knitting the multi-segment filter and the filter mounting apparatus are: Modular and variable arrangements are possible, in which case these devices are easily handled by the operator.

  Furthermore, according to a development, the device for organizing the multi-segment filter plug comprises at least one coating device for the multi-segment filter plug, so that the multi-segment filter plug is filtered as a wrapped filter plug. Supplied to the mounting machine.

  In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus for organizing a multi-segment filter plug comprises at least one inspection mechanism and / or processing mechanism for the multi-segment filter plug. For example, individual filter segment members are processed or perforated by a laser so that the inspection device inspects the perforations of the filter member. Further, for the purpose of quality improvement or quality control, a separate processing device is provided at the connection to the inspection device. As a result, for example, a filter segment member with insufficient perforation may be processed again. Contribute.

  It is particularly advantageous if the device for organizing the multi-segment filter plug can be divided into automatic functional units. The divideability of the knitting device into a large number of automatic functional units provides a great variable capability in the production of multi-segment filters. In order to produce different multi-segment filters, in some cases, automatic functional units simply have to be arranged around and adapted, or only a few modules or functional units have to be supplemented And inexpensive adaptation is possible. Within the framework of this application, the concept “functional unit” also encompasses the concept “module”.

  A space-saving device can be realized in particular when a functional unit is provided for each one filter segment member.

  From US Pat. No. 6,047,089, a filter segment grouping device with individual functional units for filter segment members is known, in which case reference to the disclosure of this document is clearly pointed out within the framework of this application.

  A special implementation of the installation is obtained when the strand construction device, the filter mounting device and the device for knitting the multi-segment filter plug are arranged in a T-shape.

  For selective formation, the strand construction device, the filter mounting device and the device for knitting the multi-segment filter plug are arranged in an L-shape.

  In both T-shaped or L-shaped implementations, a compact structure is obtained, in which case each automatic unit of the installation can be handled very well. It is possible to choose between L-shaped equipment and T-shaped equipment, depending on the space or space relationship and finishing requirements. This provides a large variable capacity of the equipment. The choice of the arrangement according to the invention of the various modules or automatic units per se has no influence on the quality of the filter cigarette produced.

  In particular, at least one coating device for a multi-segment filter plug-tobacco stick group is provided, so that the installed filter plug is coupled with the tobacco stick.

  In a preferred development, at least one inspection mechanism and / or processing mechanism for the multi-segment filter plug-tobacco stick group is provided, so that it is sustained when the filter plug is processed and the filter cigarette is inspected. A filter cigarette with a certain high quality is produced.

  Preferably, the device for knitting the multi-segment filter plug is integrated in the filter mounting device.

  In the following, the present invention will be described by way of example without limiting the general inventive concept based on the relationship between the embodiments and the drawings. Reference will now be made to the drawings for all the details according to the invention not described in detail herein.

  In the drawings, elements and / or parts having the same or the same style are provided with the same reference numerals, and thus a new description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows in principle the installation according to the invention for producing filter cigarettes. The installation shown in FIG. 1 is formed in a T-shape, and at least one tobacco strand is produced by the strand unit 300 and cut into tobacco sticks that are delivered to the filter mounting unit 200. Since the strand unit 300 may be operated in a double strand process, two tobacco strands are produced. In front of the strand unit 300, a distribution unit VE is arranged, by which the cut tobacco is processed, processed into one tobacco strand or two tobacco strands, and delivered to the strand unit 300. The strand unit 300 wraps the tobacco strand with paper and cuts it into two length tobacco sticks.

  Furthermore, the filter segment knitting device 100 according to the present invention is arranged as a continuation part of the T-shaped bar of the T-shaped equipment on the straight continuation part of the filter mounting unit 200, A multi-segment filter plug composed of filter segment members is knitted. The knitted filter plug preferably has a usage length of two or several times the usage length of two.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the arrangement of the drums of the filter segment knitting device 100 and the filter mounting device 200 as arranged in FIG. The filter segment knitting device 100 and the filter mounting device 200 are arranged on a straight line or surface. The two lengths of tobacco stick received by the strand unit 300 (FIG. 1) by cutting the tobacco strand are taken over from the strand unit 300 by the relay drum 201 and further conveyed to the cutting cutter 202, which is used by the cutting cutter. Two lengths of tobacco sticks are divided into one length of tobacco sticks. Subsequently, the cut lengths of tobacco sticks are pulled apart from each other on the moving drum 203 in the longitudinal direction.

  Simultaneously with taking over the tobacco stick, in the filter segment knitting device 100, the filter segments are knitted from automatic functional units 110.1-110.4 into multi-segment filter plugs comprising a plurality of filter segments. For further details of the functional units 110.1 to 110.4, reference is made to the disclosure of Patent Document 2 describing in detail a multi-segment filter manufacturing apparatus having a plurality of functional units.

  After knitting the individual filter segments, the two knitted multi-segment filter plugs are transferred from the transfer drum 111.1 of the last functional unit 110.1 to the swing drum 150 in the direction of filter segment transfer. Then, the knitted multi-segment filter plug is displaced in the swing drum. The two-length multi-segment filter plug is then transferred to the insertion drum 160 via another transfer drum, which passes the multi-segment filter plug to the knitting drum 210. After delivering the multi-segment filter plug to the knitting drum 210, a length of tobacco stick spaced in the longitudinal direction is delivered from the moving drum 203 to the knitting drum 210, resulting in a tobacco stick-filter. A plug-tobacco stick group is arranged on the knitting drum 210 and is then delivered to a transfer drum 211, which is preferably formed as a moving drum.

  The knitted tobacco stick-filter plug-tobacco stick group is then transported to a coating device 220 having two coating devices 221, 222 so that the smoking article group is provided with a piece of coated paper. Such a coating apparatus is described in detail in the Applicant's European patent application with office number 03 008 450.3, and the disclosure of this application is pointed out clearly.

  After joining the cigarette stick-filter plug-tobacco stick group, the joined two length groups are cut into one use length filter cigarette by the cutting cutter 241 in the cutting drum 240.

  The generated use-length filter cigarette is then transported via a separate transport mechanism to a packaging machine in the tobacco processing industry.

  According to the arrangement or arrangement shown in FIG. 2, two working length multi-segment filter plugs that are not joined, i.e. not provided with a piece of joined paper, are transferred to the insertion drum 160.

  FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which a knitted multi-segment filter plug is provided with a piece of binding paper by means of a coating device 120 comprising two coating devices 121, 122. Such a coating device is described in detail in the applicant's European Patent Application No. 03 008 450.3.

  After wrapping the multi-segment filter plug, the filter plug can be additionally processed on its transport path to the insertion drum 160 by the laser unit 130. Since the laser unit 130 can selectively perform the processing of the wrapped filter plug, the laser unit 130 is illustrated by a dashed line.

  Further, an inspection unit for the filter plug can be provided on the conveyance path of the filter plug to the insertion drum 160. For post-processing, another processing station can optionally be provided after the inspection unit, so that a quality-quality multi-segment filter plug is delivered from the insertion drum 160 to the knitting drum 210.

  FIG. 4 shows another installation according to the invention for producing a filter cigarette, in which case the installation is formed in the shape of L. In this case, the cut tobacco stick is delivered to the delivery module 200.1 of the filter mounting device. The production of filter cigarettes takes place in a finishing module 200.2 in which the cigarette stick-multi-segment filter plug-cigarette stick group is joined together by a coating device 220 with a piece of coated paper. Between the delivery drum 200.1 and the finishing module 200.2, a filter segment knitting device 100 for producing a multi-segment filter plug is arranged.

  After the tobacco sticks of two lengths are accommodated in the relay drum 201, the tobacco sticks are cut by the cutting cutter 202, and the cut and spaced tobacco sticks reach the filter segment knitting device 100. Until the transfer from the transfer drum of the functional units 110.1 to 110.4 to the finishing module 200.2, the subsequent cuts are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction.

  In each functional unit 110.1 to 110.4, the filter stick is inserted between the cigarette sticks spaced in the longitudinal direction and further transported to the next functional unit. In the functional unit 110.1, the last filter segment member is inserted, so that two use lengths of the multi-segment filter plugs are longitudinally spaced on the delivery drum 111.1. Exists between.

  The cigarette stick-filter plug-tobacco stick group is then displaced on the oscillating drum 150 and fed to the coating device 220 so that the cigarette stick-filter plug-tobacco stick group is joined with a piece of coated paper and wound. It is burned. The combined tobacco stick-filter plug-tobacco stick group is then cut into cutting cigarettes of one use length by a cutting cutter 241 in a cutting drum 240.

  In separate steps, for example, a processing step with a laser unit, for example, and a cigarette characteristic inspection with an inspection mechanism can be performed.

  With the installation according to the invention it is possible to obtain a direct connection between the multi-segment knitting device and the filter mounting device for knitting the multi-segment filter plug in the filter segment knitting device.

  After knitting the multi-segment filter plug, the filter plug is handed over to the filter mounting unit which simultaneously takes over the tobacco stick from the strand machine, cuts it and spreads it longitudinally.

  Optionally, the multi-segment filter plug is wrapped with wrapping before knitting with the tobacco stick.

1 shows a principle diagram of an installation according to the invention for producing a filter cigarette. Fig. 2 partially shows a side view of the installation according to the invention according to Fig. 1; Fig. 2 partially shows another schematic side view of the installation according to the invention according to Fig. 1; Fig. 2 shows a schematic principle diagram of another installation according to the invention for producing filter cigarettes. FIG. 5 partially shows a schematic side view of the installation according to the invention according to FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Filter segment knitting apparatus 110.1-110.4 Functional unit 111.1 Delivery drum 120 Coating apparatus 121 Coating instrument 122 Coating instrument 130 Laser unit 150 Oscillation drum 160 Insertion drum 200 Filter mounting apparatus 200.1 Delivery module 200.2 Finishing module 201 Relay drum 202 Cutting cutter 203 Moving drum 210 Knitting drum 211 Transfer drum 220 Coating device 221 Coating tool 222 Coating tool 240 Cutting drum 241 Cutting cutter 300 Strand unit VE Distributing unit

Claims (10)

A strand construction device (300) for constructing a tobacco strand and a filter attachment device (200; 200.1, 200.2) for attaching a filter plug to a tobacco stick cut from the tobacco strand are provided. In the equipment for manufacturing filter cigarettes,
An installation provided with an apparatus (100) for knitting a multi-segment filter plug from at least three filter segment members.   The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (100) for producing a multi-segment filter plug comprises at least one coating device (120) for the multi-segment filter plug.   3. Equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the apparatus (100) for producing a multi-segment filter plug comprises at least one inspection mechanism and / or processing mechanism (130) for the multi-segment filter plug. .   Device (100) for knitting multi-segment filter plugs can be divided into automatic functional units (110.1, 110.2, 110.3, 110.4). The facility according to any one of 3 above.   5. Equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that functional units (110.1, 110.2, 110.3, 110.4) are provided for each one filter segment member.   The strand construction device (300), the filter mounting device (200; 200.1, 200.2) and the device (100) for knitting the multi-segment filter plug are arranged in a T-shape. The facility according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   The strand forming device (300), the filter mounting device (200; 200.1, 200.2) and the device (100) for knitting the multi-segment filter plug are arranged in an L-shape. The facility according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   8. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one coating device (220) for the multi-segment filter plug-tobacco stick group is provided.   9. The installation according to claim 1, wherein at least one inspection mechanism and / or processing mechanism for the multi-segment filter plug-cigarette stick group is provided. 10. The device (100) for knitting multi-segment filter plugs is integrated in a filter mounting device (200.1, 200.2). Facility.

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