JP2022515109A - Machines for manufacturing tubular segments of the tobacco industry - Google Patents

Abstract

A machine for manufacturing tubular segments of the tobacco industry, to supply means (10, 20) for supplying first and second continuous webs (2, 3), and to the first web (2). A molding station (30) that folds and / or deforms the first continuous web to give it a shaped shape, and a second web (3) is wrapped around the molded first web (2). A wrapping station (50) to obtain a continuous tube (100) defined by a tubular cover containing a first web (2) molded in the same way, and a cutting station for dividing the continuous tube into a series of tubular segments (100). (70) and a machine comprising.

Description

The present invention is a tubular segment of the tobacco industry, or a tubular segment of loose material containing fibers, particularly tubular with a filling material obtained from the material in the form of a web, preferably in the form of a paper web. Regarding machines for manufacturing segments. In the context of the present invention, segments can form parts of conventional or non-combustible heated cigarettes, especially of unfiltered or homemade or hand-wound cigarettes or self-made type cigarettes. Part can be formed.

In fact, in this type of cigarette, there is a gap between the smoker's mouth and the element that is burned or heated to generate an aerosol, especially to cool the smoke and prevent the cigarette from reaching the smoker's mouth. The pacing element needs to be placed. As used herein, the term "tobacco" means any unbundled material, including fiber, whether of plant or other origin.

A typical handmade cigarette consists of a paper tube wrapped around a paper filling in the form of an insert, or is obtained using the same piece of paper.

In the method for making tubes by hand, the outer sheet of paper material is rolled into the shape of the tube, and then a filling insert is placed inside the outer tube to partially fill the cavity defined by the outer tube. Be placed. The insert is hand-held with another piece of paper material, in particular to form a particular three-dimensional element that is intended to partially fill the tube and can act as a barrier that prevents the passage of tobacco fragments. It may be made by folding.

These cigarettes are basically made using prepared ready-cut paper sheets, which is very convenient to make by hand, but is incompatible with the manufacturing process. For obvious reasons, it is not suitable for industrial production, especially because the productivity that can be achieved by processing separate sheets is very low. Machining the inserts individually is actually very time consuming and does not tolerate the reproducibility of the quality of the results.

In this regard, the basic technical object of the present invention is to provide a machine for manufacturing tubular segments of the tobacco industry in order to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to produce tubular segments of the tobacco industry that allow the production of tubes with at least one filled insert and are characterized by the typical reproducibility and high speed of industrial processes. Is to provide a machine for.

The technical and specified objectives indicated are the machines for manufacturing tubular segments of the tobacco industry, comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of claims 1-14 of the appended claims. Is substantially achieved by.

The present invention also aims at a method for producing a tubular segment of the tobacco industry, comprising the technical features described in one or more of claims 15-22 of the appended claims.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing its non-limiting embodiments.
The machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. It is an enlarged view of the details of the machine of FIG. The machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. The details of the machine of FIG. 1 or 2 are shown. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the machine of FIG. 1 or 2 along two consecutive section planes. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a tubular segment manufactured by the machine of FIG. The enlarged view of the segment of FIG. 6 is shown. FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing a part of the machine of FIG. 1 or 2. The operation steps executed in the mechanical part of FIG. 7 are schematically shown.

With respect to the accompanying drawings, number 1 indicates the entire machine for manufacturing tubular segments of the tobacco industry according to the present invention.

In the context of the present invention, the term "tubular segment of the tobacco industry" is used as part of smoking goods, especially conventional or non-combustible heated cigarettes, more specifically unfiltered cigarettes, or handmade or Used to refer to a tube-shaped segment that can be used as a component of smoking articles such as hand-wound cigarettes.

The function of such segments, when used in such smoking articles, is filtering and / or cooling and / or flavoring and / or heat conduction / dissipation, and / or aesthetic / characteristic appearance (specific). (Reproduces the cross-sectional shape of the brand).

Further, in the context of the present invention, the tubular segment (labeled 100 in the accompanying drawings) is disposed within the outer tube 110 and the outer tube 110 to at least partially fill the ducts within the outer tube 110. It is defined by at least one insert 120.

In one embodiment, the outer tube 110 and / or the insert 120 is made from a respective continuous web of paper material. However, materials other than paper can also be used without departing from the invention concept of the present invention. More specifically, for one or both of the continuous webs, different materials selected from the following materials (individually or mixed together) may be used. The material is, that is,
-Cellulose-derived materials such as cellulose acetate (tow),
-Tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or other plant-based materials such as wheat, corn, sugar cane, hemp, sugar beet, palm, popo, etc.
-Polyplastic materials such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc.
-Biodegradable or compostable materials such as Mater-Bi, PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoate) bioplastics,
-Metal, such as aluminum, stainless steel, etc.

These materials may also include: That is,
-Plasticizers, solvents or moisturizers such as triacetin (glycerin triacetate), TEC (triethyl citrate), PEG400 (low molecular weight polyethylene glycol),
-Materials that produce steam, smoke, or aerosols, such as water, glycerol, propylene glycol, etc.
-Natural or artificial flavors such as menthol, fruit extracts, sugar, licorice, liqueur flavors, cocoa, etc.
-Materials with selective or adsorptive filtering effect, such as activated carbon, silica gel, etc.
-Materials that facilitate the binding of web components by adhesion, usually PVA, plant or animal-derived adhesives, starches, alginates, fats, etc. may be included.

The above materials may be present simultaneously on the web of tubes or inserts and may also be present, for example, in rolling, pressing, forming, compressing, extruding, coating, impregnating, sintering, gluing, powder or granules or wires. It may be chemically mixed or mechanically bonded, such as by wire inclusion.

The web can be made using a method similar to that used to prepare paper or reconstructed tobacco, or plastic tape (eg, press), or is a mesh, textile, or non-woven web. May be good.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the machine 1 according to the present invention. In this embodiment of the invention, the machine 1 is a first supply means 10 for supplying a first continuous web, at least advancing the first continuous web 2 along a first supply path P1. A first supply means 10 configured to cause the second continuous web and a second supply means 20 for supplying the second continuous web, the second continuous web 3 along at least the second supply path P2. A second supply means 20 configured to move forward.

Webs 2 and 3 can be made of paper or other material, depending on the type of tubular segment required.

Further, the webs 2 and 3 are preferably unwound from the respective motor-driven rolls 2a and 3a.

Preferably, the webs 2, 3 are defined by a single layer, at least in the step of unwinding them from the respective rolls 2a, 3a.

Machine 1 also has a molding station 30 configured to fold and / or deform the first continuous web 2 so as to obtain a continuous web located on the first supply path P1 and having a molded configuration. Be prepared.

In other words, the forming station 30 inserts into a continuous tube and thus partially fills the web so that it changes from a flat shape to a three-dimensional shape, especially a laterally gathered shape. The first web 2 is elastically and / or permanently deformed to be particularly suitable.

In the context of the present invention, the term "molded" referred to for the first web is elastic intended to give the web visible from the outside a cross section with a particular shape in the final tubular segment. Used to mean a three-dimensional shape obtained by the process of deformation or permanent deformation. The shape is preferably modeled on a geometric figure, symbol, or general shape of varying complexity. As a non-limiting example, the shape may have a wavy shape, the shape of a star or leaf, the shape of an alphabetic letter (eg, "S" or omega), or the shape or geometry of a logo (eg, trademark). It may be a geometric figure (square, triangle, rectangle), or a heart or other shape. In the context of the invention, the particular shape does not constitute a limitation of the invention, as long as the continuous web deforms to specify a particular predetermined shape, especially a shape that evokes a particular image or sensation to the user. , Is just one aspect of the present invention.

The molding station is shown in detail in FIG. 1A.

Advantageously, the forming station 30 is configured to operate steplessly, thus deforming the first web 2 while the first web 2 advances steplessly.

This is preferably the molding station 30 configured to pass the first web 2 in succession through a molding gap having a cross section that gives the first web 2 the molded shape described above. Achieved thanks to the structure. Preferably, the forming gap is defined by a slot extending along the open line, i.e., the ends of the line extending the forming gap are spaced apart and do not match.

In one embodiment, the molding station 30 is configured to elastically deform the first web 2 at least partially. More specifically, it folds the longitudinal portions of the first web 2 against each other to allow "side compression" or more generally "lateral compression" of the first web 2. However, reversibly, the first web 2 thus molded retains a certain elastic tendency to return to its original shape laterally and then the internal shape of the continuous tube to be inserted. To adapt to.

In this embodiment, the forming gap extends at least partially, preferably completely, along a stretch of a series of curves, particularly an open line defined by a spline curve. The open line may have a straight stretch, eg, a curved stretch or a straight stretch that alternates with a spline, thereby gently and gradually to prevent or limit permanent deformation. Compress.

In addition to, or instead of, elastic deformation as just described, the molding station 30 deforms the first web 2 at least partially permanently, especially for one or more longitudinal creases. The first web 2 is configured to be folded. More specifically, it permanently deforms a particular region of the first web 2 to a greater degree of lateral compression than in pure elastic deformation and repeatedly folds the layered layers. Means to make it possible.

In this embodiment, the forming gap extends along an open line with one or more sharp corners defining each longitudinal crease for permanently folding the first web 2.

As mentioned above, the forming station 30 performs lateral compression elastically or permanently, or a combination thereof, in particular, lateral compression such that the elastically deformed regions alternate with the permanent creases. be able to.

In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the forming station 30 comprises a pair of rollers 31 and 32 through which the first web 2 is passed and the pair of rollers 31 and 32 creates a forming gap between them. It has external features 31a, 32a (ie, their profiles are shaped to match each other and thus geometrically fit), respectively, shaped to fit as defined. In other words, the rollers 31 and 32 are rotatable about parallel axes and have their respective perimeter profiles (FIG. 3), the perimeter profiles being substantially uniform in cross section with respect to a plane passing through each axis. The width of the forming gap is such that the first web 2 is formed so as to define a forming gap through which the first web 2 is formed so as to correspond to each other and thus to match each other.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the molding gap of the type described above is also located upstream of the molding rollers 31, 32 and is configured to preform the first web 2 (hereinafter referred to as a second molding element). It is defined by a preform element 33).

In more detail, the preform element 33 may be defined by a rigid or monolithic element with a fixed forming gap, which facilitates the first web 2 to pass through the pair of rollers 31, 32. The first web 2 undergoes an initial deformation in order to give the first web 2 a shape to be formed.

In embodiments not shown, the preform element 33 may even be sufficient to function as a single forming element instead of the pair of rollers 31, 32.

In a preferred embodiment, the rollers 31, 32 are instead structured and / or attached so that they are held together by a predetermined force such as compressing the first web 2 passing between them. Therefore, in this configuration, the size of the forming gap between the rollers 31 and 32 is defined by the thickness and compressibility of the first web 2. This makes it possible to advantageously provide the rollers 31 and 32 not only with the function of forming the first web 2 but also with the function of pulling the first web 2 with the two rollers 31 and 32. At least one of them is associated with each motor means.

Downstream of each of the supply means 10, 20 and the molding station 30 described above, the machine 1 also comprises a tubular guide 40 in which the tubular guide 40 has a shape in which the first web 2 is molded into the first web 2. When leaving the forming station 30 given the above, the first web 2 is guided, and when the first web 2 advances from the forming station to the wrapping station 50 (described later), the shape of the first web 2 is formed. Is configured to maintain.

In fact, when the first web 2 passes through the tubular guide 40 in a molded shape, the first web 2 has a shape that contrasts with the tendency to elastically return to a laterally expanded shape. Can be maintained.

The tubular guide 40 is shown in detail in FIG.

Preferably, the tubular guide 40 has at least one stretch 41, the cross section thereof being gradually compressed further laterally before the molded first web 2 reaches the wrapping station 50. Gradually decreasing, while reducing the diameter, this gives the already molded web 2 the required final cross section.

4 and 5 show cross sections of the tubular guide 40 upstream and downstream of the stretch 41 with reduced cross sections, respectively, with particular cross sections S1 and S2 of FIG.

In a preferred embodiment, the tubular guide 40 is made entirely of one piece. The tubular guide 40, however, may be composed of a series of interconnected parts to form a single rigid body.

As shown in FIG. 8, the tubular guide 40 has an outlet end 42, the outlet end 42 has an outlet opening 43, and the outlet opening 43 has the outlet opening 43 facing down. , Located on an inclined plane that is not perpendicular to the feed direction of the molded first web.

In another embodiment not shown, if the web 2 does not need to take a predetermined molding shape and only needs to pass through the tubular guide 40, the tubular guide 40 itself may be a molding element.

Downstream of the forming station 30 and the tubular guide 40, the machine 1 also comprises the above-mentioned wrapping station 50, in which the first supply path P1 and the second supply path P2 intersect and the second web 3 Is wrapped around a preformed first web having a molded shape, thus providing a continuous tube defined by an outer cover surrounding the first web molded therein.

In more detail, the wrapping station 50 is located at the end 42 of the tubular guide 40, from which the first web 2 emerges in a molded shape and the second web 3 is the end of the tubular guide 40. Wrap at least partially directly around the 42. Winding is achieved by superimposing the opposing side edges of the second web 3 and adhering them together.

The wrapping station is also preferably designed to work with a fixed deflector to guide a second web 3 driven along a closed path and wrapped around the end 42 of the tubular guide 40. It is provided with a belt (not shown) for guiding the second web 3.

As shown in FIG. 8, the aforementioned exit opening 43 of the tubular guide 40 is such that the second web 3 comes from below during its initial winding operation around the end 42 of the tubular guide 40. Facing the central portion of the second web wrapped around the end 42 itself. This, in an advantageous manner, exposes parts of the second web 3 and / or the molded first web 2 and glues them together to make the molded first web 2 second. Can be permanently bonded to Web 3 of.

In other words, at least the molded first web 2 or second web 3 is to spread a layer of adhesive on at least one of the two webs 2 or 3 to interconnect the two webs 2 and 3. , Must interact with the gluing device 60 along those paths.

In a possible embodiment, the end 42 of the tubular guide 40 may have a conical trapezoidal shape or otherwise tapered in the direction of the continuous tube being molded.

In particular, the adhesive device 60 configured to apply an adhesive (eg, vinyl adhesive or PVA or hot melt adhesive) onto a molded first web or second web 3 is a wrapping station 50. It may be located near, more specifically, near the exit opening 43. The gluing device 60 preferably comprises one or more spray nozzles (not shown) configured to direct a jet of adhesive onto the molded first web or second web 3. ..

In embodiments not shown, the gluing device may be located at different locations, eg, in the first supply path P1 and / or in the second supply path P2.

Downstream of the wrapping station 50 is a cutting station 70 for dividing the continuous tube into a series of tubular segments 100.

The cutting station 70 is a conventional type of rotating blade used, for example, for cutting continuous cigarettes or filter rods and comprising a rotating drum fitted with one or more radial, preferably adjustable blades. May be provided.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the machine 1 according to the present invention. In the machine 1 of this embodiment, the second web 3 is formed into two parallel longitudinal creases on the second supply path P2 upstream of the wrapping station 50 so that the second web 3 has a three-layer structure. On the other hand, it differs from that of FIG. 1 in that it includes a folding device 80 that acts on the second web 3 to fold.

In this situation, the outer tube 110 thus formed can be seen in the enlarged views of FIGS. 6 and 6A, in which the opposing side edges of the second three-layer web 3 are joined. Shows the junction area.

More generally, the folding device 80 located in the second supply path P2 folds the second web 3 once or multiple times with respect to one or more parallel longitudinal creases. It may be configured to give a multi-layer structure to the web 3 of 2. Such folding is performed continuously by one or more fixed deflectors with their respective folding edges arranged in their respective longitudinal folds. Upstream of the folding device 80 so that the folding device 80 forms one or more longitudinal fragile lines that make up the fold to facilitate folding of the second web against the longitudinal crease. A perforation device (not shown) can be provided in the second supply path P2 of the above.

The present invention allows modifications without departing from the concept of the present invention. As an example, for example, in the case of a multi-layer outer tube with at least two partially superposed webs, from each roll (or from a single roll cut longitudinally to form the two webs). ) Two or more second webs that are wound around the axis of the final tubular segment so as to have their respective joining regions spaced angularly apart are 1 It can be used in place of a single second web folded for one or more longitudinal parallel creases.

Further, on the first supply path, a material suitable for enhancing the conductivity and / or heat dissipation properties of the first web when and / or after it is formed. Alternatively, there may be an applicator device for applying additional substances such as flavors to the first web.

According to a further optional additional possibility, a crease and / or perforation device may be provided in the first supply path and one or more fragile lines (continuous or periodic) on the first web. (With interruptions) can be formed to facilitate subsequent deformation in the molding station. Alternatively, the first web may have these creases and / or scored cuts already formed on the first web when unwound from its roll.

Further, according to the present invention, the guide 40 may completely or at least partially coincide with the wrapping station 50, and the outer surface of the guide 40 allows wrapping of the second web 3.

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of prior art and achieves preset objectives.

In fact, the invention provides a machine configured to carry out an industrial method for making tubular segments with at least one filling insert, in which the segments are made from their respective continuous webs. Can enable high productivity and high level of quality and reproducibility.

Claims (22)

A machine for manufacturing tubular segments of the tobacco industry, particularly tubular segments equipped with fillers and having spacer and / or filter functions.
A first supply means (10) configured to supply at least the first continuous web (2) and advance the first continuous web (2) along at least the first supply path (P1). When,
A second supply means configured to supply at least the second continuous web (3) and advance the second continuous web (3) along at least its corresponding second supply path (P2). (20) and
To fold and / or deform the first continuous web (2) so as to be placed on the first supply path (P1) and to give the first continuous web (2) a shaped shape. The configured molding station (30) and
In the wrapping station (50) downstream of the molding station (30), the first supply path (P1) and at least one second supply path (P2) merge together to form the second continuous. A web (3) is wrapped around the molded first continuous web (2) to obtain a continuous tube (100) defined by a tubular cover containing the molded first continuous web (2). Wrapping station (50) and
A cutting station (70) for cutting the continuous tube, the cutting station (70) located downstream of the wrapping station (50) for dividing the continuous tube into a series of tubular segments (100). A machine equipped with. While the first continuous web (2) is steplessly advanced, the molding station (30) is operated steplessly, and thus the first continuous web (2) is deformed. The machine according to claim 1, which is configured. The machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the molding station (30) is configured to elastically deform the first continuous web (2) at least partially. In particular, the first continuous web (2) in one or more longitudinal directions so that the forming station (30) deforms the first continuous web (2) at least partially permanently. The machine according to claim 1 to 1, wherein the machine is configured to fold relative to a crease. The molding station (30) is configured to allow the first continuous web (2) to pass through the molding gap, and the cross section of the molding gap has the molded shape of the first continuous web (2). The machine according to claim 1 to 4, wherein the forming gap is defined by a slot extending along an open line. The machine of claim 5, wherein the open line is at least partially, preferably completely, defined by a stretch of a series of curves, in particular a spline curve. The machine of claim 5 or 6, wherein the open line has one or more sharp edges defining the respective longitudinal directions for permanently folding the first continuous web (2). The forming station (30) comprises a pair of rollers (31, 32) through which the first continuous web (2) is passed and the pair of rollers (31, 32) are between them. The machine according to one or more of claims 5 to 7, which has external features (31a, 32a) molded to be adapted to define the molding gap of the above. The machine of claim 8, wherein the pair of rollers (31, 32) defines a station for pulling the first continuous web (2). Downstream of the molding station (30), the first continuous web (2) maintains the molded shape as it moves from the molding station (30) to the wrapping station (50). The machine according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a tubular guide (40) configured to guide the first continuous web (2) having a molded shape. The tubular guide (40) has at least one stretch (41) and the cross section of the stretch (41) is molded before the first continuous web (2) reaches the wrapping station. The machine according to claim 10, wherein the first continuous web (2) having a shape is gradually reduced so as to be further compressed in the lateral direction. The wrapping station (50) is located at the end (42) of the tubular guide (40) from which the first continuous web (2) emerges in the molded shape and the second continuous. 10. The machine of claim 10 or 11, wherein the web (3) is preferably wrapped at least partially directly around the end (42) of the tubular guide (40). The end (42) of the tubular guide (40) has an outlet opening (43) and the second continuous web (3) is around the end (42) of the tubular guide (40). The first outlet opening (43) has the molded shape so that the outlet opening (43) faces the central portion of the second continuous web (3) while being wound. The machine according to claim 11 or 12, which is on an inclined surface that is not perpendicular to the supply direction of the continuous web (2). An adhesive device (60) arranged in close proximity to the wrapping station (50) and configured to apply an adhesive onto the first continuous web (2) and / or the second continuous web (3). The machine according to claim 1 to 13, wherein the adhesive device (60) is preferably arranged at the outlet opening (43) of the tubular guide (40). A method for producing tubular segments of the tobacco industry, particularly tubular segments comprising fillers and having spacer and / or filter functions.
A step of supplying at least the first continuous web (2) along the first supply path (P1).
A step of supplying at least the second continuous web (3) along its corresponding second supply path (P2).
A step of folding and / or deforming the first continuous web (2) so as to give the first continuous web (2) a shaped shape.
A continuous tube defined by a tubular cover comprising the molded first continuous web (2) by wrapping the second continuous web (3) around the molded first continuous web (2). The step to obtain (100) and
A method comprising cutting the continuous tube to obtain a series of tubular segments (100). The step of folding and / or deforming the first continuous web (2) is such that the first continuous web (2) is deformed while the first continuous web (2) advances steplessly. The method of claim 15, which is carried out steplessly. Claim 15 or 16 the step of folding and / or deforming the first continuous web (2) is performed by at least partially elastically deforming the first continuous web (2). The method described in. The step of folding and / or deforming the first continuous web (2) particularly causes the first continuous web (2) to be deformed at least partially permanently. The method according to one or more of claims 15 to 17, which is carried out by folding (2) into one or more longitudinal folds. The step of folding and / or deforming the first continuous web (2) is performed by passing the first continuous web (2) through the molding gap, and the cross section of the molding gap is the first. The one or more of claims 15-18, wherein the continuous web (2) of the above is a cross section such as to give the molded shape, and the molding gap is defined by a slot extending along an open line. the method of. At least the first continuous web (2) in the molded shape is preferably slid between the step of folding and / or deforming the first continuous web (2) and the step of wrapping. A step of holding the first continuous web (2) in the molded shape by one tubular guide (40) and / or progressively compressing the first continuous web (2) laterally. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, further comprising. The second continuous web is progressively in contact with the wrapping step around the outlet end (42) of the tubular guide (40), preferably in direct contact with the outer surface of the outlet end (42). 20. The method of claim 20, which is performed by wrapping around. The step further comprising applying an adhesive onto the first continuous web (2) and / or the second continuous web (3), wherein the step of adhering is preferably the tubular guide (40). The method according to one or more of claims 15 to 21, which is carried out at the outlet end portion (42) of the above.

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