JP2023526103A - Apparatus and method for producing rolls of crimped filling material for rod-shaped articles - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the present application is an apparatus for producing rolls of crimped filling material for rod-shaped articles. The device comprises a feed section (4) for feeding a continuous strand of said filling material and a crimping section (5) for crimping said filling material. The device comprises a cutting section (22) for cutting said continuous strand of filling material into pieces (22) between said feeding section (4) for feeding said continuous strand of said filling material and said crimping section (5). 23), and said crimping portion (5) is adapted to crimp said cut section of said filling material in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of said section of material (22). characterized by being The device further comprises forming portions (16, 46, 51, 61) forming windings (22X, 22Y) from said cut crimped portion (22) of said filler material in a substantially cylindrical rod shape. characterized in that it is adapted to form a The subject of the present application is also a method for producing a roll of crimped filling material for rod-shaped articles. [Selection drawing] Fig. 1

Description

An object of the present invention is an apparatus and method for producing rolls of crimped filling material for rod-shaped articles.

The tobacco industry produces a variety of smoking articles filled with tobacco material and filter material. Mouthpieces filled with a single type of filter material or different types of material may comprise material made from appropriately crimped pieces cut from strips or sheets. Depending on the type of material to which such processing is applied, crimping may, for example, affect the absorbent surface of the material so as to tightly pack the packaging material and provide sufficient volume to effectively filter flowing smoke. Or the support surface can be increased. A crimped packing material formed into a cylindrical bar creates a network of channels that allow air flow. Furthermore, by crimping the tobacco itself as the filler material, the surface area in contact with the flowing air can be increased and the release of the aromatic substance into the flowing air can be facilitated.

Apparatus and methods for forming crimped materials used as fillers in bars in the tobacco industry are known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,302 discloses a method of forming a continuous rod from longitudinally crimped fills of filter material. This crimping is effected by an apparatus consisting of a plurality of crimping rollers longitudinally arranging the crimping bodies so as to facilitate the placement of the filling within the packaging material forming a continuous bar. Another example of the manufacture of longitudinally pressed rolls is disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,201,400, which discloses a system for crimping filler material for tobacco industry bar articles. In this system a continuous bar is formed which is suitable for further cutting into individual bars. US Pat. No. 5,300,003 discloses a continuous process for forming a continuous rod using compression that is longitudinal with respect to the direction of forming the continuous rod.

U.S. Patent No. 2001709 U.S. Patent No. 2164702A

In the solutions known from the prior art, longitudinal crimping of continuous strands of filling material is used, so that n crimpings are carried out simultaneously, but not only the crimping process is controlled, but also the following It is difficult to form a wound body from crimped material by using The present invention addresses the need to find a solution that facilitates the crimping process and the process of forming the crimped material into a cylindrical rod ready for wrapping with wrapper.

The subject of the present invention is an apparatus for producing a roll of crimped filling material for rod-shaped articles, comprising a supply section for supplying a continuous strand of filling material and a crimping section for crimping said filling material. It is a device characterized by: In the apparatus according to the present invention, a cutting section for cutting the continuous strand of the filling material into pieces is present between the supply section that supplies the continuous strand of the filling material and the crimping section, and the crimping section includes the It is characterized in that it is adapted to crimp the cut pieces of filling material transversely to the direction of movement of the pieces of material. The apparatus is further characterized by including a forming portion adapted to form a roll from the cut crimped section of filler material into a substantially cylindrical bar shape. Preferably the device is characterized in that said forming portion comprises a plurality of forming pockets. Preferably, the device is characterized in that said forming portion comprises an oscillating portion which is a cylindrical portion arranged parallel to the axis of said forming pocket.

Preferably the apparatus is characterized in that said forming pockets are provided on a drum conveyor.

Preferably the device is characterized in that said forming pocket has a movable bottom.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a ring provided coaxially with said drum conveyor, said forming pockets comprising a plurality of forming pockets on said drum conveyor, said forming pockets being connected to said drum conveyor and said It is characterized by being formed between the ring.

Preferably, the device further comprises a guide for inserting the piece of filling material into the forming pocket.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a feed section adapted to provide said piece of packaging material within said forming pocket prior to forming a bar article from said cut piece of crimped filling material and said piece of packaging material. It is characterized by having

Preferably, the device is characterized in that the piece of packaging material is held in the pocket by a vacuum.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a guide for placing the cut piece of crimp filling material within the formed piece of packaging material.

Preferably the device is characterized in that the cutting device comprises a rotating knife and a supporting roller.

The subject of the invention is also a method for producing a roll of crimped filling material for rod-shaped articles. In the method, the continuous strand of filler material is supplied by a filler material feeder. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the continuous strand of filling material is cut into a plurality of sections by means of a cutting station, after which the cut sections of filling material are crimped by a crimping section. The method is also characterized in that substantially cylindrical windings are formed from the cut pieces of the crimped filling material.

Preferably, the method comprises a step characterized in that a piece of packaging material is provided in said forming station prior to forming said rod-like article from said cut piece of crimp filling material. The method is further characterized in that after forming the rod-shaped article from the cut piece of crimp filling material, the rod-shaped article is wrapped with the piece of packaging material.

Preferably, the method comprises the step of providing said rod-like article formed from a cut piece of said crimped filling material within a piece of pre-formed packaging material.

The solution according to the invention is an alternative to the methods and devices known from the prior art for crimping and forming individual rolls of filling material for rod-like articles. Additionally, eliminating the process of forming a continuous rod allows for a significant reduction in the space occupied by the device.

The invention is detailed below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.
1 shows a front view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 shows an enlarged side view of the drum conveyor of FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 10 shows a front view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment; Figure 4 shows an enlarged side view of the drum conveyor of Figure 3; FIG. 11 shows a front view of an apparatus according to a third embodiment; FIG. 11 shows a front view of an apparatus according to a fourth embodiment; FIG. 11 shows a front view of an apparatus according to a fifth embodiment; Fig. 3 shows a supply for supplying filling material;

A rod-shaped article manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in the first embodiment of FIG. It comprises a section 5, a forming section 6 for forming the filling material into a roll, a pushing section 7 for moving the filling material together with the packaging material, and a second drum conveyor 8 for conveying the finished rod-shaped article. The packaging material in the form of a strand 10 is unwound from a wrap 11 of packaging material and cut into pieces 12 by means of a cutting device 13 comprising a rotary knife 14 and a drum 15 whose sides constitute the support surface for the knife 14 . is disconnected. The strand 10 and the piece 12 of wrapping material are held on a rotating drum 15 by vacuum means. Rectangular pieces 12 of packaging material after cutting are fed onto the first drum conveyor 2 . During its feeding, a portion of the rectangular section 12 is laid within the groove 16 of the conveyor and another portion of the section 12 is laid on the surface adjacent to the groove 16 . A piece 12 of packaging material is held on the drum conveyor by vacuum. Filling material in the form of strands 20 is unwound from a roll of filling material 21 and cut into pieces 22 by a cutting device 23 comprising a rotating knife 24 and a support roller 25 . A rectangular piece 22 of filling material after being cut is fed to a crimping station 5 comprising two grooved crimping rollers 26 and 27 . The rollers 26 and 27 are adapted to press the filling material transversely to the direction of travel of the piece 22 of filling material. A crimped rectangular piece 22 of filling material is placed in the form of a roll 22X in the recess of the piece 12 of packaging material lying partially in the groove 16, the groove 16 being a formation. As the drum conveyor 2 rotates, the pre-formed fill material, ie the winding 22X, passes through the working area of the forming station 6, which comprises a rotating forming roller 28 that rotates synchronously with the drum conveyor 2. As shown in FIG. As a result, the longitudinal grooves 29 force the filling material into the wrapping material 12 and into the bottom of the grooves 16 . A compressed air nozzle 30 directed at the side 2a of the drum conveyor 2 may be used to lift and bend the edge 12a of the piece 12 of packaging material. A drum conveyor 8 (behind the drum conveyor 2 in FIG. 1) provided with the same number of grooves 32 as the drum conveyor 2 is positioned coaxially with the drum conveyor 2. good. The groove 16 is provided coaxially with the groove 32, as shown in the enlarged view of the side surfaces 2A and 8A of the conveyor in FIG. Directly opposite the groove 16 is located a pushing body 33 driven by an actuator 34 . The task of pusher 33 is to move roll 22X along groove 16 with piece 12 of packaging material. FIG. 2 shows a plurality of windings 22X present in the continuous groove 16 of the drum conveyor 2 wrapped in a piece 12 of packaging material. In FIG. 2, the multiple windings 22X are collectively referred to as an intermediate product 35. As shown in FIG. For the intermediate product 35 moved along the groove 16, the end 12A is wrapped, the wrapping of the second end 12B is started, and the intermediate product 35' is moved further along the groove 16. The process of winding edge 12B of intermediate product 35' is assisted by profiled member 36. FIG. A rod-shaped article 37 completely wrapped in wrapping material occupies its final position as shown in groove 32'. Additionally, the rod-shaped article 37 may be transported for further processing or may be transported to a storage location.

A rod-shaped article manufacturing apparatus 1' shown in the second embodiment of FIG. 3 includes a first drum conveyor 38, a supply section 4 for supplying a filling material, a crimping section 5 for crimping the filling material, and a wound body of the filling material. It is composed of a forming section 6 for forming, a pushing device 7 for moving the roll of filling material, and a second drum conveyor 40 for conveying the finished rod-like article. Filling material in the form of strands 20 is unwound from a roll 21 and cut into pieces 22 by a cutting device 23 comprising a rotating knife 24 and a support roller 25 . The rectangular piece 22 of filler material after cutting is fed via a grooved guide 50 to the crimping station 5 comprising two grooved rollers 26,27. The rectangular portion 22 of the filling after crimping is placed in the groove 39 in the form of a winding 22X. As the drum conveyor 38 rotates, the partially formed fill material, ie, the roll 22X of crimped fill material, passes through the working area of the forming section 6, which includes the forming rollers 28. As shown in FIG. The forming roller 28 thereby rotates synchronously with the drum conveyor 2 such that the flutes 29 of the forming roller 28 force the filling material to the bottom of the grooves 39 . Coaxially with the drum conveyor 38 is located a drum conveyor 40 (behind the drum conveyor 38 in FIG. 3) with the same number of grooves 41 as the drum conveyor 38, but the drum conveyor 40 may be integral with the drum conveyor 38. The groove 39 is provided coaxially with the groove 41, as shown in FIG. Directly opposite groove 39 is located pushing body 33 driven by actuator 34 . The task of pusher 33 is to move roll 22X along groove 39 and further into thin-walled paper tube or cardboard tube 42 . A thin-walled tube 42 is fed from a container (not shown) into the groove 41 and held there by vacuum. FIG. 4 shows successive stages of movement of a plurality of wound bodies 22X into thin-walled tubes 42 in continuous grooves 39 of the drum conveyor 38. As shown in FIG. The groove 41' holds a finished rod-like article 43 comprising a tube 42 and a winding 22X of filler material inserted therein. The rod-shaped article 43 may be transported for further processing or may be transported to storage.

A rod-shaped article manufacturing apparatus 1'' shown in the third embodiment of FIG. 5 includes a drum conveyor 45, a supply section 4 for supplying a filling material, a crimping section 5 for crimping the filling material, and a roll of the filling material. It comprises a forming section 46, a pushing section 7 for moving the roll 22X of filling material, and a second drum conveyor 40 for conveying the finished rod-shaped article. Delivery and crimping of the filler material are similar to the previous embodiment. Rollers 26 , 27 feed the crimped portion of filler material directly into pocket 47 of forming portion 46 . Forming portion 46 is composed of a plurality of pockets 47 provided on side surface 45 a of drum conveyor 45 . The crimped fill rectangle 22 is fed by a grooved guide 50 located below the crimp 5 and placed in the pocket 47 in the form of a roll 22X. A forming pocket 47 on the drum conveyor 45 comprises self-aligning members 48 , 49 which are cylindrical parts lying parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum conveyor 45 .

A rod-shaped article manufacturing apparatus 1''' shown in the fourth embodiment of FIG. The part 5 and the second crimping part 5', the supply part 57 for supplying the inserts 59, the forming part 51 for forming the windings of the filling material, the pushing part 7 for moving the bundle 60 of the windings of the filling material and the inserts. and a second drum conveyor 40 for conveying the rod-shaped finished product. The supply of filling material and crimping are the same as in the previous embodiment. The rollers 26 , 27 of the first crimping section 5 feed the crimping section 22 of filling material directly into the pocket 52 of the forming section 51 . Forming portion 51 includes a plurality of pockets 52 on side surface 53 a of drum conveyor 53 . The pocket 52 is formed by the side walls of the groove 54, a movable bottom 56 (the drive of this element is not shown) that moves within the groove 54, and rocking elements 48, 49 as in the third embodiment. there is The rectangular portion 22 of the filling after crimping is fed by a grooved guide 50 located below the crimping portion 5 and placed in a pocket 52 in the form of a roll 22X. In addition, the feed section 57 feeds a single longitudinal insert that rests on the roll 22X that rests on the bottom section 56. FIG. In a further step, a crimped portion 22 of filling material is provided in the form of a roll 22Y by means of a second crimped portion 5'. The winding 22Y rests on the winding 22X and the insert 59. As shown in FIG. The rolls 22X, 22Y and the insert 59 together form a bundle 60 that is moved onto the adjacent drum conveyor.

A rod-shaped article manufacturing apparatus 1''' shown in the fifth embodiment of FIG. It has a ring 63 which is closed. Side 62a of drum conveyor 62 has a lower portion of forming pocket 64 and ring 63 has an upper portion of forming pocket 64. FIG. Forming pocket 64 is provided with a slotted entrance 65 . A roll of filler material 22X is fed from the crimping section 5 through the slotted guide 50 and the slotted inlet 65 into the forming pocket.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a feeding device 4' for feeding filling material. Feed 4', like feed 4, is adapted to unwind filler material, eg, tobacco material, from roll 21 by means of knife 24 in cutting device 23. In FIG. The cut 22 of filler material is rotated by the rotating device 44 to a position indicated as 22'. This is followed by crimping in the crimping device 5 in a manner similar to that described above.

Apparatus and methods for forming crimped materials used as fillers in bars in the tobacco industry are known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,302 discloses a method of forming a continuous rod from longitudinally crimped fills of filter material. This crimping is effected by an apparatus consisting of a plurality of crimping rollers longitudinally arranging the crimping bodies so as to facilitate the placement of the filling within the packaging material forming a continuous bar. Another example of the manufacture of longitudinally pressed rolls is disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,201,400, which discloses a system for crimping filler material for tobacco industry bar articles. In this system a continuous bar is formed which is suitable for further cutting into individual bars. US Pat. No. 5,300,003 discloses a continuous process for forming a continuous rod using compression that is longitudinal with respect to the direction of forming the continuous rod.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,000 discloses a cigarette filter tip which comprises the steps of laterally folding a length of strip material in steps by subjecting the strip to the action of a series of folding devices arranged in succession at right angles. discloses a method of manufacturing a mouthpiece such as.
WO 2005/010200 discloses a device having two chambers arranged transversely to each other, in particular longitudinally, in which a bending needle for bending a strip of material lies transversely in front of the insertion opening of the chamber, And it discloses that there are pressure points on both sides of the needle that bend the strip in a zigzag manner.

U.S. Patent No. 2001709 U.S. Patent No. 2164702A U.S. Pat. No. 2 057 243 German Patent No. 663 612 C

The subject of the present invention is an apparatus for producing a roll of crimped filling material for rod-shaped articles, comprising a supply section for supplying a continuous strand of filling material and a crimping section for crimping said filling material. It is a device characterized by: A cutting section for cutting the continuous strand of filling material into pieces is present between the feeding section that supplies the continuous strand of filling material and the crimping section, and the crimping section moves the sections of material. adapted to crimp the cut pieces of filler material transversely to the direction . The apparatus includes a forming portion adapted to form a winding from the cut crimped strips of the filler material into a substantially cylindrical rod shape, the forming portion defining a plurality of forming pockets. Prepare . The device according to the invention is characterized in that said forming part comprises a rocking part which is a cylindrical part arranged parallel to the axis of said forming pocket.

Claims (14)

An apparatus for manufacturing a roll of crimped filling material for rod-shaped articles, comprising:
a feeder for feeding a continuous strand of filler material;
a crimping portion for crimping the filling material;
a cutting section for cutting the continuous strand of the filling material into pieces is present between the feeding section that supplies the continuous strand of the filling material and the crimping section;
the crimping portion is adapted to crimp the cut pieces of the filler material transversely to the direction of movement of the pieces of material;
The apparatus is further characterized by comprising a forming portion adapted to form a roll from the cut crimped section of the filling material into a substantially cylindrical bar shape,
Device. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said forming portion includes a plurality of forming pockets. 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the forming pocket comprises a rocker which is a cylindrical part arranged parallel to the axis of the forming pocket. 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the forming pockets are provided on a drum conveyor. 5. Apparatus according to any of claims 2-4, characterized in that the forming pocket has a movable bottom. 5. The apparatus of any of claims 2-4, wherein the forming section comprises a plurality of forming pockets provided on the drum conveyor and further comprising a ring provided coaxially with the drum conveyor,
said forming pocket is formed between said drum conveyor and said wheel;
A device characterized by: 7. The apparatus of any of claims 1-6, further comprising a guide for inserting the piece of filler material into the forming pocket. A device according to any preceding claim, adapted to place a piece of packaging material in said pocket,
the placing is performed prior to forming a rod-shaped article from the cut pieces of crimp filling material and the pieces of packaging material;
A device characterized by: 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said piece of packaging material is held in said pocket by a vacuum. 10. The apparatus of any of claims 1-9, further comprising guides adapted to provide the cut pieces of crimp filling material within the formed pieces of packaging material. and device. 11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cutting device comprises a rotating knife and a support roller. A method of manufacturing a roll of crimped filling material for a rod-shaped article, comprising the steps of:
the continuous strand of filler material is supplied by a filler material feeder;
the continuous strand of filler material is cut into a plurality of segments by a cutting section;
the cut pieces of filler material are then crimped by a crimping unit;
a substantially cylindrically shaped winding is formed from a cut piece of said crimped filling material;
A device characterized by: 13. The method of claim 12, wherein
a piece of packaging material is provided in the forming station prior to forming the rod-like article from the cut piece of crimped filling material;
After forming the rod-shaped article from the cut pieces of the crimped filling material, the rod-shaped article is wrapped with the piece of the packaging material.
A method characterized by: 13. A method according to claim 12, characterized by the step of providing the rod-shaped article formed from the cut piece of crimp filling material within a piece of pre-formed packaging material. .

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