KR102226828B1 - Method and appratus for forming a filter rod - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of forming a filter rod for forming a filter rod R of separated fibers and/or randomly oriented filter material fibers F in the tobacco processing industry, the method comprising the separated filter material fibers ( Feeding F) to the inlet (I) of the conveyor device (2), the filter separated along the process path (P) in the conveying direction (D) from the inlet (I) to the outlet (O) of the conveyor device (2). The step of conveying the material fibers (F), whereby the strands 4 of the filter material fibers (F) are formed along the process path (P), a position closer to the outlet (O) than the inlet (I). Introducing at least one additive (A), in particular a binder, to the strand 4 of the filter material fiber (F) on the process path (P) in the conveyor device (2), and the strand (4) in the direction of transport After exiting the outlet (O) of the conveyor device (2) in (D), by wrapping the strands (4) of the filter material fibers (F) with a wrapper material (6), the filter material fibers (F) are put into the filter rod (R). Incorporating into. Preferably at least one additive (A) is introduced or applied to the strands 4 of the filter material fibers F close to or adjacent to the outlet O of the conveyor device 2. The invention also provides a filter rod forming apparatus 1 for forming such a filter rod R of separated and/or randomly oriented filter material fibers F.

Description

Filter rod forming method and filter rod forming apparatus TECHNICAL FIELD [METHOD AND APPRATUS FOR FORMING A FILTER ROD}

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing filter material fibers, in particular filter rods of separated fibers, in the tobacco industry. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming a filter rod consisting of individual or separate fibers, such as randomly oriented fibers.

Conventional filters for smoking articles, such as cigarettes and cigarillos, typically comprise at least one substantially cylindrical segment of cellulose acetate fibers mixed with a plasticizer such as triacetin. Cellulose acetate fibers are provided in a continuous tow packaged in bale form, which is treated into continuous bundles and sprayed with triacetin. In this process, cellulose acetate fibers are formed into continuous filter rods wrapped with a paper-based wrapper and then cut to create individual filter segments. During the formation of the filter rod, different compounds can be added to the cellulose acetate to provide filter rods with specific properties. For example, the compound may contain an adsorbent or fragrance and may be provided in particulate form, liquid form, or solid form. Filters for smoking articles can then be made of one segment of the filter rod, or multiple segments of the same or different filter rod composition assembled with at least one wrapping. Multiple segments may or may not be placed so that there is a cavity or space between them.

It has also been proposed to make a filter comprising a non-woven filter material such as randomly oriented fibers. Such filters essentially comprise rods of compressed filter material fibers, preferably non-plasticized acetate and/or polyethylene fibers. Such filters are typical for smoking articles having a reduced length and/or reduced circumference compared to standard or so-called “king size” smoking articles having a length of about 68 to 72 mm and a circumference of about 23 to 25 mm. Compared to phosphorus plasticized cellulose acetate, it can provide improved filtration efficiency.

However, one drawback of filters made of separated or randomly oriented fibers in the tobacco industry is that conventional filters of plasticized cellulose acetate fibers due to the difficulty of controlling the volume or amount of fibers and any additives in a single fiber segment. It is more difficult to manufacture. Indeed, unlike filter segments cut from plasticized cellulose acetate tow filter rods, segments cut from filter rods of separated and/or randomly oriented fibers typically persist or provide a reliable and regular shape at the cut ends. And fibers and additives may tend to loosen, tatter, or fray. This makes it very difficult to control the consistency and reproducibility of the filter segments, not to mention combinations with other segments to form a smoking article filter.

Several methods or techniques and apparatus for making smoking article filters from randomly oriented fibers are described in the prior art, such as in US 7,318,797 and EP 2 641 484. The techniques and devices described in these documents are particularly suitable for the handling of filter material fibers in a fluidized bed to form filter rods of separated and/or randomly oriented fibers using adsorption belts of adsorption conveyors similar to those used to make tobacco rods. Focus on. However, these documents do not solve the problem of controlling the structure of the filter rod to allow proper cutting and/or combination of filter segments to form the final smoking article filter.

Although the use of plasticizers with randomly oriented fibers may be considered, the application of such plasticizers on the fibers is usually carried out by spraying, which can lead to substantial contamination of conventional filter rod manufacturing equipment, which can lead to It could potentially cause damage to the component.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for forming a filter rod that solves the above problem. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for forming filter rods from separated and/or randomly oriented filter material fibers, unlike conventional plasticized cellulose acetate tows.

According to the invention there is provided a method of forming a filter rod of filter material fibers, in particular separated and/or randomly oriented fibers, in the tobacco processing industry, having the features according to claim 1. The invention also provides an apparatus for forming a filter rod of filter material fibers in the tobacco processing industry as described in claim 11. Various advantages and/or desirable features are set forth in the dependent claims.

Accordingly, according to one aspect, the present invention provides a method for forming a filter rod from filter material fibers, in particular separated fibers and/or randomly oriented fibers in the tobacco processing industry, the method comprising:

Feeding the separated filter material fibers to the inlet of the conveyor device,

Conveying the filter material fibers along the process path in the direction of transport from the inlet to the outlet of the conveyor device, whereby a substantially continuous strand of filter material fibers separated along the process path is formed,

Introducing at least one additive, in particular a binder, to the strands of filter material fibers in the conveyor apparatus at a location along the process path, preferably arranged closer to the outlet than the inlet, and

Incorporating the filter material fibers into the filter rod by wrapping the strands of filter material fibers with a wrapper material after the strands exit the outlet of the conveyor device in the conveying direction.

Since the separated filter material fibers are loose and/or randomly oriented fibers, it is essential to first trap the fibers to form a substantially continuous strand. This is achieved by the present invention by feeding the separated or loose fibers to a conveyor apparatus and conveying these filter material fibers along the process path. By means of the invention at least one additive, such as a binder, can be added to a substantially continuous strand of filter material fibers close to the outlet of the conveyor device. This provides efficient transport of fibers in a controlled and consistent manner without the risk of contamination or contamination of the conveyor device. Filter rods produced from discrete or randomly oriented fibers typically allow a higher additive load or content compared to conventional cellulose acetate tow filters, which, in particular, allow additives in randomly oriented fibers to be activated charcoal. In the case of including adsorbents such as ), it may be particularly advantageous to manufacture a filter with improved filtration properties for the gaseous component of tobacco smoke.

In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor device is an adsorption conveyor device comprising one or more adsorption members, such as adsorption belts, along the process path. The step of introducing at least one additive to the strands preferably comprises applying the additive to the strands of filter material fibers on the adsorption conveyor device, in particular on the adsorption belt. Importantly, the use of a binder in this manner is not a simple matter as it must be applied evenly to the fibers. The fibers are typically conveyed in a fluidized bed before being drawn onto an adsorption belt of an adsorption conveyor device to form a filter rod (similar to the way tobacco rods are produced when making smoking articles). Thus, application of the binder to the fibers in a fluidized bed or in an adsorption conveyor device can lead to fouling or extensive contamination of the filter rod manufacturing machinery and to the fibers due to pressure or vacuum in the air stream and/or in the adsorption conveyor device in the fluidized bed. It can make uniform application difficult. Rather counterintuitively, these problems are solved or at least substantially improved by introducing a binder into the strands of filter material fibers close to the outlet of the conveyor device.

In a preferred embodiment, the step of applying at least one additive is at the last 1/3, preferably at the last 1/5, more preferably at the last 1/10, i.e. at the exit or It involves applying the additive upstream of the outlet. It is noted that in this context, adsorption conveyor devices can be expected to have lengths in the range of about 1 meter to 3 meters.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the step of applying at least one additive is carried out at a location at least proximate or adjacent to the outlet of the conveyor device before the strands of filter material fibers exit the conveyor device. The application of the additive at a location close to the outlet or at the outlet, and thus immediately prior to wrapping the fibers to form a filter rod, allows quick or rapid contact between the binder, fibers and wrapper material to be produced with improved bonding action to the fibers. It is ensured to provide improved stability of the filter rod.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the introduction of the at least one additive comprises applying the additive in substantially fluid or liquid form, preferably by spraying, onto the strands of filter material fibers in the process path. In this regard, introducing the at least one additive preferably comprises applying or conveying the additive to the strands of the filter material fibers via a gaseous carrier such as compressed air or vapor. The at least one additive preferably comprises one or more of an aqueous composition, a fragrance composition, a binder composition and a plasticizer. The at least one additive may alternatively or additionally be provided as an encapsulating compound or material. Spraying of the additive on continuous strands of fibers preferably takes place at an angle in the range of 0° to 90° with respect to the direction of transport.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the method locally relieves the vacuum or pressure applied to the strands of the filter material fibers in the conveyor apparatus at the time of introducing at least one additive, such as a binder, or immediately prior to introducing the at least one additive, or And reducing. In the case of an adsorption conveyor arrangement, this can be achieved by means of one or more plate members or baffles disposed on the adsorption belt in the process path. In this way, the filter material fibers of the strand are relaxed and at least one additive can better penetrate the strand. In addition, the loss of additives is lower due to the lower vacuum strength.

In a preferred embodiment, the method of forming the filter rod further comprises heating the additive prior to and/or during the step of introducing the at least one additive.

In a preferred embodiment, the step of feeding the filter material fibers to the inlet of the conveyor device comprises conveying the mixture of filter material fibers (eg, different fibers) to the inlet of the conveyor device.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for forming a filter rod from separated filter material fibers in the tobacco processing industry, the apparatus comprising:

A conveyor device having a conveyor member for conveying separated filter material fibers along a process path in a conveying direction from an inlet to an outlet of the conveyor device, wherein the conveyor member comprises a filter material fiber from the separated filter material fibers fed to the inlet A conveyor device configured to produce continuous strands;

Means for wrapping successive strands of filter material fibers with a wrapper material after the strands exit or exit the outlet of the conveyor apparatus, thereby forming a filter rod in which the core of the filter material fibers is surrounded by the wrapper material; And

At least one such as a nozzle constructed and arranged to apply the additive, preferably by spraying, to the strands of filter material fibers in the conveyor apparatus at a different location, and preferably closer to the outlet than the inlet of the conveyor apparatus. And an additive application system including an application device.

As described above, the filter material used in the present invention, unlike conventional cellulose acetate tow, in which the cellulose acetate tow fibers are provided as continuous strands from the tow bale to the filter making apparatus and processed and compressed by a plasticizer in the filter making apparatus. The fibers are separated and thus provided as loose and randomly oriented fibers. Therefore, it is necessary to first collect the separated fibers and arrange them in a generally continuous strand, which is achieved via a conveyor arrangement.

Moreover, the device of the present invention advantageously provides an additive application system which is arranged close to the outlet of the conveyor device. This contributes to a very efficient transport of additives such as binders to fibers in a controlled and consistent manner without the risk of unwanted contamination of the conveyor device. In addition, the placement of the application device of the application system at the outlet or in a position adjacent the outlet, e.g. just before the wrapping means, allows for the application of the binder on the surface of the fiber strand just before wrapping, thereby allowing rapid contact between the binder, fiber and wrapper material To provide improved bonding action to the fibers and improved stability to the produced filter rods.

In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor device is an adsorption conveyor device and the conveyor member is an adsorption belt. Thus, the filter material fibers are typically fed to the inlet by means of an adsorption conveyor device and/or by means of pressure or vacuum created within the adsorption conveyor device. In this regard, at least one application device, such as a nozzle, is preferably in the last third, more preferably the last 1/5, even more preferably the last 1/10 of the process path formed by the conveyor device, That is, it is arranged at the outlet or on the upstream side of the outlet. It is noted that in this context, conveyor devices can typically be expected to have a length in the range of about 1 meter to about 3 meters.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one application device (eg nozzle) of the additive application system is disposed proximate or adjacent to the outlet of the conveyor device. In this regard, the application device or nozzle is arranged or oriented at an angle of 0° to 90° with respect to the conveyor member of the conveyor device. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the application device or nozzle is oriented or arranged to extend substantially parallel to the direction of the conveyor member, preferably substantially in a horizontal plane. In another preferred embodiment, the additive application system comprises at least one second application device (e.g., a second nozzle), and the at least one second application device is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the continuous strand within the conveyor device. Can be oriented or extended.

In a preferred embodiment, the additive application system of the device comprises at least one carrier source and/or a reservoir or supply of each additive. Each carrier source and/or each reservoir or supply is in fluid connection with said at least one application device, ie preferably with at least one respective nozzle. In addition, the additive application system preferably comprises heating means for heating the additive prior to or during application in the conveyor device.

As described above, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the device locally relieves the vacuum or pressure applied to the strands of the filter material fibers at the at least one applicator or nozzle or directly upstream of the at least one applicator or nozzle. And one or more plate members or baffle members disposed within the conveyor device to reduce or decrease. In this way, the filter material fibers of the strand on the adsorption belt can be unwound so that at least one additive can better penetrate the strand, which also reduces additive loss.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a filter rod made by the apparatus and/or method of the present invention described with respect to any of the foregoing embodiments. Accordingly, the present invention also provides a smoking article having a filter element cut from such a filter rod.

In order to more fully understand the present invention and its advantages, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail in the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals denote like parts.
1 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus for forming a filter rod of randomly oriented fibers in the tobacco processing industry according to one particular embodiment;
Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the device of Fig. 1 in the direction of arrow BB;
3 is a flow chart schematically illustrating a method according to a preferred embodiment.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated herein to form a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention and many of the accompanying advantages of the present invention will be readily understood as they are better understood with reference to the detailed description below.

It will be appreciated that general and widely understood elements that may be useful or essential in a commercially feasible embodiment have not necessarily been shown to facilitate a more abstract view of the embodiment. Elements of the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale with respect to each other. Certain actions and/or steps in a method embodiment may be described or illustrated in a particular order of occurrence, but those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to the sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that terms and expressions used herein have their usual meanings consistent with terms and expressions relating to the respective fields of investigation and research, except where specific meanings are otherwise indicated.

1 and 2, an apparatus 1 for forming a filter rod R from filter material fibers F for use in the tobacco processing industry is schematically shown. The device 1 of this particular embodiment transfers the separated and randomly oriented filter material fibers F from the fiber feed S at the inlet I of the conveyor device 2 along the processing path P (D) an adsorption conveyor device 2 configured to convey or convey to the outlet O of the conveyor device 2. The separated and randomly oriented fibers F are fed to the inlet I of the conveyor device 2 and may comprise a single type of fiber or alternatively a mixture of different types and optionally also a particulate material. In order to convey these separated fibers F from the fiber feeder S, the conveyor device 2 comprises an elongate conveyor element 3 in the form of an endless adsorption belt. This adsorption belt member (3) pulls the loosely held separated and randomly oriented filter material fibers (F) from the supply section (S) under the action of pressure or vacuum (V), and the adsorption belt (3) is driven in an endless loop. When it becomes, these fibers (F) are conveyed in the conveying direction (D). Due to the structure and operation of the adsorption belt 3, the conveyor device 2 has a large amount of fibers F when drawing and transporting these fibers F along the process path from the inlet (I) to the outlet (O). It is configured to form or produce a continuous strand (4). The device 1 incorporates a continuous strand 4 of filter material fibers F by wrapping the strap 4 with at least one sheet or web of wrapping material 6, such as one or more thin sheets or webs of paper. In order to do so, it further comprises a wrapping device 5 which connects with the conveyor device 2 at the outlet O.

Moreover, the device 1 comprises at least one first nozzle configured and arranged to apply the additive A to the strands 4 of the filter material fibers F in the process path P in the conveyor device 2. 8) and an additive application system (7). Each of these first nozzles 8 is disposed in a position close to or close to the outlet O of the adsorption conveyor device 2 and extends in a plane substantially parallel to the conveying direction D, that is, a substantially horizontal plane, or It is preferably arranged so as to be oriented. Preferably, the additive (A) delivered through the first nozzle (8) is projected in a substantially liquid form onto the fiber strands (4) on the adsorption belt (3) adjacent to the outlet (O) of the conveyor device (2). It is a binder composition. In a variant, the additive (A) may also be a binder provided in powder form (eg powder or microencapsulated particles) and projected onto the fibers. These binders later exit the conveyor device 2, for example, in the wrapping device 5, or even downstream of the wrapping device 5, and before the continuous filter rod R is cut, the fibers It can be activated by heating and/or compressing the strand 4.

In addition, the additive application system 7 comprises at least one second nozzle 9 proximate to the outlet O and extending or oriented approximately perpendicular to the conveying direction D, as shown in FIG. 1. do. This second nozzle 9 can be used to deliver the same or different additives as the first nozzle 8 in the same or different form. When the same additive (A) is delivered, each of these first and second nozzles (8, 9) is a conduit or pipe in fluid communication with the reservoir (11) holding the additive (A) to be applied to the fiber (F). Connected through (10). Advantageously, the reservoir 11, and/or the nozzles 8, 9, in particular when the additive A is a gel and/or viscous at room temperature (25° C.), the additive is It may include or be combined with a heating means for heating the additive (A) so that it can be easily applied or projected through 9). For this purpose, the first and second nozzles 8, 9 are also preferably strands 4 of fibers F conveyed on the adsorption belt 3 along the process path P of the conveyor device 2. A pressure source 12 constructed and arranged to convey or drive the additive A from the reservoir 11 to the first and second nozzles 8, 9, respectively, to be applied, e.g. sprayed, to a fluid in compressed air or vapor. It is connected in a communication state.

When the first and second nozzles 8, 9 are used to deliver different additives to the fiber strand 4, each of the first and second nozzles 8, 9 is respectively It is preferred to be connected to a separate reservoir for the additive, and each reservoir is in turn connected to a pressure source. As an example, the first nozzle 8 is constructed and arranged to spray the binder composition onto the fiber strands 4 at or near the outlet O of the conveyor apparatus 2, and thus can be connected to the binder reservoir. . On the other hand, the second nozzle 9 encapsulates a capsule, etc. that can be broken at regular intervals before exiting the conveyor device 2 so that it is wrapped through the wrapping device 5 to form a continuous filter rod R. It may be constructed and arranged to introduce additives into the fiber strands 4 from the capsule feed or reservoir (not shown). At this time, the supply or reservoir for the binder additive and capsule can be connected to separate pressure sources to allow application or projection at the appropriate pressure of the two additives from each nozzle 8,9.

In a preferred embodiment, a vacuum breaker (not shown in the figure) can be provided or arranged on the conveyor device 2 at the position of the first nozzle 8 and/or preferably just before the nozzle. A vacuum breaker, which may be formed of or may include a deflecting member, which is disposed on the upstream side of the first nozzle 8 in the process path P, preferably locally suppresses vacuum or pressurization in the conveyor device 2. By reducing, the fibers on the adsorption belt 3 are relaxed. This allows the additive (A) sprayed onto the fiber strands 4 to penetrate better into the fibers, thereby enabling a more homogeneous mixing of the fibers and additives. In addition, this further reduces the risk of contamination in the conveyor device 2 and provides improved control over the delivery of the additive A to the fiber strands 4.

When the fibers F in the substantially continuous strand 4 exit or exit the outlet O of the conveyor device 2, these fibers enter directly into the wrapping device 5. A strip or web 6 of wrapping material (e.g. paper) is drawn from the bulk roll 13 and is under the strand 4 of the fiber F exiting the outlet O through the roller 14 and parallel to the strand. It is transferred to a position where it moves smoothly. In this way, the fiber strands 4 can be discharged or discharged from the adsorption belt 3 and laminated on the wrapping material 6. The wrapping device 5 then incorporates the fiber strands 4 by means of the wrapping material 6 into a substantially continuous filter rod R. To aid in the wrapping process, the applicator 15 provides a localized adhesive to the strip or web 6 of paper so that the wrapping material is adhesively bonded when wrapped around the strands 4 of the fibers F. Since the additive (A) is applied to the fiber strands 4 either directly in the wrapping device 5 or directly upstream of the wrapping device, the additive (A) also interacts with the strips or webs of the wrapping material to make it uniform and reliable. Wrapped filter rods can be provided. If the additive (A) is a binder, this ensures that the randomly oriented fibers F of the filter material do not unravel or wear out when the filter rod R is later cut to form individual filter segments for smoking articles.

Referring now to Fig. 3, a flow chart schematically showing the steps of a method of forming a filter rod R of filter material fibers F according to an embodiment of the present invention described above in connection with Figs. 1 and 2 is shown. Is shown. In this connection, the first box I of FIG. 3 represents the step of feeding the filter material fibers F to the inlet I of the conveyor apparatus 2 via a fluidized bed (not shown), for example. Then, the second box () represents the step of conveying the filter material fibers (F) along the process path in the conveying direction (D) from the inlet (I) to the outlet (O) of the conveyor device 2, whereby A substantially continuous strand 4 of filter material fibers F is formed along the process path formed by the conveyor device 2. The third box (III) is at a position of the process path (P) closer to the outlet (O) than to the inlet (I) at least one additive ( A), in particular, the step of introducing a binder. The final box (IV) in Fig. 3 of the drawing wraps the fiber strand (4) with a wrapper material (6) after the strand (4) exits the outlet (O) of the conveyor device (2) in the conveying direction (D). By doing it represents the step of incorporating the filter material fibers (F) into the filter rod (R).

While specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various alternative and/or equivalent implementations exist. In this regard, it will be understood that the exemplary embodiments or exemplary embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, and provide exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of the described elements.

In addition, in this specification, "to have", "to have", "to include", "to include", "to contain", "to contain", "to have", "to have", and any derivatives thereof , The process, method, device, apparatus or system described herein is not limited to the recited feature or part or element or step, and is not explicitly listed or other elements unique to such a process, method, article or apparatus, It is intended to be understood from a comprehensive (ie, non-exclusive) point of view to include features, parts or steps. In addition, the singular expressions used herein are intended to be understood in one or more meanings unless explicitly stated otherwise. Moreover, the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and the like are used only as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on objects or to set specific rankings regarding the importance of objects.

1: device
2: conveyor device
3: Conveyor member or adsorption belt
4: fiber strand
5: wrapping device
6: Strip or web of wrapper material
7: Additive application system
8: first nozzle
9: second nozzle
10: conduit or piping
11: storage tank
12: pressure source
13: bulk roll
14: roller
15: glue applicator
F: filter material fiber
R: fiber rod
S: fiber supply
V: vacuum or pressurized
P: The process path of the conveyor unit
D: feed direction
I: entrance of the conveyor device
O: Outlet of conveyor device
A: additive

Claims (15)

As a filter rod forming method for forming a filter rod (R) of filter material fibers (F) separated in the tobacco processing industry,
Feeding the separated filter material fibers (F) to the inlet (I) of the conveyor device (2),
Conveying the filter material fibers (F) along the process path (P) in the conveying direction (D) from the inlet (I) to the outlet (O) of the conveyor device 2, whereby along the process path P The step in which the strands 4 of the filter material fibers F are formed,
Introducing at least one additive (A) to the strands (4) of the filter material fibers (F) on the process path (P) in the conveyor apparatus (2) at a position closer to the outlet (O) than the inlet (I). , And
Filter material fibers F by wrapping the strands 4 of the filter material fibers F with a wrapper material 6 after the strands 4 exit the outlet O of the conveyor device 2 in the conveying direction D. ) To the filter rod (R)
Including,
The conveyor device 2 is an adsorption conveyor device comprising at least one adsorption member along the process path P,
The method of forming a filter rod, wherein the step of introducing at least one additive (A) to the strand (4) comprises applying the additive (A) to the strand (4) of filter material fibers on the adsorption conveyor device. Filter rod formation according to claim 1, wherein at least one additive (A) is introduced or applied to the strands (4) of the filter material fibers (F) at or near the outlet (O) of the conveyor device (2). Way. delete 3. The conveyor device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of introducing at least one additive (A) is before the strands (4) of the filter material fibers (F) exit the conveyor device (2). The filter rod forming method is performed in the last third of the process path P formed by. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of introducing at least one additive (A) comprises applying the additive (A) in fluid or liquid form on the strands (4) of the filter material fibers in the process path (P). The method of forming a filter rod, wherein the additive (A) is applied or sprayed on the strand 4 at an angle of 0° to 90° with respect to the conveying direction (D). The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Locally alleviating or reducing the vacuum or pressure applied to the strands of the filter material fibers in the conveyor device when introducing at least one additive or immediately prior to introducing the at least one additive.
Filter rod forming method further comprising a. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Before the step of introducing at least one additive (A), or during the step of introducing at least one additive (A), or before the step of introducing at least one additive (A) and at least one additive (A) is introduced Heating the additive (A) during the step of
Filter rod forming method further comprising a. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The method of forming a filter rod, wherein the at least one additive (A) comprises at least one of an aqueous composition, a fragrance composition, a binder composition, a plasticizer, and an encapsulating compound or material. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of introducing at least one additive (A) comprises applying or conveying the additive (A) to the strands (4) of the filter material fibers (F) via a gaseous carrier. The method of forming a filter rod comprising. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of feeding the separated filter material fibers (F) to the inlet (I) of the conveyor device (2) conveys a mixture of loose and randomly oriented filter material fibers (F). The method of forming a filter rod comprising: As a filter rod forming apparatus (1) for forming a filter rod (R) from the filter material fibers (F) separated in the tobacco processing industry,
Conveyor device with a conveyor member 3 for conveying separated filter material fibers F along the process path P in the conveying direction D from the inlet I to the outlet O of the conveyor device 2 As (2), the conveyor element 3 is configured to produce continuous strands 4 of filter material fibers F from the separated filter material fibers F fed to the inlet I. 2);
Filter material fibers (F) by wrapping the continuous strands (4) of filter material fibers (F) with wrapper material (6) after the strands (4) exit or exit from the outlet (O) of the conveyor device (2). A wrapping device (5) in which the core of the wrapper material (6) forms a filter rod (R); And
At least one application constructed and arranged to apply the additive (A) to the strands (4) of the fibers (F) at a location on the process path (P) of the conveyor device (2) closer to the outlet (O) than the inlet (I). Additive Application System Including Device(7)
Including,
The conveyor device 2 is an adsorption conveyor device, the conveyor member 3 is an adsorption belt,
The filter rod forming apparatus, wherein the at least one applicator is configured to apply the additive (A) to the strands (4) of filter material fibers (F) on the conveyor member (3). 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least one application device is constructed and arranged to apply the additive (A) at a location close to or adjacent to the outlet (O) of the conveyor device (2), or
The filter rod forming apparatus, wherein the filter material fibers (F) are supplied to the inlet (I) by means of the adsorption conveyor apparatus (2) or by means of pressure or vacuum (V) created in the adsorption conveyor apparatus. 13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the at least one application device comprises a nozzle (8, 9), said nozzle (8, 9) being 0° to 90 with respect to the direction (D) of the conveyor device (2). A filter rod forming apparatus which is arranged or oriented at an angle of °. 13. An additive application system (7) according to claim 11 or 12, comprising at least one supply or reservoir (11) for each additive (A), each supply or reservoir (11) having at least one A filter rod forming device connected to the applicator. 14. Application according to claim 13 to the strand (4) of the filter material fibers (F) in at least one applicator or nozzle (8, 9) or directly upstream of the at least one applicator or nozzle (8, 9). Further comprising at least one plate member or baffle member disposed within the conveyor device 2 to locally relieve or reduce the vacuum or pressure being applied, or
The additive application system (7) comprises heating means for heating the additive (A) prior to application on the conveyor device (2) or during application on the conveyor device (2).

Images