US20030098029A1 - Apparatus for making and treating rod-shaped articles - Google Patents

Apparatus for making and treating rod-shaped articles Download PDF

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Publication number
US20030098029A1
US20030098029A1 US10/301,658 US30165802A US2003098029A1 US 20030098029 A1 US20030098029 A1 US 20030098029A1 US 30165802 A US30165802 A US 30165802A US 2003098029 A1 US2003098029 A1 US 2003098029A1
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Prior art keywords
rod
path
filler
casing
guide means
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US10/301,658
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English (en)
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Stephan Wolff
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Koerber Technologies GmbH
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/0229—Filter rod forming processes
    • A24D3/0233—Filter rod forming processes by means of a garniture
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/0204—Preliminary operations before the filter rod forming process, e.g. crimping, blooming
    • A24D3/0212—Applying additives to filter materials
    • A24D3/022—Applying additives to filter materials with liquid additives, e.g. application of plasticisers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24D—CIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00—Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/02—Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/025—Final operations, i.e. after the filter rod forming process

Definitions

  • the invention relates to improvements in apparatus for making and treating rod-shaped articles, such as elongated rods wherein a tubular envelope surrounds a rod-like filler.
  • the apparatus is particularly suitable for the making and treating of rod-shaped articles wherein the filler contains a material (such as a fibrous material) which can intercept tar, nicotine and/or other deleterious ingredients of tobacco smoke.
  • the wrapping mechanism normally comprises a paster which applies a film of adhesive to one side of one marginal portion of the web, and such one marginal portion is bonded to the other marginal portion to form therewith a seam extending longitudinally of the thus obtained tubular wrapper.
  • the resulting filter rod is ready to be subdivided into a series of discrete filter rod sections of unit length or multiple unit length, and such sections are fed into a filter tipping machine wherein they are assembled end-to-end with plain cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos of unit length of multiple unit length to form therewith filter cigarettes or analogous smokers' products.
  • the aforementioned wrapping mechanism normally further comprises an endless belt (known as garniture) which cooperates with stationary draping means to fold the web around the advancing rod-like filler of filamentary material.
  • the garniture serves as a means for advancing the filler through the wrapping station.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,188 granted Nov. 2, 1982 to Machida et al. for “METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING CIGARETTE FILTERS”.
  • This patent proposes to advance the rod-like filler through resonance chambers wherein the filler is being acted upon by microwaves.
  • the garniture is in direct contact with the rod-like filler during transport of the filler through the resonance chambers.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which can turn out a rod-like product having a rod-like filler surrounded by a tubular envelope in such a way that at least the major part of the equipment which is used to advance and otherwise treat the filler and/or the finished product need not be heated at all and wherein the heating treatment takes place in a manner and at a location which is less likely to contribute to the cost of the apparatus and/or to shorten the useful life of its parts than in conventional apparatus.
  • Another object of the instant invention is to provide an apparatus for making filter mouthpieces for smokers' products which can employ a simple and long-lasting wrapping mechanism for a running rod-like filler of filamentary material.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved combination of tow advancing means, tow wrapping means, tow severing means and tow heating means in a machine for making filter mouthpieces for smokers' products.
  • An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved heating unit for filter mouthpieces.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide a heating unit which can be put to use in existing types of filter mouthpiece making machines.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved means for guiding a continuous filter rod or discrete filter mouthpieces through a heating unit for the material of the rod-like filler.
  • the invention is embodied in an apparatus for treating elongated rods wherein a tubular envelope surrounds a rod-like filler.
  • the improved apparatus comprises means for advancing the filler lengthwise in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path (e.g., along an at least substantially horizontal path), means for draping the filler into a flexible web in a first portion of the path to convert the thus draped web into the tubular envelope of the thus obtained rod, and means for heating the filler in a second portion of the path downstream of the first portion (as seen in the predetermined direction).
  • the filler can contain a material of the tobacco processing industry (e.g., acetate fibers).
  • the apparatus further comprises means for subdividing the rod into a series of rod-shaped sections in a third portion of the path downstream of the first portion; the second portion of the path can be located upstream of the third portion or vice versa.
  • the advancing means can comprise means for moving successive rod-shaped sections sideways transversely of the predetermined direction; such moving means can be disposed downstream of the second portion of the path.
  • the moving means can be confined in a housing which preferably includes means for thermally insulating its interior from the surrounding atmosphere.
  • the insulating means can comprise an insulating material and/or an air conditioning system.
  • the heating means can include guide means which confines the rod (or successive discrete sections of the rod) to lengthwise movement in the second portion of the path; such guide means is or can be stationary, and the advancing means can include means (such as an endless belt) for moving the rod or the sections of the rod relative to the guide means.
  • the latter can include a track for the rod or for successive sections of the rod.
  • Such track can include upper and lower sections which are disposed at least close to the rod or rod sections advancing along the second portion of the path.
  • the lower section of the track can provide a substantially concave surface for the rod or rod sections advancing along the second portion of the path.
  • the lower section of the track includes a plurality of spaced-apart rod-contacting components at least one of which is in at least substantially linear or in at least substantial point contact with the rod or rod sections in the second portion of the path.
  • the upper section of the track can be designed to come into mere point contact or linear contact with the rod or rod sections in the second portion of the path.
  • the guide means is preferably elongated in the predetermined direction and each of the aforementioned components of the guide means or track can constitute an elongated guide member, e.g., an elongated bar which extends in the predetermined direction.
  • the upper and lower sections of the track are disposed at least close to or one of them actually contacts the rod or rod sections in the second portion of the path.
  • the upper section of the track can include one elongated bar having an at least substantially circular cross-sectional outline and extending in the predetermined direction.
  • the lower section of the track can include at least two elongated rod-supporting bars which are spaced apart from each other a distance less than the diameter of the rod.
  • At least a portion of the guide means can consist of a heat-resistant material, e.g., of a ceramic material. Furthermore, at least a portion of the guide means can consist of low-friction material.
  • the heating means can further comprise a casing which confines the guide means.
  • a portion of the casing such as a cover, is preferably movable between an open position in which the guide means is at least partly exposed and a closed position.
  • the arrangement can be such that the cover is pivotable between open and closed positions about an axis which is at least substantially parallel to the second portion of the path.
  • At least one section of the aforementioned guide means or track is preferably accessible in the open position of the mobile portion of the casing.
  • the improved apparatus can further comprise a safety device (such as a switch) which is arranged to change the condition of the heating means from operative to inoperative in response to movement of the cover of the casing from closed to open position.
  • a safety device such as a switch
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view of a machine for making filter mouthpieces which embodies an apparatus constructed, assembled and operatable in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the heating means in the apparatus of FIG. 1, with a portion of the casing broken away;
  • FIG. 3 a is a transverse sectional view of the casing, with a cover of the casing shown in closed position;
  • FIG. 3 b is a similar transverse sectional view but with the cover shown in the open position.
  • FIG. 1 shows a filter rod making machine 2 which receives a continuous tow 10 of cellulose acetate fibers from a machine wherein the tow is processed in a manner as disclosed, for example, in German patent No. 42 09 606 A1 or in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,449 granted Jan. 7, 1997 to Chehab et al. for “APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING, PLASTICIZING AND GATHERING A TOW OF FILTER MATERIAL FOR TOBACCO SMOKE”.
  • a tow of cellulose acetate fibers or other suitable filamentary material is drawn from a bale and is subjected to the action of at least one so-called banding device prior to or simultaneously with stretching of the filaments so as to convert the tow into a layer of at least substantially parallel filaments.
  • the layer is caused to advance through a station wherein its filaments are contacted by a spray of atomized liquid softening agent, such as triacetin.
  • the next stage of treatment involves conversion of the layer into a rod-shaped filler, e.g., not later than during advancement through a so-called gathering horn 17 at the inlet of the machine 2 .
  • the machine 2 comprises a filler advancing means including an endless conveyor belt 22 known as garniture and serving to indirectly advance the tow 10 lengthwise along an elongated path which is but need not be exactly horizontal and in a first portion of which the tow is draped into a continuous web or strip 21 of wrapping material issuing from a bobbin 18 or an analogous source and advancing along a paster 19 .
  • the latter coats one side of one longitudinal marginal portion of the running web 21 with a suitable adhesive (e.g., a hotmelt) which causes the one marginal portion of the web to adhere to the other marginal portion and to form therewith a seam extending lengthwise of the thus obtained tubular envelope which surrounds the filler 10 and forms therewith a continuous filter rod 24 .
  • a suitable adhesive e.g., a hotmelt
  • the wrapping unit or wrapping means 23 of the machine 2 comprises stationary components which cooperate with the elongated upper reach of the garniture 22 to convert the web 21 into a tubular envelope surrounding the filler 10 .
  • the web 21 can consist of cigarette paper-or any other of several so-called tipping papers including artificial cork, lightweight cardboard or the like.
  • the drive means for moving the garniture 22 of the advancing means serves to cause the upper reach of the garniture 22 to advance in a predetermined direction (namely in a direction to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1).
  • Such drive means comprises a suitable prime mover 39 (e.g., a variable-speed electric motor) which is started, arrested, accelerated or decelerated by a control unit 38 of any suitable design.
  • a cooling or drying unit 26 which causes the adhesive film between the two overlapping marginal portions of the seam of the converted web to set so that the seam can readily withstand stresses during passage of the rod 24 through a severing device 27 such as a so-called cutoff which is designed to sever the rod 24 at regular intervals so that the rod yields a succession of discrete filter mouthpieces of unit length or multiple unit length.
  • the mouthpieces can be fed into a storage facility or directly into the magazine of a filter tipping machine, not shown.
  • a tipping machine which can receive filter mouthpieces from the machine 2 is disclosed, for example, in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,008 granted Aug. 4, 1992 to Oesterling et al. for “METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING FILTER CIGARETTES”.
  • the patented machine is designed to assemble filter mouthpieces of double unit length with pairs of coaxial plain cigarettes of unit length into filter cigarettes of double unit length.
  • Each filter cigarette of double unit length is severed midway across its filter mouthpiece to yield two filter cigarettes of unit length.
  • the means for connecting the plain cigarettes of unit length to the ends of the filter mouthpiece of double unit length includes so-called uniting bands which are pieces of tipping paper each convoluted around the entire mouthpiece of double unit length as well as around the adjacent end portions of the two plain cigarettes.
  • Successive filter mouthpieces of double unit length advance lengthwise from the cutoff 27 through a novel and improved heating unit or heating means 28 wherein the minute droplets of the softening agent are stabilized to convert the filler 10 into a filler defining a maze of minute pathways for the flow of tobacco smoke from the lighted end of the finished filter cigarette into the mouth of the smoker. This contributes to interception of tar, nicotine and other undesirable constituents of tobacco smoke.
  • Each of the series of successive filter mouthpieces of unit length or multiple unit length leaving the cutoff 27 and having been treated in the heating unit 28 is accelerated by a rotary cam 29 or another suitable accelerator of the advancing means to be propelled lengthwise into one of axially parallel peripheral recesses or flutes of a rotary drum-shaped conveyor 31 which constitutes a moving means of the advancing means in the improved apparatus.
  • the filter mouthpieces come to rest on the upper reach of an endless belt conveyor 32 which advances them sideways into a strage facility, e.g., a magazine of the filter cigarette making machine such as that disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,008 to Oesterling et al.
  • the storage facility can serve as a source of filter mouthpieces for one, two or more discrete filter cigarette making machines.
  • the heating unit (microwave applicator) 28 of the machine 2 shown in FIG. 1 includes or is associated with a microwave generator 34 installed in an auxiliary unit 36 of the machine 2 .
  • the microwave generator 34 receives signals from the aforementioned control unit 38 which also controls the motor of the drive 39 for the garniture 22 .
  • the control unit 38 receives and processes several signals, such as those denoting the speed of operation of the filter rod making machine 2 and preferably one or more additional signals, and regulates the operation of the microwave generator 34 (as well as the drive 39 ) as a function of the intensities and/or other characteristics of such signals.
  • FIG. 1 further shows a temperature sensor 42 which is installed in a housing 40 of the filter rod making machine 2 and transmits signals to the respective input of the microwave generator 34 and/or the control unit 38 .
  • the illustrated housing 40 further accommodates the accelerator 29 , the conveyor 31 and at least a portion of the conveyor 32 .
  • the reference character 40 a dentes a means for thermally insulating the moving means (conveyor) 31 , the accelerator 29 and the conveyor 32 (or a part of this conveyor in the interior of the housing 40 ) from the surrounding atmosphere.
  • Such insulating means can include one or more layers of heat insulating material and/or a suitable air conditioning system (not specifically shown).
  • the purpose of the heat insulating means 40 a or an equivalent thereof (or of heat insulating means including the illustrated structure and others) is to prevent too rapid cooling of discrete filter mouthpieces which are treated in the heating unit 28 .
  • the aforementioned air conditioning unit for the housing 40 can comprise means for admitting into the housing one or more streams of hot air or another gaseous fluid.
  • the conditioning unit is adjustable, such as in response to signals from the temperature sensor 42 , to ensure that the control unit 38 can cause the device 34 to generate microwaves at an optimum rate as well as to change such rate when it departs from an optimum rate and/or to change the rate to a different value (if and when desirable or necessary). All that counts is to ensure that the filter mouthpieces advancing through the heating unit 28 are heated to a selected (optimum) temperature.
  • the housing 40 in the machine of FIG. 1 can be said to constitute a facility for temporary storage of filter mouthpieces in a region downstream of the auxiliary unit 36 . It is equally possible to make or to consider this housing a part of the auxiliary unit 36 .
  • FIG. 2 illustrates one presently preferred embodiment of the heating unit 28 .
  • This embodiment comprises an elongated block-shaped housing or casing 50 including a main section or portion and a second portion or cover 50 a movable between a closed position (FIG. 3 a ) and an open position (FIG. 3 b ).
  • the cover 50 a is secured to the main portion of the casing 50 by one or more hinges 53 each having a pintle 53 a defining a pivot axis which is preferably parallel to the longitudinal direction of the elongated path for lengthwise advancement of the rod 24 and filter mouthpieces toward the accelerator 29 in the housing 40 .
  • the lower portion of the casing 50 can be fixedly mounted on the auxiliary unit 36 and/or on or in the main frame of the filter rod making machine 2 .
  • cover 50 a When the cover 50 a is pivoted to or beyond the open position of FIG. 3 b , it exposes and affords access to a novel and improved elongated guide 60 which forms part of the advancing means in the improved apparatus and is installed in the casing 50 between a tubular inlet 56 and a tubular outlet 57 at the respective longitudinal ends of the main portion of the casing 50 .
  • a locking device 52 is provided to releasably hold the cover 50 a in the closed position of FIG. 3 a .
  • the length of the cover 50 a (as seen in the direction of movement of the filter mouthpieces from the inlet 56 toward the outet 57 ) preferably approximates (i.e., is only slightly less than) the length of the main portion of the casing 50 .
  • FIG. 2 further shows a safety switch 54 which serves to change the condition of the heating unit 28 (i.e., of the microwave generator 34 ) from operative to inoperative as soon as the cover 50 a is pivoted away from the closed position of FIG. 3 a , e.g., to that open position which is shown in FIG. 3 b or to any open position.
  • the connection e.g., a cable
  • the inlet 56 of the casing 50 admits successive discrete filter mouthpieces (arriving from the cutoff 27 ) into the range of the heating device in the heating unit 28 , and the outlet 57 admits heated filter mouthpieces into the range of the accelerator 29 which propels them into the flutes of the conveyor 31 .
  • the elongated stationary guide 60 is installed in the casing 50 and confines the filter rod 24 (and more specifically the filter mouthpieces which are obtained as a result of repeated severing of the rod by the cutoff 27 ) to lengthwise movement in the path portion accommodating the heating unit 28 .
  • the means for moving the filter mouthpieces lengthwise through the guide 60 can include the endless belt-like garniture 22 and/or one or more other components of the rod advancing means.
  • the illustrated guide 60 can be said to constitute a track along which successive filter mouthpieces advance lengthwise from the inlet 56 toward and into the outlet 57 of the casing 50 .
  • the guide or track 60 comprises a lower section including two elongated guide members or bars 61 , 62 borne by the main portion of the casing 50 , and an upper section including a third elongated guide member or bar 63 installed in and movable with the cover 50 a.
  • the bars 61 , 62 are parallel to and are spaced apart from each other a distance which is less than the diameter of the rod 24 so that successive filter mouthpieces cannot drop into the lower part of the main portion of the casing 50 .
  • Each of the bars 61 , 62 can be in a more or less linear contact or in mere point contact with a filter mouthpiece advancing through the guide 60 .
  • the bar 63 can be in mere linear or point contact with a filter mouthpiece advancing through the guide 60 when the cover 50 a is maintained in the closed position of FIG. 3 a.
  • Each of the bars 61 , 62 and 63 can have or has an at least substantially circular cross-sectional outline, and each such bar can consist, at least in part, of a heat-resistant material, e.g., a ceramic material. It is advisable to make such bars of a low-friction material or to impart thereto a finish which entails minimal friction with the tubular envelope(s) of the rod 24 or with the tubular envelopes of discrete filter mouthpieces.
  • the bars 61 , 62 and 63 are readily accessible when the cover 50 a is pivoted to open position, e.g., to that position which is shown in FIG. 3 b . As can be seen in FIGS.
  • the bar 63 of the upper section of the guide or track 60 is parallel to the bars 61 , 62 of the lower section of such guide when the cover 50 a is closed.
  • the length of each of the bars 61 to 63 is at least slightly less than the shortest distance between the inlet 56 and the outlet 57 so that the parts 56 , 57 cannot interfere with pivotal movements of the cover 50 a and the bar 63 between the positions shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b .
  • the common axis of the inlet 56 and the outlet 57 is parallel to the longitudinal axes of the bars 61 , 62 in each position of the cover 50 a and also to the longitudinal axis of the bar 63 when the cover is closed.
  • FIG. 3 a shows that the axes of the bars 61 , 62 are disposed in a common horizontal plane and that the axis of the bar 63 is disposed in a vertical plane which is located midway between the bars 61 , 62 .
  • the bars 61 , 62 are mounted in two or more supporting walls 64 installed in the main portion of the casing 50 (only one such wall is shown in each of FIGS. 2, 3 a and 3 b ), and the bar 63 is mounted in two or more supporting walls 66 installed in and pivotable with the cover 50 a.
  • the axes of the bars 61 , 62 , 63 are disposed at the corners of an imaginary equilateral triangle when the cover 50 a assumes the closed position of FIG. 2 or 3 a .
  • the common axis of the inlet 56 and the outlet 57 extends through the center of the triangle.
  • An advantage of the casing 50 and of its contents is that the filter mouthpieces advancing from the inlet 56 , through the guide 60 and toward and through the outlet 57 are in minimal frictional and heat exchanging contact with solid parts.
  • the bars 61 , 62 actually support successive filter mouthpieces which advance through the guide 60
  • the bar 63 serves primarily as a means for preventing a filter mouthpiece which advances through the guide 60 from moving out of point contact or linear contact with the bars 61 , 62 .
  • the clearance between a filter mouthpiece advancing through the guide 60 and any one of the bars 61 - 63 is preferably minimal.
  • the distance between the bars 61 , 62 is less than the diameter of the rod 28 (i.e., less than the diameter of a filter mouthpiece), and the same applies for the distance between the bar 63 and the bar 61 and/or 62 .
  • the seam can advance through the guide 60 by moving between the bar 63 and the bar 61 or 62 .
  • the rod advancing means and the means for advancing filter mouthpieces in the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3 b are designed and installed in such a way that the kinetic energy of the rod 24 advancing beyond the wrapping mechanism 23 suffices to ensure axial propulsion of the rod 24 into the range of the cutoff 27 as well as the propulsion of successive filter mouthpieces all the way through the casing 50 and into the range of the accelerator 29 .
  • Such arrangement ensures highly satisfactory exposure of the fillers of filter mouthpieces to microwaves and warrants the making of the bars 61 - 63 of a low-friction material.
  • a presently preferred material for the making of the bars 61 - 63 is a suitable ceramic material.
  • the heating unit 28 is located downstream of the wrapping unit 23 , i.e., the heating means is positioned to heat the filler of a finished filter rod 24 either ahead (upstream) or behind (downstream) of the cutoff 27 .
  • the heating unit 28 is located downstream of the wrapping unit 23 , i.e., the heating means is positioned to heat the filler of a finished filter rod 24 either ahead (upstream) or behind (downstream) of the cutoff 27 .
  • This is in clear contrast to the teaching of the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,188 to Mochida et al. which proposes to place the microwave application in the region where an endless belt corresponding (by remote analogy) to the garniture 22 in the apparatus of the present invention surrounds the running tow of filter material for tobacco smoke.
  • the running tow is heated upstream of a unit serving to apply to the filaments a softening agent, such as triacetin.
  • the just discussed feature of placing the heating means downstream of the wrapping unit 23 permits for a pronounced simplification of the improved apparatus.
  • the wrapping unit 23 comprises an endless belt such as the aforementioned garniture.
  • the heating unit 28 of the improved apparatus need not heat the garniture 22 , i.e., it is not necessary to employ a cooling device to lower the temperature of that portion of the garniture which comes out of contact with the freshly formed rod 24 (between the drying unit 26 for the seam of the tubular envelope of the rod 24 and the cutoff 27 ).
  • heating unit 28 upstream or downstream of the cutoff 27 , i.e., such heating unit can serve to heat the rod-like filler of the (still) continuous filter rod 24 or successive discrete sections of the rod 24 (namely downstream of the cutoff 27 as actually shown in FIG. 1).
  • the preferably drum-shaped conveyor 31 i.e., that part of the advancing means which serves to positively advance successive sections of the rod 24 downstream of the cutoff 27
  • the placing of the conveyor 31 into the heat-insulated housing 40 greatly reduces the likelihood of too rapid cooling of the filter rod sections, i.e., of a cooling which begins too close to the heating unit 28 .
  • the guide or track 60 constitutes a presently preferred but not the only available embodiment of the means for ensuring controlled advancement of successive increments of the running rod 24 through the heating unit 28 (the just mentioned increments are constituents of the continuous rod 24 or of successive discrete portions or sections (filter mouthpieces) of the repeatedly severed rod.
  • the illustrated lower portion or section 61 + 62 of the guide 60 can be replaced with a lower portion or section provided with an at least substantially concave upper side or surface which is contacted by the rod 24 or by its sections (filter mouthpieces).
  • Such modified lower portion or section of the guide can resemble or constitute an elongated channel or trough which is open from above and is in mere linear and/or point contact with the rod 24 or with its sections (filter mouthpieces).
  • Each of the bars 61 , 62 of the illustrated guide 60 can be designed in such a way that it is in mere two-point or three-point contact (or in a continuous linear contact) with a filter mouthpiece advancing lengthwise through the casing 50 . All that counts is to ensure that the area of contact between the guide or track 60 and the filter rod or filter rod sections is as small as possible but is still sufficient to guarantee predictable guidance of the rod 24 or of its discrete sections through the heating unit, i.e., along a portion of the path which is located downstream of the wrapping unit 23 and wherein the filler(s) of the rod or of the rod sections (filter mouthpieces) is or are exposed to heat.
  • Such arrangement entails a minimizing of friction between the tubular envelope (converted web 21 ) and the mechanical components of the guide and the casing for the guide, i.e., a more predictable guidance for the filter rod and more predictable heating of the filler (converted tow 10 ) of the filter rod to an optimum temperature.
  • the contaminant is or includes an adhesive, it could cause neighboring filter mouthpieces to adhere to each other which could affect the operation of a filter tipping machine, i.e., of a machine which normally turns out huge quantities of ultimate products (such as filter cigarettes, cigars or cigarillos) per unit of time.
  • the configuration of the upper bar 63 of the illustrated guide or track 60 can match that of the lower bar 61 and/or 62 . This contributes to simplicity and hence to lower cost of the guide and even further reduces the likelihood of contamination of the filter mouthpieces.
  • the casing 50 and the guide 60 constitute features of the invention which are believed to be novel and patentable in conjunction with other constituents of the heating unit 28 , in combination with each other, as well as per se, i.e., irrespective of their utilization in a filter tipping machine, in another machine for the making and/or processing of smokers' products and/or in any other machine wherein an elongated filler is to be confined in a converted web, such as a tubular envelope or the like.
  • the feature that the guide 60 is confined in a casing ( 50 ) which can be readily opened to afford access to the guide or to a portion of such guide also constitutes an important improvement which is believed to merit patent protection in a machine for the making of smokers' products as well as independently of the purpose and/or nature of the machine in which the casing is being or is intended to be put to use.
  • the casing or an equivalent thereof can afford convenient access to the parts therein as well as to the products which are being caused to pass therethrough, e.g., to permit rapid evacuation of a damaged portion of a continuous filter rod or of one or more discrete filter mouthpieces in the casing or of debris of a partly or fully destroyed portion or section of a filter rod. It has been found that the improved casing contributes to a significant shortening of down times of the improved apparatus and/or of the machine which embodies such apparatus.
  • the safety device 54 constitutes an optional but highly desirable and advantageous feature of the improved apparatus.
  • the operator(s) of the apparatus or of the machine which embodies such apparatus need not be concerned with the possibility of injury to attendants and/or of damage to the machine when it becomes necessary or advisable to gain access to the guide 60 , to that portion or to those portions of the rod 24 which happens or happen to be located in the casing and/or to eventually employed or utilized additional component part or parts which is or which are located in the casing or becomes or become accessible only upon opening of the cover 50 a .
  • This is or can be particularly important or desirable if the heating unit 28 operates with microwaves.

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  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)
  • Manufacturing Of Cigar And Cigarette Tobacco (AREA)
  • Wire Processing (AREA)
  • Forging (AREA)
  • Constitution Of High-Frequency Heating (AREA)
  • Confectionery (AREA)
  • Manipulator (AREA)
  • Media Introduction/Drainage Providing Device (AREA)
US10/301,658 2001-11-27 2002-11-22 Apparatus for making and treating rod-shaped articles Abandoned US20030098029A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE10157760.5 2001-11-27
DE10157760A DE10157760A1 (de) 2001-11-27 2001-11-27 Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von stabförmigen Gegenständen

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JP (1) JP2003169655A (de)
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US20040118420A1 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-24 Barnes Vernon Brent Equipment and methods for manufacturing cigarettes
US20040118416A1 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-24 Seymour Sydney Keith Equipment and methods for manufacturing cigarettes
US20040118417A1 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-24 Hancock Lloyd Harmon Equipment and methods for manufacturing cigarettes
WO2007085830A2 (en) * 2006-01-27 2007-08-02 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Method of preparing a rod for use in the preparation of a smoking article
US20090183836A1 (en) * 2006-05-24 2009-07-23 International Tobacco Machinery B.V. Apparatus for Glueing Together the Wrap of An Endless Tow of Filter Material
US20180057967A1 (en) * 2016-08-29 2018-03-01 Maschinenfabrik Rieter Ag Maintenance Device for the Maintenance of Work Stations of a Textile Machine and a Textile Machine

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JP4530369B2 (ja) * 2004-11-19 2010-08-25 日本たばこ産業株式会社 シガレット製造装置
DE102005015877A1 (de) * 2005-04-06 2006-10-12 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Verfahren und Einrichtung zum Auftragen von Triacetin auf eine Filtermaterialbahn
DE102005058091B4 (de) * 2005-12-05 2007-10-11 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag Aushärteeinrichtung für Filterstäbe
CA2898661A1 (en) * 2013-03-14 2014-09-25 Celanese Acetate Llc Apparatuses, systems, and associated methods for forming organic porous masses for flavored smoke filters
WO2016016862A1 (en) 2014-08-01 2016-02-04 Montrade S.P.A. Apparatus and method for the production of filters for cigarettes or other smoking articles

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US20040118420A1 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-24 Barnes Vernon Brent Equipment and methods for manufacturing cigarettes
US20040118416A1 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-24 Seymour Sydney Keith Equipment and methods for manufacturing cigarettes
US20040118417A1 (en) * 2002-12-20 2004-06-24 Hancock Lloyd Harmon Equipment and methods for manufacturing cigarettes
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WO2007085830A3 (en) * 2006-01-27 2007-09-27 British American Tobacco Co Method of preparing a rod for use in the preparation of a smoking article
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US8381736B2 (en) 2006-01-27 2013-02-26 British America Tobacco (Investments) Limited Method of preparing a rod for use in the preparation of a smoking article
US20090183836A1 (en) * 2006-05-24 2009-07-23 International Tobacco Machinery B.V. Apparatus for Glueing Together the Wrap of An Endless Tow of Filter Material
US20180057967A1 (en) * 2016-08-29 2018-03-01 Maschinenfabrik Rieter Ag Maintenance Device for the Maintenance of Work Stations of a Textile Machine and a Textile Machine
US10480102B2 (en) * 2016-08-29 2019-11-19 Maschinenfabrik Rieter Ag Maintenance device for the maintenance of work stations of a textile machine and a textile machine

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PL357257A1 (en) 2003-06-02
EP1314364B2 (de) 2012-07-18
PL206123B1 (pl) 2010-07-30
CN100443004C (zh) 2008-12-17
EP1314364B9 (de) 2012-10-24
EP1314364B1 (de) 2005-10-19
CN1421167A (zh) 2003-06-04
DE50204588D1 (de) 2005-11-24
ATE306826T1 (de) 2005-11-15
EP1314364A1 (de) 2003-05-28
JP2003169655A (ja) 2003-06-17
DE10157760A1 (de) 2003-06-05

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