WO2012076496A1 - Procédé et équipement pour introduire des objets dans un flux continu de matière - Google Patents

Procédé et équipement pour introduire des objets dans un flux continu de matière Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012076496A1
WO2012076496A1 PCT/EP2011/071848 EP2011071848W WO2012076496A1 WO 2012076496 A1 WO2012076496 A1 WO 2012076496A1 EP 2011071848 W EP2011071848 W EP 2011071848W WO 2012076496 A1 WO2012076496 A1 WO 2012076496A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
objects
reservoir
delivery channel
transfer zone
transfer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2011/071848
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Diego Ferrazzin
Michele Pagnoni
Original Assignee
Philip Morris Products S.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Philip Morris Products S.A. filed Critical Philip Morris Products S.A.
Publication of WO2012076496A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012076496A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • A24D3/0216—Applying additives to filter materials the additive being in the form of capsules, beads or the like
    • 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
    • A24D3/06—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/061—Use of materials for tobacco smoke filters containing additives entrapped within capsules, sponge-like material or the like, for further release upon smoking

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for introducing objects into a continuous flow of material.
  • the objects may be beads or capsules which are to be introduced into a continuous flow of filter material during manufacture of the filter component of a smoking article.
  • Smoking articles typically have a rod-shaped structure and include a charge, roll or column of smokable material such as cut tobacco.
  • the cut tobacco is typically surrounded by a paper wrapper thereby forming a so-called "tobacco rod".
  • a cylindrical filter element is aligned in an end-to-end relationship with the tobacco rod.
  • a filter element may comprise cellulose acetate tow filter material.
  • the tow may be circumscribed by a paper material known as "plug wrap”.
  • the filter element is typically attached to one end of the tobacco rod using a circumscribing wrapping material known as "tipping paper".
  • Various proposed methods for modifying the sensory attributes of smoke involve using filter elements as vehicles for adding additional flavour to the mainstream smoke in the smoking article. For example, it has been suggested to introduce objects such as beads or capsules into the filter material during manufacture of the filter elements.
  • the prior art apparatus comprises a reservoir containing the objects.
  • the reservoir opens out into a transfer chamber in which the objects are circulated.
  • the objects circulating in the transfer chamber move along the peripheral surface of a rotatable transfer wheel.
  • the transfer wheel has pockets in its peripheral surface, and the objects are introduced into and retained in the pockets with the aid of suction. By rotation of the transfer wheel the objects are transported to a location where they are released from the transfer wheel and introduced into the continuous flow of material.
  • the apparatus comprises a reservoir for providing a plurality of objects to be introduced into the continuous flow of material and a transfer wheel for transporting the objects to a means for inserting the objects into the continuous flow of material.
  • the transfer wheel comprises a peripheral surface, and a transfer zone extends about a portion of this peripheral surface of the transfer wheel.
  • the apparatus further comprises delivery means for moving the objects from the reservoir to the transfer zone, and means for moving the objects through the transfer zone.
  • the delivery means and the transfer zone are configured such that the objects are moved from the reservoir to the transfer zone and through the transfer zone along a single line path.
  • a “single line path” in this respect denotes a continuous path along which the objects can move or can be moved only one after another.
  • the single line path can be embodied as a channel the dimensions of which are chosen relative to the dimensions of the objects such that the objects can move or can be moved through the channel only one after another.
  • the objects can be moved from the reservoir along the single line path to and through the transfer zone extending about the outer peripheral surface of the transfer wheel.
  • the transfer zone a number of objects which are moved through the transfer zone are transferred onto the transfer wheel.
  • the transfer wheel transports these objects to the location where they are introduced into the filter material by any suitable means.
  • the movement of the objects along the single line path enables a particular high speed of operation of the apparatus while at the same time the reliability of having the objects transferred onto the transfer wheel is increased. Also, the forces acting on the respective objects are reduced so that crushing of objects is prevented. This is particularly relevant for breakable capsules that contain a flavourant inside.
  • the delivery means for moving the objects from the reservoir to the transfer zone comprises Venturi means that are arranged at an exit of the reservoir.
  • the Venturi means comprise accelerating means for speeding up the objects exiting the reservoir and guiding means for directing the objects into a delivery channel which is configured to only allow movement of the objects through the delivery channel along the single line path.
  • the guiding means may comprise a narrowing wall portion having tapering side-walls that lead into the delivery channel.
  • the accelerating means comprise at least one nozzle for applying an overpressure air flow along the travel path of the objects exiting the reservoir. This creates a negative pressure in the reservoir, sucking the objects into the delivery channel .
  • a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention further comprises a vibration element.
  • the vibration element is arranged to extend into a space defined by the tapering side-walls of the narrowing wall portion in a manner such that the vibration element allows only one object at a time to pass and to enter the delivery channel.
  • This embodiment further improves the process of singularizing the objects at the exit of the reservoir where the narrowing wall portion is arranged and where the objects leave the reservoir to enter the delivery channel.
  • the vibration element can be a vibrating pin or plate, but any other suitable vibration element is also
  • the means for moving the objects through the transfer zone comprise suction means for generating a negative pressure causing the objects in the transfer zone to move towards the peripheral surface of the transfer wheel.
  • Suction means for example suction channel openings, are reliable means for assisting in moving the objects through the transfer zone and transferring them onto the peripheral surface of the transfer wheel.
  • pockets may be provided in the peripheral surface of the transfer wheel, as this is described in the afore-mentioned WO-A-2010/055120.
  • the suction also assists in retaining the objects in the pockets of the transfer wheel where they are transported to the location where they are released from the transfer wheel and introduced into the filter material.
  • a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention comprises a return channel extending from an exit of the transfer zone to an upper region of the reservoir, and means for moving surplus objects through the return channel into the upper region of the reservoir.
  • the transfer wheel comprises circumferentially spaced apart pockets for the objects on the peripheral surface.
  • the objects moved through the transfer zone along the single line path are partly transferred onto the pockets of the transfer wheel with high reliability.
  • the objects in the single line path that are between the pockets in the transfer zone are not transferred onto the transfer wheel. These not transferred "surplus" objects are moved through the return channel.
  • the return channel comprises also a single line path, back to the upper region of the reservoir where the objects enter the reservoir again.
  • the means for moving the objects through the return channel may comprise at least one nozzle for applying an overpressure air flow to the objects in order to return the objects into the upper region of the reservoir.
  • the delivery means comprise at least one additional Venturi means being arranged at the exit of the reservoir and a corresponding at least one additional delivery channel which is configured to be opened and closed selectively.
  • the delivery means further comprises at least one sensor, and the at least one sensor is associated with each delivery channel for detecting clogging of the respective delivery channel and for initiating the selective opening of the at least one additional delivery channel.
  • This embodiment is particularly advantageous in that it provides for redundancy thus increasing the availability of the apparatus.
  • the respective sensor detects that this delivery channel is clogged and initiates that another delivery channel is opened, so that production of filter elements can be continued without interruption even in case a delivery channel gets clogged.
  • the sensor detecting that the actual delivery channel is clogged may send a corresponding signal to a control device which then causes that another delivery channel is opened.
  • the additional delivery channel may be used to clean or otherwise service the other delivery channel.
  • Fig. 1 shows the essential parts of a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the Venturi zone of the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 ,
  • Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the delivery channel leading from the reservoir to the transfer zone of the embodiment of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 ,
  • Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the return channel leading from the
  • Fig. 5 shows the essential parts of a further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention comprising an additional Venturi means.
  • Essential parts of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention are shown in Fig. 1. These parts comprise a reservoir 1 for providing a plurality of objects which are to be introduced into a continuous flow of material.
  • the filter material can be supplied from a source (not shown) such as a storage bale, bobbin or the like in form of a continuous strand of filter material.
  • the continuous strand of filter material is drawn through the apparatus, and the individual objects are introduced at a predetermined location into the filter material. This can be performed in a manner known in the art, for example in the manner described in the afore-mentioned WO-A-2010/055120 (see Figs. 6-12 and the corresponding parts of the specification of WO-A-2010/055120), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the apparatus further comprises delivery means 2 comprising Venturi means 20 and a delivery channel 21.
  • the Venturi means 20 are arranged at the exit of the reservoir 1 and comprise accelerating means in the form of a nozzle 200 and guiding means comprising a narrowing wall portion having tapering side-walls 201.
  • the nozzle 200 speeds up the objects exiting the reservoir 1 , for example beads or capsules, by blowing overpressure air at the objects or past the objects along their travel path to have them enter the delivery channel 21.
  • the tapering side-walls guide the objects into the delivery channel 21.
  • the delivery channel 21 leads from the reservoir 1 to a transfer zone 31 and opens out tangentially into the transfer zone 31.
  • the transfer zone extends about a portion of the peripheral surface 30 of a transfer wheel 3.
  • the objects are moved one after another along a single line path to the transfer zone 31.
  • the dimensions of the delivery channel 21 are chosen such that only one object after another can be moved through the delivery channel 21.
  • a sensor 22 may be provided to monitor clogging of the delivery channel 21 and to generate a corresponding signal in case the delivery channel 21 gets clogged.
  • a vibration element 10 for example a vibration blade
  • the vibration element 10 is arranged to extend into the space defined by the tapering side-walls 201 of the narrowing wall portion, as is shown enlarged in Fig. 2.
  • the vibration element 10 allows the objects (for example beads) to pass only one after another, thus improving singularizing of the objects.
  • the excitation for vibration element 10 can either be branched-off of the excitation of the chassis of the reservoir 1 which may have an electric vibration means (not shown) to vibrate the reservoir 1 in order to move the objects towards the tapering side-walls 201 and into the delivery channel 21.
  • the vibration element 10 can be excited by a separate excitation means.
  • the object enters the delivery channel 21 and is accelerated by the pressurized air from nozzle 200 so that the object is moved along the single line path through the delivery channel 21 to the transfer zone 31. Additional nozzles may be provided for sorting the objects and for further improving acceleration of the objects on entry into the delivery channel 21.
  • the transfer zone 31 which extends about the peripheral surface 30 of the transfer wheel 3 is also dimensioned such that the objects can be moved through the transfer zone 31 only one after another along a single line path.
  • the objects are transported with the aid of a suitable air flow which is provided by a number of nozzles 32 with the aid of which either an overpressure air flow or a suction air flow is generated to move the objects through the transfer zone 31.
  • Some of the objects are transferred onto the peripheral surface 30 of the transfer wheel 3.
  • the transfer is assisted with suction means.
  • the suction means comprise suction channels 4 for providing a negative pressure acting on the peripheral surface 30 of the transfer wheel 3 to attract the objects moving through the transfer zone 31.
  • the transfer wheel 3 may be embodied similar to that described in detail in WO-A-2010/055120 and may comprise pockets (not shown) in its peripheral surface 30, with the negative pressure being applied to these pockets.
  • the objects are sucked into the respective pockets in the peripheral surface 30 of the transfer wheel 3 where they are retained until the respective pocket has been rotated to the location where the object is released and introduced into the filter material.
  • the way of sucking the objects into the pockets provided in the peripheral surface 30 of the transfer wheel 3 with the aid of negative pressure is known for example from the afore-mentioned WO-A-2010/055120.
  • the surplus objects that is those objects which are moved through the transfer zone 31 but are not transferred into the pockets are returned into the reservoir 1.
  • a return channel 5 is provided (see Fig. 4).
  • the return channel 5 extends from the exit of the transfer zone 31 to an upper region of the reservoir 1.
  • the entry of the return channel 5 into the reservoir 1 is arranged above the level of the objects contained in the reservoir 1.
  • At least one nozzle 50 is provided for applying an overpressure air flow to the objects.
  • the overpressure airflow moves the objects towards the upper region of the reservoir 1 through the return channel 5.
  • the return channel is dimensioned to allow the transport of the surplus objects in a single line path.
  • FIG. 5 A further embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is shown in Fig. 5.
  • at least one additional Venturi means 60 is provided.
  • the at least one additional Venturi means 60 comprises a nozzle 600 as well as tapering side- walls 601 which are arranged at the exit of the reservoir 1.
  • at least one additional delivery channel 61 is provided.
  • the at least one additional delivery channel 61 can be selectively opened and closed.
  • an additional vibration blade 1 1 is provided assisting in the singularizing of the objects as the objects exit the reservoir 1.
  • the additional Venturi means 60 and the additional delivery channel 61 provide for redundancy.
  • the sensor 22 detects that delivery channel 21 is clogged, a corresponding signal is generated to initiate that the additional delivery channel 61 is opened.
  • a control unit (not shown) receives the signal from the sensor 22 indicating that delivery channel 21 is clogged, selectively activates the additional Venturi means 60 and opens the additional delivery channel 61 so that production can continue without interruption.
  • the more additional Venturi means and delivery channels are provided the higher the availability of the apparatus and the lower the risk that production must be interrupted due to clogging of a delivery channel.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un équipement pour introduire des objets dans un flux continu de matière qui comprend: un réservoir (1) pour approvisionner la pluralité d'objets à introduire dans le flux continu de matière; une roue (3) de transfert pour transporter les objets jusqu'à un moyen d'introduction des objets dans le flux continu de matière, la roue (3) de transfert comprenant une surface périphérique (30); une zone de transfert (31) s'étendant autour d'une partie de la surface périphérique (30) de la roue (3) de transfert; un moyen de distribution (2) pour déplacer les objets du réservoir (1) à la zone de transfert (31) et un moyen (32) pour faire traverser aux objets la zone de transfert (31), dans lequel le moyen de distribution (2) et la zone de transfert (31) sont configurés de telle sorte que les objets se déplacent du réservoir (1) à la zone de transfert (31) et traversent la zone de transfert (31) en file indienne.
PCT/EP2011/071848 2010-12-07 2011-12-06 Procédé et équipement pour introduire des objets dans un flux continu de matière WO2012076496A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10193973.4 2010-12-07
EP10193973 2010-12-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012076496A1 true WO2012076496A1 (fr) 2012-06-14

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2011/071848 WO2012076496A1 (fr) 2010-12-07 2011-12-06 Procédé et équipement pour introduire des objets dans un flux continu de matière

Country Status (1)

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WO (1) WO2012076496A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2502510A1 (fr) * 2011-03-25 2012-09-26 HAUNI Maschinenbau AG Dispositif et procédé d'insertion d'objets dans un composant de filtre
US9232820B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2016-01-12 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag High speed object inserter and related methods
CN110475485A (zh) * 2017-03-10 2019-11-19 国际烟草机械波兰有限责任公司 烟草工业机器中用于供给球形物体的供给装置和方法
CN110536612A (zh) * 2017-05-16 2019-12-03 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 用于传送物体的传送轮和方法

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050070409A1 (en) * 2003-09-12 2005-03-31 Deal Philip Andrew Method and apparatus for incorporating objects into cigarette filters
WO2009071271A1 (fr) * 2007-12-05 2009-06-11 Philip Morris Products S.A. Dispositif d'alimentation en sphères
WO2009071272A1 (fr) * 2007-12-05 2009-06-11 Philip Morris Products S.A. Dispositif d'alimentation en sphères
WO2010005120A1 (fr) 2008-07-11 2010-01-14 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Dispositif de commande de fonctionnement de turbine à gaz
WO2010055120A1 (fr) 2008-11-14 2010-05-20 Philip Morris Products S.A. Procédé et appareil pour introduire des objets dans un article à fumer
WO2010103000A1 (fr) * 2009-03-09 2010-09-16 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Appareil destiné à introduire des objets dans un matériau de bâtonnet-filtre

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050070409A1 (en) * 2003-09-12 2005-03-31 Deal Philip Andrew Method and apparatus for incorporating objects into cigarette filters
WO2009071271A1 (fr) * 2007-12-05 2009-06-11 Philip Morris Products S.A. Dispositif d'alimentation en sphères
WO2009071272A1 (fr) * 2007-12-05 2009-06-11 Philip Morris Products S.A. Dispositif d'alimentation en sphères
WO2010005120A1 (fr) 2008-07-11 2010-01-14 トヨタ自動車株式会社 Dispositif de commande de fonctionnement de turbine à gaz
WO2010055120A1 (fr) 2008-11-14 2010-05-20 Philip Morris Products S.A. Procédé et appareil pour introduire des objets dans un article à fumer
WO2010103000A1 (fr) * 2009-03-09 2010-09-16 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Appareil destiné à introduire des objets dans un matériau de bâtonnet-filtre

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2502510A1 (fr) * 2011-03-25 2012-09-26 HAUNI Maschinenbau AG Dispositif et procédé d'insertion d'objets dans un composant de filtre
US9055768B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2015-06-16 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag High speed object inserter and related methods
US9232820B2 (en) 2011-03-25 2016-01-12 Hauni Maschinenbau Ag High speed object inserter and related methods
CN110475485A (zh) * 2017-03-10 2019-11-19 国际烟草机械波兰有限责任公司 烟草工业机器中用于供给球形物体的供给装置和方法
CN110536612A (zh) * 2017-05-16 2019-12-03 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 用于传送物体的传送轮和方法
CN110536612B (zh) * 2017-05-16 2022-06-07 菲利普莫里斯生产公司 用于传送物体的传送轮和方法

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