WO2024089589A1 - Procédé et appareil de séchage d'une bande de matière pâteuse destinée à la production d'articles à fumer - Google Patents
Procédé et appareil de séchage d'une bande de matière pâteuse destinée à la production d'articles à fumer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2024089589A1 WO2024089589A1 PCT/IB2023/060702 IB2023060702W WO2024089589A1 WO 2024089589 A1 WO2024089589 A1 WO 2024089589A1 IB 2023060702 W IB2023060702 W IB 2023060702W WO 2024089589 A1 WO2024089589 A1 WO 2024089589A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- strip
- pasty material
- drying chamber
- conveying
- conveyor
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 110
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 93
- 235000011837 pasties Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 82
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 34
- 230000000391 smoking effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 13
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 11
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000761557 Lamina Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 10
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 6
- 241000208125 Nicotiana Species 0.000 description 5
- 235000002637 Nicotiana tabacum Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 5
- 235000019504 cigarettes Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 2
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Glycerine Chemical compound OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000443 aerosol Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011230 binding agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003475 lamination Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 240000002791 Brassica napus Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000004977 Brassica sinapistrum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 244000025254 Cannabis sativa Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000012766 Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa var. sativa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000012765 Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa var. spontanea Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000004323 axial length Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000009120 camo Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000010980 cellulose Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000005607 chanvre indien Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000007795 chemical reaction product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000796 flavoring agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000011187 glycerol Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011487 hemp Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003116 impacting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011344 liquid material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A24—TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
- A24B—MANUFACTURE OR PREPARATION OF TOBACCO FOR SMOKING OR CHEWING; TOBACCO; SNUFF
- A24B3/00—Preparing tobacco in the factory
- A24B3/14—Forming reconstituted tobacco products, e.g. wrapper materials, sheets, imitation leaves, rods, cakes; Forms of such products
Definitions
- This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for drying a strip of pasty material intended for the production of smoking articles.
- Patent document WO 2020/058814 describes obtaining a continuous strip of reconstituted tobacco, which is then rolled up or cut into thread-like shreds of predetermined size, which are suitably mixed with each other before being fed to traditional cigarette making machines.
- the continuous strip from which the shreds are obtained is made using tobacco by-products and processing waste (midribs, small pieces of leaves, dust, etc) which, when suitably comminuted until they are practically reduced to powder and mixed with water, glycerine binders and other liquid additives, allow obtaining a mixture having a moisture content of about 30% - 50%, preferably 35% - 40%, which is then processed to obtain a strip of substantially constant thickness of, for example, 90 - 280 pm, preferably approximately 100 - 140 pm.
- This strip is then dried until the required moisture content is reached, generally around 7% - 15%, and is used to obtain a product which can be processed immediately, in particular by shredding, or it can be stored in rolls to be used at a later stage.
- Drying the strip is a critical part of the process in that the product is still soft on account of its high moisture content and, in order to be dried quickly, could be placed in a drying chamber on a mesh conveyor which, on the one hand, enables it dry quickly because it allows the hot air to flow over both of its surfaces, but on the other hand, leaves the marks of the mesh on the product because the product is still soft and malleable.
- the first stage comprises a steel belt which does not leave any marks on the strip of product and brings its moisture content to a value greater than the required final value but such as to considerably reduce the plasticity and deformability of the product. It can then be transferred to the second stage (mesh dryer) and placed on a mesh conveyor which can reduce its moisture content to the required final level without marking it.
- the aim of this invention is to propose a method and an apparatus capable of drying strips of pasty material of the type described above but without incurring the disadvantages of the prior art methods and plants.
- this invention has for an aim to propose a method and an apparatus which allow further reducing the size of the dryer, making it substantially comparable to that of a traditional mesh dryer.
- Another aim of the invention is to propose a method and an apparatus which, compared to traditional dryers offering the same performance, involve appreciably lower energy consumption.
- Another aim of the invention is to propose a method and an apparatus which involve lower installation and running costs than a traditional drying oven offering the same performance.
- this invention provides a method for drying a strip of pasty material intended for the production of smoking articles, comprising the steps of: feeding the strip of pasty material into a drying chamber; conveying the strip of pasty material inside the drying chamber between an infeed station and an outfeed station of the drying chamber.
- the step of conveying comprises rolling the strip on a plurality of conveying surfaces arranged in succession along a first conveying path extending between the infeed and outfeed stations.
- this step of conveying prevents the strip of material from having marks impressed on it as could happen, for example, with a mesh surface.
- the step of conveying comprises a preliminary step whereby an initial portion, or end, of the strip is picked up in the infeed station and is taken to the outfeed station along a second conveying path which is different from the first conveying path.
- This preliminary step may be fully automated, as described in more detail below or it may be carried out manually or semi-manually.
- the initial portion of the strip is placed on at least one supporting and entraining surface by means of which it is brought from the infeed station to the outfeed station along said second conveying path.
- the first conveying path runs linearly between the infeed and outfeed stations of the drying chamber.
- the first conveying path runs in zigzag fashion between the infeed and outfeed stations of the drying chamber. This embodiment, with the same footprint, allows drying to be performed on a longer strip compared to the case where the first conveying path is linear.
- the second conveying path runs above and over the first conveying path. This embodiment ensures a high level of constructional and operational simplicity.
- the first and second conveying paths are parallel.
- the steps of feeding the strip of pasty material into the drying chamber and conveying the strip inside the chamber are mutually coordinated so that both impart the same longitudinal feed speed to the strip.
- this embodiment is such that the strip of material being fed is not damaged and/or subjected to undesirable stresses which might cause it to lose its shape and/or tear.
- this invention provides an apparatus for drying a strip of pasty material intended for the production of smoking articles, comprising: a drying chamber; feeding means to feed the strip of pasty material into said drying chamber; conveying means for conveying the strip of pasty material inside the drying chamber between an infeed station and an outfeed station of the drying chamber.
- the conveying means comprise a plurality of conveying surfaces which are arranged in succession along a first conveying path extending between the infeed station and the outfeed station to roll on the strip of pasty material while it is being conveyed.
- the presence of the conveying surfaces rolling on the strip prevents the strip of material from having marks impressed on it as could happen, for example, with a mesh surface.
- the first conveying path runs linearly between the infeed and outfeed stations of the drying chamber. This aspect ensures a high level of constructional and operational simplicity.
- the first conveying path runs in zigzag fashion between the infeed and outfeed stations of the drying chamber. This aspect, in apparatuses with the same footprint, allows drying to be performed on a longer strip compared to the case where the first conveying path is linear.
- the conveying means comprise a roller conveyor, with rollers which are at least partially motorized and define said plurality of conveying surfaces arranged in succession along the first conveyor path.
- providing a conveyor with motorized rollers allows the strip to roll without rubbing, thus preventing it from being damaged.
- the feeding means which feed the strip of pasty material into the drying chamber and the conveying means which convey the strip inside the chamber are mutually coordinated so that both impart the same longitudinal feed speed to the strip.
- this aspect is such that the strip of material being fed is not damaged and/or subjected to stresses which might damage it, cause it to lose its shape and/or tear.
- the conveying means comprise at least one supporting and entraining surface, which is movable from the infeed station to the outfeed station along a second conveying path which is different (distinct and independent) from the first conveying path, and which is disposed and configured to pick up an initial portion, or end, of the strip of pasty material in the infeed station and to take it to the outfeed station along the second conveying path.
- the supporting and entraining surface allows performing a first step of starting, during which the strip of material moves through the drying chamber without the risk of suffering damage which might occur as a result of contact between the strip, which has an initial portion, or free end, and the conveying surfaces.
- Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus according to the invention in a first embodiment of it and during an intermediate stage of its operation
- Figure 2 is a view like that of Figure 1 , showing the aforementioned apparatus in a subsequent stage of its operation,
- Figure 3 is a schematic, cross-section through the line Ill-Ill of Figure 1
- Figure 4 is a view like that of Figure 1 , showing an apparatus according to the invention in a second embodiment of it,
- Figure 5 is a view like that of Figure 1 , showing an apparatus according to the invention in a third embodiment of it,
- Figure 6 is a view like that of Figure 1 , showing an apparatus according to the invention in a third embodiment of it and in an initial stage of its operation, and
- Figure 7 shows the apparatus of Figure 6 in a subsequent stage of its operation.
- the apparatus or dryer according to the invention comprises a drying chamber 2, defined or delimited by walls 2A (illustrated only partly for greater clarity) and provided with an inlet 4 to which a strip of pasty material 6, to be dried and intended for the production of smoking articles, is fed.
- the drying chamber 2 delimits a space in which the drying of the strip of pasty material 6 occurs at least partly.
- the strip of pasty material 6 is fed in at the inlet 4 from where it enters the drying chamber 2.
- heating articles is used to mean articles of various kinds such as, for example, articles of the “heat not burn” type (where the article is only heated and not burnt), or articles which burn at least partly, such as, traditional cigarettes, for example.
- the moisture content of the strip of pasty material 6 is greater than 20%.
- the moisture content may be between 30% and 50%.
- the moisture content may be between 35% and 40%.
- the strip of pasty material 6 may be obtained, for example, using the method according to WO 2020/058814.
- the strip of pasty material 6 is obtained by a process known as lamination, where the mixture, with a moisture content of less than 50%, is squeezed between two rollers to form a layer.
- the strip is obtained using a process known as casting, where the liquid or semi-liquid material (with a moisture content generally greater than 50%) is poured onto a conveyor belt, made of a metallic material, for example, which conveys it into a first drying chamber where a first drying step is carried out, and then into a second drying chamber, where drying is completed.
- a process known as casting where the liquid or semi-liquid material (with a moisture content generally greater than 50%) is poured onto a conveyor belt, made of a metallic material, for example, which conveys it into a first drying chamber where a first drying step is carried out, and then into a second drying chamber, where drying is completed.
- drying chamber 2 of a strip of pasty material 6 which may be a drying chamber of a strip 6 obtained for example with the method according to WO 2020/058814, that is, by lamination, or to a second drying chamber of a strip obtained with a casting process.
- the pasty material of the strip 6 may contain tobacco (for example, reconstituted tobacco) or a substance derived therefrom, or more generally speaking, a material capable of generating an aerosol in the context of smoking articles, such as, for example, one or more between cellulose, rapeseed and hemp, as well as water and/or flavourings and/or binders and/or other additives.
- the drying chamber 2 is also provided with an outlet 8, downstream of the inlet 4 along the conveying direction, for feeding out a dried strip 10.
- the dried strip 10 generally has a moisture content of approximately 7% - 15% and is ready for immediate use, for further processing (for example, shredding) or to be wound into a roll 12 for use at a later stage (as in the case illustrated in the accompanying drawings).
- the drying chamber 2 at least partly houses conveying means 20, 14, used for conveying the strip of pasty material 6.
- the apparatus comprises a heating system which may comprise, for example, one or more apparatuses for generating and circulating a hot air flow, infrared plates or microwave generators.
- the heating system inside the drying chamber 2 comprises an apparatus 28, 28', 30, 30' for generating and circulating a flow of hot drying air.
- the drying chamber 2 and the heating system define an oven in which drying of the strip of pasty material 6 occurs.
- the conveying means 20, 14 which convey the strip of pasty material 6 comprise a pickup unit 14, consisting, for example, of a first conveyor 14 comprising, for example, a pair of endless chains 16 or other flexible drive elements such as cables, belts or the like.
- a pickup unit 14 consisting, for example, of a first conveyor 14 comprising, for example, a pair of endless chains 16 or other flexible drive elements such as cables, belts or the like.
- chains these are trained around transmission sprockets 18, at least one of which is motorized and synchronized with the corresponding sprocket of the other chain.
- the two sprockets 18 of the two chains 16 are solidly connected to the same shaft, with which an electric motor driving it (not illustrated) is associated.
- the electric motor is controlled by a control unit, which controls the operation of the apparatus as a whole and which is not described further.
- Two upper transmission sprockets 18 of each chain 16 are located at the same level, on the outside of the side walls 2A of the drying chamber 2 in the example illustrated.
- the upper transmission sprockets 18 define a horizontal stretch of the chains 16, running substantially at the same level as a roller conveyor 20, also forming part of the apparatus and described in more detail below.
- the straight stretch of the first conveyor 14 runs from an infeed or inlet station 22 for the strip of pasty material 6 to be dried to an outfeed station, where the dried strip 10 leaves the apparatus, defining a second conveying path of the strip 6.
- the straight stretch of the first conveyor 14 extends substantially entirely inside the drying chamber 2.
- each chain 16 between the two upper sprockets 18 runs below the straight stretch, as may be seen clearly in the drawings.
- a bridge structure 24 for supporting the strip of pasty material 6 to be dried. It may be made in different ways but preferably comprises a plurality of openings through which the hot dry air can flow.
- the bridge structure 24 may comprise or be composed of a plurality of laminas, made of metal, for example, which have openings made all over their surfaces and which are fixed with their ends slightly spaced from the two chains 16.
- the bridge structure 24 may comprise or be composed of a metallic mesh portion, also fixed with its two longitudinal sides to the chains 16.
- the bridge structure 24 constitutes means for receiving the strip 6 and, in particular, a supporting and entraining surface 24 for the strip 6.
- the bridge structure 24 does not extend along the full length of the two chains 16 but only along a part of them, which must be such as to supportably receive the initial portion of the strip of pasty material 6 and to entrain it by friction, as explained in more detail below.
- the length of the bridge structure 24 may be approximately the same as the length of the straight, upper stretch of the two chains 16.
- the bridge structure 24 thus allows performing a first step of starting, during which the strip of material 6 moves through the drying chamber 2 without the risk of suffering damage which might occur as a result of contact between the strip 6, which has an initial portion, or free end, and the conveying surfaces of the roller conveyor 20.
- a winding station is located downstream of the outfeed station to wind the dried strip 10 onto a roll 12.
- the winding station contributes to the advancing motion of the strip being conveyed in that winding the strip onto the roll may also have the function of entraining it.
- the roller conveyor 20 runs at substantially the same level as the straight, upper stretch of the chains 16 from the infeed station 22, and may extend as far as the outlet 8 of the drying chamber 2 (as in the accompanying drawings) or it may reach the downstream end of the straight, upper stretch of the chains 16 (outfeed station). Whatever the case, the roller conveyor 20 defines a first conveying path for the strip 6.
- the roller conveyor 20 extends inside the drying chamber 2, between the inlet 4 and the outlet 8 thereof.
- the inlet 4 of the drying chamber 2 may coincide with the infeed station 22.
- the outlet 8 of the drying chamber 2 may coincide with the outfeed station.
- the axes of the individual rollers 26 of the roller conveyor 20 are perpendicular to the conveying direction of the strip of pasty material 6.
- the rollers 26, in particular the rollers 26 closest to the infeed station 22, are motorized, although preferably all the rollers 26 are motorized.
- the presence of the (at least partly) motorized rollers 26 allows the strip 6 to be conveyed without rubbing against the rollers 26, thus avoiding possible damage to the strip 6 as it moves along the drying chamber 2.
- the heating system in the part above the two conveyors 14, 20 inside the drying chamber 2, comprises at least one hot, dry air generator 28 which, through suitable ducts 30, channels flows of hot, dry air onto the conveyors 20 and 14 and blows them onto the upper surface of the strip of pasty material 6 moving through the drying chamber 2 from the inlet 4 to the outlet 8.
- the heating system in the part below the two conveyors 14, 20 inside the drying chamber 2, comprises at least one hot, dry air generator 28' which, through suitable ducts 30', channels flows of hot, dry air onto the conveyors 20 and 14 and blows them onto the underside surface of the strip of pasty material 6 moving through the drying chamber 2 from the inlet 4 to the outlet 8.
- the heating system is outside of, and distinct from, the conveyors 20, 14. More in detail, the heating system does not coincide with the conveyors 20, 14 (that is, it is a distinct entity, separate from the two conveyors 20, 14).
- the hot, dry air generators 28, 28' may be of any known kind and the ducts associated therewith may be advantageously composed of a sheet metal box with conduits 32, 32' extending across the full width of the bridge conveyor 14 and the roller conveyor 20 and provided, on the walls facing them, with holes through which jets of hot, dry air are blown onto the upper and underside surfaces of the strip of pasty material 6.
- the control unit of the apparatus commands the first conveyor 14 to move the front edge of its bridge structure 24 in proximity to the infeed station 22 and then to advance at substantially the same speed as the strip of pasty material 6, which leaves the infeed station 22.
- the strip of pasty material 6 which, for example, has a moisture content of around 35% - 50%, advances at the same speed and is placed on the bridge structure 24 of the first conveyor 14 itself.
- the length of the bridge structure 24 is preferably defined as a function of the consistency of the strip of pasty material 6, its weight, and the characteristics of the surface of the bridge structure 24, so as to ensure that the initial portion of the strip of pasty material 6 adheres to it so that, as the first conveyor 14 advances, the strip of pasty material 6, simply resting with its initial portion on the bridge structure 24, is entrained along with it inside the drying chamber 2.
- the first conveyor 14 When the bridge structure 24 of the first conveyor 14 has completely uncovered the roller conveyor 20 and, in fact, continuing in its movement, is positioned under it, as shown in Figure 2, the first conveyor 14 is stopped and the drying apparatus works with the roller conveyor 20 alone.
- the heating system inside the drying chamber thanks to its air jets, for example, completes the drying process by bringing the moisture content of the strip of pasty material 6 down to a desired value, thus obtaining the dried strip 10.
- the bridge structure 24 of the first conveyor 14 has completely uncovered the roller conveyor 20
- the latter (that is, the rollers thereof) is the only means which guides the strip towards the outlet 8.
- this aspect distinguishes the invention from prior art solutions in which a strip of material is guided along a roller feed path with the aid of a support belt whose function is to keep the strip of material in contact with the rollers but which, at the same time, considerably complicates the constructional and functional aspect of the process of drying the material.
- the surface of the rollers 26 may be perfectly smooth.
- the surface of the rollers 26 may be slightly knurled or embossed.
- both surfaces of the dried strip 10 are smooth, whereas in the second case, the underside surface of the dried strip 10 is also slightly knurled or embossed.
- the surface finish of the dried strip 10 is determined by the surface finish of the rollers 26 and does not have unwanted markings on it, imparted to it by the underlying conveyor as in the prior art. In all cases, the surface finish of the rollers 26 is selected to ensure that the friction coefficient is high enough to enable the rollers 26 to convey the strip 6 by rolling but without it rubbing against them.
- the rollers 26 are not heated because in the apparatus of this invention, the heat needed to dry the strip of pasty material 6 is provided by the heating system.
- This aspect makes the structure of the apparatus simpler: if the rollers were heated, the overall complexity would increase and the strip would be more likely to dry non-uniformly, impacting negatively on the quality of the end product. In effect, direct contact between the strip and the heated rollers would cause some parts of the strip to be subjected to higher temperatures than others, leading to considerable thermal shocks during the drying process.
- the apparatus according to the preferred embodiment illustrated is much improved over traditional dryers, and in particular: it requires a drying chamber 2 that is much shorter than the drying chambers currently in use and offering the same performance; it has been calculated that a drying chamber 2 of the dryer according to the invention equal in performance to a traditional dryer with main dryer and mesh dryer occupies approximately 30% less floorspace in length and consumes 40% less energy. it allows a significant reduction in energy consumption because of the reduced size not only of the drying chamber 2 but also of the first conveyor 14.
- the fact that the strip 6 rolls on the second conveyor 20 means that the second conveyor 20 allows rolling to occur, that is to say, it does not comprise flat surfaces. That way, the strip 6 advances without rubbing against the second conveyor 20.
- a connecting surface which acts as a bridge between the conveying surfaces of two successive rollers 26.
- This connecting surface is preferably provided with a plurality of through holes to allow hot, dry air to be blown through the holes towards the underside surface of the strip to be dried.
- the connecting surface may be made of steel, for example, to facilitate the strip feed motion.
- the heating system comprises a plurality of infrared plates 34, interposed between the individual rollers 26 of the roller conveyor 20.
- These infrared plates 34 may be provided as an alternative to, or in combination with, the connecting surface.
- cooling chamber 36 downstream of the drying chamber 2, there is a cooling chamber 36, whose function is to cool the dried strip 10 down to ambient temperature after its passage through the drying chamber 2 has taken it to a high temperature which, in some cases, is so high as to make it unsuitable for subsequent processes.
- the cooling chamber 36 is traversed by both the bridge conveyor 14 and the roller conveyor 20 but, unlike prior art drying systems provided with a cooling chamber, the apparatus according to this invention allows considerable energy saving since it does not use a single conveyor which passes from a hot environment to a cool environment undergoing continual changes from low to high temperatures but which, although it does use a single bridge conveyor moving through the two environments at different temperatures, does not involve high energy consumption thanks to its reduced size and, consequently, its reduced thermal inertia.
- the apparatus comprises, inside the drying chamber 2, a first conveyor 14 which is substantially the same as the first conveyors 14 of the embodiments described above, except for the slightly different form of the two chains 16 which move the bridge structure 24, nevertheless in the same way as described above for the previous embodiments.
- the roller conveyor 20 comprises a sequence of lower rollers 26, 26' corresponding, in practice, to the rollers of the preceding embodiment.
- the roller conveyor 20 comprises fixed rollers 26 alternated with rollers 26' mounted on a single liftable structure such as to subject the rollers 26' to a substantially vertical translational motion.
- the fixed rollers 26 are motorized, whilst the rollers 26' may be mounted idly on their liftable structure or they may themselves also be motorized.
- the roller conveyor 20 also comprises a second sequence of rollers 38, mounted idly on the respective fixed shafts, at a level higher than the fixed rollers 26 and facing the latter.
- the heating system may, for example, comprise a single hot air generator 28, whose duct 30 is provided with a plurality of hollow projections 40 having a trapezoidal transverse profile, extending vertically as far as the rollers 38 and transversely along the full axial length of the rollers themselves.
- the inclined walls of the projections 40 are provided with a plurality of holes, through which hot air jets are blown.
- this embodiment of the apparatus is as follows: the process is the same as in the previous embodiments until the initial portion of the strip of pasty material 6 to be dried is placed on the bridge structure 24 of the first bridge conveyor 14. After the entire bridge structure 24 has passed the underlying roller conveyor 20 and the next portion of the strip of pasty material 6 has been placed on the rollers 26, 26', a command issued to the supporting structure of the rollers 26' causes the structure to be lifted until the rollers 26' practically reach the top of the transverse cavities delimited by projections 40 adjacent to the hot air duct 30.
- This embodiment allows the drying chamber 2 to be considerably reduced in length, without reducing the performance of the apparatus.
- the rollers 26, 26' of the roller conveyor 20 may be between 50 and 100 mm in diameter.
- the rollers 26, 26' arranged linearly may have a centre-to-centre distance of between 200 and 300 millimetres. That way, the hot. dry air generators 28, 28' and/or the infrared heating plates 34 can be positioned between them.
- the height of the rollers 26' (relative to a plane through the fixed rollers 26) may be between 250 and 750 millimetres and depends, for example, on the type of strip to be dried.
- the apparatus according to this fourth embodiment of the invention allows its longitudinal dimension to be reduced by approximately 70% - 80% and its energy consumption by approximately 40%.
Landscapes
- Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
Abstract
Un procédé de séchage d'une bande de matière pâteuse (6) destinée à la fabrication d'articles à fumer, comprenant les étapes de : - introduire la bande de matière pâteuse (6) dans une chambre de séchage (2) ; - transporter la bande de matière pâteuse (6) à l'intérieur de la chambre de séchage (2) entre une station d'entrée (22) et une station de sortie de la chambre de séchage. En particulier, l'étape de transport comprend le laminage de la bande sur une pluralité de surfaces de transport disposées successivement le long d'un premier trajet de transport s'étendant entre les stations d'entrée et de sortie.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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IT102022000022119 | 2022-10-26 | ||
IT202200022119 | 2022-10-26 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2024089589A1 true WO2024089589A1 (fr) | 2024-05-02 |
Family
ID=84943563
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB2023/060702 WO2024089589A1 (fr) | 2022-10-26 | 2023-10-24 | Procédé et appareil de séchage d'une bande de matière pâteuse destinée à la production d'articles à fumer |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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WO (1) | WO2024089589A1 (fr) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB896933A (en) * | 1959-04-27 | 1962-05-23 | Molins Machine Co Ltd | Improvements in or relating to reconstituting tobacco |
DE102017124685A1 (de) * | 2017-10-23 | 2019-04-25 | Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh | Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Herstellen einer Flachbahn aus rekonstituiertem Tabakmaterial |
-
2023
- 2023-10-24 WO PCT/IB2023/060702 patent/WO2024089589A1/fr unknown
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB896933A (en) * | 1959-04-27 | 1962-05-23 | Molins Machine Co Ltd | Improvements in or relating to reconstituting tobacco |
DE102017124685A1 (de) * | 2017-10-23 | 2019-04-25 | Hauni Maschinenbau Gmbh | Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Herstellen einer Flachbahn aus rekonstituiertem Tabakmaterial |
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