CN112656028A

CN112656028A - Machine for making filter rods

Info

Publication number: CN112656028A
Application number: CN202011106887.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 巴尔托什·切斯莱科夫斯基
Original assignee: International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp zoo
Current assignee: International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp zoo
Priority date: 2019-10-16
Filing date: 2020-10-16
Publication date: 2021-04-16
Also published as: EP3808192A1; RU2020133982A3; RU2020133982A; US20210112853A1

Abstract

Machine for making filter rods (1) of the tobacco industry, the filter rods (1) comprising a single length of longitudinal object (2), wherein the machine comprises: a preparation unit (11) for preparing a filtration fiber strand (F); a forming unit (12) for forming a continuous filter rod (CR) from a filter fiber strand (F); a supply unit (13) for supplying longitudinal objects (6) of multiple lengths; a cutting unit (14) for cutting the longitudinal objects (6) of multiple lengths into longitudinal objects (2) of a single length; a conveying unit (15) for conveying a single length of longitudinal object (2); a positioning unit (16) in which the single length longitudinal object (2) is placed while forming the continuous filter rod (CR); a cutting head (17) for cutting the formed continuous filter rod (CR) comprising filter fibres and longitudinal objects (2) of single length into individual filter rods (1). A cutting unit (14) for cutting longitudinal objects (6) of multiple lengths into longitudinal objects (2) of a single length comprises a multi-slot roller conveyor (22).

Description

Machine for making filter rods

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a machine for making filter rods.

Background

In tobacco industry products, a mouthpiece containing a filter material is often used. A solid filter segment with a circular cross-section and a tubular segment of tubular body with any wall thickness are used. There are known suction nozzles in which a solid segment and a tubular segment are juxtaposed to each other, wherein the solid segment and the tubular segment are made of different materials, or both are made of the same type of material. It is desirable to manufacture such a two-part mouthpiece in a simple and inexpensive manner, and to have the fibres of the filter material extend along the entire length of the mouthpiece. In the tobacco industry, there is a need for a machine that produces such mouthpiece in a single technical operation in a simple way.

GB1527705 discloses a machine in which a thin walled tubular element is fed into a rod formed of acetate fibres.

US4037524 discloses a machine for producing filter rods consisting of a cylinder of tow and a hollow plastic tube spaced within the tow. The machine comprises means for supplying a continuous stream of tow to an injection station below a rotating wheel which conveys the plastic tubular bodies in a spaced apart manner.

EP0295518 discloses a cigarette filter rod having individual pellets positioned at predetermined intervals therein, which is made by cutting a strand of plasticised material into pellets and inserting them into a roll of filter tow. A wheel having a series of grooves rotates within a rim-like housing, and introduction of a plasticized fragrance-containing material strand into each groove results in cutting the material strand into pellets of the desired size.

Disclosure of Invention

Disclosed herein is a machine for making filter rods for the tobacco industry comprising a single length longitudinal object, wherein the machine comprises: a preparation unit for preparing the filter fiber strand; a forming unit for forming a continuous filter rod by filtering the fiber strands; a supply unit for supplying longitudinal objects of multiple lengths; a cutting unit for cutting the multiple length longitudinal objects into single length longitudinal objects; a conveying unit for conveying a single length of longitudinal object; a positioning unit for placing a single length of longitudinal object therein while forming a continuous filter rod; a cutting head for cutting formed continuous filter rods comprising filter fibres and single length longitudinal objects into individual filter rods, wherein the cutting unit for cutting multiple length longitudinal objects into single length longitudinal objects comprises a multi-flute roller conveyor.

The supply unit for supplying the multiple-length longitudinal objects may comprise a channel configured to supply the multiple-length longitudinal objects in the form of a mass flow.

The conveying unit may be configured to convey the single length longitudinal object along the conduit in the form of a stream of single length longitudinal objects.

A conveying unit for conveying a single length of longitudinal objects may comprise a conveying drum having helical elements on a side surface.

The separation unit may be located at an end of the conduit and configured to receive the single length of longitudinal objects and to deliver the single length of longitudinal objects one by one to the positioning unit.

The positioning unit for placing single length longitudinal objects into the continuous filter rod may comprise a rotary positioning disc having a horizontal axis, wherein the positioning disc may comprise a transport seat for single length longitudinal objects.

The positioning unit for depositing single-length longitudinal objects into the formed continuous filter rods may comprise a longitudinal ejection element for ejecting single-length longitudinal objects from the transport seats of the positioning tray.

The positioning unit for depositing single-length longitudinal objects into the continuous filter rods may comprise a rotary pushing element for pushing the single-length longitudinal objects out of the transport seats of the positioning disc.

The machine may comprise a dispensing unit for applying glue to a single length of longitudinal object.

The dispensing unit may have a nozzle for supplying glue at the circumference of the puck.

The multi-length longitudinal object may be in the form of a tube.

The machine according to the invention provides a high quality of the manufactured bodies, which is manifested by repeatability in positioning the tube along the body and by the central positioning of the tube in the section plane of the body.

Drawings

The invention is illustrated by way of example embodiments in the drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a cross-section of a filter rod,

figure 2 shows a cross-section of a single mouthpiece,

figure 3 shows a multi-length longitudinal object,

figure 4 shows a machine for making filter rods,

figure 5 shows the path of travel of a single length of longitudinal object,

figure 6 shows a part of a machine for making filter rods,

figure 7 shows a section through the positioning unit of the machine of figure 6,

figure 8 shows a part of a machine for making filter rods,

figure 9 shows a section through the positioning unit of the machine of figure 8,

figure 10 shows part of a machine for making filter rods, and

figure 11 shows a section through the positioning unit of the machine of figure 10.

Detailed Description

An example of a filter rod 1 is shown in cross-section in figure 1. It comprises two longitudinal objects in the form of tubes 2. The tube 2 is centrally positioned along the axis X of the filter rod 1. The tubular body 2 is arranged along an axis X such that each filter rod 1 can be cut into two portions along a plane k perpendicular to the axis X, and each of these two portions can be cut along two planes: m and n spaced apart from each other and from plane k and perpendicular to axis X. Thus, four mouthpiece 3 can be obtained with a single filter rod 1, wherein the solid end 4 as well as the tube end 5 (fig. 2) can be oriented towards the tobacco rod in the cigarette. The suction nozzle 3 can be used as a segment of a multi-segment suction nozzle. Figure 3 shows a multi-length longitudinal object, i.e. a tube 6, which is cut into a plurality of tubes 2 during the manufacture of the filter rod, tube 2 being referred to herein as a single-length longitudinal object 2, wherein the multi-length longitudinal object 6 is cut along a plurality of planes c perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z of the tube 6.

In figure 4 there is shown a machine 10 for making filter rods 1 having a single length of longitudinal object 2. The machine comprises a preparation unit 11 for preparing a filter fibre strand, a forming unit 12 for forming continuous filter rods CR from the filter fibre strand F, a supply unit 13 for supplying longitudinal objects 6 of multiple length in a mass flow MF, a cutting unit 14 for cutting the longitudinal objects 6 of multiple length into longitudinal objects 2 of single length, a transfer unit 15 for conveying the longitudinal objects 2 of single length as a stream of longitudinal objects 2 of single length, a positioning unit 16 for placing the longitudinal objects 2 of single length into the continuous filter rods CR, a cutting head 17 for cutting the formed continuous filter rods CR (comprising filter fibres and longitudinal objects 2 of single length) into individual filter rods 1.

In the preparation unit 11 for preparing the filter fiber strands, the strands F are stretched both in the conveying direction and in the direction transverse to the conveying direction. The individual fibres of the strand F are separate and therefore it is possible to form a uniform rod with a circular section in the preforming unit 18 for forming the filter fibre strand F, which is gradually compressed, so that a continuous rod CR with a circular section can be formed at the outlet of the forming unit 12. The machine comprises a cigarette paper supply unit 19 for supplying cigarette paper P.

A supply unit 13 for supplying the multi-length longitudinal objects 6 is located above the forming unit 12 for forming the continuous filter rod CR from the filter fibre strands F. The supply unit 13 comprises a channel 20 configured to supply the multiple-length longitudinal objects 6 in the form of a mass flow MF, i.e. a multi-laminar flow of the multiple-length longitudinal objects 6. Further, the supply unit 13 includes a hopper 21 located directly above the cutting unit 14. The cutting unit 14 includes a multi-flute roller conveyor 22 and a circular cutter unit 23. The longitudinal objects 6 of multiple length are placed into the trough of the drum conveyor 22 and the longitudinal objects 2 of single length obtained after cutting are received from the trough of the conveyor to form a flow SF of longitudinal objects 2 of single length. The single length longitudinal object 2 is conveyed along a substantially horizontal duct 25 (fig. 5) as a flow SF of the single length longitudinal object 2. The single length longitudinal objects 2 are conveyed by the pusher 24 in groups G, of which only one is shown in the figure for the sake of clarity. In the embodiment provided, the single length of longitudinal object 2 is further conveyed by means of a conveying roller 26, the helical elements 27 being located on the lateral surface 28 of the conveying roller 26. The helical elements 27 push a single length of longitudinal object 2 during the rotation of the transfer drum 26. The single-length longitudinal object 2 is transferred from the transfer unit 15 to the positioning unit 16 directly or via the separation unit 29. The purpose of the positioning unit 16 is to place a single length of longitudinal objects 2 into the continuous, cylindrical strand F of acetate fibre formed, the single length of longitudinal objects 2 being placed by means of a positioning plate 30 having a delivery seat 31. The transport path of the flow SF may be tangential to the positioning plate 30. The placement of the single-length longitudinal bodies 2 is carried out while initially forming sufficiently loose fibres, so that the fibres of the strand F are removed when inserting the single-length longitudinal bodies 2 and surround the bodies during the further formation of the fibre strand F, so that a uniform density of filter material can be obtained around said bodies. At this stage, the density of the filter fiber strands F (cross section across the strands) is low and sufficiently uniform to achieve precise centering of the single-length longitudinal objects 2 in the filter fiber strands F in the continuous rod body CR by means of the positioning plate 30. The transport seat 31 may be formed by a pusher 32 on a circumference 33. The rotational movement of the positioning plate 30, which defines the position of the single length of longitudinal articles 2, is synchronized with the delivery of the cigarette paper P and the filter fiber strands F, thus enabling the longitudinal disposition of the single length of longitudinal articles 2 in the formed continuous rod CR to be repeatable and set with high precision. In the proposed embodiment, the positioning disk 30 has a horizontal axis of rotation Y. The positioning unit 16 for depositing single-length longitudinal objects 2 into filter rods comprises a longitudinal pushing element 34, shown in cross-section in figure 7, for pushing the single-length longitudinal objects 2 out of the delivery chute 31 of the positioning disk 30 during rotation of the positioning disk 30. The stationary pushing elements 34, 34 'can be replaced by rotationally mounted pushing elements 37, 37', such as disks shown in fig. 8 and in cross-section in fig. 9. The purpose of the fixed pushing elements 34, 34 'and the rotatably mounted pushing elements 37, 37' is to provide a centering of the single length longitudinal object 2 in the cross section of the continuous rod CR, since this centering is provided for the entire length of the inserted object. The transport seat 31' may have the form of a cylindrical recess with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the single length of longitudinal object 2. A single length of longitudinal object 2 may be held by the arcuate guide 38. Alternatively or additionally, a single length of longitudinal object 2 may be held in transport seat 31' by means of the negative pressure provided through duct 39.

At the circumference 33 of the positioning disc 30 there is provided a glue dispensing unit 35 configured to apply glue to a single length of longitudinal object 2. The dispensing unit may have a nozzle 36 for supplying glue in a cyclic pulse. The single length of longitudinal object 2 is immovably fixed with respect to the fibres of the continuous filter rod CR being formed, thanks to the glue used.

Fig. 10 shows a part of a machine comprising a positioning unit 16 'with a transport seat 31' provided on the outer periphery by means of a projection 40 at the periphery 33 'of the positioning plate 30'. Each transport seat 31 'has two projections 40 which delimit on both sides a single length of longitudinal object 2 placed in the transport seat 31'. Such a solution helps to obtain a uniform longitudinal arrangement of the single length of longitudinal objects 2 in the continuous bar CR, since the positioning of the single length of longitudinal objects 2 is limited on both sides. The single length of longitudinal objects 2 is fed from the top into the transport seat 31' by means of the separation unit 29. The single-length longitudinal objects 2 are conveyed in the transport seat 31 'where it is externally retained by a guide 38' having an internal guide surface 41 (fig. 11) corresponding to the diameter of the single-length longitudinal objects 2. The guide rail may have any shape. Side rails 42, 42' indicated by dashed lines may additionally be implemented. Fig. 11 also shows two glue dispensing units 35' for applying glue to the outer surface of a single length of longitudinal object 2. Alternatively, the dispensing unit may be provided only on one side of the conveying path of the objects.

Claims

1. A machine for making filter rods (1) of the tobacco industry, said filter rods (1) comprising a single length longitudinal object (2), wherein said machine comprises:

-a preparation unit (11) for preparing a filtration fiber strand (F);

-a forming unit (12) for forming a continuous filter rod (CR) by means of said filter fiber strands (F);

-a supply unit (13) for supplying longitudinal objects (6) of multiple lengths;

-a cutting unit (14) for cutting the longitudinal objects (6) of multiple length into longitudinal objects (2) of single length;

-a conveying unit (15) for conveying the single length of longitudinal object (2);

-a positioning unit (16) for depositing said single length longitudinal object (2) into said continuous filter rod (CR) simultaneously with the formation of said continuous filter rod (CR);

-a cutting head (17) for cutting the formed continuous filter rod (CR) comprising filter fibres and said single length longitudinal objects (2) into individual filter rods (1),

characterized in that said cutting unit (14) for cutting said longitudinal objects (6) of multiple length into said longitudinal objects (2) of single length comprises a multi-flute roller conveyor (22).

2. Machine according to claim 1, wherein the supply unit (13) for supplying the longitudinal objects (6) of multiple length comprises a channel (20) configured to supply the longitudinal objects (6) of multiple length in the form of a Mass Flow (MF).

3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said transfer unit (15) is configured to transfer said single length of longitudinal objects (2) along a duct (25) in the form of a flow (SF) of said single length of longitudinal objects (2).

4. Machine according to claim 1, wherein said conveying unit (15) for conveying said single length of longitudinal objects (2) comprises a conveying drum (26) having spiral elements (27) on a lateral surface (28).

5. Machine according to claim 3, wherein a separation unit (29) is located at the end of the duct (25) and is configured to receive the single length of longitudinal objects (2) and to convey them (2) one by one to the positioning unit (16).

6. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the positioning unit (16) for depositing the single length of longitudinal object (2) into the continuous filter rod (CR) comprises a rotary positioning disc (30) having a horizontal axis (Y), wherein the positioning disc (30) comprises a transport seat (31) for the single length of longitudinal object (2).

7. The machine according to claim 6, wherein the positioning unit (16) for depositing the single-length longitudinal objects (2) into the formed continuous filter rods (CR) comprises a longitudinal ejection element (34) for ejecting the single-length longitudinal objects (2) from the transport seats (31) of the positioning tray (30).

8. The machine according to claim 6, wherein the positioning unit (16) for depositing the single-length longitudinal objects (2) into the continuous filter rods (CR) comprises a rotary pushing element (37) for pushing the single-length longitudinal objects (2) out of the transport seats (31) of the positioning tray (30).

9. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a dispensing unit (35) for applying glue onto said single length of longitudinal object (2).

10. Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that a nozzle (36) for supplying glue is located at the circumference (33) of the positioning disc (30).

11. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said multi-length longitudinal object (6) has the form of a tube.