EP1602291B1 - Method and apparatus for manufacturing a rod of tobacco - Google Patents

Abstract

The method for the manufacture of at least one tobacco strand entails compacting a tobacco stream (4) containing tobacco fibers in the chamber (3) of a fluidized bed (2) in the direction of a fiber accelerating element. The fibers of the tobacco stream are accelerated in the effective area of a fiber acceleration element in the direction of a suction strand device. All the air carried into the fluidized bed chamber is led out through the suction strand device (14). The compacting of the tobacco stream is created through braking on the fluidized bed. An independent claim is included for a device (1) for the manufacture of at least one tobacco strand by the proposed method.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing at least one tobacco rod, wherein a tobacco stream comprising tobacco fibers is compressed on a fluidized bed in a fluidized bed space in the direction of a downstream of the fluidized bed fiber acceleration element, so that forms a nonwoven, and wherein all registered in the fluidized bed space air over a Saugstrangförderer is discharged. The invention further relates to a device for producing at least one tobacco rod, comprising a fluidized bed in a fluidized bed space, a Saugstrangförderer and downstream of the fluidized bed arranged fiber acceleration element, wherein the registered in the fluidized bed space air can be discharged exclusively via the Saugstrangförderer. Finally, the invention relates to an air system for compressed air supply to a device of the tobacco-processing industry.

A corresponding arrangement and a method for the construction of at least two tobacco rods in a cigarette rod maker are out DE 103 14 096 A1 known. The arrangement comprises supply means for conveying metered and sighted tobacco to at least two flow surfaces leading to at least one suction strand conveyor, wherein the supply means comprise at least two storage spaces which are arranged one behind the other transversely to the conveying direction of the suction belt conveyors.

The storage ducts are fed directly with the tobacco from the tobacco supply, wherein the tobacco is conveyed from each of the at least two storage compartments to at least one flow surface, wherein subsequently the tobacco is supplied to at least two suction belt conveyors. In this case, a fleece-like tobacco stream is formed on the fluidized bed. From Blasluftzuführungen a tight-fitting, tobacco-transporting air flow is generated at flow surfaces.

Another method and device for producing at least one tobacco rod are known from the European patent application EP 1 174 046 A2 known. In this case, tobacco is fed to a needle roller which removes tobacco fibers from a stowage shaft. A Ausschlagerwalze then proposes the tobacco fibers from the needle roller. The tobacco fibers pass onto a fluidized bed which has a decreasing gradient in the direction of flow, whereby the tobacco fibers in the lower section of the fluidized bed compact to form a nonwoven fabric. For ventilation and transport of the tobacco stream air passage openings are provided in the fluidized bed, which produce an air flow between the fluidized bed and the tobacco stream.

The introduced air enters a rolling room, from which excess air is discharged. A further promotion of the tobacco stream is done by entry of compressed air in the direction of Tobacco stream. The thereby registered air is also substantially sucked out of the rolling space.

A separation of the tobacco fibers in the tobacco stream is done by a fiber accelerator, which, in particular by means of an air flow, the fibers individually breaks from the tobacco stream and accelerates in the direction of a Saugstrangvorrichtung.

By extracting the air from the rolling room creates a pressure that is kept constant by controlling the suction. In order to achieve optimum matching of the air volume entering through the secondary air openings to the amount of tobacco delivered by the device, the desired value of this regulation is tracked as a function of the engine speed.

The air discharged from the rolling space is supplied to a circulating air system, which feeds a portion of the discharged air back into the tobacco stream in the fluidized bed space or the fiber accelerating element. On the way through the recirculation system, the air discharged from the rolling room is dedusted before reuse.

The use of the recirculation system requires a high air flow rate in the fluidized bed room and in the rolling room. In addition, the recirculated air in the recirculation system heats up. This may result in unwanted drying and heating of the tobacco fibers in the fluidized bed space of the device.

The invention has for its object to provide a method and apparatus for producing at least one tobacco rod and an air system available, with little air is consumed and tobacco fibers are not heated or dried substantially.

The object is achieved by a method for producing at least one tobacco rod, wherein a tobacco stream comprising tobacco fibers is compressed from a fluidized bed in the direction of a downstream of the fluidized bed fiber acceleration element, so that forms a nonwoven, and wherein all registered in the fluidized bed space air via a Saugstrangförderer which is further developed in that the fibers of the tobacco stream are accelerated in the direction of the Saugstrangförderers in the effective range of Faserbeschleunigungselements, wherein.d acceleration in the effective range of the fiber acceleration element by means of a first generated by the fiber accelerator air flow.

In the direction of the tobacco stream, the fluidized bed has a decreasing slope so that the flow of tobacco stream is slowed down. This forms a fleece.

Advantageously, it is provided in the inventive method that the compression of the tobacco stream is done by braking on the fluidized bed.

In the area of the fluidized bed, according to the invention, individual fibers of the tobacco stream are accelerated in the effective range of a fiber accelerating element in the direction of a suction strand device and are preferably singulated. Together with the tobacco stream all registered in the fluidized bed space air is discharged through the Saugstrangvorrichtung or Saugstrangförderer.

This eliminates the need for a rolling room. Since, in known processes for the production of a tobacco rod, the suction air required by the Saugstrangförderer from the fluidized bed space is removed and the air flow through the Saugstrangförderer not changed over known models, the air flow through the fluidized bed space in the inventive method by the otherwise discharged from the rolling space air flow is lower.

Furthermore, eliminates the use of a recirculation system, so that substantially no warming of the air and thus the tobacco fibers can take place.

The acceleration of the individual fibers of the tobacco stream in the region of a fiber accelerator element in the direction of the Saugstrangförderers has the advantage that the speed of the accelerated tobacco fibers can be adapted to the speed of the Saugstrangförderers, thereby increasing the likelihood that tobacco adheres to the Saugstrangförderer for further transport.

Since, according to the invention, the acceleration takes place in the effective range of the fiber acceleration element by means of a first air flow, the risk of clogging is reduced compared to mechanical fiber acceleration elements and the risk of damage to tobacco fibers is minimized.

For this purpose, it is provided that the fibers of the tobacco stream are separated by the acceleration by means of the first air flow. The acceleration of tobacco fibers from a tobacco fleece by means of an air flow has proven to be a particularly effective means for separating tobacco fibers. A good separation of the tobacco fibers is a prerequisite for a homogeneous mass assignment of the tobacco rod.

This can be explained by the fact that inhomogeneities in the bulk of the tobacco material are even compensated during web formation, so that a web of homogeneous density is formed. The homogeneous web is then brought to the fiber acceleration element, wherein in each case the foremost, the fiber accelerating element nearest fibers are torn in tobacco fleece by the first air flow generated by the fiber accelerator element and thereby isolated.

It is particularly advantageous that the acceleration of the individual fibers by means of the first air flow takes place substantially in the direction of the suction strand conveyor, in particular using a nozzle. As a result, the isolated and accelerated tobacco fibers are accelerated in the conveying direction of the suction belt conveyor, so that the relative speed of the accelerated fibers is minimized transversely to the conveying direction of the Saugstrangförderers. This is advantageous because the smaller the relative speed of tobacco fiber and suction belt conveyor, the greater the likelihood that a tobacco fiber will adhere to the suction belt conveyor.

It is also advantageous if the speed of the first air flow is controlled so that the tobacco fibers after acceleration have a speed component in the direction of the conveying direction of the suction belt conveyor, which is approximately equal to the conveying speed of the Saugstrangförderers. In this case, the accelerated tobacco fibers both in the conveying direction and transversely to the conveying direction of the Saugstrangförderers no differential speed to the conveying speed of the Saugstrangförderers. Thus, a maximum likelihood of the adhesion of the tobacco fibers is achieved at Saugstrangförderer. Under a nozzle is understood in the context of the invention, in particular a nozzle bar or an oblique air nozzle. The nozzle bar serves to achieve a homogeneous flow velocity of the first air stream over the entire width of the tobacco fleece on the fluidized bed. An oblique air nozzle is used to generate a first air flow in the direction of the conveying direction of the Saugstrangförderers. Slanted air nozzle and nozzle bar can be combined

The inventive method is advantageously designed so that the first air flow is generated by a compressed air supply unit. The consequence of using a compressed air supply unit is that the regulation of the flow velocity of the first air stream via the air pressure supplied by the compressed air supply unit can be used to adapt the degree of separation of the fibers and the throughput of the fibers.

For conveying the tobacco stream in the fluidized bed space, at least one second air stream is furthermore provided, which is essentially located between the supplied fibers or the fleece and a wall the device flows. The advantage in the introduction of such a second air flow is that the tobacco fibers of the tobacco stream or of the tobacco fleece flow unhindered in the direction of the fiber accelerator element. The unimpeded flow contributes significantly to the homogenization of the forming tobacco fleece.

It is provided that the second air flow is fed by air from the atmosphere. This has the advantage that the air which is conveyed together with the tobacco stream in the fluidized bed space, is fresh and does not lead to heating or dehydration of the funded tobacco stream.

A further embodiment of the method according to the invention consists in that a third air flow is provided downstream of the fiber acceleration element, which flows substantially between the accelerated fibers and a wall of the device.

The high flow rate of the first air stream creates a negative air pressure downstream of the fiber accelerator due to the Bernoulli effect. An embodiment of the method according to the invention is therefore that the third air flow is fed by air from the atmosphere. Preferably, the third air flow is introduced substantially or completely in the direction of the first air flow. The third airflow is created by the difference in air pressure between the atmosphere and the first airflow.

The third airflow has a similar speed and direction as the first airflow, causing turbulence that the isolated and accelerated tobacco fibers from their way towards would distract the Saugstrangförderer be largely kept behind. The third air stream achieves a more homogeneous tobacco rod formation.

In order to achieve a compact dimensioning of the tobacco rod, it is provided that the accelerated in the direction of the Saugstrangförderers tobacco fibers are conveyed through a constriction on the Saugstrangförderer. The constriction is preferably dimensioned so that a good compromise is achieved between the width of the tobacco rod produced on the Saugstrangförderer and a swirling of the tobacco-air mixture by a too narrow constriction.

It is advantageous if the tobacco stream consists of sighted tobacco.

The object underlying the invention is further achieved by a device for producing at least one tobacco rod, comprising a fluidized bed in a fluidized bed space, a Saugstrangförderer and a downstream of the fluidized bed arranged Faserbeschleunigungselement, wherein the registered in the fluidized bed space air can be discharged exclusively via the Saugstrangvorrichtung, the is further developed in that the fiber acceleration element is designed to generate an air flow for the acceleration of tobacco fibers of a tobacco stream in the direction of Saugstrangförderers.

This eliminates the need for a rolling room and a recirculation system, which has both a higher air flow through the fluidized bed room and the Wälzraum and a heating of the circulated air volume and, consequently, a heating and drying of the extracted tobacco fibers result. By eliminating the Wälzraums the device according to the invention can also build smaller than if a Wälzraum would be necessary. Since no circuit for nozzle air is required, eliminates a cyclone dedusting device.

An advantageous extension undergoes the device in that the fiber acceleration element is designed as an air nozzle, in particular as oblique air nozzle or nozzle bar. An air nozzle is maintenance-free compared to mechanical fiber accelerator elements and prevents mechanical damage to the tobacco fibers.

Due to the design of the air nozzle as an oblique air nozzle, an air flow in the direction of the suction strand conveyor can be realized without any effort. The further training as a nozzle bar can be achieved over the width of the tobacco fleece homogeneous air flow. These measures contribute both to the effective separation of the tobacco fibers, as well as the homogeneous adhesion of the tobacco fibers on Saugstrangförderer.

In a further development of the device according to the invention, a compressed air supply unit is provided which supplies the fiber acceleration element with compressed air. Advantageously, the air pressure generated or provided by the compressed air supply unit can be regulated, so that the throughput of the tobacco fibers can be adapted to the conveying speed of the suction belt conveyor. The introduced by the fiber acceleration element in the fluidized bed space compressed air is also discharged exclusively via the Saugstrangförderer.

One embodiment of the device provides that the fluidized bed is configured in sections with a decreasing in the direction of the fiber acceleration element slope for braking a brought to the fluidized bed tobacco stream. This ensures that a tobacco stream introduced into the fluidized bed space is slowed down on the fluidized bed until a homogeneous tobacco fleece forms. The homogeneous tobacco fleece contributes significantly to the formation of a homogeneous tobacco rod in Saugstrangförderer.

In order to facilitate the flow of tobacco stream on the fluidized bed, it is provided in a further development of the device that at least one secondary air opening is provided upstream of the fiber accelerating element. In this case, the direction of flow of the tobacco stream is preferably in the direction of a sloping baffle on the fiber acceleration element.

The secondary air opening upstream of the fiber accelerating element causes air to be introduced into the fluidized bed space in front of the fiber accelerating element. This air may help to separate the tobacco stream from the wall of the fluidized bed space, resulting in a smooth and homogeneous flow of the tobacco stream and the tobacco web. This measure also contributes to the homogeneity of the tobacco rod produced.

An advantageous development of the device provides that at least one secondary air opening is provided downstream of the fiber acceleration element.

The fiber acceleration element generates a constant flow of air in the fluidized bed space in the direction of the suction strand device or on the suction strand conveyor. The Bernoulli effect results in an air vacuum at the location of the air flow. By the Attaching a secondary air opening downstream of the fiber accelerating element is sucked air from the atmosphere, which moves in the direction of the Saugstrangförderers by prevailing in the fluidized bed space lower air pressure. This causes a homogeneous tobacco rod.

It is advantageous to provide an air system for supplying compressed air to a device of the tobacco processing industry comprising a fluidized bed space, a fiber accelerator and a suction belt conveyor comprising a compressed air supply unit for supplying the fiber acceleration element with compressed air and a venting device for extracting air from the suction belt conveyor, wherein all the compressed air and atmospheric air into the fluidized bed space can be discharged exclusively via the suction belt conveyor operated by the ventilation device.

Such an air system is used for air supply and disposal for the device described above. In the air system thus described eliminates the need for a rolling room and a recirculation system, since the entire registered in the fluidized bed space air is discharged through the Saugstrangvorrichtung.

By eliminating the recirculation system and the Wälzraums no air enters a recirculation system in which it would heat up and re-introducing into the fluidized bed room, the tobacco fibers could heat up and dry out.

To adapt the speed of the accelerated tobacco fibers to the conveying speed to Saugstrangförderer an advantageous development of the air system is that an air quantity element is provided by means of which the compressed air supply the fiber acceleration element of the device is controllable or controllable. If there is a controllability or controllability of the air pressure applied to the fiber acceleration element, it is achieved that the throughput of the tobacco fibers can be adapted to the conveying speed of the suction belt conveyor.

In order to further ensure a gentle treatment of the tobacco in the fluidized bed space, it is provided in an advantageous embodiment of the air system according to the invention that only atmospheric air entry to the air supply of the compressed air supply unit is provided. This measure ensures that compressed air of optimum quality, in particular with regard to temperature and humidity, is used to accelerate the tobacco fibers in the direction of the suction belt conveyor. In this way, maximum protection of the tobacco fibers in the acceleration is achieved.

The air system is advantageously further developed in that a compressed air measuring unit is provided, the measurement results for controlling or controlling the ventilation of the fluidized bed space can be used. By regulating or controlling the air flow through the fluidized bed space, an optimally homogeneous delivery of the tobacco stream through the fluidized bed space can be realized. In order to adapt the extraction of air from the Saugstrangförderer the air system is advantageously further developed in that before the entrance or behind the outlet of the venting unit, an air quantity element is provided for controlling the venting performance of the venting unit. The venting performance can be adjusted, for example, to the throughput of the tobacco or to a process stop or stoppage of the device. Under an air quantity element is understood in the context of the invention, an element which is adapted to regulate an air flow, such as an adjustable flap or a controllable air valve.

An advantageous development of the air system is that between the Saugstrangförderer and the venting unit, an air dedusting device is provided. This ensures that tobacco dust and other dust from the exhaust air of the Saugstrangförderers is not discharged into the atmosphere. In particular, tobacco dust from the exhaust air of the Saugstrangförderers be reused.

An advantageous development undergoes the air system in that a compressed air measuring unit is provided, the measurement results for controlling the venting of the Saugstrangförderers can be used. The compressed air measuring unit is advantageously designed in this case in Saugstrangförderer.

The measurement results of the compressed air measuring unit in the suction belt conveyor can then be used to adjust the capacity of the Saugstrangförderers to the volume of tobacco delivered, but also to compensate for air pressure fluctuations in Saugstrangförderer. As a result, an optimal adhesion of tobacco material is achieved on Saugstrangförderer permanently.

In a further embodiment of the air system according to the invention at least one secondary air opening for atmospheric air entry into the fluidized bed space is provided in the device. This has the advantage that by an additional air intake, the suction and the ventilation device is independent of the air entry from the compressed air supply unit. The delivery rate the Saugstrangförderers and the acceleration of the tobacco fibers in the direction of Saugstrangförderers can be thereby adjust independently.

A secondary air opening downstream of the fiber acceleration element also has the function of reducing turbulences of the compressed air flow from the fiber acceleration element in the fluidized bed space.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbei- spiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Einrichtung zur Her- stellung eines Tabakstrangs,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung eines weiteren Ausfüh- rungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Einrichtung zur Herstellung eines Tabakstrangs,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemä- ßen Luftsystems,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung eines Beispiels einer in einer erfindungsgemäßen Einrichtung benutzten Schrägluftdüsenleiste und einer Saugstrangvorrichtung und

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung eines weiteren Ausfüh- rungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Einrichtung zur Herstellung von Tabaksträngen.

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings. With respect to all details of the invention not explained in detail, reference is expressly made to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

1 a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for producing a tobacco rod,

Fig. 2

1 a schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention for producing a tobacco rod,

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of an inventive air system,

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of an example of a used in a device according to the invention oblique air nozzle strip and a Saugstrangvorrichtung and

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of another embodiment of a Ausfüh- tion example of a device according to the invention for the production of tobacco strands.

In the following figures, the same or similar elements or corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that apart from a corresponding renewed idea and only deviations of the embodiments shown in these figures with respect to the first embodiment will be explained.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an inventive device 1 for producing a tobacco rod.

In a feeder 16, for example a stowage, tobacco is fed to a needle roller 5, which removes tobacco fibers 4. From the needle roller 5, the tobacco fibers 4 are knocked out by a Ausschlägerwalze 6 and fall on a fluidized bed 2 in a fluidized bed space 3. The fluidized bed space 3 is provided with an opening 8 for the inlet of air from the atmosphere. Furthermore, an opening 7 is provided to the atmosphere in the area of the needle roller 5.

The knocked out by the Ausschlägerwalze 6 from the needle roller 5 tobacco fibers 4 arrive together with the registered by the secondary air opening 8 air in the fluidized bed space 3, where forms on the fluidized bed 2, a tobacco mat. The tobacco fleece reaches a tobacco guide plate 12 or tobacco guide element 12, on which a designed as oblique air nozzle 11 Faserbeschleunigungselement is provided.

Compressed air enters the fluidized bed space 3 through the oblique air nozzle 11. The compressed air is conducted through the oblique air nozzle 11 in the direction of a constriction 13 to the suction belt conveyor 14. With the from the Tobacco air 11 passing compressed air tobacco fibers are separated from the tobacco mat and passed through a constriction 13 in the direction of Saugstrangförderers 14. The tobacco fibers 4 adhering to the suction strand device 14 are conveyed further in the conveying direction 15 of the suction strand device 14.

Between tobacco guide plate 12 and constriction 13 two secondary air openings 9, 10 are provided, can penetrate through the atmospheric air in the fluidized bed space 3. The air flow from the oblique air nozzle 11 causes the Bernoulli effect, which produces an air pressure reduction in the region of the secondary air openings 9, 10, is sucked through the atmospheric air into the fluidized bed space 3. As a result, a homogeneous tobacco rod production is achieved.

Through the constriction 13, in cooperation with the air flow from the oblique air nozzle 11, the accelerated tobacco fibers are conveyed in the direction of the Saugstrangvorrichtung 14.

At the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment of a device according to the invention eliminates the usual rolling room, is sucked from the air and fed to a recirculation system. The entire volume of air flowing through the fluidized bed space 3, thereby significantly reduced. Furthermore, air flows mainly from the atmosphere through the secondary air openings 8, 9, 10, so that heating and drying of the tobacco fibers 4 in the tobacco stream in the fluidized bed space 3 is prevented. Compressed air is entered only by the oblique air nozzle 11, but it is provided that this compressed air is not supplied by a recirculation system, but by an independent compressed air supply system, whereby the problem of heated air is also eliminated. The only air discharge from the fluidized bed space 3 takes place via the suction strand device 14.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention.

Differences to the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment arise in the region of the oblique air nozzle 11 and the Tabakleitblechs 12 and der Leitelements 12. While in Fig. 1 the tobacco guide plate 12 and the oblique air nozzle 11 are arranged substantially straight in the direction of the constriction 13 and the conveying direction of the suction strand device 14 is in Fig. 2 a curved Tabakleitblech 12 is provided which causes a more gradual change in direction of the tobacco stream, as in the embodiment in Fig. 1 is provided.

The oblique air nozzle 11 introduces a compressed air flow substantially parallel to the tobacco guide plate 12 at the point of the confluence of the oblique air nozzle 11. The end of the tobacco guide plate 12 closest to the constriction 13 is shaped so that the accelerated tobacco fibers 4 mainly or exclusively have components of movement in the direction of the conveying direction 15 of the suction strand device 14. Secondary air openings 9,10 downstream of the oblique air nozzle 11 are again provided, wherein atmospheric air is sucked in due to the negative pressure generated by the compressed air flow through the secondary air openings 9,10.

Fig. 5 contains a schematic representation of another embodiment of a device according to the invention for the production of tobacco strands. In this exemplary embodiment, a two-strand distributor, there are in each case two embodiments of a needle roller 5a, 5b, a deflection roller 6a, 6b and an opening 7a ', 7b which, as in the preceding examples, remove tobacco from storage spaces 16a, 16b and on fluidized beds 2a , 2 B in fluidized bed rooms 3a, 3b lead to oblique air nozzles 11a, 11b in the conveying direction 15 on a Saugstrangvorrichtung 14.

The oblique air nozzle strips 11a, 11b are designed differently for compensating the different geometries of the curved guide plates and / or are subjected to different air pressures or air quantities and / or have different flow cross sections. For ease of approach in the event of tobacco jams or maintenance, the fluidized beds 2a, 2b are in FIG Fig. 5 equipped with baffle hinges 17a, 17b, around which the fluidized beds 2a, 2b are individually pivoted away to the outside. The tobacco streams can also be fed to two separate Saugstrangförderern. The lower sections of the baffles of the fluidized beds 2a, 3a cover each one of the slot nozzle strips supplying air box. In addition, openings may be provided which correspond to those of the reference numerals 9 and 10 Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 correspond.

In Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an air system according to the invention shown. A device 1 of the tobacco processing industry with a fluidized bed 2 and a fluidized bed space 3 comprises a needle roller 5 and a Ausschlägerwalze 6, can be brought by the tobacco, especially sifted tobacco fibers 4 on the fluidized bed 2. The fluidized bed room opens into a suction strand device 14 in which a tobacco rod is formed from the tobacco fibers 4.

For supplying the device 1 with compressed air, an air system is shown, which comprises a compressed air supply unit 21, which supplies a fiber accelerating element with compressed air, and a ventilation device, comprising a ventilation unit 24, an air dedusting device 27, and air quantity elements 25 and 26. The venting device 24 is, for example, a fan that sucks air from the suction strand device 14. The air quantity elements 25 and 26 serve to regulate the air flow rate at the inlet or outlet of the ventilation device 24. The air dust removal device 27 is used to remove tobacco dust and other particles from the extracted by the vent 24 exhaust air.

Before the entrance of the compressed air supply unit 21, an air quantity element 22 is provided, through which an atmospheric air inlet 23 in the compressed air supply unit 23 is controllable.

The supply of the fiber acceleration element of the device 1 with compressed air is done exclusively by the compressed air supply unit 21, which is fed exclusively by atmospheric air inlet 23. As a result, undesired heating and drying of the compressed air with which the tobacco fibers 4 are accelerated in the direction of the suction strand device 14 is largely avoided.

Atmospheric air intake 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a into the fluidized bed space 3 takes place through secondary air openings 8, 9, 10 and the air opening 7. The air inlet 8a serves in particular for the compactification of the tobacco stream. Air entries 9a, 10a cause, in particular, a homogeneous tobacco rod formation.

An air discharge from the fluidized bed space 3 takes place exclusively via the suction strand device 14, which is vented exclusively via the ventilation device 24, 25, 26, 27. The air extracted via the ventilation device 24, 25, 26, 27 is either released into the atmosphere or supplied to a central air-disposal device. However, it does not become a recirculation system fed for reuse.

Furthermore shown in Fig. 3 is a tobacco viewer 31 in which tobacco fibers 4 are separated from heavier tobacco ingredients. The Tabaksichtung done for example by lateral entry of compressed air into a stream of tobacco, are separated by the light and heavy tobacco components. To supply the tobacco separator 31 with compressed air, a visual air unit 33 is provided, by means of which air is taken from the tobacco separator 31 and at least partially returned to the tobacco separator 31 for sifting tobacco fibers 4.

In order to reduce too frequent circulation of the tobacco air and thus a warming of both the tobacco and air and a drying and drying of the sighted tobacco fibers 4, a part of the circulated air is diverted and the venting device 24, 27 supplied and thus removed the Sichtluftkreislauf.

Fresh compressed air is supplied to the tobacco separator device by the compressed air supply unit 21. The compressed air provided by the compressed air supply unit 21 is divided into two streams for this purpose, one of which feeds the fiber acceleration element in the device 1, while the other via an air quantity element 30 provides the supply of the tobacco separator 31 with fresh compressed air.

For the purpose of controlling the fresh air supply to the tobacco separator 31, an air pressure measuring unit 32 is provided which measures the air pressure in the compressed air supply line between the compressed air supply unit 21 and the tobacco separator 31. The measurement results become the control the air quantity element 30 used to compensate for air pressure fluctuations in the tobacco separator 31, but also to achieve a homogeneous view of the tobacco fibers 4 of heavier tobacco ingredients.

The exhaust air taken from the tobacco separator 31 is supplied to the deaerator 24, 27, but not for further use. This ensures that used and heated air can not lead to further heating or dehydration of tobacco fibers.

In Fig. 4 For example, an oblique air nozzle 11 or oblique air nozzle strip 11 with oblique air nozzle channels 11 'is shown schematically as an example of a fiber acceleration element used in a device 1 according to the invention. Compressed air flows from below into the oblique air nozzle channels 11 'and above in the direction of a Saugstrangvorrichtung 14, the conveying direction 15 is indicated by an arrow, from. In addition to a component of movement on the Saugstrangvorrichtung 14 to the air flow, which emerges from the oblique air nozzle channels 11 ', additionally has a movement component in the direction of the conveying direction 15 of the Saugstrangvorrichtung 14th

The speed of the air emerging from the oblique-jet nozzle channels 11 'can be controlled via the air pressure applied to the oblique-air nozzle 11 so that the air-velocity component in the direction of the conveying direction 15 of the Saugstrangvorrichtung 14 is equal to the conveying speed of the Saugstrangvorrichtung 14. As a result, an optimal adhesion of tobacco fibers 4 to the suction strand device 14 is achieved.

In the described inventive method and the described device 1 results in that tobacco fibers 4 are accelerated in the direction of a Saugstrangvorrichtung 14 and very well isolated, being torn by a stream of air tobacco fibers 4 from a homogeneous tobacco nonwoven. This results in a very good quality tobacco in a homogeneous tobacco rod.

Furthermore, the extraction of exhaust air from a rolling room and the use of a complex recirculation system accounts. Since no circuit for nozzle air is required, also eliminates the need to clean the circulating air through a cyclone circulating air cleaner. This results in a small space with a simple structure and a significant air savings through the omission of rolling room and air circulation system.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Facility

2, 2a, 2b

fluidized bed

3, 3a, 3b

Fluidized bed space

4

tobacco fibers

5, 5a, 5b

needle roller

6, 6a, 6b

Ausschlägerwalze

7, 7a ', 7b

opening

7a

atmospheric air entry

8th

Secondary air opening

8a

atmospheric air entry

9

Secondary air opening

9a

atmospheric air entry

10

Secondary air opening

10a

atmospheric air entry

11, 11a, 11b

Schrägluftdüse

11 '

Oblique aerial nozzle channel

12

Tabakleitblech

13

narrowing

14

Suction conveyor

15

conveying direction

16, 16a, 16b

accumulating shaft

17a, 17b

Leitblechgelenk

21

Compressed air supply unit

22

Air flow element

23

atmospheric air entry

24

venting unit

25

Air flow element

26

Air flow element

27

Luftentstaubungsvorrichtung

28

Air pressure measurement unit

29

Air pressure measurement unit

30

Air flow element

31

Tobacco vision device

32

Air pressure measurement unit

33

Classifying air unit

Claims (16)

1. Process for the production of at least one tobacco strand, wherein a tobacco flow (4) comprising tobacco fibres is compressed on a fluidised bed (2) in a fluidised bed chamber (3) in the direction of a fibre acceleration element arranged downstream from the fluidised bed (2) so that a mat is formed, and wherein all air introduced into the fluidised bed chamber (3) is led off via a suction rod conveyor (14), characterised in that the fibres of the tobacco flow are accelerated in the effective range of the fibre acceleration element in the direction of the suction rod conveyor (14), wherein the acceleration occurs in the effective range of the fibre acceleration element by means of a first air flow produced by the fibre acceleration element.
2. Process according to claim 1, characterised in that the compression of the tobacco flow (4) occurs by braking on the fluidised bed (2).
3. Process according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the fibres of the tobacco flow (4) are separated by the acceleration by means of the first air flow.
4. Process according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the acceleration of the individual fibres occurs by means of the first air flow substantially in the direction of the suction rod conveyor (14), in particular using a nozzle (11).
5. Process according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the first air flow is produced by a compressed air supply unit (21).
6. Process according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a second air flow that flows substantially between the supplied fibres or the mat and a wall of the fluidised bed chamber (3), is provided.
7. Process according to claim 6, characterised in that the second air flow is fed by air entry from the atmosphere (8a).
8. Process according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a third air flow is provided downstream from the fibre acceleration element which flows substantially between the accelerated fibres and a wall of the fluidised bed chamber (3).
9. Process according to claim 8, characterised in that the third air flow is fed by air entry from the atmosphere (9a, 10a).
10. Process according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the tobacco fibres accelerated in the direction of the suction rod conveyor (14) are conveyed through a narrowing (13) onto the suction rod conveyor (14).
11. Process according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the tobacco flow (4) consists of sifted tobacco.
12. Device (1) for the production of at least one tobacco strand, comprising a fluidised bed (2) in a fluidised bed chamber (3), a suction rod conveyor (14) and a fibre acceleration element arranged downstream from the fluidised bed (2), wherein the air introduced into the fluidised bed chamber (3) can be discharged exclusively via the suction rod conveyor (14), characterised in that the fibre acceleration element is developed to produce an air flow to accelerate tobacco fibres in a tobacco flow in the direction of the suction rod conveyor (14).
13. Device (1) according to claim 12, characterised in that the fibre acceleration element is developed as an air nozzle (11), in particular as an angled air nozzle or nozzle bar.
14. Device (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the fluidised bed (2) is disposed sectionwise with a slope, decreasing in direction onto the fibre acceleration element (14), for braking a tobacco flow (4) that can be brought onto the fluidised bed (2).
15. Device (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that at least one secondary air opening (8) is provided upstream from the fibre acceleration element.
16. Device (1) according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterised in that at least one secondary air opening (9, 10) is provided downstream from the fibre acceleration element.

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