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EP4588373A1 - Tobacco industry apparatus for the production of tobacco industry rods - Google Patents

Tobacco industry apparatus for the production of tobacco industry rods

Info

Publication number
EP4588373A1
EP4588373A1 EP24152675.5A EP24152675A EP4588373A1 EP 4588373 A1 EP4588373 A1 EP 4588373A1 EP 24152675 A EP24152675 A EP 24152675A EP 4588373 A1 EP4588373 A1 EP 4588373A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
separating element
unit
filling material
strand
continuous
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP24152675.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Karol PIETAK
Miroslaw ZAJAC
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp zoo
Original Assignee
International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp zoo
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp zoo filed Critical International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp zoo
Priority to EP24152675.5A priority Critical patent/EP4588373A1/en
Priority to PCT/EP2025/051230 priority patent/WO2025153727A1/en
Publication of EP4588373A1 publication Critical patent/EP4588373A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24DCIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/02Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/0229Filter rod forming processes
    • A24D3/0233Filter rod forming processes by means of a garniture
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A24TOBACCO; CIGARS; CIGARETTES; SIMULATED SMOKING DEVICES; SMOKERS' REQUISITES
    • A24DCIGARS; CIGARETTES; TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS; MOUTHPIECES FOR CIGARS OR CIGARETTES; MANUFACTURE OF TOBACCO SMOKE FILTERS OR MOUTHPIECES
    • A24D3/00Tobacco smoke filters, e.g. filter-tips, filtering inserts; Filters specially adapted for simulated smoking devices; Mouthpieces for cigars or cigarettes
    • A24D3/02Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters
    • A24D3/0275Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters for filters with special features
    • A24D3/0287Manufacture of tobacco smoke filters for filters with special features for composite filters

Definitions

  • the object of the invention is a tobacco industry apparatus for the production of tobacco industry rods.
  • rods containing filter materials or other filling materials that have a function, for example, of cooling, heating or regulating the resistance to airflow through the rod.
  • Both solid filter segments and tubular segments, as well as segments containing flavouring and/or aroma additives, for example in the form of a capsule are used.
  • the substances contained in the capsules are released when the cigarette is smoked or heated, or even before the cigarette is lit, by squeezing the filter causing the capsule to crush.
  • tubes, capsules or other additives are inserted into a continuous rod which is cut into rods of a specific length, and the rods are then cut into sections which are combined with other semifinished products.
  • a difficult and very important issue for the production process is feeding individual objects into the formed continuous rod at high speeds while maintaining high positioning precision and repeatability, i.e. ensuring correct, usually central positioning of the object in the continuous rod being manufactured and a fixed longitudinal axial distance between successive objects.
  • the patent EP2617302B1 discloses a solution wherein the capsules are fed through feed channels into holding pockets from which they are further transferred to a feed wheel after being pushed out of the pocket by a cam. Using the wheel, they are then inserted into an acetate strand in a funnel which pre-compacts and forms the continuous rod.
  • the patent EP2470032B1 shows an apparatus for inserting capsules into a continuous acetate rod pre-compacted in a funnel, into which a capsule inserting wheel is partially placed. Before the inserting wheel, partly along its circumferential surface, there is arranged a plough whose task is to prepare the space in the acetate strand for the insertion of the capsule.
  • the object of the invention is a tobacco industry apparatus for the production of tobacco industry rods comprising: a feeding unit adapted to feed a continuous strand of filling material, a pre-compacting unit adapted to compact the continuous strand of filling material, a unit for inserting objects into a formed continuous rod, a forming unit adapted to form the continuous rod from the continuous strand of filling material on a conveyor belt, a cutting head adapted to cut the continuous rod into rods of a predetermined length.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is characterised by further having a separating element adapted to separate the continuous strand of filling material from the inserting unit and situated in the area for inserting the objects into the formed continuous rod.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the separating element has a gap adapted to receive the inserting unit.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the gap is through.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the length of the gap of the separating element is between 10 mm and 200 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 150 mm.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the width of the gap of the separating element is between 3 mm and 7 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 6.5 mm.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the distance of the end of the separating element to the axis passing through the axis of rotation of the inserting unit and the lowest point of the inserting unit is within a range allowing the separating element to be held in the area of insertion of the objects, preferably this distance is within the range between -50 mm and +50 mm, more preferably between -20 mm and +30 mm, where 0 mm is the position in which the end of the separating element is on the axis.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the gap is formed by two walls.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the distance of the lower edges of the walls of the separating element to the conveyor belt is between 1 mm and 10 mm.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is characterised by having an internal shaping element adapted to shape the continuous strand of material into a U-shape.
  • the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the separating element is detachably integrated with the inserting element.
  • the filling material can be acetate, crimped paper, CLT, PLA film, cellulose fibres, plant material fibres, processed tobacco in the form of a strand, or other materials approved for production in the tobacco industry.
  • individual objects can be inserted into the continuous rod, for example: capsules, tubes, filter segments, elements directing the flow of cigarette smoke, heating elements, aromatic elements.
  • Fig. 1 shows an apparatus 1 of the tobacco industry for the production of acetate rods R with capsules C.
  • a feeding unit 2 a continuous strand of filling material 3 is fed, in this embodiment it is a strand of acetate, which after suitable preparation is inserted into a pre-compacting unit 4 which, in this embodiment, is a funnel commonly used in the tobacco industry.
  • the strand of filling material 3 is partially compressed and then inserted into the forming unit 5.
  • the forming unit 5 comprises an inserting element 6 and a format bar 7 under which runs a format belt 34 carrying a wrapping paper 10 whose task is to form a continuous rod CR from the continuous strand of filling material 3.
  • an inserting unit 8 which in this embodiment is in the form of a disc 9, is inserted.
  • the inserting unit 8 may be such solution as shown in the publication WO2012057255A1 or EP 2 449 897 . It is important that the path of movement of the objects by the inserting unit 8 runs at least partially through the area of forming the continuous rod CR. In this embodiment, the path of movement of the capsules C transported in the pockets on the outer circumferential surface of the disc 9 passes partially through the area of forming the continuous rod CR in the inserting unit 6.
  • the capsule C is transferred from the disc 9 into the continuous strand of filling material 3 and, more precisely, into the U-shaped continuous rod CR being formed, onto the lower layer of the continuous strand of filling material 3 situated under the disc 9, such strand being then gradually compacted in the forming unit 5 and wrapped with a wrapping paper 10.
  • the continuous rod CR is cut by means of the cutting head 11 into rods R of a predetermined length.
  • Fig. 2 shows the apparatus 1 of the tobacco industry for the production of rods R of crimped paper with tubes T.
  • the filling material 3 is a strip of continuous paper strand which, by means of the feeding unit 2, is fed to a crimping unit 12. From the crimping unit 12 it is transferred to the pre-compacting unit 4 where it is partially compacted and pre-formed, for example by pleating.
  • the continuous strand of filling material 3 is at least partially formed in a U-shape, for example by an internal forming element (not shown in Fig. 2 ) situated at least partially in the area of the pre-compacting unit 4.
  • the thus formed continuous strand of filling material 3 passes from the pre-compacting unit 4 to the forming unit 5 where the tubes T in the form of short segments are inserted in the inserting element 6, by means of the inserting unit 8.
  • the tubes T can be previously delivered to a storage 22 of the apparatus 1 as finished tube segments having a final length or as tube rods TR of multiplied length which are cut by a multi-cutter head 14 into smaller rods of a predetermined length, as shown in more detail in Fig.3 .
  • the tubes T are transferred by means of a spiral drum 15 to the gaps 16 situated on the outer circumferential surface of the disc 9 which by rotating around the axis X conveys the tubes T along an substantially circular path P to an area 13 of inserting the objects into the formed continuous rod CR.
  • the centrifugal force and gravity acting on the tube T cause the tube T to be transferred onto the strand of filling material 3 situated underneath the disc 9, more precisely under the tube T in the gap 21 between the walls 31, 32 of the separating element 20. Since the separating element 20, more precisely its walls 31, 32 hold the strand of filling material 3 in a U-shape, in particular keeping separate that part of the strand of filling material 3 which could come into contact with the lateral surfaces of the tube T, it is possible to precisely insert the tube T inside the formed continuous rod CR between the walls 31, 32 of the separating element 20.
  • the separating element 20, in this embodiment has two walls 31, 32 substantially thin-walled, coming from the upper surface of the inserting element 6 and extending from the gap 18 downwards towards the longitudinal gap 23.

Landscapes

  • Cigarettes, Filters, And Manufacturing Of Filters (AREA)

Abstract

Tobacco industry apparatus (1) for manufacture of tobacco industry rods comprising:: a feeding unit (2) arranged to feed a continuous strand of filling material (3), a pre-compacting unit (4) arranged to compact the continuous strand of filling material (3), a unit (8) for inserting objects into a formed continuous rod (CR), a forming unit (5) arranged to form the continuous rod (CR) from the continuous strand of filling material (3) on a conveyor belt (34), a cutting head (11) arranged to cut the continuous rod (CR) into rods (R) of a predetermined length, characterised by further having a separating element (20) arranged to separate the continuous strand of filling material (3) from the inserting unit (8) and situated in the area for inserting the objects (13) into the formed continuous rod (CR).

Description

  • The object of the invention is a tobacco industry apparatus for the production of tobacco industry rods.
  • In tobacco products, it is common to use rods containing filter materials or other filling materials that have a function, for example, of cooling, heating or regulating the resistance to airflow through the rod. Both solid filter segments and tubular segments, as well as segments containing flavouring and/or aroma additives, for example in the form of a capsule, are used. The substances contained in the capsules are released when the cigarette is smoked or heated, or even before the cigarette is lit, by squeezing the filter causing the capsule to crush.
  • In the production process, tubes, capsules or other additives are inserted into a continuous rod which is cut into rods of a specific length, and the rods are then cut into sections which are combined with other semifinished products.
  • The continuous rod can be manufactured from acetate fibres, cellulose, crimped paper, CLT, PLA film or any other filler material approved for use in the tobacco industry.
  • A difficult and very important issue for the production process is feeding individual objects into the formed continuous rod at high speeds while maintaining high positioning precision and repeatability, i.e. ensuring correct, usually central positioning of the object in the continuous rod being manufactured and a fixed longitudinal axial distance between successive objects.
  • From the patent GB1527705 , a machine is known on which thin-walled tubular elements are fed into a continuous rod formed of acetate fibres.
  • The patent EP2617302B1 discloses a solution wherein the capsules are fed through feed channels into holding pockets from which they are further transferred to a feed wheel after being pushed out of the pocket by a cam. Using the wheel, they are then inserted into an acetate strand in a funnel which pre-compacts and forms the continuous rod.
  • The patent EP2470032B1 shows an apparatus for inserting capsules into a continuous acetate rod pre-compacted in a funnel, into which a capsule inserting wheel is partially placed. Before the inserting wheel, partly along its circumferential surface, there is arranged a plough whose task is to prepare the space in the acetate strand for the insertion of the capsule.
  • In the solutions known from the state of the art, objects in the form of tubes or capsules are pressed into the acetate strand by means of an inserting wheel or transferred onto a material strand which has been precompressed with a plough. During such insertion of the objects in the continuous acetate rod, despite their central positioning during the transfer from the inserting wheel into the rod, the objects can vary their position, which is due to the physical properties of acetate, more specifically its elasticity. Once the acetate has exited from under the inserting wheel, it partially returns to its original, expanded position before it is pressed down by the inserting wheel. When inserting objects into a continuous rod formed from a strand of material, for example crimped paper, the object behaves differently after inserting than when placed into the acetate. Since a strand material such as paper or film usually has less elasticity than acetate fibres, it is impossible to press an object inserting wheel into it without first preparing the material and making space for the objects to be inserted. Pressing such a material with the plough before object inserting will result in a partial loss of elasticity of the material and thus a loss of control over the position of the inserted object in the continuous rod. Pressing too strongly with the plough may also result in a break of the strand material.
  • The problem to be solved by the present invention is to develop an improved feeding assembly for feeding objects into a formed continuous rod, which will ensure precise inserting of objects in the continuous rod regardless of the type of filling material of which it is formed.
  • The object of the invention is a tobacco industry apparatus for the production of tobacco industry rods comprising: a feeding unit adapted to feed a continuous strand of filling material, a pre-compacting unit adapted to compact the continuous strand of filling material, a unit for inserting objects into a formed continuous rod, a forming unit adapted to form the continuous rod from the continuous strand of filling material on a conveyor belt, a cutting head adapted to cut the continuous rod into rods of a predetermined length. The apparatus according to the invention is characterised by further having a separating element adapted to separate the continuous strand of filling material from the inserting unit and situated in the area for inserting the objects into the formed continuous rod.
  • Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the separating element has a gap adapted to receive the inserting unit.
  • Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the gap is through.
  • Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the length of the gap of the separating element is between 10 mm and 200 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 150 mm.
  • Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the width of the gap of the separating element is between 3 mm and 7 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 6.5 mm.
  • Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the distance of the end of the separating element to the axis passing through the axis of rotation of the inserting unit and the lowest point of the inserting unit is within a range allowing the separating element to be held in the area of insertion of the objects, preferably this distance is within the range between -50 mm and +50 mm, more preferably between -20 mm and +30 mm, where 0 mm is the position in which the end of the separating element is on the axis.
  • Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the gap is formed by two walls.
  • Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the distance of the lower edges of the walls of the separating element to the conveyor belt is between 1 mm and 10 mm.
  • The apparatus according to any of the claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the thickness of the walls of the separating element is between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm.
  • Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the walls of the separating element are positioned at an angle to the main longitudinal axis.
  • Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterised by having an internal shaping element adapted to shape the continuous strand of material into a U-shape.
  • Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the separating element is arranged at the further end of the shaping element.
  • Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the separating element is detachably integrated with the shaping element.
  • Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the separating element is integrated with the inserting element.
  • Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the separating element is detachably integrated with the inserting element.
  • Preferably, the apparatus according to the invention ensures the stabilisation of the position of inserted element inside the tobacco industry's continuous rod, which improves the quality and uniformity of the finished products.
  • The object of the invention is illustrated in more detail in a preferred embodiment in a drawing in which:
  • Fig. 1
    shows a manufacturing apparatus for the production of acetate rods with capsules;
    Fig. 2
    shows a manufacturing apparatus for the production of rods of crimped paper with tubular objects;
    Fig. 3
    shows a unit inserting tubes on a paper rod making machine;
    Fig. 4
    shows a unit inserting tubes into a continuous rod in a cross-section;
    Fig. 5
    shows a unit inserting capsules into a continuous rod in a cross-section;
    Fig. 6
    shows the inserting unit in a perspective view;
    Fig. 7
    shows a separating unit in the first embodiment;
    Fig. 8
    shows the separating unit in the second embodiment;
    Fig. 9
    shows the inserting unit in front view;
    Fig. 10
    shows the inserting unit in a top view in a longitudinal cross-section.
  • In the tobacco industry, machines for the production of rods from various types of filler materials are used. The filling material can be acetate, crimped paper, CLT, PLA film, cellulose fibres, plant material fibres, processed tobacco in the form of a strand, or other materials approved for production in the tobacco industry. When forming a continuous rod from a continuous strand of material, individual objects can be inserted into the continuous rod, for example: capsules, tubes, filter segments, elements directing the flow of cigarette smoke, heating elements, aromatic elements.
  • Fig. 1 shows an apparatus 1 of the tobacco industry for the production of acetate rods R with capsules C. By means of a feeding unit 2, a continuous strand of filling material 3 is fed, in this embodiment it is a strand of acetate, which after suitable preparation is inserted into a pre-compacting unit 4 which, in this embodiment, is a funnel commonly used in the tobacco industry. In the pre-compacting unit 4, the strand of filling material 3 is partially compressed and then inserted into the forming unit 5. The forming unit 5 comprises an inserting element 6 and a format bar 7 under which runs a format belt 34 carrying a wrapping paper 10 whose task is to form a continuous rod CR from the continuous strand of filling material 3. Moreover, it is also possible to have a solution wherein the continuous rod is formed in the format bar 7 itself, and the inserting element 6 only inserts the continuous strand of material 3 into the format bar 7, without compacting the strand. The inserting element 6 may further have holes on its circumferential surface for evacuating excess air contained therein, which greatly facilitates the compression of the continuous strand of material 3 and the pre-formation of the continuous rod CR. Also possible is a solution wherein the inserting element 6 is an extension of the pre-compacting unit 4.
  • Into the inserting element 6, through a gap in its upper surface, an inserting unit 8, which in this embodiment is in the form of a disc 9, is inserted. There are other solutions of the inserting unit 8, for example it may be such solution as shown in the publication WO2012057255A1 or EP 2 449 897 . It is important that the path of movement of the objects by the inserting unit 8 runs at least partially through the area of forming the continuous rod CR. In this embodiment, the path of movement of the capsules C transported in the pockets on the outer circumferential surface of the disc 9 passes partially through the area of forming the continuous rod CR in the inserting unit 6. At this place, the capsule C is transferred from the disc 9 into the continuous strand of filling material 3 and, more precisely, into the U-shaped continuous rod CR being formed, onto the lower layer of the continuous strand of filling material 3 situated under the disc 9, such strand being then gradually compacted in the forming unit 5 and wrapped with a wrapping paper 10. After applying the adhesive seam and forming, the continuous rod CR is cut by means of the cutting head 11 into rods R of a predetermined length.
  • Fig. 2 shows the apparatus 1 of the tobacco industry for the production of rods R of crimped paper with tubes T. In this embodiment, the filling material 3 is a strip of continuous paper strand which, by means of the feeding unit 2, is fed to a crimping unit 12. From the crimping unit 12 it is transferred to the pre-compacting unit 4 where it is partially compacted and pre-formed, for example by pleating. In this unit, the continuous strand of filling material 3 is at least partially formed in a U-shape, for example by an internal forming element (not shown in Fig. 2) situated at least partially in the area of the pre-compacting unit 4. The thus formed continuous strand of filling material 3 passes from the pre-compacting unit 4 to the forming unit 5 where the tubes T in the form of short segments are inserted in the inserting element 6, by means of the inserting unit 8. The tubes T can be previously delivered to a storage 22 of the apparatus 1 as finished tube segments having a final length or as tube rods TR of multiplied length which are cut by a multi-cutter head 14 into smaller rods of a predetermined length, as shown in more detail in Fig.3.Subsequently, the tubes T are transferred by means of a spiral drum 15 to the gaps 16 situated on the outer circumferential surface of the disc 9 which by rotating around the axis X conveys the tubes T along an substantially circular path P to an area 13 of inserting the objects into the formed continuous rod CR. In the area 13 of inserting the objects into the formed continuous rod CR, the strand of filling material 3 is already pre-shaped by means of an internal shaping element 17 into a U-shape, which greatly facilitates correct inserting of the tube T centrally inside the continuous rod CR. At a point where substantially the path P of the conveyed tubes T at least partially coincides with the main longitudinal axis Y, the tube T is transferred to the strand of filling material 3 situated underneath the disc 9, an then the formed continuous rod CR is closed from above and wrapped in the wrapping paper 10 in the forming unit 5. The thus formed continuous rod CR is cut by means of the cutting head 11 into rods R of a predetermined length.
  • Fig. 4 shows a magnified view of the inserting unit 8 of Fig. 3, in a cross-section A-A. It shows the area 13 for inserting the objects into the formed continuous rod CR. In this embodiment, the continuous rod CR is formed of the filling material 3, i.e. the crimped paper, which has been partially formed by crimping and pleating in the pre-compacting unit 4 from which it has been conveyed to the inserting element 6. The inner forming channel of the inserting element 6 has a substantially longitudinal cylindrical shape with the possibility of tapering towards the exit. The inserting unit 8 in the form of the disc 9 is inserted from above into the inserting element 6, in the object inserting area 13, through a gap 18, preferably with lateral surfaces 19 parallel to the main longitudinal axis Y. The length of the gap 18 is usually close to the length of the section where the inserting unit 8 is sunk into the inserting element 6.
  • The object inserting area 13 extends substantially along the main longitudinal axis Y along the section from the place where the inserting unit 8 is inserted into the inserting element 6 to the place where the inserting unit 8 exits the inserting element 6. Also possible is another embodiment wherein the inserting unit 8 will be inserted into the pre-compacting unit 4. In this case, the object inserting area 13 will extend along the main longitudinal axis Y from the place where the inserting unit 8 is inserted into the pre-compacting unit 4 to the place where the inserting unit 8 exits the pre-compacting unit 4 or the inserting element 6.
  • Inside the inserting element 6, in the object inserting area 13 parallel to the object conveying path P along the lateral surfaces 19 of the disc 9 and substantially parallel to the main longitudinal axis Y, in the direction from the gap 18 entrance into the inserting element 6, walls 31, 32 of a separating element 20 are situated on both sides of the disc 9. The function of the separating element 20 is to separate the inserting unit 8, in this embodiment of the disc 9, from the strand of filling material 3 situated in the object inserting area 13. The walls 31, 32 of the separating element 20 are situated inside the inserting unit 6, and their lower edge 33 is at least at the level of the main longitudinal axis Y and/or the longitudinal axis V of the formed continuous rod CR. Preferably, the lower edge 33 is situated below the main longitudinal axis Y and/or the longitudinal axis V of the formed continuous rod CR. Due to the use of the separating element 20, the strand of filling material 3 inserted into the inserting element 6, in the object inserting area 13 maintains a U-like shape which has been shaped by the internal shaping element 17. The inserting unit 8 is inserted into the thus pre-formed strand. During the transfer into the strand of filling material 3 of the tube T held by the vacuum in the pocket 16 arranged on the frontal, circumferential surface of the inserting unit 8, in this case of the disc 9, the vacuum is released. The centrifugal force and gravity acting on the tube T cause the tube T to be transferred onto the strand of filling material 3 situated underneath the disc 9, more precisely under the tube T in the gap 21 between the walls 31, 32 of the separating element 20. Since the separating element 20, more precisely its walls 31, 32 hold the strand of filling material 3 in a U-shape, in particular keeping separate that part of the strand of filling material 3 which could come into contact with the lateral surfaces of the tube T, it is possible to precisely insert the tube T inside the formed continuous rod CR between the walls 31, 32 of the separating element 20. The separating element 20, in this embodiment, has two walls 31, 32 substantially thin-walled, coming from the upper surface of the inserting element 6 and extending from the gap 18 downwards towards the longitudinal gap 23. The thickness of the walls 31, 32 ranges between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm, but the mentioned values should not be a limitation in carrying out a functioning apparatus with a different wall thickness. The walls 31, 32 are positioned parallel to each other and to the main longitudinal axis Y, the object conveying path P, the longitudinal axis of the continuous rod V, the longitudinal axis of the tube Z. It is also possible to have an embodiment wherein the walls 31, 32 are not parallel to each other, but are positioned at an angle to the main longitudinal axis Y, for example they converge to the main longitudinal axis Y when viewed in the direction from the entrance of the inserting element 6 to the exit of the inserting element 6, the entrance of the inserting element being arranged at the side of the pre-compacting unit 4 and the exit of the inserting element 6 being arranged at the side of the format bar 7. It is also possible to have an embodiment wherein the walls 31, 32 are positioned to each other such that the width of the gap 21 from the top, i.e. from the entrance, is greater than its width in the lower part in the area of the lower edges 33.
  • Underneath the transferred tube T, there is a sufficient strand of filling material 3 to enable the tube T to be coaxially inserted into the formed continuous rod CR. The coaxiality is to be understood as the coincidence of the longitudinal axis Z of the tube T with the main longitudinal axis Y which coincides with the longitudinal axis V of the continuous rod CR. The amount of material to be placed under the tube T is controlled by the pre-compacting unit 4 and the internal shaping element 17, for example by varying the number of pleats of the strand of filling material 3 or the positioning of the internal shaping element 17 relative to the pre-compacting unit 4.
  • The inserting element 6 has, from below, a longitudinal gap 23 under which the wrapping paper 10 is guided on a conveyor belt 34 on which the continuous strand of filling material 3 is conveyed. Once the object is positioned centrally inside the formed continuous rod CR on the filling material 3, it is conveyed to the forming unit 5 where the wrapping paper is wrapped around the formed continuous rod CR and then cut by the cutting head 11.
  • The separating element 20 may be a non-detachable part of the inserting element 6, as shown in Fig. 4, or a detachable part, for example screwed to its upper surface, as shown in Fig. 5. It is also possible to have an embodiment wherein the separating element 20 will be attached to another element of the apparatus 1, for example to the format bar 7, but it is essential that it is situated in the area 13 of inserting the objects into the formed continuous rod CR.
  • In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the continuous rod CR is formed from a strand of material 3 which is acetate. Into the formed continuous rod CR, in the object inserting area 13, capsules C are inserted by means of the inserting unit 8 in the form of the disc 9. The disc 9 is partially arranged inside the inserting element 6 in the gap 18 situated in the upper surface of the inserting element 6 which in this case is formed by the walls 31, 32 of the separating element 20. The separating element 20 is screwed to the upper surface of the inserting element 6 and can be interchangeable depending on the diameter of the formed continuous rod, the depth of inserting the objects in the continuous rod, the width of the disc 9, the diameter of the dis 9, the size of the object to be inserted.
  • Furthermore, such an attachment makes it possible to adjust the width W of the gap 21 between the walls 31, 32 of the separating element 20, for example using oval fixing holes. The width of the gap 21 between the walls 31, 32 of the separating element 20 should be in the range between 3 mm and 7 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 6.5 mm. It is also possible to have an embodiment wherein the width of the gap 21 at the entrance has a greater dimension than the width of this gap at the exit in the area of the lower edges 33.
  • It is also possible to adjust the depth of penetration of the inserting unit 8 into the inserting element 6, more specifically into the formed continuous rod CR. A variation in this value can be forced, for example, by using objects with different geometrical parameters or by modifying the diameter of the manufactured continuous rod CR. While varying the depth of penetration of the inserting unit 8 into the inserting element 6, it is important to change the separating element 20 to such whose walls 31, 32 will have a suitable height. By suitable height is meant such a dimension that will allow the object to be freely inserted into the formed continuous rod CR and that will allow the pre-compacted strand of filling material 3 to freely pass under the lower edges 33 of the walls 31, 32. Preferably, the distance H measured from the lower edges 33 of the walls 31, 32 of the separating element 20 to the conveyor belt 34 is in the range between 1 mm and 10 mm.
  • When the capsule C conveyed in the gap 16 reaches a substantially maximum bottom position on the conveying path P, it is transferred to the strand of filling material 3 situated under the separating element 20. In this area, the strand of filling material 3 is preformed in a U-shape forming a space inside of which the walls 31, 32 of the separating element 20 holding on both sides the filling material 3, for insertion of the capsule C, are positioned. Subsequently, after leaving the area of action of the separating element 20, the strand of filling material 3 separated from the disc 9 converges and encloses the formed continuous rod CR from above, after which it is wrapped in the wrapping paper 10.
  • Fig. 6 shows the inserting unit 8 in a perspective view with the separating element 20 illustrated in another embodiment. In this solution, the inserting unit 8 is in the form of a disc 9 with pockets, 16 situated on its circumferential surface, in which the tubes T are conveyed. When the disc 9 is rotated in the direction S, the tubes T conveyed in the pockets 16 are inserted into the area 13 of inserting the objects into the formed continuous rod CR, more precisely are inserted through the gap 18 arranged in the upper part of the inserting element 6 into the gap 21 between the walls 31, 32 of the separating element 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the separating element 20 is an extension of the internal shaping element 17. The internal shaping element 17 extends from inside of the pre-compacting unit 4 towards the object inserting area 13, where it is in the form of the separating element 20 maintaining the continuous U-shaped strand of filling material 3, and reaches the place of inserting the disc 9 into the gap 18. Since the function of the separating element 20 is to separate the filling material 3 from the inserting unit 8, in the object inserting area 13 it has the gap 21 through which the objects, in this case the tubes T, are inserted by means of the disc 9 into the formed continuous rod CR, more specifically into the U-shaped filling material 3. The separating element 20 itself, in this embodiment, is an extension of the internal shaping element 17 and is an integral part thereof, as shown in more detail in Fig.7. Also possible is an embodiment wherein the separating element 20 is mounted to the shaping element 17 separably and can be replaced as required. Its closer end 25 is in the form of a fin which already during the insertion of the strand of filling material 3 into the pre-compacting element 4 acts as a separator pre-shaping the strand of filling material 3 into a U-shape. The further end 26 of the shaping element 17, in this embodiment, is in the form of two substantially parallel walls 31, 32 of the separating element 20 forming an extension of the shaping element 17. Between the walls 31, 32, there is formed the gap 21 in which the inserting unit 8 is situated after mounting on the apparatus 1. In the embodiment shown, the gap 21 is through from the top downwards and is open on three sides. Also possible is an embodiment as in Fig.8 wherein the separating element 20 will be in the form of separate elements mounted, for example by means of holes 24, to the format bar 7, the inserting element 6 or the forming unit 5. In this embodiment, the separating element 20 should be mounted as close as possible to the further end 26 of the shaping element 17, preferably tangentially to its front edge 27.
  • Fig. 9 shows the inserting unit 8 in a side view during the insertion of the tube T into the continuous strand of filling material 3 with the illustrated separating element 20. The continuous strand of filling material 3 is inserted into the pre-compacting unit 4 in which there is the internal shaping element 17 which pre-forms a U-shape from the strand of filling material 3. Subsequently, the thus shaped strand of filling material 3 is gradually compacted by narrowing the diameter of the pre-compacting unit 4 and is transferred to the inserting element 6 having the form of a cone also gradually narrowing towards the exit. The internal shaping element 17 is positioned inside the pre-compacting unit 4 substantially centrally in the vertical axis and with its length extends as far as the area 13 of inserting the objects into the formed continuous rod CR where its further end 26 has the form of the separating element 20. The separating element 20 has the gap 21 through which, the inserting unit 8, in this embodiment in the form of the disc 9, inserts the objects in the form of tubes T into the continuous strand of filling material 3 which has been previously shaped in a U-shape.
  • Preferably, the distance B, from the end 35 of the separating element 20 to the axis X passing through the axis of rotation of the disc 9 and the lowest point of the disc 9, should be kept within a range allowing to keep the separating element 20 in the object inserting area. The distance B should be in the range between -50 and +50, preferably between -20 mm and +30 mm, where, 0 is the position of the axis X passing through the axis of the disc 9 and its lowest point.
  • Fig. 10 shows the process of inserting the tubes T into the continuous strand of filling material 3, in a top view, in the cross-section B-B of Fig.9. For a better illustration, the disc 9 is omitted and the scale of the drawing is increased. Inside the pre-compacting unit 4, substantially centrally along the main axis Y, there is arranged the internal shaping element 17 which pre-forms the continuous strand of material 3 into a U-shape. Furthermore, inside the pre-compacting unit 4, there may be additionally a substantially centrally positioned shaping cone 28 which, due to radially mounted fins 29 on its outer circumferential surface, forces pre-pleating and/or crimping of the continuous strand of filling material 3, for example of crimped paper. The pre-compacted and U-shaped continuous strand of filling material 3 is conveyed towards the object inserting area 13, all the time maintaining the given U-shape owing to the internal shaping element 17. In the object inserting area 13, the further end 26 of the internal shaping element 17 turns into the separating element 20 having two walls 31, 32 forming the gap 21 through which the tubes T are inserted into the continuous strand of filling material 3. The separating element 20 has a length L at which it separates the strand of filling material 3 from the inserting unit 8 (not shown) and maintains the U-shaped strand of filling material 3. The length L of the separating element 20 is dependent on a number of factors, for example the diameter of the disc 9, the type of objects to be inserted, the type of strand of filling material 3, the diameter of the continuous rod CR to be manufactured. The length of the section L ranges between 10 mm and 200 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 150 mm. At the section L, the object conveyed along the path P, in this case the tube T, is held by a vacuum in a pocket 16 situated on the circumferential surface of the disc 9 (as shown in Fig. 6). In the area of exit 30 from the area of action of the separating element 20, the tube T is transferred from the pocket 16 of the disc 9 to the lower layer of the filling material 3 situated under the disc 9. The continuous strand of filling material 3 situated on the outer side of the separating element 20, more precisely on the outer side of the walls 31, 32, is narrowed in the area of exit 30 from the gap 21 and tapers towards the main longitudinal axis Y, thus holding the tube T which has been previously placed freely on the lower layer of the filling material 3. The thus pre-formed continuous rod CR with the tube T inserted inside is then conveyed in the direction O passing through the inserting element 6 which closes the continuous rod CR from above, to another forming unit 5, for example wrapping and sealing the wrapping material around the strand of material 3. The continuous rod CR which has been wrapped with the wrapping material is then transferred to the cutting head where it is cut into the rods R of a predetermined length.
  • List of elements
  • 1 Apparatus of tobacco industry for manufacture of rods R rod
    CR continuous rod
    2 Feeding unit for a continuous strand of filling material TR tubular rods
    P path of transport of objects on disc
    3 Continuous strand of filling material S direction of rotation of inserting disc
    4 Pre-compacting unit X axis of rotation of inserting disc
    5 Forming unit Z longitudinal axis of the tube
    6 Inserting element Y main longitudinal axis
    7 Format bar V longitudinal axis of continuous rod
    8 Inserting unit L length of separating element
    9 Disc O direction of movement of filling material
    10 Wrapping paper H distance of lower edges of separating element walls from conveyor belt
    11 Cutting head
    12 Crimping unit W width of gap between the walls of separating element
    13 Object inserting area
    14 Multi-cutter cutting head B distance of the end of separating element from the axis X
    15 Spiral disc
    16 Pockets on the disc
    17 Internal shaping element
    18 Gap of inserting element
    19 Lateral surfaces of the disc
    20 Separating element
    21 Gap between separating elements
    22 Storage
    23 Longitudinal gap
    24 Mounting hole
    25 Closer end of the shaping element
    26 Further end of shaping element
    27 Front edge
    28 Shaping cone
    29 Tube transferring place
    30 Area of exit from the area of action of the separating element
    31 Wall of separating element
    32 Wall of separating element
    33 Lower edge of separator walls
    34 Conveyor belt
    35 End of separating element

Claims (15)

  1. Tobacco industry apparatus (1) for manufacture of tobacco industry rods comprising:
    a feeding unit (2) arranged to feed a continuous strand of filling material (3),
    a pre-compacting unit (4) arranged to compact the continuous strand of filling material (3),
    a unit (8) for inserting objects into a formed continuous rod (CR),
    a forming unit (5) arranged to form the continuous rod (CR) from the continuous strand of filling material (3) on a conveyor belt (34),
    a cutting head (11) arranged to cut the continuous rod (CR) into rods (R) of a predetermined length
    characterised by
    further having a separating element (20) arranged to separate the continuous strand of filling material (3) from the inserting unit (8) and situated in the area for inserting the objects (13) into the formed continuous rod (CR).
  2. The apparatus as in claim 1, characterised in that the separating element (20) has a gap (21) adapted to receive the inserting unit (8).
  3. The apparatus as in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the gap (21) is through.
  4. The apparatus as in any of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the length (L) of the gap (21) of the separating element (20) is between 10 mm and 200 mm, preferably between 30 mm and 150 mm.
  5. The apparatus as in any of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the width (W) of the gap (21) of the separating element (20) is between 3 mm and 7 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 6.5 mm.
  6. The apparatus as in any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the distance (B), of the end (35) of the separating element (20) to the axis (X) passing through the axis of rotation of the inserting unit (8) and the lowest point of the inserting unit (8) is within a range allowing the separating element (20) to be held within the area of insertion of the objects, preferably the distance (B) is between - 50 mm and +50 mm, more preferably between -20 mm and +30 mm, where 0 mm is the position in which the end of the separating element (20) is on the axis (X).
  7. The apparatus as in any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the gap (21) is formed by two walls (31, 32).
  8. The apparatus as in any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the distance (H) of the lower edges (33) of the walls (31, 32) of the separating element (20) to the conveyor belt (34) is between 1 mm and 10 mm.
  9. The apparatus as in any of the claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the thickness of the walls (31, 32) of the separating element (20) is between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm.
  10. The apparatus as in any of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the walls (31, 32) of the separating element (20) are positioned at an angle to the main longitudinal axis (Y).
  11. The apparatus as in any of claims 1 to 10, characterised by having an internal shaping element (17) arranged to shape the continuous strand of material (3) into a U-shape.
  12. The apparatus as in any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the separating element (20) is situated at the further end (26) of the shaping element (17).
  13. The apparatus as in any of the claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the separating element (20) is detachably integrated with the shaping element (17).
  14. The apparatus as in any of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the separating element (20) is integrated with the inserting element (6).
  15. The apparatus as in claim 14, characterised in that the separating element (20) is detachably integrated with the inserting element (6).
EP24152675.5A 2024-01-18 2024-01-18 Tobacco industry apparatus for the production of tobacco industry rods Pending EP4588373A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP24152675.5A EP4588373A1 (en) 2024-01-18 2024-01-18 Tobacco industry apparatus for the production of tobacco industry rods
PCT/EP2025/051230 WO2025153727A1 (en) 2024-01-18 2025-01-17 Tobacco industry apparatus for the production of tobacco industry rods

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP24152675.5A EP4588373A1 (en) 2024-01-18 2024-01-18 Tobacco industry apparatus for the production of tobacco industry rods

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4588373A1 true EP4588373A1 (en) 2025-07-23

Family

ID=90364350

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP24152675.5A Pending EP4588373A1 (en) 2024-01-18 2024-01-18 Tobacco industry apparatus for the production of tobacco industry rods

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4588373A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2025153727A1 (en)

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1527705A (en) 1976-03-01 1978-10-11 Liggett & Myers Inc Cigarette filter
WO2011033121A1 (en) * 2009-09-21 2011-03-24 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Method and apparatus for introducing objects into tobacco industry product rod material
US20120077658A1 (en) * 2010-09-27 2012-03-29 Aiger Group Ag Apparatus and method for insertion of capsules into filter tows
WO2012057255A1 (en) 2010-10-29 2012-05-03 日本たばこ産業株式会社 Granular material supply device and granular material supply method
EP2449897A1 (en) 2010-11-05 2012-05-09 HAUNI Maschinenbau AG Method and device for inserting objects into a filter rod for the tobacco processing industry
EP2617302B1 (en) 2012-01-18 2014-04-30 International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. z o.o. Method and unit for feeding beads
EP2470032B1 (en) 2009-08-28 2014-12-31 Tobacco Research And Development Institute (Proprietary) Limited Filter rod maker
US20210112853A1 (en) * 2019-10-16 2021-04-22 International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. Z O.O. Machine for manufacturing filter rods

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1527705A (en) 1976-03-01 1978-10-11 Liggett & Myers Inc Cigarette filter
EP2470032B1 (en) 2009-08-28 2014-12-31 Tobacco Research And Development Institute (Proprietary) Limited Filter rod maker
WO2011033121A1 (en) * 2009-09-21 2011-03-24 British American Tobacco (Investments) Limited Method and apparatus for introducing objects into tobacco industry product rod material
US20120077658A1 (en) * 2010-09-27 2012-03-29 Aiger Group Ag Apparatus and method for insertion of capsules into filter tows
WO2012057255A1 (en) 2010-10-29 2012-05-03 日本たばこ産業株式会社 Granular material supply device and granular material supply method
EP2449897A1 (en) 2010-11-05 2012-05-09 HAUNI Maschinenbau AG Method and device for inserting objects into a filter rod for the tobacco processing industry
EP2617302B1 (en) 2012-01-18 2014-04-30 International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. z o.o. Method and unit for feeding beads
US20210112853A1 (en) * 2019-10-16 2021-04-22 International Tobacco Machinery Poland Sp. Z O.O. Machine for manufacturing filter rods

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