Metal belt sections are provided for tobacco segmentation

Abstract

The present invention relates in particular to a unit (5) for providing metal strip segments (39) for tobacco blocks (7.1), in particular tobacco segments, the unit comprising at least one cutting unit (30) for cutting a preferably continuous or quasi-continuous metal strip (9, 10) into metal strip segments (39) of limited length, wherein the cutting unit (30) comprises a suction roller (36) which is driven or can be driven so as to rotate about an axis of rotation and a cutting roller (32) which is driven or can be driven so as to rotate about an axis of rotation and which cooperates with the suction roller (36), wherein the at least one metal strip (9, 10) is guided or is to be guided between the cutting roller (32) and the suction roller (36), wherein in an improved embodiment the cutting roller (32) and the suction roller (36) are movable or can be movable relative to each other along the axis of rotation of the cutting roller (32) and / or along the axis of rotation of the suction roller (36), in particular linearly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a unit for providing a metal belt segment for a tobacco block, in particular a tobacco segment.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a machine for the tobacco processing industry, in particular a smoking article manufacturing machine, and a method for providing a metal belt section for a tobacco block, in particular a tobacco segment. Background Art

[0003] Devices for heating aerosol-forming substrates by means of resistance heating elements are known from the prior art. Here, before use, the smoking article is introduced into a cavity of the heating device, wherein the aerosol-forming substrate is pushed onto a heatable blade. Such smoking articles are not suitable or are only limitedly suitable for use in inductive heating devices for smoking articles.

[0004] Furthermore, inductive heating devices are known, in which an induction source generates an alternating electromagnetic field, thereby inducing a voltage in a susceptor or a susceptor material. As a result, eddy currents are generated within the susceptor material due to the induced voltage, so that the susceptor material is heated or heated by means of the generated eddy currents. The susceptor material is preferably positioned in thermal proximity to the aerosol-forming substrate, such as a tobacco substrate, in order to selectively heat the aerosol-forming substrate and release volatile compounds.

[0005] Furthermore, WO 2016 / 184930 A1 discloses a device and a method for producing inductively heatable tobacco products, wherein metallic, rectangular-shaped susceptor segments are positioned in a tobacco block or tobacco segment of the tobacco product. The produced tobacco product can be heated by means of an inductively operating heating device. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to improve the production of inductively heatable tobacco products and to increase the productivity of a production machine for inductively heatable tobacco products.

[0007] This object is achieved by a unit for providing metal strip segments for tobacco blocks, in particular tobacco segments, the unit having at least one cutting unit for cutting a preferably continuous or quasi-continuous metal strip into metal strip segments of limited length, wherein the cutting unit has a suction roller which is driven or drivable so as to rotate about an axis of rotation and a cutting roller which cooperates with the suction roller and is driven or drivable so as to rotate about an axis of rotation, wherein the at least one metal strip is guided or is to be guided between the cutting roller and the suction roller, wherein

[0008] (i) the cutting roller and the suction roller are movable or can be movable relative to one another along the axis of rotation of the cutting roller and / or along the axis of rotation of the suction roller, in particular linearly;

[0009] and / or (ii) the cutting roller has cutting knives arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction and the suction roller has knife bodies arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction, wherein the knife bodies of the suction roller and the cutting knives of the cutting roller are movable or movable relative to one another along the axis of rotation of the cutting roller and / or along the axis of rotation of the suction roller, in particular linearly;

[0010] And / or (iii) the unit has a conveying unit for conveying at least one metal strip to the cutting unit, wherein the conveying unit is movable or movable about the rotation axis of the cutting roller and / or about the rotation axis of the suction roller and / or along the rotation axis of the cutting roller, in particular linearly.

[0011] The advantage of the present invention is that the service life of the cutting unit is increased, since within the scope of the present invention it is provided that, on the one hand, the entire intake roller and / or the entire knife roller is moved axially, in particular linearly, along its axis of rotation. Furthermore, it is provided on the other hand that the knife body of the intake roller with the corresponding cutting edge and / or the cutting knife of the cutting roller is also moved in the axial direction, in particular linearly, relative to the axis of rotation of the cutting roller and the intake roller. According to another embodiment, the position of the metal strip is changed by an axial displacement movement relative to the axis of rotation of the intake roller and / or the cutting roller, while the preferred axial position of the intake roller conveying the metal strip remains unchanged. In one embodiment, the axial displacement movement of the metal strip and / or the axial displacement movement of the intake roller and / or its knife body and / or the axial displacement movement of the cutting roller and / or its cutting knife can be carried out continuously or in a clockwise manner. Corresponding drives are provided for the displacement movements of the units or devices mentioned.

[0012] The cutting unit or the unit for providing metal strip segments is preferably designed so that in one embodiment, a plurality of metal strips conveyed next to each other are also each cut into metal strip segments. Preferably, the unit for providing metal strip segments is designed to process metal strips conveyed in double width.

[0013] The unit for providing a metal band section for a tobacco block, in particular a tobacco section, is in particular a component of a device or a machine for producing preferably inductively heatable tobacco products. The unit provides a metal band section of limited length for the tobacco block, which is introduced into the tobacco block, in particular a tobacco section, in a further subsequent processing step. The metal band section has the properties of a susceptor material, so that after the metal band section has been introduced into the tobacco block, the ready-to-use smoking product produced thereby can be heated by inductive heating.

[0014] Within the scope of the present invention, the provided metal strip segment for the tobacco block can be further conveyed on a subsequent conveying device, in particular a conveyor roller, after the cutting process has been carried out on the cutting unit, wherein it is possible to feed the flat metal strip segment as rectangular pieces or pieces into the provided tobacco block, in particular tobacco segments.

[0015] It is also conceivable within the scope of the invention that the cut metal strip segments are changed in shape during their transport by a corresponding processing device, whereby, for example, the surface moment of inertia of the cross section of the cut metal strip segment is increased. The increase in the axial surface moment of inertia of the cross section is preferably carried out by a change in the shape of the cross section of the metal strip segment, preferably in particular by a deforming punching process and / or rolling process and / or embossing process or the like. In this case, the processing device is preferably designed in such a way as to carry out a deforming process, in particular a deforming punching process and / or rolling process and / or embossing process.

[0016] The cutting unit for cutting one or more metal strips is set up or designed in such a way that the cutting roller cooperates with the suction roller, wherein the metal strip is guided or is guided between the cutting roller and the suction roller. The cutting roller preferably has cutting knives arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction. In addition, in one embodiment, it is provided that the cutting roller also has a plurality of, in particular two, cutting knives arranged side by side, which are arranged side by side along the rotation axis relative to the rotation axis of the cutting roller.

[0017] According to an improved scheme, the suction roller has a groove along the circumferential direction for accommodating the cutting knife of the cutting roller, wherein, while the cutting roller and the suction roller rotate in opposite directions, the cutting knife of the cutting roller respectively enters the groove of the suction roller and can be placed or brought into contact with the groove side edge of the groove when constructing a shear cut.

[0018] The suction roller has conveying sections for the metal strip sections in the circumferential direction, wherein the conveying sections with the interruptions or grooves between the conveying sections are arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the suction roller, preferably at regular intervals.

[0019] The conveying segment has a bearing surface for one or more metal belt segments. In addition, the conveying segment has a suction air hole loaded or loadable with negative pressure, so that the metal belt and / or the metal belt segment is held on the conveying segment by the loading of negative pressure.

[0020] The suction air holes of the conveying section are preferably arranged one after the other in a row with respect to the circumferential direction of the suction roller and / or arranged side by side in a row with respect to the rotation axis of the suction roller. In addition, the suction air holes of the conveying section can be loaded or loaded with negative pressure from a negative pressure source through the suction channel inside the drum body of the suction roller.

[0021] With respect to the circumferential direction of the suction roller, the blades following the conveying section of the suction roller are preferably arranged on the following side edge of the conveying section, wherein in particular the outer surface of the conveying section is oriented flush with the outer surface of the blades in the circumferential direction for a metal strip section of limited length. In addition, in another embodiment, a plurality of, in particular two, conveying sections can be arranged side by side with respect to the rotation axis of the suction roller. Likewise, in a further development, it is provided that a plurality of, in particular two, blades are arranged side by side with respect to the rotation axis of the suction roller on the conveying section.

[0022] In one embodiment, a common drive is provided for driving the suction roller and the cutting roller. In another embodiment, it is conceivable to provide a separate, preferably directly driven and position-controlled or speed-controlled drive for the suction roller and the cutting roller, respectively, in order to rotationally drive the suction roller and the cutting roller.

[0023] In particular, the unit for providing metal strip segments is configured to simultaneously cut two or more metal strips conveyed side by side into metal strip segments by means of a cutting unit. Within the scope of the invention, it is also provided that in one embodiment, only a single-width material web is cut into material strip segments by means of the cutting unit.

[0024] According to another independent solution or an improvement of the object, it is provided for the unit for providing a metal strip segment that a guide unit for the at least one metal strip is arranged on the suction roller, wherein in particular the guide unit has two guide bodies spaced apart from each other, wherein between the guide bodies spaced apart from each other the metal strip or the metal strip is preferably to be guided or is guided on the suction roller. In this case, the outer guide unit is arranged on the outer side of the suction roller for reliably guiding the metal strip on the rotationally driven suction roller. For guiding the metal strip, it is guided through guide bodies spaced apart from each other in the form of channels, thereby preventing the metal strip from being cut obliquely or the metal strip segment produced thereby from being placed obliquely on the conveying section after cutting. In one embodiment, it is also provided that the guide unit is designed for guiding a plurality of metal strips and / or metal strip segments on the conveying section of the suction roller.

[0025] Furthermore, another independent solution to the object or a development of the unit is characterized in that the suction roller has a guide device for at least one metal strip, wherein in particular the guide device is designed as a groove-shaped recess or as a plurality of groove-shaped recesses arranged one behind the other or spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the suction roller, wherein in the groove-shaped recess or in the plurality of groove-shaped recesses the metal strip is preferably guided or is to be guided on the suction roller.

[0026] Furthermore, in another independent solution to the object or in a configuration of the unit, it is provided that the suction roller has conveying sections in the circumferential direction, the conveying sections having support surfaces for the metal strip and the metal strip sections, wherein the conveying sections are arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the suction roller, and a recess, in particular a groove, is respectively provided between the conveying sections in the circumferential direction, and at least one blade is respectively arranged on the trailing side edges of the conveying sections with respect to the conveying direction of the suction roller, wherein the conveying sections of the suction roller have suction air holes for applying negative pressure to the metal strip and / or the metal strip sections, wherein

[0027] a) With respect to the conveying direction of the suction roller, one or more sub-intake air holes are respectively arranged on the side edge of the rear row of the conveying section, and the knife body arranged on the side edge of the rear row of the conveying section has one or more sub-intake air holes, wherein one or more sub-intake air holes of one conveying section or one or more air holes of the plurality of conveying sections cooperate with one or more sub-intake air holes of the knife body to respectively construct one or more intake air holes.

[0028] And / or b) the blade body arranged or to be arranged on the trailing side edge of the conveyor segment has at least one or more intake air holes for applying negative pressure to the metal strip and / or the metal strip section.

[0029] According to the first design, the side edges of the rear row of the conveying segments are respectively configured with at least one sub-intake air hole, which, when the blade is arranged on the side edge of the rear row of the corresponding conveying segment, cooperates with the corresponding sub-intake air hole of the blade body to configure the intake air hole, so that the metal strip and / or the cut metal strip segment is held when negative pressure is applied to the intake air hole formed by the two sub-intake air holes. The number of sub-intake air holes on the side edge of the rear row of the conveying segment corresponds to the number of sub-intake air holes of the blade body arranged on the side edge of the rear row or the total number of sub-intake air holes of the blade body arranged on the side edge of the rear row of the conveying segment.

[0030] According to the second embodiment, it is provided that one or more blades to be arranged or arranged on the trailing side edge of the conveyor segment have intake air holes, so that in cooperation with the conveyor segment provided with intake air holes, the metal strip and / or metal strip section on the conveyor segment is subjected to negative pressure or is subjected to negative pressure. In particular, the conveyor segment also has corresponding intake air holes.

[0031] In order to apply negative pressure to the suction air holes of the suction roller, it is provided that a negative pressure source, such as an air suction machine, is connected to the suction air holes via corresponding suction air channels inside the suction roller. In order to switch the holding vacuum at the corresponding suction air holes during the rotation of the suction roller, one or more control bodies or switching devices are arranged on the suction roller. In particular, the holding vacuum in the conveying area of ​​the one or more metal strips and / or in the conveying area of ​​the metal strip section on the suction roller is switched, so that negative pressure is applied to the suction air holes in the conveying area of ​​the one or more metal strips and / or in the conveying area of ​​the metal strip section.

[0032] Within the scope of the present invention, it can be provided that in the conveying area of ​​the metal strip on the suction roller, all the suction air holes of the conveying section and / or the blade body are loaded with negative pressure and in the conveying area of ​​the metal strip section on the suction roller, only a part of the suction air holes is loaded with negative pressure, while another part of the suction air holes is not loaded with negative pressure or the holding vacuum on the suction air holes of the second part of the suction air holes is disconnected. For this purpose, it is possible, for example, that the suction air holes of a part of the suction air holes, which are loaded with negative pressure in the conveying area of ​​the metal strip section, are connected to a negative pressure source via corresponding suction air channels, and the suction air holes of another part of the suction air holes, which are not loaded with negative pressure in the same conveying area of ​​the metal strip section, can be loaded with negative pressure via separate suction air channels, but the suction air channels are only loaded with negative pressure in the conveying area of ​​the metal strip. It is possible that the suction air channels of a part of the suction air holes of the conveying section of the suction roller and the suction air channels of another part of the suction air holes of the conveying section of the suction roller are oriented in different directions with respect to the rotation axis of the suction roller. Here, a portion of the intake air channel for the intake air holes loaded with negative pressure can be oriented parallel to the rotation axis of the intake roller in the conveying area of ​​the metal belt segment, while the intake air channel for the intake air holes not loaded with negative pressure is constructed in the conveying area of ​​the metal belt segment, for example, at least partially inclined relative to the rotation axis or is constructed in another way in the drum body of the suction roller.

[0033] According to another independent solution or an improved solution of the task, it is provided for the unit for providing the metal belt segment that the suction roller has a conveying segment along the circumferential direction, and the conveying segment has a supporting body, in particular a placing body, wherein the conveying segments are arranged one after the other along the circumferential direction of the suction roller and a recess, in particular a groove, is respectively provided between the conveying segments along the circumferential direction, and wherein the supporting body has a supporting surface for the metal belt or the metal belt segment, wherein in particular the conveying segment has an intake air hole and the supporting body, in particular the placing body, arranged on the conveying segment has an intake air hole for applying negative pressure to the metal belt and / or the metal belt segment, wherein the intake air hole of the conveying segment and the intake air hole of the supporting body are connected to each other. Preferably, the supporting body arranged on the conveying segment is provided with a wear-resistant or low-wear coating or is constructed of a particularly hard material. In one design, in particular the supporting body arranged on the conveying segment is bonded to the conveying segment of the suction roller.

[0034] Another independent solution to the object or a development of the unit is characterized in that the suction roller has conveying segments arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction, wherein one or more magnets for holding the metal strip segment are arranged on the outer surface of the conveying segment. In particular, the magnets are arranged in the region of the trailing end of the conveying segment with respect to the conveying direction of the suction roller. Preferably, a plurality of magnets for holding the metal strip segment on the conveying segment are provided, wherein the magnets are arranged on the conveying segment one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the suction roller and / or side by side with respect to the longitudinal axis of the suction roller.

[0035] In addition, in another independent solution to the object or in a design of the unit, it is proposed that the suction roller has conveying sections arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction, wherein the conveying sections each have on their outer sides an embossing structure and / or an embossing die for embossing a metal strip section arranged, in particular held or arranged on the conveying section, wherein in particular the embossing structure and / or the embossing die are arranged in the region of the trailing side edge of the conveying section with respect to the rotation axis of the suction roller, and / or wherein in particular the embossing structure and / or the embossing die have at least one suction air hole for applying negative pressure to the metal strip section, and / or wherein in particular an embossing roller cooperating with the suction roller is arranged on the suction roller. It is thereby possible to cut the metal strip or a metal strip into a plurality of metal strip sections on the suction roller and subsequently deform the cut metal strip sections on the suction roller, thereby, for example, increasing the axial moment of inertia of the cross section of the metal strip section in a subsequent processing step. For this purpose, a processing device is provided on the suction roller in the conveying region behind the cutting roller with respect to the conveying direction of the metal strip segment on the suction roller for deforming the metal strip segment in cooperation with an embossing structure and / or an embossing die. In particular, the processing device is preferably designed to be functionally complementary to the embossing structure and / or the embossing die of the suction roller. After the metal strip segment on the suction roller has been deformed, the deformed metal strip segment is transferred to the next conveying roller.

[0036] According to another independent solution or a design of the object, it is provided for the unit for providing a material strip segment for a tobacco block that at least one conveyor roller for conveying a metal strip segment is provided, wherein the conveyor roller has magnets for holding the metal strip segment arranged one after the other on the roller body and / or on a control body surrounded by a roller cylinder, preferably along the conveying path of the metal strip segment and / or along the circumferential direction of the conveyor roller, wherein in particular the magnets are designed as permanent magnets or as electromagnets, in particular switchable. It is possible within the scope of the invention that the unit has a plurality of conveyor rollers, which are arranged one after the other in the conveying direction, wherein each of the conveyor rollers has a magnet in the conveying region of the metal strip segment or has a series of magnets arranged one after the other in the circumferential direction of the respective conveyor roller, for holding the metal strip segment on the surface of the conveyor roller by means of a magnetic force caused by the magnets while the metal strip segment is being conveyed on the respective conveyor roller along the conveying region.

[0037] Furthermore, in another independently realized solution to the task or in a design of the unit, it is provided that the suction roller has a conveying section along a circumferential direction, the conveying section having a supporting surface for a metal strip or a metal strip section, wherein the conveying section has suction air holes for applying negative pressure to the metal strip and / or the metal strip section, wherein in a first conveying section, in relation to the conveying direction of the suction roller, the suction air holes, in particular all the suction air holes, of the conveying section for the metal strip are or are to be applied with negative pressure for conveying the metal strip on the suction roller, and after the metal strip section has been cut off from the metal strip, in a second conveying area, preferably immediately following, negative pressure is or is to be applied to only some of the suction air holes in order to hold the metal strip section on the corresponding conveying section, and the negative pressure at the other suction air holes of the conveying section is preferably switched off or can be switched off by means of a control body.

[0038] According to another independent solution to the object or an advantageous embodiment of the unit, it is further provided that the unit has an infeed roller for inserting, in particular embossed and / or shaped, metal strip segments, wherein the infeed roller has a receiving recess for the metal strip segments, wherein the receiving recesses are each formed with a preferably continuous tappet groove, wherein a slide for the metal strip segment to be introduced can be moved along the tappet groove in the respective receiving recess. It is particularly provided that the infeed roller has a receiving recess for the metal strip segment that is complementary in shape and / or complementary in function, depending on the contour or shape of the metal strip segment to be introduced, wherein the receiving recesses are additionally formed with tappet grooves for the slide. The axial length of the tappet groove relative to the rotation axis of the infeed roller corresponds to the displacement path of the slide when inserting the metal strip segment arranged on the infeed roller into a tobacco block, in particular a tobacco segment, preferably also arranged on the infeed roller.

[0039] Preferably, the insertion roller has a roller body, wherein receiving recesses for the metal band segments are arranged successively along the circumferential direction of the roller body. In order to push in the metal band segments arranged in the receiving recesses, corresponding tappets are provided laterally at the receiving recesses in the conveying section of the insertion roller, which tappets are to be introduced or introduced into the longitudinally extending tappet grooves of the receiving recesses and push the metal band segments into the tobacco segments or tobacco rods. In addition, in addition to the metal band segments, corresponding tobacco blocks, in particular tobacco segments, are arranged in the receiving recesses, so that when the tobacco blocks and metal band segments are conveyed on the insertion roller, the metal band segments are introduced into the tobacco blocks, in particular tobacco segments. The process of introducing the metal band segments into the tobacco blocks can also be carried out by a relative movement between the corresponding tobacco blocks and the metal band segments.

[0040] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a machine for the tobacco processing industry, in particular a tobacco product manufacturing machine, which has the above-described unit for providing metal strip segments for tobacco rods, in particular tobacco segments. To avoid repetitions, reference is explicitly made to the above explanations.

[0041] Another solution to this object is achieved by a method for providing a metal band section for a tobacco block, in particular a tobacco segment, wherein the method is carried out with the aid of the above-described unit. To this end, explicit reference is made to the above explanations.

[0042] In the scope of the present invention, the concept "tobacco product" can refer to an aerosol-forming tobacco segment or a tobacco-containing segment or a filter segment equipped with an aerosol-forming liquid, which is manufactured in a unit or manufacturing machine for providing a metal strip segment according to the present invention, especially a tobacco product manufacturing machine, to form an inductively heatable tobacco product or an inductively heatable tobacco segment. "Tobacco product" can also be a tobacco segment, which will be connected to or connected to a suction mouth, and the suction mouth can include a filter segment and / or other segments, such as a cooling segment or a spacing segment if necessary. The filter segment and the other segments can be selected in coordination with the composition of the tobacco segment. The aerosol-forming tobacco segment and the suction mouth and, if necessary, other segments can be assembled to form a structural unit. The tobacco product can be, for example, a finished product that can be consumed, that is, a consumable material ready for use, such as a tobacco product that generates an aerosol, which can be used in combination with a preferably electronic heating device, such as an electronic cigarette or a heat-not-burn smoking device.

[0043] Preferably, the tobacco product has longitudinal extension and has a circular or oval cross section. The tobacco product can also have a rectangular or polygonal cross section. Preferably, the tobacco product is rod-shaped. The tobacco product is or comprises a tobacco segmentation consisting of an aerosol-forming tobacco substrate. Preferably, the aerosol-forming tobacco substrate comprises a volatile tobacco aromatic, which is released when the tobacco substrate is heated. The aerosol-forming tobacco substrate can comprise mixed tobacco shredded filler or be composed of it or can comprise homogenized tobacco material. The homogenized tobacco material can be formed by the agglomeration of granular tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate can additionally comprise a tobacco-free material, such as a homogenized plant material of non-tobacco.

[0044] The tobacco matrix of the preferred described aerosol formation is preferably curled, shrunken, folded and / or pleated tobacco film, which comprises tobacco material, fiber, bonding agent or aerosol forming agent.Preferably described tobacco film is the film of the casting in the form of regenerated tobacco, and described regenerated tobacco is manufactured by means of suspended matter in water and comprises tobacco particles, fiber particles, aerosol forming agent, bonding agent and optional aromatics.Curled, pleated tobacco film, such as cast film can have the thickness in the scope between 0.5mm and about 2mm, preferably between 0.8mm and about 1.5mm, such as 1mm.Due to manufacturing tolerance, thickness deviation until 30% may occur.Described shrinked, pleated or folded tobacco film can be shaped as rod-shaped tobacco segmentation.Described tobacco film can also be cut into narrow, 0.5 to 3mm wide, parallel strips and pleated together into rod-shaped goods.

[0045] When using the unit for providing the metal band segment, an inductively heatable tobacco product for use in an inductive heating device can be provided. The inductively heatable tobacco product comprises or is composed of an inductively heatable tobacco product, which is manufactured in a corresponding device, such as a tobacco product manufacturing machine. The inductively heatable tobacco product comprises an inductively heatable tobacco segment and a susceptor segment, which is fed into the tobacco segment in the form of a metal band segment. The inductively heatable tobacco segment is usually fed into the cavity of the inductive heating device, so that the susceptor segment in the tobacco segment is heated by the corresponding induction of the energy supply electronic device arranged in the inductive heating device. In one design, the susceptor segment formed by the metal band segment can be a filament, a rod, a sheet or a band, etc.

[0046] Further features of the present invention can be seen from the description of the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the claims and the drawings. Embodiments of the present invention can realize individual features or a combination of multiple features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] The invention is described below by means of exemplary embodiments without limiting the general inventive concept with reference to the drawings, wherein explicit reference is made to the drawings for all details according to the invention which are not explained in detail in the text.

[0048] Figure 1a The structure of a drum machine for manufacturing tobacco segments provided with susceptor segments is schematically shown;

[0049] Figure 1b Schematically shows the Figure 1a A corresponding method flow for producing tobacco segments provided with susceptor segments using a drum machine shown in , wherein the susceptor segments are respectively introduced into a provided tobacco block;

[0050] Figure 2a schematically shows an enlarged view of a metal strip cutting device;

[0051] Figure 2b Schematically shows Figure 2a A side view or a perspective partial view of a metal strip cutting device;

[0052] Figure 3 A schematic perspective view of a suction roller with two exemplary guides for a metal strip on the suction roller is shown;

[0053] Figure 4 Schematically shows a perspective view of a suction roller provided with a plurality of exemplary cutting knives and a supporting body;

[0054] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a suction roller having suction air holes on a surface of the suction roller;

[0055] Figure 6a , 6b schematically shows a simplified cross-sectional view of a suction channel for the suction air holes of the suction roller, respectively;

[0056] Figure 7a , 7b Schematically shows the Figure 5 A simplified diagram of a control ring for a suction air channel in a suction roller of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 8 A perspective view of a suction roller is schematically shown;

[0058] Fig. 9 A simplified diagram of a metal strip cutting device according to another design is schematically shown;

[0059] Fig.10 A schematic perspective view of a suction roller according to another embodiment and a detailed view of a conveying section of the suction roller are shown in cross section;

[0060] Fig.11 Schematically shows a perspective view of a suction roller with different suction air holes for the metal strip to be conveyed;

[0061] Fig.12 schematically shows a view of a roller arrangement for conveying a metal strip segment; and

[0062] Fig.13 Several views of the receiving recess of the push-in drum with the tappet groove are schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] In the scope of the present invention, features marked with "particularly" or "preferably" should be understood as optional features.

[0064] In the figures, identical or similar elements and / or components are respectively provided with the same reference symbols, so that a repeated description is not respectively omitted.

[0065] exist Figure 1a Schematically shown in FIG. 1 is the structure of a drum machine 3 of the tobacco processing industry, which is used to produce tobacco segments provided with susceptor segments, in particular inductively heatable smoking products.

[0066] exist Figure 1a The drum machine 3 schematically shown in the figure can be constructed, for example, as a combination machine or a multi-stage manufacturing machine. Figure 1b ) is a right module 4 for providing the tobacco segment 1 and a left module 5 for providing the susceptor segment 2 and for inserting the susceptor segment 2 into the tobacco segment 1 .

[0067] The tobacco segment 1 is provided in Figure 1b In the method steps I.1 to I.6, the module 4 for providing the tobacco segment 1 is shown, wherein Figure 1a 1 shows a module 4 for providing tobacco segments 1. The module 4 has a storage container 6 containing tobacco rods 7, which preferably consist of a shrunken or cut tobacco film, which is provided with a wrapping material, such as paper, aluminum foil and / or aluminized paper. The tobacco rods 7 as rod-shaped products can have a length of between 40 mm and 350 mm, preferably between 60 mm and 150 mm, particularly preferably 120 mm, and a diameter of between 5 mm and 9 mm, preferably between 6 mm and 8 mm, particularly preferably 7.9 mm or 7.2 mm. Subsequently, a plurality of tobacco blocks 7.1 are produced from the tobacco rods 7 of multiple lengths.

[0068] By means of the removal drum 101, the multiple-length tobacco rods 7 are removed separately from the storage 6 as rod-shaped products and cut by the cutting knives 102 and 103 arranged on the removal drum 101 (method step I.1). The cutting knives 102, 103 can be formed by a plurality of rotating disc knives, which are arranged on the shaft accordingly, so that the rod-shaped tobacco rod 7 is cut into a plurality of tobacco pieces 7.1. In particular, an even number of tobacco pieces 7.1, such as 2, 4, 5, 6 or 8, etc., are cut from each tobacco rod 7.

[0069] After the tobacco block 7.1 has been formed, it is graded on subsequent grading drums 104, 105 and subsequently moved longitudinally on a displacement drum 106, so that a row of tobacco blocks 7.1 arranged transversely and axially one behind the other is formed.

[0070] The tobacco block 7.1 is preferably doubled in length, forms a conveyor line and is subsequently transferred to the drum 108. These working steps are Figure 1b The method is shown in FIG. 1 according to method steps I.1 to I.6.

[0071] The tobacco block 7.1 is graded on the grading rollers 104, 105 (compare method steps I.2 and I.3). The tobacco block 7.1 is then arranged on the next moving roller 106 in a row of tobacco blocks 7.1 arranged one after the other in a transverse direction (compare method step I.4). The tobacco block 7.1 is then transferred from the moving roller 106 to the conveying roller 107. The tobacco blocks 7.1 arranged one after the other in a single row are transferred from the conveying roller 107 to the next conveying roller (compare method step I.5) and cut into tobacco segments 1 in the middle by means of a cutting device 109, such as a cutting knife, arranged on the conveying roller 108. The tobacco segments 1 are then separated from each other in the longitudinal axial direction by means of a spacing device 122 (compare method step I.6), wherein the tobacco segments 1 separated from each other in the longitudinal axial direction are then transferred from the conveying roller 108 to the push-in roller 123 (compare method step II.7).

[0072] On the conveyor drum 108, the tobacco block 7.1 is cut into tobacco segments 1 by a cutting device 109 and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal axial direction by means of a spacing device 122 arranged thereon, which can be designed as a wedge, for example. The spacing can be between 2 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 6 mm and 10 mm, particularly preferably 8 mm. The spacing of the two tobacco segments 1 has the advantage that a stopper or retaining element (not shown here) can be present behind each tobacco segment 1 in order to be able to carry out the pressing process of the susceptor segment 2 without error.

[0073] Figure 1b Schematically in the left area are method steps II.1 to II.4 for providing a metal strip segment 2 as a susceptor segment (the metal strip segment is produced from a metal strip by cutting), as well as deformation of the cross section QS of the metal strip segment 2 as a susceptor segment (method step II.5), a step of transferring to a push-in roller 123 by means of a transfer roller 121, and a step of positioning the metal strip segment 2 in the corresponding tobacco segment 1 by feeding (II.7).

[0074] For the module 5 for providing the material web sections, a quasi-continuous metal strip 31 is introduced from a tube unwound from an axis (not shown here) into the left module 5 of the drum machine 3 via conveyor and / or deflection rollers 111 to 113, wherein the rollers 114, 115 form a pair of pulling rollers for conveying the metal strip 31 or the metal strips 9, 10. The metal strip 31 is cut into two metal strips 9 and 10 in the longitudinal direction by an upstream cutting device 110.

[0075] The subsequent spacing device 116 separates the two metal strips 9, 10 in such a way that further processing is possible. The material web section or the two metal strips 9, 10 can be provided by means of tubes, wherein the continuous or quasi-continuous metal strip 31 is cut into two metal strips 9, 10 in the longitudinal direction by means of a cutting device 110 (compare method step II.2). As an alternative, the metal strips 9, 10 are provided from two tubes unwound from an axis, wherein the processing step of cutting is omitted in the corresponding embodiment.

[0076] Furthermore, a metal strip cutting device 30 having a knife roller 117 and a suction roller 118 is provided along the conveying direction of the metal strips 9, 10, wherein the two metal strips 9, 10 are cut and separated into metal strip segments 2 by means of the metal strip cutting device 30. The metal strip segments 2 are inserted into the tobacco segments 1 as susceptor material on the subsequently arranged push-in roller 123.

[0077] The metal strip 31 is held on a roller by negative pressure or by a magnetic field and cut by a metal strip cutting device 30. The metal strip 31 can be cut in such a way that the length of the metal strip section 2 is produced by the width of the metal strips 9, 10 or the width of the material webs 9, 10 respectively forms the width of the metal strip section 2.

[0078] As an alternative, the metal strip cutting device 30 can be replaced by another cutting device or a cutting device, which includes a laser for cutting the metal strip 9, 10 into metal strip segments. After passing through the rollers 117, 118, the separated metal strip segments 2 are transferred to the roller 119 as susceptor segments. The rollers 119, 120 act as shape-changing units, which change the cross-section QS of the metal strip segment 2 in such a way that the axial plane moment of inertia, here the longitudinal axis of the metal strip segment 2 provided as a susceptor segment, is increased in order to avoid bending and / or damage of the metal strip segment 2 when inserted into the tobacco segment 1. The punching or embossing process is carried out by the joint action of the subsequent rollers 119 and 120. Advantageously, the metal strip segment 2 is provided with a recess extending longitudinally axially, which is preferably aligned with the center of the roller body 119. After the transfer to the roller 121 (method step II.6 ), the depression of the metal strip section 2 is directed away from the roller center of the roller 121 due to the transfer to the next roller 121 .

[0079] The tobacco segments 1 arranged in pairs are transferred from the conveyor roller 108 to the roller 123. On the roller 121, the separated metal strip segments 2 are arranged side by side in pairs on two conveyor lines (method step II.6) and transferred to the push-in roller 123, on which the metal strip segments 2 arranged in pairs are inserted into the tobacco segments 1 also arranged in pairs.

[0080] The process of feeding or inserting the metal band segment 2 as susceptor segment 2 from the side into the corresponding tobacco block 7 . 1 is carried out on the subsequent push-in drum 123 (method step II.7 ).

[0081] On the push-in roller 123 , after the insertion process, the tobacco segments 1 arranged side by side in pairs are also located together with the metal belt segments 2 introduced therein as susceptor segments 2 , which are preferably transferred in pairs to transport rollers or conveying devices (not shown here).

[0082] During the production of multi-segment products, the modules 4 , 5 of the drum machine 3 can be combined with further modules for producing a wide variety of multi-segment products.

[0083] The method for inserting metal band segments 2 as susceptor segments 2 into tobacco blocks for producing tobacco segments 1 can be implemented in a drum machine of the tobacco processing industry. The mass flow, in particular delivered in a single layer, can be moved partially continuously and / or in a clocked manner.

[0084] Figure 2a A further embodiment of a metal strip cutting device 30 for cutting a metal strip 20 is shown schematically in a partially enlarged illustration, wherein in one embodiment the metal strip cutting device 30 is a component of a unit for providing metal strip segments or a component of a corresponding module 3 for providing metal strip segments for tobacco blocks.

[0085] The metal strip 20 is conveyed on a suction roller 36. The circumferential surface of the suction roller 36 is acted upon in a conventional manner with suction air, which is conveyed through suction air holes 42 and 43 and holds and guides the metal strip 20 on the surface of the suction roller 36. The suction roller 36 has in its circumferential surface a groove or recess 38 axially parallel to the axis of rotation, the rear side edge 47 of which in the running direction is provided as a cutting edge for the cutout for separating the metal strip section 39 from the metal strip 20.

[0086] The knife roller 32 has on its circumference a knife 34 extending transversely to the circling direction, which, when circling, successively enters into the groove 38 of the suction roller 36. The cutting edge of the knife 34 is oriented parallel to the axis of the knife roller 32, so that the cutting edge of the knife 34 rotates on a (single) cutting circle over the entire width or length, wherein the cutting begins when the linear cutting edge enters the corresponding groove or gap of the suction roller 36 when cutting, in particular shearing, is performed and the cutting ends after the cutting edge enters with the severing of the metal strip.

[0087] The suction roller 36 has support bodies 50 arranged in the circumferential direction of the suction roller 36 and which have on the outer sides corresponding support surfaces 40 for the metal strip sections 39 or the metal strip 20. Between the support bodies 50, the recesses 38 are designed as interruptions.

[0088] According to the invention, the suction roller 36 and / or the cutting roller 32 are moved along their rotational axis oriented perpendicular to the drawing plane when the metal strip 20 is cut into metal strip segments 39. In particular, a linear movement of the cutting roller 32 and / or the suction roller 36 is performed.

[0089] In one specific embodiment (not shown here), it is provided that the metal strip 20 is moved relative to the rotation axis of the cutting roller 32 and / or relative to the rotation axis of the suction roller 36 along the rotation axis of the cutting roller 32 or suction roller 36 .

[0090] Figure 2b The enlarged detail view shows the metal strip to be cut out without the metal strip to be cut. Figure 2a The present invention relates to a metal strip cutting device 30. Here, the knife roller 32 has knives 34 according to the invention at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. The knives 34 are clamped on the drum body of the knife roller 32 so that the cutting edge of the knife 34 is oriented obliquely to the rotation axis of the knife roller 32. When the cutting process is carried out while cutting is being performed, the knife 34 enters the groove-shaped recess 38 of the suction roller 36 when the knife roller 32 and the suction roller 36 rotate simultaneously.

[0091] exist Figure 2b 3 shows a side view of the area between the knife roller 32 and the suction roller 36 in the area where the metal strip is cut into metal strip segments, with the metal strip omitted. Under the continuous rotation of the knife roller 32 and the suction roller 36, the cutting knife 34 first enters the gap 38.

[0092] The knife roller 32 has cutting knives 34 at regular intervals along the circumferential direction. The cutting knives 34 are clamped on the drum body of the knife roller 32 so that the cutting edges of the cutting knives 34 are oriented obliquely to the rotation axis of the knife roller 32. When the cutting process is carried out while cutting is being performed, the cutting knives 34 enter the groove-shaped recesses 38 of the suction roller 36 when the knife roller 32 and the suction roller 36 rotate simultaneously.

[0093] In the case of the suction roller 36, the groove-like recesses 38 are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction on the roller body of the suction roller 36 between the support bodies 50 for the metal strip segments. The support bodies 50 have a support surface 40 for the metal strip 20 or the metal strip segments 39, which has corresponding suction holes (not shown here) that can be acted upon with negative pressure in order to hold the cut metal strip segments 39 on the outer side.

[0094] Between the support bodies 50, a gap 38 is provided in each case along the circumferential direction of the cylinder body of the suction roller 36, in which a particularly one-piece blade 52 is arranged. The blade 52 is clamped here by means of a corresponding clamping device (not shown here). In this case, the front groove side edge of the gap 38 in the circumferential direction is formed as a cutting edge of the suction roller 36 by the blade 52.

[0095] Furthermore, the edges of the blade 52 , in particular the upper rear edge in the conveying direction of the suction roller 36 , are oriented axially parallel to the rotation axis of the suction roller 36 , so that the cutting edge of the blade 52 of the suction roller 36 extends axially parallel to the rotation axis of the suction roller 36 .

[0096] exist Figure 2b In the embodiment shown, it is provided according to the invention that the trailing blade 52 of the suction roller 36 and / or the cutting blade 34 of the cutting roller 32 are moved relative to one another along the rotation axis of the cutting roller 32 and / or along the rotation axis of the suction roller 36. In particular, the blade 52 and / or the cutting blade 34 are moved linearly.

[0097] In a design solution not shown here, it is provided that a conveying unit is provided for the one or more metal strips, the conveying unit comprising, for example, at least one or more deflection rollers, wherein the conveying unit is moved about the rotation axis of the cutting roller 32 and / or about the rotation axis of the suction roller 36, in particular linearly, along the rotation axis of the cutting roller 32 and / or along the rotation axis of the suction roller 36.

[0098] exist Figure 3, a view of a suction roller 36 is schematically shown, which has supporting surfaces 40 which are cut one after the other in the circumferential direction. The supporting surfaces 40 extend along the axis of rotation of the suction roller 36. Grooves 38 are arranged at regular intervals between the supporting surfaces 40. The metal strips 9, 10 are guided on the supporting surfaces 40 of the supporting body 50 while lying side by side. For guiding the metal strip 9, the supporting body 50 has a U-shaped groove 54 extending in the circumferential direction on the outer side, in which the metal strip 9 is reliably guided when the suction roller 36 rotates, thereby preventing the metal strip 9 and the metal strip sections (not shown here) cut out of the metal strip 9 from slipping.

[0099] An outer guide device 60 is provided for the metal strip 10, which has two guide bodies 61.1, 61.2 oriented parallel to each other next to each other, so that the metal strip 10 resting on the support surface 40 of the support body 50 can be reliably passed through between the guide bodies. The position of the guide bodies 61.1, 61.2 can be easily adapted to the width of the metal strip 10.

[0100] In one embodiment, when conveying only one of the metal strips 9, 10, the suction roller 36 is provided with one of the two guides by means of a groove 54 in the support body 50 or with an outer guide unit 60. When conveying two or more metal strips oriented next to each other, only one of the two guides on the suction roller can also be implemented for each metal strip.

[0101] exist Figure 4 , a perspective view of another embodiment of the suction roller 36 is shown, in which different possibilities for arranging different blades 152.1, 152.2, 152.3 on the trailing edge of the support body 50 are shown. In one embodiment, the support body 50 has corresponding outwardly directed suction air holes on the outer side in order to hold the conveyed metal strip and the metal strip sections cut therefrom on the outer side by applying negative pressure.

[0102] In one embodiment, it is possible for the blade body 152 . 1 to be configured with partial intake air openings 154 which interact with the partial air openings 56 of the support body 50 and form the entire intake air opening for the metal strip or metal strip section, respectively.

[0103] exist Figure 4 In the second embodiment of the present invention, a blade body 152.2 which is thinner in width and has no intake air holes is arranged on the trailing side edge of the support body 50 adjacent to the intake air holes.

[0104] In another embodiment, the support body 50 is provided with a gap 55, and a blade body 152.3 provided with an intake air hole 155 is assembled into the gap and fixed. The intake air hole 155 of the blade body 152.3 is connected to the intake air channel inside the intake roller 56 through a corresponding channel, so as to apply negative pressure to the intake air hole 155 of the blade body 152.3.

[0105] In addition, Figure 4 Another embodiment of the suction roller 36 is provided in FIG. Here, a support segment 58 is arranged on the support body 50, which support segment is formed with corresponding suction air holes on the outer side, and the suction air holes are connected to the suction air holes of the support body 50. The support segment 58 preferably has a thickness of 2 mm to 20 mm, preferably 5 mm to 15 mm, wherein the support segment 58 is preferably made of a harder material than the support body 50 on the corresponding lower side.

[0106] In this case, the support segment 58 has, for example, a hardened trailing cutting edge which interacts with a cutting blade of a cutting roller arranged on the suction roller. In particular, the support segment 58 is adhesively bonded to the support body 50 .

[0107] exist Figure 5 Schematically shows a perspective view of a suction roller according to another design. The suction roller has a support body 50, which is provided with suction air holes 62, 64 for holding the metal strip 9 or the metal strip segment 39 on the support surface 40 of the support body 50. The suction air holes 62, 64 are arranged side by side along the circumferential direction of the suction roller 36 and side by side in the axial direction with respect to the rotation axis. In the conveying area of ​​the metal strip 9, the preceding suction air hole 62 with respect to the conveying direction of the suction roller 36 is acted upon by negative pressure together with the suction air hole 64 until the cutting area S where the metal strip 9 is cut into the metal strip segments 39. Thereafter, in the subsequent conveying area, the preceding suction air hole 62 is not acted upon by negative pressure, that is, the negative pressure at the suction air hole 62 is cut off, and in order to hold the metal strip segment 39, the following suction air hole 64 is acted upon by negative pressure in order to hold the metal strip segment 39. In the conveying region of the metal strip section 39 , only the downstream intake air openings 64 are acted upon by negative pressure.

[0108] exist Figure 6a , 6b The cutout parts are shown in Figure 5 The preceding suction air holes 62 in the support body 50 are connected via an inclined channel 72 formed inside the suction roller 36 relative to the rotation axis of the suction roller 36 (cf. Figure 6bThe rear suction air holes 64 of the support body 50 are connected to the suction passage 74 which is horizontally inclined relative to the rotation axis of the suction roller 36 (cf. Figure 6a ). By means of the suction channel 72, negative pressure is supplied to the suction air holes 62 in the conveying area of ​​the metal strip 9 through the suction channel 72, while at the same time, negative pressure is applied to the trailing suction air holes 64 through the suction channel 74 in the same conveying area. After the metal strip 9 is cut into metal strip segments 39, the negative pressure applied to the suction channel 72 is cut off by means of a control ring 66 arranged laterally on the suction roller 36, while for the trailing suction air holes 64, the control ring 66 is designed in such a way that negative pressure is applied to the suction channel 74 in order to hold the metal strip segment 39 placed on the suction air hole 64 on the support surface 40 of the support body 50.

[0109] Figure 7a , 7b Schematically shown in side view according to two embodiments from Figure 6a , Figure 6b The control ring 66 is designed in accordance with the conveying direction drawn in relation to the suction roller 36. Figure 7a The cutting region S of the embodiment in FIG. 7 has a common through-region 76 for the two intake channels 72, 74 (compare 6a, 6b). After passing through the cutting point or cutting region S, the negative pressure at the intake channel 72 is cut off, wherein a through-region 78 for the intake channel 74 is provided in the adjacent conveying region after the cutting point S, so that only the intake channel 74 and the intake air opening 64 connected thereto are loaded with negative pressure.

[0110] according to Figure 7b In the embodiment, the common through-region 76 (compare Figure 7a ) A through-region 76 . 1 is provided for the intake air opening 62 or the intake channel 72 connected thereto. A separate through-region 76 . 2 in the control ring 66 is formed for the intake air opening 64 or the horizontally oriented intake channel 74 connected thereto.

[0111] Figure 8Another embodiment of a suction roller 36 is shown in a simplified perspective view. The suction roller 36 has an embossed groove 80 on its supporting body 50 in the end region of the trailing edge of the supporting surface 40, which is particularly wedge-shaped or U-shaped. Other designs of the embossed groove 80 are also possible within the scope of the present invention. Due to the design of the embossed groove, it is possible to provide the metal strip section 39 cut from the metal strip with embossing, in particular bending or other embossed structures before or when it is handed over to the next conveyor roller. In this regard, in one design, it is possible to provide corresponding suction air holes 82 in the embossed groove 80 in order to hold the metal strip section placed on the supporting surface 40 by means of negative pressure.

[0112] exist Fig. 9 Schematically shows a metal strip cutting device 30, wherein the suction roller 36 is provided with an embossing groove 80 in the support body 50 in the end region of the trailing edge of the support body 50. After the metal strip 9 has been cut into metal strip segments 39 by means of the cutting roller 32 arranged on the suction roller 36 with its cutting blade 34, embossing is performed by means of an embossing roller 90 arranged on the suction roller 36 and having corresponding embossing punches 92 on the circumferential surface. The embossing punches 92 engage in the embossing grooves 80 of the support body 50, thereby providing the metal strip segment 39 with an embossed structure. Subsequently, the metal strip segment 39 provided with the embossing structure is received by the embossing roller 90 and subsequently transferred to a further conveyor roller.

[0113] exist Fig.10 , another embodiment of the suction roller 36 is shown in a simplified manner. The suction roller 36 has suction air holes 62 on its supporting body 50. The suction air holes 62 are configured in the leading region of the supporting body 50. In addition, one or more magnets 68 are provided in the trailing region of the supporting body 50, wherein the metal strip section 39 cut from the metal strip 9 is retained by means of the magnets after the metal strip 9 is cut in the cutting region S. The magnets 69 are inserted into the supporting body 50. In one embodiment, the magnets 68 can be configured as permanent magnets or electromagnets.

[0114] After the metal strip 9 has been cut into the metal strip sections 39 , the negative pressure at the intake air openings 62 is switched off, so that only the metal strip sections 39 are held by means of the magnets 69 .

[0115] exist Fig.10The cross section of the support body 50 is shown in the lower right area of ​​. During the conveying of the metal strip 9 to the cutting area S, the suction air holes 62 preceding the conveying direction of the suction roller 36 are charged with negative pressure through the suction channel 72, so as to hold the metal strip 9 to be cut on the support surface 40 in a full-face shape together with the magnet 68. After the metal strip segments 39 are cut, the negative pressure applied at the suction channel 72 is cut off, so that the metal strip segments 39 are held only by means of the magnet 68.

[0116] In addition, Fig.11 , another embodiment of the suction roller 36 is shown, wherein the suction roller 36 has suction air holes 64 only in the region of the trailing end of the support body 50 for holding the metal strip and the metal strip sections cut therefrom on the support surface 40. Fig.11 It is clear that the intake air openings 64 can have different shapes. In this case, the intake air openings 64 can be circular or oval in cross section. In addition, in one embodiment, the intake air openings 64 can have a widening at the outer end. Depending on the metal strip to be conveyed, the corresponding intake roller 36 can be selected as required to hold the metal strip or the metal strip section cut therefrom on the support surface 40 by means of the suitably selected geometry of the intake air openings 64.

[0117] In addition, Fig.12, a roller arrangement T of two conveyor rollers 130, 140 for conveying a metal strip segment 39 is shown. The roller arrangement T comprises a first conveyor roller 130 and a second conveyor roller 140, wherein the first conveyor roller 130 comprises a preferably annular roller body 132 rotatable about the rotation axis of the conveyor roller 130, and the second conveyor roller 140 comprises a preferably annular roller body 142 rotatable about the rotation axis of the conveyor roller 140. Stationary magnets 134 are arranged inside the conveyor rollers 130 along the conveying path, so that when the metal strip segment 39 is placed on the conveyor rollers 130, the metal strip segment 39 is held on the roller body 132 by means of magnetic force. The magnets 134 are arranged inside the conveyor rollers 130 in the conveying region of the metal strip segment. Under the rotation of the roller body 132, the metal strip segment held by means of magnetic force is conveyed to the next conveyor roller 140 of the roller arrangement T and handed over to it. The conveyor roller 140 has a roller body 142 that is rotatable or driven about an axis of rotation. In the interior of the conveyor roller 140, corresponding fixed magnets 134 are arranged along the conveying path of the metal strip segment 39 in order to hold the metal strip segment 39 on the rotatable roller body 142 by means of an effective magnetic force. In one embodiment, the magnets 134 of the first conveyor roller 130 and the magnets 144 of the second conveyor roller 140 can be arranged in the transfer region of the metal strip segment 39 between the conveyor rollers 130, 140 in such a way that the magnets 144 of the conveyor roller 140 are arranged opposite the magnets 134 of the conveyor roller 130 in the transfer region in order to ensure a reliable transfer of the metal strip segment 39.

[0118] exist Fig.12 The roller arrangement T shown in can be a component of a unit for conveying metal strip segments or a component of a module for providing metal strip segments or the like.

[0119] In addition, Fig.13 A simplified illustration of a cutout of a receiving recess 150 for pushing the drum is shown (cf. Figure 1a , reference numeral 123). Fig.13The upper figure in the drawing shows a top view of the receiving recess 150 of the push-in drum 123 in a cutout. The two lower figures are sectional views according to the sections AA and BB outlined in the upper figure. The receiving recess 150 for the deformed metal strip segment to be inserted into the tobacco segment has a funnel-shaped structure that tapers downward (compare section AA). The receiving recess 150 has a deepened tappet groove 148 along its longitudinal extension, in which a tappet for the metal strip segment arranged in the receiving recess 150 is guided. The preferably deformed metal strip segment is inserted into the tobacco block by means of the tappet (not shown here) guided in the tappet groove 148 for producing a tobacco segment constructed with a metal segment.

[0120] All mentioned features, including features which can only be seen from the drawings and individual features disclosed in combination with other features, are considered essential to the invention individually or in combination. Embodiments according to the invention can be realized by individual features or a combination of multiple features.

[0121] List of reference numerals:

[0122] 1 Tobacco segment

[0123] 2 Receptor Segments

[0124] 3 Drum Machine

[0125] 4 Modules

[0126] 5 Modules

[0127] 6 Storage

[0128] 7 Tobacco rods

[0129] 7.1 Tobacco Blocks

[0130] 9 Metal Strip

[0131] 10 Metal Strip

[0132] 20 Metal Strip

[0133] 30 Metal strip cutting device

[0134] 31 Metal Strip

[0135] 32 knife roller

[0136] 34 Cutting Knife

[0137] 36 Suction roller

[0138] 38 Gap

[0139] 39 Metal Strip Section

[0140] 40 Support surface

[0141] 42 Intake air hole

[0142] 43 Air intake hole

[0143] 50 Support body

[0144] 52 Cutter body

[0145] 54 slots

[0146] 55 Gap

[0147] 56 Intake air hole

[0148] 58 Support segment

[0149] 60 Guidance Device

[0150] 61.1, 61.2 Guidance Body

[0151] 62 Intake air hole

[0152] 64 Intake air hole

[0153] 66 Control ring

[0154] 68 Magnet

[0155] 72 Suction channel

[0156] 74 Suction channel

[0157] 76, 76.1, 76.2 pass-through area

[0158] 80 Imprinting slot

[0159] 82 Intake air hole

[0160] 90 embossing roller

[0161] 92 embossing punch

[0162] 101 Remove the roller

[0163] 102 Cutting Knife

[0164] 103 Cutting Knife

[0165] 104 Grading drum

[0166] 105 Grading drum

[0167] 106 Mobile roller

[0168] 107 Conveyor Roller

[0169] 108 conveyor roller

[0170] 109 Cutting device

[0171] 110 Cutting device

[0172] 111, 112, 113 Steering roller

[0173] 114, 115 Roller

[0174] 116 Spacer

[0175] 117 Processing roller

[0176] 118 Processing roller

[0177] 119 Roller

[0178] 120 Roller

[0179] 121 Roller

[0180] 122 Spacer

[0181] 123 Push in roller

[0182] 130 conveyor roller

[0183] 132 drum body

[0184] 140 conveyor roller

[0185] 142 drum body

[0186] 148 Tappet slot

[0187] 150 receiving recess

[0188] 152.1, 152.2, 152.3 cutter body

[0189] 154 Intake air hole

[0190] 155 Air intake hole

[0191] S Cutting area

[0192] T roller device

Claims

1. A unit (5) for providing metal strip segments (39) for tobacco blocks (7.1), the unit comprising at least one cutting unit (30) for cutting a metal strip (9, 10) into metal strip segments (39) of limited length, wherein the cutting unit (30) comprises a suction roller (36) which is driven or can be driven so as to rotate about an axis of rotation and a cutting roller (32) which cooperates with the suction roller (36) and is driven or can be driven so as to rotate about an axis of rotation, wherein the at least one metal strip (9, 10) is guided or is to be guided between the cutting roller (32) and the suction roller (36), wherein (i) the cutting roller (32) and the suction roller (36) are movable or movable relative to one another along the axis of rotation of the cutting roller (32) and / or along the axis of rotation of the suction roller (36), and / or (ii) the cutting roller (32) has cutting knives (34) arranged one after the other in a circumferential direction and the suction roller (36) has knife bodies (52, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3) arranged one after the other in a circumferential direction, wherein the knife bodies (52, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3) of the suction roller (36) and the cutting knives (34) of the cutting roller (32) are movable or capable of being movable relative to each other along the rotation axis of the cutting roller (32) and / or along the rotation axis of the suction roller (36), And / or (iii) the unit (5) has a conveying unit for conveying at least one metal strip (9, 10) to the cutting unit (30), wherein the conveying unit moves or is capable of moving about the rotation axis of the cutting roller (32) and / or about the rotation axis of the suction roller (36), along the rotation axis of the cutting roller (32) and / or along the rotation axis of the cutting roller (32).

2. The unit (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that The cutting roller (32) and the suction roller (36) are linearly movable or linearly movable relative to one another along the rotation axis of the cutting roller (32) and / or along the rotation axis of the suction roller (36).

3. The unit (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that The cutting roller (32) has cutting knives (34) arranged in series along a circumferential direction, and the suction roller (36) has knife bodies (52, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3) arranged in series along a circumferential direction, wherein the knife bodies (52, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3) of the suction roller (36) and the cutting knives (34) of the cutting roller (32) move linearly or are capable of moving linearly relative to each other along the rotation axis of the cutting roller (32) and / or along the rotation axis of the suction roller (36).

4. The unit (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that The unit (5) has a conveying unit for conveying at least one metal strip (9, 10) to a cutting unit (30), wherein the conveying unit moves linearly or is capable of moving linearly about the rotation axis of the cutting roller (32) and / or about the rotation axis of the suction roller (36), along the rotation axis of the cutting roller (32) and / or along the rotation axis of the cutting roller (32).

5. The unit (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that A guide unit (60) for the at least one metal strip (9, 10) is arranged on the suction roller (36).

6. The unit (5) according to claim 5, characterized in that The guide unit (60) has two guide bodies (61.1, 61.2) spaced apart from one another, between which one or the metal strip (9, 10) is to be guided or is guided.

7. The unit (5) according to claim 6, characterized in that The metal strip (9, 10) is to be guided or is guided on the suction roller (36) between the guide bodies (61.1, 61.2) which are spaced apart from one another.

8. The unit (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that The suction roller (36) has a guide device for at least one metal strip (9, 10).

9. The unit (5) according to claim 8, characterized in that The guide device is constructed as a groove-shaped recess or as a plurality of groove-shaped recesses arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the suction roller (36) and spaced apart from one another, wherein in the groove-shaped recess or in the plurality of groove-shaped recesses one or the metal strip (9, 10) is to be guided or is guided.

10. The unit (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that The suction roller (36) has a conveying section along the circumferential direction, the conveying section has a supporting surface for the metal strip (9, 10) and the metal strip segment (39), wherein the conveying sections are arranged one after the other along the circumferential direction of the suction roller (36), and recesses or grooves are respectively provided between the conveying sections along the circumferential direction, and at least one blade (52, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3) is respectively arranged on the side edge of the conveying section behind the suction roller (36) with respect to the conveying direction of the suction roller (36), wherein the conveying section of the suction roller (36) has suction air holes (62, 64) for applying negative pressure to the metal strip (9, 10) and / or the metal strip segment (39), wherein a) with respect to the conveying direction of the suction roller (36), one or more sub-intake air holes (56) are respectively arranged on the side edge of the rear row of the conveying section, and the blade body (52, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3) arranged on the side edge of the rear row of the conveying section has one or more sub-intake air holes, wherein one or more sub-intake air holes of the conveying section cooperate with one or more sub-intake air holes of the blade body (52, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3) to form one or more intake air holes, respectively; And / or b) the blade (52, 152.1, 152.2, 152.3) arranged or to be arranged on the rear side edge of the conveying section has at least one or more suction air holes for applying negative pressure to the metal strip (9, 10) and / or the metal strip section (39).

11. The unit (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that The suction roller (36) has conveying sections along the circumferential direction, and the conveying sections have a supporting body or a placing body, wherein the conveying sections are arranged one after the other along the circumferential direction of the suction roller (36) and recesses or grooves are respectively provided between the conveying sections along the circumferential direction, and wherein the supporting body has a supporting surface for the metal strip (9, 10) or the metal strip section (39).

12. The unit (5) according to claim 11, characterized in that The conveying section has an intake air hole, and a supporting body or a placing body arranged on the conveying section has an intake air hole for applying negative pressure to the metal belt (9, 10) and / or the metal belt section (39), wherein the intake air hole of the conveying section and the intake air hole of the supporting body are connected to each other.

13. The unit (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that The suction roller (36) has conveying sections arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction, wherein a magnet (68) or a plurality of magnets (68) for holding the metal strip section (39) are provided on the outer surface of the conveying sections.

14. The unit (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that The suction roller (36) has conveying sections arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction, wherein the conveying sections each have an embossing structure (80) and / or an embossing die on their outer sides for embossing a metal strip section (39) arranged or held or arrangeable on the conveying section.

15. The unit (5) according to claim 14, characterized in that The embossing structure (80) and / or the embossing die are arranged in the area of ​​the rear side edge of the conveying section with respect to the rotation axis of the suction roller (36), and / or the embossing structure (80) and / or the embossing die have at least one suction air hole for applying negative pressure to the metal belt section (39), and / or an embossing roller (90) is arranged on the suction roller (36) and acts together with the suction roller (36).

16. The unit (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that At least one conveying roller (130, 140) for conveying a metal belt segment (39) is provided, wherein the conveying roller (130, 140) is arranged on a roller body (132, 142) and / or a magnet (134, 144) for holding the metal belt segment (39) is arranged on a control body surrounded by a roller cylinder.

17. The unit (5) according to claim 16, characterized in that The magnets (134, 144) are designed as permanent magnets or as electromagnets.

18. The unit (5) according to claim 16, characterized in that Magnets (134, 144) for holding the metal belt segment (39) are arranged one after the other along a conveying path of the metal belt segment (39) and / or along the circumferential direction of the conveying rollers (130, 140).

19. The unit (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that The suction roller (36) has a conveying section along the circumferential direction, the conveying section having a supporting surface for a metal strip (9, 10) or a metal strip section (39), wherein the conveying section has suction air holes (62, 64) for applying negative pressure to the metal strip (9, 10) and / or the metal strip section (39), wherein in a first conveying section, in order to convey the metal strip (9, 10) on the suction roller (36), negative pressure is applied or will be applied to the suction air holes or all the suction air holes (62, 64) for the conveying section of the metal strip (9, 10), and in a second conveying area, after the metal strip section (39) is cut off from the metal strip (9, 10), negative pressure is applied or will be applied to only some of the suction air holes in order to hold the metal strip section (39) on the corresponding conveying section, and the negative pressure at the other suction air holes of the conveying section is disconnected or can be disconnected.

20. The unit (5) according to claim 19, characterized in that After the metal strip section (39) is cut from the metal strip (9, 10), negative pressure is or will be applied to only some of the intake air holes in the immediately following second conveying area in order to hold the metal strip section (39) on the corresponding conveying section, or the negative pressure at the other intake air holes of the conveying section is cut off or can be cut off by means of a control body (66).

21. The unit (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that The unit (5) has an insertion roller (123) for inserting a metal strip segment (39), wherein the insertion roller (123) has a receiving recess (150) for the metal strip segment (39), wherein the receiving recess (150) is respectively configured with a push rod groove (148), wherein a slide for the metal strip segment (39) to be introduced can be moved along the push rod groove (148) in the corresponding receiving recess.

22. The unit (5) according to claim 21, characterized in that The unit (5) has an insertion roller (123) for inserting the embossed and / or profiled metal strip section (39), and / or the receiving recesses (150) are each designed with a continuous tappet groove (148).

23. The unit (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that The unit (5) is configured to provide metal strip segments (39) for tobacco segmentation and / or the cutting unit (30) is configured to cut a continuous or quasi-continuous metal strip (9, 10) into metal strip segments (39) of limited length.

24. The unit (5) according to claim 9, characterized in that In the groove-like recess or in the groove-like recesses, the metal strip (9, 10) is guided or is guided on the suction roller (36).

25. The unit (5) according to claim 17, characterized in that The magnets (134, 144) are designed as switchable electromagnets.

26. Machine for the tobacco processing industry, comprising a unit (5) for providing a metal strip segment (39) for a tobacco block (7.1) according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

27. The machine according to claim 26, characterized in that The machine is configured as a smoking article manufacturing machine.

28. Method for providing a metal belt section (39) for a tobacco block (7.1) or tobacco segment, wherein the method is performed by means of a unit (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

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