An automated, flexible production line and method for making cigar cores

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of automated, flexible production cigar core production line and method of cigar, belong to cigar production technical field, comprising: first feeding system, tobacco raw materials are automatically fed, and are transported to leaf moistening and feeding system;Leaf moistening and feeding system, tobacco raw materials are carried out temperature and humidity and feeding, and then tobacco is transported to leaf beating and air separating system;The leaf beating and air separating system, tobacco is beaten and air separated;The leaf beating and air separating system includes primary leaf beater, primary leaf beater is connected with the input end of primary air classifier, the bottom output end of primary air classifier is connected with the input end of secondary air classifier, the bottom output end of secondary air classifier is connected with stalk separator, stalk separator is also connected with secondary leaf beater by back stalk air duct, secondary leaf beater is connected with secondary air classifier;Primary leaf beating is carried out twice air separation, and secondary leaf beating is carried out once air separation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of cigar production, and particularly relates to a production line and method for automatically and flexibly manufacturing cigar cores. BACKGROUND

[0002] The statements herein merely provide background technology related to the present application, and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0003] At present, the manufacturing of cigar cores generally adopts a small-scale leaf threshing production line, mainly relying on a small-scale leaf threshing device and a dryer. Such a device has a small size, low processing capacity, and is produced by means of manual feeding and manual control of temperature and humidity. The single machines are not in communication with each other, and the control mode is simple and primitive.

[0004] In addition, the small-scale leaf threshing production line cannot control the flow of the whole line, and the structure of the threshed leaves is unstable. The use of a PLC to control the speed of the feeding belt (constant speed operation) of the feeding machine of the small-scale leaf threshing production line will lead to unstable feeding flow, and the moisture content of the output dried cigar cores is unstable (and the stable moisture content of the cigar cores is an important indicator of processing capacity). Moreover, the leaf threshing wind separation effect of the small-scale production line is poor, the small-scale production line cannot moisturize the leaves, and cannot add flavoring and material. Manual bagging and metering are required, and the automatic and flexible production of the cigar cores cannot be realized. SUMMARY

[0005] In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the present application aims to provide a production line and method for automatically and flexibly manufacturing cigar cores, which realizes the automatic and flexible production of the cigar cores through the cooperation of various systems.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application is implemented by the following technical solutions:

[0007] In the first aspect, the present application provides a production line for automatically and flexibly manufacturing cigar cores, comprising:

[0008] A first feeding system automatically feeds tobacco raw materials and delivers them to a leaf moisturizing and material adding system;

[0009] The leaf moisturizing and material adding system increases the temperature and humidity of the tobacco raw materials and adds materials, and then delivers the tobacco to a leaf threshing and wind separation system;

[0010] The leaf threshing and wind separation system threshes and separates the tobacco;

[0011] The leaf beating and air separation system comprises a first leaf beater connected with the input end of a first air separator, the bottom output end of the first air separator is connected with the input end of a second air separator, the bottom output end of the second air separator is connected with a stalk falling device, the stalk falling device is further connected with a second leaf beater through a stalk returning air duct, the second leaf beater is connected with the second air separator; the leaf beaten by the first leaf beater is subjected to air separation twice, and the leaf beaten by the second leaf beater is subjected to air separation once.

[0012] As a further technical solution, it further comprises:

[0013] A tobacco leaf drying system for drying the tobacco leaf after leaf beating, and a tobacco core conveying system for conveying the dried tobacco core to a flavoring system;

[0014] The flavoring system sprays the flavoring agent on the surface of the dried tobacco core and conveys the tobacco core to a boxing system;

[0015] The boxing system boxes the tobacco core;

[0016] A belt scale is arranged between the first feeding system and the leaf moistening and feeding system, between the leaf beating and air separation system and the tobacco leaf drying system, and between the tobacco leaf drying system and the flavoring system.

[0017] As a further technical solution, a material distributor is arranged between the tobacco leaf drying system and the flavoring system, the material distributor is connected with a vibrating screen classifier, the top output end of the first air separator and the top output end of the second air separator convey the tobacco leaf to the tobacco leaf drying system;

[0018] A second feeding system is arranged between the leaf beating and air separation system and the flavoring system, the second feeding system feeds the tobacco leaf raw material to the tobacco leaf drying system, or the second feeding system receives the tobacco leaf from the leaf beating and air separation system and conveys the tobacco leaf to the tobacco leaf drying system, or the second feeding system receives the tobacco leaf from the leaf beating and air separation system and conveys the tobacco leaf to the material distributor, and the tobacco leaf is classified by the vibrating screen classifier.

[0019] As a further technical solution, the leaf moistening and feeding system comprises a leaf moistening and feeding machine, the leaf moistening and feeding machine comprises a feeding roller, the feeding roller is arranged obliquely, and the input end of the feeding roller is higher than the output end of the feeding roller; a steam injector is arranged in the feeding roller, the steam injector sprays the water atomized together with steam on the surface of the tobacco leaf; a gas injector is further arranged in the feeding roller, the gas injector sprays the bottom material atomized on the surface of the tobacco leaf.

[0020] As a further technical solution, the tobacco leaf drying system comprises a tobacco leaf drying machine, the tobacco leaf drying machine comprises a drying roller, the drying roller is arranged obliquely, the input end of the drying roller is higher than the output end of the drying roller, hot air is introduced into the drying roller, and the direction of the hot air is opposite to the direction of the material flowing out.

[0021] As a further technical solution, the flavoring system comprises a flavoring machine, the flavoring machine comprises a flavoring roller, the flavoring roller is arranged obliquely, the input end of the flavoring roller is higher than the output end of the flavoring roller, and a gas ejector is further arranged in the flavoring roller, the gas ejector sprays the flavoring on the surface of the tobacco core.

[0022] In a second aspect, the application further provides a method for automatically and flexibly manufacturing tobacco cores of cigars, which adopts the production line as described above and comprises the following steps:

[0023] Automatic feeding: the tobacco raw materials are automatically fed by the first feeding system;

[0024] Moistening and feeding: the tobacco raw materials are conveyed to the moistening and feeding system, the water is atomized by steam injection and sprayed on the surface of the tobacco together with steam to increase the temperature and humidity, and the base material is atomized by air injection and sprayed on the surface of the tobacco to feed;

[0025] Beating and winnowing: the tobacco after temperature and humidity increase and feeding is sent to the beating and winnowing system to beat and winnow, the tobacco is separated from the stems in the beating process, and the tobacco that does not meet the size condition is winnowed out in the winnowing process, the tobacco and stems that are not winnowed out continue to circulate beating until the winnowing is completed, and the tobacco core is output.

[0026] As a further technical solution, the beating and winnowing process is as follows: the tobacco is first beaten and winnowed in the first stage, the leaves that meet the size condition are winnowed out, the tobacco that does not meet the size condition is winnowed in the second stage, the leaves that meet the size condition are winnowed out again, the material that still does not meet the size condition falls into the stem falling device, the heavier stems fall and are output from the stem falling device, and the lighter stem and leaf material enters the second beating device through the stem returning air duct to be beaten in the second stage, the material after the second beating enters the second winnowing device to be winnowed, and the process of the second winnowing and the second beating is repeated.

[0027] As a further technical solution, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0028] Baking: the tobacco after beating is dried to output the dried tobacco core;

[0029] Flavoring: the flavoring is uniformly sprayed on the surface of the dried tobacco core under the air injection;

[0030] Boxing: the tobacco core after flavoring is boxed.

[0031] As a further technical solution, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0032] The output tobacco core is sent to the material distributor and screened by the vibrating screen to screen out tobacco cores of different sizes, and the broken powder and the tobacco core of small size are removed.

[0033] In a third aspect, the present application also provides a method for automatically and flexibly manufacturing a cigar core, which adopts the production line as described above and comprises the following steps:

[0034] Automatic feeding: the tobacco raw material is automatically fed by the second feeding system;

[0035] Sheet drying: the fed tobacco is dried, and the dried core is output;

[0036] Flavoring: the flavoring is uniformly sprayed on the surface of the dried core under the jet of air pressure; and

[0037] The beneficial effects of the present application are as follows:

[0038] The production line for manufacturing a cigar core of the present application can realize automatic and flexible production of the cigar core through the cooperation of various systems, and can ensure uniform and stable material flow during the production of the core, significantly improve the consistency of the moisture content of the core in the key technical links of feeding, threshing, drying and flavoring, ensure the uniformity of feeding and flavoring, and improve the stability of the leaf structure.

[0039] The production line for manufacturing a cigar core of the present application can precisely control the flow of the whole line; a belt scale is used between the system flow transfer, and the belt speed is controlled by the belt scale (variable speed, constant mass operation, to ensure that the feeding amount is constant kg / h), and the constant feeding weight can improve the stability of the moisture content of the dried core.

[0040] The production line for manufacturing a cigar core of the present application adopts two-stage threshing and two-stage air separation, and the increase of the number of threshing stages and air separation stages, as well as the circulation of the two-stage threshing and two-stage air separation process, can significantly improve the processing quality and effectively reduce the phenomenon of stem in leaf and leaf in stem. In addition, the two-stage air separation after two-stage threshing and the two-stage air separation after one-stage threshing share one air separator, so that the equipment setting and control are simple, space and resources are saved.

[0041] The production line for manufacturing a cigar core of the present application is provided with a leaf moistening and feeding system, which can realize the functions of increasing the temperature and humidity of the processed material and improving the processing resistance of the material; and can also realize online flavoring and feeding of the material.

[0042] The production line for manufacturing a cigar core of the present application can realize the automation and flexibility of the manufacturing of the cigar core. The automatic manufacturing realizes unmanned operation of the whole process from feeding to discharging, and the flexible manufacturing realizes independent operation of the threshing and drying mode, the pure threshing mode and the pure drying mode, to meet the personalized production demand.

[0043] The production line for manufacturing cigar cores of cigars according to the present application, through the arrangement of the distributor and the vibrating screen separator, can select the processing precision according to the grade of the cigarette, and screen the leaf blades of the high-grade cigarettes, and remove the broken ends and small-size leaf blades. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044] The drawings accompanying the specification of the present application serve to provide further understanding of the present application, and the illustrative embodiments of the present application and the description thereof serve to explain the present application, and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present application.

[0045] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the production line for manufacturing cigar cores of cigars according to the present application according to one or more embodiments;

[0046] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the production mode of the production line for manufacturing cigar cores of cigars according to the present application according to one or more embodiments;

[0047] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the threshing mode of the production line for manufacturing cigar cores of cigars according to the present application according to one or more embodiments;

[0048] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the screening mode after threshing of the production line for manufacturing cigar cores of cigars according to the present application according to one or more embodiments;

[0049] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the drying mode of the production line for manufacturing cigar cores of cigars according to the present application according to one or more embodiments;

[0050] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the threshing and winnowing process of the production line for manufacturing cigar cores of cigars according to the present application according to one or more embodiments;

[0051] In the drawings: the mutual distance or size is exaggerated for showing the position of each part, and the schematic diagram is only for illustration;

[0052] In the drawings: the mutual distance or size is exaggerated for showing the position of each part, and the schematic diagram is only for illustration; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] It should be noted that the following detailed description is illustrative only, and is intended to provide further description in order to provide a fuller enabling and complete disclosure of the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present application pertains.

[0054] It is also important to note that the use of the terms "preferably", "preferably", "more preferably", "most preferably" and other grammatical variations thereof in the detailed description and / or in the claims indicate that the described feature is not required for the application but is described for illustrative purposes only. In addition, it is also important to note that, unless otherwise specified, the use of the singular herein, including the use of "an" or "a", means "one or more" and / or "at least one". In addition, it is also important to note that, unless otherwise specified, the use of the term "including" and / or "comprising" in the detailed description and / or in the claims means "including or comprising, but not limited to".

[0055] For the convenience of description, if "up", "down", "left", "right" appear in the present application, it only means the same direction as the up, down, left and right of the drawing itself, and does not limit the structure, only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, therefore it cannot be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0056] As introduced in the background, there are deficiencies in the prior art, in order to solve the above technical problems, the present application proposes an automatic and flexible production line and method for making cigar cores.

[0057] In a typical embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figure 1 An automatic and flexible production line for making cigar cores is proposed, which comprises:

[0058] A first feeding system for automatically feeding tobacco raw materials and conveying them to a leaf conditioning and feeding system;

[0059] The leaf conditioning and feeding system warms and humidifies the tobacco raw materials and adds materials, and then conveys the tobacco to a threshing and winnowing system;

[0060] The threshing and winnowing system threshes and winnows the tobacco, and then conveys the tobacco to a sheet drying system;

[0061] The sheet drying system dries the tobacco, and conveys the dried cores to a flavoring system;

[0062] The flavoring system sprays flavoring on the surface of the dried cores, and conveys the cores to a boxing system;

[0063] The boxing system boxes the cores.

[0064] The first feeding system comprises a first box-turning feeder 1, the first box-turning feeder 1 is connected with a vibration conveyor 2, the vibration conveyor 2 is connected with a vibration conveyor 4, and a belt scale 3 is arranged between the vibration conveyor 2 and the vibration conveyor 4, the belt scale 3 can set the material flow, so that the tobacco raw material is conveyed at a set flow.

[0065] The leaf-moistening and feeding system comprises a leaf-moistening and feeding machine 5, the input end of the leaf-moistening and feeding machine 5 is connected with the vibration conveyor 4, and the output end of the leaf-moistening and feeding machine 5 is connected with a vibration conveyor 6; the leaf-moistening and feeding machine 5 comprises a feeding roller, the feeding roller has a certain inclination angle, the higher end of the feeding roller is connected with the vibration conveyor 4, and the lower end of the feeding roller is connected with the vibration conveyor 6; the tobacco is discharged from the feeding roller to the vibration conveyor 6 along the direction of the inclination angle in rotation.

[0066] A steam injector is arranged in the feeding roller, the steam injector sprays process water (pure water or softened water) and steam on the surface of the tobacco after atomization, so as to increase the temperature and humidity of the tobacco.

[0067] A gas injector is also arranged in the feeding roller, the gas injector sprays the base material on the surface of the tobacco after atomization, so as to feed the tobacco.

[0068] The leaf-beating and wind-separating system comprises a first leaf-beating device 8, a first wind separator 9, a second leaf-beating device 13 and a second wind separator 11, the first leaf-beating device 8 is connected with the vibration conveyor 7, the vibration conveyor 7 is connected with the vibration conveyor 6, and the conveying direction of the tobacco can be changed through the secondary conveying of the vibration conveyor 6 and the vibration conveyor 7.

[0069] The first leaf-beating device 8 is connected with the input end of the first wind separator 9, the bottom output end of the first wind separator 9 is connected with the input end of the second wind separator 11, the top output end of the first wind separator 9 is connected with a conveying belt 10, the conveying belt 10 is connected with the top output end of the second wind separator 11, and the top output end of the second wind separator 11 is also connected with a conveying belt 15.

[0070] The bottom output end of the second wind separator 11 is connected with a stem-removing device 14, the stem-removing device 14 is also connected with the second leaf-beating device 13 through a stem-removing air duct 12, and the second leaf-beating device 13 is connected with the second wind separator 11.

[0071] The first leaf-beating device and the second leaf-beating device are both provided with leaf-beating knives and frame fences, so as to beat the tobacco, and separate the tobacco and the tobacco stem.

[0072] In the leaf blowing and separating system, the first leaf blowing can be followed by one-time blowing by the first blower and then the material is transported to the next process by the conveying belt 10, or the first leaf blowing can be followed by one-time blowing by the first blower and then the material is transported to the second blower for secondary blowing, and then the material is transported to the next process. The material that does not meet the requirements after the secondary blowing is transported to the second leaf blowing, and the material is only blown once after the second leaf blowing. The first secondary blowing and the first secondary blowing of the second leaf blowing share one blower, i.e., the second blower 11.

[0073] The principle at the blower is that the top of the blower has negative pressure suction, and different sizes of tobacco stems can be taken out by adjusting the size of the wind. The tobacco stems are suspended in the blower, and when the buoyancy is greater than the gravity, the tobacco stems are taken out from the top of the blower and then transported to the conveying belt; when the buoyancy is less than the gravity, the tobacco stems are blown out from the bottom of the blower, and then the tobacco stems are blown out from the bottom of the blower, and then the tobacco stems are blown out from the bottom of the blower.

[0074] It should be noted that the bottom output end of the first blower 9 is connected to the input end of the second blower 11 through a conveying belt. The tobacco stems that meet the size requirements during the first blowing are taken out from the top of the first blower and transported to the conveying belt 10. The remaining material that cannot be blown out is transported to the second blower through the bottom conveying belt of the first blower, and the material is blown again. The heavier material that cannot be blown out is recycled by the stem falling device, and the lighter material is transported to the second leaf blowing device 13 through the stem returning air duct 12. The tobacco stems after the second leaf blowing are blown out from the second blower 11, and the process of the second blowing and the second leaf blowing is repeated.

[0075] The drying system includes a drying machine 22, and the drying machine 22 includes a drying roller. The drying roller is arranged at an angle, and the input end of the drying roller is higher than the output end of the drying roller. The output end of the drying roller is connected to a vibrating conveyor 23. The tobacco stems are discharged from the drying roller to the vibrating conveyor 23 along the direction of the angle during rotation.

[0076] Hot air is introduced into the drying roller of the drying machine 22. The hot air can be generated by a hot air blower, and the temperature of the hot air is increased to a set value after passing through a steam-heated heat exchanger and then introduced into the drying roller. The direction of the hot air is opposite to the direction of the material flowing out.

[0077] The drying roller of the drying machine 22 is also provided with a moisture removal pipeline to remove excess moisture from the dried tobacco stems.

[0078] A second feeding system is also provided between the drying machine 22 and the conveying belt 15. The second feeding system includes a second box-turning feeder 17, and the second box-turning feeder 17 is connected to a conveying belt 16. The conveying belt 16 is connected to the conveying belt 15, and the tobacco stems after the leaf blowing and separation are transported to the second box-turning feeder 17.

[0079] The second feeding system can meet the feeding function under the pure drying mode. At this time, all the devices before the conveying belt 16 can be stopped, and the devices after the conveying belt 16 are running, which is equivalent to that the second feeding system is the feeding end. In addition, when the production line is running, the second feeding system can also play a role of buffering materials.

[0080] The second box feeding machine 17 is connected with the belt elevator 18, the belt elevator 18 is connected with the vibrating conveyor 20, and the vibrating conveyor 20 is connected with the sheet drying machine 22. The belt scale 19 is arranged between the belt elevator 18 and the vibrating conveyor 20, and the belt scale 19 can also be set to pass the flow.

[0081] The second feeding system receives the tobacco leaves of the threshing and winnowing system and conveys them to the sheet drying system, or the second feeding system feeds the tobacco raw materials to the sheet drying system.

[0082] The flavoring system includes a flavoring machine 31, and the flavoring machine 31 includes a flavoring drum. The flavoring drum is arranged at an angle, and the input end of the flavoring drum is higher than the output end of the flavoring drum. The output end of the flavoring drum is connected with the conveying belt 32, and the eggplant core is discharged from the flavoring drum to the conveying belt 32 along the direction of the angle in rotation.

[0083] A gas ejector is further arranged in the flavoring drum, and the gas ejector sprays the flavoring on the surface of the eggplant core.

[0084] A conveying assembly is arranged between the flavoring machine 31 and the sheet drying system. Specifically, the vibrating conveyor 23 of the sheet drying machine 22 is connected with the conveying belt 24, the conveying belt 24 is connected with the distributor 25, the distributor 25 is connected with the conveying belt 27, the conveying belt 27 is connected with the conveying belt 28, the conveying belt 28 is connected with the vibrating conveyor 30, and the vibrating conveyor 30 is connected with the flavoring machine 31.

[0085] A belt scale 29 is arranged between the conveying belt 28 and the vibrating conveyor 30, and the belt scale 29 can also be set to pass the flow.

[0086] Further, the conveying belt 24 is connected with the vibrating conveyor 20 through the conveying belt 21. The distributor 25 is further connected with the vibrating screen machine 26, and the distributor 25 can determine whether the material flows to the vibrating screen machine 26 or the conveying belt 27. The vibrating screen machine 26 can realize the function of screening different sizes of eggplant core leaves.

[0087] The second feeding system receives the tobacco leaves of the threshing and winnowing system and conveys them to the distributor, and the tobacco leaves are screened through the vibrating screen machine.

[0088] Through the setting of the conveying belt 21, a threshing and screening mode can be operated, in which the dryer 22 and the vibration conveyors 23 are not operated, the conveying belt 21 is operated, and the material is not sent through the dryer but is sent into the vibration screening machine 26 through the distributor, and different sizes of tobacco cores are output after screening.

[0089] The packing system comprises a packing machine 33 connected with the conveying belt 32, the conveying belt 32 conveying the tobacco cores after being flavored to the packing machine 33, and the packing machine packing the tobacco cores.

[0090] It should be noted that the existing equipment is used in the production line, such as the box-turning feeder, the vibration conveyor and the belt scale, and thus will not be described herein.

[0091] In another typical embodiment of the present application, a method for automatically and flexibly manufacturing tobacco cores of cigars is provided, which uses the above production line and specifically comprises the following steps:

[0092] S1: automatic feeding.

[0093] The tobacco raw material is loaded into the feeding trolley, and the feeding trolley is placed into the first box-turning feeder 1, the tobacco raw material is automatically fed through the operation of the first box-turning feeder 1, the lifting belt in the box-turning feeder intermittently works according to the control program thereof, and uniform feeding to the production line is realized.

[0094] S2: leaf moistening and feeding.

[0095] After the automatic feeding of the tobacco raw material, the first box-turning feeder 1 sends the tobacco raw material to the leaf moistening and feeding machine 5 through the vibration conveyors 2 and 4, and the belt scale 3 between the vibration conveyors 2 and 4 uniformly sends the tobacco raw material into the leaf moistening and feeding machine 5 at a certain flow rate.

[0096] The feeding drum of the leaf moistening and feeding machine 5 rotates, has a certain inclination angle, and the tobacco raw material rotates in the feeding drum along the direction of the inclination angle and is discharged from the feeding drum.

[0097] In the process of rolling of the tobacco raw material in the feeding drum, steam is used to inject water mist into the feeding drum, and the water mist is sprayed together with steam on the surface of the tobacco leaf to realize temperature and humidity increase of the tobacco leaf; and air pressure is used to inject the base material into the feeding drum, and the base material is atomized and uniformly sprayed on the surface of the tobacco leaf to realize uniform feeding.

[0098] S3: threshing and air separation.

[0099] The tobacco leaf after temperature and humidity increase and feeding is sent into the threshing and air separation system through the vibration conveyors 6 and 7 to be threshed and air separated.

[0100] In the leaf beater, tobacco leaves are separated from tobacco stems under the action of mechanical tearing. In the air classifier, tobacco leaves meeting the size requirements are taken out by air classification and then sent to the next production link by the conveying belt. Tobacco leaves and stems that are not taken out by air classification continue to circulate and be beaten until they meet the size requirements and are taken out by air classification.

[0101] In this step, tobacco leaves are beaten and classified in two stages. After the first stage of beating, the tobacco leaves are classified twice (i.e., first-stage classification and second-stage classification). After the second stage of beating, the tobacco leaves are classified once (i.e., second-stage classification). The second-stage classification of the first stage of beating and the first-stage classification of the second stage of beating share one air classifier. The process of second-stage classification and second-stage beating is repeated. The tobacco stems after the second-stage classification are recycled by the stem falling device. The tobacco leaves after the circulation of beating and classification are taken out by air classification.

[0102] Specifically, first, the tobacco leaves enter the first-stage beater 8 to be beaten in the first stage. Then, the material after beating enters the first-stage air classifier 9 to be classified in the first stage. The leaves meeting the size requirements are taken out by the first-stage air classifier 9 and then sent to the conveying belt 10. The tobacco leaves not meeting the size requirements continue to enter the second-stage air classifier 11 through the conveying belt. In the second-stage air classifier 11, the leaves meeting the size requirements are taken out and then sent to the conveying belt 15. The material not meeting the size requirements enters the stem falling device 14. The relatively heavy tobacco stems fall and are output from the stem falling device. The relatively light stem and leaf material enters the second-stage beater 13 through the stem recycling air duct 12. The material after beating in the second-stage beater 13 enters the second-stage air classifier 11 to be classified. The classification of the material is the same as the foregoing process. The classification and beating processes in the second-stage air classifier 11 and the second-stage beater 13 are repeated until the tobacco leaves are taken out by air classification.

[0103] S4: sheet drying.

[0104] The tobacco leaves after beating are sent to the sheet drying machine 22 to be dried. The sheet drying drum of the sheet drying machine rotates and has a certain inclination angle. The wet tobacco leaves enter the sheet drying machine, rotate with the sheet drying drum, and flow out of the sheet drying drum along the direction of the inclination angle.

[0105] In this process, the hot air generated by the hot air fan passes through the steam-heated heat exchanger. The temperature of the hot air is increased to a set value and then sent to the sheet drying drum. The direction of the hot air is opposite to the direction of the material flow. Under the action of the hot air, the excess moisture in the tobacco core is discharged from the drum through the moisture discharge pipeline. The sheet drying machine outputs the dried tobacco core.

[0106] S5: flavoring.

[0107] The dried tobacco core is sent to the flavoring machine 31. The flavoring drum of the flavoring machine 31 rotates and has a certain inclination angle. The tobacco core rotates in the flavoring drum and flows out of the flavoring drum along the inclined direction. The flavoring is uniformly sprayed on the surface of the tobacco core under the action of air injection.

[0108] S6: boxing.

[0109] The eggplant cores output from the flavoring system are then packaged by auxiliary metering and packing machine 33.

[0110] The above process enables automated production of cigar filler. In addition, the production line of this invention also has great flexible processing capabilities, such as multiple production modes: full-line production mode, leaf-beating mode, leaf-beating and screening mode, and drying mode.

[0111] I. Full-line production mode:

[0112] like Figure 2 As shown, the full-line production mode refers to the production process of making qualified citrus fillers from raw tobacco through six major processes: S1 automatic feeding, S2 leaf moistening and feeding, S3 leaf blasting and air separation, S4 drying, S5 flavoring, and S6 packaging.

[0113] In the full-line production mode, the material is automatically fed through the first box-turning feeder 1, and then enters the belt scale 3 after passing through the vibrating conveyor 2. The belt scale is set with a material flow rate, and then the material enters the leaf feeder 5 through the vibrating conveyor 4.

[0114] In the leaf feeder 5, water humidifies the material through steam injection, and steam heats the material through nozzles with closed-loop hot air. The base material is evenly sprayed onto the material at the nozzles at the feed end and discharge end under the injection of steam.

[0115] After exiting the feeding drum, the material has a certain temperature and humidity, and the base material has been added. It then passes through vibrating conveyors 6 and 7 before entering the primary leaf threshing unit 8. In the leaf threshing unit, mechanical force physically tears the tobacco leaves, separating the leaves from the stems at the weakest point of the leaf's toughness, completing the leaf threshing process. The material then undergoes two air separations: a primary air separator 9 and a secondary air separator 11. Using the principle of air flotation, qualified tobacco leaves are separated from the stems and leaf-bearing stems before entering the conveyor belt 10. Unseparated material undergoes air separation at the stem dropper 14. Heavier stems fall into the stem collection device, while lighter material enters the secondary leaf threshing unit 13 through the stem return duct 12. After the secondary leaf threshing in the secondary leaf threshing unit, the material continues to enter the secondary air separator 11, repeating the above process.

[0116] Qualified tobacco sheets enter the second turning feeder 17 via conveyor belts 10, 15, and 16. After passing through belt elevator 18, belt scale 19, and vibrating conveyor 20, they enter the drying machine 22. Under the drying action of the drying machine, the moisture content of the material decreases, the curl increases, and the elasticity and filling value are improved. At the same time, as the material dries, the impurities in the tobacco leaves are discharged.

[0117] The material then passes through vibrating conveyor 23, conveyor belt 24, distributor 25, conveyor belt 27, conveyor belt 28, belt scale 29, and vibrating conveyor 30 before entering the fragrance machine 31. The fragrance is evenly sprayed onto the material at the inlet and outlet of the fragrance drum under steam injection.

[0118] The material enters the boxing machine 33 via the conveyor belt 32, and the material is weighed and boxed.

[0119] In full-line production mode, the second box-turning feeder 17 can act as a buffer. When the equipment after the second box-turning feeder 17 malfunctions, the equipment before the second box-turning feeder 17 operates normally, and materials can be stored in the second box-turning feeder 17. When the equipment before the second box-turning feeder 17 malfunctions, the equipment after the second box-turning feeder 17 operates normally, and materials can be provided from the buffer of the second box-turning feeder 17.

[0120] II. Leaf-cutting mode:

[0121] like Figure 3 As shown, the leaf-beating mode refers to the following: after the raw tobacco passes through S1 automatic feeding, S2 leaf moistening and feeding, and S3 leaf-beating air separation, the tobacco leaves separated by the two-stage air separator enter the conveyor belt 10. The conveyor belt 10 rotates in the opposite direction (horizontally to the right). The tobacco core is output at point B, and the tobacco stem is output at point C.

[0122] In the leaf feeder 5, water humidifies the material through steam injection, and steam heats the material through nozzles with closed-loop hot air. The base material is evenly sprayed onto the material at the nozzles at the feed end and discharge end under the injection of steam.

[0123] After exiting the feeding drum, the material has a certain temperature and humidity, and the base material has been added. It then passes through vibrating conveyors 6 and 7 before entering the primary leaf threshing unit 8. In the leaf threshing unit, mechanical force physically tears the tobacco leaves, separating the leaves from the stems at the weakest point of the leaf's toughness, completing the leaf threshing process. The material then undergoes two air separations: a primary air separator 9 and a secondary air separator 11. Using the principle of air flotation, qualified tobacco leaves are separated from the stems and leaf-bearing stems before entering the conveyor belt 10. Unseparated material undergoes air separation at the stem dropper 14. Heavier stems fall into the stem collection device, while lighter material enters the secondary leaf threshing unit 13 through the stem return duct 12. After the secondary leaf threshing in the secondary leaf threshing unit, the material continues to enter the secondary air separator 11, repeating the above process.

[0124] The significance of the threshing mode is that: different brands of cigar cores are different, and the types and proportions of single tobacco of different cores are different. The production of cigar has the characteristics of customization and small batch. The single tobacco can be produced in large quantities through the threshing mode. When producing different brands of cores, the mixed cores can be dried and flavored to improve the overall efficiency of the threshing line.

[0125] III. Sieving mode after threshing

[0126] As shown in Figure 4 , the sieving mode after threshing refers to that the raw tobacco is automatically fed by S1, moisturized and fed by S2, and threshed and air separated by S3. After being conveyed by the conveying belt 21, the tobacco is directly fed into the conveying belt 24 without being dried by the drying machine. The tobacco is sieved by the vibrating sieve 26 at the material distributor 25. The vibrating sieve 26 is a multi-layer sieve structure, which can sieve the cores of different sizes.

[0127] The process routes of the threshing mode and the threshing and sieving mode are basically the same. In the threshing and sieving mode, the sieving function of the core is added. The machine-made core generally does not need the sieving process. The high-quality handmade core needs to be sieved by the vibrating sieve 26 to separate the cores of different sizes. When making the handmade core, the broken tobacco and the small-sized cores are removed from the cores.

[0128] IV. Drying mode

[0129] As shown in Figure 5 , the drying mode refers to the production process of the core after the material is automatically fed by S1, dried by S4, flavored by S5 (optional), and packed by S6.

[0130] The material is automatically fed at the second box-turning feeder 17, enters the drying machine 22 at a set flow rate through the belt scale 19, and then passes through the vibrating conveyor 23, the conveying belt 24, the conveying belt 27, and the conveying belt 28. The material enters the flavoring machine 31 (flavoring can be selected) at a set flow rate through the belt scale 29, and then enters the packing machine 33 through the conveying belt 32.

[0131] In the drying mode, the material can be manually mixed by single tobacco. The mixed core can be automatically fed by the second box-turning feeder 17 to realize the drying and flavoring of the core mixed by different types of single tobacco at different proportions.

[0132] The above only describes the preferred embodiments of the present application and is not used to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application can have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An automated and flexible production line for producing cigar fillers, characterized in that, include: The first feeding system automatically feeds the cigar filler tobacco leaves and transports them to the leaf-moistening feeding system. The leaf-moistening and feeding system heats and humidifies the cigar filler tobacco leaves and feeds them, then transports the cigar filler tobacco leaves to the leaf-beating and air-distribution system. The leaf-beating and air-separating system is used to beat and air-separate the filler tobacco leaves of cigars; The drying system dries the filler tobacco leaves of cigars after they have been chopped, and then transports the dried filler tobacco to the flavoring system. The flavoring system sprays flavorings onto the surface of the dried cigar filler and then transports the cigar filler to the packing system. Packing system, which packs cigar fillers into boxes; Belt scales are installed between the first feeding system and the leaf moistening feeding system, between the leaf blasting and air-distribution system and the drying system, and between the drying system and the flavoring system. The belt scales adopt a variable speed and constant mass operation mode to ensure a constant feed rate and improve the stability of the moisture content of the cigar filler after drying. The leaf-trimming air distribution system includes a primary leaf trimmer connected to the input end of a primary air distributor. The bottom output end of the primary air distributor is connected to the input end of a secondary air distributor. The bottom output end of the secondary air distributor is connected to a stem dropper. The stem dropper is also connected to the secondary leaf trimmer via a stem return duct. The secondary leaf trimmer is connected to the secondary air distributor. After the primary leaf trimming, air distribution occurs twice. After the secondary leaf trimming, air distribution occurs once. The second air distribution after the primary leaf trimming and the first air distribution after the secondary leaf trimming share the secondary air distributor. A feeder is installed between the drying system and the flavoring system, and the feeder is connected to a vibrating screen; the top output end of the primary air separator and the top output end of the secondary air separator feed cigar filler tobacco leaves to the drying system; A second feeding system is provided between the leaf-beating and air-soring system and the flavoring system. The second feeding system feeds and conveys the cigar filler tobacco raw materials to the drying system, or the second feeding system receives the cigar filler tobacco from the leaf-beating and air-soring system and conveys it to the drying system, or the second feeding system receives the cigar filler tobacco from the leaf-beating and air-soring system and conveys it to the distributor, where it is screened by a vibrating screener.

2. The production line as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The leaf-moistening and feeding system includes a leaf-moistening feeder, which includes a feeding roller. The feeding roller is inclined, with the input end of the feeding roller higher than the output end. A steam injector is installed inside the feeding roller, which atomizes water and sprays it together with steam onto the surface of the cigar filler tobacco leaves. A gas ejector is also installed inside the feeding roller, which atomizes the base material and sprays it onto the surface of the cigar filler tobacco leaves.

3. The production line as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The drying system includes a drying machine, which includes a drying drum. The drying drum is inclined, with the input end of the drying drum higher than the output end. Hot air is introduced into the drying drum, and the direction of the hot air is opposite to the direction of material outflow. The flavoring system includes a flavoring machine, which includes a flavoring roller. The flavoring roller is inclined, with the input end of the flavoring roller higher than the output end. A gas ejector is also installed inside the flavoring roller, which sprays the fragrance onto the surface of the eggplant core.

4. A method for automated and flexible production of cigar fillers, characterized in that, The production line described in any one of claims 1-3 includes the following steps: Automatic feeding: The first feeding system automatically feeds the cigar filler tobacco leaves; Moistening and humidifying: The cigar filler tobacco leaves are transported to the moistening and humidifying system. Water is atomized by steam injection and sprayed together with steam onto the surface of the cigar filler tobacco leaves to increase temperature and humidity. The base material is atomized by compressed air injection and sprayed onto the surface of the cigar filler tobacco leaves for humidification. Leaf trimming and air separation: After being heated, humidified and loaded, the cigar filler tobacco leaves are sent into the leaf trimming and air separation system for trimming and air separation. During the trimming process, the cigar filler tobacco leaves are separated from the cigar filler tobacco stems. During the air separation process, cigar filler tobacco leaves that meet the size requirements are separated. Cigar filler tobacco leaves and cigar filler tobacco stems that are not separated continue to be trimmed until the air separation is completed and the cigar filler is output. Drying: Drying the tobacco leaves for cigar fillers after hulling, and outputting the dried cigar fillers; Flavoring: The flavoring is evenly sprayed onto the surface of the dried cigar filler under compressed air injection; Packing: Pack the flavored cigar fillers into boxes.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, leaf removal... The air separation process is as follows: the cigar filler tobacco leaves first undergo primary leaf threshing and primary air separation, separating leaves that meet the size requirements. The cigar filler tobacco leaves that do not meet the size requirements undergo secondary air separation, separating leaves that meet the size requirements again. The material that still does not meet the size requirements enters the stem dropper. The heavier cigar filler tobacco stems fall off and are output from the stem dropper. The lighter stems and leaves enter the secondary leaf threshing device through the stem return air duct for secondary leaf threshing. The material after secondary leaf threshing enters the secondary air separator for air separation until the air separation is completed. The secondary air separation and secondary leaf threshing process is repeated cyclically.

6. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: The output cigar fillers are fed into a distributor and then passed through a vibrating screen to separate cigar fillers of different sizes.

7. An automated and flexible method for producing cigar fillers, characterized in that, The production line described in any one of claims 1-3 includes the following steps: Automatic feeding: The second feeding system automatically feeds the cigar filler tobacco leaves; Drying: Drying the fed cigar filler tobacco leaves and outputting the dried cigar filler; Flavoring: The flavoring is evenly sprayed onto the surface of the dried cigar filler under compressed air injection; Packing: Pack the flavored cigar fillers into boxes.

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