Device and method for producing a rod for the tobacco processing industry

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry, in particular a tobacco rod. The device comprises a conveyor belt (17) having a lower run (17a), wherein material (M) can be conveyed suspended on the lower run (17a) along a material conveying direction (F). The device comprises a suction device (18) for applying a negative pressure to at least a portion of the lower run (17a) to suck in the suspended material (M). The device comprises a trimming device (19) with at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) for trimming the suspended material (M). An adjusting device (71, 72) is provided for adjusting a distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17).The device has a control unit (60) which is designed to control the adjusting device (71, 72) during a strand production state of the device such that the adjusting device changes the distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) periodically over the course of time according to a periodic distance change predetermined by the control unit or changes it with a periodic component over the course of time.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry, in particular a tobacco rod. Furthermore, the invention relates to a smokable article and an arrangement comprising a plurality of smokable articles.

[0002] For the production of rods from material, particularly tobacco, rod making machines, especially cigarette rod making machines, which have a suction belt conveyor are typically used. A suction belt conveyor on a rod making machine in the tobacco processing industry typically has a conveyor belt, which can also be referred to as a suction belt, which is usually perforated and subjected to negative pressure or suction air from above. In a showering area, isolated material, in particular tobacco material and / or other material, is showered onto the conveyor belt from below in an air stream, so that a layer of loose material collects or builds up on the underside of the conveyor belt and is held suspended on the conveyor belt by the negative pressure applied from above. The conveyor belt typically moves through a guide channel with lateral channel cheeks, which defines a cross-section for the showered material.Such a suction belt conveyor is known, for example, from DE102011082625A1.

[0003] Downstream of the suction belt conveyor, the strand-like material is typically moved into a formatting device in which it is wrapped with a wrapping material, for example a wrapping paper, in particular a cigarette paper, and / or a foil, for example an aluminum foil, and formed into a strand wrapped with wrapping material and having a round or oval cross-section.

[0004] Smokable articles, such as cigarettes, are typically manufactured in such a way that their free head end in particular, the so-called burn end in filter cigarettes, has a head reinforcement that prevents tobacco from falling out of the head end. This head reinforcement consists of an area of ​​greater tobacco density at the free head end of the smokable article. It is also known to provide a further, somewhat lesser head reinforcement at the other head end, the so-called filter end in filter cigarettes, which borders the filter. To produce a head reinforcement, a continuously conveyed strand of material as described above, from which the smokable articles are made, is compacted at regular intervals before being wrapped with the wrapping material, so that the strand of material contains more material in these compacted areas than between these areas.After the rod is coated with the wrapping material, rod-shaped sections of single or multiple, typically double, usable length are successively cut off, which are further processed into smokable articles, such as cigarettes. The rod-shaped sections then have corresponding head reinforcements at their head ends.

[0005] Typically, the tobacco rod shuffled on a suction rod conveyor is trimmed using a trimming device. As described, for example, in EP2241204A1, such a trimming device typically has two trimmer discs with multiple recesses in the form of pockets on their outer area. Excess fibers are then removed from the material rod using these trimmer discs. The pockets serve to form the head reinforcements by inserting reinforcements into the material rod in sections. The pockets are arranged in such a way that the pockets create areas with more material than in the rest of the material rod, which then creates denser areas in the rod. These denser areas of the material rod form the head reinforcements. Typically, a paddle wheel is also provided for removing excess fibers from the trimmer discs.

[0006] Another method for creating head reinforcement is known as cam head reinforcement. In this process, the material is compacted with a cam at the positions designated for head reinforcement and then trimmed to the desired height using trimmer discs.

[0007] A problem with known methods for trimming and inserting head reinforcements is that when changing the smoking article to be produced, the trimmer discs must be changed to ensure they are precisely adapted to the article being produced. Changing the trimmer discs is time-consuming, and the production process must be stopped during a change. Another problem is that the production of known trimmer discs is relatively complex and therefore relatively costly. Considerable costs can arise, especially if a large number of trimmer discs are to be available for the production of different smoking articles.

[0008] A further problem is that the adjustment of the head reinforcement parameters, such as width, height, and shape of the density distribution in the area of ​​the head reinforcements, is only possible within certain limits, and in particular depends on the feasible shapes of the pockets in the trimmer discs. Furthermore, with known devices, the head reinforcement parameters cannot be changed during production. This can be particularly problematic if process parameters such as excess material, negative pressure, material type (especially tobacco type), material moisture content (especially tobacco moisture content), and / or other parameters change. Since at least some of these and possibly other process parameters can vary during production, this can lead to varying and thus suboptimal head reinforcements, in particular ones that deviate from the desired shape.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an improved solution that addresses the above-mentioned problems. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a solution that allows the introduction of a desired density profile into a material strand with greater precision and variability.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1.A device is provided for producing a rod for the tobacco processing industry, in particular a tobacco rod, the device comprising a conveyor belt having a lower run, wherein the conveyor belt is designed and arranged to convey material, in particular tobacco, hanging on the lower run of the conveyor belt along a material conveying direction, a suction device for applying a negative pressure to at least a portion of the lower run of the conveyor belt for sucking the material conveyed in a hanging manner onto the lower run of the conveyor belt, a trimming device having at least one trimming element for trimming the material conveyed hanging on the lower run of the conveyor belt, and at least one adjusting device for adjusting a distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt.

[0011] According to the invention, the device comprises a control unit which is designed to control the at least one adjusting device during a strand production state of the device in such a way that the at least one adjusting device changes the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt periodically over the course of time or changes it with a periodic component over the course of time.

[0012] Accordingly, a device for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry is provided, in which, during the production of the rod, a periodic change in the distance between at least one trimming element and a lower strand of a conveyor belt is carried out by means of at least one adjusting device, in particular to create a specific density profile of the rod. A control unit is provided for controlling this periodic change in distance by means of the at least one adjusting device, which controls the at least one adjusting device accordingly.

[0013] One advantage of such a device is that it enables a significantly more flexible and variable setting of the density profile of the material compared to known devices. This means that the density profile of the material can be changed during the production of a strand. If the density profile of the material needs to be changed, for example because a different product with different parameters such as product length, product diameter or the like is to be manufactured, such a change can be made particularly flexibly and quickly because the control device only has to adjust the at least one adjusting device accordingly. No further adjustments are necessary. Furthermore, compared to known devices, a significantly greater variability in setting the density profiles is possible because any desired density profile can be generated within the physical limits.

[0014] A further advantage is that the density profile can be changed and / or adjusted without changing trimming elements in the trimming device. This means that, on the one hand, it is not necessary to provide a large number of trimming elements, so that the overall costs for the trimming elements that are kept on hand can be significantly reduced. It is therefore conceivable that a large number of different density profiles for different products to be manufactured, in particular for different cigarettes, can be generated using one and the same trimming device with the same at least one trimming element. One advantage here is that both asymmetrical and symmetrical density profiles can be generated. On the other hand, time-consuming and costly conversion can be avoided, which reduces production costs and increases the production quantity per unit of time.

[0015] A further advantage is that the at least one trim element does not need to have any recesses or elevations, since it is not necessary for the at least one trim element to have recesses or elevations to generate the desired density profiles. The at least one trim element can therefore be manufactured much more easily and thus more cost-effectively.

[0016] A further advantage is that the desired density profile can be generated particularly reliably and with low errors, since the periodic distance change means that no or significantly fewer errors occur when creating the desired density profiles.

[0017] The device for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry, in particular a tobacco rod, is preferably designed as a rod-making machine in the tobacco processing industry, in particular as a tobacco rod machine for producing a tobacco rod, and preferably for producing cigarettes. The material is preferably tobacco.

[0018] In this document, the statements refer to one strand or a device for producing one strand. The device can, of course, also be designed to produce multiple strands, in particular two strands. All statements therefore also apply to devices in which multiple strands, in particular two strands, are produced. In particular, periodic changes in the distance between the trimming element and the lower strand can be made on such multiple strands to generate the desired density profiles.

[0019] The conveyor belt can in particular be referred to as a suction belt. The conveyor belt is preferably perforated and in particular permeable to air, so that when the conveyor belt is subjected to negative pressure or suction air on its upper side, material located on the underside of the conveyor belt can be sucked onto the conveyor belt and held there. The conveyor belt is preferably designed as an endlessly circulating conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is preferably arranged such that it moves at least in sections through a guide channel with lateral channel cheeks, which in particular defines a cross-section for the material being sprayed up.

[0020] The suction device is preferably designed to apply a negative pressure to at least a section of the lower run of the conveyor belt to suck in the material being conveyed in a suspended manner. In this way, the material can be sucked onto the conveyor belt and conveyed in a suspended manner on the lower run of the conveyor belt. The material conveyed in a suspended manner by means of the lower run of the conveyor belt is preferably first spread in a spread area onto a spread section of the lower run and then conveyed in a suspended manner along the lower run. The conveyed material is preferably conveyed in a suspended manner on the underside of the lower run. In the case of tobacco, the material spread onto the lower run can in particular be referred to as tobacco cake. The lower run of the conveyor belt is preferably understood to mean the lower branch of the conveyor belt.

[0021] The trimming device can also be referred to as a leveler or simply as a trimmer. The trimming device comprises at least one trimming element for trimming the suspended material. The at least one trimming element is preferably designed as at least one trimmer disc. The trimming device preferably has several, in particular two, trimming elements, wherein the trimming elements are preferably designed as trimmer discs.

[0022] The device preferably comprises a suction belt conveyor, wherein the suction belt conveyor comprises the conveyor belt, the suction device, and the trimming device, as well as preferably the at least one adjusting device. The suction belt conveyor is preferably arranged adjacent to and upstream of a formatting device of the device with respect to the material conveying direction.

[0023] The at least one adjusting device is preferably designed and arranged to adjust the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt. For this purpose, the at least one adjusting device is preferably connected to and / or in contact with the lower run of the conveyor belt.

[0024] The terms "adjusting" the distance and "changing" the distance are used synonymously in this document. Accordingly, both "adjusting" and "changing" are preferably understood to mean a change in the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt, effected by means of the at least one adjusting device.

[0025] Preferably, the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt is adjusted by moving the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt relative to one another using the at least one adjusting device. The at least one adjusting device can also comprise multiple adjusting devices.

[0026] The distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt is to be understood in particular as a direct distance, in particular the shortest distance, between the at least one trimming element and the lower run of the conveyor belt. In particular, this distance is to be understood as the distance between the side of the lower run facing the at least one trimming element and the side of the at least one trimming element facing the lower run. The distance preferably runs in a direction orthogonal to a plane in which the lower run extends above the trimming device. The distance preferably corresponds to a so-called trimming height to which the material conveyed in a suspended manner is trimmed by means of the trimming device, wherein the trimming height changes periodically due to the change in distance.The distance is preferably adjusted such that the lower run of the conveyor belt and the at least one trimming element of the trimming device are alternately moved towards and away from each other.

[0027] The control unit is preferably signal-coupled to the at least one adjusting device, preferably by means of a wired control line, in order to transmit control signals from the control unit to the at least one adjusting device and to control the at least one adjusting device using these control signals. The control unit and the at least one adjusting device can be designed as separate components or integrally, in particular as a single component. The control unit is designed to control the at least one adjusting device during the strand production state of the device. The strand production state is understood in particular to be an operating state of the device during which a strand is produced. During the strand production state, the material is conveyed in a suspended manner, in particular on the lower run of the conveyor belt, and the material is trimmed by means of the trimming device.

[0028] The at least one adjusting device is controlled in such a way that the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt is periodically changed. Accordingly, this distance changes periodically over time, i.e., a periodic distance change. Preferably, the distance is changed continuously and repeatedly over time by the control unit on the basis of a predefined periodic change. In other words, the control unit controls the at least one adjusting device in such a way that it causes the distance to change in a specific, recurring pattern over time. The periodic distance change can also be superimposed with another distance change, for example, a jitter, or multiple distance changes.The distance change may also have a periodic component, wherein in particular there may be a superposition of different distance changes and then at least one component of the superimposed distance changes is periodic.

[0029] Preferably, a periodic change in the distance between the at least one trimming element and the lower run of the conveyor belt is carried out by means of the at least one adjusting device. This periodic change in distance is specified in particular by the control unit. The periodic change in distance is preferably a change in distance according to a periodic function. The change in distance preferably occurs according to a fixed movement specification by the control unit. The change in distance therefore preferably occurs periodically according to the specifications previously defined by the control unit. The control unit is preferably programmable by a user, so that a desired density profile can be entered into the control unit by a user.

[0030] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the device comprises at least one sensor designed and arranged to detect at least one property, in particular a property characterizing the density, of the material conveyed suspended from the lower run of the conveyor belt. Preferably, the at least one sensor is arranged downstream of the trimming device with respect to the material conveying direction.

[0031] Preferably, the control unit is signal-coupled to the at least one sensor, wherein the control unit is configured to control the at least one adjusting device as a function of measurement signals generated by the at least one sensor, which preferably describe a density profile of the material. The at least one sensor can also comprise a plurality of sensors, in particular a plurality of sensors arranged downstream of the trimming device with respect to the material conveying direction.

[0032] Preferably, the at least one sensor is designed to detect at least one property, in particular a property characterizing the density, of the lower run of the conveyor belt and of the material conveyed suspended thereon. Preferably, at least one measurement is carried out only on the lower run of the conveyor belt without any material being conveyed suspended thereon in order to determine measurement results for the lower run of the conveyor belt only. Preferably, subsequently and after detecting the at least one property, in particular a property characterizing the density, of the lower run of the conveyor belt and of the material conveyed suspended thereon, the measurement results determined for the lower run alone are subtracted from the joint measurement of the lower run and the material in order to be able to determine a property, in particular a property characterizing the density, only for the material being conveyed suspended thereon.In this way, the influence of the lower run on the measurement can be eliminated in a particularly advantageous way and the properties of the material can be determined.

[0033] A property characterizing the density can in particular be: the density of the material and / or a density profile of the material, preferably the density of the material over time and / or the density of the material over the path, and / or the weight of the material, in particular per unit length, and / or a weight profile of the material, preferably the weight of the material over time, and / or the fiber fill level of the material.

[0034] Preferably, the measurements are averaged based on the measurement signals generated by the at least one sensor, so that, in particular, a density profile of the material averaged over several measurements is obtained. Based on such an averaged density profile, a statement can be made about an average generated density profile. Such averaging of the measurements offers the advantage that measurement inaccuracies, measurement deviations, and the like can be compensated for, so that a relatively accurate average generated density profile can be analyzed and further processed. Instead of a density profile, a weight profile can also be used, particularly since the weight profile essentially corresponds to the density profile.

[0035] An advantage of such at least one sensor, which is signal-coupled to the control unit, is that the density profile of the material can be controlled during the production of a strand. Thus, the control of the at least one adjustment device can be adjusted, in particular automatically, if the actual density profile recorded by the at least one sensor deviates from the desired, i.e., predefined, density profile to be achieved by the periodic distance change. Using a control loop, the measured, and preferably averaged, density profile can be continuously analyzed and compared with the predefined, desired density profile.If deviations exist or if deviations exceed a certain previously defined limit value, the control of the at least one adjustment device can be adjusted such that the actual density profile again corresponds to the desired density profile or is again within a specified tolerance range.

[0036] Such control can be used to advantageously avoid or at least significantly reduce undesirable deviations from the desired density profile. This allows very uniform density profiles, and in particular consistent head gains, to be achieved over a longer period of time, even if process parameters such as material moisture content, material temperature, or other factors change during this period.

[0037] It is particularly preferred that the at least one adjusting device is designed to change the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt by moving at least a portion of the lower run of the conveyor belt relative to the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and / or by moving the at least one trimming element of the trimming device relative to the lower run of the conveyor belt.

[0038] Preferably, the distance change occurs by moving the lower run of the conveyor belt relative to the at least one trimming element of the trimming device. It is also possible for the at least one trimming element of the trimming device to be movable relative to the lower run of the conveyor belt. However, the movement of the lower run is significantly faster than a movement of the at least one trimming element, so that by moving the lower run, the desired density profiles can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner even at very high material conveying speeds. However, it is also conceivable for both the lower run and the at least one trimming element to be movable relative to one another.

[0039] It is particularly preferred that the at least one adjusting device comprises a control shoe which bears against the lower run of the conveyor belt, in particular against the upper side of the lower run of the conveyor belt, and wherein the at least one adjusting device is designed to adjust the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt by moving the control shoe, preferably in such a way that the lower run of the conveyor belt is moved by means of the movement of the control shoe.

[0040] By moving the control shoe in this way, in particular a local movement of the lower run can be achieved, wherein the lower run is moved in the region of the control shoe. The control shoe is preferably movable by means of an eccentric element arranged on a servo axis, in particular in the direction of the at least one trimming element of the trimming device, for example vertically up and down. The lower run of the conveyor belt preferably slides along the control shoe. The upper side of the lower run is understood in particular to be the side of the lower run which does not face in the direction of the trimming device, but which preferably faces in the direction of the suction device. The control shoe can preferably be moved up and down in a direction orthogonal to the material conveying direction and / or orthogonal to the plane of the lower run of the conveyor belt, for example in the vertical direction.By moving the control shoe, the lower run of the conveyor belt can preferably be moved periodically in such a way that the periodic change in the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt is achieved.

[0041] Preferably, the height of the lower run of the conveyor belt can be periodically adjusted by means of periodic control of the control shoe. This particularly advantageously results in the lower run of the conveyor belt being deflected alternately upwards and downwards, thereby achieving a varying weight and density of the subsequently produced strand, and therefore a strand with a specific density profile. When the lower run is deflected upwards, i.e. away from the at least one trimming element, less tobacco is removed by the at least one trimming element, so that the density of the strand section produced from this material becomes greater at this point. When it is deflected downwards, i.e. towards the at least one trimming element, more tobacco is removed by the at least one trimming element, so that the density of the strand section produced from this material becomes lower at this point.

[0042] It is particularly preferred that the at least one trimming element of the trimming device has a surface facing in the direction of the lower run of the conveyor belt, which surface is essentially smooth. A substantially smooth surface is to be understood in particular as a surface that has no recesses and / or depressions and / or elevations. It is particularly preferred that the at least one trimming element of the trimming device has a surface facing in the direction of the lower run of the conveyor belt, which is free of depressions or elevations for generating a density profile in the material strand. It is particularly preferred that the at least one trimming element of the trimming device has a surface facing in the direction of the lower run of the conveyor belt, which surface is rotationally symmetrical.The surface of the at least one trimming element of the trimming device facing in the direction of the lower run of the conveyor belt is to be understood in particular as the surface of the at least one trimming element of the trimming device facing the lower run of the conveyor belt.

[0043] By means of a substantially smooth surface of the at least one trimming element, a particularly precise cut of the suspended material can be advantageously achieved. This allows deviations from the desired density profile to be further reduced. A further advantage of a surface design of the at least one trimming element that is free of elevations and depressions is that the at least one trimming element can be manufactured more cost-effectively.

[0044] Preferably, the surface facing the lower run of the conveyor belt is rotationally symmetrical with respect to a rotational axis of the at least one trimming element. An advantage of a rotationally symmetrical design is that the at least one trimming element can be manufactured particularly cost-effectively.

[0045] As an alternative to a trimming element with a smooth surface and / or a surface that is free of depressions and elevations, it can also be provided that the at least one trimming element has depressions and / or elevations on the surface facing in the direction of the lower run of the conveyor belt. In such an embodiment, the density profile in the strand can be generated by means of the change in distance brought about by the at least one adjusting device and by the depressions and / or elevations of the at least one trimming element in combination. In such an embodiment, particularly large changes in density in the strand can be achieved. However, such an embodiment can also be advantageous, for example, if the aim is to ensure that the control shoe is moved shorter distances, i.e. in particular at very high production speeds, in particular in order to reduce unwanted heat generation and wear.

[0046] Preferably, each of the trimming elements of the trimming device has a surface pointing in the direction of the lower run of the conveyor belt, which surface is substantially smooth and / or which is free of depressions or elevations for generating a density profile in the material strand and / or is rotationally symmetrical.

[0047] It is particularly preferred that the periodic change in the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt takes place as a function of the speed at which the material is conveyed suspended along the lower run of the conveyor belt. Preferably, the period of the periodic change in the distance is adapted to the speed at which the material is conveyed suspended along the lower run of the conveyor belt. In particular, the period of the periodic change in the distance can be adapted to a period of time during which the material is conveyed suspended along the lower run of the conveyor belt for a specific distance.

[0048] Preferably, the periodic spacing change occurs as a function of the machine cycle of the device and / or synchronously with the machine cycle of the device. This makes it particularly advantageous to ensure that areas with increased density are reliably arranged at the intended positions, namely at the head ends for head reinforcement.

[0049] It is particularly preferred that the device comprises a formatting device which is arranged downstream of the lower run of the conveyor belt with respect to the material conveying direction, wherein the formatting device is designed and arranged to wrap the material with a wrapping material, in particular a cigarette paper, and to form it into a strand wrapped with wrapping material and having a round or oval cross-section.

[0050] The formatting device preferably comprises a formatting belt, wherein the formatting belt is preferably designed to move the strand together with a wrapping material through the formatting device, wherein the wrapping material is folded around the strand in the formatting device.

[0051] Preferably, the periodic change in the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt takes place as a function of the speed at which the strand wrapped with wrapping material is conveyed along the format device.

[0052] Preferably, the conveying speed of the conveyor belt and the conveying speed of the formatting belt are different. The conveying speed of the conveyor belt is preferably higher, for example, 2% higher, than the conveying speed of the formatting belt. Such a difference in conveying speeds can be used to particularly advantageously ensure that the strand wrapped by the formatting device is relatively densely packed and has essentially no material gaps.

[0053] Preferably, the density profile and / or the weight profile of the strand shifts and / or changes during the transfer of the strand from the conveyor belt to the format belt.

[0054] Preferably, the device is designed such that the material conveyed suspended from the lower strand has an asymmetrical density profile, and the transition between the lower strand and the forming belt ensures that the density profile of the strand wrapped by the forming belt is symmetrical or nearly symmetrical. This allows a smoking article with a symmetrical density profile to be produced in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0055] It is particularly preferred that the periodic change in the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt has a period which corresponds to a time duration during which the material is moved along the lower run of the conveyor belt with a smoking article stick length, in particular a tobacco stick length, or with a multiple, in particular twice, of a smoking article stick length, in particular a tobacco stick length.

[0056] The period, which can also be referred to as period duration, is preferably adapted in such a way that the smoking article stick length of the smoking article later produced from the rod, in particular in the form of a cigarette, has the desired density profile.

[0057] A stick length, i.e. a smoking article stick length, in particular a tobacco stick length, is to be understood as a length which corresponds to the length of a section cut from the rod for the article to be manufactured therefrom. Such a stick length therefore corresponds in particular to the length of the material stick, in particular the tobacco stick, i.e. the length of the material, in particular the tobacco, in the later article. The stick length extends in particular from the free head end, the so-called burning end, to the further head end, the so-called filter end, which preferably rests against a filter. The density profile can, for example, be designed in such a way that the material in the area of ​​the free head end is cut to a height of 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm along a section of approximately 18 mm to 22 mm, and the material in the area of ​​the further head end is cut to a height of approximately 18 mm to 22 mm.12 mm to 16 mm to a height of 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm. However, it is also possible to design the density profile symmetrically relative to the center of the material rod, especially the tobacco rod.

[0058] It is particularly preferred that the periodic change in the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt has a period which is at most 1 second, preferably at most 0.5 seconds, particularly preferably at most 0.1 seconds, in particular at most 0.05 seconds, and / or which is at least 0.001 seconds, particularly preferably at least 0.002 seconds, in particular at least 0.005 seconds.

[0059] It is particularly preferred that the periodic change in the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt be designed in the form of a symmetrical, preferably sinusoidal, oscillation. One advantage of such a symmetrical oscillation is that it allows for the generation of a symmetrical density profile. Creating a symmetrical density profile can be particularly advantageous when both sides of the smoking article rod, in particular the tobacco rod, are to have the same density.

[0060] It is particularly preferred that the periodic change in the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt has a change in the distance per period of at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.25 mm, particularly preferably at least 0.5 mm. The distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt is preferably changed within a period by at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.25 mm, particularly preferably at least 0.5 mm. The distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt is particularly preferably changed in a range of 1 mm to 2 mm per period.It is particularly preferred that the periodic change in the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt has a change in the distance per period of at most 10 mm, particularly preferably at most 5 mm, in particular at most 2.5 mm.

[0061] It is particularly preferred that the at least one sensor is designed as an electromagnetic measuring unit, in particular as a microwave measuring unit, particularly preferably with at least one resonator cavity and / or is U-shaped. The at least one sensor is preferably designed to detect a property characterizing the density, in particular the density of the material and / or a density profile of the material, preferably the density of the material over time and / or the density of the material over distance, and / or the weight of the material, in particular per unit length, and / or the fiber fill level of the material.

[0062] It is particularly preferred that the at least one sensor is integrated into the channel cheeks of a downwardly open strand guide channel through which the lower run of the conveyor belt runs. The at least one sensor can be designed as a component integrated into or connected to the suction belt conveyor and / or a component of the suction belt conveyor. Alternatively, the at least one sensor can also be designed as a separate component.

[0063] It is particularly preferred that the at least one sensor comprises a format device sensor, which is designed and arranged to detect at least one property, in particular a property characterizing the density, of the material wrapped with wrapping material. Such a format device sensor is preferably arranged in the format device. Such a format device sensor is preferably arranged and designed to measure the material through the wrapping material.

[0064] It is particularly preferred that the device comprises a further sensor which is designed and arranged to detect at least one property, in particular a property characterizing the density, of the material conveyed while hanging on the lower run of the conveyor belt, wherein the further sensor is arranged upstream of the trimming device with respect to the material conveying direction. This further sensor is therefore preferably arranged at a position at which the material conveyed while hanging on the lower run of the conveyor belt has not yet been trimmed by means of the trimming device, i.e. at which the material conveyed while hanging has not yet been brought to a desired height. This further sensor is preferably designed as an electromagnetic measuring unit, in particular as a microwave measuring unit.The further sensor is preferably designed to detect a property characterizing the density, in particular the density and / or a density profile, preferably the density over time and / or the density over distance, and / or the weight per unit length and / or the fiber fill level of the material being conveyed in a suspended manner. The further sensor can be designed as a component integrated into the suction belt conveyor and / or into a component of the suction belt conveyor or connected thereto. However, the further sensor can alternatively also be designed as a separate component. The further sensor is in particular a sensor different from the at least one sensor.

[0065] One advantage of such an additional sensor is that unwanted weight fluctuations can be significantly reduced because the material properties can be detected by the additional sensor even before the material is trimmed. By detecting the properties of the suspended material before the material is trimmed, i.e. before the material is trimmed, it is possible to immediately adapt the strand production according to the detected properties during strand production, i.e. during operation. In particular, this makes it possible to control the trimming device and / or the conveyor belt depending on the properties detected by the additional sensor in such a way that the material is trimmed in such a way that the weight distribution is more even and the produced strand has significantly lower weight fluctuations.

[0066] Preferably, the further sensor is designed to detect gaps in the material, wherein the control unit is designed to control the at least one adjusting device for adjusting a distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt depending on gaps in the material detected by the first sensor. One advantage in particular is that gaps in the material can already be detected before the material has reached the trimming device. Thus, the trimming device and / or the conveyor belt can be adjusted depending on the detected properties in such a way that the detected gaps in the material are compensated by adjusting or regulating the trimming height. This also makes it possible to advantageously reduce weight fluctuations.

[0067] Preferably, the control unit is signal-coupled to the further sensor, wherein the control unit is preferably designed to control the at least one adjusting device for adjusting the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt in such a way that a distance change superimposed on the periodic distance change, in particular a non-periodic distance change, takes place as a function of measurement signals generated by the further sensor, which preferably describe a density profile of the material.

[0068] Preferably, a distance change occurs by means of the at least one adjustment device as a function of the additional sensor, as a distance change superimposed on the periodic distance change. Accordingly, in particular, the periodic distance change occurs, with a further distance change superimposed on this periodic distance change occurring as a function of measurement signals generated by the additional sensor.

[0069] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a method for producing a rod of the tobacco processing industry, in particular a tobacco rod, the method comprising the steps of: conveying material, in particular tobacco, by means of a conveyor belt which has a lower run, wherein the material is conveyed hanging on the lower run of the conveyor belt along a material conveying direction, sucking in the hanging conveyed material by means of a suction device, wherein the suction device applies a negative pressure to at least a section of the lower run of the conveyor belt in order to suck in the hanging conveyed material onto the lower run of the conveyor belt, and trimming the material conveyed hanging on the lower run of the conveyor belt by means of a trimming device having at least one trimming element.

[0070] According to the invention, the method comprises the following step: adjusting a distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt by means of at least one adjusting device during a strand production state of the device in such a way that the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt is changed periodically over the course of time or is changed with a periodic component over the course of time.

[0071] It is particularly preferred that the adjustment of the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt by means of the at least one adjusting device takes place in such a way that the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt is changed periodically over the course of time according to a predetermined periodic distance change or is changed with a periodic component over the course of time.

[0072] It is particularly preferred that the periodic distance change be predetermined by a control unit configured to control the at least one adjusting device during the strand production state of the device. The control unit preferably transmits control signals to the at least one adjusting device, particularly preferably via a control line connected to the control unit and the at least one adjusting device.

[0073] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises: detecting a density profile of the material conveyed along the material conveying direction by means of at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is preferably arranged downstream of the trimming device with respect to the material conveying direction.

[0074] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises determining an average density profile from a plurality of recorded density profiles, preferably at least 10, particularly preferably at least 50, and especially at least 100. Instead of an average density profile, an average weight profile can also be determined. The statements regarding the density profile then apply accordingly to the weight profile.

[0075] Preferably, several density profiles are recorded consecutively, and an average density profile is created from these density profiles. Averaging is preferably performed for this purpose. Such averaging can compensate for measurement inaccuracies and the like.

[0076] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises controlling the adjustment of the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt as a function of the determined average density profile of the material. The control is preferably carried out by means of the control unit, which is signal-coupled to the at least one sensor.

[0077] The method preferably further comprises: displaying the determined average density profile of the material and a density profile specified by the control unit in a superimposed representation using a display device. Accordingly, the averaged density profile and the density profile specified by the control unit are preferably displayed on a display device of the device, with the averaged density profile and the specified density profile being displayed superimposed. This makes it particularly advantageous to directly detect whether and, if so, to what extent the determined average density profile deviates from the specified density profile.

[0078] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises: carrying out a calibration, wherein it is determined how the average density profile of the material conveyed suspended on the lower run of the conveyor belt depends on a predetermined periodic adjustment of the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt.

[0079] Preferably, a system response is determined. In particular, it is determined which control parameters are used to generate which density profile. By taking the system response into account, the desired density profile can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner, since the control parameters can then be adjusted accordingly.

[0080] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises: providing a device as described here, wherein preferably the steps of the method are carried out by means of the device.

[0081] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a smokable article, in particular in the form of a cigarette, preferably in the form of a filter cigarette, wherein the smokable article comprises a rod-shaped tobacco section which extends along an article central axis from a first head end, which is designed in particular as a filter end, to a second head end, which is designed in particular as a burn end, and has a tobacco rod length, wherein a tobacco section center point is arranged centrally between the first head end and the second head end on the article central axis, wherein the rod-shaped tobacco section comprises tobacco and a wrapping material arranged circumferentially around the tobacco, in particular wrapping paper, which wraps the tobacco, wherein the tobacco of the tobacco section has a density distribution with a density of the tobacco varying along the article central axis,wherein the density distribution of the tobacco from the first head end of the tobacco section to the second head end of the tobacco section along the article center axis is symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the tobacco section center, and the density of the tobacco is maximum at the first head end of the tobacco section and / or at the second head end of the tobacco section and / or the density of the tobacco is minimum at the tobacco section center and / or at the first head end,

[0082] The rod-shaped tobacco section can also be referred to as a tobacco rod. The second head end, in particular the burning end, can also be referred to as the free head end. The smokable article preferably comprises a rod-shaped filter extending along the article's central axis and connected to the first head end of the rod-shaped tobacco section.

[0083] Preferably, the smoking article is obtainable by a process as described herein. Preferably, the apparatus described herein is designed to produce such a smoking article. Therefore, the use of the apparatus described herein to produce such a smoking article is particularly preferred.

[0084] Preferably, the tobacco of the tobacco section has a density distribution in the form of a period of a cosine function (cos(0) to cos(2π)), although the density and / or weight of the material is indicated on the y-axis. Preferably, the density of the tobacco is highest at the first head end of the tobacco section and at the second head end of the tobacco section. Preferably, the density of the tobacco is lowest at the center of the tobacco section.

[0085] One advantage of such a smokable article is that it provides both good head reinforcement at the first head end and good head reinforcement at the second head end. This advantageously prevents tobacco from falling out of the first or second head end at any point during production and also after production. Another advantage is the very efficient use of tobacco. Such efficient use of tobacco means less tobacco is needed overall for a smokable article, which can also reduce production costs. Conventional smokable articles, on the other hand, do not have a symmetrical density profile, but rather an asymmetrical one.

[0086] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by an arrangement comprising a plurality of, preferably at least ten, particularly preferably at least twenty, smokable articles as described here arranged in a package, wherein an average mass deviation of the smokable articles is less than 3 wt.%, particularly preferably less than 2 wt.%, in particular less than 1 wt.%. The package is preferably designed as a box. A mass deviation is preferably understood to be a deviation of the mass of a smokable article divided by the average mass of all smokable articles arranged in the package. The average mass deviation is in particular the average mass deviation taking into account all smokable articles arranged in the package.Preferably, the average mass deviation of the smoking articles is less than 15 mg, more preferably less than 10 mg, in particular less than 5 mg.

[0087] One advantage of such an arrangement is a particularly low average mass deviation, which is smaller than is the case with conventional arrangements. This allows for particularly high and reliably consistent product quality.

[0088] Preferably, the smokable articles are arranged next to one another within the package such that the article center axes of the smokable articles are arranged parallel to one another.

[0089] For the advantages, design variants and design details of the various aspects of the solutions described here and their respective possible further developments, reference is also made to the description of the corresponding features, details and advantages of the other aspects and their further developments.

[0090] Preferred embodiments are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In the figures, identical or essentially functionally identical or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals. They show: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a section of a device in a first embodiment for producing a strand; Fig. 2: a schematic representation of a section of a device in a second embodiment for producing a strand; Fig. 3: a schematic representation of a section of a device in a third embodiment for producing a strand; Fig. 4a: a schematic representation of a first weight profile; Fig. 4b: a schematic representation of a second weight profile; Fig. 4c: a schematic representation of a third weight profile; Fig. 5: a measurement curve of a weight profile in comparison to a predetermined weight profile, displayed by means of a display device; Fig. 6: a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of an apparatus for producing a strand; Fig. 7: a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of an apparatus for producing a strand; Fig. 8: a schematic representation of a sixth embodiment of an apparatus for producing a strand; Fig. 9: a schematic representation of a seventh embodiment of an apparatus for producing a strand; Fig. 10: a schematic representation of an apparatus for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry; Fig. 11: a schematic representation of a smoking article and a density profile of the smoking article; Fig. 12a: a schematic representation of a process for producing a rod of the tobacco processing industry; Fig. 12b: a schematic representation of a process for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry.

[0091] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a section of a device in a first embodiment for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry, in particular a tobacco rod, from a material M. The material M1 has been showered onto the lower run 17a of a conveyor belt in the area shown on the right. The height of the material M1 as well as the weight of the material M1 and thus also the density of the material M1 are not constant along the direction x, as shown schematically on the right. The material M1 is conveyed in a suspended manner along the material conveying direction F by means of the lower run 17a, which is part of a conveyor belt. The material M1 then strikes a trimming device 19, which has the trimming element 19a. Provided above the trimming element 19a is a control shoe 80 designed as a sliding shoe, which is in contact with the lower run 17a. A distance A exists between the lower run 17a and the trimming element 19a of the trimming device.The distance A is the distance between the underside of the lower run 17a and the upper side 19c of the trimming element 19a. By means of the trimming element 19a, the material M1 is essentially trimmed to a height that corresponds to the distance A and is then conveyed at this height along the material conveying direction F as material M2, hanging further along the lower run 17a. The height or distance A is, however, not constant. The height is changed periodically over time by means of a movement of the control shoe 80. Due to the periodic change in distance after trimming, the material M2 then has a density fluctuation with the value shown in . Fig. 1 schematically shown sinusoidal profile M2. The control shoe 80 is periodically moved in the vertical direction h, as can be seen in the diagram h versus x. By means of this movement of the control shoe 80, the lower run 17a below the control shoe 80 is moved along with the control shoe 80. As a result, with the trimming element 19a stationary, the distance A is periodically changed in accordance with the movement of the control shoe 80 in the vertical direction h. A movement of the control shoe 80 in direction h causes a corresponding change in density in the trimmed material M2. A control unit 60 and an adjusting device 71 are provided for controlling and implementing the distance change. The control shoe 80 is a component of the adjusting device 71. The adjusting device 71 is designed to adjust the distance A between the trimming element 19a of the trimming device 19 and the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt.The control unit 60 is designed to control the adjusting device 71 during a strand production state of the device such that the adjusting device 71 periodically changes the distance A between the trimming element 19a and the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt over time. The control unit 60 is signal-coupled to the adjusting device 71 via the signal line 60b. This periodic change in distance generates a periodic weight profile (G over x) of the material corresponding to the change in distance and a periodic density profile (D over x) of the material corresponding to the change in distance. These two diagrams show a section from a first head end K1 to a second head end, which is designed as a burn end B, and further to a next first head end K2.

[0092] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a section of a device in a second embodiment for producing a strand. Fig. 2 corresponds to the structure shown in connection with Fig. 1 described structure. In Fig. 2, however, a sensor 20 is now additionally provided. The sensor 20 is designed and arranged to detect a property characterizing the density of the material M conveyed suspended on the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt. The sensor 20 is arranged downstream of the trimming device 19 with respect to the material conveying direction F. The property characterizing the density is therefore detected after trimming by means of the trimming device 19. The control unit 60 is signal-coupled to the sensor 20. The control unit 60 is designed to control the adjusting device 71 as a function of measurement signals generated by the sensor 20, which describe a density profile of the material M, M2.

[0093] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a section of a device in a third embodiment for producing a strand. Fig. 3 corresponds to the structure shown in connection with Fig. 2 described structure. In Fig. 3, however, in addition to the first adjusting device 71, a second adjusting device 72 is provided. The second adjusting device 72 is designed and arranged to change the distance A between the trimming element 19a of the trimming device 19 and the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt by moving the at least one trimming element 19a of the trimming device relative to the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt. Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the lower strand 17a can thus be moved by means of the first adjusting device 71, thereby changing the distance A. On the other hand, the trimming element 19a can also be moved by means of the second adjusting device 72, thereby changing the distance A. The control unit 60 is signal-coupled to the second adjusting device 72 via the signal line 60c.

[0094] Fig. Figure 4a shows a schematic representation of a first weight profile of a rod section with twice the usable length. The first head end K1, K2 is the filter end for a cigarette obtained from the rod section. The second head end, which later represents the burning end, is shown in the center. A weight profile (G vs. x) is shown here, where a density profile of this section would look the same, i.e., have the same shape. Fig. Figure 4a shows an asymmetric weight profile – and thus an asymmetric density profile – since the weight or density at the fire end B is greater than at the respective first head ends K1, K2. Fig. Figure 4b shows a schematic representation of a second weight profile of a rod section with twice the usable length. The first head end K1, K2 is the filter end for a cigarette obtained from the rod section. The second head end, which later represents the burning end, is shown in the center. A weight profile (G vs. x) is shown here, where a density profile of this section would look the same, i.e., have the same shape. Fig. Figure 4b shows a symmetrical weight profile - and thus a symmetrical density profile - since the weight or density at the fire end B is the same as at the respective first head ends K1, K2. Using the device, an asymmetrical density profile can be optionally created, as in connection with Fig. 4a, or a symmetric density profile, as described in connection with Fig. 4b described. Fig. Figure 4c shows another weight profile – and thus another density profile – in which the weight, and thus the density, is minimal at the respective first head end K1, K2 and the weight or density between the respective first head end K1, K2 and the tobacco section center is constant, with the weight or density being increased only at the burning end B. Such a profile, as in Fig. The weight distribution (and thus density distribution) shown in Figure 4c can be particularly advantageous for relatively short tobacco articles, such as those used in Heated Tobacco Products (HTP).

[0095] Fig. Figure 5 shows a measurement curve R of a weight profile (G over L) compared to a predefined weight profile I. The measurement curve R and the predefined profile I are displayed superimposed on a display device 64. Since the measurement curve R and the predefined profile I are superimposed, the magnitude of the deviations between the predefined profile I and the measurement curve R can be immediately seen. As can be seen, the deviations are very small. The distance SB is changed here by + / -1 mm per period. This achieves a weight stroke (G stroke) of + / - 60 mg per period.

[0096] Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of a device for producing a strand. The device comprises a suction belt conveyor 15 and a control unit 60. The structure shown here corresponds essentially to the structure of the Fig. 2. The distance between the trimming element 19a and the lower run 17a below the control shoe 80 is adjustable by means of a movement of the control shoe 80. The conveyor belt 17 is guided by means of conveyor belt rollers 17b, 17c, 17d, 17e. The lower run 17a of the conveyor belt 17 has a shower section 17x in which the material M is showered in the direction S. In the conveying section 17y, the material M is then conveyed in a suspended manner along the material conveying direction F. Within the conveyor belt 17, at least a section of the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt 17 is subjected to a negative pressure by means of a suction device 18 in order to suck the suspended material M onto the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt 17.The control unit 60 is signal-coupled to the sensor 20 via the signal line 60d and further signal-coupled to an adjusting device (not shown) for adjusting the distance between the trimming element 19a and the control shoe 80 via the signal line 60b. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the sensor 20 is U-shaped with the opening facing downward and is integrated into the downwardly open strand guide channel 16 through which the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt 17 runs. The sensor 20 is designed as an electromagnetic measuring unit, namely a microwave measuring unit, and is designed to detect the density or a density profile of the suspended material M2.

[0097] Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of a device for producing a strand. The suction belt conveyor 15 shown here is as described in connection with Fig. 6 described. In Fig. 7 additionally shows a formatting device 26, which is arranged downstream of the suction belt conveyor 15 and which has a formatting belt 24 guided by formatting belt rollers 24a, 24b. A density profile of the material M, M2 can be detected by means of the formatting device sensor 30, which is arranged in the region of the formatting device 26. In Fig. Figure 7 also shows details of the structure of a possible control system configuration. The measurement signals acquired by sensors 20, 30 are transferred to module 61 and subsequently to the measurement computer 62. It is also possible to use only one of these sensors 20, 30. Measured values ​​can be visualized using the display 64. The measurement computer 62 transfers data based on the received measurement signals to the control unit 60. The control unit 60 can then, in turn, control and, in particular, regulate an adjustment device for adjusting the distance between the at least one trimming element 19a and the lower strand 17a depending on the determined measurement values.

[0098] Fig. Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of a sixth embodiment of a device for producing a strand. The suction belt conveyor 15 shown here is essentially as described in connection with Fig. 6. However, in the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, a further sensor 10 is provided, which is arranged upstream of the trimming device 19 and which is signal-connected to the control unit 60 by means of a signal line 60d. The further sensor 10 is designed and arranged to detect a property characterizing the density of the material M conveyed suspended on the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt 17. The control unit 60 can then control the change in distance as a function of measurement signals detected by the sensor 20 and measurement signals detected by the further sensor 10.

[0099] Fig. Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of a seventh embodiment of a device for producing a strand. The structure of this embodiment corresponds essentially to the structure of the device described in connection with Fig. 7 described embodiment, but as in connection with Fig. 8, a further sensor 10 is provided which can transfer its measurement data to the module 61.

[0100] Fig. Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of a device 50 in the form of a cigarette rod machine for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry. From a lock 1, a pre-distributor 2 is supplied in portions with (in Fig. 10 not shown) tobacco fibers. A removal roller 3 in the pre-distributor 2 supplies a storage container 4 with tobacco fibers from the pre-distributor 2. An inclined conveyor 5 removes the tobacco fibers from the storage container 4 and feeds a storage chute 6. From the storage chute 6, a pin roller 7 removes a substantially uniform stream of tobacco fibers, which is knocked out of the pins of the pin roller 7 by a knock-out roller 8 and thrown onto a spreading cloth 9 rotating at a constant speed. On the spreading cloth 9, a tobacco fleece is formed from the tobacco stream. The tobacco fleece is thrown into a sifting device 11, which essentially consists of an air curtain through which larger or heavier tobacco particles pass, while all other tobacco particles are lowered by the air into a funnel 14 formed by a pin roller 12 and a wall 13.The pin roller 12 conveys the tobacco fibers from the hopper 12 to the suction belt conveyor 15, into a strand guide channel 16, and there they are thrown against the bottom run of an air-permeable, continuously rotating conveyor belt 17, which forms the floor of the strand guide channel 16. On this conveyor belt, a strand-shaped tobacco fiber cake is showered from the tobacco fibers and is thus held on the bottom run of the conveyor belt 17 by means of air sucked into a vacuum chamber 18. The tobacco fiber cake showered or collected therein is conveyed as a hanging strand by the rotating conveyor belt 17 along the strand guide channel 16. The bottom run of the conveyor belt 17 extends through the strand guide channel 16 from its beginning, where the strand formation zone is located, in the illustrated embodiment, to a trimming device 19 for removing excess tobacco fibers.The tobacco fiber strand thus formed is then placed on a synchronously guided cigarette paper strip 21. The cigarette paper strip 21 is drawn off a reel 22, guided through a printing unit 23, and placed on a driven format belt 24. The format belt 24 transports the tobacco rod together with the cigarette paper strip 21 through a format device 26, in which the cigarette paper strip 21 is folded around the tobacco rod so that only a narrow edge protrudes, which is glued in a known manner by a gluing device (not shown). The glued seam thus formed is then closed and dried by a tandem seam plate 27. The cigarette rod 28 thus formed passes through a measuring device in the form of a sensor 30 and is subsequently cut into double-length cigarettes 32 by a knife device 31.The double-length cigarettes 32 are transferred by a transfer device 34 with controlled arms to a receiving drum 36 of a filter-making machine 37, on whose cutting drum 38 they are cut into individual cigarettes by a circular knife. Conveyor belts 39, 41 convey excess tobacco fibers separated from the trimming unit 19, which has two trimmer discs 19a, 19b, into a container 42 arranged below the storage container 4, from which these excess tobacco fibers are removed as returned tobacco by the steep conveyor 5. The sensor 30 can, for example, be designed to detect the cross-section, the ovality or roundness and / or the density of the cigarette rod 28 and / or the weight of the cigarettes 32 and / or the weight of the cigarette rod 28 per unit length and / or the fiber fill level in the cigarette rod 28 and / or in the cigarettes 32 and to generate a corresponding output signal.This output signal is transmitted to a control unit (not shown here). In addition to the sensor 30, a sensor 20 is provided, which is arranged downstream of the trimming device 19. A further sensor 10 can also be provided, which is arranged upstream of the trimming device 19. The sensor 20 and / or the sensor 30 and, if applicable, the sensor 10 and possible arrangements and embodiments of these sensors are described in particular in connection with the . Fig. 1-9 described in detail.

[0101] Fig. 11 shows a schematic representation of a smokable article 90 in the form of a filter cigarette and a density profile (D over x) of the smokable article 90. The smokable article 90 has a rod-shaped tobacco section 91 that extends along an article center axis AM from a first head end K1, the filter end, to a second head end B, the burn end, and has a tobacco rod length TSL. A filter 94 is arranged at the filter end K1. A tobacco section center point TMP is arranged centrally between the first head end K1 and the second head end B on the article center axis AM. The rod-shaped tobacco section 91 comprises tobacco 92 and a wrapping paper 93 arranged circumferentially around the tobacco. The tobacco 92 of the tobacco section 91 has a density distribution with a tobacco density that varies along the article center axis AM, as shown in the diagram.The density distribution of the tobacco 92 from the first head end K1 of the tobacco section 91 to the second head end B of the tobacco section 91 along the article center axis AM relative to the tobacco section center point TMP is symmetrical. The density Dmax of the tobacco 92 at the first head end K1 of the tobacco section 91 and the density of the tobacco 92 at the second head end B of the tobacco section 91 are equal and maximum. The density Dmin of the tobacco 92 at the tobacco section center point TMP is minimal. Such smokable articles 90 can be arranged in an arrangement 99 comprising a plurality of smokable articles 90 arranged in a package 98. However, other density profiles are also conceivable, for example asymmetric density profiles. In particular, density profiles such as in . Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b and Fig. 4c and in connection with the Fig. 4a, Fig. 4b and Fig. 4c are described.

[0102] Fig. 12a shows a schematic representation of a method 300 for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry, in particular a tobacco rod. The method 300 comprises the following steps: In a step 310a, conveying material M, in particular tobacco, by means of a conveyor belt 17 having a lower run 17a, wherein the material is conveyed suspended on the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt 17 along a material conveying direction F. In a step 310b, sucking in the suspended material M by means of a suction device 18, wherein the suction device 18 applies a negative pressure to at least a portion of the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt 17 to suck in the suspended material M onto the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt 17. In a step 320, trimming of the material M conveyed hanging on the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt 17 by means of a trimming device 19 with at least one trimming element 19a, 19b.In a step 330, adjusting a distance A between the at least one trimming element 19a, 19b of the trimming device 19 and the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt 17 by means of at least one adjusting device 71, 72 during a strand production state of the device in such a way that the distance A between the at least one trimming element 19a, 19b of the trimming device 19 and the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt 17 is changed periodically over time. In a step 340, detecting a density profile of the material M conveyed along the material conveying direction F by means of at least one sensor 20, 30, wherein the at least one sensor 20 is preferably arranged downstream of the trimming device 19 with respect to the material conveying direction F.

[0103] Fig. Figure 12b shows a schematic representation of a method 300 for producing a rod in the tobacco processing industry, in particular a tobacco rod. The method 300 comprises the following steps: In a step 305, providing a device as described here, wherein the steps of the method 300 are preferably carried out by means of the device. This is followed by steps 310a, 310b, 320, 330, and 340 as described in connection with Fig.12a. This is followed by the following steps: In a step 350, determining an average density profile from a plurality of, preferably at least 10, particularly preferably at least 50, in particular at least 100, recorded density profiles. In a step 355, carrying out a calibration, wherein it is determined how the average density profile of the material conveyed while hanging on the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt 17 depends on a predetermined periodic adjustment of the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt. In a step 360, controlling the adjustment of the distance A between the at least one trimming element 19a, 19b of the trimming device 19 and the lower run 17a of the conveyor belt 17 as a function of the determined average density profile of the material M, M2.In a step 370, displaying the determined average density profile of the material and a density profile specified by the control unit in a superimposed representation by means of a display device. List of reference symbols 1 lock 2 pre-distributors 3 removal roller 4 storage containers 5 steep conveyors 6 storage shaft 7 pin roller 8 Knock-out roller 9 Spreading cloth 10 additional sensors 11 Viewing device 12 pin roller 13 Wall 14 funnels 15 suction belt conveyors 16 strand guide channel 17 Conveyor belt 17a Lower run of the conveyor belt 17b, c, d, e conveyor belt rollers 17x Shower section of the lower run 17y Conveyor section of the lower run 18 Suction device 19 Trim device 19a, 19b Trim element of the trim device 19c Top of the trim element of the trim device 20 sensors 21 cigarette paper strips 22 reels 23 printing unit 24 format tape 24a, b Format tape rolls 26 Format setup 27 Tandem seam plate 28 cigarette rolls 30 Format setup sensor 31 Knife apparatus 32 cigarettes 34 Transfer device 36 Transfer drum 37 Filter attachment machine 38 cutting drum 39, 41 Conveyor belts 42 containers 50 Device for producing a strand of tobacco processing industry 60 control unit 60a, b, c, d signal line 61 Module 62 measuring computers 64 Display device 71, 72 adjustment device 80 standard shoe 90 smokable items 91 Tobacco Section 92 Tobacco 93 Wrapping paper 94 filters 98 Packaging 99 Arrangement 300 Process for the production of a rod of the tobacco processing industry 305-370 procedural steps A Distance between trim element of the trim device and lower strand AM article center axis B Brand end, free head end, second head end K1, K2 filter end, first head end F Material conveying direction M, M1, M2 material S direction of view TMP tobacco section center TSL tobacco rod length QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 102011082625A1

[0002] EP 2241204A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Device for producing a rod of the tobacco processing industry, in particular a tobacco rod, the device comprising - a conveyor belt (17) having a lower run (17a), wherein the conveyor belt (17) is designed and arranged to convey material (M), in particular tobacco, suspended from the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) along a material conveying direction (F), - a suction device (18) for applying a negative pressure to at least one section of the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) for sucking the suspended material (M) onto the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17), - a trimming device (19) with at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) for trimming the material (M) conveyed suspended on the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17), and - at least one adjusting device (71, 72) for adjusting a distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17), characterized by in that the device comprises a control unit (60) which is designed to control the at least one adjusting device (71, 72) during a strand production state of the device in such a way that the at least one adjusting device changes the distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) periodically over the course of time or changes it with a periodic component over the course of time. [2] Device according to the preceding claim, comprising - at least one sensor (20, 30) which is designed and arranged to detect at least one property, in particular a property characterizing the density, of the material (M) conveyed hanging on the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17), wherein the at least one sensor (20, 30) is preferably arranged downstream of the trimming device (19) with respect to the material conveying direction (F), wherein the control unit (60) is signal-coupled to the at least one sensor (20, 30), and wherein the control unit (60) is designed to control the at least one adjusting device (71, 72) as a function of measurement signals generated by the at least one sensor (20, 30), which preferably describe a density profile of the material (M, M2). [3] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one adjusting device (71, 72) is designed and arranged to change the distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) by moving at least a portion of the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) relative to the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device and / or by moving the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device relative to the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17). [4] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one adjusting device (71, 72) has a control shoe (80) which rests on the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17), in particular on the upper side of the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17), and wherein the at least one adjusting device (71, 72) is designed to adjust the distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) by moving the control shoe (80), preferably in such a way that the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) is moved by means of the movement of the control shoe (80). [5] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) has a surface pointing in the direction of the lower run of the conveyor belt, which surface is substantially smooth and / or which is free of depressions or elevations for generating a density profile in the material strand and / or which is rotationally symmetrical, wherein preferably each of the trimming elements (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) has a surface pointing in the direction of the lower run of the conveyor belt, which surface is substantially smooth and / or which is free of depressions or elevations for generating a density profile in the material strand and / or which is rotationally symmetrical. [6] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the periodic change in the distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) takes place as a function of the speed at which the material is conveyed hanging along the lower run of the conveyor belt. [7] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising - a formatting device (26) which, with respect to the material conveying direction (F), is arranged downstream of the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17), wherein the formatting device (26) is designed and arranged to wrap the material (M) with a wrapping material, in particular a cigarette paper, and to form it into a strand wrapped with wrapping material and having a round or oval cross-section, wherein the periodic change in the distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) preferably takes place as a function of the speed at which the strand wrapped with wrapping material is conveyed along the formatting device (26). [8] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the periodic change in the distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) has a period which corresponds to a time duration during which the material is moved along the lower run of the conveyor belt with a smoking article stick length, in particular a tobacco stick length, or with a multiple, in particular twice, of a smoking article stick length, in particular a tobacco stick length. [9] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the periodic change in the distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) has a period which is at most 1 second, preferably at most 0.5 seconds, particularly preferably at most 0.1 seconds, in particular at most 0.05 seconds, and / or which is at least 0.001 seconds, particularly preferably at least 0.002 seconds, in particular at least 0.005 seconds. [10] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the periodic change in the distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) is designed in the form of a symmetrical, preferably sinusoidal, oscillation and / or wherein the periodic change in the distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) has a change in the distance per period of at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.25 mm, particularly preferably at least 0.5 mm, and / or of at most 10 mm, particularly preferably at most 5 mm, in particular at most 2.5 mm. [11] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sensor (20, 30) is designed as an electromagnetic measuring unit, in particular as a microwave measuring unit, particularly preferably with at least one resonator cavity and / or U-shaped, and / or wherein the at least one sensor (20, 30) is integrated in channel cheeks (100e, 100f) of a downwardly open strand guide channel (16) through which the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) runs, and / or wherein the at least one sensor (20, 30) comprises a format device sensor (30) which is designed and arranged to detect at least one property, in particular a property characterizing the density, of the material (M) wrapped with wrapping material. [12] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising - a further sensor (10) which is designed and arranged to detect at least one property, in particular a property characterizing the density, of the material (M) conveyed suspended on the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17), wherein the further sensor (10) is arranged upstream of the trimming device (19) with respect to the material conveying direction (F), wherein preferably the control unit (60) is signal-coupled to the further sensor (10), wherein the control unit (60) is preferably designed to control the at least one adjusting device (71, 72) for adjusting the distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) in such a way that one of the periodic distance changes superimposed,especially non-periodic, distance change occurs., [13] Method (300) for producing a rod of the tobacco processing industry, in particular a tobacco rod, the method comprising the steps: - conveying (310a) material (M), in particular tobacco, by means of a conveyor belt (17) having a lower run (17a), wherein the material is conveyed suspended on the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) along a material conveying direction (F), - Suction (310b) of the suspended conveyed material (M) by means of a suction device (18), wherein the suction device (18) applies a negative pressure to at least a portion of the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) for sucking the suspended conveyed material (M) onto the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17), - trimming (320) of the material (M) conveyed suspended on the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) by means of a trimming device (19) with at least one trimming element (19a, 19b), characterized by - Adjusting (330) a distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) by means of at least one adjusting device (71, 72) during a strand production state of the device in such a way that the distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) is changed periodically over the course of time or is changed with a periodic component over the course of time. [14] Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the periodic distance change is predetermined by a control unit (60) which is designed to control the at least one adjusting device (71, 72) during the strand production state of the device. [15] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, - detecting (340) a density profile of the material (M) conveyed along the material conveying direction (F) by means of at least one sensor (20, 30), wherein the at least one sensor (20, 30) is preferably arranged downstream of the trimming device (19) with respect to the material conveying direction (F), - determining (350) an average density profile from several, preferably at least 10, particularly preferably at least 50, in particular at least 100, recorded density profiles, - controlling (360) the adjustment of the distance (A) between the at least one trimming element (19a, 19b) of the trimming device (19) and the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) as a function of the determined average density profile of the material (M, M2), and - preferably displaying (370) the determined average density profile of the material and a density profile specified by the control unit in a superimposed representation by means of a display device (64). [16] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, - Carrying out (355) a calibration, wherein it is determined how the average density profile of the material conveyed hanging on the lower run (17a) of the conveyor belt (17) depends on a predetermined periodic adjustment of the distance between the at least one trimming element of the trimming device and the lower run of the conveyor belt. [17] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising: - Providing (305) a device according to one of claims 1-12, wherein the steps of the method are preferably carried out by means of the device. [18] Smokable article (90), in particular in the form of a cigarette, preferably in the form of a filter cigarette, wherein the smokable article comprises a rod-shaped tobacco section (91) which extends along an article central axis (AM) from a first head end (K1), which is designed in particular as a filter end, to a second head end (B), which is designed in particular as a burn end (B), and has a tobacco rod length (TSL), wherein a tobacco section center point (TMP) is arranged centrally between the first head end (K1) and the second head end (B) on the article central axis (AM), wherein the rod-shaped tobacco section (91) comprises tobacco (92) and a wrapping material (93) arranged circumferentially around the tobacco, in particular wrapping paper, which wraps the tobacco, wherein the tobacco (92) of the tobacco portion (91) has a density distribution with a density of the tobacco varying along the article center axis (AM), characterized by , that the density distribution of the tobacco (92) from the first head end (K1) of the tobacco portion (91) to the second head end (B) of the tobacco portion (91) along the article center axis (AM) relative to the tobacco portion center point (TMP) is symmetrical or asymmetrical, and the density of the tobacco (92) is maximum at the first head end (K1) of the tobacco portion (91) and / or at the second head end (B) of the tobacco portion (91) and / or the density of the tobacco (92) is minimum at the tobacco portion center point (TMP) and / or at the first head end (K1), wherein the smokable article (90) is preferably obtainable by the method according to one of claims 13-17. [19] Arrangement (99) comprising several, preferably at least ten, smokable articles (90) according to the preceding claim 18 arranged in a package (98), wherein an average mass deviation of the smokable articles is less than 3 wt.%, particularly preferably less than 2 wt.%, in particular less than 1 wt.%.

Images